Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transforming Growth Factor-B Activation of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Is Independent of Smad 2 and Smad 3 and Regulates Fibroblast Responses via p 21-Activated Kinase-2

Transforming growth factor-B (TGF-B) stimulates cellular proliferation and transformation to a myofibroblast phenotype in vivo and in a subset of fibroblast cell lines. As the Smad pathway is activated by TGF-B in essentially all cell types, it is unlikely to be the sole mediator of cell type–specific outcomes to TGF-B stimulation. In the current study, we determined that TGF-B receptor signaling activates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in several fibroblast but not epithelial cultures independently of Smad2 and Smad3. PI3K activation occurs in the presence of dominant-negative dynamin and is required for p21-activated kinase-2 kinase activity and the increased proliferation and morphologic change induced by TGF-B in vitro . (Cancer Res 2005; 65(22): 10431-40)
Understanding Older People’s Readiness for Receiving Telehealth

The objective of this study was to understand community-dwelling older people’s readiness for receiving telehealth by studying their intention to use videoconferencing and capacities for using digital technology in daily life as indicators. A mixed-method triangulation design was used. First, a cross-sectional survey study was performed to investigate older people’s intention to use videoconferencing, by testing our theoretical framework with a multilevel path analysis (phase 1). Second, for deeper understanding of older people’s actual use of digital technology, qualitative observations of older people executing technological tasks (eg, on a computer, cell phone) were conducted at their homes (phase 2).
PLANT ASSOCIATIONS IN MIANKALEH BIOSPHERE RESERVE, MAZANDARAN PROVINCE (N. IRAN)

The Miankaleh Biosphere Reserve with a surface area of 68800 hectares is located in 12 km N of Behshahr (MazandaranProvince, N. Iran) between 53˚ 35' - 54˚ 2' eastern longitude and 36˚ 45' - 36˚ 55' northern latitude. The vegetation of MiankalehPeninsula was studied, using the Braun-Blanquet (Zygmatist) method. Based on the analysis of phytosociological data using the Anaphyto software and AFC and CAH methods 26 associations were recognized. The following associations occupy the large part of the area: Punicetum granati, Junco maritimi - Rubetum sancti, Juncetum littoralis and Salicornietum europaea. The distribution of plant associations in the Miankaleh area is mainly influenced by the soil chemical factors including EC, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl‾, HCO3‾, SO42‾ and water table.
- meson twist-2 distribution amplitude within QCD sum rule approach and its application to the semi-leptonic decay

Dan-Dan Hu1, Hai-Bing Fu1,3,∗ Tao Zhong1, Long Zeng2,3, Wei Cheng4, and Xing-Gang Wu2,3† Department of Physics, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang 550025, P.R. China Department of Physics, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, P.R. China Chongqing Key Laboratory for Strongly Coupled Physics, Chongqing 401331, P.R. China and School of Science, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, P.R. China
Response of juvenile salmonids to placement of large woody debris in California coastal streams

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. v TABLE OF CONTENTS. vi LIST OF TABLES. viii LIST OF FIGURES . xi LIST OF APPENDICES. xv INTRODUCTION . 1 METHODS . 6 Study Site. 6 Experimental Design. 10 Physical Habitat Surveys . 11 Fish Sampling Techniques and Estimation of Abundance . 13 Estimation of Biomass, Growth and Movement Rates. 16 Estimation of Survival Rates . 17 Reach-Scale Analysis . 21 Habitat-Unit-Scale Analysis . 23 RESULTS . 31 Physical Habitat and Large Woody Debris. 31 Reach-Scale Analysis. 31
Accurate 3-D finite difference computation of traveltimes in strongly heterogeneous media

Seismic traveltimes and their spatial derivatives are the basis of many imaging methods such as pre-stack depth migration and tomography. A common approach to compute these quantities is to solve the eikonal equation with a ﬁnite-difference scheme. If many recently published algorithms for resolving the eikonal equation do now yield fairly accurate traveltimes for most applications, the spatial derivatives of traveltimes remain very approximate. To address this accuracy issue, we develop a new hybrid eikonal solver that combines a spherical approximation when close to the source and a plane wave approximation when far away. This algorithm reproduces properly the spherical behaviour of wave fronts in the vicinity of the source. We implement a combination of 16 local operators that enables us to handle velocity models with sharp vertical and horizontal velocity contrasts. We associate to these local operators a global fast sweeping method to take into account all possible directions of wave propagation. Our formulation allows us to introduce a variable grid spacing in all three directions of space. We demonstrate the efﬁciency of this algorithm in terms of computational time and the gain in accuracy of the computed traveltimes and their derivatives on several numerical examples.
Modular analysis of signal transduction networks

This paper introduces compelling problems of biological systems and signaling networks to show how engineering tools can be applied to the analysis of the cellular machinery. The mechanisms that cells have developed to process information are described, and the decomposition of signalling networks into subsystems is discussed. A novel criterion for defining modules based on the absence of retroactivity is also presented, and some simple criteria for the analysis of the resulting units are introduced. Two simple examples, two-component signaling and MAPK cascade, and a more complicated example, EGF signaling, were reviewed. An important point to discuss in model analysis for cellular system is the availability of experimental data that is sufficient to verify the model structure and model parameters.
Evaluation of rice segregating population based on drought tolerance criteria and biplot analysis

Rice improvement for drought tolerance requires reliable assessment of drought tolerance variability among segregation population. One hundred and fifty F5 lines were evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications under two separate conditions, normal irrigation and drought stress, in the research field of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, during 2010. Combined analysis of variance indicated significant genotypes and genotype × environment interaction variance for all studied traits. Mean comparison showed that the highest grin yield belonged to 124 and 39 F 5 families in both conditions, (respectively), whereas the least grin yield in non-stressed condition belonged to 95 and 24 and in drought stressed condition to 38 and 88 F 5 families, respectively. Percentage of reduction in traits means by drought stress showed that the grain yield (41.73%) was the most affected trait. Results of drought tolerance indices showed that Stress tolerance index (STI), Mean productivity (MP), Geometric mean productivity (GMP) and Harmonic mean (HM) indices had the highest significant correlations with grain yield under normal and drought stress conditions and were identified as suitable indices to select the high-yielding genotypes in applied rice breeding programs. According to drought tolerance indices and biplot analysis, the lines 3, 7, 11, 30, 37, 39, 47, 49, 50, 60, 69, 92, 93, 123 and 124 introduced as tolerant genotypes that selecting for improved yield in stress condition.
KAIN 1 – SERINC 2 is a functional , replicable and genome-wide significant risk ene region specific for alcohol dependence in subjects of European descent

Objective: We aimed to identify novel, functional, replicable and genome-wide significant risk regions specific for alcohol dependence using genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Methods: A discovery sample (1409 European-American cases with alcohol dependence and 1518 European-American controls) and a replication sample (6438 European-Australian family subjects with 1645 alcohol dependent probands) underwent association analysis. Nineteen other cohorts with 11 different neuropsychiatric disorders served as contrast groups. Additional eight samples underwent expression quantitative locus (eQTL) analysis. Results: A genome-wide significant risk gene region (NKAIN1–SERINC2) was identified in a meta-analysis of the discovery and replication samples. This region was enriched with 74 risk SNPs (unimputed); half of them had significant cis-acting regulatory effects. The distributions of −log(p) values for the SNPdisease associations or SNP-expression associations in this region were consistent throughout eight independent samples. Furthermore, imputing across the NKAIN1–SERINC2 region, we found that among all 795 SNPs in the discovery sample, 471 SNPs were nominally associated with alcohol dependence (1.7 × 10−7 ≤ p ≤ 0.047); 53 survived regionand cohort-wide correction for multiple testing; 92 SNPs were replicated in the replication sample (0.002 ≤ p ≤ 0.050). This region was neither significantly associated with alcohol dependence in African-Americans, nor with other non-alcoholism diseases. Finally, transcript expression of genes in NKAIN1–SERINC2 was significantly (p < 3.4 × 10−7) associated with expression of numerous genes in the neurotransmitter systems or metabolic pathways previously associated with alcohol dependence. Conclusion: NKAIN1–SERINC2 may harbor a causal variant(s) for alcohol dependence. It may contribute to the disease risk by way of neurotransmitter systems or metabolic pathways.
DRS Digital Library DRS Digital Library

: This paper presents a method to explore user experiences over time. The authors propose a structured procedure, using timelines and annotations to facilitate storytelling and data analysis in a user study. It captures participants’ storytelling of prolonged interactive experience. Through our research trial, we demonstrate the potentials to use the timeline’s visual representation for analytical purposes as well as creating accumulative knowledge. The novel contribution of this proposal is a complementary research method to many well-established longitudinal research approaches. The timeline annotations feature like a map on collecting information about people’s prior interactive experience with technologies. It also supports a holistic understanding of a target user group and their overall user experience with devices, functionalities, and services.
Analysis on the environmental features for the distribution of oncomelenia snails in Jiangning county by the geographic information system

Objective To explore the environmental features for the distribution of oncomelenia snails in Jiangning county. Methods The GIS for the distribution of oncomelenia snails was established using the ArcView8.1, and the spatial aspect analysis and overlay analysis were used to explore spatial aspects and soil type of the snail habitats. Results The GIS of snail distribution demonstrated that the oncomelenia snails in Jiangning county in 2000 were grouped in certain areas. Further spatial aspect analysis showed that 78.95% snail habitats in the eastern and southern sunlight-rich part of mountainous areas in Jiangning county. And the overlay analysis revealed that the soil types of the snail habitats in marshland were mainly gray damp soil and paddy soil, and the density of snails in gray damp soils was higher than that in paddy soils. Although the soil types for the habitats in mountain varied, the majority of them belonged to purple soil, paddy soil and light brown loam respectively. The density of snails habitats of mountain decreased gradually from limestone soil, purple soil and light brown loam to paddy soils. Further analysis showed that the density of alive snails habitats, which were in the soil with clay texture, light alkality and more organic substance, was higher than that habitats in the acid soils. Conclusions The snail of Jiangning county habitats more in the areas with eastern and southern aspect, and in the soil types with light alkality, more organic substance and clay texture.
Three Very Simple Games and What It Takes to Solve Them

We study experimentally the nature of dominance violations in three minimalist dominancesolvable guessing games. Only about a third of our subjects report reasoning consistent with dominance; they all make dominant choices and almost all expect others to do so. Nearly two-thirds of subjects report reasoning inconsistent with dominance, yet a quarter of them actually make dominant choices and half of those expect others to do so. Reasoning errors are more likely for subjects with lower working memory, intrinsic motivation and premeditation attitude. Dominance-incompatible reasoning arises mainly from subjects misrepresenting the strategic nature (payoff structure) of the guessing games.
Paper 98 Viscoelastic Low-Reynolds-Number Flows in Mixing-Separating Cells

In this work we investigate the flow of Newtonian and viscoelastic fluids in a mixing-separating geometry consisting of two opposed channel flows interacting through a gap in the common separating wall. This type of flow was experimentally investigated by Cochrane et al. [1] using Newtonian and viscoelastic fluids at low Reynolds number flows (Re < 40). In the present numerical study we assess the effects of Deborah and Reynolds numbers and gap size on the two-dimensional flow dynamics. The normalized gap size was varied between 0 and 5, Re varied between 0 and 50 and De varied between 0 and the maximum attainable value. For Newtonian fluids the creeping flow is anti-symmetric, due to the anti-symmetry of the fully-developed inlet conditions and the symmetry of the flow geometry. Increasing the gap size increased the reversed flow rate ratio (Rr), here defined as the ratio between the reversed and total flow rates. In this investigation we also investigate in detail the creeping flow of viscoelastic fluids obeying the upper-convected Maxwell model for which two distinct flow patterns are found. For normalized gap sizes below a critical value the reversed flow is slightly enhanced by viscoelasticity, followed by a decrease in Rr towards zero as De further increases. For a supercritical gap size viscoelasticity is responsible for a continuous increase in Rr. This flow type transition can be exploited to promote mixing, and this application will also be addressed in this work.
Significant records and annotated site lists from bird surveys in the Gamba Complex, Gabon

Summary The Gamba Complex, a group of protected areas that is one of Gabon’s most important areas for bird conservation, has received little ornithological study. We surveyed four sites within the Complex, including the Gamba area (158 spp. recorded), the Rabi and Toucan-Calao oilfields (204), Loango National Park (203), and SW Moukalaba-Doudou NP (177). Significant records included range extensions within Gabon for Otus icterorhynchus, Glaucidium tephronotum, Smithornis capensis, Zoothera camaronensis, Bathmocercus rufus, Batis minima and Ploceus pelzelni, and the first published specimen record from Gabon for Glaucidium tephronotum. We also document other rare or threatened species from the Complex, and provide annotated species lists for the sites based on data from our surveys.
Reading the Fine Print : Credit Demand and Information Disclosure in Brazil ∗

Consumer credit regulations usually require that lenders disclose interest rates. However, lenders can evade the spirit of these regulations by concealing rates in the fine print and highlighting low monthly payments. I explore the importance of such evasion in Brazil, where consumer credit for lower and middle income borrowers is expanding rapidly, despite particularly high interest rates. By randomizing contract interest rates and the degree of interest rate disclosure, I show that most borrowers are highly rate-sensitive, whether or not interest rates are prominently disclosed in marketing materials. An exception is high-risk borrowers, for whom rate disclosure matters. These clients are rate-sensitive only when disclosure is prominent. I also show that borrowers who choose this type of financing are responsive to nudges that favor longer-term plans. Despite this evidence, the financial consequences of information disclosure, even for high-risk borrowers, are relatively modest, and clients are less susceptible to nudges when the stakes are higher. Together, these results suggest that consumers in Brazil are surprisingly adept at decoding information even when lenders try to obfuscate the interest rate information, suggesting a fair amount of sophistication in this population. ∗I am very grateful to my advisors Joshua Angrist, Shawn Cole, Esther Duflo, and Michael Greenstone, for their guidance and support. I also thank Juliano Assunção, Leonardo Bursztyn, Dana Chandler, Daniel Gottlieb, Horacio Larreguy, Simone Schaner, Heidi Williams, and numerous participants at the MIT Labor Lunch, MIT Development Lunch, MIT Finance Lunch, MIT PF/Labor Seminar, MOOD 2011 Doctoral Workshop, and CFS-EIEF Conference on Household Finance for helpful comments and suggestions. Finally, I would like to especially thank the management and staff of the cooperating credit card company for their support during the implementation of the study. All errors are my own. †Ph.D. Candidate, MIT Department of Economics: bferman@mit.edu
State of bare soil surface as a spring drought indicator

Abstract To evaluate soil moisture conditions in spring crops sowing term, data of bare soil surface state were used. Analysis included 32 stations throughout the Czech Republic. Number of days with dry soil surface in each year was compared with the average number of those days in the period 1961-2010 for a given station. The limits of the individual categories were then determined for the period 1961-2010. The individual values of the number of days with dry condition of soil in the early spring period were compared with acquired 10th, 25th, 75th and 90th percentile average (1961-2010). More days with dry soil are usually observed in April than in March. In both months there are 11 days with this condition of soil altogether on average. Dry early spring occurred mainly in 1961, 1968, 1974, 1981, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2009. Wet spring occurred in years 1965, 1970, 1980, 2001 and 2006 at almost all stations. There is a significant correlation (p < 0.01) between number of days with dry condition of soil and elevation (r = −0.51, n = 32). Average number of days with dry condition of soil surface in March and April in the period 1961-2010 ranges from 5 to 21 days, which is similar to the median values. Trend analysis did not produce conclusive results, but linear trend of smoothing April data was significantly increased in most localities. The number of days with dry condition of soil in the past decades has no significant upward or downward trend. However four years (2002, 2003, 2007 and 2009) have been evaluated as dry and two years (2001 and 2006) were evaluated as wet. An amount of extreme spring weather increases.
Multiproduct Retailing

We study the pricing behavior of a multiproduct retailer, when consumers must pay a search cost to learn its prices. Equilibrium prices are high because rational consumers understand that visiting the store exposes them to a hold-up problem. However a firm with more products charges lower prices, because it attracts consumers who are more price-sensitive. We also show that when the retailer advertises the price of one product, it provides consumers with some indirect information about all of its other prices. The firm therefore exploits this and sets a relatively low advertised price, in order to build a store-wide ‘low-price image’.
Water Governance Challenges in New Mexico's Middle Rio Grande Valley: A Resilience Assessment

Climate change presents an unprecedented challenge to traditional forms of water governance in the American Southwest. This Article centers on one watershed struggling to meet these challenges — New Mexico’s Middle Rio Grande (MRG). The MRG includes the urban environments of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, as well as surrounding small towns, and rural agricultural communities. This Article provides an overview of the MRG as a complex and dynamic social-ecological system and what challenges may arise under expected hydrologic changes. Employing concepts from resilience theory, it describes the challenges facing water governance in the MRG, placing particular emphasis on the current function and capacity of existing governance structures. After a basic overview of resilience as a paradigm for understanding the dynamics of an SES, it provides a brief overview of the current governance framework for the MRG. It then provides a description of the key social and ecological system elements and their associated interactions. Having identified the key social and ecological elements involved, we discuss possible key interactions among them, including “tipping points” — key thresholds that, if crossed, may threaten the long-term stability of the MRG. We then look at the implications of these interactions and tipping points for natural resource managers and discuss whether the current governance structures are equipped for the challenges ahead. This includes a discussion regarding the potential for and current investment in the use of adaptive management in the MRG.
Chemical analysis of ice vein μ-environments

ABSTRACT Icy environments (glacial ice and sea ice) can be complex ecosystems, supporting a diversity of communities. In particular, the μ-environments in which bacteria and algae are found are poorly understood. One important habitat is the liquid trapped in the ice, either as veins and triple junctions inherent in the ice structure or as liquid inclusions. μ-Raman spectroscopy is an analytical tool with the potential to characterise qualitatively and quantitatively these liquid μ-environments especially with respect to molecular anions such as nitrate, sulphate, bisulphate and MSA. Using a model system for glacial ice, splat-cooled samples were prepared from aqueous solutions of these anions at varying concentrations (50–75 mM total sulphate, 30–200 mM nitrate, and 10–55 mM MSA). Concentrations of these anions in the vein liquid were measured directly and non-destructively at –15 °C using μ-Raman spectroscopy. In agreement with predicted concentrations in glacial ice veins, it was found that typical ionic concentrations in veins are quite high, with mean concentrations ranging from 0.23 M to 3.5 M depending on anion type and initial concentration. For sulphate solutions, it was also possible to measure vein pH's directly. The observed pH in these systems was extremely low, in some cases ~1. The results of these model studies as well as the implications for ice vein concentrations in natural systems of polycrystalline ice are discussed.