Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
C-X-C motif chemokine 13 (CXCL13) is a prognostic biomarker of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

RATIONALE C-X-C motif chemokine 13 (CXCL13) mediates B-cell trafficking and is increased, proportionately to disease activity, in many antibody-mediated syndromes. Dysregulated B cells have recently been implicated in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) pathogenesis. OBJECTIVES To determine if CXCL13 is associated with IPF progression. METHODS CXCL13 was measured in lungs by DNA microarray and immunohistochemistry, and in plasma by ELISA. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS CXCL13 mRNA was threefold and eightfold greater in IPF lungs (n = 92) compared with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 191) and normal (n = 108) specimens, respectively (P < 0.0001). IPF lungs also showed increased CXCL13 staining. Plasma CXCL13 concentrations (pg/ml) were greater in 95 patients with IPF (94 ± 8) than in 128 subjects with COPD (53 ± 9) and 57 normal subjects (35 ± 3) (P < 0.0001). Circulating CXCL13 levels were highest in patients with IPF with pulmonary artery hypertension (P = 0.01) or acute exacerbations (P = 0.002). Six-month survival of patients with IPF in the highest quartile of plasma CXCL13 was 65 ± 10% versus 93 ± 10% in the others (hazard ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-16.9; P = 0.0008). CXCL13 increases by more than 50% in IPF serial assays, irrespective of initial values, also presaged respiratory failure (hazard ratio, 7.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-40.0; P = 0.008). In contrast, CXCL13 clinical associations in subjects with COPD were limited to modest correlations with FEV1 (P = 0.05) and progression of radiographic emphysema (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS CXCL13 is increased and is a prognostic biomarker in patients with IPF, and more so than in patients with COPD. This contrast indicates CXCL13 overexpressions are intrinsic to IPF, rather than an epiphenomenon of lung injury. The present data implicate CXCL13 and B cells in IPF pathogenesis, and support considerations for trials of specific B-cell-targeted therapies in patients with this intractable disease.
Pancreatic β-Cell Adaptive Plasticity in Obesity Increases Insulin
Production but Adversely Affects Secretory Function

Pancreatic β-cells normally produce adequate insulin to control glucose homeostasis, but in obesity-related diabetes, there is a presumed deficit in insulin production and secretory capacity. In this study, insulin production was assessed directly in obese diabetic mouse models, and proinsulin biosynthesis was found to be contrastingly increased, coupled with a significant expansion of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (without endoplasmic reticulum stress) and Golgi apparatus, increased vesicular trafficking, and a depletion of mature β-granules. As such, β-cells have a remarkable capacity to produce substantial quantities of insulin in obesity, which are then made available for immediate secretion to meet increased metabolic demand, but this comes at the price of insulin secretory dysfunction. Notwithstanding, it can be restored. Upon exposing isolated pancreatic islets of obese mice to normal glucose concentrations, β-cells revert back to their typical morphology with restoration of regulated insulin secretion. These data demonstrate an unrealized dynamic adaptive plasticity of pancreatic β-cells and underscore the rationale for transient β-cell rest as a treatment strategy for obesity-linked diabetes.
Modeling trustworthiness of peer advice in a framework for presenting Web objects that supports peer commenta

In this paper, we present an approach aimed at enabling users to enrich their experience with web-based objects (texts or videos). In particular, we consider a social network of users offering commentary on the web objects they have experienced together with opinions on the value of this commentary being registered by peers. Within this framework, we integrate a reasoner that personalizes the presentation of these annotations to each new user, selectively limiting what is displayed to promote the commentary that will lead to the most effective knowledge gains, based on a modeling of the trustworthiness of the annotator and the similarity of peers who have found this commentary to be useful. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach for selective presentation of these web document annotations by constructing a simulation of knowledge gains achieved by users. Our method is shown to approach the ideal knowledge gains achieved by an optimal algorithm, far outpacing a system where a random selection of commentary is offered (as might match what users would experience if employing self-directed limiting of browsing behaviour). As a result, we offer an effective method for enhancing the experiences of users in contexts with potentially massive amounts of peer commentary.
A probabilistic approach to fault diagnosis of industrial systems

A method for fault diagnosis of industrial systems is presented. Plant devices, sensors, actuators and diagnostic tests are described as stochastic finite-state machines. A formal composition rule of these models is given to obtain: 1) the set of admissible fault signatures; 2) their conditional probability given any fault; and 3) the conditional probability of a fault given a prescribed signature. The modularity and flexibility of this method make it suitable to deal with complex systems made by a large number of components. The method is used in an industrial automotive application, specifically the diagnosis of the throttle body and of the angular sensors measuring the throttle plate angle is described in detail.
Reshaping Elastomers with Light: First Principles Model of Diffusion--Induced Deformation

Elastomeric photopolymers are a new class of materials originally developed at Caltech for use as intraocular lenses. These materials consist of a host network swollen with short-chain, photoreactive "macromers. " Using a light source for selective photopolymerization, gradients in free macromer molecules are created, driving diffusion-induced shape change. Although models exist for external flow of solvent into a swelling gel or for gel deswelling caused by externally imposed forces, no known model exists to account for reaction-induced diffusion-deformation for a force-free material in which solvent can neither enter nor leave. To predict this unique reaction-diffusion-induced shape change, we propose a simple "two-component" model which treats macromer as converting directly into network strands. This model is first shown to be in good agreement with experimental data on the equilibrium swelling of elastomeric photopolymers. We then use mixture theory to develop constitutive laws for the system stress and the flux of macromer by ensuring that the second law of thermodynamics holds. Finally, we implement the theory to a variety of problems - including a finite-element model of the light-adjustable lens - in each case systematically detailing the relative importance of the material parameters on the magnitude and rate of shape change. We determined that the shape change depends upon the rate of consumption of macromer (specified by the initial extent of reaction profile and the initial volume fraction of macromer) and is independent of the network modulus or the macromer molar mass. In addition, we found that the macromer molar mass serves only to determine the rate at which the deformation proceeds, whereas the network modulus serves to determine the magnitude of the internal forces experienced in the photopolymer.
Self-transcending meditation is good for mental health: why this should be the case

Abstract A simple theory of health has recently been proposed: while poor quality regulation corresponds to poor quality health so that improving regulation should improve health, optimal regulation optimizes function and optimizes health. Examining the term ‘optimal regulation’ in biological systems leads to a straightforward definition in terms of ‘criticality’ in complexity biology, a concept that seems to apply universally throughout biology. Criticality maximizes information processing and sensitivity of response to external stimuli, and for these reasons may be held to optimize regulation. In this way a definition of health has been given in terms of regulation, a scientific concept, which ties into detailed properties of complex systems, including brain cortices, and mental health. Models of experience and meditation built on complexity also point to criticality: it represents the condition making self-awareness possible, and is strengthened by meditation practices leading to the state of pure consciousness—the content-free state of mind in deep meditation. From this it follows that healthy function of the brain cortex, its sensitivity,y and consistency of response to external challenges should improve by practicing techniques leading to content-free awareness—transcending the original focus introduced during practice. Evidence for this is reviewed.
Use of Oral N-Acetylcysteine for Protection of Melanocytic Nevi against UV-Induced Oxidative Stress: Towards a Novel Paradigm for Melanoma Chemoprevention

Purpose: Induction of oxidative stress has been implicated in UV-induced melanoma. We sought to determine whether the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) could be safely administered to protect melanocytic nevi from the oxidative stress resulting from acute UV exposure. Experimental Design: Patients at increased risk for melanoma were recruited from a screening clinic. Induction and detection of oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species and glutathione depletion) was optimized in nevi following ex vivo UV irradiation. Nevi were removed from patients before, and following, oral ingestion of a single (1,200 mg) dose of NAC, and then these nevi were UV irradiated (4,000 J/m2). Results: Oxidative stress was induced in nevi 24 to 48 hours following ex vivo UV irradiation. A single oral dose of NAC was well tolerated in all patients (n = 72). Basal levels of reduced glutathione and the NAC metabolite cysteine were well correlated between similar-appearing nevi from the same patient and were significantly increased in nevi removed 3 hours after NAC ingestion compared with nevi removed before drug ingestion. In approximately half (9 of 19) of patients tested, UV-induced glutathione depletion was attenuated in the postdrug (compared with predrug) nevus. Conclusions: NAC can be safely administered to patients for the purpose of modulating UV-induced oxidative stress in nevi. This study suggests the feasibility of patients taking NAC prophylactically before acute UV exposure, to prevent pro-oncogenic oxidative stress in nevi and ultimately reduce long-term melanoma risk. (Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(23):7434–40)
Comparison of Kenz Lifecorder EX and ActiGraph accelerometers in 10-yr-old children.

UNLABELLED A new accelerometer, the Kenz Lifecorder EX (LC; Suzuken Co. Ltd, Nagoya, Japan), offers promise as a feasible monitor alternative to the commonly used Actigraph (AG: Actigraph LLC, Fort Walton Beach, FL). PURPOSE This study compared the LC and AG accelerometers and the Yamax SW-200 pedometer (DW) under free-living conditions with regard to children's steps taken and time in light-intensity physical activity (PA) and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). METHODS Participants (N=31, age=10.2 +/- 0.4 yr) wore LC, AG, and DW monitors from arrival at school (7:45 a.m.) until they went to bed. Time in light and MVPA intensities were calculated using two separate intensity classifications for the LC (LC_4 and LC_5) and four classifications for the AG (AG_Treuth, AG_Puyau, AG_Trost, and AG_Freedson). Both accelerometers provided steps as outputs. DW steps were self-recorded. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to assess overlapping monitor outputs. RESULTS There was no difference between DW and LC steps (Delta=200 steps), but a nonsignificant trend was observed in the pairwise comparison between DW and AG steps (Delta=1001 steps, P=0.058). AG detected significantly greater steps than the LC (Delta=801 steps, P=0.001). Estimates of light-intensity activity minutes ranged from a low of 75.6 +/- 18.4 min (LC_4) to a high of 309 +/- 69.2 min (AG_Treuth). Estimates of MVPA minutes ranged from a low of 25.9 +/- 9.4 min (LC_5) to a high of 112.2 +/- 34.5 min (AG_Freedson). No significant differences in MVPA were seen between LC_5 and AG_Treuth (Delta=4.9 min) or AG_Puyau (Delta=1.7 min). CONCLUSION The LC detected a comparable number of steps as the DW but significantly fewer steps than the AG in children. Current results indicate that the LC_5 and either AG_Treuth or AG_Puyau intensity derivations provide similar mean estimates of time in MVPA during-free living activity in 10-yr-old children.
Courtship displays and coloration as indicators of safety rather than of male quality : the safety assurance hyposthesis

Male courtship displays and bright coloration are usually assumed to provide information to females about some aspect of the male’s value as a mate. However, in some species, courtship may serve another function—namely, indicating the current predation risk at the mating site and assuring the female that it is safe to mate there at this time. We developed this safety assurance hypothesis (SAH) and tested its predictions in the bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum), a Caribbean reef fish. Females in this species come to males’ territories to spawn, and males court each arriving female. Males with larger white flank patches court less intensely than less bright males. We show that such males are probably more visible to predators and thus need not court so intensely to provide the same degree of safety assurance to a female. When model lizardfish predators are presented at spawning sites, males habituate to them quickly, but newly arriving females who see the predator are expected to demand more assurance of site safety. Accordingly, and consistent with the SAH, males court females more intensely (longer average courtship bout length) under such circumstances, but males with bright flank patches do not increase their courtship as much as duller males do. Despite this relatively low intensity of courtship, the spawning rate of bright males does not decline relative to that of duller males in the presence of a predator, suggesting that bright coloration conveys a differential benefit. Females of species like the bluehead wrasse, who spawn repeatedly over the course of their life, are expected to be more concerned with their own risk of mortality during each spawning bout than with the quality of a particular male. It is in such species that we expect the SAH to be most applicable. Key words: bluehead wrasse, coral reefs, courtship behavior, fish, risk aversion, safety, Thalassoma bifasciatum. [Behav Ecol 11:444–451 (2000)]
High-Probability Uniquantal Transmission at Excitatory Synapses in Barrel Cortex

The number of vesicles released at excitatory synapses and the number of release sites per synaptic connection are key determinants of information processing in the cortex, yet they remain uncertain. Here we show that the number of functional release sites and the number of anatomically identified synaptic contacts are equal at connections between spiny stellate and pyramidal cells in rat barrel cortex. Moreover, our results indicate that the amount of transmitter released per synaptic contact is independent of release probability and the intrinsic release probability is high. These properties suggest that connections between layer 4and layer 2/3 are tuned for reliable transmission of spatially distributed, timing-based signals.
Numerical implementation and oceanographic application of the Gibbs potential of ice

The 2004 Gibbs thermodynamic potential function of naturally abundant water ice is based on much more experimental data than its predecessors, is therefore significantly more accurate and reliable, and for the first time describes the entire temperature and pressure range of existence of this ice phase. It is expressed in the ITS-90 temperature scale and is consistent with the current scientific pure water standard, IAPWS-95, and the 2003 Gibbs potential of seawater. The combination of these formulations provides sublimation pressures, freezing points, and sea ice properties covering the parameter ranges of oceanographic interest. This paper provides source code examples in Visual Basic, Fortran and C++ for the computation of the Gibbs function of ice and its partial derivatives. It reports the most important related thermodynamic equations for ice and sea ice properties.
Analysis of Reliability Dynamics of SSD RAID

Solid-state drives (SSDs) have been widely deployed in desktops and data centers. However, SSDs suffer from bit errors, and the bit error rate is time dependent since it increases as an SSD wears down. Traditional storage systems mainly use parity-based RAID to provide reliability guarantees by striping redundancy across multiple devices, but the effectiveness of traditional RAID schemes in SSDs remains debatable. In particular, an open problem is how different parity distributions over multiple devices influence the reliability of an SSD RAID array. That is, should we evenly distribute patsaverties as suggested by conventional wisdom, or unevenly distribute parties as recently proposed for SSD RAID? To address this fundamental problem, we propose the first analytical model to quantify the reliability dynamics of an SSD RAID array as it ages. Specifically, we develop a “non-homogeneous” continuous time Markov chain model, and derive the transient reliability solution. We validate our model via trace-driven simulation and conduct numerical analysis to analyze the reliability dynamics of SSD RAID arrays subject to different parity distributions, error rates, and SSD array configurations. Our model enables system practitioners to decide the appropriate parity distribution based on their reliability requirements.
Ductile Fracture of AHSS Sheets under Multi‐axial Loading: Experiments and Modeling

Fracture experiments on TRIP‐assisted steel sheets covering a wide range of stress states (from shear to equibiaxial tension) are performed to create a comprehensive experimental database to calibrate and evaluate the shear‐modified Gurson model (Nielsen and Tvergaard, 2010) and the Modified Mohr‐Coulomb (MMC) fracture model (Bai and Wierzbicki, 2010). The experimental program includes notched tensile tests as well as fracture experiments on butterfly‐shaped specimens under combined tension and shear loading. Both phenomenological fracture models are physics‐inspired and take the effect of the first and third stress tensor invariants into account in predicting the onset of ductile fracture. The MMC model is based on the assumption that the initiation of fracture is determined by a critical stress state, while the shear‐modified Gurson model assumes void growth as the governing mechanism. The model accuracy is quantified based on the predictions of the displacements to fracture for experiments which have n.
The transmembrane domains of the EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) variant CAO regulate enhanced signalling activity.

Sequence variants of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) have been reported in association with EBV-linked malignancies but little is known about their effects on signalling pathways and phenotype. We have examined the ability of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)-derived variant, CAO-LMP1 to activate the transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1 in epithelial cells. In this study, transient expression of CAO-LMP1 was found to activate higher levels of NF-kappaB and AP-1 than the prototype B95.8-LMP1 in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells and SV40-transformed keratinocytes (SVK). In addition, pulse-chase analysis revealed that CAO-LMP1 has a longer half-life than B95.8-LMP1. Chimera studies localised these phenomena to the transmembrane domains of CAO-LMP1, suggesting that this enhanced signalling capacity may be a consequence of its prolonged half-life. The ability of CAO-LMP1 to activate higher levels of NF-kappaB and AP-1 may contribute to its potent transforming properties.
Transport properties of multi-layer fabric based on electrospun nanofiber mats as a breathable barrier textile material

Layered fabric systems with an electrospun nanofiber web layered onto a sandwich of woven fabric were developed to examine the feasibility of developing breathable barrier textile materials. Some parameters of nanofiber mats, including the time of electrospinning and the polymer solution concentration, were designed to change and barrier properties of specimens were compared. Air permeability, water vapor transmission, and water repellency (Bundesmann and hydrostatic pressure tests) were assessed as indications of comfort and barrier performance of different samples. These performances of layered nanofiber fabrics were compared with a well-known water repellent breathable multi-layered fabric (Gortex). Multi-layered electrospun nanofiber mats equipped fabric (MENMEF) showed better performance in windproof property than Gortex fabric. Also, water vapor permeability of MENMEF was in a range of normal woven sport and work clothing. Comparisons of barrier properties of MENMEF and the currently available PTFE coated materials showed that, those properties could be achieved by layered fabric systems with electrospun nanofiber mats.
Cesium blockade of delayed outward currents and electrically induced pacemaker activity in mammalian ventricular myocardium

The effects of Cs+, 5-25 mM, were studied in cat and guinea pig papillary muscles using voltage clamp and current clamp techniques. In solutions containing normal K+, the major effects of Cs+ were depolarization of the resting potential and reduction of the delayed outward current (ixl) between -80 and -20 mV. Both inward and outward portions of the isochronal current voltage relation (l-s clamps) were reduced by extracellular Cs+. This resulted in a substantial reduction of inward rectification and, by subtraction from the normal I-V relationship, the definition of a Cs+-sensitive component of current. Under current clamp conditions, 5-10 mM Cs+ produced a dose-dependent slowing of repetitive firing induced by depolarization. At higher concentrations (25 mM) the resting potential was depolarized and repetitive activity could not be induced by further depolarization. However, release of hyperpolarizing pulses was followed by prolonged bursts of repetitive action potentials, suggesting partial reversal of blockade or participation of another pacemaker process. The experimental results and a numerical simulation show that under readily attainable conditions, reduction in an outward pacemaker current may slow pacemaker activity.
Optimization of COD and Colour Removal From Landfill Leachate by Electro-Fenton Method

The contamination of untreated leachate effluent is a potential source to effect of soil, surface and groundwater.In this study, the treatment of landfill leachate by electro-Fenton (EF) method was studied. The objectives of the study are to determine the optimum current density, the optimum treatment time, the optimum pH, the optimum hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) dosage and the optimum ferrous sulphate heptahydrate (FeSO4 •7H2O) dosage of landfill leachate samples using aluminium electrode. From the results, it is verified that electro-Fenton method (EF) can used efficiently to degrade leachate organics. The best removal efficiencies were obtained when current density value is 200 A/m 2 , treatment time is 25 min and pH value is 4. The optimum dose of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is 800 mg/L which was obtained 78% and 96% of COD and colour removal efficiency respectively. The optimum ferrous ion (Fe 2+ ) is 1000 mg/L which was obtained 75% and 94% of COD and colour