Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprints of the eight taxa of Trichinella and their comparison with allozyme analysis

SUMMARY Eight taxa have recently been proposed as being encompassed by the genus Trichinella on the basis of allozyme and biological data. In this paper we show that an analogous 8 taxon structure for this genus results from the random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs). Five 10-mer or 20-mer primers were used under different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conditions to produce multiband RAPD fingerprints from muscle larvae of 40 isolates of Trichinella spp. The resulting RAPD data were analysed following the numerical taxonomic approach, and the resulting classification was compared to that derived from allozyme data. The agreement found between allozymes and RAPDs, while supporting the polyspecific structure of the genus Trichinella, confirms the potential of RAPDs as a tool for the detection of cryptic species. The selected primers were tested on individual muscle larvae in an attempt to standardize a RAPD assay for the routine identification of the 8 taxa of Trichinella. Only 1 of the 5 primers yielded reproducible fingerprints from the single larvae. Using this primer, the 5 species and the 3 other taxa of the genus Trichinella can be identified in a single assay without the need for massive in vivo parasite production.
Effects of task-specific training on functional ability in children with mild to moderate cerebral palsy

Objective: To examine the relationship between Five times sit-to-stand Test (FTSST) and functional tests and investigate the effects of task-specific training on functional ability in children with mild to moderate cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Twenty-one subjects were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Motor Assessment Scale (MAS: sit-to-stand), Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Functional Reach Test and FTSST were tested before training, after training and at follow-up at 6 weeks post training. Results: FTSST correlated significantly with MAS (ρ = −0.733) and with PBS (ρ = −0.813) in all children with CP. There were no significant differences in all outcomes between groups. However, FTSST and MAS in children with Gross Motor Function Classification System-Expanded and Revised levels I–II were significantly different between pre and post training within the experimental group (p = 0.03). Conclusions: FTSST is a reliable and valid functional outcome measure after the task-specific training in children with mild to moderate CP.
How readers' perceived self-congruity and functional congruity affect bloggers' informational influence: Perceived interactivity as a moderator

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to treat bloggers as human brands and applies self-congruity theory to explore how actual and ideal blogger-reader self-congruity, combined with the blog’s functional congruity, influences blogger-reader relationship quality (BRRQ) and the blogger’s informational influence, taking perceived interactivity among blog members as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach – Using a survey of 372 female beauty blog readers, this study employs the structural equation modelling approach to investigate the proposed model. Findings – The empirical findings indicate that readers’ perceived self-congruity with beauty bloggers raises the bloggers’ informational influence, mediated by BRRQ and functional congruity. Actual self-congruity has greater predictive power than ideal self-congruity in explaining bloggers’ informational influence. Moreover, perceived interactivity plays a two-sided role because it strengthens the positive impact of BRRQ on informational influence but weaken.
The Literature of Happiness “With reference of the Philosophy of Happiness in Islam”

This paper discusses Islam as a way of life behind the religion. This way of life was broadly followed by people all around the world many millennia before the reformation initiated by 'the recitation'. There is a considerable body of research, debate and thinking on Happiness, and much of this is reflected in the Islamic world. This is as it should be, because of the centrality of concepts of Happiness/wellbeing in all social, economic, political and religious spheres. The researcher intended to draw together some of the strands of work concerning wellbeing from an Islamic perspective and which will explore the influence of the Islamic faith on individual, family, community and societal wellbeing. There will be a theoretical and conceptual discussion to give an appreciation of the scope of the field of study.
Coronary artery calcium testing: exploring the need for a randomized trial.

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) imaging with noncontrast cardiac computed tomography has emerged as a robust method to reclassify atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk.1 Rigorously conducted observational studies have consistently demonstrated marked increases in ASCVD events in those with elevated CAC.2–4 In addition, the absence of CAC on cardiac computed tomographic imaging is common and defines a low-risk group who seem unlikely to benefit from ASCVD prevention pharmacotherapies.5,6 There are also modest data demonstrating that CAC-based management leads to improvements in downstream risk factors (cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and waist circumference). 7,8 Similarly, CAC may inform decision making in persons who have difficulty tolerating statin therapy or in those with personal aversion to lifelong statin therapy.9 In this context, CAC imaging is endorsed by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology to help reclassify ASCVD risk and guide statin allocation, particularly in persons in whom the patient–doctor risk discussion leads to treatment uncertainty.10 Article see p 655 However, there are no adequately powered prospective clinical trials of CAC-guided ASCVD prevention therapy to inform these guideline recommendations. Indeed, there has never been a trial demonstrating that randomization to preventive therapy using a risk-based assessment (either by risk prediction equations,11 novel biomarkers,12 or by subclinical atherosclerosis imaging) leads to reduced ASCVD events.13 Nonetheless, the limited data we do have suggest that CAC-based treatment allocation, specifically with statin therapy, may lead to improved clinical outcomes.14 In the single-center St Francis Heart study, participants underwent CAC screening, and those with CAC >80th percentile for age and sex (n=1007) were randomized to placebo or atorvastatin 20 mg daily. Despite a clear trend toward benefit, the trial failed to show a statistically significant difference in the incidence of major …
Models and Modeling Behavior: A Look at the Critical Thinking Skills of Biology Majors

Abstract:This paper describes the types of models that biology majors use and how they go about making theirmodels in learning key concepts in biology such as the cell membrane, cytoskeleton and cell structure. Initially, atotal of 44 biology students from all year levels enrolled in the second semester of calendar year 2008-2009 wereasked to make their respective models of the cell membrane, cytoskeleton and cell structure. They were also asked toanswer an open-ended questionnaire. Of the 44, only 20 (five from each year level) were randomly selected for a one-on-one interview. Results showed that the student-generated models from all year levels were mostly analogies, sometextbook definitions and occasional drawings. In making their model, students first read the text; second, outlinesimilarities in structure and function or both; and third, make the model. Data suggest that models are good diagnostictools for identifying critical thinking skills of students. In this case, students mostly demonstrate the ability torecognize similarities in structure and function between the concept and their model. Some senior studentsdemonstrated integration and reflective thinking in making their models. Thus, more opportunities for student-generated models must be available if students were to develop integration and reflective thinking in their models. Key words: Models, modeling, critical thinkingAteneo de Zamboanga University, Philippines
ALMA SPECTROSCOPIC SURVEY IN THE HUBBLE ULTRA DEEP FIELD: CO LUMINOSITY FUNCTIONS AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE COSMIC DENSITY OF MOLECULAR GAS

In this paper we use ASPECS, the ALMA Spectroscopic Survey in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field in band 3 and band 6, to place blind constraints on the CO luminosity function and the evolution of the cosmic molecular gas density as a function of redshift up to z ∼ 4.5. This study is based on galaxies that have been selected solely through their CO emission and not through any other property. In all of the redshift bins the ASPECS measurements reach the predicted “knee” of the CO luminosity function (around 5 × 109 K km s−1 pc2). We find clear evidence of an evolution in the CO luminosity function with respect to z ∼ 0, with more CO-luminous galaxies present at z ∼ 2. The observed galaxies at z ∼ 2 also appear more gas-rich than predicted by recent semi-analytical models. The comoving cosmic molecular gas density within galaxies as a function of redshift shows a drop by a factor of 3–10 from z ∼ 2 to z ∼ 0 (with significant error bars), and possibly a decline at z > 3. This trend is similar to the observed evolution of the cosmic star formation rate density. The latter therefore appears to be at least partly driven by the increased availability of molecular gas reservoirs at the peak of cosmic star formation (z ∼ 2).
THE INVESTIGATION OF READING COMPREHENSION TEST AND CLOZE TEST AMONG LEARNERS WHO LEARN ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE WITH RESPECT TO THEIR LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AND GENDER

The present study investigates the relationship between Cloze tests and performance on traditional Reading Comprehension tests among EFL learners. There were 315 subjects majoring in English including both males and females taking part in the study. They were junior and senior students from Iran and they have been chosen from the fourth semesters and above. To carry out the study, first, the subjects were randomly selected and their scores based on skills and knowledge components in university achievements tests (listening, structure, reading and writing) from the fourth semesters and above, were employed as the criterion measure to place them in three levels, namely, elementary, intermediate and advanced. Second, the sample of standard tests of Reading Comprehension consist of 54 multiple choice items and Cloze tests consist of 75 multiple choice items with every 7th word deleted were administered. The analysis of the data indicated that there is a vital relationship between EFL learners’ performance on Reading Comprehension and Cloze tests and they had a better performance on Cloze tests than reading Comprehension tests. Moreover, it was found that, the gender of the subjects has significant effect on the overall performance of the subjects on the Reading Comprehension and Cloze test and females student are outperformed males. Furthermore, significant relationships between language proficiency of the subjects’ and their performance on Reading Comprehension and Cloze tests have been reported.
v-Src Causes Chromosome Bridges in a Caffeine-Sensitive Manner by Generating DNA Damage

An increase in Src activity is commonly observed in epithelial cancers. Aberrant activation of the kinase activity is associated with malignant progression. However, the mechanisms that underlie the Src-induced malignant progression of cancer are not completely understood. We show here that v-Src, an oncogene that was first identified from a Rous sarcoma virus and a mutant variant of c-Src, leads to an increase in the number of anaphase and telophase cells having chromosome bridges. v-Src increases the number of γH2AX foci, and this increase is inhibited by treatment with PP2, a Src kinase inhibitor. v-Src induces the phosphorylation of KAP1 at Ser824, Chk2 at Thr68, and Chk1 at Ser345, suggesting the activation of the ATM/ATR pathway. Caffeine decreases the number of cells having chromosome bridges at a concentration incapable of inhibiting Chk1 phosphorylation at Ser345. These results suggest that v-Src induces chromosome bridges via generation of DNA damage and the subsequent DNA damage response, possibly by homologous recombination. A chromosome bridge gives rise to the accumulation of DNA damage directly through chromosome breakage and indirectly through cytokinesis failure-induced multinucleation. We propose that v-Src-induced chromosome bridge formation is one of the causes of the v-Src-induced malignant progression of cancer cells.
Cutting Edge: BLyS Enables Survival of Transitional and Mature B Cells Through Distinct Mediators1

These studies characterize BLyS responsiveness and receptor expression among transitional and mature peripheral B cells. The results show a maturation-associated increase in BLyS binding capacity that reflects differential expression patterns of the three BLyS receptors. Accordingly, BLyS administration enlarges only late transitional and mature peripheral B (MB) cell compartments. Furthermore, bromodeoxyuridine labeling and cell cycle analyses show these effects are mediated through enhanced proportional survival of cells traversing the T2, T3, and MB cell stages, rather than by causing proliferation or slowing transit within these subsets. Despite similar effects on survival, BLyS up-regulates the antiapoptotic genes A1and bcl-xL in MB cells but not immature B cells. Together, these findings show that, while BLyS influences B cell survival in several peripheral differentiation subsets, the downstream mediators differ, thus providing the first direct evidence for an established B lineage survival system whose intermediates change as B cells mature.
Correction of Endothelial Dysfunction in Diabetic Female Rats by Tetrahydrobiopterin and Chronic Insulin

Diabetes-induced vascular dysfunction has mainly been studied in males. However, the mechanisms involved may not correspond to those in females. Here we analyzed the effects of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) and chronic insulin on the physiology of mesenteric arterioles of alloxan-diabetic female rats. The parameters studied were the mesenteric arteriolar reactivity (intravital microscopy), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity (conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline), eNOS gene expression (RT-PCR), NO production (diaminofluorescein), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (intravital fluorescence microscopy) and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (spectrophotometry) and gene expression (RT-PCR). The reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation of diabetic females was corrected by both BH4 and insulin. NOS activity was decreased by diabetes, but insulin did not correct it. However, NOS expression was not modified by either diabetes or insulin. Arterioles of diabetic rats exhibited lower NO production, which was fully corrected by BH4 and only partially by insulin. ROS generation was increased in diabetic rats, and both BH4 and insulin normalized it. Diabetes did not change SOD activity and gene expression. However, insulin increased SOD activity but not its expression. Our data suggest that, similarly to males, endothelial dysfunction in female diabetic rats involves an altered ROS/NO imbalance. In contrast to males, however, insulin does not regulate NOS in the microcirculation of diabetic females.
Seasonality and dynamics of whooping cough

Whooping cough (pertussis) dynamics provide an interesting disease ecology case study. Unlike other childhood diseases, the observed patterns of pertussis dynamics are found very diverse and are not easily captured by simple deterministic models. This has led to the current understanding that the disease dynamics can only be explained by adding stochasticity into the models. In this work, we demonstrate that an appropriate deterministic model can explain pertussis dynamics. The consequences of using the model in making public health decisions are also discussed. Whooping cough dynamics also exhibits strong seasonality, which is thought to result from variation in contact rates. In this research, seasonal change in disease incidence and the timing of outbreaks are also analyzed using case report data from several UK cities. We show that birth rates in prior years have a positive correlation with current outbreak sizes and a negative correlation with current outbreak peak time. A modeling approach is also used to understand and explain the patterns found in the data. Index words: Whooping Cough, Modeling, Seasonality, Gamma Distribution
THE MEASUREMENT OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN INTERPERSONAL COGNITIVE STRUCTURE (8):RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN COGNITIVE DIMENSIONS AND SOME PERSONALITY VARIABLES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between salient dimensions employed in interpersonal perception by individual perceivers and some personality variables (self concept and needs). 299 undergraduates were asked to rate 8 role persons on 20 bipolar scales of personality traits. Perceptual dimensions were obtained by the analysis after Carroll & Chang's (1970) INDSCAL model. About a month later, Self-Differential Scale (Nagashima et al., 1966) and KG-SIV (Gordon & Kikuchi, 1975) were administered to the subjects. The former has been used to assess one's self concept, and the latter to examine personal values and needs.The major findings were as follows:1. The dimensions extracted from INDSCAL solution of personality rating data were highly similar to those of the previous study (Hayashi, 1979). These dimensions were interpreted as (1) dynamism and general evaluative bias, (2) social desirability, and (3) intimacy.2. There are some individual differences. Subject's interpersonal cognitive structure, measured by differential weights he or she gave to the dimensions, was stable over 7 weeks.3. Each individual's salient dimensions were related to his or her self concept in a curvilinear manner. In addition, these dimensions were closely related to perceivers' personal values and needs.4. Significant sex differences were found in the relationships mentioned above.
Original article Depressive symptom clusters among the elderly: a longitudinal study of course and its correlates

participants and procedure Two hundred and seventy-seven seniors (age 77.39 ±9.20 years, 67.50% women) were assessed twice within one month with the 11-item version of the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Demographic and clinical characteristics were measured at baseline together with coping strategies. Selected items from Ruminative Response Styles (brooding, reflection), the Co-Rumination Questionnaire (co-rumination), and mini-COPE (positive reframing) were used.
An atypical mitogen‐activated protein kinase controls cytokinesis and flagellar motility during male gamete formation in a malaria parasite

The transmission of malaria parasites to the mosquito depends critically on the rapid initiation of sexual reproduction in response to triggers from the mosquito midgut environment. We here identify an essential function for an atypical mitogen‐activated protein kinase of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei, Pbmap‐2, in male sexual differentiation and parasite transmission to the mosquito. A deletion mutant no longer expressing the Pbmap‐2 protein develops as wild type throughout the asexual erythrocytic phase of the life cycle. Gametocytes, the sexual transmission stages, form normally and respond in vitro to the appropriate environmental cues by rounding up and emerging from their host cells. However, microgametocytes fail to release flagellated microgametes. Female development is not affected, as judged by the ability of macrogametes to become cross‐fertilized by microgametes from a donor strain. Cellular differentiation of Pbmap‐2 KO microgametocytes is blocked at a late stage of male gamete formation, after replication and mitoses have been completed and axonemes have been assembled. These data demonstrate a function for Pbmap‐2 in initiating cytokinesis and axoneme motility, possibly downstream of a cell cycle checkpoint for the completion of replication and/or mitosis, which are extraordinarily rapid in the male gametocyte.
Interaction between submicron COD crystals and renal epithelial cells

Objectives This study aims to investigate the adhesion characteristics between submicron calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) with a size of 150 ± 50 nm and African green monkey kidney epithelial cells (Vero cells) before and after damage, and to discuss the mechanism of kidney stone formation. Methods Vero cells were oxidatively injured by hydrogen peroxide to establish a model of injured cells. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe Vero–COD adhesion. Inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry was used to quantitatively measure the amount of adhered COD microcrystals. Nanoparticle size analyzer and laser scanning confocal microscopy were performed to measure the change in the zeta potential on the Vero cell surface and the change in osteopontin expression during the adhesion process, respectively. The level of cell injury was evaluated by measuring the changes in malonaldehyde content, and cell viability during the adhesion process. Results The adhesion capacity of Vero cells in the injury group to COD microcrystals was obviously stronger than that of Vero cells in the control group. After adhesion to COD, cell viability dropped, both malonaldehyde content and cell surface zeta potential increased, and the fluorescence intensity of osteopontin decreased because the osteopontin molecules were successfully covered by COD. Submicron COD further damaged the cells during the adhesion process, especially for Vero cells in the control group, leading to an elevated amount of attached microcrystals. Conclusion Submicron COD can further damage injured Vero cells during the adhesion process. The amount of attached microcrystals is proportional to the degree of cell damage. The increased amount of microcrystals that adhered to the injured epithelial cells plays an important role in the formation of early-stage kidney stones.