Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deletion of Parasite Immune Modulatory Sequences Combined with Immune Activating Signals Enhances Vaccine Mediated Protection against Filarial Nematodes

Background Filarial nematodes are tissue-dwelling parasites that can be killed by Th2-driven immune effectors, but that have evolved to withstand immune attack and establish chronic infections by suppressing host immunity. As a consequence, the efficacy of a vaccine against filariasis may depend on its capacity to counter parasite-driven immunomodulation. Methodology and Principal Findings We immunised mice with DNA plasmids expressing functionally-inactivated forms of two immunomodulatory molecules expressed by the filarial parasite Litomosoides sigmodontis: the abundant larval transcript-1 (LsALT) and cysteine protease inhibitor-2 (LsCPI). The mutant proteins enhanced antibody and cytokine responses to live parasite challenge, and led to more leukocyte recruitment to the site of infection than their native forms. The immune response was further enhanced when the antigens were targeted to dendritic cells using a single chain Fv-αDEC205 antibody and co-administered with plasmids that enhance T helper 2 immunity (IL-4) and antigen-presenting cell recruitment (Flt3L, MIP-1α). Mice immunised simultaneously against the mutated forms of LsALT and LsCPI eliminated adult parasites faster and consistently reduced peripheral microfilaraemia. A multifactorial analysis of the immune response revealed that protection was strongly correlated with the production of parasite-specific IgG1 and with the numbers of leukocytes present at the site of infection. Conclusions We have developed a successful strategy for DNA vaccination against a nematode infection that specifically targets parasite-driven immunosuppression while simultaneously enhancing Th2 immune responses and parasite antigen presentation by dendritic cells.
The effects of an instant haw beverage on lipid levels, antioxidant enzyme and immune function in hyperlipidemia patients.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of an instant haw beverage in regulating lipid disturbance, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity and immune function. METHODS Data was collected from 60 hyperlipidemic subjects. In this crossover design, each subject randomly received either the instant haw beverage (100 ml corresponding to 3 g of haw powder or 30 g of fresh haw fruit plus the carrier-guar gum plus some starch) or placebo (guar gum 1.5 g plus some starch as the carrier of the beverage) twice daily. Each supplementation lasted 31 days with a 28-day washout period between treatments. RESULTS The instant haw beverage significantly reduced total serum cholesterol (9.6%), triglyceride (12.1%), LDLC (18%) while significantly increased SOD activities (7.5%). The placebo was shown to have positive results in some of the lipid profiles, though the effects of the instant haw beverage demonstrated greater significance. Serum triglyceride levels were significantly decreased and SOD activity significantly increased only as subjects were supplemented with the instant haw beverage while no significant changes were seen with placebo. CONCLUSION Supplementation with the instant haw beverage positively affects blood lipid profile, antioxidant status and immune function in individuals with hyperlipidemia.
Spatio-temporal motion tracking with unsynchronized cameras

We present a new spatio-temporal method for markerless motion capture. We reconstruct the pose and motion of a character from a multi-view video sequence without requiring the cameras to be synchronized and without aligning captured frames in time. By formulating the model-to-image similarity measure as a temporally continuous functional, we are also able to reconstruct motion in much higher temporal detail than was possible with previous synchronized approaches. By purposefully running cameras unsynchronized we can capture even very fast motion at speeds that off-the-shelf but high quality cameras provide.
An efficient Public Key Multi-Messages Multi-Recipients Elliptic Curve Signcryption (PK-MM-ECS) scheme

In this paper, a new efficient public key multi-messages multi-recipients elliptic curve signcryption (PK-MM-MR-ECS) scheme for provable secure communications has been proposed. The main idea of the proposed PK-MM-MR-ECS scheme is to design multi-key generator to generate multi-secret keys used to encrypt the multiple message for each recipient. The MKG played an important role for the communication overhead and computational cost saving in the proposed PK-MM-MR-ECS scheme. The numerical values for saving in communication overhead using the proposed scheme are 38.24% for two messages, two recipients and 67.97% for three messages, three recipients than does Zheng elliptic curve signcryption scheme with the same parameters. The proposed scheme costs 50% and 75% less in computation cost for two and four signcrypted messages over Zheng elliptic curve signcryption scheme respectively.
Overdenture attachment selection and the loading of implant and denture-bearing area. Part 1: In vivo verification of stereolithographic model.

Preliminary to a study investigating the force transfer from osseointegrated dental implants to the surrounding bone via various types of overdenture attachment, a stereolithographic model (SL-model) was constructed and compared to an in vivo situation in order to confirm the validity of the modeling technique for the planned measurements of implant strain and denture-bearing area loading. The SL-model was generated using the patient's computer tomographic data and duplicated in a material of known elastic properties. The model was fitted with sensors to measure strains in the peri-implant bone and loading forces within the posterior mandibular bone, i.e. the denture-bearing area of the mandible. Special telescopic copings were constructed to measure implant strain in this model as well as in vivo. Using these copings under identical overdenture loading conditions, the strains measured at the implants in vivo and in vitro were the same and never exceeded a tolerance of two standard deviations or a mean difference of -8.5% of the in vitro value. This indicates that the model was reliable for the measurement of implant strain. Denture-bearing area loading within the alveolar ridge cannot be measured in vivo. Instead, a method of extrapolating in vivo denture-bearing area loading figures from implant strain readings was developed and tested (better than 90% accuracy). These in vivo extrapolated figures were then compared to in vitro readings under otherwise identical loading conditions. The result indicated that the SL-model is reliable for measurements of denture-bearing area loading with an error of 10 to 20%.
Comparison of verbal fluency in monolingual and bilingual elderly in Iran

Abstract Verbal fluency is one of the first and most important cognitive functions that deteriorate during the aging process. Verbal fluency is defined as the skill and speed of finding words and finding semantic and phonetic connections between words. One of the most important factors in verbal fluency is bilingualism. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of bilingualism on the verbal fluency of the elderly in Iran. A total of 12 normal elderly bilingual (Arabic-Persian) speakers and 12 normal elderly monolingual (Persian) speakers participated in this comparative-analytical study. To assess verbal fluency, two semantic and phonetic fluency tasks were used. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests. The results obtained from the comparison of phonetic fluency and semantic fluency of native languages of the two groups showed a better performance of monolingual participants in semantic fluency and phonetic fluency tasks in Persian language compared to the Arabic bilingual elderly. No difference was observed in verbal fluency of Persian monolinguals and bilinguals. However, in bilingual elderly participants, faster retrieval was observed in Persian language than in Arabic. This can be considered in assessment and treatment measures for Arabic-Persian bilinguals.
Transcriptional Reprogramming at Genome-Scale of Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 in Response to Olive Oil Challenge

Dietary fats may exert selective pressures on Lactobacillus species, however, knowledge on the mechanisms of adaptation to fat stress in these organisms is still fragmentary. This study was undertaken to gain insight into the mechanisms of adaptation of Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 to olive oil challenge by whole genome transcriptional profiling using DNA microarrays. A set of 230 genes were differentially expressed by L. plantarum WCFS1 to respond to this vegetable oil. This response involved elements typical of the stringent response, as indicated by the induction of genes involved in stress-related pathways and downregulation of genes related to processes associated with rapid growth. A set of genes involved in the transport and metabolism of compatible solutes were downregulated, indicating that this organism does not require osmoprotective mechanisms in presence of olive oil. The fatty acid biosynthetic pathway was thoroughly downregulated at the transcriptional level, which coincided with a diminished expression of genes controlled by this pathway in other organisms and that are required for the respiratory function, pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, RNA processing and cell size setting. Finally, a set of genes involved in host-cell signaling by L. plantarum were differentially regulated indicating that olive oil can influence the expression of metabolic traits involved in the crosstalk between this bacterium and the host.
Should physical activity be on the healthy ageing agenda

Physical activity makes a notable contribution to one’s independence, ability to perform everyday tasks and quality of life in the later years, but engagement in this health-related behaviour decreases with age. It is therefore not surprising that numerous intervention strategies have been applied in many settings to encourage a physically active lifestyle. Nonetheless, these have little long-lasting effect. Knowing how best to promote such behaviour to people over 65 years old in a way that makes them feel I want to engage is still in its infancy. This paper reflects on how ageing influences the decisions people in later life make in relation to adopting a physically active lifestyle, and how any advocacy needs to look beyond the physical experience. Knowing of the potential benefits to be gained from this self-regulating behaviour means it warrants a more prominent place on the promoting healthy ageing agenda.
Mathematical model for Kinetic Heterogeneity of an Experimental Tumour Revealed by BrdUrd Incorporation

1 Assistant professor of Mathematics, Rajiv Gandhi College of Engg, Nemili, Sriperumbudur602105, India. 2 Associate professor of Mathematics, A.V. V.M Sri Pushpam College, Poondi, Thanjavur-613503, India. Abstract The mean and variance of time between biological organ system due to some factors related disease or dysfunctions are obtained by generalized. This model suggests that a person unable to balance the body conditions due to the environmental factors which are the effects of human health conditions. The cell population takes into account the cell–cell heterogeneity of the progression rate across cell cycle phase within the tumour, and also allows for a non constant DNA synthesis and parabolic DNA synthesis rate across S phase. Sequential DNA– BrdUrd distributions were obtained in vivo from a human ovarian carcinoma transplanted in mice. In this paper the mean and variance of time between failures of biological organ System. We use the mathematical model by defining the space a complete probability spaces and be a measurable space. For any set , has an exponential distribution with parameter and it is used the suitable assumption and the corresponding results are obtained. If the tumour cell levels exceed a threshold level, the organ system reaches threat state or dysfunction state.
A New Approach to Urban Road Extraction Using High-Resolution Aerial Image

Road information is fundamental not only in the military field but also common daily living. Automatic road extraction from a remote sensing images can provide references for city planning as well as transportation database and map updating. However, owing to the spectral similarity between roads and impervious structures, the current methods solely using spectral characteristics are often ineffective. By contrast, the detailed information discernible from the high-resolution aerial images enables road extraction with spatial texture features. In this study, a knowledge-based method is established and proposed; this method incorporates the spatial texture feature into urban road extraction. The spatial texture feature is initially extracted by the local Moran’s I, and the derived texture is added to the spectral bands of image for image segmentation. Subsequently, features like brightness, standard deviation, rectangularity, aspect ratio, and area are selected to form the hypothesis and verification model based on road knowledge. Finally, roads are extracted by applying the hypothesis and verification model and are post-processed based on the mathematical morphology. The newly proposed method is evaluated by conducting two experiments. Results show that the completeness, correctness, and quality of the results could reach approximately 94%, 90% and 86% respectively, indicating that the proposed method is effective for urban road extraction.
The Intestinal Expulsion of the Roundworm Ascaris suum Is Associated with Eosinophils, Intra-Epithelial T Cells and Decreased Intestinal Transit Time

Ascaris lumbricoides remains the most common endoparasite in humans, yet there is still very little information available about the immunological principles of protection, especially those directed against larval stages. Due to the natural host-parasite relationship, pigs infected with A. suum make an excellent model to study the mechanisms of protection against this nematode. In pigs, a self-cure reaction eliminates most larvae from the small intestine between 14 and 21 days post infection. In this study, we investigated the mucosal immune response leading to the expulsion of A. suum and the contribution of the hepato-tracheal migration. Self-cure was independent of previous passage through the liver or lungs, as infection with lung stage larvae did not impair self-cure. When animals were infected with 14-day-old intestinal larvae, the larvae were being driven distally in the small intestine around 7 days post infection but by 18 days post infection they re-inhabited the proximal part of the small intestine, indicating that more developed larvae can counter the expulsion mechanism. Self-cure was consistently associated with eosinophilia and intra-epithelial T cells in the jejunum. Furthermore, we identified increased gut movement as a possible mechanism of self-cure as the small intestinal transit time was markedly decreased at the time of expulsion of the worms. Taken together, these results shed new light on the mechanisms of self-cure that occur during A. suum infections.
Career Development Needs among College and University Students with Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The purpose of this study was to (a) examine the employment and career development concerns of postsecondary students with learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) and (b) develop strategies for improving their post-graduation employment outconles. Employing an established survey method grounded in the ideals of Participatory Action Research, the researchers examined the self-perceived strengths and weaknesses of a sub-sample of 110 students with learning disabilities, ADD, and AD/HD in four states, representing seven colleges and universities, regarding their top-priority employment concerns. Students reported that their main employnlent-related strengths were in regard to expectations, access and accommodations, and job-seeking and technical skills. They reported their relative weaknesses to be in the areas of health insurance, implelnentation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Social Security. Focus groups of university faculty members, student service professionals, rehabilitation professionals, and students with disabilities, convened to assist in the interpretation of results and the formulation of strategies for improving career services, recommended that students' employment-related strengths be maintained and weaknesses remediated by utilizing information, research, services and curriculum, self-advocacy and self-determination, and involvement of key stakeholders.
Clozapine Augments Delta, Theta, and Right Frontal EEG Alpha Power in Schizophrenic Patients

Objective. To explore the Quantitative EEG (QEEG) effects of established clozapine therapy regimes compared to those of previous ineffective antipsychotic regimes among 64 chronic (DSM-IV) schizophrenic patients. Methods. Data from 20 EEG channels referenced to linked ears were collected before and during maintenance clozapine therapy (mean duration 1.4 years). Absolute power was calculated in six frequency bands: delta (0.4–3.6 Hz), theta (4.2–7.8 Hz), alpha (8.2–11.8 Hz), beta1 (12.2–15.8 Hz), beta2 (16.2–19.8 Hz), and beta3 (20.2–23.8 Hz). Results. Clozapine augments power globally in the delta and theta bands, but this effect is more pronounced over frontal areas. Beta3 power was reduced. Alpha showed a frontal increase, more pronounced in the right, coupled with a posterior decrease with no net change in overall power. Conclusion. The demonstration of a significant clozapine-induced alpha topographic shift frontally and to the right is a novel discovery that may serve to encourage further investigations of subcortical structures in attempts to better understand the diverse aetiologies and optimal treatments of the schizophrenias.
Surface modified niosomes of olanzapine for brain targeting via nasal route; preparation, optimization, and in vivo evaluation

Abstract Olanzapine (OL) is an atypical antipsychotic drug which suffers from an extensive hepatic metabolism and poor bioavailability. In addition, it has low brain permeability due to efflux by P-glycoproteins. In the current investigation, surface modified niosomes containing OL were prepared for brain targeting of the drug through nasal route. Spans were mixed with cholesterol at ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 of cholesterol to surfactant, respectively to prepare niosomes. Chitosan (CS) coated vesicles were prepared by mixing optimum niosomal formula with CS solution (0.6%). Physicochemical and stability parameters and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of developed vesicles were determined. Also, the brain targeting properties of the optimized formula were measured in rats. Niosomes had entrapment efficiency more than 90% and particle size ranging from 201.3 ± 2.4 nm to 1446 ± 9 nm. TEM photomicrographs of developed vesicles showed a clear shell surrounding the coated vesicles. The produced vesicles exhibited 2.46 folds increase in the amount of drug that permeated nasal mucosa and prolonged OL release compared to drug solution. Coated niosomes further improved drug permeation. CLSM of coated optimum formula showed high permeation across the nasal mucosa. Stability studies revealed non-significant changes in the physicochemical parameters of optimum formula over the storage period. The optimized nasal CS-coated niosomes showed a three-fold increase in OL concentration in the brain compared to the intranasal solution of the drug. In conclusion, the developed vesicles were efficient in nasal delivery of OL into the brain.
Gray Matter Axonal Connectivity Maps

Structural brain connectivity is generally assessed through methods that rely on pre-defined regions of interest (e.g., Brodmann’s areas), thus preventing analyses that are largely free from a priori anatomical assumptions. Here, we introduce a novel and practical technique to evaluate a voxel-based measure of axonal projections connecting gray matter tissue [gray matter axonal connectivity map (GMAC)]. GMACs are compatible with voxel-based statistical approaches, and can be used to assess whole brain, scale-free, gray matter connectivity. In this study, we demonstrate how whole-brain GMACs can be generated from conventional structural connectome methodology, describing each step in detail, as well as providing tools to allow for the calculation of GMAC. To illustrate the utility of GMAC, we demonstrate the relationship between age and gray matter connectivity, using voxel-based analyses of GMAC. We discuss the potential role of GMAC in further analyses of cortical connectivity in healthy and clinical populations.
Supporting Topic Map Creation Using Data Mining Techniques

There is an increasing interest in automating creation of semantic structures, especially topic maps, by taking advantage of existing, structured information resources. This article gives a preview of the most popular method – based on RDF triples, and suggests a way to automate topic map creation from unstructured information sources. The method can be applied in information systems development domain when analysing vast unstructured data repositories in preparation for system design, or when migrating large amounts of unstructured data from legacy systems. There are two innovative methods presented in the paper – Term Crawling (TC) and Clustering Hierarchy Projection (CHP), which are applied to build a topic map based on free text documents from local repositories and those downloaded from the Internet. The methods originate from data mining techniques for knowledge discovery. A sample tool, which uses described techniques, has been implemented. The preliminary results that have been achieved on the test collection are presented in concluding sections of the article.
Energy-Delay Tradeoff Comparison of Transmission Schemes with Limited CSI Feedback

Due to increasing energy cost and various environmental issues, energy efficiency becomes an important issue in wireless communications where spectral efficiency has been considered as a key performance measure. If transmission schemes can be flexible to allow varying average transmission delay (or throughput), the energy-delay tradeoff (EDT) can be exploited. In general, the longer (average) transmission delay, the better energy efficiency can be achieved. In this paper, we study various transmission schemes with limited channel state information (CSI) feedback that can have flexible transmission delay in wireless communications, including hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) protocols, and derive EDT characteristics over fading channels. An opportunistic transmission scheme that relies on prior CSI feedback is studied for comparisons with HARQ protocols in terms of EDT. In order to improve the energy efficiency of HARQ, a modified transmission scheme that employs prior CSI feedback is proposed and analyzed to understand its EDT characteristics.