Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systemic inflammation and COPD: the Framingham Heart Study.

BACKGROUND The current paradigm for the pathogenesis of COPD includes an ultimately maladaptive local inflammatory response to environmental stimuli. We examined the hypothesis that systemic inflammatory biomarkers are associated with impaired lung function, particularly among those with extensive cigarette smoking. METHODS Using data from the Framingham Heart Study, we examined cross-sectional associations of systemic inflammatory biomarkers (CD40 ligand [CD40L], intercellular adhesion molecule [ICAM]-1, interleukin [IL]-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, P-selectin, and myeloperoxidase, in addition to C-reactive protein) to impaired lung function. RESULTS IL-6 was consistently associated with impaired lung function; a 1-SD higher concentration of IL-6 was associated with a 41-mL lower FEV(1) (95% confidence interval [CI], - 61 to - 20) and a borderline 15% higher odds of COPD (odds ratio, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.34). Additionally, P-selectin was associated with lower FEV(1) levels; after adjusting for the other biomarkers, a 1-SD higher concentration of P-selectin predicted an FEV(1) that was on average 19 mL lower (95% CI, - 37 to 0). Including the biomarkers individually as sole exposures in the models generally strengthened the impaired lung function/biomarker association; the relations of ICAM-1 to FEV(1), and ICAM and CD40L to COPD became significant. The observed associations did not vary significantly with smoking history, except that the association between CD40L and COPD appeared greater in individuals with more extensive smoking histories. CONCLUSIONS Among participants in the Framingham Heart Study, systemic inflammation was associated with lower levels of pulmonary function. Further research into the role of systemic inflammation in the development of pulmonary dysfunction is merited.
Of Institutional Strategic Decisions & Performance Indicators : A strategy to improve institutional effectiveness

Recognition of the critical value performance indicators can play on institutional improvement transcends international boundaries. Several American and Mexican universities believe performance indicators can improve institutional decision-making while providing a valid mechanism to meet demands for accountability. Though those institutions value performance indicators, they also fear that current processes for defining indicators neither adequately connect the institutions with their constituents, nor necessarily relate directly to the decision-making patterns of the university. This paper discusses a conceptual basis for the development of performance indicators that effectively: a) improve internal decision-making processes, and b) meet the demands for accountability. Introduction This paper reports the strategy used by the University of Puebla (UAP), in collaboration with Pennsylvania State University (PSU), to introduce a system of performance indicators. The UAP seeks to improve the quality of its programs and services and to increase its efficiency and effectiveness as organization. It recognizes the value of evaluation and quality assurance mechanisms, not merely to demonstrate accountability to their multiple constituents, but more fundamentally, as a basis for
The Authentic Place in the Amenity Migration Discourse

The amenity migration movement has garnered significant interest across the wider academic community. In recent works, the emphasis on the investigation into this phenomenon has centered on the aesthetic attractiveness, both culturally and environmentally, of regional locations. This article follows this theme and explores the role of place in the amenity migration discourse. Using a theoretical framework emerging from the cultural sociology of Smith, it is shown through various metanarratives that authenticity plays a major role in the promotion and protection of amenity migration places. Specifically, natural landscape, cultural heritage, and community are discussed as significant contributors to this aura of authenticity. Maintaining this, however, is somewhat problematic as the phenomenon continues to gather momentum.
Effect of Geometrical Modeling on the Prediction of Laser-Induced Heat Transfer in Metal Foam

Over the past several decades, aluminum foam (Al-foam) has found increasing popularity in industrial applications due to its unique material properties. Unfortunately, till date Al-foam can only be affordably manufactured in flat panels, and it becomes necessary to bend the foam to the final shape that is required in engineering applications. Past studies have shown that thin cell walls crack and collapse when conventional mechanical bending methods are used. Laser forming, on the other hand, was shown to be able to bend the material without causing fractures and cell collapse. This study was focused on the thermal aspects of laser forming of closed-cell Al-foam. An infrared camera was used to measure the transient temperature response of Al-foam to stationary and moving laser sources. Moreover, three different numerical models were developed to determine how much geometrical accuracy is needed to obtain a good agreement with experimental data. Different levels of geometrical complexity were used, including a simple solid geometry, a Kelvin-cell based geometry, and a highly accurate porous geometry that was based on an X-ray computed tomography (CT) scan. The numerical results were validated with the experimental data, and the performances of the numerical models were compared. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4033927]
Season of birth and school success in the early years of primary education

Several studies have reported significant relationships between children’s season of birth and measures of their academic success (i.e., the ‘season of birth effect’). Whereas most of these studies were cross‐sectional, the current study uses growth curve modelling to analyse longitudinal data on 3,187 children in Flemish primary education. The results indicate season of birth effects on both grade retention and mathematics achievement during the first two years of primary school. Because the Flemish cut‐off date is 31 December, children born in the fourth quarter (October‐November‐December) invariably are among the youngest in their grade age group. Almost 20% of these children were found to have been retained or referred to special education by the end of Grade 2, whereas for children born in the first quarter (January‐February‐March), this was only 6.34%. First quarter‐born children also showed moderately higher mathematics achievement at the start of first grade. During the next two school years, this achievement gap between children born in the first and the fourth quarter narrowed significantly. Finally, differentiated instruction was not found to be related to the decrease of the season of birth effect.
cGMP/Protein Kinase G-Dependent Inhibition of N-Type Ca2+ Channels Induced by Nitric Oxide in Human Neuroblastoma IMR32 Cells

Although data from our laboratory and others suggest that nitric oxide (NO) exerts an overall inhibitory action on high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels, conflicting observations have been reported regarding its effects on N-type channels. We performed whole-cell and cell-attached patch-clamp recordings in IMR32 cells to clarify the functional role of NO in the modulation of N channels of human neuronal cells. During depolarizing steps to +10 mV from Vh = −90 mV, the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 200 μm), reduced macroscopic N currents by 34% (p < 0.01). The magnitude of inhibition was similar at all voltages tested (range, −40 to +50 mV). No significant inhibition was observed when SNP was applied together with the NO scavenger, 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide potassium salt (300 μm), or after cell treatment with the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazole [4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (10 μm). 8-Bromoguanosine-cGMP (8-Br-cGMP) (400 μm) mimicked the effects of SNP, reducing Ba2+ currents by 37% (p < 0.001). Cell treatment with the protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor KT5823 (1 μm) or guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothioate, 8-(4-chloro-phenylthio)-Rp-isomer, triethylammonium salt (20 μm) virtually abolished the effects of 8-Br-cGMP. At the single-channel level, 8-Br-cGMP reduced the channel open probability by 59% and increased both the mean shut time and the null sweep probability, but it had no significant effects on channel conductance, mean open time, or latency of first openings. These data suggest that NO inhibits N-channel gating through cGMP and PKG. The consequent decrease in Ca2+ influx through these channels may affect different neuronal functions, including neurotransmitter release.
El Niño Modoki and its possible teleconnection

[1] Using observed data sets mainly for the period 1979–2005, we find that anomalous warming events different from conventional El Nino events occur in the central equatorial Pacific. This unique warming in the central equatorial Pacific associated with a horseshoe pattern is flanked by a colder sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) on both sides along the equator. empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of monthly tropical Pacific SSTA shows that these events are represented by the second mode that explains 12% of the variance. Since a majority of such events are not part of El Nino evolution, the phenomenon is named as El Nino Modoki (pseudo-El Nino) (“Modoki” is a classical Japanese word, which means “a similar but different thing”). The El Nino Modoki involves ocean-atmosphere coupled processes which include a unique tripolar sea level pressure pattern during the evolution, analogous to the Southern Oscillation in the case of El Nino. Hence the total entity is named as El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Modoki. The ENSO Modoki events significantly influence the temperature and precipitation over many parts of the globe. Depending on the season, the impacts over regions such as the Far East including Japan, New Zealand, western coast of United States, etc., are opposite to those of the conventional ENSO. The difference maps between the two periods of 1979–2004 and 1958–1978 for various oceanic/atmospheric variables suggest that the recent weakening of equatorial easterlies related to weakened zonal sea surface temperature gradient led to more flattening of the thermocline. This appears to be a cause of more frequent and persistent occurrence of the ENSO Modoki event during recent decades.
Does WIC work? The effects of WIC on pregnancy and birth outcomes.

Support for WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, is based on the belief that "WIC works. " This consensus has lately been questioned by researchers who point out that most WIC research fails to properly control for selection into the program. This paper evaluates the selection problem using rich data from the national Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. We show that relative to Medicaid mothers, all of whom are eligible for WIC, WIC participants are negatively selected on a wide array of observable dimensions, and yet WIC participation is associated with improved birth outcomes, even after controlling for observables and for a full set of state-year interactions intended to capture unobservables that vary at the state-year level. The positive impacts of WIC are larger among subsets of even more disadvantaged women, such as those who received public assistance last year, single high school dropouts, and teen mothers.
Sources of coaching efficacy: The coaches’ perspective

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify sources of coaching‐efficacy information to compare with those presented in the Coaching‐Efficacy model (Feltz, Chase, Moritz, & Sullivan, 1999). Using a structured interview format with 12 of the coaches of high‐school boys’ basketball used in the Feltz et al. study, the coaches were asked to identify the information they select to form their coaching efficacy beliefs. An inductive content analysis of the sources of coaching efficacy indicated that coaches selected Player Development most often, followed by Coaches’ Development, Knowledge/Preparation, Leadership Skills, Player Support, and Past Experience. These sources were found to be similar to the proposed sources in the Coaching‐Efficacy model (Feltz, et al.) and previous work in self‐efficacy theory (Bandura, 1977).
The Age-Metallicity Relation of the Universe in Neutral Gas: The First 100 Damped Lyα Systems

We discuss accurate metallicity measurements for 125 damped Lyα (DLA) systems at 0.5 < z < 5, including ≈50 new measurements from our recently published Echellette Spectrograph and Imager surveys. This data set is analyzed to determine the age-metallicity relation of neutral gas in the universe. Contrary to previous analyses, this sample shows statistically significant evolution in the cosmic mean metallicity. The best linear fit for metallicity evolution is -0.26 ± 0.07 dex per unit redshift. The DLA systems continue to maintain a floor in metallicity of ≈1/700 solar, independent of observational effects. This metallicity threshold limits the prevalence of primordial gas in high-redshift galaxies and stresses the correspondence between damped systems and star formation. Finally, we comment on an apparent "missing metals problem:" the mean metallicity of the damped systems is ≈10 times lower than the value expected from their inferred star formation history. This problem is evident in current theoretical treatments of galaxy formation and may indicate a serious flaw in our understanding of the interplay between star formation and metal enrichment.
Transitional Lumbosacral Discs: Probability of Herniation

The charts and roentgenograms of 200 patients operated upon for lumbar disc herniations were reviewed. Among them, there were 42 persons in whom a lumbosacral transitional vertebra existed. The discs beneath these vertebra varied in appearance. A descriptive classification for the four disc types is proposed. In none of the 42 patients were there myelographic evidence of herniation of such a disc. In five instances, such discs were surgically inspected, and no protrusion was uncovered. Before transitional discs are operated upon, the proof of herniation should be incontrovertible.
Jane Jacobs’ framing of public disorder and its relation to the ‘broken windows’ theory

Though much has been written about the ‘broken windows’ theory, very little effort has been made to locate and contextualize it within an historical perspective. This article serves as a corrective to this void. I explore the way the concerns about public disorder, which (re)emerged in the US academic literature beginning in the 1960s, were important forerunners for the concerns that would be raised in ‘broken windows’. Specifically, I locate the significance of Jane Jacobs’ seminal The Death and Life of Great American Cities, and explore its relation to the ‘broken windows’ theory, explicating the (dis)connections and (dis)similarities between the way these two texts frame the problem of public disorder and the normative agendas that are espoused.
Location Systems for Ubiquitous Computing

This survey and taxonomy of location systems for mobile-computing applications describes a spectrum of current products and explores the latest in the field. To make sense of this domain, we have developed a taxonomy to help developers of location-aware applications better evaluate their options when choosing a location-sensing system. The taxonomy may also aid researchers in identifying opportunities for new location-sensing techniques.
Antitrypanosomal effect of methanolic extract of Zingiber officinale (ginger) on Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infected Wistar mice.

Aim: The study was carried out to determine the in vivo antitrypanosomal effect of methanolic extract of Zingiber officinale (ginger) in Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infected mice. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five mice were randomly allocated into five groups of five animals each. Group I and II were given Tween 80 (1 ml/kg) and diminazene aceturate (3.5 mg/kg) to serve as untreated and treated controls, respectively. Groups III-V received the extract at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight, respectively. All treatments were given for 6 consecutive days and through the oral route. The mean body weight, mean survival period and daily level of parasitaemia were evaluated. Results: Acute toxicity showed the extract to be relatively safe. There was an insignificant increase in body weight and survival rate of mice treated with the extract. The level of parasitaemia in the extract treated groups was decreased. Conclusion: This study shows the in vivo potential of methanolic extract of Z. officinale in the treatment of trypanosomiasis.
Torque ripple and misalignment torque compensation for the built-in torque sensor of harmonic drive systems

A harmonic drive is a compact, lightweight, and high-ratio torque transmission device which is used in many electrically actuated robot manipulators. In this paper a built-in torque sensor for harmonic-drive systems is examined in detail. The method proposed by Hashimoto, in which strain gauges are directly mounted on the flexspline, is employed and improved in this paper. To minimize sensing inaccuracy, four Rosette strain gauges are used employing an accurate positioning method. To cancel the torque ripples, the oscillation observed on the measured torque and caused mainly by gear teeth meshing, Kalman filter estimation is used. A simple fourth-order harmonic oscillator proved to accurately model the torque ripples. Moreover, the error model is extended to incorporate any misalignment torque. By on-line implementation of the Kalman filter, it has been shown that this method is a fast and accurate way to filter torque ripples and misalignment torque. Hence, the intelligent built-in torque sensor is a viable and economical way to measure the harmonic-drive transmitted torque and to employ that for torque feedback strategies.
Service Quality, Satisfaction, and Behavioral Intention Among Forest Visitors

Abstract This study explores the interrelationships between service quality and satisfaction, and their influence on behavioral intention among forest visitors. On-site surveys were conducted in a forest through face-to-face interviews (n = 395). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings suggest that service quality is an antecedent of satisfaction and satisfaction plays a mediating role between service quality and behavioral intention. Further, service quality has a direct effect on behavioral loyalty, implying that the effect of service quality on behavioral intention is as important as that of satisfaction. The results of the study provide important theoretical implications to nature-based tourism managers.
Evaluation of the Relationship Between Musculoskeletal Discomforts and Occupational Stressors Among Nurses

Background: Stress in nurses may increase the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomforts. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomforts and job stress among nurses and to investigate the association between musculoskeletal discomforts and occupational stressors. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 144 nurses in one of the main referral hospitals of Tehran-Iran were randomly selected and studied. Data were collected by HSE job stress questionnaire and The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire through interviews with nurses in their workplace. Results: Most reported musculoskeletal discomforts localized in the neck, back, knee and shoulder and the minimal discomforts were in wrist and elbow. On the other hand, stressors such as demand, changes in workplace, control and responsibilities had significant effect on increasing musculoskeletal discomforts of organs such as neck, shoulders and back (P < 0.001). Conclusion: There was a significant association between stressors such as demand, control, responsibilities and changes in workplace and reported musculoskeletal disorders, especially in neck, shoulders and back. It is suggested to use defined programs for management and control of stressors to control occupational stress in nurses. Moreover, prevention of musculoskeletal discomforts due to their high prevalence in the study population is important.
The acquisition of formational parameters in British Sign Language: a cast study

s of the 1989 Child Language Seminar * Location: Hatfield Polytechnic, 3-5 April 1989 Organizers: David Messer & Geoffrey Turner The acquisition of formational parameters in British Sign Language: a cast study. J CLIBBENS, Plymouth Polytechnic M. HARRIS, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College Analysis of signs produced by deaf children learning American Sign Language has indicated that there are similarities between deaf children’s progressive mastery of the formational components of signs and the development of the phonological system in hearing children. In particular, a series of development stages has been proposed for the acquisition of hand configurations, with substitution of earlier acquired forms for those which develop later. This paper presents an analysis of hand configurations and other formational components of signs produced by a deaf child learning British Sign Language. The data were obtained from videotaped observations of the child engaged in free play with her mother from the age of 6 months to 2 years. Peer group interaction in the Infant School E. COATES, University of Warwick The development of verbal communication in the Infants School has long been a matter of general concern. This paper looks at aspects of that development based on eleven groups of four children interacting together as they explore objects in a structured environment. The setting was designed to encourage rich dialogue both between children and between children and an adult. Evidence of this dialogue is based on tape-recordings made during these explorations. Each group of children was recorded twice once during their first year in school and once, two years later, at the end of their Infant School