Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wound-induced ATP release and EGF receptor activation in epithelial cells

We have shown previously that wounding of human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells resulted in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation through ectodomain shedding of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF). However, the initial signal to trigger these signaling events in response to cell injury remains elusive. In the present study, we investigated the role of ATP released from the injured cells in EGFR transactivation in HCE cells as well as in BEAS 2B cells, a bronchial epithelial cell line. Wounding of epithelial monolayer resulted in the release of ATP into the culture medium. The wound-induced rapid activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways in HCE cells was attenuated by eliminating extracellular ATP, ADP and adenosine. The nonhydrolyzable ATP analog ATP-γ-S induced rapid and sustained EGFR activation that depended on HB-EGF shedding and ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase). Targeting pathways leading to HB-EGF shedding and EGFR activation attenuated ATP-γ-S-enhanced closure of small scratch wounds. The purinoceptor antagonist reactive blue 2 decreased wound closure and attenuated ATP-γ-S induced HB-EGF shedding. Taken together, our data suggest that ATP, released upon epithelial injury, acts as an early signal to trigger cell responses including an increase in HB-EGF shedding, subsequent EGFR transactivation and its downstream signaling, resulting in wound healing.
Efficient algorithms for generalized subgraph query processing

We study a new type of graph queries, which injectively maps its edges to paths of the graphs in a given database, where the length of each path is constrained by a given threshold specified by the weight of the corresponding matching edge. We give important applications of the new graph query and identify new challenges of processing such a query. Then, we devise the cost model of the branch-and-bound algorithm framework for processing the graph query, and propose an efficient algorithm to minimize the cost overhead. We also develop three indexing techniques to efficiently answer the queries online. Finally, we verify the efficiency of our proposed indexes with extensive experiments on large real and synthetic datasets.
Community Response to the Foreclosure Crisis: Thoughts on Local Interventions

In the wake of the ongoing national mortgage crisis, preventing or mitigating foreclosures and facilitating recovery from the damage they cause have become tremendous challenges for community developers, policymakers, and a wide variety of other actors in cities and metropolitan areas. ; The purpose of this paper is to lay out the range of responses to the foreclosure crisis in which local organizations have been engaged in recent years. It is not intended to be a catalogue of best practices. Rather, it uses examples of strategies and programs only for illustrative, explanatory purposes. Moreover, there is no attempt made to evaluate the effectiveness or impact of any of these strategies or tactics. The primary purpose is to provide a scheme for thinking about local responses to the crisis and the actors and organizations involved.
Drosophila bipectinata species complex.

The Drosophila bipectinata species complex belongs to the ananassae subgroup of the melanogaster species group (Genus Drosophila, Subgenus Sophophora). The members of the complex are: D. bipectinata, D. parabipectinata, D. malerkotliana, and D. pseudoananassae. Of the four species, D. bipectinata is most widely distributed. Females are indistinguishable, but males are distinguishable by their sex-comb teeth number and pattern and by abdominal colouration. Chromosomal inversions have been detected in these species. In natural populations of D. bipectinata the frequency of inversions and the level of inversion heterozygosity were found to be very low but in laboratory stocks inversions persisted for more than 20 generations due to heterotic buffering. On an average 9.3 fixed interspecific inversions separate each species pair. Non-random association between linked inversions indicated epistatic interaction in natural populations of D. bipectinata. Certain spontaneous mutations were detected and mapped for the first time in D. bipectinata. Low frequency of spontaneous male recombination has also been reported in D. bipectinata. Sexual isolation study in the complex indicated strong preference for homogamic mating. The results also indicated incomplete sexual isolation among different members of this complex. The isolation estimate among six different geographic populations of D. bipectinata ranged from 0.54 - 0.92 representing positive assortative mating which is an evidence for incipient sexual isolation. Incipient sexual isolation was also found within D. malerkotliana and D. parabipectinata . Chromosomal, hybridization and allozyme studies revealed close phylogenetic relationship among the four species of the bipectinata complex. Mitochondrial DNA study revealed net nucleotide difference (delta) between these species to be very small (0.0002 +/- 0.0008) reflecting closeness. Evidence for genetic control of sexual activity and existence of sexual selection in D. bipectinata has been shown on the basis of mating propensity tests carried out on geographic strains, their hybrids and diallel crosses. Significant variation was found among the strains tested with respect to courtship time, duration of copulation and fertility. A positive correlation between duration of copulation and fertility in D. bipectinata was found. Evidence for rare-male mating advantage was also found in D. bipectinata. A positive response to selection for high and low mating activity provided evidence for polygenic control of this phenomenon in D. bipectinata. Bilateral outgrowths on thorax, a unique phenotype, reported for the first time in D. bipectinata has been shown to affect mate recognition ability. Results of the study on pupation site preference (larval behaviour) and oviposition site preference (non-sexual behaviour) have also been included.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems for Students with Disabilities: A Case Study of Four Students and Their Communication Team

A qualitative methodology was used to investigate the perceptions of four students and their communication team members regarding many facets of augmentative and alternative communication systems. A multiple case study design with cases across three academic levels within a public school district was implemented. Information was gathered through semi-structured interviews, document review, and observations. Four themes emerged from the data: “They told us about it” (Laurette), “Give our kids relationships” (Elizabeth), team approach, and working with AAC. Participants described their experience in regards to decision-making, ideal function, training, usage, maintenance, benefits, and challenges. Participants expressed a lack of choice when deciding on an AAC system. The communication team emphasized the lack of training to use an AAC system and the alternatives they seek to become proficient. Participants highlighted the benefits and challenges of using and working with an AAC system. The lack of data collection was also discussed when determining the effectiveness of an AAC system for a student. Results are discussed with implications and directions for future research.
Magnetohydrodynamics In The Context Of Nelson's Stochastic Mechanics

A simple generalization of the MHD model accounting for the fluctuations of the configurations due to kinetic effects in plasmas in short times small scales is considered. The velocity of conductive fluid and the magnetic field are considerd as the stochastic fields (or random trial trajectories) for which the classical MHD equations play the role of the mean field equations in the spirit of stochastic mechanics of E. Nelson.
Using machine learning to improve automatic vectorization

Automatic vectorization is critical to enhancing performance of compute-intensive programs on modern processors. However, there is much room for improvement over the auto-vectorization capabilities of current production compilers through careful vector-code synthesis that utilizes a variety of loop transformations (e.g., unroll-and-jam, interchange, etc.). As the set of transformations considered is increased, the selection of the most effective combination of transformations becomes a significant challenge: Currently used cost models in vectorizing compilers are often unable to identify the best choices. In this paper, we address this problem using machine learning models to predict the performance of SIMD codes. In contrast to existing approaches that have used high-level features of the program, we develop machine learning models based on features extracted from the generated assembly code. The models are trained offline on a number of benchmarks and used at compile-time to discriminate between numerous possible vectorized variants generated from the input code. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the machine learning model by using it to guide automatic vectorization on a variety of tensor contraction kernels, with improvements ranging from 2× to 8× over Intel ICC's auto-vectorized code. We also evaluate the effectiveness of the model on a number of stencil computations and show good improvement over auto-vectorized code.
A comparative evaluation of the effect of polymer chemistry and fiber orientation on mesenchymal stem cell differentiation

Abstract Bioengineered tissue scaffolds in combination with cells hold great promise for tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to determine how the chemistry and fiber orientation of engineered scaffolds affect the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic differentiation on aligned and randomly orientated electrospun scaffolds of Poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid (PLGA) and Polydioxanone (PDO) were compared. MSCs were seeded onto scaffolds and cultured for 14 days under adipogenic‐, chondrogenic‐, or osteogenic‐inducing conditions. Cell viability was assessed by alamarBlue metabolic activity assays and gene expression was determined by qRT‐PCR. Cell‐scaffold interactions were visualized using fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Cells grew in response to scaffold fiber orientation and cell viability, cell coverage, and gene expression analysis showed that PDO supports greater multilineage differentiation of MSCs. An aligned PDO scaffold supports highest adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation whereas fiber orientation did not have a consistent effect on chondrogenesis. Electrospun scaffolds, selected on the basis of fiber chemistry and alignment parameters could provide great therapeutic potential for restoration of fat, cartilage, and bone tissue. This study supports the continued investigation of an electrospun PDO scaffold for tissue repair and regeneration and highlights the potential of optimizing fiber orientation for improved utility. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2843–2853, 2016.
Dopamine and Amphetamine Rapidly Increase Dopamine Transporter Trafficking to the Surface: Live-Cell Imaging Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

Rapid treatment (1 min) of rat striatal synaptosomes with low-dose amphetamine increases surface expression of the dopamine transporter (DAT). Using mouse neuroblastoma N2A cells, stably transfected with green fluorescent protein-DAT, we demonstrate the real-time substrate-induced rapid trafficking of DAT to the plasma membrane using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM). Both the physiological substrate, dopamine, and amphetamine began to increase surface DAT within 10 s of drug addition and steadily increased surface DAT until removal 2 min later. The substrate-induced rise in surface DAT was dose-dependent, was blocked by cocaine, and abated after drug removal. Although individual vesicle fusion was not visually detectable, exocytosis of DAT was blocked using both tetanus neurotoxin and botulinum neurotoxin C to cleave soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins. Notably, the dopamine-induced increase in surface DAT was cocaine-sensitive but D2-receptor independent. TIRFM data were confirmed in human DAT-N2A cells using biotinylation, and similar effects were detected in rat striatal synaptosomes. A specific inhibitor of protein kinase C-β blocked the substrate-mediated increase in surface DAT in both DAT-N2A cells and rat striatal synaptosomes. These data demonstrate that the physiological substrate, dopamine, and amphetamine rapidly increase the trafficking of DAT to the surface by a mechanism dependent on SNARE proteins and protein kinase C-β but independent of dopamine D2 receptor activation. Importantly, this study suggests that the reuptake system is poised to rapidly increase its function during dopamine secretion to tightly regulate dopaminergic neurotransmission.
Affective and motivational factors of learning in online mathematics courses

We investigated what factors would be related to students' achievement in mathematics courses offered at a virtual high school. This was an attempt to understand why some succeed and some do not as well as to suggest what should be done to help with student success. Seventy-two students responded to a self-report survey on motivation (ie, self-efficacy, intrinsic value), mathematics achievement emotions (ie, anxiety, anger, shame, hopelessness, boredom, enjoyment, pride), and cognitive processes (ie, cognitive strategy use, self-regulation). A three-step hierarchical multivariate regression was employed to examine which of the factors predict student achievement. Results showed that motivation accounted for approximately 13% of the variance in student achievement and self-efficacy was the significant individual predictor of student achievement. However, when achievement emotions were added to the analysis, self-efficacy failed to predict student achievement and emotions accounted for 37% of the variance in student achievement. Cognitive strategy use and self-regulation did not explain any additional variance in the final scores. Findings are discussed and implications for future research and development are also suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Effects of Payment for Environmental Services (PES) on Deforestation and Poverty in Low and Middle Income Countries: A Systematic Review

7 Executive summary 8 Background 8 Objectives 9 Selection criteria 9 Search strategy 9 Data collection and analysis 10 Results 10 Effects on Deforestation Outcomes 10 Effects on Human Welfare Outcomes 11 The Role of Institutional and Social Conditions 11 Authors’ conclusions 12 1 Background 13 1.1 Description of the problem 13 1.2 Description of the intervention 14 1.2. 1 Description of PES 14 1.3 How the intervention might work 16 1.3.1 Main hypotheses 16 1.3.2 Unintended consequences and moderating factors for PES 18 1.3.3 Moderator hypotheses 19 1.4 Why it was important to do this review 20 2 Objectives 22 3 Selection Criteria 24 3.1 Participants 24 3.2 Interventions 24 3.3 Outcomes 25 3.4 Study Types 25 4 Search Strategy 27 4.1 Electronic searches 27
Eclipsing binaries in the Galactic bulge: candidates for distance estimates

The 222 000 I -band light curves of variable stars detected by the ogle-ii survey in the direction of the Galactic Bulge have been searched for eclipsing binaries (EBs). A previously developed code to analyze lightcurve shapes and identify long period variables (LPVs) has been adapted to identify EBs. The parameters in the modified code have been optimised to recover a list of about 140 detached EBs in the Small Magellanic Cloud previously identified in the literature as particularly well suited for distance estimates (and wich have periods $\ga$0.85 days). The power of the code is demonstrated by identifying 16 and 178 previously uncatalogued EBs in the SMC and LMC, respectively. Among the 222 000 variable stars in the direction of the Galactic Bulge 3053 EBs have been identified. Periods and phased lightcurves are presented.
The Intersection of Middle-Grade Teachers’ Beliefs Regarding Mathematics and Adolescents

iii Dedication . iv Acknowledgments.v Vita . vi List of Tables . viii List of Figures . ix Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Chapter 2: Review of Literature . 14 Chapter 3: Methodology . 44 Chapter 4: Findings.71 Chapter 5: Discussion . 142 References: . 162 Appendix A: Support Letters from Principals . 170 Appendix B: Informed Consent Letter from Participants.172 Appendix C: Parent Information Letter . 176 Appendix D: Observation Protocol.178 Appendix E: Interview Questions.181
Balancing Risk and Return in a Customer Portfolio

Marketing managers can increase shareholder value by structuring a customer portfolio to reduce the vulnerability and volatility of cash flows. This article demonstrates how financial portfolio theory provides an organizing framework for (1) diagnosing the variability in a customer portfolio, (2) assessing the complementarity/similarity of market segments, (3) exploring market segment weights in an optimized portfolio, and (4) isolating the reward on variability that individual customers or segments provide. Using a seven-year series of customer data from a large business-to-business firm, the authors demonstrate how market segments can be characterized in terms of risk and return. Next, they identify the firm's efficient portfolio and test it against (1) its current portfolio and (2) a hypothetical profit maximization portfolio. Then, using forward- and back-testing, the authors show that the efficient portfolio has consistently lower variability than the existing customer mix and the profit maximization portfolio. The authors provide guidelines for incorporating a risk overlay into established customer management frameworks. The approach is especially well suited for business-to-business firms that serve market segments drawn from diverse sectors of the economy.
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition Open Access a League of Their Own: Demographics, Motivations and Patterns of Use of 1,955 Male Adult Non-medical Anabolic Steroid Users in the United States

Background: Rule violations among elite-level sports competitors and tragedies among adolescents have largely defined the issue of non-medical anabolic-androgenic steroid (NMAAS) use for the public and policy makers. However, the predominant and oft-ignored segment of the NMAAS community exists in the general population that is neither participating in competitive sports nor adolescent. A clearer profile of NMAAS users within the general population is an initial step in developing a full understanding of NMAAS use and devising appropriate policy and interventions. This survey sought to provide a more comprehensive profile of NMAAS users by accessing a large sample of user respondents from around the United States.
Predicting Surgery Targets in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy through Structural Connectome Based Simulations

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a prevalent neurological disorder resulting in disruptive seizures. In the case of drug resistant epilepsy resective surgery is often considered. This is a procedure hampered by unpredictable success rates, with many patients continuing to have seizures even after surgery. In this study we apply a computational model of epilepsy to patient specific structural connectivity derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of 22 individuals with left TLE and 39 healthy controls. We validate the model by examining patient-control differences in simulated seizure onset time and network location. We then investigate the potential of the model for surgery prediction by performing in silico surgical resections, removing nodes from patient networks and comparing seizure likelihood post-surgery to pre-surgery simulations. We find that, first, patients tend to transit from non-epileptic to epileptic states more often than controls in the model. Second, regions in the left hemisphere (particularly within temporal and subcortical regions) that are known to be involved in TLE are the most frequent starting points for seizures in patients in the model. In addition, our analysis also implicates regions in the contralateral and frontal locations which may play a role in seizure spreading or surgery resistance. Finally, the model predicts that patient-specific surgery (resection areas chosen on an individual, model-prompted, basis and not following a predefined procedure) may lead to better outcomes than the currently used routine clinical procedure. Taken together this work provides a first step towards patient specific computational modelling of epilepsy surgery in order to inform treatment strategies in individuals.
IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL QUALITY : HOW BEST TO EVALUATE OUR SCHOOLS ?

While the academic debate has been preoccupied for much of the last decade with school vouchers, state policymakers have been moving in a very different direction, constructing elaborate incentive systems using school-level test-score measures. For instance, California spent nearly $700 million on school-level incentives in 2001, providing bonuses of up to $25,000 per teacher in schools with the largest increases in test performance between 1999 and 2000. Unfortunately, given that the discipline of economics has a long tradition of thinking about the design of incentives, economists have been largely absent from the debate accompanying the design of school accountability systems. For anyone seeking to catch up with the policy debate, the Hanushek and Raymond paper is extremely useful in categorizing the types of systems that have been created, in summarizing the fledgling literature on the impact of school accountability systems within states, and in providing some original evidence on the impact of state accountability policies using the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test scores across states over time. One of the great contributions of the paper is that it simply provides a clearer picture of the variety of systems that have been created. As described by the authors, most systems use a hybrid of one of three types of measures of test performance: status measures (mean levels of test performance), status-change measures (changes in the level of performance between cohorts over time), and gain score (the mean improvement in performance for a given cohort of students). Possibly because of
An Ability-Based View of the Organization: Strategic-Resource and Contingency Domains.

Purpose – This paper extends the corporation‐based metaphor of the tree by proposing that cognition is the core ability that nourishes the development of core competencies. From such an extension, this paper aims to take a step forward to answer the question: what is the role of cognition in the organization that is in pursuit of core competencies and sustainable competitive advantage? Design/methodology/approach – The paper answers this problem by presenting two complementary perspectives, which contribute to introduce the field of organizational cognition into the strategic‐resource and contingency domains. First, it proposes precepts of an ability‐based view of the organization through analogies that are most associated to concepts of the resource‐based view and dynamic capabilities of the firm. Second, it introduces a contingency‐based view of organizational cognition which is most developed through causal relations, and also deductive and inductive reasoning.Findings – Conclusions reinforce the thesis.