Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Group Intervention on Acculturation

Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of group cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) in improving mental health and promoting postmigration growth for Mainland university students in Hong Kong. Methods: Thirty-six Mainland students with mild-to-moderate levels of psychological distress have completed a 8-session CBI group. Various mental health measures have been administered at the pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up tests. Results: The levels of psychological distress, acculturative stress, and negative emotions and negative thoughts of the participants were significantly reduced, while their positive emotions and postmigration growth were significantly increased upon completion of the CBI group. The positive effects were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: CBI group appears to be an effective intervention approach for improving the mental health and promoting postmigration growth for Mainland university students in Hong Kong. Implications for social work practices when engaging with Chinese international students were provided.
Lateralized predatory responses in the ornate dragon lizard (Ctenophorus ornatus)

Lateralized responses for visually elicited feeding behaviour have been reported in toads and birds but not in the phylogenetically intermediate class of vertebrates, the reptiles. Here we examined small social groups of ornate dragon lizards Ctenophorus ornatus (family Agamidae) and provide the first report in reptiles of right eye lateralization (left brain hemisphere) for predatory responses to prey. However, right eye lateralization was not evident initially but became stronger with time supporting a shift to right eye lateralization as the prey became increasingly familiar. The study is in agreement with recent findings in toads, adding credence to the hypothesis that lateralization originated in an early ancestor and highlighting the supposition that the strength and direction of lateralization is dependent on experience.
7SK small nuclear RNA directly affects HMGA1 function in transcription regulation

Non-coding (nc) RNAs are increasingly recognized to play important regulatory roles in eukaryotic gene expression. The highly abundant and essential 7SK ncRNA has been shown to negatively regulate RNA Polymerase II transcription by inactivating the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) in cellular and Tat-dependent HIV transcription. Here, we identify a more general, P-TEFb-independent role of 7SK RNA in directly affecting the function of the architectural transcription factor and chromatin regulator HMGA1. An important regulatory role of 7SK RNA in HMGA1-dependent cell differentiation and proliferation regulation is uncovered with the identification of over 1500 7SK-responsive HMGA1 target genes. Elevated HMGA1 expression is observed in nearly every type of cancer making the use of a 7SK substructure in the inhibition of HMGA1 activity, as pioneered here, potentially useful in therapy. The 7SK-HMGA1 interaction not only adds an essential facet to the comprehension of transcriptional plasticity at the coupling of initiation and elongation, but also might provide a molecular link between HIV reprogramming of cellular gene expression-associated oncogenesis.
A Framework for Describing the Influence of Service Organisation and Delivery on Participation in Fetal Anomaly Screening in England

Objective. The aim of this research was to explore the influence of service organisation and delivery on providers and users' interactions and decision-making in the context of Down's syndrome screening. Methods. A qualitative descriptive study involving online interviews conducted with a purposive sample of 34 community midwives, 35 pregnant women, and 15 partners from two maternity services in different health districts in England. Data were analysed using a combination of grounded theory principles and content analysis and a framework was developed. Results. The main emerging concepts were organisational constraints, power, routinisation, and tensions. Providers were concerned about being time-limited that encouraged routine, minimal information-giving and lacked skills to check users' understanding. Users reported their participation was influenced by providers' attitudes, the ambience of the environment, asymmetric power relations, and the offer and perception of screening as a routine test. Discordance between the national programme's policy of nondirective informed choice and providers' actions of recommending and arranging screening appointments was unexpected. Additionally, providers and users differing perceptions of emotional effects of information, beliefs, and expectations created tensions within them, between them, and in the antenatal environment. Conclusions. A move towards a social model of care may be beneficial to empower service users and create less tension for providers and users.
Variational Continual Learning

This paper develops variational continual learning (VCL), a simple but general framework for continual learning that fuses online variational inference (VI) and recent advances in Monte Carlo VI for neural networks. The framework can successfully train both deep discriminative models and deep generative models in complex continual learning settings where existing tasks evolve over time and entirely new tasks emerge. Experimental results show that VCL outperforms state-of-the-art continual learning methods on a variety of tasks, avoiding catastrophic forgetting in a fully automatic way.
Human hair follicle transcriptome profiling: a minimally invasive tool to assess molecular adaptations upon low‐volume, high‐intensity interval training

High‐intensity interval training (HIIT) has become a popular fitness training approach under both civilian and military settings. Consisting of brief and intense exercise intervals, HIIT requires less time commitment yet is able to produce the consistent targeted physical adaptations as conventional endurance training. To effectively characterize and monitor HIIT‐induced cellular and molecular responses, a highly accessible yet comprehensive biomarker discovery source is desirable. Both gene differential expression (DE) and gene set (GS) analyses were conducted using hair follicle transcriptome established from pre and postexercise subjects upon a 10‐day HIIT program by RNA‐Seq, Comparing between pre and posttraining groups, differentially expressed protein coding genes were identified. To interpret the functional significance of the DE results, a comprehensive GS analysis approach featuring multiple algorithms was used to enrich gene ontology (GO) terms and KEGG pathways. The GS analysis revealed enriched themes such as energy metabolism, cell proliferation/growth/survival, muscle adaptations, and cytokine–cytokine interaction, all of which have been previously proposed as HIIT responses. Moreover, related cell signaling pathways were also measured. Specifically, G‐protein‐mediated signal transduction, phosphatidylinositide 3‐kinases (PI3K) – protein kinase B (PKB) and Janus kinase (JAK) – Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) signaling cascades were over‐represented. Additionally, the RNA‐Seq analysis also identified several HIIT‐responsive microRNAs (miRNAs) that were involved in regulating hair follicle‐specific processes, such as miR‐99a. For the first time, this study demonstrated that both existing and new biomarkers like miRNA can be explored for HIIT using the transcriptomic responses exhibited by the hair follicle.
Multiple Granularity Analysis for Fine-Grained Action Detection

We propose to decompose the fine-grained human activ- ity analysis problem into two sequential tasks with increas- ing granularity. Firstly, we infer the coarse interaction sta- tus, i.e., which object is being manipulated and where it is. Knowing that the major challenge is frequent mutual oc- clusions during manipulation, we propose an "interaction tracking" framework in which hand/object position and in- teraction status are jointly tracked by explicitly modeling the contextual information between mutual occlusion and interaction status. Secondly, the inferred hand/object posi- tion and interaction status are utilized to provide 1) more compact feature pooling by effectively pruning large num- ber of motion features from irrelevant spatio-temporal po- sitions and 2) discriminative action detection by a granu- larity fusion strategy. Comprehensive experiments on two challenging fine-grained activity datasets (i.e., cooking ac- tion) show that the proposed framework achieves high ac- curacy/robustness in tracking multiple mutually occluded hands/objects during manipulation as well as significant performance improvement on fine-grained action detection over state-of-the-art methods.
Postnatal development of auditory central evoked responses and thalamic cellular properties

During development, the sense of hearing changes rapidly with age, especially around hearing onset. During this period, auditory structures are highly sensitive to alterations of the acoustic environment, such as hearing loss or background noise. This sensitivity includes auditory temporal processing, which is important for processing complex sounds, and for acquiring reading and language skills. Developmental changes can be observed at multiple levels of brain organization—from behavioral responses to cellular responses, and at every auditory nucleus. Neuronal properties and sound processing change dramatically in auditory cortex neurons after hearing onset. However, development of its primary source, the auditory thalamus, or medial geniculate body (MGB), has not been well studied over this critical time window. Furthermore, to understand how temporal processing develops, it is important to determine the relative maturation of temporal processing not only in the MGB, but also in its inputs. Cellular properties of rat MGB neurons were studied using in vitro whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings, at ages postnatal day (P) 7–9; P15–17, and P22–32. Auditory evoked potentials were measured in P14–17 and P22–32 rats. MGB action potentials became about five times faster, and the ability to generate spike trains increased with age, particularly at frequencies of 50 Hz and higher. Evoked potential responses, including auditory brainstem responses (ABR), middle latency responses (MLR), and amplitude modulation following responses, showed increased amplitudes with age, and ABRs and MLRs additionally showed decreased latencies with age. Overall, temporal processing at subthalamic nuclei is concurrently maturing with MGB cellular properties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 541–555, 2014
Issues on the Design of Efficient Fail-Safe Fault Tolerance

The design of a fault-tolerant program is known to be an inherentlydifficult task. Decisions taken during the designprocess will invariably have an impact on the efficiency of theresulting fault-tolerant program. In this paper, we focus on two suchdecisions, namely (i) the class of faults the program is to tolerate,and (ii) the variables that can be read and written. The impact thesedesign issues have on the overall fault tolerance of the system needsto be well-understood, failure of which can lead to costly redesigns. For the case of understanding the impact of fault classes on theefficiency of fail-safe fault tolerance, we show that, under theassumption of a general fault model, it is \emph{impossible} topreserve the original behavior of the fault-intolerant program. Forthe second problem of read and write constraints of variables, weagain show that it is \emph{impossible} to preserve the originalbehavior of the fault-intolerant program. We analyze the reasons thatlead to these impossibility results, and suggest possible ways ofcircumventing them.
IL‐9 is a Th17‐derived cytokine that limits pathogenic activity in organ‐specific autoimmune disease

IL‐9 is a pleiotropic cytokine with key functions in tolerance and inflammation, and its expression is considered a hallmark of Th2‐lineage cells. Here, we report that human and mouse Th17 cells are a significant source of IL‐9. The expression of IL‐9 by Th17 cells was strictly dependent on the presence of TGF‐β and IL‐1β, and inhibited by IL‐4. IL‐9‐deficient Th17 cells induced more severe autoimmune gastritis following transfer to nu/nu recipient mice. Th17 cells did not appear to be the target of IL‐9 bioactivity as Th17 expansion and differentiation was comparable using IL‐9‐deficient CD4+ cells or when IL‐9 was neutralized with antibodies in vitro. However, reduced mast cell activity was associated with the increased pathogenicity of IL‐9‐deficient Th17 cells. Together, these results demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for IL‐9 in dampening the pathogenic activities of Th17 cells.
Cellular properties of the medial entorhinal cortex as possible mechanisms of spatial processing

Cells of the rodent medial entorhinal cortex (EC) possess cellular properties hypothesized to underlie the spatially periodic firing behaviors of ‘grid cells’ (GC) observed in vivo. Computational models have simulated experimental GC data, but a consensus as to what mechanism(s) generate GC properties has not been reached. Using whole cell patch-clamp and computational modeling techniques this thesis investigates resonance, rebound spiking and persistent spiking properties of medial EC cells to test potential mechanisms generating GC firing. The first experiment tested the voltage dependence of resonance frequency in layer II medial EC stellate cells. Some GC models use interference between velocitycontrolled oscillators to generate GCs. These interference mechanisms work best with a linear relationship between voltage and resonance frequency. Experimental results showed resonance frequency decreased linearly with membrane potential depolarization,
Chain Decompositions of 4-Connected Graphs

In this paper we give a decomposition of a $4$-connected graph $G$ into nonseparating chains, which is similar to an ear decomposition of a $2$-connected graph. We also give an $O(|V(G)|^2|E(G)|)$ algorithm that constructs such a decomposition. In applications, the asymptotic performance can often be improved to $O(|V(G)|^3)$. This decomposition will be used to find four independent spanning trees in a $4$-connected graph.
Vaccination for Neuroprotection in the Mouse Optic Nerve: Implications for Optic Neuropathies

T-cell autoimmunity to myelin basic protein was recently shown to be neuroprotective in injured rat optic nerves. In the present study, using the mouse optic nerve, we examined whether active immunization rather than passive transfer of T-cells can be beneficial in protecting retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from post-traumatic death. Before severe crush injury of the optic nerve, SJL/J and C3H.SW mice were actively immunized with encephalitogenic or nonencephalitogenic peptides of proteolipid protein (PLP) or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), respectively. At different times after the injury, the numbers of surviving RGCs in both strains immunized with the nonencephalitogenic peptides pPLP 190–209 or pMOG 1–22 were significantly higher than in injured controls treated with the non-self-antigen ovalbumin or with a peptide derived from β-amyloid, a non-myelin-associated protein. Immunization with the encephalitogenic myelin peptide pPLP 139–151 was beneficial only when the disease it induced, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, was mild. The results of this study show that survival of RGCs after axonal injury can be enhanced by vaccination with an appropriate self-antigen. Furthermore, the use of nonencephalitogenic myelin peptides for immunization apparently allows neuroprotection without incurring the risk of an autoimmune disease. Application of these findings might lead to a promising new approach for treating optic neuropathies such as glaucoma.
Kinematics of phonotactic steering in the walking cricket Gryllus bimaculatus (de Geer)

SUMMARY Female crickets, Gryllus bimaculatus, are attracted by the male calling song and approach singing males; a behaviour known as phonotaxis. Even tethered females walking on a trackball steer towards a computer-generated male song presented from their left or right side. High-speed video analysis showed how this auditory-evoked steering was integrated with walking. Typically all the front and middle legs showed kinematic adjustments during steering, with the trajectories tilted towards the side of acoustic stimulation. Furthermore, the average speed of the tarsi contralateral to song increased relative to the ipsilateral tarsi. Kinematic changes of the hind legs were small and may be a consequence of the front and middle leg adjustments. Although phonotactic steering generally led to stereotyped adjustments there were differences in the specific combination of kinematic changes in leg trajectories. The most reliable kinematic steering response was by the contralateral front leg, such that, during its swing phase the tarsus moved towards the side of acoustic stimulation through an increased forward rotation of the femur and an increased extension of the tibia. Relating the changes in tarsal positioning of each leg to the steering velocity of the animal indicated that typically the front and middle legs contralateral to song generated the turning forces. Phonotactic steering was integrated into forward walking without changes to the walking motor cycle.
The analytic hierarchy process of the decision-making factors of African students in obtaining higher education in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract The mobility of African students beyond national territories has become common worldwide. However, the underlying reasons motivating students to leave their countries of origin in pursuit of higher education in other developing nations and why these factors are important have not been fully explored. This study attempts to explore why and how African students travel to the United Arab Emirates for higher education. A push-pull factor theory of the international student’s choice of destination is developed to identify factors influencing the choices made by these students. The analytic hierarchy process is used to examine the relative importance of these factors. The findings of this quantitative study indicate that learning environment and geographic proximity are the two most important factors for African students, while other factors have a moderate impact. The findings contribute to a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the needs and choices of existing and potential students from this continent, with a view to applying a segmentation approach to attract these students.
Current status and future prospects of epidemiology and public health training and research in the WHO African region

Background To date little has been published about epidemiology and public health capacity (training, research, funding, human resources) in WHO/AFRO to help guide future planning by various stakeholders. Methods A bibliometric analysis was performed to identify published epidemiological research. Information about epidemiology and public health training, current research and challenges was collected from key informants using a standardized questionnaire. Results From 1991 to 2010, epidemiology and public health research output in the WHO/AFRO region increased from 172 to 1086 peer-reviewed articles per annum [annual percentage change (APC) = 10.1%, P for trend < 0.001]. The most common topics were HIV/AIDS (11.3%), malaria (8.6%) and tuberculosis (7.1%). Similarly, numbers of first authors (APC = 7.3%, P for trend < 0.001), corresponding authors (APC = 8.4%, P for trend < 0.001) and last authors (APC = 8.5%, P for trend < 0.001) from Africa increased during the same period. However, an overwhelming majority of respondents (>90%) reported that this increase is only rarely linked to regional post-graduate training programmes in epidemiology. South Africa leads in publications (1978/8835, 22.4%), followed by Kenya (851/8835, 9.6%), Nigeria (758/8835, 8.6%), Tanzania (549/8835, 6.2%) and Uganda (428/8835, 4.8%) (P < 0.001, each vs South Africa). Independent predictors of relevant research productivity were ‘in-country numbers of epidemiology or public health programmes’ [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 3.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.90–6.11; P = 0.03] and ‘number of HIV/AIDS patients’ (IRR = 1.30; 95% CI 1.02–1.66; P < 0.001). Conclusions Since 1991, there has been increasing epidemiological research productivity in WHO/AFRO that is associated with the number of epidemiology programmes and burden of HIV/AIDS cases. More capacity building and training initiatives in epidemiology are required to promote research and address the public health challenges facing the continent.
eural processing of target distance by echolocating bats : Functional roles of the uditory midbrain

Using their biological sonar, bats estimate distance to avoid obstacles and capture moving prey. The primary distance cue is the delay between the bat’s emitted echolocation pulse and the return of an echo. The mustached bat’s auditory midbrain (inferior colliculus, IC) is crucial to the analysis of pulse–echo delay. IC neurons are selective for certain delays between frequency modulated (FM) elements of the pulse and echo. One role of the IC is to create these “delay-tuned”, “FM–FM” response properties through a
ERCC1 and XRCC1 but not XPA single nucleotide polymorphisms correlate with response to chemotherapy in endometrial carcinoma

Our study aimed to investigate the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms of ERCC1/XRCC1/XPA genes and postoperative chemotherapy efficacy and prognosis of endometrial carcinoma. Our study included 108 patients with endometrial carcinoma and 100 healthy participants. ERCC1 rs11615/XRCC1 rs25487/XPA rs1800975 gene polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism. Then the chemotherapy efficacy and toxic effects of the patients were assessed. The genotype and allele frequency of ERCC1 rs11615/XRCC1 rs25487 in the case group were significantly different from that in the control group (all P<0.05). The patients with AA + GA in ERCC1 rs11615 had an increased risk of endometrial carcinoma than those with GG, and the risk of endometrial carcinoma for patients with AA + GA was also higher in comparison with patients with GG genotype in XRCC1 rs25487 (all P<0.05). GG on both ERCC1 rs11615/XRCC1 rs25487 had a higher effective rate of chemotherapy than GA + AA (all P<0.05). ERCC1 rs11615/XRCC1 rs25487 gene polymorphisms were linked with toxic effects in liver, kidney, and nervous system. ERCC1 rs11615/XRCC1 rs25487, muscular invasion, and tumor stage were independent risk factors for the prognosis of endometrial carcinoma (all P<0.05). However, no significant associations were observed between XPA rs1800975 polymorphism and chemotherapy efficacy and prognosis of endometrial carcinoma (all P>0.05). These results indicated that ERCC1 and XRCC1 but not XPA polymorphisms correlate with response to chemotherapy in endometrial carcinoma.