Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Interactions Model for Predicting Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Conversion

Identifying patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) who are likely to convert to dementia has recently attracted increasing attention in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research. An accurate prediction of conversion from MCI to AD can aid clinicians to initiate treatments at early stage and monitor their effectiveness. However, existing prediction systems based on the original biosignatures are not satisfactory. In this paper, we propose to fit the prediction models using pairwise biosignature interactions, thus capturing higher-order relationship among biosignatures. Specifically, we employ hierarchical constraints and sparsity regularization to prune the high-dimensional input features. Based on the significant biosignatures and underlying interactions identified, we build classifiers to predict the conversion probability based on the selected features. We further analyze the underlying interaction effects of different biosignatures based on the so-called stable expectation scores. We have used 293 MCI subjects from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database that have MRI measurements at the baseline to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Our proposed method achieves better classification performance than state-of-the-art methods. Moreover, we discover several significant interactions predictive of MCI-to-AD conversion. These results shed light on improving the prediction performance using interaction features.
A study of the interrelationship of principal and teacher equity values and teacher classroom behavior

EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION TURK, CATHERINE H. \LED. , GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY, 1975 BA. NORTH CAROLINA CENTRALUNIVERSITY, 1968 A STUDY OF THE INTERRELATIONSHIP OF PRINCIPAL AND TEACHER EQUITY VALUES AND TEACHER CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR Advisor: Professor Sidney Rabsatt Thesis dated December, 1991 The purpose of this research was to study the equity values of principals and teachers and to determine if there existed a relationship between values reported by teachers and principals and behaviors demonstrated by teachers in the classroom. Further, the study investigated the relationship between teacher perception of principal equity and teacher equity performance in the classroom. Additionally, the study investigated whether teacher classroom equity behaviors were different for African American, white, female, and male students. The sample for the study consisted of 18 junior high and secondary English and mathematics teachers, 12 principals matched with the 18 teachers, and 360 students selected from a summer school program located in a large metropolitan school system. 2 Principals and teachers completed a questionnaire assessing their equity values. Trained observers assessed teacher equity behaviors of response opportunities, praise, and proximity in the classroom. Correlational statistical analyses of the data were conducted to determine relationships between perceptions and values. ANOVA statistical analyses of the data were conducted to determine teacher equity behaviors toward students of different races and gender. Findings indicated that teachers and principals in the study reported similar high equity values; however, when teachers were matched with their own principals, there were few significant relationships among teacherand principal-reported values and teacher-observed behavior. Teacher interactions with students revealed inequities in treatment of male, female, African American, and white students; white male students received more positive interactions and African American females received fewer total interactions. Rating themselves on the questionnaire, teachers reported high student expectations; however, the classroom observation data, a much stronger indicator of teaching behavior, did not substantiate teacher-reported equity values. The results of this study suggest a need for equity training for principals and teachers as well as for investigation of teacher interaction with female and African American students. A STUDY OF THE INTERRELATIONSHIP OF PRINCIPAL AND TEACHER EQUITY VALUES AND TEACHER BEHAVIORS IN THE CLASSROOM A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF EDUCATION BY CATHERINE HOLMES TURK DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Epidemiology of Major Non-communicable Diseases in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

Impact of non-communicable diseases is not well-documented in Ethiopia. We aimed to document the prevalence and mortality associated with four major non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia: cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Associated risk factors: hypertension, tobacco-use, harmful use of alcohol, overweight/obesity, and khat-chewing were also studied. Systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature between 1960 and 2011 was done using PubMed search engines and local libraries to identify prevalence studies on the four diseases. In total, 32 studies were found, and half of these studies were from Addis Ababa. Two hospital-based studies reviewed the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and found a prevalence of 7.2% and 24%; a hospital-based study reviewed cancer prevalence and found a prevalence of 0.3%; two hospital-based studies reviewed diabetes prevalence and found a prevalence of 0.5% and 1.2%; and two hospital-based studies reviewed prevalence of asthma and found a prevalence of 1% and 3.5%. Few community-based studies were done on the prevalence of diabetes and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease among the population. Several studies reviewed the impact of these diseases on mortality: cardiovascular disease accounts for 24% of deaths in Addis Ababa, cancer causes 10% of deaths in the urban settings and 2% deaths in rural setting, and diabetes causes 5% and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes 3% of deaths. Several studies reviewed the impact of these diseases on hospital admissions: cardiovascular disease accounts for 3%-12.6% and found to have increased between 1970s and 2000s; cancer accounts for 1.1%-2.8%, diabetes accounts for 0.5%-1.2%, and chronic obstructive diseases account for 2.7%-4.3% of morbidity. Overall, the major non-communicable diseases and related risk factors are highly prevalent, and evidence-based interventions should be designed.
Diversity and Antioxidant Activity of Culturable Endophytic Fungi from Alpine Plants of Rhodiola crenulata, R. angusta, and R. sachalinensis

Rhodiola spp. are rare and endangered alpine plants widely used as medicines and food additives by many civilizations since ancient times. Their main effective ingredients (such as salidroside and p-tyrosol) are praised to exhibit pharmacologic effects on high-altitude sickness and possess anti-aging and other adaptogenic capacities based on their antioxidant properties. In this study, 347 endophytic fungi were isolated from R. crenulata, R. angusta, and R. sachalinensis, and the molecular diversity and antioxidant activities of these fungi were investigated for the first time. These fungi were categorized into 180 morphotypes based on cultural characteristics, and their rRNA gene ITS sequences were analyzed by BLAST search in the GenBank database. Except for 12 unidentified fungi (6.67%), all others were affiliated to at least 57 genera in 20 orders of four phyla, namely, Ascomycota (88.89%), Basidiomycota (2.78%), Zygomycota (1.11%), and Glomeromycota (0.56%), which exhibited high abundance and diversity. Antioxidant assay showed that the DPPH radical-scavenging rates of 114 isolates (63.33%) were >50%, and those of five isolates (Rct45, Rct63, Rct64, Rac76, and Rsc57) were >90%. The EC50 values of five antioxidant assays suggested significant potential of these fungi on scavenging DPPH•, O2−•, and OH• radicals, as well as scavenging nitrite and chelating Fe2+, which showed preference and selection between endophytic fungi and their hosts. Further research also provided the first evidence that Rac12 could produce salidrosides and p-tyrosol. Results suggested that versatile endophytic fungi associated with Rhodiola known as antioxidants could be exploited as potential sources of novel antioxidant products.
Solution Structure of a Repeated Unit of the ABA-1 Nematode Polyprotein Allergen of Ascaris Reveals a Novel Fold and Two Discrete Lipid-Binding Sites

Background Nematode polyprotein allergens (NPAs) are an unusual class of lipid-binding proteins found only in nematodes. They are synthesized as large, tandemly repetitive polyproteins that are post-translationally cleaved into multiple copies of small lipid binding proteins with virtually identical fatty acid and retinol (Vitamin A)-binding characteristics. They are probably central to transport and distribution of small hydrophobic compounds between the tissues of nematodes, and may play key roles in nutrient scavenging, immunomodulation, and IgE antibody-based responses in infection. In some species the repeating units are diverse in amino acid sequence, but, in ascarid and filarial nematodes, many of the units are identical or near-identical. ABA-1A is the most common repeating unit of the NPA of Ascaris suum, and is closely similar to that of Ascaris lumbricoides, the large intestinal roundworm of humans. Immune responses to NPAs have been associated with naturally-acquired resistance to infection in humans, and the immune repertoire to them is under strict genetic control. Methodology/Principal Findings The solution structure of ABA-1A was determined by protein nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The protein adopts a novel seven-helical fold comprising a long central helix that participates in two hollow four-helical bundles on either side. Discrete hydrophobic ligand-binding pockets are found in the N-terminal and C-terminal bundles, and the amino acid sidechains affected by ligand (fatty acid) binding were identified. Recombinant ABA-1A contains tightly-bound ligand(s) of bacterial culture origin in one of its binding sites. Conclusions/Significance This is the first mature, post-translationally processed, unit of a naturally-occurring tandemly-repetitive polyprotein to be structurally characterized from any source, and it belongs to a new structural class. NPAs have no counterparts in vertebrates, so represent potential targets for drug or immunological intervention. The nature of the (as yet) unidentified bacterial ligand(s) may be pertinent to this, as will our characterization of the unusual binding sites.
Characterization of an alg2 mutant of the zygomycete fungus Rhizomucor pusillus.

The zygomycete fungus Rhizomucor pusillus secretes an aspartic proteinase (MPP) that contains asparagine ( N )-linked oligosaccharides at two sites. Mutant strain 1116 defective in N -glycosylation secretes MPP with truncated oligo-saccharide chains. Lipid-linked oligosaccharides in mutant 1116 were labeled with [6-(3)H]glucosamine and [2-(3)H]mannose, prepared by cycles of solvent extraction, and analyzed by gel filtration chromatography on a Bio-Gel P-4 column after mild acid-hydrolysis. Mutant 1116 accumulated an intermediate, Man(1)GlcNAc(2)-dolichol pyrophosphate (PP-Dol), whereas wild-type strain F27 synthesized the fully assembled oligosaccharide precursor Glc(3)Man(9)GlcNAc(2)-PP-Dol. Consistent with this, alg2 encoding a mannosyltransferase in the lipid-linked oligosaccharide biosynthetic pathway in mutant 1116 had a 5 bp insertion that generated a stop codon in the middle of the coding sequence. Transformation of mutant 1116 with the intact alg2 gene on a pUC19-derived plasmid generated transformants that contained multicopies of alg2 at the alg2 locus. Glycosylation of the total proteins in the transformants was recovered to the same level as in strain F27, as determined with peroxidase-concanavalin A. These transformants produced MPP mainly with the same N -linked oligosaccharides as that produced by strain F27, but still with truncated oligosaccharides in small amounts. All of these data show that Alg2 is an alpha-1,3 or alpha-1,6 mannosyltransferase that elongates Man(1)GlcNAc(2)-PP-Dol to Man(2)GlcNAc(2)-PP-Dol. The slower growth of mutant 1116 was significantly recovered on introduction of alg2. The viability of the alg2 mutants of the zygomycete R.pusillus makes a contrast with the lethal effect of ALG2 mutations in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Transcription factor p63 bookmarks and regulates dynamic enhancers during epidermal differentiation

The transcription factor p63 plays a pivotal role in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation in the epidermis. However, how p63 regulates epidermal genes during differentiation is not yet clear. Using epigenome profiling of differentiating human primary epidermal keratinocytes, we characterized a catalog of dynamically regulated genes and p63‐bound regulatory elements that are relevant for epithelial development and related diseases. p63‐bound regulatory elements occur as single or clustered enhancers, and remarkably, only a subset is active as defined by the co‐presence of the active enhancer mark histone modification H3K27ac in epidermal keratinocytes. We show that the dynamics of gene expression correlates with the activity of p63‐bound enhancers rather than with p63 binding itself. The activity of p63‐bound enhancers is likely determined by other transcription factors that cooperate with p63. Our data show that inactive p63‐bound enhancers in epidermal keratinocytes may be active during the development of other epithelial‐related structures such as limbs and suggest that p63 bookmarks genomic loci during the commitment of the epithelial lineage and regulates genes through temporal‐ and spatial‐specific active enhancers.
Effect of Genetic Variation in STXBP5 and STX2 on von Willebrand Factor and Bleeding Phenotype in Type 1 von Willebrand Disease Patients

Background In type 1 von Willebrand Disease (VWD) patients, von Willebrand Factor (VWF) levels and bleeding symptoms are highly variable. Recently, the association between genetic variations in STXBP5 and STX2 with VWF levels has been discovered in the general population. We assessed the relationship between genetic variations in STXBP5 and STX2, VWF levels, and bleeding phenotype in type 1 VWD patients. Methods In 158 patients diagnosed with type 1 VWD according to the current ISTH guidelines, we genotyped three tagging-SNPs in STXBP5 and STX2 and analyzed their relationship with VWF:Ag levels and the severity of the bleeding phenotype, as assessed by the Tosetto bleeding score. Results In STX2, rs7978987 was significantly associated with VWF:Ag levels (bèta-coefficient (β) = −0.04 IU/mL per allele, [95%CI −0.07;−0.001], p = 0.04) and VWF:CB activity (β = −0.12 IU/mL per allele, [95%CI −0.17;−0.06], p<0.0001). For rs1039084 in STXBP5 a similar trend with VWF:Ag levels was observed: (β = −0.03 IU/mL per allele [95% CI −0.06;0.003], p = 0.07). In women, homozygous carriers of the minor alleles of both SNPs in STXBP5 had a significantly higher bleeding score than homozygous carriers of the major alleles. (Rs1039084 p = 0.01 and rs9399599 p = 0.02). Conclusions Genetic variation in STX2 is associated with VWF:Ag levels in patients diagnosed with type 1 VWD. In addition, genetic variation in STXBP5 is associated with bleeding phenotype in female VWD patients. Our findings may partly explain the variable VWF levels and bleeding phenotype in type 1 VWD patients.
Difficulty Orientations, Gender, and Race/Ethnicity: An Intersectional Analysis of Pathways to STEM Degrees

Is there a relationship between mathematics ability beliefs and STEM degrees? Fields such as physics, engineering, mathematics, and computer science (PEMC) are thought to require talent or brilliance. However, the potential effects of difficulty perceptions on students’ participation in STEM have yet to be examined using a gender and race/ethnicity intersectional lens. Using nationally representative U.S. longitudinal data, we measure gender and racial/ethnic variation in secondary students’ orientation towards mathematics difficulty. We observed nuanced relationships between mathematics difficulty orientation, gender, race/ethnicity, and PEMC major and degree outcomes. In secondary school, the gap between boys’ and girls’ mathematics difficulty orientations were wider than gaps between White and non-White students. Mathematics difficulty orientation was positively associated with both declaring majors and earning degrees in PEMC. This relationship varied more strongly based on gender than race/ethnicity. Notably, Black women show higher gains in predicted probability to declare a mathematics-intensive major as compared to all other women, given their mathematics difficulty orientations. This study’s findings show that both gender and racial/ethnic identities may influence the relationship between mathematics difficulty orientation and postsecondary STEM outcomes.
Framed ALOHA for Multiple RFID Objects Identification

Radio frequency identification (RFID) enables everyday objects to be identified, tracked, and recorded. The RFID tags are must be extremely simple and of low cost to be suitable for large scale application. An efficient RFID anti-collision mechanism must have low access latency and low power consumption. This paper investigates how to recognize multiple RFID tags within the reader's interrogation ranges without knowing the number of tags in advance by using framed ALOHA. To optimize power consumption and overall tag read time, a combinatory model was proposed to analyze both passive and active tags with consideration on capture effect over wireless fading channels. By using the model, the parameters on tag set estimation and frame size update were presented. Simulations were conducted to verify the analysis. In addition, we come up with a proposal to combat capture effect in deterministic anti-collision algorithms.
The Inflammasome Pyrin Contributes to Pertussis Toxin-Induced IL-1β Synthesis, Neutrophil Intravascular Crawling and Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Microbial agents can aggravate inflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). An example is pertussis toxin (PTX), a bacterial virulence factor commonly used as an adjuvant to promote EAE, but whose mechanism of action is unclear. We have reported that PTX triggers an IL-6-mediated signaling cascade that increases the number of leukocytes that patrol the vasculature by crawling on its luminal surface. In the present study, we examined this response in mice lacking either TLR4 or inflammasome components and using enzymatically active and inactive forms of PTX. Our results indicate that PTX, through its ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, induces two series of events upstream of IL-6: 1) the activation of TLR4 signaling in myeloid cells, leading to pro-IL-1β synthesis; and 2) the formation of a pyrin-dependent inflammasome that cleaves pro-IL-1β into its active form. In turn, IL-1β stimulates nearby stromal cells to secrete IL-6, which is known to induce vascular changes required for leukocyte adhesion. Without pyrin, PTX does not induce neutrophil adhesion to cerebral capillaries and is less effective at inducing EAE in transgenic mice with encephalitogenic T lymphocytes. This study identifies the first microbial molecule that activates pyrin, a mechanism by which infections may influence MS and a potential therapeutic target for immune disorders.
Improvement of SCTP Performance during Handshake Process

Efficiency improvement is important for new transport layer protocols. Stream control transmission protocol (SCTP), proposed by IETF, is to improve the efficiency and security of the transport layer. SCTP is featured by multi-homing and multi-streaming. Though the source and destination nodes exchange the available address list after four-way handshake in the initial stage, the quality of each available link is unknown. Hence, the chosen primary path may not be the best path which implies inefficiency. In this paper, we propose a scheme to add two new chunks which carry the status of each alternative path during the four-way handshake of SCTP. Hence, the path of the best quality will be selected as the primary path. The simulation, by NS2, results show when the best path is selected to transmit data, the throughput could be improved up to 83.3% as compared with the worst case.
The Global Financial Crisis and the Efficient Market Hypothesis: What Have We Learned?

The sharp economic downturn and turmoil in the financial markets, commonly referred to as the "global financial crisis," has spawned an impressive outpouring of blame. The efficient market hypothesis (EMH)-the idea that competitive financial markets exploit all available information when setting security prices-has been singled out for particular attention. Like all successful theories, the EMH has major limitations, even as it continues to provide the foundation for not only past accomplishment, but future advances in the field of finance. Copyright Copyright (c) 2009 Morgan Stanley.
Predicting Teacher Perceived Technology Use: Needs Assessment Model for Small Rural Schools.

A study to determine the best predictors of teacher technology use in the classroom was conducted for small rural schools in southeastern Idaho. A 40-item survey was completed by 3,500 teachers in 55 school districts. Results indicated that one third to one half of the teachers never actually used technology for any instructional purpose. Over 70 percent of teachers never used the Internet in the classroom. More than one half of the teachers perceived themselves as novices in the use of technology in all items of the survey. Overall, teachers rated themselves as novices in computer literacy. The educational level of the teacher was the best predictor of the teachers' actual use of technology in preparation of instructional material, attendance reporting, and word processing. The number of computers in the classroom was the second best predictor of teachers' actual use of technology. Educational level was the best predictor of teachers' perceptions of their ability to use technology in preparation of instructional materials, drill and practice, word processing, and use of the Internet. The lower the educational level of the teacher, the higher the perceived ability of the teacher to use technology, indicating that veteran teachers need more staff development and training than newly hired teachers. The second best predictor of teachers' perception of their ability to use technology was gender. Males tended to perceive themselves as having higher ability in technology use compared to females. Appendices include the survey questionnaire and date tables. (TD) ******************************************************************************* Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** PREDICTING TEACHER PERCEIVED TECHNOLOGY USE: NEEDS ASSESSMENT MODEL FOR SMALL RURAL SCHOOLS U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Othce of Educational Research and improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER IERIC/ Ilrfnis document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization origmatmg it. CI Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction Quality Points of crew or opomonsstated.n this docu ment do not necessarily represent Official OERI position or policy Jerry G. Mathews 1 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY Jurfi G. 0A0. ÷-1V-AAIS TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)