Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The ARAUCARIA project: Grid-based quantitative spectroscopic study of massive blue stars in NGC 55

Context. The quantitative study of the physical properties and chemical abundances of large samples of massive blue stars at different metallicities is a powerful tool to understand the natur e and evolution of these objects. Their analysis beyond the Milky Way is challenging, nonetheless it is doable and the best way to investigate their behavior in different environments. Fulfilling this task in an objective way requires the implementation of automatic analysis techniques that can perform the analyses systematically, minimizing at the same time any possible bias. Aims. As part of the ARAUCARIA project we carry out the first quantit ative spectroscopic analysis of a sample of 12 B-type supergiants in the galaxy NGC 55 at 1.94 Mpc away. By applying the methodology developed in this work, we derive their stellar parameters, chemical abundances and provide a characterization of the present-day metallicity of their host galaxy. Methods. Based on the characteristics of the stellar atmosphere/line formation codefastwind, we designed and created a grid of models for the analysis of massive blue supergiant stars. Along with this new grid, we implemented a spectral analysis algorithm. Both tools were specially developed to perform fully consistent quantitative spectroscopic analyses of low spectral resol ution of B-type supergiants in a fast and objective way. Results. We present the main characteristics of ourfastwind model grid and perform a number of tests to investigate the reliability of our methodology. The automatic tool is applied afterward to a sample of 12 B-type supergiant stars in NGC 55, deriving the stellar parameters, Si , C , N , O and Mg abundances. The results indicate that our stars are part of a young population evolving towards a red supergiant phase. For half of the sample we find a remarkab le agreement between spectroscopic and evolutionary masses, whilst for the rest larger discrepancies are present, but still wit hin the uncertainties. The derived chemical composition hints to an average metallicity similar to the one of the Large Magellanic Cloud, with no indication of a spatial trend across the galaxy. Conclusions. The consistency between the observed spectra and our stellar models supports the reliability of our methodology. This objective and fast approach allows us to deal with large samples in an accurate and more statistical way. These are two key issues to achieve an unbiased characterization of the stars and their host galaxies.
Phenotype Matters: The Absence of a Positive Association Between Cortical Thinning and Chronic Low Back Pain When Controlling for Salient Clinical Variables

Aims/Objectives/Background:Studies have associated chronic low back pain (cLBP) with grey matter thinning. But these studies have not controlled for important clinical variables (such as a comorbid affective disorder, pain medication, age, or pain phenotype), which may reduce or eliminate these associations. Methods:We conducted cortical thickness and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analyses in 14 cLBP patients with a discogenic component to their pain, not taking opioids or benzodiazepines, and not depressed or anxious. They were age and gender matched to 14 pain-free controls (PFCs). An ROI-driven analysis (regions of interest) was conducted, using 18 clusters from a previous arterial spin labeling study demonstrating greater regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in these cLBP subjects than the PFCs. Cortical thickness and VBM-based gray matter volume measurements were obtained from a structural MRI scan and group contrasts were calculated. Results:Multivariate analysis of variance showed a trend toward cortical thickening in the right paracentral lobule in cLBP subjects (F1,17=3.667, P<0.067), and significant thickening in the right rostral middle frontal gyrus (F1,17=6.880, P<0.014). These clusters were non-significant after including age as a covariate (P<0.891; P<0.279). A whole-brain cortical thickness and VBM analysis also did not identify significant clusters of thinning or thickening. Exploratory analyses identified group differences for correlations between age and cortical thickness of the right rostral middle frontal gyrus (cLBP: R=−0.03, P=0.9; PFCs: R=−0.81, P<0.001), that is, PFCs demonstrated age-related thinning while cLBP patients did not. Conclusions:Our pilot results suggest that controlling for affect, age, and concurrent medications may reduce or eliminate some of the previously reported structural brain alterations in cLBP.
Phospholipids of Rhizobium contain nodE-determined highly unsaturated fatty acid moieties.

In Rhizobium leguminosarum the nodABC and nod-FEL operons are involved in the production of lipooligosaccharide signals, which mediate host specificity. A nodE-determined highly unsaturated C18:4 fatty acid (trans-2,trans-4,trans-6,cis-11-octadecatetraenoic acid) is essential for the ability of the signals to induce nodule primordia (Spaink, H. P., Sheeley, D. M., van Brussel, A. A. N., Glushka, J., York, W.S., Tak, T., Geiger, O., Kennedy, E. P., Reinhold, V. N., and Lugtenberg, B. J. J. (1991) Nature 354, 125-130) and preinfection thread structures (van Brussel, A. A. N., Bakhuizen, R., van Spronsen, P. C., Spaink, H. P., Tak, T., Lugtenberg, B. J. J., and Kijne, J. W. (1992) Science 257, 70-72) on the host plant Vicia sativa. We presently focus on the question of how these lipo-oligosaccharide signals are synthesized in Rhizobium. Here we show that after the induction of the nodFE genes, even in the absence of the nodABC genes, the trans-2,trans-4,trans-6,cis-11-octadecatetraenoic acid, which has a characteristic absorbance maximum of 303 nm, is synthesized; this shows that the biosynthesis of the unusual fatty acid is not dependent on the synthesis of the lipooligosaccharides. This finding also suggests that the biosynthesis of the unusual fatty acid is completed before it is linked to the sugar backbone of the lipooligosaccharide. In an attempt to identify the lipid fraction with which the unusual C18:4 fatty acid is associated, we found that it is linked to the sn-2 position of the phospholipids. Even when lipooligosaccharide signals are produced in a wild type Rhizobium cell, a fraction of the unusual fatty acid is still bound to all major phospholipids. These findings offer interesting possibilities. 1) The phospholipids might be biosynthetic intermediates for the synthesis of lipooligosaccharide signals, and 2) phospholipids, containing nodFE-derived fatty acids, might have a signal function of their own.
Glutathione in Cancer Biology and Therapy

The glutathione (GSH) content of cancer cells is particularly relevant in regulating mutagenic mechanisms, DNA synthesis, growth, and multidrug and radiation resistance. In malignant tumors, as compared with normal tissues, that resistance associates in most cases with higher GSH levels within these cancer cells. Thus, approaches to cancer treatment based on modulation of GSH should control possible growth-associated changes in GSH content and synthesis in these cells. Despite the potential benefits for cancer therapy of a selective GSH-depleting strategy, such a methodology has remained elusive up to now. Metastatic spread, not primary tumor burden, is the leading cause of cancer death. For patient prognosis to improve, new systemic therapies capable of effectively inhibiting the outgrowth of seeded tumor cells are needed. Interaction of metastatic cells with the vascular endothelium activates local release of proinflammatory cytokines, which act as signals promoting cancer cell adhesion, extravasation, and proliferation. Recent work shows that a high percentage of metastatic cells with high GSH levels survive the combined nitrosative and oxidative stresses elicited by the vascular endothelium and possibly by macrophages and granulocytes. γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase overexpression and an inter-organ flow of GSH (where the liver plays a central role), by increasing cysteine availability for tumor GSH synthesis, function in combination as a metastatic-growth promoting mechanism. The present review focuses on an analysis of links among GSH, adaptive responses to stress, molecular mechanisms of invasive cancer cell survival and death, and sensitization of metastatic cells to therapy. Experimental evidence shows that acceleration of GSH efflux facilitates selective GSH depletion in metastatic cells.
Generation and Analysis of Siah2 Mutant Mice

ABSTRACT Siah proteins function as E3 ubiquitin ligase enzymes to target the degradation of diverse protein substrates. To characterize the physiological roles of Siah2, we have generated and analyzed Siah2 mutant mice. In contrast to Siah1a knockout mice, which are growth retarded and exhibit defects in spermatogenesis, Siah2 mutant mice are fertile and largely phenotypically normal. While previous studies implicate Siah2 in the regulation of TRAF2, Vav1, OBF-1, and DCC, we find that a variety of responses mediated by these proteins are unaffected by loss of Siah2. However, we have identified an expansion of myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow of Siah2 mutant mice. Consistent with this, we show that Siah2 mutant bone marrow produces more osteoclasts in vitro than wild-type bone marrow. The observation that combined Siah2 and Siah1a mutation causes embryonic and neonatal lethality demonstrates that the highly homologous Siah proteins have partially overlapping functions in vivo.
Bilberry extract reduces UVA‐induced oxidative stress in HaCaT keratinocytes: A pilot study

Exposure to UVA radiation is known to cause many adverse biological effects by inducing the stricken cells to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). In recent years the use of botanicals has received considerable interest in the skin protection. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) fruit contains several polyphenols with strong antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. In this study we evaluated potential UVA preventive effect of V. myrtillus fruit extract (VME; anthocyanins, 25% w/w) in HaCaT keratinocytes. Pre‐treatment (1 h) or post‐treatment (4 h) of HaCaT with VME resulted in attenuation of UVA‐caused damage. Application of the extract significantly reduced UVA‐stimulated ROS formation in keratinocytes. VME also prevented/reduced UVA‐caused peroxidation of membrane lipids and depletion of intracellular GSH. The observed cytoprotective effect may be linked to the antioxidant activity of the plant constituents, namely anthocyanins.
THz photomixing employing travelling-wave photodetectors

This paper reports on recent advances n the optical generation of continuous-wave THz signal by photomixing in ultra high-frequency 1.55/spl mu/m travelling-wave photodetectors (TWPD). We discuss the fundamental physical effects determining the frequency dependent quantum efficiency and saturation output current of TWPD. An extended equivalent circuit for a TWPD is presented covering electrical wave propagation effects at frequencies above 1 THz. The power penalty in TWPD due to velocity mismatch is theoretically investigated. Experimentally, ultra-wideband (0.06-1 THz) optical heterodyne photomixing employing a 1.55/spl mu/m TWPD coupled to a rectangular WR10 waveguide is presented as well as photonic emitter modules employing TWPDs integrated with planar antenna structures.
Permutation development data layout (PDDL)

Declustered data organizations in disk arrays (RAIDs) achieve less-intrusive reconstruction of data after a disk failure. We present PDDL, a new data layout for declustered disk arrays. PDDL layouts exist for a large variety of disk array configurations with a distributed spare disk. PDDL declustered disk arrays have excellent run-time performance under light and heavy workloads. PDDL maximizes access parallelism in the most critical circumstances, namely during reconstruction of data on the spare disk. PDDL occurs minimum address translation overhead compared to all other proposed declustering layouts.
Multiple Facets of cAMP Signalling and Physiological Impact: cAMP Compartmentalization in the Lung

Therapies involving elevation of the endogenous suppressor cyclic AMP (cAMP) are currently used in the treatment of several chronic inflammatory disorders, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Characteristics of COPD are airway obstruction, airway inflammation and airway remodelling, processes encompassed by increased airway smooth muscle mass, epithelial changes, goblet cell and submucosal gland hyperplasia. In addition to inflammatory cells, airway smooth muscle cells and (myo)fibroblasts, epithelial cells underpin a variety of key responses in the airways such as inflammatory cytokine release, airway remodelling, mucus hypersecretion and airway barrier function. Cigarette smoke, being next to environmental pollution the main cause of COPD, is believed to cause epithelial hyperpermeability by disrupting the barrier function. Here we will focus on the most recent progress on compartmentalized signalling by cAMP. In addition to G protein-coupled receptors, adenylyl cyclases, cAMP-specific phospho-diesterases (PDEs) maintain compartmentalized cAMP signalling. Intriguingly, spatially discrete cAMP-sensing signalling complexes seem also to involve distinct members of the A-kinase anchoring (AKAP) superfamily and IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein (IQGAPs). In this review, we will highlight the interaction between cAMP and the epithelial barrier to retain proper lung function and to alleviate COPD symptoms and focus on the possible molecular mechanisms involved in this process. Future studies should include the development of cAMP-sensing multiprotein complex specific disruptors and/or stabilizers to orchestrate cellular functions. Compartmentalized cAMP signalling regulates important cellular processes in the lung and may serve as a therapeutic target.
Reflection as a Facilitator of Teachers' Innovative Work Behaviour

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of reflection as a preparatory mechanism for employees' engagement in innovative work behaviour (IWB). This issue was explored in a study with 67 teachers at the highest level of German secondary education. Specifically, we investigated whether teachers who reflected on work tasks, the social context and their work performance were more engaged in the exploration of opportunities for innovation as well as the generation, promotion and realization of innovative ideas. By applying path modelling, we found that work‐related reflection facilitated all dimensions of IWB. Teachers' IWB most strongly depended on their performance‐related reflection. Also, reflecting on work tasks and the social context affected teachers' IWB indirectly by benefitting their performance‐related reflection. As a consequence, reflection should be valued as a resource for innovation and professional development as well as a vital component of work routines, organizational cultures and job training.
Mathematics Teacher Educator Identity: A Conversation Between a Specialist and Generalist

In this paper we consider the ways the constructs of being a generalist and specialist in teaching have contributed to our stories to live by in mathematics teacher education. We employ narratives of experience to serve as frames for our discussion in this paper. We explore how our work in public schools contributed to our practice in teacher education and the ways this shapes our curriculum making with preservice teachers. Our stories to live by as mathematics educators highlight how curriculum is more than subject matter objectives and how we are shaped in our relationships with learners. Keywords : mathematics; generalist; specialist; curriculum; stories to live by; narrative inquiry
Passage in egg culture is a major cause of apparent positive selection in influenza B hemagglutinin

Several studies have identified residues apparently under positive selection in influenza B virus hemagglutinin. Host immune evasion is the main mechanism proposed to exert this selection pressure. However, these reports have not considered the culture history of the strains used to calculate positive selection. This article shows that passage of influenza B virus through egg culture is a strong contributory factor to the strength and statistical significance of positive selection on hemagglutinin. Non‐synonymous mutations resulting in the loss of the N‐glycosylation site at positions 197–199 of hemagglutinin have been positively selected to a far greater degree in egg‐cultured strains than in other strains. Once egg‐cultured strains are removed from the analysis, positive selection is found to be far weaker, less statistically significant, and more diffusely localized along the protein. Caution should therefore be exercised both in claims for the existence of positive selection in influenza B hemagglutinin, and in attribution of host immune evasion as its cause. The major cause of molecular adaptation in influenza B hemagglutinin proteins may well be laboratory eggs rather than natural hosts. J. Med. Virol. 82:123–127, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alcohol Consumption, One-Carbon Metabolites, Liver Cancer and Liver Disease Mortality

Background Excess alcohol consumption adversely affects one-carbon metabolism and increases the risk of liver disease and liver cancer. Conversely, higher folate levels have been inversely associated with liver damage. The current study investigated the effects of alcohol and one-carbon metabolite intake on liver cancer incidence and liver disease mortality within the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study. Methods Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in a population of 27,086 Finnish males with 194 incident liver cancers and 213 liver disease deaths. In a nested case-control subset (95 liver cancers, 103 controls), logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% CIs for serum one-carbon metabolites in relation to liver cancer risk. Results Daily alcohol consumption of more than 20.44 g was associated with an increased risk of both liver cancer incidence (Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.52, 95%CI 1.06–2.18) and liver disease mortality (HR 6.68, 95%CI 4.16–10.71). These risks were unaffected by one-carbon metabolite intake. Similarly, in the case-control study, none of the serum one-carbon metabolites were associated with liver cancer. Conclusions The current study provided no convincing evidence for a protective association of one-carbon metabolite intake or serum level on the risk of liver cancer or liver disease mortality.
Making Sense of Democratic Institutions Intertextually: Communication on Social Media as a Civic Literacy Event Preceding Collective Action

Communication on social media preceding coordinated street demonstrations is assayed for evidence of practice-based informal civic learning about conventional politics and mainstream media. This is done to offset a mounting interest in activist self-organization and self-reflexivity with a scrutiny of networked communication as a civic literacy event. The article proposes that skepticism and criticality directed at media and political institutions provide fertile justification for their challenge, thereby rendering intertextual informal learning an expedient to collective action.
Higher Order Complexity of Time Series

A concept of higher order complexity is proposed in this letter. If a randomness-finding complexity [Rapp & Schmah, 2000] is taken as the complexity measure, the first-order complexity is suggested to be a measure of randomness of the original time series, while the second-order complexity is a measure of its degree of nonstationarity. A different order is associated with each different aspect of complexity. Using logistic mapping repeatedly, some quasi-stationary time series were constructed, the nonstationarity degree of which could be expected theoretically. The estimation of the second-order complexity of these time series shows that the second-order complexities do reflect the degree of nonstationarity and thus can be considered as its indicator. It is also shown that the second-order complexities of the EEG signals from subjects doing mental arithmetic are significantly higher than those from subjects in deep sleep or resting with eyes closed.
Chapter 7: Racial Identity and Education

The multicultural or cultural diversity movement is gaining momentum in the United States. Reports on the nation's racial and cultural diversity abound (American Council on Education and Education Commission of the States, 1988; "Today's Numbers," 1986). An oft-cited statistic is that, by the year 2000, one third of the U.S. population will consist of visible racial/ethnic group members (a term used to replace minorities that refers to Hispanic or Latino, Asian, Indian or Native, and Black American; see Cook & Helms, 1988). Time magazine (H. Williams, 1990) reported that one in four Americans defines himor herself as non-White and that Whites are becoming a minority in some regions of the country. There is renewed attention to the varied implications of an increasingly multiracial American society. The multiracial complexion of our society is very apparent in the nation's schools at all grade levels (American Council on Education and Education Commission of the States, 1988; Gonzalez, 1990). For example, it is estimated that, by the year 2020, 40% of schoolchildren will be non-White (Pallas, Natriello, & McDill, 1989). Currently, 30% of all public school students are children of color (Banks, 1991c), and they constitute more than 70% of total school enrollments in 20 of the country's largest school districts (Center for Education Statistics, 1987). Yet, the population of teachers, teacher educators, and administrators continues to be predominantly White (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, 1990; Dilworth, 1990; Fuller, 1992; Goodwin, 1991; Research About Teacher Education Project, 1990). Consequently, Whites are teaching nonWhites in increasing numbers (Dilworth, 1990; Goodwin, 1990; Grant & Secada, 1990), and cross-racial interactions are a matter-of-fact occurrence. These demographic shifts, coupled with numerous racially biased events within the last decade (Wilkerson, 1992), strongly suggest that one of the continuing issues that absorbs and divides Americans is that of race. Race has and continues to operate as a barrier to educational and social mobility and change (Hacker,
On Building a Self-Organizing Search System for Multimedia Retrieval

We focus on content-based retrieval in unstructured P2P networks consisting of thousands of peers that unpredictably join and leave the network. Such environments with permanent churning of peers require self-organizing mechanisms that should deal with sudden peer failures, arrivals of new peers, and continual changes of data or network topology. In this paper, we build a self-organizing search system that operates in an unstructured P2P network and allows users to search for multimedia data by their content. In order to efficiently route queries to relevant peers, we define and evaluate several techniques for joining new peers to the existing network. These techniques create new relationships between peers -- on the basis of answers returned to queries -- so that a new peer will be able to efficiently forward queries and other peers will be immediately informed about its data. In addition, we demonstrate resilience of the system to sudden peer failures by studying system performance and quality of returned answers after a large number of peers is disconnected. The experiments, evaluated on a synthetic and real-life multimedia dataset, confirm that the proposed techniques are suitable for dynamic environments.