Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Neutrophil-Activating Protein of Helicobacter pylori Crosses Endothelia to Promote Neutrophil Adhesion In Vivo1

Helicobacter pylori induces an acute inflammatory response followed by a chronic infection of the human gastric mucosa characterized by infiltration of neutrophils/polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and mononuclear cells. The H. pylori neutrophil-activating protein (HP-NAP) activates PMNs, monocytes, and mast cells, and promotes PMN adherence to the endothelium in vitro. By using intravital microscopy analysis of rat mesenteric venules exposed to HP-NAP, we demonstrated, for the first time in vivo, that HP-NAP efficiently crosses the endothelium and promotes a rapid PMN adhesion. This HP-NAP-induced adhesion depends on the acquisition of a high affinity state of β2 integrin on the plasma membrane of PMNs, and this conformational change requires a functional p38 MAPK. We also show that HP-NAP stimulates human PMNs to synthesize and release a number of chemokines, including CXCL8, CCL3, and CCL4. Collectively, these data strongly support a central role for HP-NAP in the inflammation process in vivo: indeed, HP-NAP not only recruits leukocytes from the vascular lumen, but also stimulates them to produce messengers that may contribute to the maintenance of the flogosis associated with the H. pylori infection.
Distributed under Creative Commons Cc-by 4.0 Family Structure as a Predictor of Screen Time among Youth

The family plays a central role in the development of health-related behaviors among youth. The objective of this study was to determine whether non-traditional parental structure and shared custody arrangements predict how much time youth spend watching television, using a computer recreationally, and playing video games. Participants were a nationally representative sample of Canadian youth (N = 26,068) in grades 6–10 who participated in the 2009/10 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Survey. Screen time in youth from single parent and reconstituted families, with or without regular visitation with their non-residential parent, was compared to that of youth from traditional dual-parent families. Multiple imputation was used to account for missing data. After multiple imputation, the relative odds of being in the highest television, computer use, video game, and total screen time quartiles were not different in boys and girls from non-traditional families by comparison to boys and girls from traditional dual-parent families. In conclusion, parental structure and child custody arrangements did not have a meaningful impact on screen time among youth.
DSP implementation and blind equalization algorithms based on coordinate transformation

According to large misjudgment for making equalization to higher order Quadrature Amplitude (16QAM) signals by Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA), the paper analyzes the character of 16 QAM signals constellation, proposes blind equalization algorithms based on coordinate transformation. In the proposed algorithm, output signal of equalizer is made coordinate transformation, the error function of Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA) is improved, which will become exactly zero when the channel is perfectly equalized. Simulation results with an underwater acoustic channel model illustrate the effectiveness of proposed algorithm, and parameters of algorithm are obtained. On the basis of fast operation speed and high data processing ability of digital signal processor chip TMS320VC5502, algorithm code is compiled with C language and obtained parameters in integrated development environment (CCS). The algorithm is realized by debugging in DSP. Besides, a good result is achieved. It has certain reference value in designing equalizer of 16QAM communication system.
Spatially coherent latent topic model for concurrent object segmentation and classification

We present a novel generative model for simultaneously recognizing and segmenting object and scene classes. Our model is inspired by the traditional bag of words representation of texts and images as well as a number of related generative models, including probabilistic Latent Sematic Analysis (pLSA) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). A major drawback of the pLSA and LDA models is the assumption that each patch in the image is independently generated given its corresponding latent topic. While such representation provide an efficient computational method, it lacks the power to describe the visually coherent images and scenes. Instead, we propose a spatially coherent latent topic model (Spatial-LTM). Spatial-LTM represents an image containing objects in a hierarchical way by oversegmented image regions of homogeneous appearances and the salient image patches within the regions. Only one single latent topic is assigned to the image patches within each region, enforcing the spatial coherency of the model. This idea gives rise to the following merits of Spatial-LTM: (1) Spatial-LTM provides a unified representation for spatially coherent bag of words topic models; (2) Spatial-LTM can simultaneously segment and classify objects, even in the case of occlusion and multiple instances; and (3) SpatialLTM can be trained either unsupervised or supervised, as well as when partial object labels are provided. We verify the success of our model in a number of segmentation and classification experiments.
Calculating dating goals: data gaming and algorithmic sociality on Blued, a Chinese gay dating app

ABSTRACT Although studies on gay dating apps have shown the ways through which technical features intervene in sexual sociality, seldom do they shed light on the central feature that undergirds their use ‒ algorithms. This article examines Blued, China’s largest gay dating app, aiming to unfold the data structure and algorithms that navigate the use of its two prime functionalities: browsing and live streaming. Rather than seeing users as passive audiences that are subject to being measured and calculated based on algorithmically filtered information, this article argues that users can act on the data they provide to dating apps to influence and shape the algorithmic dating outcomes. For Blued browsing, gay men are datafied with numbers and tags for users to sort and filter. For Blued live, gay men are evaluated by the yanzhi algorithm, which literally means ‘value of a person’s face’, for users to pinpoint dating goals. By gaming the data and shaping their algorithmic outcomes, an algorithmic sociality is animated through the filter browsing and the yanzhi metric. In this way, algorithms have become ritual tools for gay sociality on Blued. This article ends by opening up critiques on the justification of social biases lurking inside this algorithmic sociality.
207-nm UV Light - A Promising Tool for Safe Low-Cost Reduction of Surgical Site Infections. I: In Vitro Studies

Background 0.5% to 10% of clean surgeries result in surgical-site infections, and attempts to reduce this rate have had limited success. Germicidal UV lamps, with a broad wavelength spectrum from 200 to 400 nm are an effective bactericidal option against drug-resistant and drug-sensitive bacteria, but represent a health hazard to patient and staff. By contrast, because of its limited penetration, ∼200 nm far-UVC light is predicted to be effective in killing bacteria, but without the human health hazards to skin and eyes associated with conventional germicidal UV exposure. Aims The aim of this work was to test the biophysically-based hypothesis that ∼200 nm UV light is significantly cytotoxic to bacteria, but minimally cytotoxic or mutagenic to human cells either isolated or within tissues. Methods A Kr-Br excimer lamp was used, which produces 207-nm UV light, with a filter to remove higher-wavelength components. Comparisons were made with results from a conventional broad spectrum 254-nm UV germicidal lamp. First, cell inactivation vs. UV fluence data were generated for methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) bacteria and also for normal human fibroblasts. Second, yields of the main UV-associated pre-mutagenic DNA lesions (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts) were measured, for both UV radiations incident on 3-D human skin tissue. Results We found that 207-nm UV light kills MRSA efficiently but, unlike conventional germicidal UV lamps, produces little cell killing in human cells. In a 3-D human skin model, 207-nm UV light produced almost no pre-mutagenic UV-associated DNA lesions, in contrast to significant yields induced by a conventional germicidal UV lamp. Conclusions As predicted based on biophysical considerations, 207-nm light kills bacteria efficiently but does not appear to be significantly cytotoxic or mutagenic to human cells. Used appropriately, 207-nm light may have the potential for safely and inexpensively reducing surgical-site infection rates, including those of drug-resistant origin.
Grammatical structures and oral fluency in immediate task repetition : Trigrams across repeated performances

In this study we examine to what extent words and grammatical structures are re-used when a speaking task is repeated with the same content (i.e., specific task repetition). We examine this re-use, which has been argued to support proceduralization and fluency development (N. de Jong & Perfetti, 2011), under both constant and increasing time pressure, and we investigate the correlation between re-use and fluency. The analyses are performed not only on individual words but also on trigrams, which are sequences of three words (e.g., the red car; here: lexical trigrams) or three parts of speech (e.g., det adj noun: POS trigrams), to capture grammatical structure. Thirty-nine adult ESL speakers completed repeated retellings of one to three picture stories. One group followed the 4/3/2 procedure (Nation, 1989), which involves three iterations with gradually increasing time pressure; for the other group the available time was constant. The extent of re-use of words and grammatical structures across task iterations was calculated using cosine similarity with tf-idf weighting (Manning, Raghavan, & Schutze, 2008), which adjusts for the frequency of words or trigrams, both within an iteration and across iterations and speakers. It was found that immediate task repetition had a strong effect on re-use at the level of individual words and trigrams, but increasing time pressure did not. The relationship between re-use and fluency was variable, but showed higher re-use for speakers struggling with fluency. We conclude that, if fluency development is to be stimulated by re-use of words and grammatical structures, it can be done with specific task repetition, whether under increasing time pressure or not.
Energetics, cost reduction and functional consequences of fish morphology

Cost reduction strategies are often invoked as explanations when studies of adaptation fail to find predicted costs. This might seem discouraging, offering little opportunity for further investigation. In this paper, we demonstrate that cost reduction strategies can themselves be investigated by arguments from design. Recent work on inducible morphological defences has shown that hydrodynamical disadvantages (e.g. high drag) in fishes can be compensated for by standard metabolic rate (SMR) adjustments. Here, we theoretically investigate the possibilities and limitations for swimming cost compensation through SMR adjustment. We continue by modelling how intraspecific power curve variation affects the optimal swimming velocity between food patches. Our results show that, even though SMR modifications may compensate for hydrodynamical disadvantages, low–drag fishes will nevertheless have a marked advantage under high food abundance. The relative advantage will decrease with decreasing food levels. We also show that hydrodynamical properties of fishes can be used to predict their propensity to become foraging (or swimming) specialists. Low–drag fishes can use a broad range of swimming velocities without substantial increases in swimming cost, whereas the cost of deviating from the optimal swimming velocity increases markedly in high–drag fishes. The results have important implications for the evolution of morphological diversity in fishes.
The Effects Of Homogeneous Differentiation On Reading Achievement: Within-Class Grouping Versus Between-Class Grouping

ii DEDICATION. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. iv LIST OF TABLES. vi CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION . 1 CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE . 12 CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY . 31 CHAPTER IV: RESULTS . 43 CHAPTER V: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS . 65 REFERENCES . 74 LIST OF APPENDICES . 80 APPENDIX A: SPSS VERSION 23 BOXPLOT OUTPUT.81 APPENDIX B: BIVARIATE CORRELATIONS FOR MULTICOLLINEARITY.84 APPENDIX C: Scatterplot Matrices for Comparison of Linearity.87 VITA . 92
On the adoption of the elliptic curve digital signature algorithm (ECDSA) in DNSSEC

The Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) are steadily being deployed across the Internet. DNSSEC extends the DNS protocol with two vital security properties, authenticity and integrity, using digital signatures. While DNSSEC is meant to solve security issues in the DNS, it also introduces a new one: the digital signatures significantly increase DNS packet sizes, making DNSSEC an attractive vector to abuse in amplification denial-of-service attacks. By default, DNSSEC uses RSA for digital signatures. Earlier work has shown that alternative signature schemes, based on elliptic curve cryptography, can significantly reduce the impact of signatures on DNS response sizes. In this paper we study the actual adoption of ECDSA by DNSSEC operators, based on longitudinal datasets covering over 50% of the global DNS namespace over a period of 1.5 years. Adoption is still marginal, with just 2.3% of DNSSEC-signed domains in the . com TLD using ECDSA. Nevertheless, use of ECDSA is growing, with at least one large operator leading the pack. And adoption could be up to 42% higher. As we demonstrate, there are barriers to deployment that hamper adoption. Operators wishing to deploy DNSSEC using current recommendations (with ECDSA as signing algorithm) must be mindful of this when planning their deployment.
Optimization Technique for Improving Torque Performance of Concentrated Winding Interior PM Synchronous Motor with Wide Speed Range

Interior PM synchronous motors (IPMSMs) are used in many industrial and home appliance applications due to their advantages. However, the torque ripple and cogging torque of IPMSM are generally greater than those of surface permanent magnet synchronous motor. Furthermore, the IPMSM with concentrated winding is more disadvantageous than that with distributed winding in the respects. The problems are generated mainly by the discontinuous reluctance variation between the rotor and stator. Therefore, this paper proposes an optimization technique to reduce torque ripple and cogging torque without a great change of the motor parameters in the initial designed IPMSM. Moreover, the optimal models with respect to torque ripple at the base and maximum speed and cogging torque are compared with each other. In the end, response surface method combined with experimental design is applied as an optimization method, and the usefulness of the method is verified by the simulation results based on finite element analysis
Managing creativity and innovation: the challenge for cultural entrepreneurs

Purpose To distinguish managing creativity from managing innovation and highlight the importance for cultural entrepreneurs of recognising the differences between the two. Design / methodology / approach Based on Government-sponsored research project looking at access to finance in the UK music industry. Interviews were carried out with cultural entrepreneurs, finance providers and industry experts. A conceptual model of work and creative production put forward by Leadbeater and Oakley (1999) is used as a foundation for analysis. Findings Highlight the importance of recognising the differences between managing creativity and innovation, and call for effective management of them both, through developing business communication skills, external focus and promotional strategies. The different nature and role of collective activities associated with promoting creativity and innovation are highlighted. Research limitations / implications The findings are generalised across other ‘creative industry’ businesses, but the empirical research is based only on the music industry. Practical implications Practical steps can be taken to increase the success of small creative businesses in managing both the generation of new ideas (creativity) and the successful exploitation of those new ideas (innovation). Formal education courses have an important role in encouraging creativity and flair alongside the acquisition of core business skills necessary for innovation. Originality / value This paper makes an important contribution in separating creativity and innovation – concepts that are too often used interchangeably. It is argued that this analytical separation will help practitioners and researchers gain a better understanding of the management behaviours required to foster both successfully.
Dynamical Modeling of NGC 7252 and the Return of Tidal Material

Motivated by recent neutral hydrogen observations with the VLA, we have undertaken an investigation into the interaction that produced the well known merger remnant NGC 7252. Through fully self-consistent N-body simulations, we are able to reproduce the kinematic character of the HI observations quite well, including the velocity reversals observed along each tidal tail. In the simulation these reversals arise from particles which have turned around in their orbit and are moving to smaller radii. The bases of the tails fall back quickly to small pericentric distances, while the more distant regions fall back more slowly to ever increasing pericentric distances. The delayed return of tidally ejected material may extend over many Gyr. The evolution of this merger is followed numerically for 800 h^-1 Myr beyond the best fit time. We find that nearly half of the present tail material, or of order 10^9 h^-2 of neutral hydrogen and 2x10^9 h^-2 of starlight, will return to within 13 h^-1 kpc of the nucleus within this time span. While the collisionless stars of the tails will continue orbiting between their inner and outer turning points, the observations show the HI gas of the tails disappearing upon its return. We discuss this result in light of the lack of central HI in the main body of this merger remnant.
A survey on the use of relevance feedback for information access systems

Users of online search engines often find it difficult to express their need for information in the form of a query. However, if the user can identify examples of the kind of documents they require then they can employ a technique known as relevance feedback. Relevance feedback covers a range of techniques intended to improve a user's query and facilitate retrieval of information relevant to a user's information need. In this paper we survey relevance feedback techniques. We study both automatic techniques, in which the system modifies the user's query, and interactive techniques, in which the user has control over query modification. We also consider specific interfaces to relevance feedback systems and characteristics of searchers that can affect the use and success of relevance feedback systems.
Qat Chewing as an Independent Risk Factor for Periodontitis: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study assessed the effect of qat chewing on periodontal health, independent of other risk factors. Four hundred qat chewers and 100 nonchewers (20–50 years) were included. Demographic data and detailed information about chewing and smoking were obtained. Periodontal status was assessed using Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). The qat chewers were older, included more males and smokers, and had worse oral hygiene but higher education levels; the majority were heavy chewers (mean duration of 14.45 years and frequency of 6.10 days/week). Regression analysis identified age, oral hygiene, education level, and cigarette smoking as independent predictors of periodontal destruction. Adjusted for these, qat chewing showed marginally significant association only with CAL (OR = 4.7; P = 0.049). The chewing sides showed significantly higher scores than the nonchewing sides; however, equal scores on both sides or lower scores on the chewing sides (possibly no or beneficial effect) were still observed in 50% of the chewers. Heavy qat chewing is shown here as an independent risk factor for attachment loss. However, the possibility that the habit may have beneficial effects in a subset of the chewers cannot be excluded. A holistic model that resolves the existing contradiction is presented.
Proteomic Analysis of Primary Cultures of Human Adipose-derived Stem Cells

Adipogenesis plays a critical role in energy metabolism and is a contributing factor to the obesity epidemic. This study examined the proteome of primary cultures of human adipose-derived adult stem (ADAS) cells as an in vitro model of adipogenesis. Protein lysates obtained from four individual donors were compared before and after adipocyte differentiation by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and tandem mass spectroscopy. Over 170 individual protein features in the undifferentiated adipose-derived adult stem cells were identified. Following adipogenesis, over 40 proteins were up-regulated by ≥2-fold, whereas 13 showed a ≥3-fold reduction. The majority of the modulated proteins belonged to the following functional categories: cytoskeleton, metabolic, redox, protein degradation, and heat shock protein/chaperones. Additional immunoblot analysis documented the induction of four individual heat shock proteins and confirmed the presence of the heat shock protein 27 phosphoserine 82 isoform, as predicted by the proteomic analysis, as well as the crystallin α phosphorylated isoforms. These findings suggest that the heat shock protein family proteome warrants further investigation with respect to the etiology of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Measuring Adherence to Key Teaching Techniques in an Evidence-Based Treatment: A Comparison of Caregiver, Therapist, and Behavior Observation Ratings

Traditionally, treatment adherence has been measured in outcome studies by highly trained, independent raters who code audio- or video-taped treatment sessions to understand therapists’ adherence to preestablished treatment session components. Unfortunately, this method of assessing treatment adherence is time-, labor-, and cost-intensive, and does not translate well to community settings. This study compared expert-coded behavior observations, therapist and caregiver report of therapists’ adherence to nine teaching technique items assessed in treatment sessions using Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT) to determine whether other raters (outside of traditional expert coders) could effectively and accurately measure therapist adherence. A total of 533 therapy sessions were coded across experts (n = 2), therapists (n = 20), and caregivers (n = 42). Outcomes indicated strikingly different ratings across all reporters suggesting that therapist and caregiver reports may be supplement to, but not substitute for, observer ratings.