Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systemic Inflammation and Its Response to Treatment in Patients With Asthma

BACKGROUND: Asthma is an obstructive airway disease characterized by airway inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To measure systemic inflammation in asthma patients, and to assess the effect of treatment on systemic inflammation. METHODS: In 30 newly diagnosed non-randomized adult asthma patients we measured systemic inflammation markers (serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, total leukocyte count, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) before and after a 6-week standard treatment with inhaled steroids and inhaled β2 agonist. The comparison group comprised 20 healthy control subjects. All the subjects were non-smokers. RESULTS: The measured systemic inflammation markers were higher in the asthma patients: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein 4.8 ± 6.0 mg/dL vs 1.5 ± 1.4 mg/dL, P < . 001; total leukocyte count 8,936 ± 2,592 cells/μL versus 7,741 ± 1,924 cells/μL, P < . 001; erythrocyte sedimentation rate 24.8 ± 12.3 mm/h versus 15.3 ± 6.5 mm/h, P < . 001. In the asthma patients, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein negatively correlated with percent-of-predicted FEV1 (r = −0.64, P = .001), percent-of-predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = −0.39, P = .03), FEV1/FVC% (r = −0.71, P < .001), and percent-of-predicted forced expiratory flow during the middle half of the FVC maneuver (FEF25-75) (r = −0.51, P = .004). Total leukocyte count negatively correlated with percent-of-predicted FEV1 (r = −0.64, P = .001), percent-of-predicted FEV1/FVC (r = −0.74, P < .001), and percent-of-predicted FEF25-75 (r = −0.58, P = .001). Body mass index positively correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r = 0.65, P < .001). Multiple linear regression showed significant correlation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r2 = 0.75) with age (β = 0.31, P = .008), body mass index (β = 0.99, P = .001), family size (β = 0.33, P = .008), and weight (β = –0.45, P = .01). The systemic inflammation markers decreased significantly (P < .001 for all comparisons) after 6 weeks of treatment: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein decreased from 4.8 ± 6.0 mg/dL to 2.4 ± 5.4 mg/dL, total leukocyte count decreased from 8,936 ± 2,592 cells/μL to 6,960 ± 1,785 cells/μL, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased from 24.8 ± 12.3 mm/h to 15.8 ± 10.1 mm/h. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled steroids plus inhaled β2 agonist significantly reduced systemic inflammation in asthma patients.
Slip systems and plastic shear anisotropy in Mg 2 SiO 4 ringwoodite: insights fro

Novel thixotropic alkyd resins are obtained by reacting at a temperature of between about 120 DEG C. to about 150 DEG C. for at least one hour (a) at least one alkyd resin and (b) a polyamide comprising the reaction product of: (i) a polycarboxylic acid; (ii) an active hydrogen compound having the formula Xm-R-Yn, wherein R represents a group containing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, X and Y are independently selected from primary amino, secondary amino and hydroxy, and m and n are each at least 1 and the sum of (m+n) is at least 2; and (iii) a capping agent comprised of an unsaturated and/or hydroxy functional monocarboxylic acid having from 8 to 22 carbon atom. The thixotropic alkyd resins of the present invention are particularly useful in preparing thixotropic paint and coating compositions having superior leveling and sag resistance.
MPEG-2 Transport over ATM Networks

The growth of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology and the maturity of coding standards have made the large-scale deployment of high-quality audiovisual services possible. In this article, we discuss the principal issues involved in transporting MPEG-2 streams over ATM networks for both constant bit-rate (CBR) and variable bit-rate (VBR) MPEG-2 Transport Streams. We review existing and proposed approaches to deal with these issues and evaluate some of them by simulation to demonstrate the important tradeo s in the design of networked audiovisual systems.
Biphasic Modulation of Hippocampal Plasticity by Behavioral Stress and Basolateral Amygdala Stimulation in the Rat

Explicit memory may depend on the hippocampus, whereas the amygdala may be part of an emotional memory system. Priming stimulation of the basolateral group of the amygdala (BLA) resulted in an enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP) in the dentate gyrus (DG) to perforant path (PP) stimulation 30, 90, 150, and 180 min after high-frequency stimulation (HFS). Exposure of rats to a behavioral stress is reported to inhibit DG LTP. Because the amygdala is thought to mediate emotional responses, we examined the apparent discrepancy between the effects of behavioral stress induced 1 hr before HFS to the PP and of amygdala priming on hippocampal plasticity by stimulating the BLA 1 hr before HFS to the PP. The two delayed protocols inhibited the expression of LTP to PP stimulation, whereas priming the BLA immediately before HFS to the PP enhanced DG LTP. Moreover, exposure to the behavioral stress blocked the enhancing effects of BLA priming on LTP. We propose that the activation of the BLA (either by behavioral stress or by direct electrical stimulation) has a biphasic effect on hippocampal plasticity: an immediate excitatory effect and a longer-lasting inhibitory effect.
Signal Transduction Pathways (MAPKs, NF-κB, and C/EBP) Regulating COX-2 Expression in Nasal Fibroblasts from Asthma Patients with Aspirin Intolerance

Background Recent studies have revealed that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is down-regulated in aspirin-induced asthma (AIA). Various signal pathways (MAPKs, NF-κB and C/EBP) are involved in COX-2 regulation. Objective To investigate the regulation of COX-2 expression through MAP-kinase pathway activation and nuclear factor translocation in aspirin-induced asthma (AIA). Methods Fibroblasts were isolated from specimens of nasal mucosa (NM, N = 5) and nasal polyps (NP, N = 5). After IL-1β (1 ng/ml) incubation, COX-2 and phosphorylated forms of ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK were measured by Western blot. MAPK’s role in IL-1β-induced COX-2 expression was assessed by treating cells with ERK (PD98059), JNK (SP600125) and p38 MAPK (SB203580) inhibitors (0.1–10 µM) prior to IL-1β exposure. NF-κB and C/EBP nuclear translocation was measured by Western blot and TransAM® after IL-1β (10 ng/ml) exposure. Results No differences were observed in the MAPK phosphorylation time-course between NM and NP-AIA fibroblasts. The p38 MAPK inhibitor at 10 µM significantly reduced IL-1β-induced COX-2 expression in NM fibroblasts (85%). In NP-AIA fibroblasts the COX-2 inhibition (65%) at 1 and 10 µM was not statistically significant compared to non-treated cells. ERK and JNK inhibitors had no significant effect in either the NM or NP-AIA cultures. The effect of IL-1β on NF-κB and C/EBP subunits’ nuclear translocation was similar between NM and NP-AIA fibroblasts. Conclusions These results suggest that p38 MAPK is the only MAPK involved in IL-1β-induced COX-2 expression. NM and NP-AIA fibroblasts have similar MAPK phosphorylation dynamics and nuclear factor translocation (NF-κB and C/EBP). COX-2 downregulation observed in AIA patients appears not to be caused by differences in MAPK dynamics or transcription factor translocation.
Hydroxide in kyanite: A quantitative determination of the absolute amount and calibration of the IR spectrum

Abstract The hydrogen contents of four natural kyanite samples were determined by 15N nuclear reaction analysis and used to calibrate an IR spectroscopic method for a more convenient quantitative H analysis of kyanite. Hydrogen is present as the OH- ion and (expressed as ppm H2O by weight) ranges from near zero up to 230 ppm. Its content is best determined from integrated absorbance of the OH bands in the 3200-3450 cm-1 range. Approximate concentrations can be determined from measurements of either summed peak heights or integrated areas of spectra obtained from just the two principal optical directions in the cleavage plane. The present calibration leads to estimates of the OH concentration in kyanite that are about a factor of 18 lower than the earlier calibration of Beran and Götzinger (1987).
White Noise Perturbation of the Equations of Linear Parabolic Viscoelasticity

Evolutionary integral equations as appearing in the theory of linear parabolic viscoelasticity are studied in the presence of white noise. It is shown that the stochastic convolution leads to regular solutions, and that under suitable assumptions the samples are HH older-continuous. These results are put in a wider perspective by consideration of equations with fractional derivatives which are also studied in this paper. This way, known results are recovered and put into broader perspective. 1. Statement of the problem Let H be a separable Hilbert space, A a closed linear densely deened operator in H, and b 2 L 1;loc (R +) a scalar kernel. In this paper we consider the integro-diierential equations _ u(t) + Z t 0 b(t ? )Au()dd = f(t); t 0; u(0) = u 0 ; (1) on the halline, and _ v(t) + Z t ? 1 b(t ? )Av()dd = g(t); t 2 R;
Playing Nostalgic Language Games in Sport Research: Conceptual Considerations and Methodological Musings

ABSTRACT As researchers interested in social aspects of sport, we enmesh ourselves in the work of memory, (re)membering and forms of “capturing” sport and sport experiences. While nostalgia is at play in these social constructions of sport, for researchers, we contend that the concept of nostalgia can prove devious. In this article, we illustrate the social significance afforded to nostalgic experiences or events, and consider their representation in social sciences sport research. We develop and apply arguments concerning the senses, nostalgia, and language in line with the “abilities” view of concepts. The consequences of nostalgia can, we contend, be underplayed, taken for granted and/or ignored by sport researchers in ways that curtail more critical readings of sport phenomena. Our purpose is to interrogate the construction and a/effects of nostalgia as hidden/implicit/latent and heuristic. We advocate methodological critique that addresses the elusive, apparent, “capturable” and confusing nature of nostalgia within sport research.
Optimal Piecewise Linear Income Taxation

Given its significance in practice, piecewise linear taxation has received relatively little attention in the literature. This paper offers a simple and transparent analysis of its main characteristics. We fully characterize optimal tax parameters for the cases in which budget sets are convex and nonconvex respectively. A numerical analysis of a discrete version of the model shows the circumstances under which each of these cases will hold as a global optimum. We find that, given plausible parameter values and wage distributions, the globally optimal tax system is convex, and marginal rate progressivity increases with rising inequality.
@note: an electronic tool for academic readings

@note is a rich-internet application for the collaborative annotation of digitized literary texts. It enables the collaborative definition of annotation activities by a community of annotation managers, as well as the collaborative accomplishment of these activities by communities of annotators. For this purpose, @note lets annotator managers define the different components of annotation activities, among which it is possible to distinguish annotation schemata: conceptual structures abstracting the semantics of annotations that are collaboratively defined and that can be used to catalogue the annotations. Annotations themselves are conceived as discussion forums. Later they can be filtered and browsed according to the annotation schemata, and they can be organized in exportation templates and exported in multiple formats (e.g., RTF or HTML). This demo will be focused on the operation of @note, both from the perspective of annotators, who collaboratively annotate digitized texts, and annotator managers, who collaboratively define annotation activities.
Replication Timing of Human Telomeres Is Chromosome Arm–Specific, Influenced by Subtelomeric Structures and Connected to Nuclear Localization

The mechanisms governing telomere replication in humans are still poorly understood. To fill this gap, we investigated the timing of replication of single telomeres in human cells. Using in situ hybridization techniques, we have found that specific telomeres have preferential time windows for replication during the S-phase and that these intervals do not depend upon telomere length and are largely conserved between homologous chromosomes and between individuals, even in the presence of large subtelomeric segmental polymorphisms. Importantly, we show that one copy of the 3.3 kb macrosatellite repeat D4Z4, present in the subtelomeric region of the late replicating 4q35 telomere, is sufficient to confer both a more peripheral localization and a later-replicating property to a de novo formed telomere. Also, the presence of β-satellite repeats next to a newly created telomere is sufficient to delay its replication timing. Remarkably, several native, non-D4Z4–associated, late-replicating telomeres show a preferential localization toward the nuclear periphery, while several early-replicating telomeres are associated with the inner nuclear volume. We propose that, in humans, chromosome arm–specific subtelomeric sequences may influence both the spatial distribution of telomeres in the nucleus and their replication timing.
Studying software evolution of large object‐oriented software systems using an ETGM algorithm

Analyzing and understanding the evolution of large object‐oriented software systems is an important but difficult task in which matching algorithms play a fundamental role. An error‐tolerant graph matching (ETGM) algorithm can identify evolving classes that maintain a stable structure of relations (associations, inheritances, and aggregations) with other classes and thus likely constitute the backbone of the system. Therefore, to study the evolution of class diagrams, we first develop a novel ETGM algorithm, which improves the performance of our previous algorithm. Second, we describe the process of building an oracle to validate the results of our approach to solve the class diagram evolution problem. Third, we report for the new algorithm the impact of its parameters on the F‐measure summarizing precision (quantifying the exactness of the solution) and recall (quantifying the completeness of the solution). Finally, with tuned parameters, we carry out and report an extensive empirical evaluation of our algorithm using small (Rhino), medium (Azureus and ArgoUML), and large systems (Mozilla and Eclipse). We thus show that this novel algorithm is scalable, stable and has better time performance than its earlier version. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anemia and Risk Factors in HAART Naïve and HAART Experienced HIV Positive Persons in South West Ethiopia: A Comparative Study

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and its treatment cause a range of hematological abnormalities. Anemia is one of the commonly observed hematologic manifestations in HIV positive persons and it has multifactorial origin. Objective We aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of anemia in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) naïve and HAART experienced HIV positive persons. Methods A facility-based comparative cross sectional study was conducted in Jimma University Specialized Hospital from February 1 to March 30, 2012. A total of 234 HIV positive persons, 117 HAART naïve and 117 HAART experienced, were enrolled in this study. Blood and stool specimens were collected from each participant. Blood specimens were examined for complete blood count, CD4 count and blood film for malaria hemoparasite; whereas stool specimens were checked for ova of intestinal parasites. Socio-demographic characteristics and clinical data of the participants were collected using pre-tested questionnaire. Statistical analysis of the data (Chi-square, student’s t-test, logistic regression) was done using SPSS V-16. Results The overall prevalence of anemia was 23.1%. The prevalence of anemia in HAART naïve and HAART experienced persons was 29.9% and 16.2%, respectively (P = 0.014). Presence of opportunistic infections (P = 0.004, 95% CI = 1.69–15.46), CD4 count <200 cells/µl (P = 0.001, 95% CI = 2.57–36.89) and rural residence (P = 0.03, 95% CI = 1.12–10.39) were found to be predictors of anemia for HAART naïve participants. On the other hand, HAART regimen (ZDV/3TC/NVP) (P = 0.019, 95% CI = 0.01–1.24) and the duration of HAART (P = 0.007, 95% CI = 0.003–0.40.24) were found to be predictors of anemia for HAART experienced groups. Conclusion The prevalence of anemia in HAART naïve persons was higher than HAART experienced persons. Risk factors for anemia in HAART naïve and HAART experienced HIV positive persons were different. Hence, there is a need for longitudinal study to further explore the causes of HIV associated anemia and the pattern of hemoglobin changes with initiation of HAART.
Digital Rank-And-File: Party Activists' Perceptions and Use of the Internet

Political parties are in a transitional phase. A declining, socially restricted membership, decreasing levels of activism and a shift towards more individualistic modes of political engagement threaten the linkage role that parties have played in modern democracy. The development of the Internet in a period of change has meant that it quickly became intertwined with debates about reviving representative political organisations. Using data from a survey of party activists in the UK (N = 4,770), this article answers questions about the perception and use of new media by party activists, the Internet's potential for members' participation and engagement and the penetration of the Internet in pre-existing political careers. In general, the article asks which role new media are playing in the transition of political parties.
Computation of Sharp Bounds on the Expected Value of a Supermodular Function of Risks with Given Marginals

We show that the rearrangement algorithm (RA) introduced in Puccetti and Rüschendorf (2012) to compute distributional bounds can be used also to compute sharp lower and upper bounds on the expected value of a supermodular function of d random variables having fixed marginal distributions. Compared to the analytical methods existing in the literature the algorithm is widely applicable, more easily obtained and gives insight into the dependence structures attaining the bounds.
Early-Life Adversity Accelerates Child and Adolescent Development

Most developmental work regards adverse developmental experiences as forces that undermine well-being. Here, I present an alternative—or complementary—view, summarizing recent evidence on puberty, endocrinology, cellular aging, and brain connectivity that collectively reveals developmental acceleration in response to contextual adversity. Findings are cast in evolutionary-developmental terms, highlighting the trade-off between accelerated aging and (a) increased morbidity and (b) premature mortality.
The Influence of the Modernization Paradigm on People ’ s Beliefs about Family and Social Change By

This paper outlines the combination of two prominent theories of social life: 1) modernization theory and 2) W.I. Thomas’ theorem that people’s perceptions have real consequences. It then documents the extent to which the complex idea of modernization and development has cemented itself in the minds of ordinary people as a model of how the world works. I employ latent class analysis and use 2003 survey data from Nepal to examine these issues. I document the extent to which people expect certain family types (late marriage, polygamy, small families) to be in certain society types (developed, poor, educated), and the extent to which people believe family change and societal change are causally connected. Results suggest that the majority of people strongly believe that development and family change are causally related. But nearly 10% of respondents report disagreeing with the developmental models. Fertility, marriage and gender equality are understood by respondents as a package of family behaviors causally related to development.
Intracellular and extracellular functions of heat shock proteins: repercussions in cancer therapy

Stress or heat shock proteins (HSPs) are the most conserved proteins present in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Their expression is induced in response to a wide variety of physiological and environmental insults. These proteins play an essential role as molecular chaperones by assisting the correct folding of nascent and sress‐accumulated misfolded proteins, and preventing their aggregation. HSPs have a dual function depending on their intracellular or extracellular location. Intracellular HSPs have a protective function. They allow the cells to survive lethal conditions. Various mechanisms have been proposed to account for the cytoprotective functions of HSPs. Several HSPs have also been demonstrated to directly interact with various components of the tightly regulated programmed cell death machinery, upstream and downstream of the mitochondrial events. On the other hand, extracellular located or membrane‐bound HSPs mediate immunological functions. They can elicit an immune response modulated either by the adaptive or innate immune system. This review will focus on HSP27, HSP70, and HSP90. We will discuss the dual role of these HSPs, protective vs. immunogenic properties, making a special emphasis in their utility as targets in cancer therapy.
Prefrontal Cortex Lesions Disrupt the Contextual Control of Response Conflict

The prefrontal cortex has been implicated in multiple forms of goal-directed behavior. Rats with pretraining lesions to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) or specific lesions to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were trained and tested on a novel behavioral procedure measuring aspects of cue and response competition typical of tests of prefrontal function in humans. Rats were trained on two biconditional discrimination tasks, one auditory and one visual, in two discriminably different contexts. At test, they received presentations of audiovisual compounds of these training stimuli in both contexts, in extinction. These compounds were formed in such way that the individual elements had dictated either the same (congruent trials) or different (incongruent trials) responses during training. Sham-operated rats used the contextual cues to disambiguate the conflicting response information provided by incongruent stimulus compounds. ACC lesions impaired the contextual control of instrumental responding during incongruent cues during only the initial period of cue presentation, whereas larger PFC lesions abolished incongruent cue performance completely. Neither biconditional discrimination acquisition, nor test performance during congruent stimulus compounds, were affected by the lesions. These findings are consistent with human and nonhuman primate studies, indicating a role for the PFC in the processes by which cues come to control behavior in the face of conflicting information and the ACC specifically in processes such as detection of response conflict. This procedure provides a good foundation for an improved understanding of the disruption to goal-directed behavior seen with frontal dysfunction in a number of neuropsychological disorders including schizophrenia.