Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global Metabolomic Profiling of Mice Brains following Experimental Infection with the Cyst-Forming Toxoplasma gondii

The interplay between the Apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii and its host has been largely studied. However, molecular changes at the metabolic level in the host central nervous system and pathogenesis-associated metabolites during brain infection are largely unexplored. We used a global metabolomics strategy to identify differentially regulated metabolites and affected metabolic pathways in BALB/c mice during infection with T. gondii Pru strain at 7, 14 and 21 days post-infection (DPI). The non-targeted Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics analysis detected approximately 2,755 retention time-exact mass pairs, of which more than 60 had significantly differential profiles at different stages of infection. These include amino acids, organic acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and vitamins. The biological significance of these metabolites is discussed. Principal Component Analysis and Orthogonal Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis showed the metabolites’ profile to change over time with the most significant changes occurring at 14 DPI. Correlated metabolic pathway imbalances were observed in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, energetic metabolism and fatty acid oxidation. Eight metabolites correlated with the physical recovery from infection-caused illness were identified. These findings indicate that global metabolomics adopted in this study is a sensitive approach for detecting metabolic alterations in T. gondii-infected mice and generated a comparative metabolic profile of brain tissue distinguishing infected from non-infected host.
ANALISIS TEKNIK PENGGUNAAN MOVING AVARAGE, RELATIVE STRANGTH INDEX DAN BOLLINGER BANDS DALAM MENGHASILKAN RETURN SAHAM PADA PERUSAHAAN YANG TERDAFTAR DI JAKARTA ISLAMIC INDEX (JII)

Agar seorang investor mendapatkan sebuah pengembalian (return) investasi saham yang tinggi, ada beberapa pendekatan yang dapat digunakan oleh seorang investor salah satunya adalah analisis teknikal.Dalam menggunakan pendekatan analisis teknikal para investor dapat menggunakan berbagai macam indikator yang memiliki keunggulannya masing-masing untuk memperoleh sebuah return. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat kefektifan dari beberapa indikator teknikal yaitu, Moving Avarage, Relative Strangth Index (RSI), dan Bollinger Bands. Dari perbandingan return indikator Moving Avarage, RSI, dan Bollinger Bands. dapat dilihat bahwa indikator Bollinger Bands memiliki hasil yang lebih optimal dibandingkan dengan indikator Moving Average dan RSI. Selain itu, Indikator Bollinger Bands terbukti optimal dalam penggunaannya untuk melihat sinyal transaksi. untuk hasil yang diberikan indikator teknikal lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan indikator moving average dan RSI, khususnya pada saham-saham yang memiliki tingkat range dan volatilitas yang cukup banyak.sehingga pada penggunaanya indikator ini dapat menentukan adanya batas atas dan batas bawah yang cukup baik agar tidak terjadi pembelian saham dengan harga yang terlalu tinggi atau penjualan saham pada harga yang terlalu rendah.
Proteomics of Vitreous Humor of Patients with Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Background There is absence of specific biomarkers and an incomplete understanding of the pathophysiology of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods and Findings Eighty-eight vitreous samples (73 from patients with treatment naïve AMD and 15 control samples from patients with idiopathic floaters) were analyzed with capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry in this retrospective case series to define potential candidate protein markers of AMD. Nineteen proteins were found to be upregulated in vitreous of AMD patients. Most of the proteins were plasma derived and involved in biological (ion) transport, acute phase inflammatory reaction, and blood coagulation. A number of proteins have not been previously associated to AMD including alpha-1-antitrypsin, fibrinogen alpha chain and prostaglandin H2-D isomerase. Alpha-1-antitrypsin was validated in vitreous of an independent set of AMD patients using Western blot analysis. Further systems biology analysis of the data indicated that the observed proteomic changes may reflect upregulation of immune response and complement activity. Conclusions Proteome analysis of vitreous samples from patients with AMD, which underwent an intravitreal combination therapy including a core vitrectomy, steroids and bevacizumab, revealed apparent AMD-specific proteomic changes. The identified AMD-associated proteins provide some insight into the pathophysiological changes associated with AMD.
ICALL for Improving Korean L2 Writers' Ability to Edit Grammatical Errors.

This study illustrates how a synergy of two technologies–Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning (ICALL) and corpus linguistic analysis–can produce a lasting improvement in L2 learners’ ability to edit persistent grammatical errors from their writing. A large written English corpus produced by Korean undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at an American university was analyzed to determine four persistent grammatical errors in their writing assignments. An ICALL program was then designed to improve these L2 learners’ awareness of these errors in texts and provide practice in correcting them. A pre-test/post-test experiment revealed a significant improvement in recognizing and correcting the four errors by Korean L2 learners who had taken the ICALL program over a matched control group that had received standard L2 writing instruction. This improvement held up on a second post-test administered five months later. The implications of the results for L2 instruction and the design of iterative ICALL tutors are discussed.
Motor Skills and Exercise Capacity Are Associated with Objective Measures of Cognitive Functions and Academic Performance in Preadolescent Children

Objective To investigate associations between motor skills, exercise capacity and cognitive functions, and evaluate how they correlate to academic performance in mathematics and reading comprehension using standardised, objective tests. Methods This cross-sectional study included 423 Danish children (age: 9.29±0.35 years, 209 girls). Fine and gross motor skills were evaluated in a visuomotor accuracy-tracking task, and a whole-body coordination task, respectively. Exercise capacity was estimated from the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 children's test (YYIR1C). Selected tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) were used to assess different domains of cognitive functions, including sustained attention, spatial working memory, episodic and semantic memory, and processing speed. Linear mixed-effects models were used to investigate associations between these measures and the relationship with standard tests of academic performance in mathematics and reading comprehension. Results Both fine and gross motor skills were associated with better performance in all five tested cognitive domains (all P<0.001), whereas exercise capacity was only associated with better sustained attention (P<0.046) and spatial working memory (P<0.038). Fine and gross motor skills (all P<0.001), exercise capacity and cognitive functions such as working memory, episodic memory, sustained attention and processing speed were all associated with better performance in mathematics and reading comprehension. Conclusions The data demonstrate that fine and gross motor skills are positively correlated with several aspects of cognitive functions and with academic performance in both mathematics and reading comprehension. Moreover, exercise capacity was associated with academic performance and performance in some cognitive domains. Future interventions should investigate associations between changes in motor skills, exercise capacity, cognitive functions, and academic performance to elucidate the causality of these associations.
A Lower Bound on the Cosmic Baryon Density

We derive lower bounds on the cosmic baryon density from the requirement that the high-redshift intergalactic medium (IGM) contain enough neutral hydrogen to produce the observed Lyα absorption in quasar spectra. These analytic bounds follow from a key theoretical assumption—that absorbing structures are on average no more extended in redshift space than in real space—which is likely to hold in the gravitational instability picture of the Lyα forest, independently of the details of the cosmological model. The other ingredients that enter these bounds are an estimate of (or lower limit to) the intensity of the photoionizing UV background from quasars, a temperature T ~ 104 K for the "warm" photoionized IGM that produces most of the Lyα absorption, a value of the Hubble constant, and observational estimates of the mean Lyα flux decrement or, for a more restrictive bound, the distribution function P(τ) of Lyα optical depths. With plausible estimates of the quasar UV background and , the mean decrement bound implies a baryon density parameter Ωb ≳ 0.0125 h-2, where h ≡ H0/(100 km s-1 Mpc-1). A recent observational determination of P(τ) implies that Ωb ≳ 0.0125 h-2 even for a conservative estimate of the quasar UV background, and Ωb ≳ 0.018 h-2 for a more reasonable estimate. These bounds are consistent with recent low estimates of the primordial deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio (D/H)P, which imply that Ωb ≈ 0.025 h-2 when combined with standard big bang nucleosynthesis. Since the bounds account only for baryons in the warm IGM, their combination with the nucleosynthesis constraint implies that most of the baryons in the universe at z ~ 2-4 were distributed in diffuse intergalactic gas rather than in stars or compact dark objects. The P(τ) bound on Ωb is incompatible with some recent high estimates of (D/H)P, unless one drops the assumptions of standard big bang nucleosynthesis or abandons the idea that Lyα forest lines originate in the smooth, large-scale structures of photoionized gas that arise in gravitational instability theories.
Twice the Work of Free Labor: The Political Economy of Convict Labor in the New South

This volume is both a study of penal labour in the Southern United States and a revisionist analysis of the political economy of the South after the Civil War. The book reveals that the economic modernization of the South was largely promoted through the use of forced black labour - penal slavery. The new class of modernizers, it argues, did not hesitate to use these leased convicts, thereby ensuring the continuation of racial domination.
Document summarization using a scoring-based representation

Currently, data repositories contain a plethora of information in different formats, most of which consists of text. This situation has raised interest in the study of techniques to automate the identification of the most relevant sentences of a document with the goal of generating a text summary. This article presents a technique for extracting the most representative sentences in a document, employing a user-defined criteria. The criteria is learned by the system using an optimization technique and a training document where the user has ranked the sentences according to their relevance. The proposed method has been applied to a five-chapter thesis with good results. At the end of this paper we provide some conclusions as well as ideas for future work.
Understanding the importance, impacts and barriers of ICT on Teaching and Learning in East African Countries

This paper based on synthesis of the research literature, observation and focused group discussion with East African Scholars on the use of Information and Computer Technology (ICT) in primary and secondary schools in East African Countries with a particular focus to understand the importance, impacts and barriers of ICT into classroom Instruction. The study explored internal and external factors that surround ICT issues, policies of ICT integration and factors that facilitate or impede the use of ICT, with the focus of improving the quality of teaching-learning process. The study reveals that the inhibiting factors are unrealistic policies of ICT, poor infrastructure, lack of teacher competence, confidence, incentive, perception and beliefs, imposed curriculum, lack of proper network, political instability, brain drain, sporadic electricity, poor transportation, lack of public awareness and participation, poor school leadership, technological illiteracy and lack of pedagogical skills. The study further revealed that ICT integration is far behind in East African Schools as a consequence of ICT deficiency, absence of pre-service and in-service teacher training and poor teachers’ welfare and morale. Eventually, the study concluded that ICT is crucial for anytime and anyplace learning to ensure economic growth and it highlighted the important issues for consideration and improvements.
Inflammatory and Antioxidant Pattern Unbalance in “Clopidogrel-Resistant” Patients during Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background. In acute coronary syndrome (ACS), inflammation and redox response are associated with increased residual platelet reactivity (RPR) on clopidogrel therapy. We investigated whether clopidogrel interaction affects platelet function and modulates factors related to inflammation and oxidation in ACS patients differently responding to clopidogrel. Material and Methods. Platelet aggregation was measured in 29 ACS patients on dual (aspirin/clopidogrel) antiplatelet therapy. Nonresponders (NR) were defined as RPR ≥70% by ADP. Several inflammatory and redox parameters were assayed and platelet proteome was determined. Results. Eight (28%) out of 29 ACS patients resulted NR to clopidogrel. At 24 hours, the levels of Th2-type cytokines IL-4, IFNγ, and MCP-1 were higher in NR, while blood GSH (r-GSHbl) levels were lower in NR than responders (R). Proteomic analysis evidenced an upregulated level of platelet adhesion molecule, CD226, and a downregulation of the antioxidant peroxiredoxin-4. In R patients the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 decreased, while the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1Ra increased. Conclusions. In patients with high RPR on clopidogrel therapy, an unbalance of inflammatory factors, platelet adhesion molecules, and circulatory and platelet antioxidant molecules was observed during the acute phase. Proinflammatory milieu persists in nonresponders for a long time after the acute event while antioxidant blood factors tend to conform to normal responsiveness.
On performance of residue number system coded differential space-time-frequency coding

Space-time-frequency (STF) coding has emerged as a technique for transmitting high data rate over wideband mobile channels. Most of the proposed architectures in the literature maximize diversity gains from one diversity domain and frequency diversity is predominantly dependent on the intrinsic frequency-selective nature of the fading channel In this paper we propose differential space-time-frequency (DSTF) modulation scheme. The available bandwidth is divided into several orthogonal subbands by a frequency encoder and redundancy is added to maximize coding (frequency) gains. For improved non-coherent detection at the receiver, iterative decoding employing hard decision-feedback of differentially encoded space-time block code on each carrier is concatenated with an outer frequency encoder. It is shown through analytical expressions that with appropriate code design, the proposed DSTF coding scheme can maximize the diversity gains over space, time, and frequency domains.
Links between Kleinberg's hubs and authorities, correspondence analysis, and Markov chains

We show that Kleinberg's hubs and authorities model is closely related to both correspondence analysis, a well-known multivariate statistical technique, and a particular Markov chain model of navigation through the Web. The only difference between correspondence analysis and Kleinberg's method is the use of the average value of the hubs (authorities) scores for computing the authorities (hubs) scores, instead of the sum for Kleinberg's method. We also show that correspondence analysis and our Markov model are related to SALSA, a variant of Kleinberg's model.
Non-genomic STAT5-dependent effects at the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus and STAT6-GFP in mitochondria

STAT protein species are well-known as transcription factors that regulate nuclear gene expression. Recent novel lines of research suggest new non-genomic functions of STAT5A/B and STAT6. It was discovered in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells that STAT5A, including STAT5A-GFP, constitutively associated with the Golgi apparatus, and both STAT5A and B with the endoplasmic reticulum. Acute siRNA-mediated knockdown of STAT5A/B led to the rapid development of a dramatic cystic change in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) characterized by deposition of the ER structural protein reticulon-4 (RTN4; also called Nogo-B) and the ER-resident GTPase atlastin-3 (ATL3) along cyst membranes and cyst-zone boundaries, accompanied by Golgi fragmentation. Functional consequences included reduced anterograde trafficking, an ER stress response (increased GRP78/BiP) and eventual mitochondrial fragmentation. This phenotype was “non-genomic” in that it was elicited in enucleated cytoplasts. In cross-immunopanning assays STAT5A and B species associated with ATL3, and the ER-lumen spacer CLIMP63 (also called cytoskeleton-associated protein 4, CKAP4) but not RTN4. From a disease significance perspective we posit that STAT5, which is known to be affected by estradiol-17β and prolactin, represents the gender-sensitive determinant in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (IPAH), a disease which includes ER/Golgi dysfunctions but with a 2- to 4-fold higher prevalence in postpubertal women. A separate line of recent research produced evidence for the association of STAT6-GFP, but not STAT3-GFP, STAT3-DsRed, or STAT3-Flag, with mitochondria in live-cell, immunofluorescence, and immunoelectron microscopy. An N-terminal truncation of STAT6-GFP (1–459), which lacked the SH2 domain and Tyr-phosphorylation site, constitutively associated with mitochondria. Thus, the emergent new of biology STAT proteins includes non-genomic roles—structurally and functionally—in the three closely related membrane organelles consisting of the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria.
Self-reported smoking, alcohol and drug use among adolescents and young adults with and without mild to moderate intellectual disability

ABSTRACT Background: People with intellectual disability may be at elevated risk of adverse consequences of substance use. This study outlines the prevalence of, and factors associated with, substance use in young people with and without intellectual disability. Method: Secondary analysis was undertaken of the Next Steps annual panel study, which follows a cohort through adolescence into adulthood and contains self-report data on smoking, alcohol and drug use. Results: Young people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities were generally less likely to use substances than young people without intellectual disabilities. The pattern of association with socio-demographic factors was mixed. Overall, matching participants on between-group differences in exposure to extraneous risk factors did not impact on between-group differences in substance use. Conclusions: Young people with mild to moderate intellectual disability are less likely to use substances than their non-disabled peers. Prevention and intervention programs need to be adapted for those in this population who do use substances.
HIV-1 Tropism Dynamics and Phylogenetic Analysis from Longitudinal Ultra-Deep Sequencing Data of CCR5- and CXCR4-Using Variants

Objective Coreceptor switch from CCR5 to CXCR4 is associated with HIV disease progression. The molecular and evolutionary mechanisms underlying the CCR5 to CXCR4 switch are the focus of intense recent research. We studied the HIV-1 tropism dynamics in relation to coreceptor usage, the nature of quasispecies from ultra deep sequencing (UDPS) data and their phylogenetic relationships. Methods Here, we characterized C2-V3-C3 sequences of HIV obtained from 19 patients followed up for 54 to 114 months using UDPS, with further genotyping and phylogenetic analysis for coreceptor usage. HIV quasispecies diversity and variability as well as HIV plasma viral load were measured longitudinally and their relationship with the HIV coreceptor usage was analyzed. The longitudinal UDPS data were submitted to phylogenetic analysis and sampling times and coreceptor usage were mapped onto the trees obtained. Results Although a temporal viral genetic structuring was evident, the persistence of several viral lineages evolving independently along the infection was statistically supported, indicating a complex scenario for the evolution of viral quasispecies. HIV X4-using variants were present in most of our patients, exhibiting a dissimilar inter- and intra-patient predominance as the component of quasispecies even on antiretroviral therapy. The viral populations from some of the patients studied displayed evidences of the evolution of X4 variants through fitness valleys, whereas for other patients the data favored a gradual mode of emergence. Conclusions CXCR4 usage can emerge independently, in multiple lineages, along the course of HIV infection. The mode of emergence, i.e. gradual or through fitness valleys seems to depend on both virus and patient factors. Furthermore, our analyses suggest that, besides becoming dominant after population-level switches, minor proportions of X4 viruses might exist along the infection, perhaps even at early stages of it. The fate of these minor variants might depend on both viral and host factors.
Intrinsic Functional Dysregulation of CD4 T Cells Occurs Rapidly following Persistent Viral Infection

ABSTRACT Effective T-cell responses are critical to eradicate acute viral infections and prevent viral persistence. Emerging evidence indicates that robust, early CD4 T-cell responses are important in effectively sustaining CD8 T-cell activity. Herein, we illustrate that virus-specific CD4 T cells are functionally inactivated early during the transition into viral persistence and fail to produce effector cytokines (i.e., interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor alpha), thereby compromising an efficient and effective antiviral immune response. Mechanistically, the inactivation occurs at the cellular level and is not an active process maintained by regulatory T cells or antigen-presenting cells. Importantly, a small subpopulation of cells is able to resist inactivation and persist into the chronic phase of infection. However, the virus-specific CD4 T-cell population ultimately undergoes a second round of inactivation, and the cells that had retained functional capacity fail to respond to rechallenge in an acute time frame. Based on these results we propose a biological mechanism whereby early CD4 T-cell inactivation leads to a subsequent inability to sustain cytotoxic T-lymphocyte function, which in turn facilitates viral persistence. Moreover, these studies are likely relevant to chronic/persistent infections of humans (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus) by providing evidence that a reservoir of virus-specific CD4 T cells can remain functional during chronic infection and represent a potential therapeutic target to stimulate the immune response and establish control of infection.