Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Skin Permeability of Porcine Placenta Extracts and Its Physiological Activities

We investigated the skin permeability and various biological activities of porcine homogenate of placenta (HP) with the highest protein contents (452.89μg/mg). The content of protein in subcritical extract of HP (SPE) was decreased from the initial content of 452. 9μg/mg to 262. 7μg/mg at 3 h subcritical extract. The contents of amino type nitrogen (A-N) were sharply increased from 35.1 μg/mg of initial content to 305. 9μg/mg at 3 h subcritical extract. The HP showed a noticeable activity in terms of antioxidant capacity for ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and especially for 2, 2` Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) method. HP, SPE-0.5, SPE-2 and SPE-3 showed inhibitory effect on elastase activities with an IC50 of 46.1, 42.9, 31.6 and 34. 7μg/mL, respectively. SPEs showed more significantly inhibitory effect than HP (p<0.05). The skin permeability of the SPEs was higher than that of the HP. SPE-3 showed highest skin permeation and the permeability was significantly higher than that of HP. SPE-2 also showed significantly higher permeation than HP after 4 h. As expected, increase of extraction time significantly increased skin permeability in the subcritical extract of HP (SPE). From these results, in terms of cost and source availability, porcine placenta extracted with subcritical extraction has advantages over untreated PE and have potential as a cosmetic ingredient.
An Open Challenge Problem Repository for Systems Supporting Binders

A variety of logical frameworks support the use of higher-order abstract syntax in representing formal systems; however, each system has its own set of benchmarks. Even worse, general proof assistants that provide special libraries for dealing with binders offer a very limited evaluation of such libraries, and the examples given often do not exercise and stress-test key aspects that arise in the presence of binders. In this paper we design an open repository ORBI (Open challenge problem Repository for systems supporting reasoning with BInders). We believe the field of reasoning about languages with binders has matured, and a common set of benchmarks provides an important basis for evaluation and qualitative comparison of different systems and libraries that support binders, and it will help to advance the field.
Huntingtin Associates with Acidic Phospholipids at the Plasma Membrane*

We have identified a domain in the N terminus of huntingtin that binds to membranes. A three-dimensional homology model of the structure of the binding domain predicts helical HEAT repeats, which emanate a positive electrostatic potential, consistent with a charge-based mechanism for membrane association. An amphipathic helix capable of inserting into pure lipid bilayers may serve to anchor huntingtin to the membrane. In cells, N-terminal huntingtin fragments targeted to regions of plasma membrane enriched in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, receptor bound-transferrin, and endogenous huntingtin. N-terminal huntingtin fragments with an expanded polyglutamine tract aberrantly localized to intracellular regions instead of plasma membrane. Our data support a new model in which huntingtin directly binds membranes through electrostatic interactions with acidic phospholipids.
Evaluating the Effects of Child Savings Accounts Program Participation on Parental Well-Being

Objectives: Using baseline and second wave data, the study evaluated the impact of child savings accounts participation on parenting stress, personal mastery, and economic strain with N = 381 lower income parents who decided to join and those who did not join in a child development savings account program. Methods: Structural equation modeling for multiple group and time models was performed. Results: The degree of parenting stress at the first measurement occasion (M = 2.02, standard deviation [SD] = 0.34) was significantly different, Δχ2(2, n = 381) = 28.30, p <. 001, (at the .017 level; Bonferroni correction) from the second measurement occasion (M = 1.93, SD = 0.34); however, the effect size was in the small-to-medium range (d = .25). Conclusions: Participation in such programs does not negatively affect the well-being of parents. Implications are directed toward practice, policy, and research.
Sewing in the lives of immigrant women

In 2003, 38 immigrant women were interviewed about sewing and contributed sewn items to an exhibition at the Migration Museum, South Australia. Secondary analysis of the interviews was undertaken to better understand the meaning of sewing to some immigrant women. The four overarching themes that emerged reveal that the women perceive sewing as an enduring part of their lives, a means of expression, keeping their culture and very useful. Sewing had been valued across their lifespan, linking the women to cultural traditions and providing opportunities for creative expression, employment and contribution to family life. Sewing also played a role in shaping the women's identity and may have assisted some women in the transitions associated with immigration.
Ocular manifestations in porphyria cutanea tarda

A 24-year-old man presented with pain, sticky discharge and loss of vision in the right eye. He has had typical skin manifestations of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) since 6 years and ophthalmological symptom for 6 weeks. On ophthalmological examination, visual acuity was light perception in the right eye and 6/12 in the left. There were bilateral, symmetrical temporal scleromalacia along with temporal corneal melting in both eyes and perforation in the right eye. Ultrasonography B-scan (USG B-scan) revealed a retinal detachment in the right eye. Artificial tear instillation was started every hour along with topical antibiotic coverage in both eyes. Additionally, ultraviolet protective sunglasses and hat for photo-protection was advised. The vision in the right eye improved to 5/60 along with subsidence of retinal detachment on repeat USG B-scan after 3 weeks.
Effects of Edible Algae on Immune Responses: Algae Polysaccharides Regulate Delayed-type Hypersensitivity and Tumor Growth

Algae are eaten as health food in many Asian countries. We summarize our recent results regarding the immunoregulatory role of polysaccharides from edible algae on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and antitumor immune responses using mice. These algae are divided into two types; those which manipulate immune responses through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR 4), and those which use different receptors to modify the immune response. Petalonia binghamiae polysaccharides attenuate DTH and tumor growth by reducing the production of inflammatory cytokine, IL-17 through TLR4. The serum level of IL-17 was decreased significantly, only when P. binghamiae polysaccharides were administered intraperitoneally in the DTH response. Intraperitoneal administration of other brown algae polysaccharides, such as alginic acid did not suppress the DTH response nor reduced the serum level of IL-17. Although orally administered P. binghamiae polysaccharides did not reduce the serum level of IL-17, they inhibited the migration of eosinophils. These results suggest that the inhibition of either the generation of IL-17 or the migration of eosinophils is effective in regulating inflammation, and that these two events were separately regulated. Here, we present data suggesting that either the peritoneal or oral administration of P. binghamiae polysaccharides efficiently inhibits the migration of eosinophils to the site of inflammation in a DTH model using IL-5 transgenic mice. Alginic acid suppressed tumor growth in both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice and did not suppress the DTH response as strongly as P. binghamiae polysaccharides. We propose the potential usefulness of edible algae as fine tuning reagents of the immune responses.
A framework and checklists for evaluating online learning in higher education

A case is made in this paper for using checklists and context‐bound evaluations of online learning materials in higher education. Context‐bound evaluations complement traditional forms of evaluation of educational courseware, such as checklists. Context‐bound approaches are useful for indicating the pedagogical quality of online learning materials that may be productively used in conjunction with checklists to evaluate online learning. Edith Cowan University has developed a framework and checklists for assessing aspects of online pedagogical learning materials in higher education. These checklists, which are intended to be useful indicators of the areas where online learning materials are strong and to identify areas that may be deficient, and are a valuable screening and information gathering device to use when undertaking a context‐bound evaluation of learning materials. As such, the quality of the instructional design remains an important consideration in evaluating courseware, and such information needs to be presented in a form that is accessible and useful for educational developers and researchers. Comment and dissent is invited on the value of contextual evaluations to reinvigorate the debate over appropriate ways of evaluating online learning materials in higher education.
Model-Based Organization Analysis and Design for an ESG Organization

Abstract : The concept of Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESGs) arose to satisfy the requirements of global war on terrorism (GWOT), when it was realized that surface warfare capabilities were needed to complement the capability of the Amphibious Ready Groups (ARGs). The addition of cruiser (CG), destroyer (DDG), frigate (FFG), and submarine (SSN) assets to those of an ARG, which include an amphibious assault ship (LHA or LHD) with a Marine expeditionary unit (MEU), a dock landing ship (LSD) and an amphibious transport dock ship (LPD) provide the ESG with a highly mobile, self-sustaining force. This addition also provides the capability for an ESG to deploy independently, as well as a part of a larger joint force. The primary goal for the introduction of ESG organizational concept is to find suitable ways to integrate the Navy and Marine forces. These include exploring evolving non-traditional C2 structures, and developing the corresponding new capabilities (including introduction of new offensive and defensive weaponry). The merger between the two forces and the resulting C2 philosophy has to take into account various operational and cultural issues. In this paper, we propose systematic, but somewhat simplified, analysis of an ESG organization that allows us to abstract the mission environment, and to glean various organizational issues of interest via a model-based organizational analysis framework. The heart of the proposed framework is the utilization of an agent-based simulation to capture key organizational processes, and identify strengths and potential limitations of an organization. Based on the assessment, a set of recommendations are put forth to mitigate the potential limitations. This approach is an extension of our model-based organizational design and analysis framework, wherein an organization and its mission environment are abstracted in terms of three modeling components: decision-makers (DMs-C2 nodes), assets, and tasks.
Understanding the Impact of Mortality-Related Health-Risk Information: A Terror Management Theory Perspective

Four studies explored the effects of providing mortality-related health-risk information from a terror management theory perspective. Study 1 (N = 48) revealed that exposure to information about the mortality-related risks of driving made mortality salient for young male drivers. Studies 2 (N = 60) and 3 (N = 139) demonstrated that young male drivers who perceived driving (fast) to be beneficial for self-esteem reported higher intentions to take driving risks (Study 2) and drive fast (Study 3) after exposure to such information compared to controls. Study 3 further demonstrated that the inclusion of a prime to behave responsibly eliminated this effect. Study 4 (N = 92) revealed that exposure to this prime alongside the mortality-related information generated increased accessibility of responsibility-related constructs and reduced accessibility of mortality-related constructs among young male drivers. The implications of these findings for terror management theory are discussed.
Exploiting local structure in stacked Boltzmann machines

Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBM) are well-studied generative models. For image data, however, standard RBMs are suboptimal, since they do not exploit the local nature of image statistics. We modify RBMs to focus on local structure by restricting visible-hidden interactions. We model long-range interactions using direct or indirect lateral interaction between hidden variables. While learning in our model is much faster, it retains generative and discriminative properties of RBMs of similar complexity.
Determination and bioimaging method for nitric oxide in biological specimens by diaminofluorescein fluorometry.

A simple and sensitive assay and a cellular bioimaging method for nitric oxide (NO) were developed using a novel diaminofluorescein DAF-FM and its diacetate. DAF-FM is converted via an NO-specific mechanism to an intensely fluorescent triazole derivative. For the measurement of NO, the triazole derivative of DAF-FM was determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. In the presence of 1 microM DAF-FM, the concentrations of NOR-1, an NO donor, in the range of 2-200 nM were linearly related to the fluorescence intensity. This sensitive NO assay enabled us to detect the spontaneous and substance P-induced NO release from isolated porcine coronary arteries, both of which were dependent entirely on the NO synthase activity in vascular endothelial cells. We also obtained fluorescence images of cultured smooth muscle cells of the rat urinary bladder after loading with DAF-FM diacetate. In the cells pretreated with cytokines, the fluorescence intensity increased with time after DAF-FM loading. This increase in the fluorescence intensity was blocked by prior treatment of the muscle cells with an NO synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. Therefore, the present novel diaminofluorescein fluorometry should be useful not only for sensitive NO assay, but also for NO imaging in a variety of biological specimens.
Social coordination dynamics: Measuring human bonding

Abstract Spontaneous social coordination has been extensively described in natural settings but so far no controlled methodological approaches have been employed that systematically advance investigations into the possible self-organized nature of bond formation and dissolution between humans. We hypothesized that, under certain contexts, spontaneous synchrony—a well-described phenomenon in biological and physical settings—could emerge spontaneously between humans as a result of information exchange. Here, a new way to quantify interpersonal interactions in real time is proposed. In a simple experimental paradigm, pairs of participants facing each other were required to actively produce actions, while provided (or not) with the vision of similar actions being performed by someone else. New indices of interpersonal coordination, inspired by the theoretical framework of coordination dynamics (based on relative phase and frequency overlap between movements of individuals forming a pair) were developed and used. Results revealed that spontaneous phase synchrony (i.e., unintentional in-phase coordinated behavior) between two people emerges as soon as they exchange visual information, even if they are not explicitly instructed to coordinate with each other. Using the same tools, we also quantified the degree to which the behavior of each individual remained influenced by the social encounter even after information exchange had been removed, apparently a kind of social memory.
TrkB (Tropomyosin-Related Kinase B) Controls the Assembly and Maintenance of GABAergic Synapses in the Cerebellar Cortex

Inhibitory interneurons play a critical role in coordinating the activity of neural circuits. To explore the mechanisms that direct the organization of inhibitory circuits, we analyzed the involvement of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) in the assembly and maintenance of GABAergic inhibitory synapses between Golgi and granule cells in the mouse cerebellar cortex. We show that TrkB acts directly within each cell-type to regulate synaptic differentiation. TrkB is required not only for assembly, but also maintenance of these synapses and acts, primarily, by regulating the localization of synaptic constituents. Postsynaptically, TrkB controls the localization of a scaffolding protein, gephyrin, but acts at a step subsequent to the localization of a cell adhesion molecule, Neuroligin-2. Importantly, TrkB is required for the localization of an Ig superfamily cell adhesion molecule, Contactin-1, in Golgi and granule cells and the absence of Contactin-1 also results in deficits in inhibitory synaptic development. Thus, our findings demonstrate that TrkB controls the assembly and maintenance of GABAergic synapses and suggest that TrkB functions, in part, through promoting synaptic adhesion.
Paeonol Protects Rat Heart by Improving Regional Blood Perfusion during No-Reflow

No-reflow phenomenon, defined as inadequate perfusion of myocardium without evident artery obstruction, occurs at a high incidence after coronary revascularization. The mechanisms underlying no-reflow is only partially understood. It is commonly caused by the swelling of endothelial cells, neutrophil accumulation, and vasoconstriction, which are all related to acute inflammation. Persistent no-reflow can lead to hospitalization and mortality. However, an effective preventive intervention has not yet been established. We have previously found that paeonol, an active extraction from the root of Paeonia suffruticosa, can benefit the heart function by inhibiting tissue damage after ischemia, reducing inflammation, and inducing vasodilatation. To further investigate the potential cardioprotective action of paeonol on no-reflow, healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury (left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated for 4 h followed by reperfusion for 8 h), and I/R injury pretreated with paeonol at two different doses. Real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography was used to monitor regional blood perfusion and cardiac functions. Our data indicated that paeonol treatment significantly reduces myocardial infarct area and no-reflow area (n = 8; p < 0.05). Regional myocardial perfusion (A·β) and cardiac functions such as ejection fraction, stroke volume, and fractional shortening were elevated by paeonol (n = 8; p < 0.05). Paeonol also lowered the serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, cardiac troponin T, and C-reactive protein, as indices of myocardial injury. Paeonol exerts beneficial effects on attenuating I/R-associated no-reflow injuries, and may be considered as a potential preventive treatment for cardiac diseases or post-coronary revascularization in which no-reflow often occurs.
Calibrating a 90-kHz multibeam sonar

Quantitative use of multibeam sonar requires calibration. Protocols for calibrating multibeam sonar in an absolute sense by means of a standard target are being developed. These protocols are illustrated for the Simrad SM2000 Multibeam Echo Sounder, with 90-kHz operating frequency and 300 beams over a 90-deg sector (/spl plusmn/45 deg), each of nominal beamwidth 1.5/spl times/1.5 deg. In a sea well on Iselin Dock at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, directional characteristics of the sonar were measured at the farfield range of 23 m in a sea well. At the large freshwater indoor tank at the University of New Hampshire, similar characteristics of directivity were measured at the nearfield range of 11.7 m. Beamforming was accomplished by digital signal processing. Beam patterns are presented and compared at both ranges. In addition, measurements of the on-axis response were made for each available time-varied-gain function, enabling linearity and dynamic range to be assessed.
Design and evaluation of a new synthetic brain simulator for endoscopic third ventriculostomy.

OBJECT Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an effective but technically demanding procedure with significant risk. Current simulators, including human cadavers, animal models, and virtual reality systems, are expensive, relatively inaccessible, and can lack realistic sensory feedback. The purpose of this study was to construct a realistic, low-cost, reusable brain simulator for ETV and evaluate its fidelity. METHODS A brain silicone replica mimicking normal mechanical properties of a 4-month-old child with hydrocephalus was constructed, encased in the replicated skull, and immersed in water. Realistic intraventricular landmarks included the choroid plexus, veins, mammillary bodies, infundibular recess, and basilar artery. The thinned-out third ventricle floor, which dissects appropriately, is quickly replaceable. Standard neuroendoscopic equipment including irrigation is used. Bleeding scenarios are also incorporated. A total of 16 neurosurgical trainees (Postgraduate Years 1-6) and 9 pediatric and adult neurosurgeons tested the simulator. All participants filled out questionnaires (5-point Likert-type items) to rate the simulator for face and content validity. RESULTS The simulator is portable, robust, and sets up in minutes. More than 95% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the simulator's anatomical features, tissue properties, and bleeding scenarios were a realistic representation of that seen during an ETV. Participants stated that the simulator helped develop the required hand-eye coordination and camera skills, and the training exercise was valuable. CONCLUSIONS A low-cost, reusable, silicone-based ETV simulator realistically represents the surgical procedure to trainees and neurosurgeons. It can help them develop the technical and cognitive skills for ETV including dealing with complications.
The Victorian Operation of Defensive Homicide

In November 2005, the Victorian government implemented a new offence of defensive homicide, alongside the abolition of the partial defence of provocation. This new category of homicide was introduced not as a replacement for the abolished provocation defence, but rather as a ‘safety net’ between murder and an acquittal for women who kill in response to prolonged family violence. Since its implementation, the operation of this new offence has already begun to raise concern, particularly in relation to its successful use in the 2010 trial of Luke Middendorp. Using defensive homicide as a case study, this article examines the continued delegitimisation of victims in the Victorian criminal justice process. Specifically, it draws from a transcript analysis of cases resolved in the first seven years of the offence’s operation, to consider the use of the offence in three contexts: when raised by men who have killed a female intimate partner; where successfully used in cases of lethal male-on-male violence; and where applied to female defendants who have killed in response to prolonged family violence. The resulting theoretical discussion suggests that, in the wake of abolishing provocation, the Victorian law of homicide has continued to minimise the status of victims and in so doing has been unable to distance itself from the narratives of victim blame, denigration and delegitimisation that previously were linked to the operation of the controversial provocation defence.