Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanical stress induces lung fibrosis by epithelial–mesenchymal transition*

Objectives: Many mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome develop pulmonary fibrosis. Stresses induced by mechanical ventilation may explain the development of fibrosis by a number of mechanisms (e.g., damage the alveolar epithelium, biotrauma). The objective of this study was t test the hypothesis that mechanical ventilation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were randomized into four groups: healthy controls; hydrochloric acid aspiration alone; vehicle control solution followed 24 hrs later by mechanical ventilation (peak inspiratory pressure 22 cm H2O and positive end-expiratory pressure 2 cm H2O for 2 hrs); and acid aspiration followed 24 hrs later by mechanical ventilation. The animals were monitored for up to 15 days after acid aspiration. To explore the direct effects of mechanical stress on lung fibrotic formation, human lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were exposed to mechanical stretch for up to 48 hrs. Measurement and Main Results: Impaired lung mechanics after mechanical ventilation was associated with increased lung hydroxyproline content, and increased expression of transforming growth factor-&bgr;, &bgr;-catenin, and mesenchymal markers (&agr;-smooth muscle actin and vimentin) at both the gene and protein levels. Expression of epithelial markers including cytokeratin-8, E-cadherin, and prosurfactant protein B decreased. Lung histology demonstrated fibrosis formation and potential epithelia–mesenchymal transition. In vitro direct mechanical stretch of BEAS-2B cells resulted in similar fibrotic and epithelia–mesenchymal transition formation. Conclusions: Mechanical stress induces lung fibrosis, and epithelia–mesenchymal transition may play an important role in mediating the ventilator-induced lung fibrosis.
Path Selection in Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks and Distribution of Path Duration

We investigate the issue of path selection in mobile multi-hop wireless networks. We are interested in designing a path selection algorithm that maximizes the expected duration of the selected path. To this end we first study the distribution of path duration. We show that, under a set of mild conditions, when the hop count along a path is large, the distribution of path duration can be well approximated by an exponential distribution even when link durations are dependent and their distributions are heterogeneous. Second, we investigate the relation between a path duration and durations of the links along the path. We prove that the parameter of the exponential distribution, which determines the expected duration of the path, is related to the link durations only through their means and is given by the sum of the inverses of the expected link durations. We validate our analytical results using ns-2 simulation with the Random Waypoint and Manhattan mobility models.
Efficient simulation of airborne SAR raw data of extended scenes

In a previous paper, a two-dimensional Fourier domain synthetic aperture radar (SAR) raw signal simulator that exploits the efficiency of fast Fourier transform algorithms was presented. It accounts for the effects of sensor trajectory deviations and is able to generate the raw signal corresponding to extended scenes in a few seconds. However, a narrow-beam-slow-deviation assumption is made; hence, the approach can be applied only to some SAR systems and/or trajectory deviations. To overcome this limitation, in this paper, we show that the narrow-beam-slow-deviation assumption can be relaxed, at the expense of computation efficiency, if use is made of one-dimensional azimuth Fourier domain processing followed by range time-domain integration. The latter approach only requires some reasonable assumptions on the sensor motion and on the SAR system features; hence, it can be used for airborne SAR systems, and turns out to be still much more efficient than the time-domain one; hence, extended scenes can still be considered. Validity limits of the approach are also analytically evaluated, and several simulation results are finally presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed simulation scheme
Global Change and the Boreal Forest: Thresholds, Shifting States or Gradual Change?

Abstract Changes in boreal climate of the magnitude projected for the 21st century have always caused vegetation changes large enough to be societally important. However, the rates and patterns of vegetation change are difficult to predict. We review evidence suggesting that these vegetation changes may be gradual at the northern forest limit or where seed dispersal limits species distribution. However, forest composition may be quite resilient to climate change in the central portions of a species range until some threshold is surpassed. At this point, changes can be rapid and unexpected, often causing a switch to very different ecosystem types. Many of these triggers for change are amenable to management, suggesting that our choice of policies in the coming decades will substantially influence the ecological and societal consequences of current climatic change.
Shortcut Access to Peptidosteroid Conjugates: Building Blocks for Solid-Phase Bile Acid Scaffold Decoration by Convergent Ligation

We present three versatile solid-supported scaffold building blocks based on the (deoxy)cholic acid framework and decorated with handles for further derivatization by modern ligation techniques such as click chemistry, Staudinger ligation or native chemical ligation. Straightforward procedures are presented for the synthesis and analysis of the steroid constructs. These building blocks offer a new, facile and shorter access route to bile acid-peptide conjugates on solid-phase with emphasis on heterodipodal conjugates with defined spatial arrangements. As such, we provide versatile new synthons to the toolbox for bile acid decoration.
Global analysis of pre-mRNA subcellular localization following splicing inhibition by spliceostatin A

Spliceostatin A (SSA) is a methyl ketal derivative of FR901464, a potent antitumor compound isolated from a culture broth of Pseudomonas sp. no. 2663. These compounds selectively bind to the essential spliceosome component SF3b, a subcomplex of the U2 snRNP, to inhibit pre-mRNA splicing. However, the mechanism of SSA's antitumor activity is unknown. It is noteworthy that SSA causes accumulation of a truncated form of the CDK inhibitor protein p27 translated from CDKN1B pre-mRNA, which is involved in SSA-induced cell-cycle arrest. However, it is still unclear whether pre-mRNAs are uniformly exported from the nucleus following SSA treatment. We performed RNA-seq analysis on nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of SSA-treated cells. Our statistical analyses showed that intron retention is the major consequence of SSA treatment, and a small number of intron-containing pre-mRNAs leak into the cytoplasm. Using a series of reporter plasmids to investigate the roles of intronic sequences in the pre-mRNA leakage, we showed that the strength of the 5′ splice site affects pre-mRNA leakage. Additionally, we found that the level of pre-mRNA leakage is related to transcript length. These results suggest that the strength of the 5′ splice site and the length of the transcripts are determinants of the pre-mRNA leakage induced by SF3b inhibitors.
A self‐determination theory approach to understanding stress incursion and responses

Given the high costs of stress for both mental and physical health, understanding of how stress is incurred and how it is coped with has both theoretical and clinical significance. Self-determination theory (SDT), a broad framework for understanding motivation and personality, speaks to many issues concerning stress-related phenomena. Research based on SDT suggests that both less stress incursion and better coping with demanding events are associated with greater autonomous functioning, higher mindfulness, more interest-taking in internal events, and lifestyles focused on pursuing intrinsic over extrinsic goals, among other factors. These topics are discussed within the growing body of empirical research stemming from SDT and linkages are drawn with the larger literature on stress and coping.
More Than the Work

This study examines race and gender differences in the burden experienced by family caregivers of the elderly using data from the 1990 Informal Caregivers Survey. Social exchange theory predicts burden to a certain extent based on the caregiving context (e.g., psychological difficulties of the elder and positive aspects of caregiving) and work performed (e.g., hours per week and specific tasks), but race and gender differences independent of the context suggest that feeling burdened also depends on identities embodied in gender roles and African American culture. Also predictive of burden is the interaction between race and gender, and although African American and White women face similar caregiving situations, African American women report less burden than White women or men of either race.
Efficiency and polarimetric calibration of the Nuclear Compton Telescope

The Nuclear Compton Telescope (NCT) is a balloon-borne gamma-ray telescope which uses cross-strip germanium detectors to study astrophysical sources of nuclear line emission. The compact design allows for wide-field imaging with excellent efficiency from 0.2–10 MeV. Moreover, the Compton imaging principle utilized by NCT provides polarimetric sensitivity above 200 keV. We conducted an extensive calibration campaign using radioactive sources prior to our flight from Ft. Sumner, New Mexico in Spring 2009. We present the results of our calibration of the effective area throughout NCT's field of view and compare them with Monte Carlo simulations using a detailed mass model. Additionally, we assess NCT's polarimetric capabilities with observations of a partially-polarized beam.
Role Ambiguity in Voluntary Sport Organizations

This study examined perceptions and correlates of role ambiguity among sport administrators in voluntary sport organizations. Building on the seminal work of Kahn, Wolfe, Quinn, Snoek, and Rosenthal (1964), a multidimensional measure of role ambiguity in the organizational setting was developed for this purpose. The sample consisted of 79 paid staff and 143 volunteer board members from provincial voluntary sport organizations. Respondents completed an online questionnaire that included items pertaining to role ambiguity, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, effort, and demographic variables including age, gender, position, organization tenure, and position tenure. Preliminary support was found for a three-dimensional model of role ambiguity consisting of scope of responsibilities ambiguity, mean-sends knowledge ambiguity, and performance outcomes ambiguity. Role ambiguity was negatively associated with age, job tenure, and organization tenure, with more years of experience reflecting greater role .
Left ventricular remodeling leads to heart failure in mice with cardiac‐specific overexpression of VEGF‐B167: echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging study

Cardiac‐specific overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐B167 is known to induce left ventricular hypertrophy due to altered lipid metabolism, in which ceramides accumulate to the heart and cause mitochondrial damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare different imaging methods to find the most sensitive way to diagnose at early stage the progressive left ventricular remodeling leading to heart failure. Echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging were compared for imaging the hearts of transgenic mice with cardiac‐specific overexpression of VEGF‐B167 and wild‐type mice from 5 to 14 months of age at several time points. Disease progression was verified by molecular biology methods and histology. We showed that left ventricular remodeling is already ongoing at the age of 5 months in transgenic mice leading to heart failure by the age of 14 months. Measurements from echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging revealed similar changes in cardiac structure and function in the transgenic mice. Changes in histology, gene expressions, and electrocardiography supported the progression of left ventricular hypertrophy. Longitudinal relaxation time in rotating frame (T1ρ) in cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging could be suitable for detecting severe fibrosis in the heart. We conclude that cardiac‐specific overexpression of VEGF‐B167 leads to left ventricular remodeling at early age and is a suitable model to study heart failure development with different imaging methods.
Freezing of Gait in Parkinson Disease Is Associated With Impaired Conflict Resolution

Background. Freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson disease (PD) may involve executive dysfunction. This study examined whether executive functioning and attention are more affected in patients with FOG compared with those without and determined whether these processes are influenced by anti-Parkinson medication. Methods. A total of 11 PD patients with FOG, 11 without FOG, and 10 healthy control subjects, matched for age, gender, and education, participated. General motor, mental and cognitive screening tests, as well as specific neuropsychological assessment of executive functions and the Attention Network Test (ANT) were administered. The ANT was conducted in both ON and OFF phases in a counterbalanced design to determine medication-specific effects. Results. FOG showed a clear association with impairment in the executive control network for conflict resolution (inhibition of unwanted responses and impaired response selection), compared with nonfreezers and healthy controls, F(2, 28) = 5.41, P = . 01. Orienting and alerting function did not differ between groups, F < 1. Other executive functions, such as abstract problem solving and mental flexibility were not associated with FOG (P > .10). Anti-Parkinson medication did not ameliorate conflict resolution (P > .10), although orienting attention improved with medication, F(1, 17) = 9.81, P < . 01. Conclusions. This study shows an association between impaired conflict resolution and FOG, important in understanding the interplay between cognitive and motor problems, which can lead to specific rehabilitation strategies.
Behavioral approach system moderates the prospective association between the behavioral inhibition system and alcohol outcomes in college students.

OBJECTIVE Reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) is a useful framework for understanding alcohol use, including problematic drinking among college students. Although the link between the behavioral approach system (BAS) and drinking is well established, the role of the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) is less well studied, and findings have been mixed. Consistent with RST, the relationship between BIS and problematic drinking may be moderated by BAS, but tests of the BIS × BAS interaction have been scarce. We hypothesized that high BIS would be a risk factor for subsequent problematic drinking in combination with an elevated BAS, whereas BIS would protect against subsequent problematic drinking in the context of low levels of BAS. METHOD College student drinkers (N = 638; 66% women) at two universities completed online measures of BIS, BAS, alcohol use, and alcohol problems at matriculation (Time 1 [T1]) and again 1 year later (Time 2 [T2]). RESULTS Regression analyses of alcohol use and problems were performed with BIS, BAS, and the BIS × BAS interaction as predictors. The interaction was not statistically significant in cross-sectional models (T1 alcohol outcomes), but it was a significant prospective predictor of T2 alcohol use (marginal) and T2 alcohol problems. Simple slopes analyses revealed that BIS was a positive predictor of T2 alcohol use and problems at high but not low levels of BAS, albeit this effect was less reliable for use. CONCLUSIONS Our findings enhance interpretation of RST, demonstrating a complex link between BIS and problematic drinking risk, one that is moderated by BAS. The prospective nature of these associations suggests that, together, BIS and BAS may promote increases in problematic drinking over time, highlighting the need for targeted interventions during the first year of college.
An extended dynamical hydration shell around proteins

The focus in protein folding has been very much on the protein backbone and sidechains. However, hydration waters make comparable contributions to the structure and energy of proteins. The coupling between fast hydration dynamics and protein dynamics is considered to play an important role in protein folding. Fundamental questions of protein hydration include, how far out into the solvent does the influence of the biomolecule reach, how is the water affected, and how are the properties of the hydration water influenced by the separation between protein molecules in solution? We show here that Terahertz spectroscopy directly probes such solvation dynamics around proteins, and determines the width of the dynamical hydration layer. We also investigate the dependence of solvation dynamics on protein concentration. We observe an unexpected nonmonotonic trend in the measured terahertz absorbance of the five helix bundle protein λ6–85* as a function of the protein: water molar ratio. The trend can be explained by overlapping solvation layers around the proteins. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate water dynamics in the solvation layer around one protein to be distinct from bulk water out to ≈10 Å. At higher protein concentrations such that solvation layers overlap, the calculated absorption spectrum varies nonmonotonically, qualitatively consistent with the experimental observations. The experimental data suggest an influence on the correlated water network motion beyond 20 Å, greater than the pure structural correlation length usually observed.
Differences between violent male and violent female forensic psychiatric outpatients: Consequences for treatment

Abstract Most research on anger and aggressive behaviour management has focused on male offenders. Little is known not only about the types and seriousness of violent female behaviour, but also about the treatment needs of violent female offenders. This article describes a qualitative study on violent females, examining their aggressive behaviour and describing experiences with Emotion Control Therapy (ECT), an adaptation of the Dutch version of Goldstein's Aggression Replacement Training. Firstly, specific issues in treatment needs for developing the programme are examined. After describing the design and content, special attention is given to practical experiences with this ambulant therapy. Then some qualitative results from three ECT groups are presented, in which differences in certain personality and behavioural characteristics between violent females and violent males are described. Recommendations are made for adapting ECT to the specific needs of this population, based on these results.
One Enzyme, Two Functions

The human enzyme paraoxonase-2 (PON2) has two functions, an enzymatic lactonase activity and the reduction of intracellular oxidative stress. As a lactonase, it dominantly hydrolyzes bacterial signaling molecule 3OC12 and may contribute to the defense against pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By its anti-oxidative effect, PON2 reduces cellular oxidative damage and influences redox signaling, which promotes cell survival. This may be appreciated but also deleterious given that high PON2 levels reduce atherosclerosis but may stabilize tumor cells. Here we addressed the unknown mechanisms and linkage of PON2 enzymatic and anti-oxidative function. We demonstrate that PON2 indirectly but specifically reduced superoxide release from the inner mitochondrial membrane, irrespective whether resulting from complex I or complex III of the electron transport chain. PON2 left O2̇̄ dismutase activities and cytochrome c expression unaltered, and it did not oxidize O2̇̄ but rather prevented its formation, which implies that PON2 acts by modulating quinones. To analyze linkage to hydrolytic activity, we introduced several point mutations and show that residues His114 and His133 are essential for PON2 activity. Further, we mapped its glycosylation sites and provide evidence that glycosylation, but not a native polymorphism Ser/Cys311, was critical to its activity. Importantly, none of these mutations altered the anti-oxidative/anti-apoptotic function of PON2, demonstrating unrelated activities of the same protein. Collectively, our study provides detailed mechanistic insight into the functions of PON2, which is important for its role in innate immunity, atherosclerosis, and cancer.
Symbiosis of a Lightweight ECC Security and Distributed Shared Memory Middleware in Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper we present our work on a combination of two approaches for wireless sensor networks (WSNs), to provide a self contained, reliable and secure shared memory middleware with security management. The shortECC is a lightweight and short key cryptosystem that requires management layer for its parameters and tinyDSM is a middleware that provides a shared memory abstraction. The combination of these two approaches is a kind of symbiosis, where the tinyDSM is used by the shortECC for the management and distribution of its parameters within a trusted group while using the security means provided by the latter. This symbiosis ensures secured tinyDSM data exchange and reliable management of the shortECC parameters at almost no additional cost and is competitive when compared to AES or standard elliptic curves cryptography.
Convergence Analysis and Iteration Estimation for a Coupled Design Process With Overlap in Redesign

In Smith and Eppinger's pioneering research on coupled design processes, the dynamics of design iterations is modeled by a linear model, which implies that there is no overlap between redesign work and allows redesign workload to be more than the original design workload. Actually, this overlap often exists in practice and, therefore, reduces the total redesign workload. In this paper, we propose a nonlinear model for a coupled design process with overlap between redesign work and ensure that redesign workload is less than the original design workload. Based on the model, the sufficiency condition for the convergence of such a design process is proposed. A heuristic rule is also given to reduce the possibility of considering a design process that converges as one that does not converge. Furthermore, we develop a sufficiency condition for estimating the number of design iterations before converging as such an estimate is important for planning product development projects. Another heuristic rule is also introduced to increase the accuracy of estimating design iterations. Finally, numerical experiments are conducted to examine the correctness and performance of the proposed sufficiency conditions and heuristic rules.
Test of a Model of Domain Satisfactions and Well-Being

There is a need for conceptual models that accommodate data on older as well as younger adults. The Campbell et al. (1976) model of life quality proved more successful in accounting for life-domain satisfactions for persons 54 and younger than for those 55 and older. The model for this study includes as predictors the discrepancies of own situation from the 4 most powerful reference frames used by Campbell et al. (aspiration, typical American, best ever had, and close friends), plus equity. Typical American, equity, and best ever had were the most successful reference frames in accounting for independent variance in satisfactions with 13 domains of life experience for adults 25-98. Aspiration, unlike any of the other 4 predictors, appears to exhibit an age-group interaction effect: In several cases it is related more closely to domain satisfaction for people under 55 than for those older. Reference frame-own situation differences, summed across domains, were effective in predicting overall well being or life quality.