Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Normal Human Lung Epithelial Cells Inhibit Transforming Growth Factor-β Induced Myofibroblast Differentiation via Prostaglandin E2

Introduction Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive disease with very few effective treatments. The key effector cells in fibrosis are believed to be fibroblasts, which differentiate to a contractile myofibroblast phenotype with enhanced capacity to proliferate and produce extracellular matrix. The role of the lung epithelium in fibrosis is unclear. While there is evidence that the epithelium is disrupted in IPF, it is not known whether this is a cause or a result of the fibroblast pathology. We hypothesized that healthy epithelial cells are required to maintain normal lung homeostasis and can inhibit the activation and differentiation of lung fibroblasts to the myofibroblast phenotype. To investigate this hypothesis, we employed a novel co-culture model with primary human lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts to investigate whether epithelial cells inhibit myofibroblast differentiation. Measurements and Main Results In the presence of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, fibroblasts co-cultured with epithelial cells expressed significantly less α-smooth muscle actin and collagen and showed marked reduction in cell migration, collagen gel contraction, and cell proliferation compared to fibroblasts grown without epithelial cells. Epithelial cells from non-matching tissue origins were capable of inhibiting TGF-β induced myofibroblast differentiation in lung, keloid and Graves’ orbital fibroblasts. TGF-β promoted production of prostaglandin (PG) E2 in lung epithelial cells, and a PGE2 neutralizing antibody blocked the protective effect of epithelial cell co-culture. Conclusions We provide the first direct experimental evidence that lung epithelial cells inhibit TGF-β induced myofibroblast differentiation and pro-fibrotic phenotypes in fibroblasts. This effect is not restricted by tissue origin, and is mediated, at least in part, by PGE2. Our data support the hypothesis that the epithelium plays a crucial role in maintaining lung homeostasis, and that damaged and/ or dysfunctional epithelium contributes to the development of fibrosis.
Star Formation in the Local Universe

We present preliminary results of a long-term study aimed at answering a number of open questions on the evolution of starbursts in local galaxies. The project employes mainly HST data from the ultraviolet to the red of the stellar continuum and of the nebular emission from the galaxies. Here we concentrate on NGC5253 and NGC5236 (M83), that form a dwarf--massive galaxy pair at about 4 Mpc distance. The recent star formation history of the centers of the two galaxies is investigated in order to identify similarities and differences in the evolution of their central starbursts.
RFID tracking of AD mice Behavioral phenotyping of a mur ine model of Alzheimer ' s disease in a semi-naturalistic environment using RFID tracking

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) are increasingly threatening public health. Most animal models of AD consist of transgenic mice that are usually housed singly or in unisexual groups in small barren cages. Such restricted environments, however, prevent the mice from showing a variety of species-specific behavior and consequently may constrain comprehensive behavioral phenotyping. On the other hand, allowing the animals to freely organize their lives in a spacious physically and socially enriched environment makes behavioral phenotyping laborious and time consuming. Radio frequency identification (RFID) using a network of antennas and small glass-coated transponders labeling each individual allows gathering spatio-temporal information of a large number of individuals in parallel. The aim of this project was to use the RFID technique to facilitate the characterization of mice carrying a genetic disposition to develop Alzheimer-like pathology and their wild-type conspecifics in a spacious semi-naturalistic environment.
Reciprocity-induced bias in digital reputation

The peer-to-peer (P2P) economy relies on establishing trust in distributed networked systems, where the reliability of a user is assessed through digital peer-review processes that aggregate ratings into reputation scores. Here we present evidence of a network effect which biases the digital reputations of the users of P2P networks, showing that P2P networks display exceedingly high levels of reciprocity. In fact, these are so large that they are close to the highest levels structurally compatible with the networks' reputation landscape. This shows that the crowdsourcing process underpinning digital reputation is significantly distorted by the attempt of users to mutually boost reputation, or to retaliate, through the exchange of ratings. We show that the least active users are predominantly responsible for such reciprocity-induced bias, and that this fact can be exploited to suppress the bias itself.
Antibacterial Activity and Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Grammosciadium platycarpum Boiss. from Iran

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from two samples (GP1 and GP2) of Grammosciadium platycarpum Boiss. was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The analysis of the oils resulted in the identification of twenty-two constituents. Linalool (79.0% - GP1, 81.8% - GP2) and limonene (10.0%, 5.8%) were found to be the major components, respectively. The in vitro antibacterial activities of these oils and their main compounds against seven Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were investigated. The results exhibited that the total oils and their major components possess strong to moderate activities against all the tested bacteria except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Maya Figurines: Intersections between State and Household

Preface Introduction Chapter 1. State and Household: Articulating Relations Chapter 2. Materiality and Mimesis Chapter 3. State Pomp and Ceremony Writ Small Chapter 4. From Oral Narrative to Festival and Back: Tricksters, Spirit Companions, Ritual Clowns, and Deities Chapter 5. Figurine Political Economies Chapter 6. Figurative Performances Chapter 7. Comments on Maya State and Household Appendices Notes References Index
Probability matching vs over-regularization in language: Participant behavior depends on their interpretation of the task

In a variety of domains, children have been observed to overregularize inconsistent input, while adults are more likely to “probability match” to any inconsistency. Many explanations for this have been offered, usually relating to cognitive differences between children and adults. Here we explore an additional possibility: that differences in the social assumptions participants bring to the experiment can drive differences in over-regularization behavior. We explore this in the domain of language, where assumptions about error and communicative purpose might have a large effect. Indeed, we find that participants who experience less pressure to be “correct” and who have more reason to believe that any inconsistencies do not correspond to an underlying regularity do over-regularize more. Implications for language acquisition in children and adults are discussed.
Rural development - major political priority.

Prof T J Bembridge, head of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the University of Fort Hare, discusses methods of increasing the viability of livestock production in South Africa's black states. A successful development strategy would be based on adequate research, flexible planning within the existing framework and cooperation with the farmers themselves.
Identifying Individuals at Risk for Cardiovascular Events Across the Spectrum of Blood Pressure Levels

Background We determined the proportion of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events that occur across the spectrum of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and assessed whether multivariable risk assessment can identify persons who experience ASCVD events at all levels of SBP, including those with goal levels. Methods and Results Participants aged 45 to 64 years from the Framingham Offspring and Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities studies were stratified based on treated and untreated SBP levels (<120, 120 to 129, 130 to 139, 140 to 149, 150 to 159, ≥160 mm Hg). We determined the number of excess ASCVD events in each SBP stratum by calculating the difference between observed and expected events (ASCVD event rate in untreated SBP <120 mm Hg was used as the reference). We categorized participants into 10-year ASCVD risk groups using the Pooled Cohort risk equations. There were 18 898 participants (78% white; 22% black) who were followed for 10 years. We estimated 427 excess ASCVD events, of which 56% (109 of 197) and 50% (115 of 230), respectively, occurred among untreated and treated participants with elevated SBP who were not recommended for antihypertensive therapy. Among untreated participants, 10-year ASCVD risk ≥7.5% identified 64% of those who experienced an ASCVD at 10 years and 30% of those who did not. Multivariable risk assessment was less useful in baseline-treated participants. Conclusions Half of excess ASCVD events occurred in persons with elevated SBP who were not currently recommended for antihypertensive therapy. Multivariable risk assessment may help identify those likely to benefit from further risk-reducing therapies. These findings support consideration of multivariable risk in guiding prevention across the spectrum of SBP.
Strain- and electric field-induced band gap modulation in nitride nanomembranes

The hexagonal nanomembranes of the group III-nitrides are a subject of interest due to their novel technological applications. In this paper, we investigate the strain- and electric field-induced modulation of their band gaps in the framework of density functional theory. For AlN, the field-dependent modulation of the bandgap is found to be significant whereas the strain-induced semiconductor-metal transition is predicted for GaN. A relatively flat conduction band in AlN and GaN nanomembranes leads to an enhancement of their electronic mobility compared to that of their bulk counterparts.
Antecedents of Day-Level Proactive Behavior: A Look at Job Stressors and Positive Affect During the Workday†

This study extends research on proactive behavior at work by examining the extent to which job stressors (time pressure and situational constraints) and affective experiences during the workday are associated with proactive behaviors on the same and the following workday. Results from civil service employees who filled in surveys over 4 consecutive workdays indicated that situational constraints were positively associated with proactive behavior on the same workday. In addition, positive mood was significantly related to proactive behavior on the same and the following workday.
REGIONAL AND URBAN SCIENCE IN FRANCE: RANKINGS OF AUTHORS AND INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLICATION PATTERNS DURING THE NINETIES

This article analyses the evolution experienced by research in urban and regional science in France between 1991 and 2000, comparing these changes with wider international trends. Nine of the leading international journals of regional and urban studies were used in drawing up rankings of countries, authors and institutions and in exploring publication patterns. We examine the strategy adopted by the French in establishing themselves within the world's top five in regional and urban research and report a number of interesting findings when comparisons are drawn internationally.
Modeling Dengue Vector Dynamics under Imperfect Detection: Three Years of Site-Occupancy by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Urban Amazonia

Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are the vectors of dengue, the most important arboviral disease of humans. To date, Aedes ecology studies have assumed that the vectors are truly absent from sites where they are not detected; since no perfect detection method exists, this assumption is questionable. Imperfect detection may bias estimates of key vector surveillance/control parameters, including site-occupancy (infestation) rates and control intervention effects. We used a modeling approach that explicitly accounts for imperfect detection and a 38-month, 55-site detection/non-detection dataset to quantify the effects of municipality/state control interventions on Aedes site-occupancy dynamics, considering meteorological and dwelling-level covariates. Ae. aegypti site-occupancy estimates (mean 0.91; range 0.79–0.97) were much higher than reported by routine surveillance based on ‘rapid larval surveys’ (0.03; 0.02–0.11) and moderately higher than directly ascertained with oviposition traps (0.68; 0.50–0.91). Regular control campaigns based on breeding-site elimination had no measurable effects on the probabilities of dwelling infestation by dengue vectors. Site-occupancy fluctuated seasonally, mainly due to the negative effects of high maximum (Ae. aegypti) and minimum (Ae. albopictus) summer temperatures (June-September). Rainfall and dwelling-level covariates were poor predictors of occupancy. The marked contrast between our estimates of adult vector presence and the results from ‘rapid larval surveys’ suggests, together with the lack of effect of local control campaigns on infestation, that many Aedes breeding sites were overlooked by vector control agents in our study setting. Better sampling strategies are urgently needed, particularly for the reliable assessment of infestation rates in the context of control program management. The approach we present here, combining oviposition traps and site-occupancy models, could greatly contribute to that crucial aim.
Characterization of Waveguides With a Combination of Conductor and Periodic Boundary Contours: Application to the Analysis of Bi-Periodic Structures

Bi-periodic homogeneous cylindrical structures are studied, for the first time, under a waveguide viewpoint. The periodic nature of the structure allows for its characterization by means of a single period, or unit cell. Accordingly, the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the wave equation, under a combination of perfect conductor and periodic boundary conditions, are studied. The results show that, under certain conditions, bi-periodic homogeneous cylindrical structures share some important properties with closed waveguides, namely, they can be described by means of a complete set of TEM, TE and TM modes. Considering the aforementioned properties, a mode-matching approach is proposed for the analysis of multilayered, bi-periodic structures with arbitrary metallization and dielectric thicknesses, as an accurate, efficient and versatile method. The application of the proposed approach is exemplified through the analysis of the incidence of plane waves at arbitrary angles on bi-periodic surfaces, the analysis and measurement of a waveguide simulator, and the characterization of a parallel-plate waveguide with a bi-periodically textured surface. Numerical results and measurements confirm the accuracy of this approach.
Work Values and Their Relationships With Career Choice: A Segment‐Based Approach to Understanding Hospitality and Tourism Management Students in China

Focusing on the work values of Chinese hospitality and tourism management (HTM) undergraduate students, this article aims to identify any segment existing among HTM students in China based on work values, as well as to investigate any relationship between work values and career choice intention across the derived student segments. Work values were measured by a self‐administered questionnaire based on Super's (1970) Work Value Inventory; career choice intention was assessed by a single‐item instrument. The data were collected from 566 HTM undergraduate students in five major cities in China. Cluster analysis was employed to identify homogeneous groups of responses to the specified work‐value criteria. Multiple regression analyses were then conducted to investigate whether and to what extent the work‐value dimensions exerted a significant influence over hospitality and tourism career choice intention across different segments. As a result, two segments, “medium achievers” and “high achievers,” were identified. The structures for predicting work‐value dimensions on career choice within individual segment models appear to be different compared to the structure for the overall student group model. Conclusions were also reached on the hierarchy of work values and the demographic differences in work values in this study. Recommendations are made based on the findings. 本文研究的重心是中国酒店及旅游业管理(HTM)大学本科生的工作价值观，目的是确定中国HTM学生在工作价值观上是否存在区隔，及研究各学生区隔的工作价值观及职业选择意向之间是否存在关系。 本文以一份根据 Super (1970) 的工作价值观总表 (Work Value Inventory) 而设计的自填式问卷衡量工作价值观，职业选择意向则利用单项工具评估。 本文从5个中国主要城市收集了566名HTM学生的数据，利用聚类分析(cluster analysis)，根据指定的工作价值标准将受访学生的回应归类为同性质的组群。 接着采用多重回归分析找出各工作价值观的因素会否影响不同区隔的HTM学生的职业选择意向，或影响有多深远。 最后得出“中等成功”和“非常成功”两组学生区隔。 就预测各工作价值观的因素对职业选择的影响而言，个别区隔模型的结构与整体学生区隔模型的结构并不相同。 最后，本文得出工作价值观层级及人口变项对工作价值观构成影响的结论，并根据研究结果进一步提出建议。
Magnetic Flux Tube Reconnection: Tunneling Versus Slingshot

The discrete nature of the solar magnetic field as it emerges into the corona through the photosphere indicates that it exists as isolated flux tubes in the convection zone and will remain as discrete flux tubes in the corona until it collides and reconnects with other coronal fields. Collisions of these flux tubes will in general be three-dimensional and will often lead to reconnection, both rearranging the magnetic field topology in fundamental ways and releasing magnetic energy. With the goal of better understanding these dynamics, we carry out a set of numerical experiments exploring fundamental characteristics of three-dimensional magnetic flux tube reconnection. We first show that reconnecting flux tubes at opposite extremes of twist behave very differently: in some configurations, low twist tubes slingshot while high twist tubes tunnel. We then discuss a theory explaining these differences: by assuming helicity conservation during the reconnection one can show that at high twist, tunneled tubes reach a lower magnetic energy state than slingshot tubes, whereas at low twist the opposite holds. We test three predictions made by this theory. (1) We find that the level of twist at which the transition from slingshot to tunnel occurs is about 2-3 times higher than predicted on the basis of energetics and helicity conservation alone, probably because the dynamics of the reconnection play a large role as well. (2) We find that the tunnel occurs at all flux tube collision angles predicted by the theory. (3) We find that the amount of magnetic energy a slingshot or a tunnel reconnection releases agrees reasonably well with the theory, although at the high resistivities we have to use for numerical stability, a significant amount of magnetic energy is lost to diffusion, independent of reconnection.
The Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Emotional Distress, Quality of Life, and HbA1c in Outpatients With Diabetes (DiaMind)

OBJECTIVE Emotional distress is common in outpatients with diabetes, affecting ∼20–40% of the patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of group therapy with Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), relative to usual care, for patients with diabetes with regard to reducing emotional distress and improving health-related quality of life and glycemic control. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In the present randomized controlled trial, 139 outpatients with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) and low levels of emotional well-being were randomized to MBCT (n = 70) or a waiting list group (n = 69). Primary outcomes were perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), mood (Profiles of Mood States), and diabetes-specific distress (Problem Areas In Diabetes). Secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life (12-Item Short-Form Health Survey), and glycemic control (HbA1c). Assessments were conducted at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS Compared with control, MBCT was more effective in reducing stress (P < 0.001, Cohen d = 0.70), depressive symptoms (P = 0.006, d = 0.59), and anxiety (P = 0.019, d = 0.44). In addition, MBCT was more effective in improving quality of life (mental: P = 0.003, d = 0.55; physical: P = 0.032, d = 0.40). We found no significant effect on HbA1c or diabetes-specific distress, although patients with elevated diabetes distress in the MBCT group tended to show a decrease in diabetes distress (P = 0.07, d = 0.70) compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS Compared with usual care, MBCT resulted in a reduction of emotional distress and an increase in health-related quality of life in diabetic patients who had lower levels of emotional well-being.
International City/County Management Association 1999 Revenue Estimation Survey Revisited

International City/County Management Association 1999 Revenue Estimation Survey Revisited By Benjamin B. Bond, III Dr. Christopher Stream, Committee Chair Professor School of Environmental and Public Affairs University of Nevada, Las Vegas In 1899 the National Municipal League declared that it was the duty of the Mayor to submit to the Council the annual budget of current expenses of the city, for almost as long, the budgeting process has been researched (Hou, 2006). Researching budgets is important and needed but comparatively little attention has been paid to revenue forecasts or to those responsible for the generation of revenue forecasts. Professional public administrators responsible for generating revenue forecasts have largely been overlooked in research. Judging by the lack of scholarly material available in academic journals, it appears the political process in which budget forecasts are created is of primary concern to researchers. In 1999 the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) fielded the Revenue Estimation survey. This study revealed, although forecasters have been educated in the fields of public administration and business administration, they overwhelmingly rely on less sophisticated forecasting models comprised of naive and incremental technical approaches when building revenue forecasts (Bahl et al., 1984;
Spastin-Interacting Protein NA14/SSNA1 Functions in Cytokinesis and Axon Development

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are a genetically diverse group of inherited neurological disorders (SPG1-72) with the cardinal feature of prominent lower-extremity spasticity due to a length-dependent axonopathy of corticospinal motor neurons. The most frequent form of autosomal dominant HSP results from mutations of the SPG4 gene product spastin. This is an ATPase associated with diverse cellular activities (AAA) protein that binds to and severs microtubules. While spastin participates in crucial cellular processes such as cytokinesis, endosomal tubulation, and axon development, its role in HSP pathogenesis remains unclear. Spastin interacts in cells with the NA14 protein, a major target for auto-antibodies in Sjögren's syndrome (nuclear autoantigen 1; SSNA1). Our analysis of endogenous spastin and NA14 proteins in HeLa cells and rat cortical neurons in primary culture revealed a clear distribution of both proteins to centrosomes, with NA14 localizing specifically to centrioles. Stable NA14 knockdown in cell lines dramatically affected cell division, in particular cytokinesis. Furthermore, overexpression of NA14 in neurons significantly increased axon outgrowth and branching, while also enhancing neuronal differentiation. We postulate that NA14 may act as an adaptor protein regulating spastin localization to centrosomes, temporally and spatially regulating the microtubule-severing activity of spastin that is particularly critical during the cell cycle and neuronal development.