Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory effect of minocycline on amyloid β fibril formation and human microglial activation

Minocycline, a derivative of the antibiotic tetracycline, displays neuroprotective properties in various models of neurodegenerative diseases and is now used in clinical trials, because of its relative safety and tolerability. Minocycline passes the blood‐brain barrier and is presumed to inhibit microglial activation. In Alzheimer's disease brain, a number of proteins, including serum amyloid P component (SAP) and complement factors such as C1q, accumulate in amyloid β (Aβ) plaques. In a previous study, SAP and C1q were found to be required for clustering of activated microglia in Aβ plaques. Furthermore, SAP and C1q enhanced Aβ fibril formation and Aβ mediated cytokine release by human microglia in vitro. In the present study, we report that tetracycline and minocycline dose‐dependently reduce TNF‐α and IL‐6 release by adult human microglia upon stimulation with a combination of Aβ, SAP, and C1q. In addition, minocycline and to a lesser extent tetracycline inhibit fibril formation of Aβ as determined in a thioflavin‐S‐based fluorescence test. This inhibitory effect was observed with Aβ alone as well as with Aβ in combination with SAP and C1q. Our data suggest that minocycline and tetracycline at tolerable doses can inhibit human microglial activation. This activity in part is exerted by inhibition of (SAP and C1q enhanced) Aβ fibril formation. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Difficulties in disengaging attentional resources from self-generated thoughts moderate the link between dysphoria and maladaptive self-referential thinking

Negative emotions increase self-focused attention, a core feature of depression and anxiety-related disorders. However, the cognitive mechanisms associated with the tendency to self-focus—and, conversely, with the ability to voluntarily disengage attentional resources from the self and direct them towards the external environment—remain poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed to examine whether a specific cognitive control mechanism that directs attention between self-generated thoughts and external information might moderate the relationship between dysphoria and maladaptive self-referential thinking. Results showed that dysphoria increases the frequency of rumination, self-blame, and catastrophising, especially for participants who have more difficulty in switching from self-generated thoughts to information provided by the environment. These results shed new light on the cognitive mechanisms underlying maladaptive self-referential thinking associated with dysphoria. More specifically, this specific cognitive mechanism might play a key role in the maintenance or amplification of a depressed mood.
PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION WITH TURBULENCE FACTOR FOR TWO- DIMENSIONAL GUILLOTINE SINGLE KNAPSACK PROBLEMS

This study presents the (un)constrained (un)weighted k-staged fixed and rotated twodimensional guillotineable single knapsack problem. A suitable encoding based on slicing tree is presented. A hybrid algorithm based on the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Genetic Algorithms (GA) is developed. This algorithm used the main characteristics of PSO and introduced the flight turbulence factor through the concept of mutation of GA. The computational results on large sets of test cases show that the methodology has effectiveness and robustness to solve the two-dimensional knapsack problem.
The value of radiation therapy in the management of glioma of the optic nerves and chiasm.

The most common primary tumors of the optic nerves and chiasm are those which arise from the glial stroma of the visual pathways. Growth of the neoplasms is slow but the natural course is an extension of the process with the production of blindness and often death. Since optic nerve gliomas are encountered infrequently, the effect of various forms of treatment is difficult to assess. It is the purpose of this paper to report, in summary, the case histories of 34 patients with primary glioma of the optic nerves and chiasm and to evaluate the use of radiation therapy and surgery in their management. Incidence and Pathology Optic nerve gliomas are tumors of young people. They are not, however, closely related to the highly malignant retinoblastoma, which also is a disease of early life. Optic gliomas are relatively uncommon, constituting only 1 to 2 per cent of all glial new growths (Martin and Cushing, 11; Lundberg, 10). The 34 cases to be reported here occurred during a period when approximately 2,000 surg.
Visual interface for conducting virtual orchestra

A real-time visual recognition system, that enables a human conductor to control an electronic orchestra using gestures of a traditional conductor's baton, is described. The positions of the baton and conductor's hand are identified in a sequence of images from a pair of cameras, and tracked in 3D space. Gestures defining the musical beat are detected in the baton's trajectory, and conveyed to a sound synthesis system, as events that control the tempo and the phase of the music. Parameters that can enable the control of the volume of sound are computed from the range variations of the baton and the hand. The system's response is nearly instantaneous. The beat detection is reliable, and precise enough to be used by a professional conductor. It has been used to conduct an integrated electronic performance that combined a synthesized orchestra and animated ballet.
Changes of Oxygenation and Hemoglobin-Concentration in Lower Extremity Free Flaps during Dangling

Abstract Lower extremity reconstruction utilizing free tissue transfer has become a common and safe procedure. Postoperative care and especially timing and duration of dangling however have not yet been extensively studied. We therefore aimed to assess the changes in oxygenation and hemoglobin concentration in lower extremity free flaps during dangling. A total of 19 patients who underwent microsurgical reconstruction of the lower leg (nine parascapular, five latissimus dorsi, and five anterolateral thigh [ALT] flaps) were included in a prospective study. Beginning on the 6th postoperative day (POD), dangling was commenced three times a day for 5 minutes each and gradually increased over time. Oxygenation and concentration of hemoglobin was measured using noninvasive near infrared spectroscopy. A specific pattern of oxygenation and hemoglobin concentration was identified. After beginning of dangling, oxygenation and hemoglobin concentration rises, followed by a rapid decrease. Over the course of training, the predangling saturation values increased steadily, resulting in a 9.5% increase on POD 9. The time needed for the flap to regain its predangling oxygenation level declined over the course of training from 5.1 minutes on POD 6 to 3.8 minutes on POD 9. The ALT flaps showed the highest increase in predangling saturation values (12%) and the most pronounced decrease in recovery time (6.7 minutes on POD 6 vs. 3.5 minutes on POD 9). The type of flap seems to influence behavior during dangling. However, further influencing factors need to be identified to enable reconstructive surgeons to tailor not only the flap but also the aftercare to the individual patient.
Audit committee effectiveness and audit quality of listed insurance companies in Nigeria

This study examines the effects of audit committee effectiveness on audit quality of listed insurance companies in Nigeria using secondary data extracted from published audited annual reports and accounts of insurance companies in Nigeria. 15 companies out of the total 25 listed insurance companies in Nigeria with 150 firm-year observations for a period of 10 years, 2008-2017 form the study sample size. Ordinary least square (OLS) regression model was employed to analyze the data and test the hypotheses with the aid of STATA version 14. The result shows that audit committee meetings and audit committee independence have a positive and significant effect on audit quality of listed insurance companies in Nigeria. The other elements of audit committee effectiveness do not have a significant effect on audit quality of listed insurance companies in Nigeria. The study recommends that: (i) the board of directors of Nigerian insurance companies should review or revisit their policy on the number of meetings to change from a minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 meetings to a minimum of 6 and 10 maximum meetings per annual for audit committees. This is because regular meetings provide an opportunity for the audit committee to attend critical issues, which in turn improve audit quality; (ii) the regulatory authorities who are responsible for monitoring listed insurance companies in Nigeria should come up with policies or revisit the policy on audit committee size. To mandate all insurance companies to have a uniform maximum of 7 members for the audit committee in respective of the company's' size. This will go a long way in improving the monitoring capability of audit committee independence toward achieving audit quality of listed insurance companies in Nigeria.
Mating Status Influences Cold Tolerance and Subsequent Reproduction in the Invasive Ladybird Harmonia axyridis

Among arthropods, ability to survive cold conditions may be instrumental for species invading temperate or colder climatic zones. Cold tolerance can be influenced by multiple environmental and physiological factors. We experimentally investigated the effects of mating status (unmated, mated, or mated and reproductive) on cold tolerance of the invasive harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis and subsequent reproduction. We found that unmated adults survive cold better than mated ones. Among mated individuals, those that had not reproduced survived better than those that had reproduced. After cold stress, formerly unmated females were mated, and we evaluated ability to reproduce in females from all three treatments. Females that reproduced prior to cold stress were less likely to reproduce after cold stress than females from both other treatments. We discuss what these results mean for the proportion of unmated females in H. axyridis aggregates at overwintering sites. This study highlights the importance of investigating how physiological status can affect cold tolerance of invasive arthropods.
Learning from Inquiry-Based Laboratories in Nonmajor Biology: An Interpretive Study of the Relationships among Inquiry Experience, Epistemologies, and Conceptual Growth

Abstract: The use of inquiry-based laboratory in college science classes is on the rise. This studyinvestigated how ﬁve nonmajor biology students learned from an inquiry-based laboratory experience.Using interpretive data analysis, the ﬁve students’ conceptual ecologies, learning beliefs, and scienceepistemologies were explored. Findings indicated that students with constructivist learning beliefs tendedto add more meaningful conceptual understandings during inquiry labs than students with positivistlearning beliefs. All students improved their understanding of experiment in biology. Implications for theteaching of biology labs are discussed. 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 40: 986–1024, 2003 Interest in using inquiry-based teaching strategies has increased in recent years as scienceteachers have become more critical about the efﬁcacy of cookbook-type laboratory activities andindeedthepurposes,practices,andlearningoutcomesoflaboratoryingeneral(Wellington,1998). Itisgraduallybeingrecognizedthatwhereascookbooklabscanteachsomelaboratorytechniquesandskills(Hart,Mulhall,Berry,Loughran,&Gunstone,2000)orserveasvisualaidsforconceptsalready studied (Millar, 1998), they are largely ineffective as a tool for teaching science concepts.Asstatedbyoneteacher-researcher,‘‘Inthesamewayasanyscientist,studentswillseewhattheirprior theories lead them to expect. More signiﬁcantly, they will not make the meaning that we asteachers expect them to make of experimental evidence until they have already grasped thetheoretical framework that allows them to ‘see’ the evidence’’ (Hart et al., 2000, p. 659). Therefore, cookbook laboratories may work well as illustrations of concepts already studied andunderstood but it is unlikely they will lead to new conceptual learning.Many deﬁnitions ofinquiry-based labs and inquiry pedagogical models may be adapted to ﬁtthe local context (Keys & Bryan, 2000). The authors of this report consider inquiry to be anycombination of the following activities described as inquiry by the National Science EducationStandards (National Research Council, 1996): observing objects and events, posing questions,
Hydraulic architecture and water relations of several species at diverse sites around Sydney

Seasonal comparisons of leaf water potential, root biomass, hydraulic architecture, xylem embolism and xylem dimensions were made for eight woody species in four diverse habitats (mangroves, coastal heathland, ridge-top woodland and river-flat woodland). In most comparisons, pre-dawn and minimum leaf water potentials were lower in winter than in summer, a result attributed to lower rainfall and a smaller root biomass in winter than in summer. Branch hydraulic conductivities (per unit transverse area, sapwood area or leaf area) were generally larger in summer than in winter across all species in all habitats. An inverse relationship between Huber value and conductivity was observed across all four habitats. Increased solar radiation and evaporative demand in the summer was associated with an increased percentage loss of xylem conductance arising from embolism, compared with winter. These results are discussed in the context of patterns and relationships among water relations, microclimate and hydraulic architecture.
The Importance of Family-Based Insurance Expansions: New Research Findings about State Health Reforms.

C Most children with incomes below 200 percent of poverty are already eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP, but 25 percent of low-income children remained uninsured in 1998. In comparison, the eligibility for the parents of these children is much more limited. In a typical state, Medicaid eligibility for parents stops after the family’s income r eaches about 60 percent of the poverty line, or about $10,000 for a family of four. More than one-third (34 percent) of low-income parents were uninsured in 1998.
Behavioral Drivers or Economic Incentives? Toward a Better Understanding of Elicitation Effects in Stated Preference Studies

Survey-based welfare measures for public goods are often very sensitive to value elicitation methods, for example, whether the elicitation is framed as an up-or-down vote or an open-ended willingness-to-pay (WTP) question. Leading hypotheses for elicitation effects are tied to either behavioral factors (e.g., psychological cues) or differences in perceived economic incentives. Past research that emphasizes behavioral drivers does not precisely control economic incentives, potentially confounding inferences. We conduct an experiment that controls economic incentives through incentive-compatible elicitation methods and compare single binary choice, double-bounded binary choice, payment card, and open-ended response formats. Our experiment retains important field survey characteristics, including the valuation of an environmental public good with passive-use value. All formats elicit statistically indistinguishable WTP distributions, suggesting that behavioral factors may not be the primary drivers of elicitation effects. To the extent that our laboratory methods can be mirrored in the field, this offers a pathway for mitigating elicitation effects.
Contribution of PET imaging to the initial staging and prognosis of patients with Hodgkin's disease.

BACKGROUND Positron emission tomographic (PET) scanning utilizing [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is a new method of tumor imaging based on the increased glucose metabolic activity of malignant tumors. In Hodgkin's disease (HD), PET has proven value for the evaluation of residual masses following treatment and for the early diagnosis of relapse. In the initial staging of HD, PET frequently shows a higher stage than conventional methods (upstaging by PET). In the present study, we evaluated the frequency of stage changes by PET in a multicenter setting and determined its prognostic relevance. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 73 patients with newly diagnosed HD were staged with both conventional methods and whole-body PET scanning. All histological types and stages were represented. The median time of follow-up after the initial diagnosis was 25 months (range 1 month to 5 years). The response to treatment was determined by standard clinical and diagnostic criteria. For the purpose of this analysis, data from a PET center associated with a university medical center and a PET center associated with a group oncology practice were combined. RESULTS A total of 21 patients (28.8%) were upstaged by PET compared with conventional methods. In two cases (2.7%), a lower stage was suggested by PET scanning. With one possible exception, the upstaging had no obvious clinical or biological correlate. Among 12 patients in stage I (A + B) by conventional methods, seven were upstaged by PET (58.3%), four to stage II, one to stage III and two to stage IV. Among 42 patients in stage II, eight were upstaged by PET (19.0%), six to stage III and two to stage IV. Among 12 patients in stage III, six (50%) were upstaged to stage IV by PET. If only early-stage patients and major changes are considered (stages IA-IIB to III or IV), among 49, 10 were upstaged to III or IV, whereas in 39 staging was unchanged following PET. In the former group, three relapsed or were refractory compared with none in the latter group (P<0.006). In advanced stage patients (IIIA or IIIB) a trend toward treatment failure was apparent in patients who were upstaged by PET. CONCLUSIONS PET scanning is an interesting new modality for the accurate staging of patients with HD and frequently shows a higher stage than conventional methods. PET should be performed at initial diagnosis and should be included in prospective studies of patients with HD. Upstaging by PET may represent a risk factor for a more advanced stage or a biologically more aggressive tumor. Patients with early-stage disease as identified by conventional methods have a significant risk of treatment failure if a more advanced stage is indicated by PET. At present, major stage changes suggested by PET imaging should be confirmed by an independent diagnostic method.
Analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Conditional Psl Variants Reveals Roles for the Psl Polysaccharide in Adhesion and Maintaining Biofilm Structure Postattachment

ABSTRACT The ability to form biofilms in the airways of people suffering from cystic fibrosis is a critical element of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis. The 15-gene psl operon encodes a putative polysaccharide that plays an important role in biofilm initiation in nonmucoid P. aeruginosa strains. Biofilm initiation by a P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain with disruption of pslA and pslB (ΔpslAB) was severely compromised, indicating that psl has a role in cell-surface interactions. In this study, we investigated the adherence properties of this ΔpslAB mutant using biotic surfaces (epithelial cells and mucin-coated surfaces) and abiotic surfaces. Our results showed that psl is required for attachment to a variety of surfaces, independent of the carbon source. To study the potential roles of Psl apart from attachment, we generated a psl-inducible P. aeruginosa strain (Δpsl/p BAD -psl) by replacing the psl promoter region with araC-p BAD , so that expression of psl could be controlled by addition of arabinose. Analysis of biofilms formed by the Δpsl/p BAD -psl strain indicated that expression of the psl operon is required to maintain the biofilm structure at steps postattachment. Overproduction of the Psl polysaccharide led to enhanced cell-surface and intercellular adhesion of P. aeruginosa. This translated into significant changes in the architecture of the biofilm. We propose that Psl has an important role in P. aeruginosa adhesion, which is critical for initiation and maintenance of the biofilm structure.
Pengaruh Perputaran Kas dan Perputaran Piutang terhadap Profitabilitas Perusahaan Sub-sektor Food And Beverages Tahun 2012-2016

The objective of this research is to determine the effect of cash turnover and receivable turnover to profitability (ROA). Data used in this study were secondary data from financial statements in Indonesia Stock Exchange in the year of 2012 to 2016 of a food and beverage manufacturing company. Independent variables in this research are cash turnover and receivable turnover, while the dependent variable in this study is profitability. The analysis method used is multiple linear regression, determination coefficient test (R2), F test and T-test. The result of these analyses showed that profitability was influenced simultaneously by cash turnover and receivable turnover. While on partial analysis showed only cash has significant influence to profitability. Keywords: Cash Turnover, Accounts Receivable Turnover, Profitability
CONTRAST THRESHOLDS OF DIABETIC PATIENTS DETERMINED BY VECP AND PSYCHOPHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS

VECPs to checkerboard pattern reversal (12 Hz reversal) at different contrast levels were measured in normal subjects and in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus, with visual acuities above 0.8. VECP contrast threshold was obtained by extrapolating VECP amplitude vs contrast on a log scale to zero μV. Results were compared with psychophysical thresholds. It was shown that both VECP and psychophysical contrast thresholds were significantly higher in the diabetic patients than in the normal subjects.
CYP 3 A 5 Functions as a Tumor Suppressor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Regulating mTORC 2 / Akt Signaling

CYP3A5 is a cytochrome P450 protein that functions in the liver metabolism of many carcinogens and cancer drugs. However, it has not been thought to directly affect cancer progression. In this study, we challenge this perspective by demonstrating that CYP3A5 is downregulated in many hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), where it has an important role as a tumor suppressor that antagonizes the malignant phenotype. CYP3A5 was downregulated in multiple cohorts of human HCC examined. Lower CYP3A5 levels were associated with more aggressive vascular invasion, poor differentiation, shorter time to disease recurrence after treatment, and worse overall patient survival. Mechanistic investigations showed that CYP3A5 overexpression limited MMP2/9 function and suppressed HCC migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting AKT signaling. Notably, AKT phosphorylation at Ser473 was inhibited in CYP3A5-overexpressing HCC cells, an event requiring mTORC2 but not Rictor/mTOR complex formation. CYP3A5induced ROS accumulation was found to be a critical upstream regulator of mTORC2 activity, consistent with evidence of reduced GSH redox activity in most clinical HCC specimens with reduced metastatic capacity. Taken together, our results defined CYP3A5 as a suppressor of HCC pathogenesis and metastasis with potential utility a prognostic biomarker. Cancer Res; 75(7); 1–12. 2015 AACR.
Basic Principles in the Design and Evaluation of Experiments

The interpretation of statistical analyses of data derived from a study may be carried out at several levels. At one level, the results may be interpreted simply as evidence addressing questions such as whether there are differences among the means of several populations or whether the variables appear to demonstrate various kinds of associations among themselves. For this level of interpretation, statistical assumptions (e.g., normality, homogeneity of variance, etc.) may well be the primary considerations. Often, however, the analyst wishes to draw conclusions about causal processes, mechanisms of action, etc. Interest in these kinds of inferences is common in scientific investigations. It is important in thinking about the interpretation of any set of data to consider the nature of the study=s design and the possible limitations that design may place on inferences drawn from the data.