Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Airway inflammation in iron ore miners exposed to dust and diesel exhaust

The aim of the present study was to investigate if underground miners exposed to dust and diesel exhaust in an iron ore mine would show signs of airway inflammation as reflected in induced sputum. In total, 22 miners were studied, once after a holiday of at least 2 weeks and the second time after 3 months of regular work. Control subjects were 21 “white-collar” workers. All subjects completed a questionnaire regarding medical and occupational history, and underwent lung function testing and induced sputum collection. Total and differential cell counts and analyses of the fluid phase of the induced sputum were performed. Sampling of personal exposure to elemental carbon, nitrogen dioxide and inhalable dust was recorded. The average concentrations of inhalable dust, nitrogen dioxide and elemental carbon were 3.2 mg·m−3, 0.28 mg·m−3 and 27 µg·m−3, respectively. Miners had increased numbers of inflammatory cells, mainly alveolar macrophages and neutrophils, and increased concentrations of fibronectin, metalloproteinase-9 and interleukin-10 in induced sputum compared with controls. In conclusion, miners in an underground iron ore mine demonstrated persistent airway inflammation that was as pronounced after a 4-week holiday as after a 3-month period of work underground in the mine.
On Haney-Type Surface Thermal Boundary Conditions for Ocean Circulation Models

Abstract Haney-type surface thermal boundary conditions linearly connect net downward surface heat flux Q to air–sea temperature difference (gradient-type condition) ΔT1 or to climate/synoptic sea temperature difference (restoring-type condition) ΔT2 by a coupling coefficient κ. In this study, the authors used the global reanalyzed data (6-h resolution) of Q, surface air temperature TA, and sea surface temperature TO from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction during 1 October 1994–31 December 1995 to verify the validity of Haney-type surface thermal boundary conditions. First, daily means of these variables were computed to get rid of diurnal variation. Second, the cross-correlation coefficients (CCC) between Q and (ΔT1, ΔT2) were calculated. The ensemble mean CCC fields show (i) no correlation between Q and ΔT2 anywhere in the world oceans, (ii) no correlation between Q and ΔT1 in the equatorial regions, and (c) evident correlation (CCC ≥ 0.7) between Q and ΔT1 in the middle and high latitude.
A fractal‐based approach to lake size‐distributions

The abundance and size distribution of lakes is critical to assessing the role of lakes in regional and global biogeochemical processes. Lakes are fractal but do not always conform to the power law size‐distribution typically associated with fractal geographical features. Here, we evaluate the fractal geometry of lakes with the goal of explaining apparently inconsistent observations of power law and non–power law lake size‐distributions. The power law size‐distribution is a special case for lakes near the mean elevation. Lakes in flat regions are power law distributed, while lakes in mountainous regions deviate from power law distributions. Empirical analyses of lake size data sets from the Adirondack Mountains in New York and the flat island of Gotland in Sweden support this finding. Our approach provides a unifying framework for lake size‐distributions, indicates that small lakes cannot dominate total lake surface area, and underscores the importance of regional hypsometry in influencing lake size‐distributions.
Morbidly Obese Human Subjects Have Increased Peripheral Blood CD4+ T Cells With Skewing Toward a Treg- and Th2-Dominated Phenotype

Obesity is associated with local T-cell abnormalities in adipose tissue. Systemic obesity-related abnormalities in the peripheral blood T-cell compartment are not well defined. In this study, we investigated the peripheral blood T-cell compartment of morbidly obese and lean subjects. We determined all major T-cell subpopulations via six-color flow cytometry, including CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, CD4+ T-helper (Th) subpopulations, and natural CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T-regulatory (Treg) cells. Moreover, molecular analyses to assess thymic output, T-cell proliferation (T-cell receptor excision circle analysis), and T-cell receptor-β (TCRB) repertoire (GeneScan analysis) were performed. In addition, we determined plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines and cytokines associated with Th subpopulations and T-cell proliferation. Morbidly obese subjects had a selective increase in peripheral blood CD4+ naive, memory, natural CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg, and Th2 T cells, whereas CD8+ T cells were normal. CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell proliferation was increased, whereas the TCRB repertoire was not significantly altered. Plasma levels of cytokines CCL5 and IL-7 were elevated. CD4+ T-cell numbers correlated positively with fasting insulin levels. The peripheral blood T-cell compartment of morbidly obese subjects is characterized by increased homeostatic T-cell proliferation to which cytokines IL-7 and CCL5, among others, might contribute. This is associated with increased CD4+ T cells, with skewing toward a Treg- and Th2-dominated phenotype, suggesting a more anti-inflammatory set point.
Unveiling the Circumstellar Envelope and Disk: A Subarcsecond Survey of Circumstellar Structures

We present the results of a λ = 2.7 mm continuum interferometric survey of 24 young stellar objects in 11 fields. The target objects range from deeply embedded class 0 sources to optical T Tauri sources. This is the first subarcsecond survey of the λ = 2.7 mm dust continuum emission from young, embedded stellar systems. These multiarray observations, utilizing the high dynamic u-v range of the BIMA array, fully sample spatial scales ranging from 0. ″4 to 60'', thus allowing the first consistent comparison of dust emission structures in a variety of systems. The images show a diversity of structure and complexity. The optically visible T Tauri stars (DG Tauri, HL Tauri, GG Tauri, and GM Aurigae) have continuum emission dominated by compact (≤1'') circumstellar disks. In the cases of HL Tauri and DG Tauri, the disks are resolved. The more embedded near-infrared sources (SVS 13 and L1551 IRS 5) have continuum emission that is extended and compact. The embedded sources (L1448 IRS 3, NGC 1333 IRAS 2, NGC 1333 IRAS 4, VLA 1623, and IRAS 16293-2422) have continuum emission dominated by the extended envelope, typically ≥85% of the emission at λ = 2.7 mm. In many of the deeply embedded systems, it is difficult to uniquely isolate the disk emission component from the envelope extending inward to AU-sized scales. Simple estimates of the circumstellar mass in the optical/infrared and embedded systems are in the ranges 0.01-0.08 M☉ and 0.04-2.88 M☉, respectively. All of the target embedded objects are in multiple systems with separations on scales of ~30'' or less. Based on the system separation, we place the objects in three categories: separate envelope (separation ≥6500 AU), common envelope (separation 150-3000 AU), and common disk (separation ≤100 AU). These three groups can be linked with fragmentation events during the star formation process: separate envelopes from prompt initial fragmentation and the separate collapse of a loosely condensed cloud, common envelopes from fragmentation of a moderately centrally condensed spherical system, and common disk from fragmentation of a high angular momentum circumstellar disk.
Parent involvement in school and Chinese American children's academic skills

ABSTRACT The authors examined the concurrent associations of school-based parent involvement (PI), family sociocultural factors, and children's academic skills in a sample of 258 Chinese American children (5–9 years old) in immigrant families. Parents reported their American and Chinese orientations and family socioeconomic status (SES). Parents and teachers rated parents' school-based involvement, and children's English reading and mathematics calculation skills were assessed with standardized tests. Results of path analysis indicated that, controlling for SES, parents' American orientation was positively associated with their self-reported PI. Although parent- and teacher-reported PI were positively correlated with each other, only teacher-reported PI was positively associated with children's English reading. These findings support the benefits of school-based PI for Chinese immigrant children's English reading achievement. Results also highlight the need to consider differences between teachers' and parents' perceptions of PI in developing culturally sensitive interventions to encourage immigrant parents' school involvement.
Sunitinib for advanced renal cell cancer

Renal cell cancer has been refractory to drug therapy in the large majority of patients. Targeted agents including sunitinib have been intensively evaluated in renal cell cancer over the past 5 years. Sunitinib is an oral small molecule inhibitor of several targets including multiple tyrosine kinase receptors of the angiogenesis pathway. This review surveys the rationale, development, validation, and clinical use of sunitinib that received conditional approval for use in North America and Europe in 2006. In patients with the clear-cell subtype of renal cell cancer and metastatic disease with good or moderate prognostic factors for survival, sunitinib 50 mg for 4 weeks of a 6-week cycle provides superior surrogate and patient-reported outcomes when compared with interferon-alfa, the previous commonly used first-line drug. Overall survival has not yet shown improvement over interferon and is problematic because of patient crossover from the control arm to sunitinib at disease progression. Toxicity is significant but manageable with experienced monitoring. Sunitinib therapy is an important step forward for this condition. High cost and limited efficacy support the ongoing search for further improved therapy.
A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Preservice Music Teaching Efficacy Beliefs and Commitment to Music Teaching

The purpose of this study was to investigate the music teaching efficacy beliefs and commitment to teaching of preservice music teachers enrolled in an introductory music education course. Also explored was the impact of introductory music education course experiences on preservice music teachers’ music teaching efficacy beliefs and commitment to teaching. This study was conducted in a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, organized into two strands (Strand I: Quantitative, Strand II: Qualitative). Introductory music education students (N = 684) from 41 National Association of Schools of Music–accredited institutions participated in Strand I, with a nested sample of 24 interviewees participating in Strand II. Preservice music teachers’ efficacy beliefs were interpreted as having two dimensions: music teaching efficacy beliefs and classroom management efficacy beliefs. Mixed-methods analyses indicated that introductory music education students’ music teaching efficacy beliefs may have been impacted by a variety of course experiences, including individual mentoring, peer teaching, and field experience. Participants’ commitment to teaching may have been strengthened by mentoring, although instances of weakened commitment were rare. Additional findings included the types and qualities of experiences perceived by participants as influential to music teaching efficacy beliefs or commitment.
On flavonoid accumulation in different plant parts: variation patterns among individuals and populations in the shore campion (Silene littorea)

The presence of anthocyanins in flowers and fruits is frequently attributed to attracting pollinators and dispersers. In vegetative organs, anthocyanins and other non-pigmented flavonoids such as flavones and flavonols may serve protective functions against UV radiation, cold, heat, drought, salinity, pathogens, and herbivores; thus, these compounds are usually produced as a plastic response to such stressors. Although, the independent accumulation of anthocyanins in reproductive and vegetative tissues is commonly postulated due to differential regulation, the accumulation of flavonoids within and among populations has never been thoroughly compared. Here, we investigated the shore campion (Silene littorea, Caryophyllaceae) which exhibits variation in anthocyanin accumulation in its floral and vegetative tissues. We examined the in-situ accumulation of flavonoids in floral (petals and calyxes) and vegetative organs (leaves) from 18 populations representing the species' geographic distribution. Each organ exhibited considerable variability in the content of anthocyanins and other flavonoids both within and among populations. In all organs, anthocyanin and other flavonoids were correlated. At the plant level, the flavonoid content in petals, calyxes, and leaves was not correlated in most of the populations. However, at the population level, the mean amount of anthocyanins in all organs was positively correlated, which suggests that the variable environmental conditions of populations may play a role in anthocyanin accumulation. These results are unexpected because the anthocyanins are usually constitutive in petals, yet contingent to environmental conditions in calyxes and leaves. Anthocyanin variation in petals may influence pollinator attraction and subsequent plant reproduction, yet the amount of anthocyanins may be a direct response to environmental factors. In populations on the west coast, a general pattern of increasing accumulation of flavonoids toward southern latitudes was observed in calyxes and leaves. This pattern corresponds to a gradual increase of UV-B radiation and temperature, and a decrease of rainfall toward the south. However, populations along the southern coast exposed to similar climatic stressors showed highly variable flavonoid contents, implying that other factors may play a role in flavonoid accumulation.
Experience design for dummies

In this paper we explore the concept of experience and develop premises for the design for experience. In industrial practice designers frequently lack sufficient expertise to design for experience. We provide a view on how to support the design for experience in those cases where a single designer or a design team is not fully equipped to do the job without help. We will illustrate and validate our approach with a design case study from practice.
Mobility of Min-proteins in Escherichia coli measured by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

In the bacterium Escherichia coli, selection of the division site involves pole-to-pole oscillations of the proteins MinD and MinE. Different oscillation mechanisms based on cooperative effects between Min-proteins and on the exchange of Min-proteins between the cytoplasm and the cytoplasmic membrane have been proposed. The parameters characterizing the dynamics of the Min-proteins in vivo are not known. It has therefore been difficult to compare the models quantitatively with experiments. Here, we present in vivo measurements of the mobility of MinD and MinE using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Two distinct timescales are clearly visible in the correlation curves. While the faster timescale can be attributed to cytoplasmic diffusion, the slower timescale could result from diffusion of membrane-bound proteins or from protein exchange between the cytoplasm and the membrane. We determine the diffusion constant of cytoplasmic MinD to be approximately 16 µm2 s−1, while for MinE we find about 10 µm2 s−1, independently of the processes responsible for the slower time-scale. The implications of the measured values for the oscillation mechanism are discussed.
Transformation from a Pure Time Delay to a Mixed Time and Phase Delay Representation in the Auditory Forebrain Pathway

Birds and mammals exploit interaural time differences (ITDs) for sound localization. Subsequent to ITD detection by brainstem neurons, ITD processing continues in parallel midbrain and forebrain pathways. In the barn owl, both ITD detection and processing in the midbrain are specialized to extract ITDs independent of frequency, which amounts to a pure time delay representation. Recent results have elucidated different mechanisms of ITD detection in mammals, which lead to a representation of small ITDs in high-frequency channels and large ITDs in low-frequency channels, resembling a phase delay representation. However, the detection mechanism does not prevent a change in ITD representation at higher processing stages. Here we analyze ITD tuning across frequency channels with pure tone and noise stimuli in neurons of the barn owl's auditory arcopallium, a nucleus at the endpoint of the forebrain pathway. To extend the analysis of ITD representation across frequency bands to a large neural population, we employed Fourier analysis for the spectral decomposition of ITD curves recorded with noise stimuli. This method was validated using physiological as well as model data. We found that low frequencies convey sensitivity to large ITDs, whereas high frequencies convey sensitivity to small ITDs. Moreover, different linear phase frequency regimes in the high-frequency and low-frequency ranges suggested an independent convergence of inputs from these frequency channels. Our results are consistent with ITD being remodeled toward a phase delay representation along the forebrain pathway. This indicates that sensory representations may undergo substantial reorganization, presumably in relation to specific behavioral output.
An experimental study

The history of electric industry in China can be ge neralized as cycles of electricity shortage and surplus. It’s widely believed that lac k of accurate future electricity demand is the main cause to this problematic phenomenon. H owever, there are still very few people who believe long-time power station construc tion so that the investors ignore the stations under construction is the main effect, rat her than the information about electricity demand. In this paper, an experiment is carried out to test whether these thoughts are right or not. Factorial designs with 2 treatments, information about stations under construction and information about f uture electricity demand, are used to test which of these two factors is the main effect. Statistics indicated that awareness of how many stations are under construction will great ly improve the performance of subjects, while information about the future electr icity demand, although assumed accurate, has no significant effect on the performa nce of the subjects.
Quantum permutation groups: a survey

This is a presentation of recent work on quantum permutation groups. Contains: a short introduction to operator algebras and Hopf algebras; quantum permutation groups, and their basic properties; diagrams, integration formulae, asymptotic laws, matrix models; the hyperoctahedral quantum group, free wreath products, quantum automorphism groups of finite graphs, graphs having no quantum symmetry; complex Hadamard matrices, cocycle twists of the symmetric group, quantum groups acting on 4 points; remarks and comments.
Observational Constraints on Higher Order Clustering up to z ≃ 1

We present constraints on the validity of the hierarchical gravitational instability theory and the evolution of biasing based on measurements of higher order clustering statistics in the Deeprange Survey, a catalog of ~710,000 galaxies with IAB ≤ 24 derived from a Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) 4 m CCD imaging survey of a contiguous 4° × 4° region. We compute the three- and four-point angular correlation functions using a direct estimation for the former and the counts-in-cells technique for both. The skewness, s3, decreases by a factor of ≃3-4 as galaxy magnitude increases over the range 17 ≤ I ≤ 22.5 (0.1 ≲ z ≲ 0.8). This decrease is consistent with a small increase of the bias with increasing redshift, but not by more than a factor of 2 for the highest redshifts probed. Our results are strongly inconsistent, at about the 3.5-4 σ level, with typical cosmic string models in which the initial perturbations follow a non-Gaussian distribution; such models generally predict an opposite trend in the degree of bias as a function of redshift. We also find that the scaling relation between the three- and four-point correlation functions remains approximately invariant over the above magnitude range. The simplest model that is consistent with these constraints is a universe in which an initially Gaussian perturbation spectrum evolves under the influence of gravity combined with a low level of bias between the matter and the galaxies that decreases slightly from z ~ 0.8 to the current epoch.
Semileptonic charm decays D ---> pi l nu(l) and D ---> K l nu(l) from QCD Light-Cone Sum Rules

We present a new calculation of the $D\to\pi$ and $D \to K$ form factors from QCD light-cone sum rules. The $\overline{MS}$ scheme for the $c$-quark mass is used and the input parameters are updated. The results are $f^+_{D\pi}(0)= 0.67^{+0.10}_{-0.07}$, $f^+_{DK}(0)=0.75^{+0.11}_{-0.08}$ and $f^+_{D\pi}(0)/f^+_{DK}(0)=0.88 \pm 0.05$. Combining the calculated form factors with the latest CLEO data, we obtain $|V_{cd}|=0.225\pm 0.005 \pm 0.003 ^{+0.016}_{-0.012}$ and $|V_{cd}|/|V_{cs}|= 0.236\pm 0.006\pm 0.003\pm 0.013$ where the first and second errors are of experimental origin and the third error is due to the estimated uncertainties of our calculation. We also evaluate the form factors $f^-_{D\pi}$ and $f^-_{DK}$ and predict the slope parameters at $q^2=0$. Furthermore, calculating the form factors from the sum rules at $q^2<0$, we fit them to various parameterizations. After analytic continuation, the shape of the $D\to \pi,K $ form factors in the whole semileptonic region is reproduced, in a good agreement with experiment.
Neural restrictive silencer factor and choline acetyltransferase expression in cerebral tissue of Alzheimer’s Disease patients: A pilot study

Decreased Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT) brain level is one of the main biochemical disorders in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). In rodents, recent data show that the CHAT gene can be regulated by a neural restrictive silencer factor (NRSF). The aim of the present work was to evaluate the gene and protein expression of CHAT and NRSF in frontal, temporal, entorhinal and parietal cortices of AD patient brains. Four brains from patients with AD and four brains from subjects without dementia were studied. Cerebral tissues were obtained and processed by the guanidine isothiocyanate method for RNA extraction. CHAT and NRSF gene and protein expression were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. CHAT gene expression levels were 39% lower in AD patients as compared to the control group (p < 0.05, U test). ChAT protein levels were reduced by 17% (p = 0.02, U test). NRSF gene expression levels were 86% higher in the AD group (p = 0.001, U test) as compared to the control group. In the AD subjects, the NRSF protein levels were 57% higher (p > 0.05, U test) than in the control subjects. These findings suggest for the first time that in the brain of AD patients high NRSF protein levels are related to low CHAT gene expression levels.