Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protective effect of calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside against oxidative stress of BRL-3A cells induced by thioacetamide

Background: Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (CG) is a natural isoflavone found in traditional Chinese medicines Astragali Radix (AR). Objective: Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, an isoflavone isolated from AR, has been found to have potent antioxidantive effects. This study was designed to investigate whether CG prevents oxidative stress induced by thioacetamide (TAA). Materials and Methods: BRL-3A cells were pretreated with different concentrations of CG (10, 20, 40 mg/mL) for 12 h and then exposed to 0.18 mol/L TAA for 2 h. The cell viability were examined by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium assay, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were determined by microplate method. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was quantified by the 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescin-diacetate method. Protein and mRNA expression of CYP2E1 were determined by western blotting and real-time PCR. Results: The cell oxidative stress was significantly increased after 2 h of TAA exposure. Pretreatment of BRL-3A cells with CG significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, scavenged ROS and reduced MDA production. CG decreased the expression of CYP2E1, and ultimately decreased TAA-induced BRL-3A cells oxidative stress. Conclusions: Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside has a protective effect against TAA-induced oxidative stress in BRL-3A cells, and that the underlying mechanism involves in scavenging of ROS and the modulating expression of CYP2E1.
Occupational therapy in India: focus on functional recovery and need for empowerment

While there have been significant advances in treatments for mental disorders over the past century, cure for many mental disorders remains elusive. The complex problems of mental illness require a multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional approach to care. The need for focus on biopsychosocial model rather than on biomedical practise, client-centred rather than physician-oriented care, personal rather than clinical recovery, are often preached but rarely practiced. The lack of emphasis on functioning and the limited workforce and evidence base complicate issues related to the care of people with chronic mental illness in India. The role of occupational therapy in bridging the gap between symptomatic improvement and functional recovery is discussed.
Coherent Cooperation Among Communicating Problem Solvers

When two or more computing agents work on interacting tasks, their activities should be coordinated so that they cooperate coherently. Coherence is particularly problematic in domains where each agent has only a limited view of the overall task, where communication between agents is limited, and where there is no ``controller'' to coordinate the agents. Our approach to coherent cooperation in such domains is developed in the context of a distributed problem-solving network where agents cooperate to solve a single problem. The approach stresses the importance of sophisticated local control by which each problem-solving node integrates knowledge of the problem domain with (meta-level) knowledge about network coordination. This allows nodes to make rapid, intelligent local decisions based on changing problem characteristics with only a limited amount of intercommunication to coordinate these decisions. We describe three mechanisms that improve network coherence: 1) an organizational structure that provides a long-term framework for network coordination to guide each node's local control decisions; 2) a planner at each node that develops sequences of problem-solving activities based on the current situation; and 3) meta-level communication about the current state of local problem solving that enables nodes to dynamically refine the organization. We present a variety of problem-solving situations to show the benefits and limitations of these mechanisms, and we provide simulation results showing the mechanisms to be particularly cost effective in more complex problem-solving situations. We also discuss how these mechanisms might be of more general use in other distributed computing applications.
Globalization and the Growth in Free Trade Agreements

In this article, Professor Shujiro Urata of the School of Social Sciences at Waseda University and of the Research Institute for Economy, Trade and Industry, gives an overview of the various types of regional trade agreements (RTAs), and examines the background to the growing trend towards regionalism in the 1990s. Focussing on the surge in free trade agreements (FTA), he explains why FTAs have become more popular than multilateral trade liberalization under the WTO. He describes the different types and characteristics of RTAs, the economic effects of FTAs including the static and dynamic effects, and their significance for the global and Japanese economies. He concludes that if Japan does not actively participate in FTAs, and instead chooses to ''cherry pick'' from the full range of agenda items, there is a danger that it will not be considered by other countries as a worthwhile FTA partner. If so, Japan will suffer the consequences of being excluded from other FTAs.
An ERP study about the effects of different spatial frequencies and orientations on human brain activity

Spatial, temporal frequencies as well as orientations are important visual stimulus properties, which will affect human perception. In this paper, we investigated the effects of gratings with different spatial, temporal frequencies and orientations on visual evoked potentials. Two positive components (P1 and P2) were observed after stimulation. Our results showed that the amplitude of P1 component was higher for gratings with 0.3 cycles per degree (cpd) spatial frequency compared to 0.05 and 0.1 cpd. While the amplitude differences of P2 component occurred between 0.05 and 0.1 cpd. The amplitude of both components were higher when subjects were viewing gratings at vertical orientation than horizontal orientation.
Smear layer dissolution by peracetic acid of low concentration.

AIM To test the effect of a noncaustic concentration of peracetic acid (PAA) in a standardized smear layer model. METHODOLOGY The smear layer dissolution kinetics of 0.5% PAA on human dentine were compared to those of 2.25% PAA and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solutions. Coronal dentine discs were prepared from six human maxillary molars. A standardized smear layer was produced on the pulpal side of each disc. The smear layer-covered surface was divided into three similar areas and then exposed to one of the three solutions tested. Co-site image sequences (around 40, 500 ×) of the specific areas were obtained after four cumulative demineralisation times (15, 30, 60 and 180 s). An image processing and analysis sequence measured sets of images, providing data of area fraction (AF, dentine-free area in % of total analysis area). A general linear model for repeated measures was used to verify the influence of time and solution type over the change in AF from baseline (ΔAF). RESULTS Overall, EDTA and 2.25% PAA produced higher ΔAF values than the 0.5% PAA solution (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in ΔAF between 15 s and 30 s (P > 0.05). After 60 s of etching, all tested solutions produced similar ΔAF (P > 0.05), whereas at 180 s, ΔAF of both EDTA and 2.25% PAA continued to increase (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS After 60 s of contact, the 0.5% PAA solution dissolved smear layer as well as 2.25% PAA and 17% EDTA.
An analysis of vertebrate mRNA sequences: intimations of translational control

Five structural features in mRNAs have been found to contribute to the fidelity and efficiency of initiation by eukaryotic ribosomes. Scrutiny of vertebrate cDNA sequences in light of these criteria reveals a set of transcripts--encoding oncoproteins, growth factors, transcription factors, and other regulatory proteins--that seem designed to be translated poorly. Thus, throttling at the level of translation may be a critical component of gene regulation in vertebrates. An alternative interpretation is that some (perhaps many) cDNAs with encumbered 5' noncoding sequences represent mRNA precursors, which would imply extensive regulation at a posttranscriptional step that precedes translation.
Sparse orthonormalized partial least squares

Orthonormalized partial least squares (OPLS) is often used to find a low-rank mapping between inputs X and outputs Y by estimating loading matrices A and B. In this paper, we introduce sparse orthonormalized PLS as an extension of conventional PLS that finds sparse estimates of A through the use of the elastic net algorithm. We apply sparse OPLS to the reconstruction of presented images from BOLD response in primary visual cortex. Sparse OPLS finds solutions with low reconstruction error which are easy to interpret due to the sparseness of the loading matrix B. Moreover, the elastic net algorithm is generalized to allow for coupling constraints that induce a spatial regularization.
The Contribution of Email Exchanges to Second Language Acquisition: A Case of Cross-Cultural Communication between Africa and North America.

An online epistolary project was conducted with Cameroonian French-speaking students in order to boost English language learning. The project involved email exchanges (in English) between a small group of students from Cameroon and Canada, and it was coordinated by their teachers in both countries. At the end of the study, student emails were analyzed for linguistic manipulations, elements of lexical appropriation, and features of literacy acquisition. According to the findings, there were incremental gains in the Cameroonian students’ English-language acquisition. The impact of culture, which was initially overlooked, became an interwoven highlight for the students. The study concludes with recommendations—as well as words of caution—for further international email exchanges between schools to foster second language acquisition and multicultural awareness.
The Search for Understanding of Learning Disabilities: A Response to Kavale and Forness

In "The Politics of Learning Disabilities" (this issue) Kavale and Forness signal a crisis in the field of learning disabilities and sound a call to action. In their view, the field of learning disabilities is at a critical juncture in its brief history because it is disproportionately under the influence of political forces. While they recognize that the creation of learning disabilities occurred through the confluence of scientific and political forces, they now view "A primary difficulty . to be the imbalance between the scientific and political sides of LD with the scales heavily tipped in favor of the political" (p. 245). This imbalance creates the untenable situation of policy decisions being guided by particular ideological and philosophical perspectives associated with political positions "at the expense of the logical and rational represented in scientific decision making" (p. 245). According to the authors, the validity claims in the field of learning disabilities are under serious threat from this imbalance. As the field has become increasingly balkanized through political interest organizations that define the "who" and "what" of learning disabilities, the historical, scientific classification of learning disabilities is besieged by ideological and philosophical disputes. The effect is a high level of politicized learning disabilities activities in the public sphere. In the face of this crisis, the authors call for a restoration of the "scientific base" in learning disabilities and of a "better balance between politics and science" (p. 270). In undertaking this process of restoration, the authors hope to reposition science as the rational leader in implementation efforts in the public domain through conceptualization of learning disabilities "as a scientific entity meeting real-world demands" (p. 245). We applaud Kavale and Forness' conclusion that a dominant conceptual challenge in learning disabilities today is the restoration of "right reason" (p. 245) through an analysis of the field's scientific and political aspects. Like Kavale and Forness, we recognize that science and political/social philosophy intersect in the lives of individual students with learning disabilities in nstructional settings, and that the consideration of b th influences is the one most likely to lead to greater understanding. We also believe that the authors' admonition for careful analysis is correct.
Effective literacy teaching behaviours

There is much current interest in the identification of effective programmes for raising literacy standards. However, the effectiveness of such programmes might vary greatly according to implementation integrity and the preferred teaching styles or behaviours of teachers. This research explored whether highly effective teachers of literacy used teaching behaviours that were independent of any specific programme, whether these were consistent between teachers and different literacy teaching contexts, and whether teacher perceptions corresponded with observations of their behaviour. Five teachers were selected on the basis of high pupil literacy attainment and expert nomination, and observed during shared reading and general literacy teaching contexts. These highly effective literacy teachers tended to utilise similar teaching behaviours, but they did not utilise all behaviours thought to be associated with pupil achievement. Additionally, they utilised effective behaviours more in shared reading sessions than in general literacy sessions. Thus even these highly effective literacy teachers had room for improvement. To some extent the teachers were actually using more complex behaviours than they reported perceiving. They did not appear to perceive their behavioural variation between contexts, nor any under-use of other effective teaching behaviours. The implications for professional practice, professional development and future research are explored.
Antecedent Factors Related to Changing Work Expectations

Work expectations change in later life, especially for those not expecting to retire. But relatively little is known about factors related to this change. Using data from panel members of the Retirement History Study, job and personal characteristics, economic and health statuses, and selected attitudes in 1971 are related to types of work expectation (expected and unexpected retirees, retirement and work planners, proretirement and prowork switchers) from 1971 to 1975. Job-related, attitudinal, and economic items differ most across the six work-expectation types. But, contrary to many previous studies, health status influences change in work expectations only slightly; only in combination with other variables do health items contribute to explaining why respondents appear in one work-expectation type rather than another.
Correlates of expatriates' cross-cultural adjustment

The objective of this study was to assess whether expatriates' cross-cultural adjustment is related to demographic variables, stress, and personality dispositions. A convenience sample (n = 95) was taken of expatriates of various multinational companies. The Neo-Personality Inventory Revised, Expatriate Stress Inventory, and a biographical questionnaire, including expatriates' motivation for accepting the assignment, and expatriates' cross-cultural adjustment were administered. The results showed that family support was related to less cultural stress, and better adjustment to an international assignment. Cultural stress explained 7% of the variance in expatriates' cross-cultural adjustment.
Primary Culture of Adult Rat Heart Myocytes

Cultured primary adult rodent heart cells are an important model system for cardiovascular research. Nevertheless, establishment of robust, viable cultured adult myocytes can be a technically challenging, rate-limiting step for many researchers. Here we described a protocol to obtain a high yield of adult rat heart myocytes that remain viable in culture for several days. The heart is isolated and perfused with collagenase and protease under low Ca2+ conditions to recover single myocytes. Ca2+-tolerant cells are obtained by stepwise increases in extracellular Ca2+ concentration in three subsequent wash steps. Cells are filtered, resuspended in culture medium, and plated on laminin coated slips. Cultured myocytes obtained using this protocol are viable for up to four days and are suitable for most experiments including electrophysiology, biochemistry, imaging and molecular biology.
Extinction of an instrumental response: a cognitive behavioral assay in Fmr1 knockout mice

Fragile X (FX) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability and autism. Previous studies have shown that partial inhibition of metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling is sufficient to correct behavioral phenotypes in a mouse model of FX, including audiogenic seizures, open‐field hyperactivity and social behavior. These phenotypes model well the epilepsy (15%), hyperactivity (20%) and autism (30%) that are comorbid with FX in human patients. Identifying reliable and robust mouse phenotypes to model cognitive impairments is critical considering the 90% comorbidity of FX and intellectual disability. Recent work characterized a five‐choice visuospatial discrimination assay testing cognitive flexibility, in which FX model mice show impairments associated with decreases in synaptic proteins in prefrontal cortex (PFC). In this study, we sought to determine whether instrumental extinction, another process requiring PFC, is altered in FX model mice, and whether downregulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling pathways is sufficient to correct both visuospatial discrimination and extinction phenotypes. We report that instrumental extinction is consistently exaggerated in FX model mice. However, neither the extinction phenotype nor the visuospatial discrimination phenotype is corrected by approaches targeting metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling. This work describes a novel behavioral extinction assay to model impaired cognition in mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders, provides evidence that extinction is exaggerated in the FX mouse model and suggests possible limitations of metabotropic glutamate receptor‐based pharmacotherapy.
Evaluation of rhamnolipids surfactants as agents to reduce the adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus to polystyrene surfaces

Bacteria can adhere in surfaces to form biofilms. It represents a concern for food industry that needs to provide save products to the consumers. Staphylococcus aureus are involved in the pathogenesis of various infections and are able to adhere and form biofilm in solid surfaces used in food industry. A strategy to avoid the attachment of the bacteria is the use of biosurfactants as rhamnolipids from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study we verify the ability of rhamnolipids to prevent Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 adhesion to polystyrene surface. Polystyrene microplates were filled with different concentrations of biosurfactant: 1,0%, 0,5% and 0,25%. After 24 hours the wells were washed and filled with TSYE broth and inoculated with the bacterial suspension. The adhesion kinetics of growing was estimated by reading the optical density (630 nm) of adhered cells after crystal violet staining. The pre-treatment with rhamnolipids was able to reduce the adhesion of S.aureus to the surface in all the concentrations used. The most significant result was found for the pre-treatment of the polystyrene using rhamnolipids 1,0 % that reduce 67,8 % of attachment during 48 h. This study suggests that rhamnolipids can be utilized as an alternative agent to prevent S. aureus adhesion to surfaces.
Predictors of educational aspirations among adolescent gifted students of color

Ellen Hawley McWhirter is an assistant professor, Lisa M. Larson an associate professor, and Jeffrey A. Daniels a doctoral candidate in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Correspondence regarding this article should be sent to Ellen Hawley McWhirter, Ph.D., Department of Educational Psychology, 116 Bancroft, University of NebraskaLincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0345.
Lane boundary extraction from satellite imagery

Automated driving is becoming a reality. In this new reality, High Definition (HD) Maps play an important role in path planning and vehicle localization. Lane boundary geometry is one of the key components of an HD Map. Such maps are typically created from ground level LiDAR and imagery data, which, while useful in many ways, have many limitations such as prohibitive cost, infrequent update, traffic occlusions, and incomplete coverage. In this paper, we propose a novel method to automatically extract lane boundaries from satellite imagery using pixel-wise segmentation and machine learning. We then convert these unstructured lines into a structured road model by using a hypothesis linking algorithm, which addresses the aforementioned limitations. We also publish a dataset consisting of satellite imagery and the corresponding lane boundaries for future authors to train, test, and evaluate algorithms.
Specification and security analysis of mobile ad-hoc networks

Mobile ad-hoc networks consist of mobile wireless devices which autonomously organise their communication infrastructure. Because of the simple network deployment this networking paradigm offers much convenience, but security turns out to be an important concern when considering the threats implied in using the wireless medium. In order to eliminate such concerns, formal specification and analysis techniques have to be used so that the employed communication protocols can be proved secure or their vulnerabilities exposed. While many such frameworks have been proposed for the analysis of classical security protocols, the challenges of the new setting prevent these from being applied directly. The main complication stems from the fact that the actions of intermediate nodes and their connectivity can no longer be abstracted into a single unstructured adversarial environment as they form an inherent part of the system’s security. In this dissertation we present a framework for modelling and reasoning about mobile ad-hoc networks and their security needs. Communication protocols are specified using a broadcast process calculus which makes a clear distinction between the protocol processes and the network’s connectivity graph, which may change independently from protocol actions. This modelling formalism is complemented by a control flow analysis which yields an overapproximation of the possible behaviour of a network specified with the calculus. The results obtained from the analysis can be used to establish a behavioural equivalence for networks which in turn is used to specify security requirements. We illustrate the usability of the framework by analysing real-world routing protocols for mobile ad-hoc networks using a prototype implementation of the analysis.
Non-linear approximation of reflectance functions

We introduce a new class of primitive functions with non-linear parameters for representing light reﬂectance functions. The functions are reciprocal, energy-conserving and expressive. They can capture important phenomena such as off-specular reﬂection, increasing re-ﬂectance and retro-reﬂection. We demonstrate this by ﬁtting sums of primitive functions to a physically-based model and to actual measurements. The resulting representation is simple, compact and uniform. It can be applied efﬁciently in analytical and Monte Carlo computations.