Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conditional depletion of airway progenitor cells induces peribronchiolar fibrosis.

RATIONALE The respiratory epithelium has a remarkable capacity to respond to acute injury. In contrast, repeated epithelial injury is often associated with abnormal repair, inflammation, and fibrosis. There is increasing evidence that nonciliated epithelial cells play important roles in the repair of the bronchiolar epithelium after acute injury. Cellular processes underlying the repair and remodeling of the lung after chronic epithelial injury are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES To identify cell processes mediating epithelial regeneration and remodeling after acute and chronic Clara cell depletion. METHODS A transgenic mouse model was generated to conditionally express diphtheria toxin A to ablate Clara cells in the adult lung. Epithelial regeneration and peribronchiolar fibrosis were assessed after acute and chronic Clara cell depletion. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Acute Clara cell ablation caused squamous metaplasia of ciliated cells and induced proliferation of residual progenitor cells. Ciliated cells in the bronchioles and pro-surfactant protein C-expressing cells in the bronchiolar alveolar duct junctions did not proliferate. Epithelial cell proliferation occurred at multiple sites along the airways and was not selectively associated with regions around neuroepithelial bodies. Chronic Clara cell depletion resulted in ineffective repair and caused peribronchiolar fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Colocalization of proliferation and cell type-specific markers demonstrate that Clara cells are critical airway progenitor cells. Continuous depletion of Clara cells resulted in persistent squamous metaplasia, lack of normal reepithelialization, and peribronchiolar fibrosis. Induction of proliferation in subepithelial fibroblasts supports the concept that chronic epithelial depletion caused peribronchiolar fibrosis.
Can Co-Curricular Activities Enhance the Learning Effectiveness of Students?: An Application to the Sub-Degree Students in Hong Kong.

A total of 575 students from the Associate Degree Foundation Program and the Associate Degree Program participated in this study. The two purposes of this study were to use the time series between/within experimental design to examine whether participation in co-curricular activities could (1) enhance student learning effectiveness and (2) have positive effects on the academic performance of self-funded sub-degree students in Hong Kong. It was found that participation in cocurricular activities could not enhance student learning effectiveness. Associate degree students were too preoccupied by the need to attain good academic results in the first 2-3 terms of study. Rather, this study suggests that student learning effectiveness is affected by the time factor. High learning effectiveness was observed in the middle of the academic year but relatively low learning effectiveness at the end of the year.
Older-Aged Parents

This study examines the role that older-aged parents play in the care and support of adult sons and daughters with HIV or AIDS and of AIDS orphans in Thailand within the context of a limited institutional safety net. The analysis draws on both quantitative and qualitative data from survey and open-ended interviews with the parents and from individual case information provided by key informants. The results show that health and welfare benefits provided to persons with HIV or AIDS in Thailand are significant but that this formal safety net still leaves the bulk of care and support, as well as the fostering of orphans, to the family. Reliance on parents is particularly common, a pattern that likely occurs in other developing countries with serious epidemics. Programs to improve caregiving and to provide support to persons affected by the epidemic need to recognize the crucial role of older-aged parents and to incorporate them in their efforts.
Chinese writing system and learning to read

One of the obvious characteristics of the Chinese writing system is its visual complexity. How do children develop their reading and writing ability in such a system? The areas we address in the present study include: (1) The basic unit in character recognition and writing of Chinese children. (2) The role of familiarity of components and the position frequency of components in character recognition and writing. In the first experiment, the subjects were first‐, second‐, fourth‐, and sixth‐graders. Children were asked to delay copy five types of characters: familiar single characters, familiar compound characters, unfamiliar compounds with familiar components, unfamiliar compounds with unfamiliar components, and noncharacters, with the components in impossible positions. The results show that older children were affected more by the familiarity and the position frequency of components in the delayed copy task. In the second experiment, the subjects were from the same grades. Children were asked to carry o.
Localization of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 and Type II Receptor in Developing Normal Human Prostate and Carcinoma Tissues

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is implicated in prostate development, and elevated expression of TGF-β1 has been correlated with prostate carcinogenesis. In this study, cell type specificity of TGF-β1 and TGF-β receptor Type II (RcII) protein expression was determined by immunocytochemistry in human normal prostate and compared to prostate carcinoma tissues. Heterogeneous localization patterns of LAP-TGF-β1 (TGF-β1 precursor) and RcII were observed in both epithelial and mesenchymal cells in fetal prostate, with LAP-TGF-β1 localizing to more basal epithelial cells. Homogeneity of LAP-TGF-β1 staining was increased in neonatal, prepubertal, and adult prostate, with elevated immunoreac-tivity noted in epithelial acini relative to stromal tissue for both LAP-TGF-β1 and RcII proteins. In stromal tissues, RcII cell localization exhibited staining patterns nearly identical to smooth muscle α-actin. In prostate carcinoma, LAP-TGF-β1 localized to carcinoma cells with an increased staining heterogeneity relative to normal prostate. In contrast to normal epithelial cells, carcinoma epithelial cells exhibited low to nondetectable RcII staining. Stromal cell staining patterns for LAP-TGF-β1 and RcII in carcinoma, however, were identical to those of normal prostate stromal cells. These studies implicate both epithelial and stromal cells as sites of TGF-β1 synthesis and RcII localization in the developing and adult normal human prostate. In addition, these data indicate a loss of epithelial expression of RcII concurrent with altered LAP-TGF-β1 expression in human prostate carcinoma cells.
Both Color and Gray Scale Secret Images Hiding in a Color Image

In the past, most image hiding techniques have been applied only to gray scale images. Now, many valuable images are color images. Thus, it has become important to be able to apply image-hiding techniques to hide color images. In this paper, our proposed scheme can not only be applied to "a color host image hiding a color secret image", but also to "a color host image hiding a gray scale secret image". Our scheme utilizes the rightmost 3, 2 and 3 bits of the R, G, B channels of every pixel in the host image to hide related information from the secret image. Meanwhile, we utilize the leftmost 5, 6, 5 bits of the R, G, B channels of every pixel in the host image and set the remaining bits as zero to generate a palette. We then use the palette to conduct color quantization on the secret image to convert its 24-bit pixels into pixels with 8-bit palette index values. DES encryption is then conducted on the index values before the secret image is embedded into the rightmost 3, 2, 3 bits of the R, G, B channels of every pixel in the host image. The experimental results show that even under the worst case scenario our scheme guarantees an average host image PSNR value of 39.184 and an average PSNR value of 27.3415 for the retrieved secret image. In addition to the guarantee of the quality of host images and retrieved secret images, our scheme further strengthens the protection of the secret image by conducting color quantization and DES encryption on the secret image in advance. Therefore, our scheme not only expands the application area of image hiding, but is also practical and secure.
CENTAUR: realizing the full potential of centralized wlans through a hybrid data path

Enterprise WLANs have made a dramatic shift towards centralized architectures in the recent past. The reasons for such a change have been ease of management and better design of various control and security functions. The data path of WLANs, however, continues to use the distributed, random-access model, as defined by the popular DCF mechanism of the 802.11 standard. While theoretical results indicate that a centrally scheduled data path can achieve higher efficiency than its distributed counterpart, the likely complexity of such a solution has inhibited practical consideration. In this paper, we take a fresh, implementation and deployment oriented, view in understanding data path choices in enterprise WLANs. We perform extensive measurements to characterize the impact of various design choices, like scheduling granularity on the performance of a centralized scheduler, and identify regions where such a centralized scheduler can provide the best gains. Our detailed evaluation with scheduling prototypes deployed on two different wireless testbeds indicates that DCF is quite robust in many scenarios, but centralization can play a unique role in 1) mitigating hidden terminals - scenarios which may occur infrequently, but become pain points when they do and 2) exploiting exposed terminals - scenarios which occur more frequently, and limit the potential of successful concurrent transmissions. Motivated by these results, we design and implement CENTAUR - a hybrid data path for enterprise WLANs, that combines the simplicity and ease of DCF with a limited amount of centralized scheduling from a unique vantage point. Our mechanisms do not require client cooperation and can support legacy 802.11 clients.
Plausibility and belief in autobiographical memory

SUMMARY Investigations of the recovery and falsification of childhood memories have used one construct in lieu of another. Autobiographical memories have typically not been distinguished from autobiographical beliefs, and researchers have assumed that plausibility and schematic knowledge measure identical constructs. We tested the hypothesis that plausibility, autobiographical belief, and autobiographical memory are nested constructs, such that memory implies belief and belief implies plausibility. Six hundred and eighty five students answered questions about these constructs in relation to ten possible childhood events. Analysis of item means, response probabilities and the frequency with which items followed the predicted order demonstrated that the predicted pattern was upheld in over 95% of cases. Results did not support the hypothesis that plausibility and script knowledge are significantly related. Copyright # 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Different strategies for managing the work non-work interface: A test for unique pathways to work outcomes

Scientific evidence linking employers' efforts to help workers to manage the work non-work interface to actual outcomes at work remains scarce. In this study of 200 women employed in a Canadian school district, a research model was devised to explain how two strategies for managing the interface may affect stress symptoms, absenteeism and turnover intention. Several features distinguish this model from earlier models of the work non-work interface. That is, two directions of work non-work conflict, a mediator between the strategies and work outcomes, are specified, each strategy is set to relate directly to only one direction of conflict, and each direction is set to relate directly to stress symptoms and either absenteeism or turnover intention. LISREL analysis supported the superiority of the research model to a general model incorporating more common conceptualizations of the work non-work interface.
PSYCHOSOCIAL CORRELATES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN KOREAN MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS

The current study investigated the relationship of psychological and social variables with physical activity in Korean middle aged adults. A total of 352 adults (male: 183, female: 169, Mage = 39.85years, SD = 9.42) who are residing in Seoul were voluntarily participated in this study. Four Korean-version questionnaires were used to explore possible associations between psychosocial variables and physical activity among middle aged adults. Data were analyzed using correlation analysis and structural equation modeling. Results indicated that self-efficacy, perceived benefits, family support and friend support were significant in explaining physical activity. This study offers significant evidence of a relationship of psychosocial variables with physical activity in middle aged adults.
The Relationship Between Learning Styles and Student Learning in Online Courses

Just as learning styles affect how students learn in traditional face-to-face courses, learning styles also influence student learning in online courses. This paper reviews multiple research studies that have addressed learning styles and student learning in online courses. Some of these studies have found a relationship between learning styles and student learning, while other studies failed to detect a significant relationship. Since different researchers have used different learning style inventories as research instruments, comparisons can not always be clearly drawn, yet each of these studies constitutes a contribution to the field of learning styles and online learning. Conflicting results and a need for a clearer understanding of the relationship between learning styles and student learning in online courses point to a need for future research in this area. An understanding of the relationship between learning styles and student learning in online courses will assist those involved in instructional design and delivery in effectively meeting the needs of all students.
Age Group Differences in Subjective Perceptions of Telephone Voice Menu Systems

Interactive voice response (IVR) systems are increasingly being used for a variety of tasks. Unfortunately many users experience difficulty and frustration when interacting with these systems. IVR systems may be particularly problematic for older people given the cognitive demands associated with their use. This paper reports results from a study examining the usability of IVR systems for two applications: banking and an electric utility company. The sample included 195 males and females ranging in age from 18–82 years. The participants used the system to respond to a set of 24 problems/questions. They performed these tasks at one of three speech rates: 0% compression, 10% compression, and 20% compression. Prior to performing the task, the participants completed a prior experience questionnaire; following task performance they completed a questionnaire assessing system usability. Findings from these subjective measures will be presented in this paper. Overall, the data indicate age differences in perceptions of usability. These data will be discussed with respect to implications for system design.
Reproducibility of graph metrics of human brain structural networks

Recent interest in human brain connectivity has led to the application of graph theoretical analysis to human brain structural networks, in particular white matter connectivity inferred from diffusion imaging and fiber tractography. While these methods have been used to study a variety of patient populations, there has been less examination of the reproducibility of these methods. A number of tractography algorithms exist and many of these are known to be sensitive to user-selected parameters. The methods used to derive a connectivity matrix from fiber tractography output may also influence the resulting graph metrics. Here we examine how these algorithm and parameter choices influence the reproducibility of proposed graph metrics on a publicly available test-retest dataset consisting of 21 healthy adults. The dice coefficient is used to examine topological similarity of constant density subgraphs both within and between subjects. Seven graph metrics are examined here: mean clustering coefficient, characteristic path length, largest connected component size, assortativity, global efficiency, local efficiency, and rich club coefficient. The reproducibility of these network summary measures is examined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Graph curves are created by treating the graph metrics as functions of a parameter such as graph density. Functional data analysis techniques are used to examine differences in graph measures that result from the choice of fiber tracking algorithm. The graph metrics consistently showed good levels of reproducibility as measured with ICC, with the exception of some instability at low graph density levels. The global and local efficiency measures were the most robust to the choice of fiber tracking algorithm.
R-matrix inner-shell electron-impact excitation of Fe15+ including Auger-plus-radiation damping

We present results for the inner-shell electron-impact excitation of Fe15+ using the intermediate-coupling frame transformation R-matrix approach in which Auger-plus-radiation damping has been included. The target and close-coupling expansions are both taken to be the 134 levels belonging to the configurations 2s22p63l, 2s22p53s3l, 2s22p53p2 and 2s22p53p3d. The comparison of Maxwell-averaged effective collision strengths with and without damping shows that the damping reduction is about 30–40% for many transitions at low temperatures, but up to 80% for a few transitions. As a consequence, the results of previous Dirac R-matrix calculations (Aggarwal and Keenan 2008 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 41 015701) overestimate the effective collision strengths due to their omission of Auger-plus-radiation damping.
Neuronal activity in primate dorsolateral and orbital prefrontal cortex during performance of a reward preference task

An important function of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the control of goal‐directed behaviour. This requires information as to whether actions were successful in obtaining desired outcomes such as rewards. While lesion studies implicate a particular PFC region, the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), in reward processing, neurons encoding reward have been reported in both the OFC and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). To compare and contrast their roles, we recorded simultaneously from both areas while two rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) performed a reward preference task. The monkeys had to choose between pictures associated with different amounts of a juice reward. Neuronal activity in both areas reflected the reward amount. However, neurons in the DLPFC encoded both the reward amount and the monkeys' forthcoming response, while neurons in the OFC more often encoded the reward amount alone. Further, reward selectivity arose more rapidly in the OFC than the DLPFC. These results are consistent with reward information entering the PFC via the OFC, where it is passed to the DLPFC and used to control behaviour.
Comparison of Rebound Tonometer and Goldmann Handheld Applanation Tonometer in Congenital Glaucoma

PurposeTo compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements obtained using the rebound tonometer (RBT) and the handheld Goldmann applanation tonometer (Perkins) in children with congenital glaucoma. MethodsUsing both tonometers, the IOP was prospectively determined in 68 eyes of 68 patients with congenital glaucoma aged 3 to 13 years. Corneal curvature, central corneal thickness (CCT), and axial length were also measured in each patient. The ease of the use of each tonometer was scored using a visual analog scale. ResultsIOP readings obtained using the RBT and Perkins tonometer showed good correlation (r=0.869, P<0.001) although RBT readings were consistently higher (mean difference: 3.1 ±4.0 mm Hg). According to the Bland-Altman plot, the 95% limits of agreement between the 2 methods were −4.8 to 10.9 mm Hg (slope=0.589, P<0.001). When estimating CCT, the 2 tonometers behaved similarly and correlation was observed between IOP measurements and CCT, with higher IOPs obtained as the CCT increased. In contrast, no correlation was detected between corneal curvature or axial length and the IOPs recorded using either tonometer. Ease of use scores awarded by the examiner was higher for the RBT. ConclusionsThe RBT overestimates the IOP compared with the Perkins tonometer in patients with congenital glaucoma. Differences in readings between the 2 tonometers become larger as the CCT increases.
Double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial of medicated versus nonmedicated merocel sponges for functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare differences between medicated and nonmedicated Merocel middle meatal spacers (MMSs) on sinonasal mucosal healing (histopathologic and endoscopic difference), patient discomfort, and pain on removal of the MMS following functional endoscopic sinus surgery. METHODS Forty-eight patients with chronic rhinosinusitis undergoing bilateral functional endoscopic sinus surgery were enrolled in a prospective study. Patients were randomized and blinded to receive a medication-soaked Merocel MMS (either one of budesonide, gentamicin, or manuka honey) in one nostril and a nonmedicated Merocel MMS in the contralateral side. Patients were seen on postoperative day 7 and were asked to complete a visual analogue score to report the level of discomfort from nasal packing on each side. Under endoscopic visualization, biopsies of mucosa were taken from both middle meati and assessed by a blinded pathologist to determine the level of mucosal inflammation on a scale of 0 to 4. RESULTS The budesonide-soaked Merocel MMS showed a trend toward reduced mucosal inflammation when compared to the control Merocel MMS, but the results were not statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in the degree of discomfort and pain on the removal of the packings between the medication-soaked Merocel MMS and the nonmedicated Merocel MMS, although there was a trend toward less pain for the manuka honey-soaked Merocel MMS. CONCLUSIONS Although our study failed to show any significant benefit from the addition of medication to the Merocel MMS, further studies with different compounds are recommended to determine whether a medicated MMS could indeed be a superior alternative to the standard MMS.
Formation and dissociation of M1 muscarinic receptor dimers seen by total internal reflection fluorescence imaging of single molecules

G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of transmembrane signaling proteins in the human genome. Events in the GPCR signaling cascade have been well characterized, but the receptor composition and its membrane distribution are still generally unknown. Although there is evidence that some members of the GPCR superfamily exist as constitutive dimers or higher oligomers, interpretation of the results has been disputed, and recent studies indicate that monomeric GPCRs may also be functional. Because there is controversy within the field, to address the issue we have used total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) in living cells to visualize thousands of individual molecules of a model GPCR, the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. By tracking the position of individual receptors over time, their mobility, clustering, and dimerization kinetics could be directly determined with a resolution of ~30 ms and ~20 nm. In isolated CHO cells, receptors are randomly distributed over the plasma membrane. At any given time, ~30% of the receptor molecules exist as dimers, and we found no evidence for higher oligomers. Two-color TIRFM established the dynamic nature of dimer formation with M1 receptors undergoing interconversion between monomers and dimers on the timescale of seconds.