Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary carotenoids predict plumage coloration in wild house finches

Carotenoid pigments are a widespread source of ornamental coloration in vertebrates and expression of carotenoid–based colour displays has been shown to serve as an important criterion in female mate choice in birds and fishes. Unlike other integumentary pigments, carotenoids cannot be synthesized; they must be ingested. Carotenoid–based coloration is condition–dependent and has been shown to be affected by both parasites and nutritional condition. A controversial hypothesis is that the expression of carotenoid–based coloration in wild vertebrates is also affected by the amount and types of carotenoid pigments that are ingested. We tested this carotenoid-limitation hypothesis by sampling the gut contents of moulting house finches and comparing the concentration of carotenoid pigments in their gut contents with the colour of growing feathers. We found a positive association: males that ingested food with a higher concentration of carotenoid pigments grew brighter ornamental plumage. We also compared the concentration of carotenoids in the gut contents of males from two subspecies of house finches with small and large patches of carotenoid–based coloration. Consistent with the hypothesis that carotenoid access drives the evolution of carotenoid-based colour displays, males from the population with limited ornamentation had much lower concentrations of carotenoids in their gut contents than males from the population with extensive ornamentation. These observations support the idea that carotenoid intake plays a part in determining the plumage brightness of male house finches.
Forecasting Energy Market Contracts by Ambit Processes: Empirical Study and Numerical Results

In the present paper we exploit the theory of ambit processes to develop a model which is able to effectively forecast prices of forward contracts written on the Italian energy market. Both short-term and medium-term scenarios are considered and proper calibration procedures as well as related numerical results are provided showing a high grade of accuracy in the obtained approximations when compared with empirical time series of interest.
Lymphocyte CD44 binds the COOH-terminal heparin-binding domain of fibronectin

The lymphocyte-high endothelial venule (HEV) cell interaction is an essential element of the immune system, as it controls lymphocyte recirculation between blood and lymphoid organs in the body. This interaction involves an 85-95-kD class of lymphocyte surface glycoprotein(s), CD44. A subset of lymphocyte CD44 molecules is modified by covalent linkage to chondroitin sulfate (Jalkanen, S., M. Jalkanen, R. Bargatze, M. Tammi, and E. C. Butcher. 1988. J. Immunol. 141:1615-1623). In this work, we show that removal of chondroitin sulfate by chondroitinase treatment of lymphocytes or incubation of HEV with chondroitin sulfate does not significantly inhibit lymphocyte binding to HEV, suggesting that chondroitin sulfate is not involved in endothelial cell recognition of lymphocytes. Affinity-purified CD44 antigen was, on the other hand, observed to bind native Type I collagen fibrils, laminin, and fibronectin, but not gelatin. Binding to fibronectin was studied more closely, and it was found to be mediated through the chondroitin sulfate-containing form of the molecule. The binding site on fibronectin was the COOH-terminal heparin binding domain, because (a) the COOH-terminal heparin-binding fragment of fibronectin-bound isolated CD44 antigen; (b) chondroitin sulfate inhibited this binding; and (c) finally, the ectodomain of another cell surface proteoglycan, syndecan, which is known to bind the COOH- terminal heparin binding domain of fibronectin (Saunders, S., and M. Bernfield. 1988. J. Cell Biol. 106: 423-430), inhibited binding of CD44 both to intact fibronectin and to its heparin binding domain. Moreover, inhibition studies showed that binding of a lymphoblastoid cell line, KCA, to heparin binding peptides from COOH-terminal heparin binding fragment of fibronectin was mediated via CD44. These findings suggest that recirculating lymphocytes use the CD44 class of molecules not only for binding to HEV at the site of lymphocyte entry to lymphoid organs as reported earlier but also within the lymphatic tissue where CD44, especially the subset modified by chondroitin sulfate, is used for interaction with extracellular matrix molecules such as fibronectin.
Glycogen Phosphomonoester Distribution in Mouse Models of the Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy, Lafora Disease*

Background: Lafora disease is characterized by abnormal, hyperphosphorylated glycogen. Results: 20% of the total phosphate is present as a C6 phosphomonoester of glucose residues; this proportion is unchanged in glycogen from mouse models of Lafora disease. Conclusion: C6 phosphate is not the dominant phosphomonoester. Significance: C2, C3, or C6 phosphate could all contribute to aberrant glycogen structure. Glycogen is a branched polymer of glucose that acts as an energy reserve in many cell types. Glycogen contains trace amounts of covalent phosphate, in the range of 1 phosphate per 500–2000 glucose residues depending on the source. The function, if any, is unknown, but in at least one genetic disease, the progressive myoclonic epilepsy Lafora disease, excessive phosphorylation of glycogen has been implicated in the pathology by disturbing glycogen structure. Some 90% of Lafora cases are attributed to mutations of the EPM2A or EPM2B genes, and mice with either gene disrupted accumulate hyperphosphorylated glycogen. It is, therefore, of importance to understand the chemistry of glycogen phosphorylation. Rabbit skeletal muscle glycogen contained covalent phosphate as monoesters of C2, C3, and C6 carbons of glucose residues based on analyses of phospho-oligosaccharides by NMR. Furthermore, using a sensitive assay for glucose 6-P in hydrolysates of glycogen coupled with measurement of total phosphate, we determined the proportion of C6 phosphorylation in rabbit muscle glycogen to be ∼20%. C6 phosphorylation also accounted for ∼20% of the covalent phosphate in wild type mouse muscle glycogen. Glycogen phosphorylation in Epm2a−/− and Epm2b−/− mice was increased 8- and 4-fold compared with wild type mice, but the proportion of C6 phosphorylation remained unchanged at ∼20%. Therefore, our results suggest that C2, C3, and/or C6 phosphate could all contribute to abnormal glycogen structure or to Lafora disease.
The Determinants of Scholastic Achievement-An Appraisal of Some Recent Evidence

This study assesses some of the more highly publicized and controversial conclusions of Equality of Educational Opportunity by James S. Coleman et al. The Coleman Report, published by the U.S. Office of Education in 1966, concluded that per-pupil expenditures and school facilities show very little relation to student achievement levels, and the effect of a student's peers on his achievement level is more important than any other school influence. The present paper scrutinizes the data and the statistical analysis on which these findings are based. It is suggested that because of poor measurement of school resources, inadequate control for social background, and inappropriate statistical techniques used in the presence of interdependence among the independent variables, many of the findings of the Report are not supported.
Leader‐level influence on motivating language: A two‐level model investigation on worker performance and job satisfaction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extend the motivating language (ML) theory conceptualization by examining the role of leader‐level communication (as compared to the current dyadic level conceptualization) in employee performance and job satisfaction.Design/methodology/approach – Partial least squares (PLS) analysis is used to test how leader and dyadic‐based ML effects employee outcomes. PLS analysis is applied in an incremental fashion, adding leader‐level language after dyadic‐level ML had been included in the model. Such an incremental approach shows the extent of added variance by leader‐level ML. The sample is drawn from 151 health care workers in a Southeastern health facility.Findings – Results indicate that leader‐level ML significantly and positively effects follower performance. In comparison, dyadic‐level ML significantly and positively effects both employee performance and job satisfaction.Research limitations/implications – This research only examines a subset of the outcome variabl.
Relationship-Centered Counseling: The Integrative Interaction of Relationship and Technique.

Efforts toward integration and eclecticism in counseling and psychotherapy reflect continuing interest in systematically blending theoretical commonalties and eclectically using a variety of techniques across different schools of therapy in the hope of achieving a constituent working model that pools the strengths of differant theories and techniques. The purposes of this paper are: (1) to outline the philosophical and theoretical principles on which the higher-order integrative conceptualization of relationship-centered counseling is based; and (2) to highlight the joint interaction of relational and technical components in light of recent counseling process and client change research. First, the major principles of relationship-centered counseling are developed. Second the philosophical basis for integrating the in-depth humanistic/relational ground and purpose of counseling with the multiple human and technical operations that constitute the counseling process in action are presented. Finally, the paper discusses relevant key findings from a broad range of counseling process and outcome research that elucidate how the relationship-centered perspective undergi:-ds the joint interaction of relationship and task/technique elements in counseling practice. Contains 92 references. (JBJ) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** Relationship-Centered Counseling: The Integrative Interaction of Relationship and Technique' Eugene W. Kelly, Jr., Ph.D. George Washington University Paper Presented (Full Text) at the 1995 National Convention of the American Psychological Association August 13, 1995 "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
A stochastic model of the temporal and azimuthal dispersion seen at the base station in outdoor propagation environments

A simple statistical model of azimuthal and temporal dispersion in mobile radio channels is proposed. The model includes the probability density function (PDF) of the delay and azimuth of the impinging waves as well as their expected power conditioned on the delay and azimuth. The statistical properties are extracted from macrocellular measurements conducted in a variety of urban environments. It is found that in typical urban environments the power azimuth spectrum (PAS) is accurately described by a Laplacian function, while a Gaussian PDF matches the azimuth PDF. Moreover, the power delay spectrum (PDS) and the delay PDF are accurately modeled by an exponential decaying function. In bad urban environments, channel dispersion is better characterized by a multicluster model, where the PAS and PDS are modeled as a sum of Laplacian functions and exponential decaying functions, respectively.
Activation of Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Urokinase/Plasminogen Activator by Matriptase, an Epithelial Membrane Serine Protease*

Matriptase is an epithelial-derived, integral membrane serine protease. The enzyme was initially isolated from human breast cancer cells and has been implicated in breast cancer invasion and metastasis. In the current study, using active matriptase isolated from human milk, we demonstrate that matriptase is able to cleave various synthetic substrates with arginine or lysine as their P1 sites and prefers small side chain amino acids, such as Ala and Gly, at P2 sites. For the most reactive substrates,N-tert-butoxycarbonyl (N-t-Boc)-γ-benzyl-Glu-Ala-Arg-7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC) and N-t-Boc-Gln-Ala-Arg-AMC, theK m values were determined to be 3.81 and 4.89 μm, respectively. We further demonstrated that matriptase can convert hepatocyte growth factor/scattering factor to its active form, which can induce scatter of Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells and can activate c-Met tyrosine phosphorylation in A549 human lung carcinoma cells. In addition, we noted that matriptase can activate urokinase plasminogen activator but has no affect on plasminogen. These results suggest that matriptase could act as an epithelial, upstream membrane activator to recruit and activate stromal-derived downstream effectors important for extracellular matrix degradation and epithelial migration, two major events of tissue remodeling, cancer invasion, and metastasis.
T-S fuzzy model identification and the fuzzy model based controller design

This paper presents an algorithm to identify T-S fuzzy models and design fuzzy model based controllers (FMBC) for a class of nonlinear plant. First, the algorithm using fuzzy c-regression models (FCRM) clustering to find the functional relationships in the product space of the input-output data. A new cluster validity criterion is proposed to calculate overall compactness and separateness of the FCRM partition and then determine the appropriate number of regression models. Besides, the fine-tuning of the antecedent fuzzy set and the consequent parameters are considered. Thus, an efficient T-S fuzzy model with compact if-then rules can be generated systematically. Finally, an FMBC is proposed to make the nonlinear plant track the reference trajectory signal. A simulation example is provided to demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
The thermal environment of the human being on the global scale

Background: The close relationship between human health, performance, well-being and the thermal environment is obvious. Nevertheless, most studies of climate and climate change impacts show amazing shortcomings in the assessment of the environment. Populations living in different climates have different susceptibilities, due to socio-economic reasons, and different customary behavioural adaptations. The global distribution of risks of hazardous thermal exposure has not been analysed before. Objective: To produce maps of the baseline and future bioclimate that allows a direct comparison of the differences in the vulnerability of populations to thermal stress across the world. Design: The required climatological data fields are obtained from climate simulations with the global General Circulation Model ECHAM4 in T106-resolution. For the thermo-physiologically relevant assessment of these climate data a complete heat budget model of the human being, the ‘Perceived Temperature’ procedure has been applied which already comprises adaptation by clothing to a certain degree. Short-term physiological acclimatisation is considered via Health Related Assessment of the Thermal Environment. Results: The global maps 1971–1980 (control run, assumed as baseline climate) show a pattern of thermal stress intensities as frequencies of heat. The heat load for people living in warm–humid climates is the highest. Climate change will lead to clear differences in health-related thermal stress between baseline climate and the future bioclimate 2041–2050 based on the ‘business-as-usual’ greenhouse gas scenario IS92a. The majority of the world's population will be faced with more frequent and more intense heat strain in spite of an assumed level of acclimatisation. Further adaptation measures are crucial in order to reduce the vulnerability of the populations. Conclusions: This bioclimatology analysis provides a tool for various questions in climate and climate change impact research. Considerations of regional or local scale require climate simulations with higher resolution. As adaptation is the key term in understanding the role of climate/climate change for human health, performance and well-being, further research in this field is crucial.
Glucocorticoids Do Not Inhibit Antitumor Activity of Activated CD8+ T Cells

Glucocorticoids are potent immunosuppressive drugs that are generally withheld from cancer patients receiving immunotherapy. We sought to test the hypothesis that glucocorticoids might interfere with the function of cells after adoptive transfer. We gave dexamethasone, a potent synthetic glucocorticoid, to B16 melanoma-bearing mice receiving the adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of pmel-1 T-cell receptor transgenic CD8+ cells. Dexamethasone caused a profound lymphodepletion but, surprisingly, did not alter the antitumor efficacy of ACT-based regimens whether given before, during, or after ACT. Although dexamethasone radically decreased the number of native CD8+ splenocytes in recipient mice, it did not affect the numbers of CD8+ pmel-1 cells derived from ACT in these mice. In vitro proliferation assays revealed acute inhibition of naive pmel-1 CD8+ cells by dexamethasone without significant effect on activated cells. In vitro interferon (IFN)-γ release from activated pmel-1 CD8+ cells showed partial inhibition by dexamethasone, but this effect was relatively minor when compared with the near-complete inhibition of naive cells. Thus, glucocorticoids had a profound inhibitory effect on naive CD8+ T cells but had little impact on the proliferation and function of activated CD8+ pmel-1 T cells. Finally, because glucocorticoids had no effect on tumor regression in this model, it may be possible to use glucocorticoids in some patients receiving ACT-based immunotherapy regimens.
Ideologies in action : language politics on Corsica

In Corsica, spelling contests, road signs, bilingual education bills and Corsican language newscasts leave language planners and ordinary speakers deeply divided over how to define what "counts" as Corsican and how it is connected with cultural identity. In Ideologies in Action Alexandra Jaffe explores the complex interrelationship between linguistic ideologies and practices on the French island of Corsica. This detailed exploration of the ideological and political underpinnings of three decades of language planning raises fundamental questions about what it means to "save" a minority language, and the way in which specific cultural, political and ideological contexts shape the "successes" and "failures" of linguistic engineering efforts. Jaffe's ethnography focuses both on the way dominant language ideologies are inscribed in the everyday experience of ordinary people, as well as how they shape the evolving strategies of language planners trying to revitalize the Corsican language. While Jaffe's analysis demonstrates the pervasive influence of dominant language ideologies on minority language speakers and language planners, she also draws on case studies from everyday discourse, educational practice and public and mediatized debates over language issues to develop an ethnographically-grounded perspective on levels of resistance. In the final part of the book she explores the emergence (and the limits) of "radical" genres of resistance found in forms of Corsican language activism and in examples of codeswitching and language mixing in bilingual radio practice. This book contributes to a growing literature on language ideology, and will be of interest to anthropologists, political scientists and linguists interested in the practical and theoretical dimensions of language contact, minority language literacy, bilingual education, and language shift.
An Extended Grid of Nova Models. II. The Parameter Space of Nova Outbursts

This paper is a sequel to an earlier paper devoted to multiple, multicycle nova evolution models (Prialnik & Kovetz, Paper I), which showed that the different characteristics of nova outbursts can be reproduced by varying the values of three basic and independent parameters: the white dwarf mass, MWD, the temperature of its isothermal core, TWD, and the mass transfer rate, . Here we show that the parameter space is constrained by several analytical considerations and find its limiting surfaces. Consequently, we extend the grid of multicycle nova evolution models presented in Paper I to its limits, adding multicycle nova outburst calculations for a considerable number of new parameter combinations. In particular, the extended parameter space that produces nova eruptions includes low mass transfer rates down to 5 × 10-13 M☉ yr-1 and more models for low TWD. Resulting characteristics of these runs are added to the former parameter combination results to provide a full grid spanning the entire parameter space for carbon-oxygen white dwarfs. The full grid covers the entire range of observed nova characteristics, even those of peculiar objects, which have not been numerically reproduced until now. Most remarkably, runs for very low lead to very high values for some characteristics, such as outburst amplitude A ≳ 20, high super-Eddington luminosities at maximum, heavy element abundance of the ejecta Zej ≈ 0.63, and high ejected masses mej ≈ 7 × 10-4 M☉.
Comparison of common platelet receptors between the chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) and human for use in pre-clinical human-targeted anti-platelet studies

Abstract Anti-platelet agents play a central part in the treatment and prevention of acute thrombotic events. Discriminating animal models are needed for the development of novel agents. The chacma baboon has been extensively used as a model to evaluate anti-platelet agents. However, limited data exist to prove the translatability of this species to humans. We aimed to determine the suitability of the chacma baboon in preclinical human targeted GPIIb/IIIa, GPIbα and P2Y12 studies. Light-transmission platelet aggregometry (LTA), whole blood impedance aggregometry, receptor number quantification and genomic DNA sequencing were performed. Baboon ADP and arachidonic acid-induced LTA aggregation results differed significantly from human values, even at increased concentrations. LTA ristocetin-induced agglutination was comparable between species, but baboon platelets needed twice the concentration of ristocetin to elicit a similar response. Citrated baboon blood had significantly less aggregation than humans when evaluated with impedance aggregometry. However, hirudinised baboon whole blood gave similar aggregation as humans at the same agonist concentrations. GPIIb, GPIIIa and GPIbα numbers were significantly more on the baboon platelets. None of the amino acids deemed vital for receptor function, ligand binding or receptor inhibition, were radically different between the species. However, a conservative change in a calcium-binding region of GPIIb may render the baboon platelets more sensitive to calcium-binding agents. The chacma baboon may be used for the evaluation of human-targeted GPIIb/IIIa-, GPIbα- and P2Y12-inhibiting agents. However, the best anticoagulant, optimal agonist concentrations, increase in receptor number and sequence differences must be considered for any future studies.