Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Climate change and its impacts: perception and adaptation in rural areas of Manizales, Colombia

Tropical social-ecological systems are highly vulnerable to climate change, given the limited natural climate variability in the tropics. Tropical rural populations, with livelihoods dependent on agriculture, are particularly vulnerable to climate variability and changes. To develop climate change social communication, plan and implement adaptation, it is necessary to understand regional/local climate process, risks and opportunities. It is also important to understand how local populations perceive such changes and adapt their livelihoods. Limited information is available on climate change perceptions in tropical Latin American rural populations. Hence, a climate study and climate change perception survey were carried out in the Manizales Municipality, in the Andean region of Colombia and one of its major coffee-growing areas. The study spanned three “thermal” levels in the tropical Andes, 1000 m a.s. l. and above, each with distinct environments and livelihoods. Climate analysis yielded significant warming trends in recent decades, particularly in temperature minima for all levels, but no significant local precipitation trends. The perception survey, carried out in a sparsely populated region, mostly with limited accessibility, included 37 households, with structured and semi-structured interviews, adapted to local culture. Interviewees had little or no previous knowledge on climate change. However, almost all had perceived significant changes in both temperature and precipitation, which impacted their livelihoods and environment. Some perceptions could result from a La Niña event prior to the survey, and other environmental destruction processes. Their responses to change were spontaneous adaptation, based on traditional practices and agricultural technical advice from state agencies and coffee grower associations.
Prostaglandin E1 and Survival in Patients with the Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Prospective Trial

A 7-day infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), an immunomodulator, was evaluated in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial in surgical patients with the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The drug seemed to improve pulmonary function—only two PGE1 patients died with severe pulmonary failure compared with nine placebo patients (p = 0.01). Survival at 30 days after the end of the infusion— the predetermined end point of the study—was significantly better in the patients given PGE1 (p = 0.03), with 15 of 21 PGE1 patients (71%) alive at this time compared with seven of 20 placebo patients (35%). Improvement in overall survival in the PGE, patients did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.08). Overall survival in patients initially free of severe organ failure, however, was significantly better in the PGE, patients (p = 0.03). Of the six PGE1 patients free of severe organ failure at time of entry, all survived to leave the hospital; of the 10 placebo patients initially free of severe organ failure, four survived. The drug had no serious side effects and did not potentiate susceptibility to infection. PGE1 is a promising agent for the treatment of ARDS.
Electromagnetic interference analysis of integrated radar antennas on stealth mast

The requirement of radar wave stealth for modern ships gives birth to integrated superstructure and integrated mast, which is also called stealth mast as well. The antenna arrangement patterns installed on stealth mast are totally different from those on traditional ones. In addition, due to the use of radomes made of frequency-selective wave-penetrating materials, various electromagnetic interference (EMI) styles and coupling characteristic appears. In order to thoroughly investigate the possibly evocable consequences from stealth mast that might jeopardize ship's overall electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), a typical stealth mast simulation model is built and ideal band pass frequency-selective surface (FSS) radomes are employed to cover the integrated radar antennas on stealth mast. Splitting into two circumstances when radar antennas play different roles in EMI pattern, electromagnetic fields inside the stealth mast are solved through utilizing the numerical technique of Finite Integration Time Domain (FITD) method. This paper studies and analyses the representative coupling results, and exposes the EMI issues that might possibly come around, that are emphasized by adopting non-ideal band pass FSS radomes in one case too. From the perspective of overall ship EMC design, the paper conclude with a series of EMI prevention measures and control methods, that are contraposing the emerging troubles standing in the way of surface warship's development for a new age.
Study of the structure and dynamics of complex biological networks

In this thesis, we have studied the large scale structure and system level dynamics of certain biological networks using tools from graph theory, computational biology and dynamical systems. We study the structure and dynamics of large scale metabolic networks inside three organisms, Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Staphylococcus aureus. We also study the dynamics of the large scale genetic network controlling E. coli metabolism. We have tried to explain the observed system level dynamical properties of these networks in terms of their underlying structure. Our studies of the system level dynamics of these large scale biological networks provide a different perspective on their functioning compared to that obtained from purely structural studies. Our study also leads to some new insights on features such as robustness, fragility and modularity of these large scale biological networks. We also shed light on how different networks inside the cell such as metabolic networks and genetic networks are interrelated to each other.
Adjuvant effects of gaseous formaldehyde on the hyper-responsiveness and inflammation in a mouse asthma model immunized by ovalbumin

Asthma is a complex pulmonary inflammatory disease, which is characterized by airway hyper-responsiveness, airflow obstruction, and airway inflammation. Exposure to a number of chemicals including formaldehyde (FA) can lead to asthma. This study aimed to explore the underlying role of FA exposure in occupational asthma, especially when it is combined with allergen exposure. Balb/c mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6/group): (1) saline control; (2) ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized (OVAimm) only; (3) 0.5 mg FA/m3 exposure; (4) OVAimm + 0.5 mg FA/m3; (5) 3.0 mg FA/m3 FA exposure; and, (6) OVAimm + 3.0 mg FA/m3. These low and high exposure FA levels were adopted from current (0.5 mg/m3) and original (3.0 mg/m3) Chinese Occupational Threshold Limit Values. Experiments were conducted after 3 week of combined exposure and a 1-week challenge with aerosolized OVA. Airway hyper-responsiveness, pulmonary tissue damage, eosinophil infiltration, and increased interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-6 levels in lung tissues were found in the OVA + 3.0 mg FA/m3 hosts as compared to values seen in the OVA-immunized only mice. The results here suggest to us that FA exposure can induce and aggravate asthma in Balb/c mice when it is combined with OVA immunization.
Effect of phosphate-buffered saline on push-out bond strength of a new bioceramic sealer to root canal dentin

Background: The aim of this study was to compare push-out bond strength of a new bioceramic endodontic sealer, EndoSequence BC sealer (Brasseler USA, Savannah, GA), used with gutta-percha in the presence or absence of phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) within the root canals. Materials and Methods: Forty single-rooted human teeth were prepared and randomly divided into four groups. Samples in groups 1 and 2 were dried, but those in groups 3 and 4 were moistened with PBS before obturation. All root canals were obturated with gutta-percha/EndoSequence BC sealer. The specimens were stored in PBS for 7 days in groups 1 and 3 and for 2 months in groups 2 and 4. Push-out bond strength values and failure modes were evaluated. The data on push-out bond strength were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. Results: The mean value for the bond strength of the obturation material in moistened canals was significantly higher than that in dried ones at 1 week (P = 0.00). Contrarily, there was no significant difference between dried and moistened root canals at 2 months (P = 0.61). In dried canals, bond strength increased significantly with time but in moistened ones, the difference was not significant. Inspection of the specimens revealed the bond failure to be mainly cohesive for all groups. Conclusion: The presence of PBS within the root canals increased the bond strength of EndoSequence BC sealer/gutta-percha at 1 week. However, no difference was found between the bond strength of EndoSequence BC sealer/gutta-percha in the presence or absence of PBS in the root canals at 2 months.
Effects of gender and abstract thinking factors on adolescents' computer program learning

Computational thinking ability is important in computer science education. It emphasizes abstraction and automation. For automation, programming has become a key ability in digital society recently. As a result, the increase in the importance of coding education in many countries has brought various educational methods to improve teenagers' programming abilities. Among programming abilities, reading ability is important especially to programming novices. This paper focuses on the effects of gender and abstract thinking abilities of adolescents on understanding computer programs. Also, we examine if there is any difference in teaching between adolescents and college students. In order to achieve our research goals, we surveyed on the abstract thinking level, and then measured program understanding ability for 300 academic high school students who had learned C language. From this research, we found that the abstract thinking affects more complex program understanding positively. Also, we found that the language experience before learning brought the difference in program understanding. However, we could not find statistical differences in program understanding between two genders. From this research, we can provide a new point of view to improve adolescents' programming ability with abstract thinking and gender factors.
A decade of proteomics studies of glaucomatous neurodegeneration

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness; however, limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in optic nerve degeneration hinders the development of improved treatment strategies. Proteomics techniques that combine the protein chemistry, MS, and bioinformatics offer the opportunity to shed light on molecular mechanisms so that new treatment strategies can be developed for immunomodulation, neuroprotection, neurorescue, neuroregeneration, and function gain in glaucoma. The proteomics technologies also hold great promise for biomarker discovery, another important goal of glaucoma research. As much as developing new treatment strategies, molecular biomarkers are strongly needed for early diagnosis of glaucoma, prediction of its prognosis, and monitoring the responses to new treatments. It is now a decade that the proteomics analysis techniques have been using to move glaucoma research forward. This review will focus on valuable applications of proteomics in the field of glaucoma research and highlight the power of this analytical toolbox in translational and clinical research toward better characterization and improved treatment of glaucomatous neurodegeneration and discovery of glaucoma‐related molecular biomarkers.
Myotubularin phosphoinositide phosphatases, protein phosphatases, and kinases: Their roles in junction dynamics and spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis in the seminiferous epithelium of the mammalian testis is a dynamic cellular event. It involves extensive restructuring at the Sertoli–germ cell interface, permitting germ cells to traverse the epithelium from basal to adluminal compartment. As such, Sertoli–germ cell actin‐based adherens junctions (AJ), such as ectoplasmic specializations (ES), must disassemble and reassemble to facilitate this event. Recent studies have shown that AJ dynamics are regulated by intricate interactions between AJ integral membrane proteins (e.g., cadherins, α6β1 integrins and nectins), phosphatases, kinases, adaptors, and the underlying cytoskeleton network. For instance, the myotubularin (MTM) phosphoinositide (PI) phosphatases, such as MTM related protein 2 (MTMR2), can form a functional complex with c‐Src (a non‐receptor protein tyrosine kinase). In turn, this phosphatase/kinase complex associates with β‐catenin, a constituent of the N‐cadherin/β‐catenin functional unit at the AJ site. This MTMR2‐c‐Src‐β‐catenin complex apparently regulates the phosphorylation status of β‐catenin, which determines cell adhesive function conferred by the cadherin–catenin protein complex in the seminiferous epithelium. In this review, we discuss the current status of research on selected phosphatases and kinases, and how these proteins potentially interact with adaptors at AJ in the seminiferous epithelium to regulate cell adhesion in the testis. Specific research areas that are open for further investigation are also highlighted. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Effect of Star Quality on Attendance Demand

This article investigates the relationship between the star effect and match attendance in the National Basketball Association for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons. We include five different definitions of star players, measures of short-run league-level competitive balance, and game uncertainty for two rivals in a Tobit regression model. The evidence shows that the appearance of stars increases home and road game attendance. A positive star externality on game attendance is found.
Mdm2 mRNA expression in salivary gland tumour cell lines.

BACKGROUND Murine double minute 2 (mdm2) is a cellular protooncogene, which, in conditions of overexpression or amplification, is capable of inactivating the functions of p53, leading to tumorigenesis. Immunoexpression of mdm2 in salivary gland tumours was previously found; however, it was necessary to find out if mdm2 was overexpressed. The aim of this study was to analyse the mRNA expression of mdm2 in salivary gland neoplasms and to correlate it to immunoexpression of p53 and p21 proteins. METHODS Specimens of different salivary gland neoplasms were obtained from surgical resections, and cell lineages derived from these tissues were established. RNA extraction was performed and mRNA expression was investigated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cellular expression of p53 and p21 proteins was investigated by immunofluorescence technique. RESULTS Increased expression of mdm2 was found in the majority of cell lines analysed. CONCLUSIONS Comparing all results, we postulated that overexpression of mdm2 is related to the tumorigenesis and/or tumour progression of salivary gland neoplasms.
Calcineurin: a calcium- and calmodulin-binding protein of the nervous system.

The inhibitory protein that binds calmodulin and thus prevents activation of several Ca2+-dependent enzymes by calmodulin is shown to also bind four Ca2+ per mol of protein with high affinity (Kd less than or equal to 10(-6) M). On the basis of its Ca2+- binding properties and its localization to nervous tissue, the inhibitory protein is now called "calcineurin. " Calcineurin is composed of two subunits: calcineurin A (61,000 Mr) which interacts with calmodulin in a Ca2+-dependent fashion, and calcineurin B (15,000 Mr) which binds Ca2+. The interaction of calcineurin A with calcineurin B is independent of Ca2+ or Mg2+. The dual interaction of calcineurin A with two different Ca2+-binding components and the high affinity of calcineurin for Ca2+ suggest a possible role for calcineurin in the regulation of free Ca2+ concentrations in the nervous system. Calcineurin may thereby modulate the release and action of neurotransmitters.
A Phase I, Open-Label Study of Siltuximab, an Anti–IL-6 Monoclonal Antibody, in Patients with B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, or Castleman Disease

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of siltuximab, an anti–interleukin-6 chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), multiple myeloma, or Castleman disease. Experimental Design: In an open-label, dose-finding, 7 cohort, phase I study, patients with NHL, multiple myeloma, or symptomatic Castleman disease received siltuximab 3, 6, 9, or 12 mg/kg weekly, every 2 weeks, or every 3 weeks. Response was assessed in all disease types. Clinical benefit response (CBR; composite of hemoglobin, fatigue, anorexia, fever/night sweats, weight, largest lymph node size) was also evaluated in Castleman disease. Results: Sixty-seven patients received a median of 16 siltuximab doses for a median of 8.5 (maximum 60.5) months; 29 were treated 1 year or longer. There was no dose-limiting toxicity, antibodies to siltuximab, or apparent dose–toxicity relationship. The most frequently reported possible drug-related adverse events were thrombocytopenia (25%), hypertriglyceridemia (19%), neutropenia (19%), leukopenia (18%), hypercholesterolemia (15%), and anemia (10%). None of these events led to dose delay/discontinuation except for neutropenia and thrombocytopenia (n = 1 each). No treatment-related deaths occurred. C-reactive protein (CRP) suppression was most pronounced at 12 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Mean terminal-phase half-life of siltuximab ranged 17.73 to 20.64 days. Thirty-two of 37 (86%) patients with Castleman disease improved in 1 or more CBR component; 12 of 36 evaluable Castleman disease patients had radiologic response [complete response (CR), n = 1; partial response (PR), n = 11], including 8 of 19 treated with 12 mg/kg; 2 of 14 (14%) evaluable NHL patients had PR; 2 of 13 (15%) patients with multiple myeloma had CR. Conclusion: No dose-related or cumulative toxicity was apparent across all disease indications. A dose of 12 mg/kg every 3 weeks was recommended on the basis of the high response rates in Castleman disease and the sustained CRP suppression. Randomized studies are ongoing in Castleman disease and multiple myeloma. Clin Cancer Res; 19(13); 3659–70. ©2013 AACR.
Market-Based Control in Emerging Distribution System Operation

In emerging electrical distribution systems, a multitude of self-interested individual decision makers interacts among themselves and with the power grid. The optimal operation of the grid, according to a set of predefined technical and economic targets, can be achieved by influencing the behaviors of the decision makers with appropriate market signals. The technical feasibility and performance of the system, for example, in terms of line flow limits, network losses, and appropriate voltage profile, can thus be controlled to a certain extent, by market signals. In this paper, we present a conceptual framework for “Market-based Control” for the operation of emerging distribution systems. Characterized by distributed and adaptive control signals over prosumers, market-based control needs to make prosumer benefits aligned with regulator/DSOs concerns, thus satisfying the requirements from both sides. By applying market-based control in network charging, both network and market performances can be improved. The complexity in the environment and in the interactions among players prompt techniques to be derived from complex systems theory. A multiagent model was built up for testing the market control strategies strategy. The concept and applications are illustrated with reference to a standard CIGRE medium-voltage distribution network.
Short‐ and long‐term depression of rat cerebellar parallel fibre synaptic transmission mediated by synaptic crosstalk

Cerebellar granule cell to Purkinje cell synapses have been reported to show plasticity when stimulating the parallel fibres, but not when granule cell axons are stimulated in the granular layer. The latter absence of plasticity has been attributed either to the synapses made by ascending granule cell axons lacking some feature needed to evoke plasticity, such as metabotropic glutamate receptors, or to spillover of glutamate between adjacent active synapses being essential for plasticity to occur and having a greater effect for parallel fibre stimulation than for granular layer stimulation. Here we show that both long‐term depression (LTD) and endocannabinoid plasticity can depend on interaction between adjacent synapses. These results focus attention on the need to characterize the spatial pattern of parallel fibre activity evoked by physiological stimuli, in order to assess the conditions under which synaptic plasticity will occur in vivo.
On the Site of Action of Amethopterin

In the liver of the intact mouse, the conversion of exogenous folic acid to compounds with citrovorum-factor activity is inhibited completely by an amount of amethopterin similar to that bound to the enzyme folic acid reductase in vitro. Because this amount of amethopterin is several thousand times smaller than the LD50, the toxic effects produced by the larger doses must be mediated via some additional mechanism.
Desenvolvimento de um sistema adaptativo de detecção de intrusos em redes de computadores

This work presents the development of a network intrusion detection modelo The bui/ding and testing of a prototype in the Internet environment is described The system, positioned at key points of the network, examines the data jlow between connections, searching for patterns of suspicioos behavioor. The identification of those patterns is carried oot by a neural network. The system is highly adaptive, since new profiles of intrusion can be easi/y added to the database, and so a retraining of the neural network enables the system to consider them. About 240 different intrusion profiles were analysed,from which J J 7 were elected as been relevant for this implementation. It is believed that this set currently represents aroond 90 percent of the total number of attacks profiles over the Internet. Final/y the description of the system evaluation procedures are reported, and can show the efficience of the method IX
SOCIAL RESILIENCE AS A THEORETICAL APPROACH TO SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

We are witnesses of problems caused by climate change and dramatic growth of urban systems, which are increasingly being discussed and analyzed in political and academic circles. This rises the question of how social communities should deal with these problems, how they should overcome them and continue growing without suffering from psychophysical consequences. Social sustainability is an important concept that offers answers to this question. Besides that, the social resilience theory offers models for creation of socially sustainable and healthy communities. In this paper the concept of social sustainability and the social resilience theory will be explored for the purpose of defi ning characteristics of resilient communities, for resilient communities are the only ones capable of responding and overcoming great social changes and natural disasters when faced with them.
Perspectives on Psychological Science: Right Way/Wrong Way Symposium

In unpredictable times, it is perhaps even more important to contemplate the direction different fields of science are headed. In this article, I contemplate two directions of psychological science: the increasing integration of the study of psychology with other sciences and the concern of many sciences, including ours, with improving the reproducibility of our findings. Both of these are argued to be “right ways,” but these directions also have challenges that, unless carefully addressed, could detract from our ability to move the science of psychology forward. I detail these challenges along with a consideration of how to chart our science through the unpredictable waters we face at this point in history.