Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Aerobic Glycolysis Attenuates Disease Progression in Polycystic Kidney Disease

Dysregulated signaling cascades alter energy metabolism and promote cell proliferation and cyst expansion in polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Here we tested whether metabolic reprogramming towards aerobic glycolysis (“Warburg effect”) plays a pathogenic role in male heterozygous Han:SPRD rats (Cy/+), a chronic progressive model of PKD. Using microarray analysis and qPCR, we found an upregulation of genes involved in glycolysis (Hk1, Hk2, Ldha) and a downregulation of genes involved in gluconeogenesis (G6pc, Lbp1) in cystic kidneys of Cy/+ rats compared with wild-type (+/+) rats. We then tested the effect of inhibiting glycolysis with 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) on renal functional loss and cyst progression in 5-week-old male Cy/+ rats. Treatment with 2DG (500 mg/kg/day) for 5 weeks resulted in significantly lower kidney weights (-27%) and 2-kidney/total-body-weight ratios (-20%) and decreased renal cyst index (-48%) compared with vehicle treatment. Cy/+ rats treated with 2DG also showed higher clearances of creatinine (1.98±0.67 vs 1.41±0.37 ml/min), BUN (0.69±0.26 vs 0.40±0.10 ml/min) and uric acid (0.38±0.20 vs 0.21±0.10 ml/min), and reduced albuminuria. Immunoblotting analysis of kidney tissues harvested from 2DG-treated Cy/+ rats showed increased phosphorylation of AMPK-α, a negative regulator of mTOR, and restoration of ERK signaling. Assessment of Ki-67 staining indicated that 2DG limits cyst progression through inhibition of epithelial cell proliferation. Taken together, our results show that targeting the glycolytic pathway may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to control cyst growth in PKD.
I spy with my little eye: interpreting seventeenth-century Venetian spy reports

This article examines the reports written by Gerolamo Vano, a spy working in early seventeenth-century Venice. It concentrates on their form rather than their content in a attempt to assess Vano's story-telling skills. It is also an experiment in historical story-telling, which departs from some of the conventions of academic writing and embraces the melodramatic qualities of Vano's writing. In short, the article's form is used to comment allegorically upon its content.
Mechanisms by which chronic ethanol feeding impairs the migratory capacity of cutaneous dendritic cells.

BACKGROUND Chronic alcoholism is associated with increased incidence and severity of skin infection. Cutaneous dendritic cells (CDCs) play a pivotal role in skin immunity, and chronic ethanol (EtOH) feeding in mice has been shown to inhibit CDC migration to skin-draining lymph nodes (dLNs) following epicutaneous sensitization. Because CDC subsets differentially initiate T-cell responses, it is important to determine how EtOH feeding affects migration of each subset and identify mechanisms responsible for observed defects. METHODS Mice received EtOH in the drinking water for ≥ 16 weeks. Baseline numbers of CDC subsets and their migration to the dLNs following fluorescein 5-isothiocyanate (FITC) sensitization were assessed by flow cytometry. Epidermal cell suspension and skin explant cultures were used to measure the impact of EtOH upon molecules that influence CDC migration. Cytokine arrays performed on explant culture supernatants assessed local production of inflammatory cytokines. RESULTS Chronic EtOH feeding reduced migration of all CDC subsets to the dLNs following FITC sensitization. Reduced migration of dermal-resident CDCs did not correspond with reduced baseline numbers of these cells. For Langerhans cells (LCs), EtOH-induced migratory dysfunction corresponded with delayed down-regulation of E-cadherin, chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1), and CCR6 and impaired up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9. In skin explant assays, EtOH blunted CDC mobilization following stimulation with CCL21/CPG 1826. No alteration in CD54 or CCR7 expression was observed, but production of skin-derived tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was reduced. Poor migratory responses in vitro could be improved by supplementing explant cultures from EtOH-fed mice with TNF-α. CONCLUSIONS Chronic EtOH consumption does not alter baseline dermal-resident CDC numbers. However, like LCs, migratory responsiveness of dermal CDCs was decreased following FITC sensitization. Inefficient down-regulation of both CCRs and adhesion molecules and the inability to up-regulate MMPs indicate that EtOH impedes LC acquisition of a promigratory phenotype. These defects, combined with improvement of the migratory defect with in vitro TNF-α replacement, demonstrate intrinsic as well as environmental contributions to defective CDC migration. These findings provide novel mechanisms to explain the observed increased incidence and severity of skin infections in chronic alcoholics.
Careers of Young Scientists:

With data from a national survey of 3800 doctoral students in departments of chemistry, computer science, electrical engineering, microbiology and physics, and data from the Survey of Doctoral Recipients/National Science Foundation, we analyze the career-preferences and prospects of young scientists. We analyze patterns by field and gender of students, and assess the extent to which the preferences and subjective (reported) prospects of doctoral students reflect the objective (actual) employment experiences of recent PhD recipients. The findings point toward the intricacy of the relationship between subjective and objective career prospects; and to the ways in which individual inclinations and conditioned `expectations' rest upon what is regarded as feasible, by gender and by field in science.
Social, usability and pedagogical factors influencing students' learning experiences with wikis and blogs

With a variety of technology-enabled tools and environments to choose from, it is increasingly difficult for educators to ascertain the factors that influence the quality of the students’ learning experience and hence make appropriate choices for the use of technology. In this paper, we discuss the role of two technologies — wikis and blogs — in teaching and learning. We provide case studies of two courses at the Open Umiversity, UK and empirical evidence of students’ experiences, perceptions, and expectations on these courses. We discuss the context of these courses and the usage of these technologies: The pedagogical underpinnings and the rationale for introducing these technologies; the intended learning outcomes from the usage of these tools; and the extent to which the activities based around these tools have enabled the intended learning and facilitated the learning process. We report on the social, usability, and pedagogical factors that have influenced the quality of students’ learning experience. The research reported in this paper aims to provide guidance to course designers and educators for choosing tools, particularly wikis and blogs, for their contexts and for creating value and generating a positive student experience to engender student satisfaction and retention.
Layout-Aware Multi-Layer Multi-Level Scan Tree Synthesis

In this paper, we propose a layout-aware scan tree synthesis methodology. Scan tree can greatly reduce test data volume, which is very desirable in SOC testing. However, previous researches on scan tree synthesis have not considered routing issues in physical design, which may create a tree with excessively long routing path. In this paper we present a multi-layer multi-level scan tree synthesis method, in which both data compression and routing length are taken into account. Experimental results show that the proposed test method achieves high compression rate with limited routing overhead.
The role and regulation of apoptosis in sepsis

Today, sepsis continues to be a growing problem in the critically ill patient population. A number of laboratories have been interested in understanding how changes in immune cell apoptosis during sepsis appear to contribute to septic morbidity. Consistently, it has been found that immune cell apoptosis is altered in a variety of tissue sites and cell populations both in experimental animals and humans. While divergent mediators, such as steroids and TNF, contribute to some of these apoptotic changes, their effects are tissue and cell population selective. Inhibition of FasL—Fas signaling (by either FasL gene deficiency, in vivo gene silencing [siRNA] or with FasL binding protein) protects septic mice from the onset of marked apoptosis and the morbidity/mortality seen in sepsis. Further, this extrinsic apoptosis response appears to utilize aspects of the Bid-induced mitochondrial pathway. This is in keeping with the findings that pan-specific caspase inhibition or the overexpression of Bcl-2 also protect these animals from the sequellae of sepsis.
Integrating psychological and cultural perspectives on virtue: The hierarchical structure of character strengths

The VIA Classification characterizes six culturally defined virtues as latent variables underlying 24 character strengths. Factor analyses of measures based on the Classification usually suggest 4–5 factors that do not correspond well to traditional lists of virtues. This article describes the identification of a three-virtue model across multiple measures of strengths in four samples encompassing 1,070,549 cases. The general pattern involved a first component representing good character that split into two components reflecting Goodness and Inquisitiveness. The former divided further into components reflecting Caring and Self-Control. This pattern recurred in all data sets. The model consisting of Caring, Inquisitiveness, and Self-Control is proposed as a reliable latent structure for the VIA Classification strengths, an intuitive classification of traditional cultural virtues, and a framework for social efforts encouraging the development of virtue.
Predictor-feedback stabilization of multi-input nonlinear systems

We develop a predictor-feedback control design for multi-input nonlinear systems with distinct input delays, of arbitrary length, in each individual input channel. Due to the fact that different input signals reach the plant at different time instants, the key design challenge, which we resolve, is the construction of the predictors of the plant's state over distinct prediction horizons such that the corresponding input delays are compensated. Global asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system is established by constructing a Lyapunov functional.
Identifying Specific Interpretations and Exploring the Nature of Safety Behaviours for People Who Hear Voices: An Exploratory Study

Abstract The concept of safety (seeking) behaviours has been very important in cognitive behavioural models of anxiety disorders. Morrison (1998) considered how a similar process may be involved in the development and maintenance of auditory hallucinations; however there has been no research that specifically explores safety behaviours in people who hear voices. The S-REF model (Wells and Matthews, 1994) proposed that compensatory beliefs mediate the choice of coping mechanism. The aim of this study was to explore whether people who hear voices have interpretations about the experience of hearing voices and if this interpretation threatens their physiological or psychological wellbeing, do they engage in safety behaviours to prevent this feared outcome. The study also considered whether the choice of behaviour was cognitively mediated. Twelve participants who had heard voices in the previous 2 weeks completed the study; 11 participants reported catastrophic interpretations and 12 reported using safety behaviours. The theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
Efficient Routing using Partitive Clustering Algorithms in Ferry-based Delay Tolerant Networks

The Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) generally contain relatively sparse nodes that are frequently disconnected. Message Ferrying (MF) is a mobility-assisted approach which utilizes a set of mobile elements to provide communication service in ferry-based DTNs. In this paper, we propose a Density-Aware Route Design (DARD) algorithm using partitive clustering algorithms along a validity index for identifying the suitable node clusters and assigning ferries to these clusters. In the proposed algorithm, unlike using multiple ferries in a single route (SIRA algorithm) or dividing the deployment area into grid as static (NRA and FRA algorithms), the manner of node’s distribution and their density in network are regarded as clustering metric. Evaluation results for comparing our scheme with existing routing algorithms demonstrate that DARD either minimizes message delivery delay or by preserving message delay, it reduces resource requirements in both ferries and nodes resulting in increasing ferries efficiency.
Where Is the Mind? Constructivist and Sociocultural Perspectives on Mathematical Development

Currently, considerable debate focuses on whether mind is located in the head or in the individual-in-social-action, and whether development is cognitive self-organization or enculturation into established practices. In this article, I question assumptions that initiate this apparent forced choice between constructivist and sociocultural perspectives. I contend that the two perspectives are complementary. Also, claims that either perspective captures the essence of people and communities should be rejected for pragmatic justifications that consider the contextual relevance and usefulness of a perspective. I argue that the sociocultural perspective informs theories of the conditions far the possibility of learning, whereas theories developed from the constructivist perspective focus on what students learn and the processes by which they do so.
Chapter 3 Forecasting 3.1 Projections

In macroeconomics, forecasting is important in many ways. For structural macroeconomic models, we usually need to specify the forecasting rules that economic agents are using and the information set used by them to forecast future economic variables. Taking the conditional expectation is one way to model forecasting. This method generally requires nonlinear forecasting rules which are difficult to estimate. For the purpose of testing the models and parameter estimation, it is sometimes possible for an econometrician to use a simpler forecasting rule and a smaller information set. In this section, we study projections as a forecasting method. Projections are used to explain the Wold representation, which forms a basis for studying linear and nonlinear stochastic processes. In this chapter, we consider random variables with finite second moments unless otherwise noted. We consider the problem of forecasting y, using a set H of random variables. Typically, y is a future random variable such as the growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or the growth rate of a stock price, and H contains 33
Label-Free Biosensing With a Slot-Waveguide-Based Ring Resonator in Silicon on Insulator

We present a slot-waveguide-based ring resonator in silicon on insulator (SOI) with a footprint of only 13 mum times 10 mum, fabricated with optical lithography. Experiments show that it has 298 nm/RIU sensitivity and a detection limit of 4.2middot10-5 RIU for changes in the refractive index of the top cladding. We prove for the first time that surface chemistry for selective label-free sensing of proteins can be applied inside a 100 nm-wide slot region and demonstrate that the application of a slot waveguide instead of a normal waveguide increases the sensitivity of an SOI ring resonator with a factor 3.5 for the detection of proteins.
What do subject pronouns do in discourse? Cognitive, mechanical and constructional factors in variation

In languages with variable subject expression, or "pro-drop" languages, when do speakers use subject pronouns? We address this question by investigating the linguistic conditioning of Spanish first-person singular pronoun yo in conversational data, testing hypotheses about speakers' choice of an expressed subject as factors in multivariate analysis. Our results indicate that, despite a widely held understanding of a contrastive role for subject pronouns, yo expression is primarily driven by cognitive, mechanical and constructional factors. In cognitive terms, we find that yo is favored in the presence of human subjects intervening between coreferential 1sg subjects (a refined measure of the well-described phenomenon of "switch-reference"). A mechanical effect is observed in two distinct manifestations of priming: the increased rate of yo when the previous coreferential first singular subject was realized as yo and when the subject of the immediately preceding clause was realized pronominally. And evidence for a particular yo + cognitive verb construction is provided by a speaker-turn effect, the favoring of yo in a turn-initial Intonation Unit, that is observed with cognitive (but not other) verbs, which form a category centered around high frequency yo creo 'I think'.
Sparse frequency extrapolation of spectrograms

The short-time Fourier transform is a prevalent method used to analyze the frequency composition of a signal as a function of time. In order to achieve high resolution in frequency a large sliding window needs to be applied which degrades the time resolution. This paper proposes the adoption of sparse reconstruction as a mean to extrapolate supplementary values in time domain for each segment. Over short durations a signal's frequency content is likely to contain a limited number of effective frequencies and a sparse regeneration approach can be advantageous as an extrapolating mechanism. An enlarged number of samples can thus yield spectrograms with high frequency resolution. The capabilities of the proposed techniques are demonstrated on several synthetic and real data signals.
Criterion and construct validation of an assessment centre.

This study is an attempt in assessment centre research to apply both criterion and construct validation strategies to a single sample and examine, simultaneously, a relatively comprehensive set of variables including assessor ratings, psychological test measures, supervisory ratings of job performance and actual promotions, hence allowing more direct comparisons of a variety of validities and explorations of previously unexamined issues. Results showed a lack of both internal construct validity as demonstrated by multitrait–multimethod analyses and factor analysis and external construct validity when placed in a nomological network of constructs independent of the centre. Assessment centre ratings were found to be predictive of subsequent promotion (r = .59, p < .001) but not of concurrent supervisory ratings of performance (r = .06, n.s.). Logistic regression analyses showed that assessment centre ratings produced a significant and substantial increment in validity in predicting promotion over and above current supervisory ratings of job performance (Δχ2(1) = 20.06, p < . 001), which is an important relationship that has not been previously examined. Implications of these findings for the nature of constructs in assessment centres and future research are discussed in the context of Klimoski & Brickner's (1987) ‘performance consistency’ explanation and ‘subtle’ criterion contamination explanation as to why assessment centres work.
Factors associated with mortality in Scottish patients receiving methadone in primary care: retrospective cohort study

Objective To assess predictors of mortality in a population of people prescribed methadone. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Geographically defined population in Tayside, Scotland. Participants 2378 people prescribed and dispensed liquid methadone between January 1993 and February 2004. Main outcome measures All cause mortality (primary outcome) and drug dependent cause specific mortality (secondary outcome) by means of Cox proportional hazards models during 12 years of follow-up. Results Overall, 181 (8%) people died. Overuse of methadone (adjusted hazard ratio 1.67, 95% confidence interval 1.05 to 2.67), history of psychiatric admission (2.47, 1.67 to 3.66), and increasing comorbidity measured as Charlson index ≥3 (1.20, 1.15 to 1.26) were all associated with an increase in all cause mortality. Longer duration of use (adjusted hazard ratio 0.95, 0.94 to 0.96), history of having urine tested (0.33, 0.22 to 0.49), and increasing time since last filled prescription were protective in relation to all cause mortality. Drug dependence was identified as the principal cause of death in 60 (33%) people. History of psychiatric admission was significantly associated with drug dependent death (adjusted hazard ratio 2.41, 1.25 to 4.64), as was history of prescription of benzodiazepines (4.35, 1.32 to 14.30). Conclusions Important elements of care in provision of methadone maintenance treatment are likely to influence, or be a marker for, a person’s risk of death.
Semantic Cohesion Model for Phrase-Based SMT

In this paper, we propose a novel semantic cohesion model. Our model utilizes the predicateargument structures as soft constraints and plays the role as a reordering model in the phrasebased statistical machine translation system. We build a translation system with GALE data. Experimental results on the NIST02, NIST03, NIST04, NIST05 and NIST08 Chinese-English tasks show that our model improves the baseline system by 0.93 BLEU 0.98 TER on average. We also compare our method with a syntax-augmented model (Cherry, 2008), and demonstrate the importance of predicate-argument semantics in machine translation.
A virtual machine consolidation framework for CloudStack platforms

Virtual machine (VM) consolidation is an emerging solution for energy saving in cloud data centers. An appropriate VM consolidation policy must change accordingly, depending on the situation. To easily deploy a VM consolidation solution, this paper proposes a VM consolidation framework for Apache CloudStack, which is a popular open source cloud platform software suite. We separate the VM consolidation mechanism from the policy used to decide which VMs should be moved to somewhere more appropriate to run. This framework is a modular architecture that combines various resource monitoring systems, power control mechanisms, and VM packing algorithms. Using the proposed framework, we have demonstrated that a Web application can consolidate and deconsolidate VMs so as to balance the load of CPU utilization among physical machines in response to the number of physical machines in operation. Experimental results reveal the proposed framework is preliminary, but provides the required functionality.