Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The PPAR-γ Agonist 15-Deoxy-Δ 12,14-Prostaglandin J2 Attenuates Microglial Production of IL-12 Family Cytokines: Potential Relevance to Alzheimer's Disease

Accumulation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) appears to contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therapeutic hope for the prevention or removal of Aβ deposits has been placed in strategies involving immunization against the Aβ peptide. Initial Aβ immunization studies in animal models of AD showed great promise. However, when this strategy was attempted in human subjects with AD, an unacceptable degree of meningoencephalitis occurred. It is generally believed that this adverse outcome resulted from a T-cell response to Aβ. Specifically, CD4+ Th1 and Th17 cells may contribute to severe CNS inflammation and limit the utility of Aβ immunization in the treatment of AD. Interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 play critical roles in the development of Th1 and Th17 cells, respectively. In the present study, Aβ 1−42 synergistically elevated the expression of IL-12 and IL-23 triggered by inflammatory activation of microglia, and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ agonist 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-PGJ2 (15d-PGJ2) effectively blocked the elevation of these proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, 15d-PGJ2 suppressed the Aβ-related synergistic induction of CD14, MyD88, and Toll-like receptor 2, molecules that play critical roles in neuroinflammatory conditions. Collectively, these studies suggest that PPAR-γ agonists may be effective in modulating the development of AD.
Characteristics of Those Who Participate in Infidelity: The Role of Adult Attachment and Differentiation in Extradyadic Experiences

The present study examines the relationship between adult attachment style, differentiation, and infidelity. Results indicated that attachment anxiety and avoidance showed significant relationships with infidelity at both the bivariate and multivariate levels of analysis. Differentiation also showed significant results at the bivariate level, whereas the differentiation subconstruct, fusion with others, contributed significantly to the overall model. The knowledge of a parental affair increased the chances of individuals participating in extradyadic relationships as well as other demographic characteristics. The impact of results on clinical implications and therapeutic interventions are discussed as well as future areas of research.
Regionally Distinct N‐Methyl‐D‐Aspartate Receptors Distinguished by Quantitative Autoradiography of [3H]MK‐801 Binding in Rat Brain

Abstract: Quantitative autoradiography of [3H]MK‐801 binding was used to characterize regional differences in N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor pharmacology in rat CNS. Regionally distinct populations of NMDA receptors were distinguished on the basis of regulation of [3H]MK‐801 binding by the NMDA antagonist 3‐(2‐carboxypiperazin‐4‐yl)‐propyl‐1‐phosphonic acid (CPP). CPP inhibited [3H]MK‐801 binding in outer cortex (OC) and medial cortex (MC) with apparent Ki values of 0.32‐0.48 μM, whereas in the medial striatum (MS), lateral striatum (LS), CA1, and dentate gyrus (DG) of hippocampus, apparent Ki values were 1.1‐1.6 μM. In medial thalamus (MT) and lateral thalamus (LT) the apparent Ki values were 0.78 μM. In the presence of added glutamate (3 μM), the relative differences in apparent Ki values between regions maintained a similar relationship with the exception of the OC. Inhibition of [3H]MK‐801 binding by the glycine site antagonist 7‐chlorokynurenic acid (7‐ClKyn) distinguished at least two populations of NMDA receptors that differed from populations defined by CPP displacement. 7‐ClKyn inhibited [3H]MK‐801 binding in OC, MC, MS, and LS with apparent Ki values of 6.3‐8.6 μM, whereas in CA1, DG, LT, and MT, Ki values were 11.4‐13.6 μM. In the presence of added glycine (1 μM), the relative differences in apparent Ki values were maintained. Under conditions of differential receptor activation, regional differences in NMDA receptor pharmacology can be detected using [3H]MK‐801 binding.
Experimental colitis: decreased Octn2 and Atb0+ expression in rat colonocytes induces carnitine depletion that is reversible by carnitine‐loaded liposomes

Carnitine transporters have recently been implicated in susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because carnitine is required for β‐oxidation, it was suggested that decreased carnitine transporters, and hence reduced carnitine uptake, could lead to impaired fatty acid oxidation in intestinal epithelial cells, and to cell injury. We investigated this issue by examining the expression of the carnitine transporters OCTN2 and ATB0+, and butyrate metabolism in colonocytes in a rat model of IBD induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). We found that Octn2 and Atb0+ expression was decreased in inflammatory samples at translational and functional level. Butyrate oxidation, evaluated based on CO2 production and acetylcoenzyme A synthesis, was deranged in colonocytes from TNBS‐treated rats. Treatment with carnitine‐loaded liposomes corrected the butyrate metabolic alterations in vitro and reduced the severity of colitis in vivo. These results suggest that carnitine depletion in colonocytes is associated with the inability of mitochondria to maintain normal butyrate β‐oxidation. Our data indicate that carnitine is a rate‐limiting factor for the maintenance of physiological butyrate oxidation in colonic cells. This hypothesis could also explain the contradictory therapeutic efficacy of butyrate supplementation observed in clinical trials of IBD. —D'Argenio, G. , Calvani, M. , Casamassimi, A. , Petillo, O. , Margarucci, S. , Rienzo, M. , Peluso, I. , Calvani, R. , Ciccodicola, A. , Caporaso, N. , and Peluso, G. Experimental colitis: decreased Octn2 and Atb0+ expression in rat colonocytes induces carnitine depletion that is reversible by carnitine‐loaded liposomes. FASEB J. 20, E1878–E1889 (2006)
GIRAFFES AND POETRY: Some Observations on Giraffe Hunting among the Boran

A Boran warrior who kills an enemy male or a hunter who kills a lion, or an elephant or a rhinoceros is accorded great honour, which is dramatically marked at the time by changes in his hairdressing and the right to wear decorations; the honour endures throughout his life and is recalled at specific stages in his passage through life (Baxter, 1978, Haberland, 1963). Similar honour is accorded by other Oromo peoples to warriors and to hunters who collect trophies from dangerous game. A successful warrior or hunter who has trophies is welcomed as a lover and, at least while his success is fresh, may enjoy the love of many women who hope that a brave warrior will father brave children. Such demonstrations of virility enhance that virility by their performance and hence, in part, ensure the fertility of the women. The symbolic connections between spearing and copulation are close and quite explicit. Men are said to 'spear' women (Cf. Okot p. Bitek, 1966). I have described some of the connections elsewhere (Baxter, 1978); and Lambert Bartels has demonstrated recently, in his magnificent study Oromo Religion, that the conceptual relationships between "Killing and Bearing", that is the active shedding of blood of enemies and trophy animals by men and the passive shedding of blood by women through menstruation and childbirth, are central to the religion of the Oromo peoples, of whom the Boran are one (1983, esp. Ch 23). Men and women's roles though complementary are also opposed; men should be active, strong and brave whereas women should be receptive, soft and fertile. One requires the other. Killing men and lion, elephant and rhinoceros (which I shall call trophy game) is highly honoured. Hunting for food or for sport is generally disparaged, as only appropriate to the specialised hunters known as Waata and to poor men whose herds and flocks are insufficient to provide them with a subsistence; though wild young bachelors who hunt are indulged, be cause they are like "animals of the bush" binensa\ i. e. hardly domesticated (Cf. Cerulli, 1922: 100). 1 It is generally water rather than grazing which is in short supply in Borana, so
Muscle-specific microRNA miR-206 promotes muscle differentiation

Three muscle-specific microRNAs, miR-206, -1, and -133, are induced during differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts in vitro. Transfection of miR-206 promotes differentiation despite the presence of serum, whereas inhibition of the microRNA by antisense oligonucleotide inhibits cell cycle withdrawal and differentiation, which are normally induced by serum deprivation. Among the many mRNAs that are down-regulated by miR-206, the p180 subunit of DNA polymerase α and three other genes are shown to be direct targets. Down-regulation of the polymerase inhibits DNA synthesis, an important component of the differentiation program. The direct targets are decreased by mRNA cleavage that is dependent on predicted microRNA target sites. Unlike small interfering RNA–directed cleavage, however, the 5′ ends of the cleavage fragments are distributed and not confined to the target sites, suggesting involvement of exonucleases in the degradation process. In addition, inhibitors of myogenic transcription factors, Id1-3 and MyoR, are decreased upon miR-206 introduction, suggesting the presence of additional mechanisms by which microRNAs enforce the differentiation program.
Empirical formulas of electromagnetic scattering amplitude for the prediction of rain attenuation exceedance probability over a point-to-point link

Simple empirical formulas for the calculation of the imaginary part of the forward scattering amplitude of a plane electromagnetic wave by Pruppacher-Pitter raindrops are proposed. These expressions are employed and an analytical method to evaluate the rain attenuation exceeding probability over a point-to-point link is presented. The derived exceeding probabilities are compared with experimental data from ITU-R databank with encouraging results.
Hardware and Compiler-Directed Cache Coherence in Large-Scale Multiprocessors: Design Considerations and Performance Study

In this paper, we study a hardware-supported, compiler-directed (HSCD) cache coherence scheme, which can be implemented on a large-scale multiprocessor using off-the-shelf microprocessors, such as the Cray T3D. The scheme can be adapted to various cache organizations, including multiword cache lines and byte-addressable architectures. Several system related issues, including critical sections, interthread communication, and task migration have also been addressed. The cost of the required hardware support is minimal and proportional to the cache size. The necessary compiler algorithms, including intra- and interprocedural array data flow analysis, have been implemented on the Polaris parallelizing compiler. From our simulation study using the Perfect Club benchmarks, we found that in spite of the conservative analysis made by the compiler, for four of six benchmark programs tested, the proposed HSCD scheme outperforms the full-map hardware directory scheme up to 70 percent while the hardware scheme outperforms the HSCD scheme in the remaining two applications up to 89 percent. Given its comparable performance and reduced hardware cost, the proposed scheme can be a viable alternative for large-scale multiprocessors such as the Cray T3D, which rely on users to maintain data coherence.
Computer Vision and Image Understanding A Novel Approach for Human Action Recognition from Silhouette Images

In this paper, a novel human action recognition technique fr om video is presented. Any action of human is a combination of several micro action sequences performed by one or more body parts of the human. The proposed approach uses spatio-tempo ral body parts movement (STBPM) features extracted from foregr und silhouette of the human objects. The newly proposed STB PM feature estimates the movements of di fferent body parts for any given time segment to classify actio ns. We also proposed a rule based logic named rule action classifier (RAC), which uses a s eries of condition action rules based on prior knowledge and hence does not required training to classify any action. Since we d on’t require training to classify actions, the proposed app roach is view independent. The experimental results on publicly availab le Wizeman and MuHVAi datasets are compared with that of the r elated research work in terms of accuracy in the human action detect ion, and proposed technique outperforms the others.
EPISODIC MEMORIES AMONG FIRST AND FOURTH GRADERS EARLY CHILDHOOD UNIVERSITY STUDENT TEACHERS, CONCERNING TEACHERS' BEHAVIORS: A MIXED METHOD APPROACH

The content of school year memories of University student teachers in early childhood education was explored. 183 first and fourth year student teachers were asked to recall and write a small text about one or two positive/negative episodes of their entire school life, which influenced them profoundly. A mixed method approach was used and it was found that student teachers’ memories originate equivalently from their entire school life, with negative incidents dominating their memories. Older students recall more negative school life incidents and seem more sensitized to teachers’ negative behaviors, their descriptions are more sophisticated, and propose more positive alternatives. Highlights:• Explores the main thematic areas of student teachers’ early episodic memories from their past school years. • Student teachers’ episodic memories are rich and vivid and offer a valuable material for exercising in imagination new practices and methods. • University training has an impact in the organization of student teachers’ episodic memories
Individual Motivations for Using Social Virtual Worlds: An Exploratory Investigation in Second Life

Advances in social virtual worlds, such as Second Life, create new opportunities for various applications in business, education, entertainment, and many other real-world domains. However, the benefits of social virtual worlds cannot be realized without sufficient user participation. There is thus far a paucity of research that has investigated people's motivations for participating in social virtual worlds. Motivated by such concerns, this study aims at investigating the motivations for participating in social virtual worlds based on the uses and gratifications theory. An online survey with open-ended questions is conducted to identify the key motivations of user participation in Second Life. Content analysis is used to code and categorize the responses from 188 subjects. The results show that users' motivations or needs for participating in Second Life can be categorized into three categories, namely, utilitarian needs, hedonic needs, and social needs. This research has important implications for both researchers and practitioners.
Poisson Processes With Integrable Density

When the density of a Poisson process is integrable various expressions published in the literature are incorrect. This is especially the case of the probability distribution of the distance between an origin and the following points of the process. The first purpose of this paper is to explain why the integrability of the density changes the situation. The second is to discuss various consequences of this fact on the probability distribution of random variables extracted from the process. Computer experiments are presented and are in excellent agreement with theoretical results. Some extensions of the same problem concerning renewal processes are discussed
Use of Mobile Phones as Intelligent Sensors for Sound Input Analysis and Sleep State Detection

Sleep is not just a passive process, but rather a highly dynamic process that is terminated by waking up. Throughout the night a specific number of sleep stages that are repeatedly changing in various periods of time take place. These specific time intervals and specific sleep stages are very important for the wake up event. It is far more difficult to wake up during the deep NREM (2–4) stage of sleep because the rest of the body is still sleeping. On the other hand if we wake up during the mild (REM, NREM1) sleep stage it is a much more pleasant experience for us and for our bodies. This problem led the authors to undertake this study and develop a Windows Mobile-based device application called wakeNsmile. The wakeNsmile application records and monitors the sleep stages for specific amounts of time before a desired alarm time set by users. It uses a built-in microphone and determines the optimal time to wake the user up. Hence, if the user sets an alarm in wakeNsmile to 7:00 and wakeNsmile detects that a more appropriate time to wake up (REM stage) is at 6:50, the alarm will start at 6:50. The current availability and low price of mobile devices is yet another reason to use and develop such an application that will hopefully help someone to wakeNsmile in the morning. So far, the wakeNsmile application has been tested on four individuals introduced in the final section.
Emotional intelligence, job insecurity, and psychological strain among real estate agents: a test of mediation and moderation models

We develop two models of the relationships between emotional intelligence (EI), job insecurity, and psychological strain. The moderation model suggests that EI reduces psychological strain by helping individuals cope with job insecurity when it arises. The mediation model suggests that EI reduces psychological strain by enabling individuals to conserve resources, thereby reducing their experience of job insecurity. Our results, based on a sample of 232 real estate agents, show that job insecurity mediates the relationship between EI and psychological strain. Contrary to what the moderation model suggested, the positive relationship between job insecurity and psychological strain was found to be stronger when EI was higher. Overall, the results provide more nuanced insights into the role of EI in psychological strain.
Quasi Self-Complementary UWB Notched Microstrip Antenna for USB Application

UWB antenna is a crucial part of any UWB system required for indoor application. In this paper, a novel design is presented, which relies on self-complementary structure. The structure is fed by a microstrip line, where a triangular notch is embedded in the ground plane. The design in this paper yields a UWB bandwidth that extends from 2.86. 0{40.0GHz. To ensure coexistence of UWB with WLAN applications (5.15{5.825GHz) with minimal interference, a frequency notch is introduced using two parasitic U-shaped elements embracing the microstrip feeding line that resonates in the vicinity of the band notch frequency band. The proposed design was subject to parametric study to reach optimum parameters. The flnal design was fabricated using photolithographic technique and the measured results showed very good agreement with simulated ones.
Epileptiform ictal discharges are prevented by periodic interictal spiking in the olfactory cortex

Interictal potentials are commonly observed between seizures in human epilepsies and in animal models of epilepsy. It is uncertain whether interictal spiking in partial epilepsies is causally related with the onset of an ictal discharge. To analyze the reciprocal correlation between interictal and ictal epileptiform events, we performed extracellular recordings in the limbic system of the in vitro isolated guinea pig brain preparation. Arterial perfusion of bicuculline (50μM) in vitro consistently induced a focal ictal discharge in the hippocampal‐entorhinal region that in one third of the experiments was associated with periodic interictal spikes in the piriform cortex. In the absence of active interictal spiking, the piriform cortex was secondarily invaded by the ictal discharge initiated in the hippocampal‐entorhinal region, whereas no secondary ictal entrainment was observed in the presence of periodic piriform cortex spikes at circa 0.1 to 0.2Hz. Similarly, ictal events never occurred when arterial perfusion of bicuculline was preceded by a local injection of the same drug in the piriform cortex, a procedure that induces a sustained interictal spiking. A reduced responsiveness to incoming paroxysmal discharges generated in the hippocampus was observed during the interval between two interictal spikes in the piriform cortex. Ann Neurol 2003
A Network-Flow Based Pin-Count Aware Routing Algorithm for Broadcast-Addressing EWOD Chips

Electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) chips have emerged as the most widely used actuators for digital microfluidic (DMF) systems. These devices enable the electrical manipulation of microfluidics with various advantages, such as low power consumption, flexibility, accuracy, and efficiency. In addressing the need for low-cost and practical fabrication, pin-count reduction has become a key problem to the large-scale integration of EWOD-chip designs. One of the major approaches, broadcast addressing, reduces the pin count by assigning a single control pin to multiple electrodes with mutually compatible control signals. Most previous studies utilize this addressing scheme by scheduling fluidic-level synthesis on pin-constrained chip arrays. However, the associated interconnect routing problem is still not provided in currently available DMF automations, and thus the broadcast-addressing scheme cannot be actually realized. In this paper, we present the first network-flow based pin-count aware routing algorithm for EWOD-chip designs with a broadcast electrode-addressing scheme. Our algorithm simultaneously takes pin-count reduction and wirelength minimization into consideration for higher integration and better design performance. Experimental results show the effectiveness and scalability of our algorithm on a set of real-life chip applications.
Flexible editing of human motion by three‐way decomposition

This paper proposes a new generative model for flexible editing of human motion. Different from previous work, three intuitive factors of motion, namely, content, identity and style, can be manipulated directly with the new model. With the new generative model, motion editing can be achieved in various aspects, including transferring an unknown style from an actor to another, synthesizing other styles for an unknown actor and generating a new motion with other content. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visual servoing feedback based robust regulation of nonholonomic wheeled mobile robots

This paper investigated the visual servoing regulation of nonholonomic mobile robots with monocular camera. Nonholonomic kinematic systems with visual feedback are uncertain and more involved in comparison with common kinematic systems. Two-phase technique was used to present a robust controller that enabled the mobile robot image pose and the orientation regulation despite the lack of depth information and the lack of precise visual parameters. The most interesting feature of this paper is that the problem was discussed in the image frame and the inertial frame, which made the problem easy and useful. The stabilization of the system by using the proposed method was rigorously proved. The simulation was given to show the effectiveness of the presented controllers.