Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Persimmon leaf extract and astragalin inhibit development of dermatitis and IgE elevation in NC/Nga mice.

BACKGROUND We previously found that persimmon leaf extract contains antiallergic substances that inhibit histamine release by human basophilic cell line KU812 in response to cross-linkage of FcepsilonRI. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to identify substances in the persimmon leaf extract that are responsible for the effect and to examine their in vivo effects on the allergic mouse model. METHODS HPLC analysis of persimmon leaf extract was done to measure its content. Inhibitory activity of persimmon leaf extract or its major constituent of flavonoids (astragalin) on the histamine release by KU812 cells was examined. To investigate the effects of these substances in vivo, models of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and atopic dermatitis mice (NC/Nga) were used. RESULTS Persimmon leaf extract or astragalin inhibited histamine release from KU812 in response to cross-linkage of FcepsilonRI. Oral intake of both substances dose dependently inhibited passive cutaneous reactions. Moreover, oral administration of these substances to NC/Nga atopic dermatitis-model mice led to a striking suppression of the development of dermatitis, scratching behavior, and serum IgE elevation. Histologic analyses revealed that infiltration of inflammatory cells, especially degranulated mast cells, thickening of the epidermis, and prominent hyperkeratosis, were significantly reduced. Immunologic studies showed that the capacity of spleen T cells to produce both IL-4 and IL-13, but not IFN-gamma, was downregulated by means of oral intake of these substances. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates a novel activity of astragalin and the dramatic effect of persimmon leaf extract and astragalin on atopic dermatitis-model mice.
Neutral Gas Distributions and Kinematics of Five Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxies

We present the results of high spatial resolution H I observations of five intrinsically compact dwarf galaxies that are currently experiencing a strong burst of star formation. The H I maps indicate that these systems have a complex and clumpy interstellar medium. Unlike typical dwarf irregular galaxies, these blue compact dwarf galaxies (BCDs) exhibit strong central concentrations in their neutral gas distributions that may provide a clue to the origin of their strong starburst activity. Furthermore, while all of the systems appear to be rotating, based on observed velocity gradients, the kinematics are complex. All systems have nonordered kinematic structure at some level; some of the extended gas is not necessarily kinematically connected to the main system. The observed gas distributions and kinematics place constraints on evolutionary scenarios for BCDs. Evolutionary links between BCDs, dwarf irregular galaxies, and dwarf elliptical galaxies have been postulated to explain their high star formation rates and low-luminosity, low-metallicity nature. The BCDs appear to have higher central mass concentrations in both gas and stellar content than the dwarf irregulars, indicating that evolutionary scenarios connecting these two classes will require mass redistribution. In addition, the fact that BCDs are rotationally supported systems indicates that they are unlikely to evolve into dwarf ellipticals without substantial loss of angular momentum. Thus, while such evolutionary scenarios may still be possible with the aid of mergers or tidal interactions, the isolated nature of BCDs suggests that the majority of BCDs will not fade to become objects similar to the present-day dwarf ellipticals.
Ovarian morphology and internal vis-à-vis non internal laying in relation to triacylglycerol, hormones and their receptors concentration around the age of sexual maturity in broiler breeder hens

1. Ovarian morphology, serum hormone concentrations of 17-β-estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and triacylglycerol (TAG) were investigated at 23 and 26 weeks of age in broiler breeder hens provided with ad libitum access to feed. Progesterone, oestrogen-β, thyroid-α and -β receptor mRNAs were also quantified in the infundibulum at the same ages. 2. A large variation in the ovarian morphology was observed at 23 weeks of age including hens with undeveloped ovaries, non-laying hens with post ovulatory follicles (POF) and a predominance of non-laying hens without a POF. 3. Serum concentrations of triglyceride, 17-β-estradiol and progesterone at 23 weeks of age were lower in hens with an undeveloped ovary compared with other groups of hens, whereas testosterone, triiodothyronine and thyroxin were higher. 4. At 26 weeks of age, the average number of hierarchical yellow follicles in normal layers was 7.64 ± 0·41 whereas in internal layers, the follicular numbers were significantly greater at 8.66 ± 0·53. The higher follicular numbers in internal layers were associated with higher serum triglyceride and progesterone concentrations. 5. Oestrogen receptor-β and thyroid receptor-β mRNA was up regulated in the infundibulum of internal layers compared with normal laying hens at 26 weeks of age.
A Conserved Supergene Locus Controls Colour Pattern Diversity in Heliconius Butterflies

We studied whether similar developmental genetic mechanisms are involved in both convergent and divergent evolution. Mimetic insects are known for their diversity of patterns as well as their remarkable evolutionary convergence, and they have played an important role in controversies over the respective roles of selection and constraints in adaptive evolution. Here we contrast three butterfly species, all classic examples of Müllerian mimicry. We used a genetic linkage map to show that a locus, Yb, which controls the presence of a yellow band in geographic races of Heliconius melpomene, maps precisely to the same location as the locus Cr, which has very similar phenotypic effects in its co-mimic H. erato. Furthermore, the same genomic location acts as a “supergene”, determining multiple sympatric morphs in a third species, H. numata. H. numata is a species with a very different phenotypic appearance, whose many forms mimic different unrelated ithomiine butterflies in the genus Melinaea. Other unlinked colour pattern loci map to a homologous linkage group in the co-mimics H. melpomene and H. erato, but they are not involved in mimetic polymorphism in H. numata. Hence, a single region from the multilocus colour pattern architecture of H. melpomene and H. erato appears to have gained control of the entire wing-pattern variability in H. numata, presumably as a result of selection for mimetic “supergene” polymorphism without intermediates. Although we cannot at this stage confirm the homology of the loci segregating in the three species, our results imply that a conserved yet relatively unconstrained mechanism underlying pattern switching can affect mimicry in radically different ways. We also show that adaptive evolution, both convergent and diversifying, can occur by the repeated involvement of the same genomic regions.
AIS Electronic

Limited empirical research exists on the explicit relevance of hedonic dimensions (aesthetics and playfulness) of human-computer interaction design to usability. This research aims to determine the effects of color temperature on the perceptions of websites aesthetics, playfulness, and in turn usability. A Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis of data collected from 328 participants in a four-group between-subject research design involving the use of a mock hotel website offered support for all nine hypotheses proposed. ‘Cooler’ colors (e.g. blue) were found to favorably impact perceptions of classical aesthetics, which in turn influenced perceptions of efficiency positively, while also correlating with perceptions of expressive aesthetics. The latter, on the other hand, were affected favorably by warmer colors (e.g. red), and had a positive effect on perceptions of playfulness. In line with prior usability studies, positive relationships between efficiency and effectiveness respectively and satisfaction with the Website were supported, and by considering the shown positive relationship between playfulness and satisfaction 60% of the variance in satisfaction was explained. Implications for theory and practice are also discussed.
A derivative-free algorithm for solving quasi-linear systems

A novel derivative-free algorithm for solving quasi-linear systems is presented. It resembles “classical” optimization approach but greatly simplifies computation, resulting in fast execution and numerical stability. Though the global convergence cannot be guaranteed, it turns out that the presented algorithm finds a solution as successfully as other commonly accepted methods. The algorithm is clearly developed and mathematically founded, and its properties are examined by comparisons with other methods.
Lapses in a Prefrontal-Extrastriate Preparatory Attention Network Predict Mistakes

Mistakes are common to all forms of behavior but there is disagreement about what causes errors. We recorded electrophysiological and behavioral measures in a letter discrimination task to examine whether deficits in preparatory attention predicted subsequent response errors. Error trials were characterized by decreased frontal-central preparatory attention event-related potentials (ERPs) prior to stimulus presentation and decreased extrastriate sensory ERPs during visual processing. These findings indicate that transient lapses in a prefrontal-extrastriate preparatory attention network can lead to response errors.
Transfusion‐transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from seroconverting donors is rare in England and Wales: results from HIV lookback, October 1995 through December 2008

BACKGROUND: Lookback is considered when human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is detected in a repeat blood donor in case the immediately previous negative donation was donated in the infectious window period (IWP) or the assay(s) produced a false‐negative result. HIV lookback investigations undertaken by NHS Blood and Transplant and the Welsh Blood Service between October 1995 and December 2008 are described.
pTAC2, -6, and -12 Are Components of the Transcriptionally Active Plastid Chromosome That Are Required for Plastid Gene Expression

Transcription in plastids is mediated by a plastid-encoded multimeric (PEP) and a nuclear-encoded single-subunit RNA polymerase (NEP) and a still unknown number of nuclear-encoded factors. By combining gel filtration and affinity chromatography purification steps, we isolated transcriptionally active chromosomes from Arabidopsis thaliana and mustard (Sinapis alba) chloroplasts and identified 35 components by electrospray ionization ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. Eighteen components, called plastid transcriptionally active chromosome proteins (pTACs), have not yet been described. T-DNA insertions in three corresponding genes, ptac2, -6, and -12, are lethal without exogenous carbon sources. Expression patterns of the plastid-encoded genes in the corresponding knockout lines resemble those of Δrpo mutants. For instance, expression of plastid genes with PEP promoters is downregulated, while expression of genes with NEP promoters is either not affected or upregulated in the mutants. All three components might also be involved in posttranscriptional processes, such as RNA processing and/or mRNA stability. Thus, pTAC2, -6, and -12 are clearly involved in plastid gene expression.
Patterns of Health and Illness Amongst Lone Parents

ABSTRACT In 1969, the British Government established the Finer Committee to consider ‘the problems of one parent families in our society’. Its report, published in 1974, concentrated on the economic circumstances of these families, though it also looked at other issues including the welfare implications for children. Since then there has been further research in Britain focused on the economic circumstances of one parent families and continued interest in the health, welfare and development of children in these families. What was missing from the deliberations of the Finer Committee and is still omitted from subsequent research activities, is any substantial consideration of the health and welfare implications of lone parenthood for the adults involved. Yet such research is important. Firstly, one parent families are a numerically important group amongst British families caring for dependent children and it is predictable that they will continue to be so. Secondly, research into the social and economic circumstances and the health experience of lone parents, is also essentially research into the nature and causes of gender inequalities, because lone parents are disproportionately female. Finally, research into patterns of health and illness amongst lone parents would also be relevant to those planning a range of health and social services. This paper therefore seeks to contribute to knowledge about the health status of lone parents. Using data from a national annual household survey (the OPCS General Household Survey) we describe the subjective experience of health and illness amongst lone mothers and fathers. This is compared to the experience of parents in couple households and of different groups of lone parents according to sex, marital status, socio-economic circumstances and ‘normative’ gender roles in order to explore the relative importance of this group of factors in the aetiology of the patterns described.
Nature-Based Tourism: A Contrast to Everyday Life

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between trip motives and the importance placed on nature when choosing a destination. More specifically, it investigates how much importance tourists, motivated by their ‘everyday lives’, attach to nature in their decision to travel to their current destination. The results of the multiple regression analysis indicate that two trip motives, ‘novelty and learning’ and ‘everyday life’, significantly influence the importance attributed to nature. The more any of these motives is considered to be important, the more salient a role nature plays in such a decision. However, the results of the subsequent multiple logistic regression analysis show that it is the trip motive ‘a contrast to everyday life’ that significantly distinguishes between ‘genuine’ nature-based tourists (i.e. travelling primarily for nature) and ‘mixed’ nature-based tourists (i.e. travelling for various reasons including nature). Several theoretical and practical implications of the study are also provided.
Globalization and EFL Learning Motivation: A New Perspective on Integrative vs. Instrumental Motivation among Iranian Learners of English

The present study had a globalization perspective on Iranian EFL learners’ motivation to learn the global language, English. It investigated the effects of technological variables such as the Internet and satellite television programs, and social issues like migration and willingness for education at universities abroad on motivation for learning English as a foreign language among Iranian learners. In order to conduct the study, 238 learners of English (107 females and 131 males) were randomly selected from four language teaching institutes in Shiraz, Iran. A questionnaire was first developed based on the operationalization of some aspects of globalization which were either related to instrumental motivation or integrative motivation. The data obtained from the administration of the questionnaire to the participants were later on analyzed and the results revealed that technological, sociological and scientific aspects created or intensified through the process of globalization influenced Iranian EFL learners’ motivation to learn English and that the participants were mainly instrumentally motivated.
Effects of the 2003 Quality Reform on Gender Gaps in Student Learning Outcomes in Norwegian Higher Education

In 2003, the Norwegian higher educational system was reformed. The reform, known as the 2003 Quality Reform, introduced changes in the teaching model and student assessment. The authors wished to study how these changes affected male and female students. Therefore, they addressed student learning outcomes, measured through examination results, with respect to gender. Analysis of 5,772,811 examinations from 1990 to 2009 revealed a switch in average performance, from men performing equally well or better than women to women performing better than men. However, greater male than female variability in performance did not change. The effect of gender persisted when controlling for age, subject, home municipality, and type of institution. Overall, women and older students seem to benefit from the changes introduced by the reform more than men and younger students.
Variations in the predicted spatial distribution of atmospheric nitrogen deposition and their impact on carbon uptake by terrestrial ecosystems

Widespread mobilization of nitrogen into the atmosphere from industry, agriculture, and biomass burning and its subsequent deposition have the potential to alleviate nitrogen limitation of productivity in terrestrial ecosystems, and may contribute to enhanced terrestrial carbon uptake. To evaluate the importance of the spatial distribution of nitrogen deposition for carbon uptake and to better quantify its magnitude and uncertainty NO y -N deposition fields from five different three-dimensional chemical models, GCTM, GRANTOUR, IMAGES, MOGUNTIA, and ECHAM were used to drive NDEP, a perturbation model of terrestrial carbon uptake. Differences in atmospheric sources of NO x -N, transport, resolution, and representation of chemistry, contribute to the distinct spatial patterns of nitrogen deposition on the global land surface; these differences lead to distinct patterns of carbon uptake that vary between 0.7 and 1.3 Gt C yr -1 globally. Less than 10% of the nitrogen was deposited on forests which were most able to respond with increased carbon storage because of the wide C:N ratio of wood as well as its long lifetime. Addition of NH x -N to NO y -N deposition, increased global terrestrial carbon storage to between 1.5 and 2.0 Gt C yr -1 , while the missing terrestrial sink is quite similar in magnitude. Thus global air pollution appears to be an important influence on the global carbon cycle. If N fertilization of the terrestrial biosphere accounts for the missing C sink or a substantial portion of it, we would expect significant reductions in its magnitude over the next century as terrestrial ecosystems become N saturated and O 3 pollution expands.
Sex Differences in Spatial Visualization as Evidence of Sex-Linked Inheritance

Parent-child correlations of psychological traits have been inadequate for investigating the presence of hereditary components because it is impossible to assess the degree to which the correlations were due to environmental effects. However, transmission of a trait determined by a gene located on the X chromosome results in unique family correlations. For example, we would expect a zero correlation between fathers and their sons, but a significant one between fathers and their daughters, since the father passes his Y chromosome to his son, while his X chromosome, carrying the gene determining the trait, is passed to his daughter. Since the son's X chromosome comes from his mother, the correlation between mothers and their sons should be significant and equal in magnitude to the one found between fathers and their daughters. Mothers and their daughters would give a somewhat smaller positive correlation. A measure of spatial visualization, the Identical Blocks Test, was given to 104 fathers and mothers and their 58 teen-age sons or 70 daughters. Their Ms, SDs and rses on the 18-item test were 10.2 f 4.1, 3 7 ; 6.3 f 3.2, . 74; 11.9 + 4.0, . 86; and 9.6 + 3.7, . 84, respectively. Raw scores were converted to standard scores, partialing out age differences. Males averaged significantly higher than females, for parents as well as children. Because males, having an X and a Y chromosome, will manifest a trait determined by a sex-linked recessive gene more often than females who have two X chromosomes, it was hypothesized that the sex difference noted above was due to a recessive, sexlinked gene. The results of the Pearson rs between family members are given in Col. 2 of the table. In Col. 3 the rs have been corrected for attenuation. In Cols. 4, 5, and 6 are
Holland's Theory and the Development of Interest Inventories.

Abstract This paper discusses how Holland's formulation of his hexagonal model to represent the structure of interests has influenced the development, validation, and application of interest inventories, especially the Strong–Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII), the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (CISS), and the Strong Interest Inventory (SII). Holland's theory was especially potent in stimulating the major, and lasting, innovations Campbell (1974) created in the SCII: (1) The introduction of two kinds of content scales, the broad Holland scales and the more specific Basic Interest Scales; (2) the complete reorganization of the inventory within the hexagonal system; and (3) the building of a merged inventory for men and women.
The Karolinska Directed Emotional Faces: A validation study

Although affective facial pictures are widely used in emotion research, standardised affective stimuli sets are rather scarce, and the existing sets have several limitations. We therefore conducted a validation study of 490 pictures of human facial expressions from the Karolinska Directed Emotional Faces database (KDEF). Pictures were evaluated on emotional content and were rated on an intensity and arousal scale. Results indicate that the database contains a valid set of affective facial pictures. Hit rates, intensity, and arousal of the 20 best KDEF pictures for each basic emotion are provided in an appendix.
The experience of living with Parkinson's disease: An interpretative phenomenological analysis case study

What are the lived experiences of an individual with a chronic degenerative disorder? The aim of this study is to address this question by exploring one individual's personal experience of living with Parkinson's disease. The study reports data from semi-structured interviews with a female participant which was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Analysis established two super-ordinate themes which are described here. The first theme provides a detailed picture of the day to day experience of living with Parkinson's disease. The daily challenges faced by the Parkinsonian patient are varied and dynamic and they illuminate the complex interrelationship between mind and body. The second theme examines how living with Parkinson's disease has a severe impact on the individual sense of self and agency. Analysis conveys how the visible symptoms of Parkinson's disease disrupt the sense of an integrated and autonomous self.
The Contributions of Mothers and Fathers to the Intergenerational Transmission of Cigarette Smoking in Adolescence

Similarity on cigarette smoking among mothers, fathers, and young adolescents (mean age = 12.6 years) and the differential relevance of sociopsychological processes underlying similarity between parent and child were examined in a sample of 201 triads, in which each respondent was interviewed independently. There is a significant and dose-related association between maternal smoking and children's smoking, especially among daughters. Both maternal role modeling and socialization affect lifetime smoking by the child, but only role modeling affects current smoking. The maternal role modeling effect is stronger for daughters than for sons and persists with the inclusion of perceived smoking by the adolescent's close friends in the model. The observed familial concordance on smoking between parent and child cannot disentangle environmental from genetic effects.