Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acrolein induction of oxidative stress and degranulation in mast cells

Increases in asthma worldwide have been associated epidemiologically with expanding urban air pollution. The mechanistic relationship between airway hyper‐responsiveness, inflammation, and ambient airborne triggers remains ambiguous. Acrolein, a ubiquitous aldehyde pollutant, is a product of incomplete combustion reactions. Acrolein is abundant in cigarette smoke, effluent from industrial smokestacks, diesel exhaust, and even hot oil cooking vapors. Acrolein is a potent airway irritant and can induce airway hyper‐responsiveness and inflammation in the lungs of animal models. In the present study, we utilized the mast cell analog, RBL‐2H3, to interrogate the responses of cells relevant to airway inflammation and allergic responses as a model for the induction of asthma‐like conditions upon exposure to acrolein. We hypothesized that acrolein would induce oxidative stress and degranulation in airway mast cells. Our results indicate that acrolein at 1 ppm initiated degranulation and promoted the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Introduction of antioxidants to the system significantly reduced both ROS generation and degranulation. At higher levels of exposure (above 100 ppm), RBL‐2H3 cells displayed signs of severe toxicity. This experimental data indicates acrolein can induce an allergic inflammation in mast cell lines, and the initiation of degranulation was moderated by the application of antioxidants. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 908–915, 2014.
Characterizing the IRC-based Botnet Phenomenon

Botnets, networks of compromised machines that can be remotely controlled by an attacker, are one of the most common attack platforms nowadays. They can, for example, be used to launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, steal sensitive information, or send spam emails. A long-term measurement study of botnet activities is useful as a basis for further research on global botnet mitigation and disruption techniques. We have built a distributed and fully-automated botnet measurement system which allows us to collect data on the botnet activity we observe in China. Based on the analysis of tracking records of 3,290 IRC-based botnets during a period of almost twelve months, this paper presents several novel results of botnet activities which can only be measured via long-term measurements. These include. amongst others, botnet lifetime, botnet discovery trends and distributions, command and control channel distributions, botnet size and end-host distributions. Furthermore, our measurements confirm and extend several previous results from this area. Our results show that the botnet problem is of global scale, with a scattered distribution of the control infrastructure and also a scattered distribution of the victims. Furthermore, the control infrastructure itself is rather flexible, with an average lifetime of a Command \& Control server of about 54 days. These results can also leverage research in the area of botnet detection, mitigation, and disruption: only by understanding the problem in detail, we can develop efficient counter measures.
Antecedents of the Initiation of Watching Sexually Explicit Internet Material: A Longitudinal Study Among Adolescents

Little research to date has focused on adolescents’ initiation of watching sexually explicit Internet material (SEIM) and its antecedents. Based on 400 adolescents who had never watched SEIM at baseline (in a three-wave panel study among 1,467 13–17-year-old Dutch adolescents), we examined antecedents of the initiation of watching SEIM one year later. Logistic regression analyses indicated that boys were more likely to start watching SEIM than girls. A hypergender identity increased the likelihood to initiate watching SEIM among girls, whereas frequent exposure to the sexy self-presentation of others in social media especially increased boys’ chance of watching SEIM. An interaction effect between sexual experience and age was also found.
Functional Status of Thyroid and Cognitive Functions after Menopause

Background Thyroid activity plays a role in cognition. However, the relation between the functional state of thyroid and neuropsychiatric changes proceeding with age among people without clinical symptoms of thyroid dysfunction is still unknown. The aim of this study was analysis of cognitive function levels in reference to thyroid examination: thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total thyroxin (TT4), triiodothyronine (TT3), free thyroxin (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPO-AB), and thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-AB), TSH receptor antibodies (AB-TSHR) in women after menopause. Material/Methods A group of 383 women was recruited for the study. The inclusion criteria were: minimum two years after the last menstruation and no dementia signs on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Computerized battery of Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNS VS) test was used to diagnostic cognitive functions. The blood plasma values were determined: TSH, FT3, FT4, TT3, TT4, TPO-AB, Tg-AB, and AB-TSHR. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and analysis of variance in STATISTICA software. Results In women after menopause, TSH was negatively correlated with NCI results, executive functions, complex attention, and cognitive flexibility. FT4 was positively correlated with results of psychomotor speed. TT3 and TT4 were negatively correlated with results of memory and verbal memory. Furthermore, TT4 was negatively correlated with NCI, executive functions, and cognitive flexibility. TPO-AB was negatively correlated with results of memory, verbal memory, and psychomotor speed. Tg-AB was positively correlated with results of reaction time. AB-TSHR was negatively correlated with NCI results, memory, executive functions, psychomotor speed, complex attention, and cognitive flexibility. Conclusions Our study supports the importance of thyroid functionality in cognitive functioning in a group of women after menopause. The values of TSH, TT3, TT4, TPO-AB, and AB-TSHR were higher and FT4 was lower in examined women. The results were poorer in examination of cognitive functions measured with a battery of CNS-VS tests.
Development of a Culturally Competent Service to Improve Academic Functioning for Latino Survivors of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Methodological Considerations

Many survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) develop neurocognitive deficits that compromise academic functioning, especially in the presence of sociodemographic risk factors. The extent to which these risk factors coexist for Latino ALL survivors is not well described, but with shifts in U.S. demographics and improved survival in ALL, culturally competent interventions are needed. The Achieving Best Cognitive Successes after Cancer service was designed and implemented by a team representing nursing, medicine, psychology, and social work. Service components include neurocognitve assessment and individualized intervention for treatment-related risks and improving academic success for school-aged ALL survivors. Interventions are child-focused and parent-directed, recognizing that parents are major sources of support and advocates for their children within school systems. The service was designed to be culturally appropriate for the predominantly Latino patient population at our center, based on (1) linguistic competency of children and parents; (2) multicultural and ecological considerations for urban, low socioeconomic status, and migrant populations; (3) literacy barriers; and (4) contextual factors. This report describes methodological considerations and practice implications relevant to the design and implementation of similar culturally competent services for Latino pediatric cancer survivors.
Responding to the needs of children of parents arrested in Victoria, Australia. The role of the adult criminal justice system

The prison population in most jurisdictions is escalating. As many prisoners are also parents, more children will inevitably be affected by the experience of having a parent incarcerated. Police and the lower courts are the gatekeepers of the criminal justice system and make urgent and vital decisions about arrest, remand and sentencing which have critical consequences for the children of those arrested, remanded and sentenced. To better understand how these children are responded to by this adult system, this paper draws on data collected from a purposive sample (N = 16) of Victorian magistrates, legal representatives and police, as part of a broader ARC funded study. Findings indicate that the consideration of these children by police and magistrates is largely ad hoc and depends on good will and the exercise of discretion. The balancing of justice issues and the interests of children is also complex and currently under-researched and under-informed. The authors argue that until the agencies dealing with adults incorporate child-focused practices, children, who have a primary carer in prison, will continue to be disadvantaged by a system which considers them only as collateral damage in the exercise of justice.
Effects of an Early Evening 10-km Run on Nocturnal Sleep Homeostatically Degraded by an Afternoon Nap

We examined the effect of acute exercise performed after an afternoon nap intended to homeostatically degrade the following night's sleep quality. Nine healthy young people unaccustomed to regular exercise ran for 10-km after an afternoon nap. Polysomnographic (PSG) measurements were carried out during night sleep and during naps in three different conditions: Baseline night (Nt0), Nap (Np1) + night after no run (Nt1), and Nap (Np2) + night after 10 km run (Nt2). Standard visual sleep stage scoring and Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) analysis of the electroencephalogram (EEG) were performed on 30 sec epochs. For the seven subjects who met sleep parameter inclusion criteria, sleep efficiency (SE), total sleep time (TST), and duration of stage REM for Nt1 condition within sleep variables were significantly less than those of the Nt0 condition by 7.54 ± 6.57%, 36.21 ± 31.54 min, and 23.07 ± 21.63 min, respectively. There were no significant differences between Nt1 and Nt2 in duration of each sleep stage except the point that the total delta power of Nt2 was significantly higher than that of Nt1. In conclusion, the total delta power of Nt2 condition was higher than that of Nt1, suggesting that 10 km run improved following night sleep. The necessity of computerized quantitative analysis in such fine changes were also confirmed.
Application of PCR‐LDR‐nucleic acid detection strip in detection of YMDD mutation in hepatitis B patients treated with lamivudine

Chronic hepatitis B virus (CHBV) infection causes cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Lamivudine (LAM) has been successfully used to treat CHBV infections but prolonged use leads to the emergence of drug‐resistant variants. This is primarily linked to a mutation in the tyrosine–methionine–aspartate–aspartate (YMDD) motif of the HBV polymerase gene at position 204. Rapid diagnosis of drug‐resistant HBV is necessary for a prompt treatment response. Common diagnostic methods such as sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis lack sensitivity and require significant processing. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness of a novel diagnostic method that combines polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligase detection reaction (LDR) and a nucleic acid detection strip (NADS) in detecting site‐specific mutations related to HBV LAM resistance. We compared this method (PLNA) to direct sequencing and RFLP analysis in 50 clinical samples from HBV infected patients. There was 90% concordance between all three results. PLNA detected more samples containing mutant variants than both sequencing and RFLP analysis and was more sensitive in detecting mixed variant populations. Plasmid standards indicated that the sensitivity of PLNA is at or below 3,000 copies per ml and that it can detect a minor variant at 5% of the total viral population. This warrants its further development and suggests that the PLNA method could be a useful tool in detecting LAM resistance. J. Med. Virol. 82: 1143–1149, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An improved spectral clustering algorithm based on local neighbors in kernel space

Similarity matrix is critical to the performance of spectral clustering. Mercer kernels have become popular largely due to its successes in applying kernel methods such as kernel PCA. A novel spectral clustering method is proposed based on local neighborhood in kernel space (SC-LNK), which assumes that each data point can be linearly reconstructed from its neighbors. The SC-LNK algorithm tries to project the data to a feature space by the Mercer kernel, and then learn a sparse matrix using linear reconstruction as the similarity graph for spectral clustering. Experiments have been performed on synthetic and real world data sets and have shown that spectral clustering based on linear reconstruction in kernel space outperforms the conventional spectral clustering and the other two algorithms, especially in real world data sets.
In Vitro Assembly of Alphavirus Cores by Using Nucleocapsid Protein Expressed in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT The production of the alphavirus virion is a multistep event requiring the assembly of the nucleocapsid core in the cytoplasm and the maturation of the glycoproteins in the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. These components associate during the budding process to produce the mature virion. The nucleocapsid proteins of Sindbis virus and Ross River virus have been produced in a T7-basedEscherichia coli expression system and purified. In the presence of single-stranded but not double-stranded nucleic acid, the proteins oligomerize in vitro into core-like particles which resemble the native viral nucleocapsid cores. Despite their similarities, Sindbis virus and Ross River virus capsid proteins do not form mixed core-like particles. Truncated forms of the Sindbis capsid protein were used to establish amino acid requirements for assembly. A capsid protein starting at residue 19 [CP(19–264)] was fully competent for in vitro assembly, whereas proteins with further N-terminal truncations could not support assembly. However, a capsid protein starting at residue 32 or 81 was able to incorporate into particles in the presence of CP(19–264) or could inhibit assembly if its molar ratio relative to CP(19–264) was greater than 1:1. This system provides a basis for the molecular dissection of alphavirus core assembly.
Chapter 22. Monte Carlo Investigations of Electron Decoherence due to Phonons

We investigate alternative Monte Carlo algorithms for simulation of the decoherence of entangled electron states due to scattering by phonons. We begin with a weighted single particle approach, which requires an estimator encompassing all the time steps to be held in memory. A second algorithm is obtained by synchronously evolving an ensemble of all particles together. While these algorithms are identical from a theoretical point of view, their implementation and run-time behavior differ significantly. A third algorithm exploits the idea of indistinguishable particles which condenses the information connected to particle location by using phase space cells. An increased number of particles can be considered in this way without exceeding memory constraints. However, an additional source of error arises due to numerical scattering – a consequence of consecutive averaging in the phase space cells. An estimate for the viability of this procedure is provided by a comparison with results obtained from the previous algorithms. Furthermore, the influence of the size of the phase space cells is investigated.
Exploring Rarity Using a General Model for Distribution and Abundance

We describe a simple model for changes in the distribution and abundance of a metapopulation and use it to explore the conditions leading to different types of rarity. The model suggests that localized populations (those with low patch occupancy but high local abundance) arise from low dispersal, low heterogeneity in extant population size, and frequent local extinctions relative to the potential for recolonization. Scarce populations (with low distribution and abundance) arise when relative local extinction rate is low to moderate and heterogeneity is high or successful dispersal is relatively low. Sparse populations (widespread, but with low local abundance) arise when relative local extinction rate is very low and either spatial heterogeneity or mortality through unsuccessful dispersal is high. In sparse or common species, there may be unstable as well as stable equilibria, implying a threshold distribution and abundance for persistence. The model supports a general correlation between distribution and abundance and suggests that persistence may be threatened by dispersal rates being either too high or too low. The model provides a new perspective on rarity and suggests a simple theoretical foundation for understanding the population‐dynamic mechanisms that determine distribution and abundance.
Ferromagnetic high-permeability alloy alone can provide sufficient low-frequency and eddy-current shieldings for biomagnetic measurements

A low cost, two-shell ferromagnetic shielded room large enough for a person to enter and prepare experiments was constructed for biomagnetic measurements. No aluminium or copper shell was used for eddy-current shielding. A high-permeability nickel-iron-molybdenum alloy (1.57 mm thick) was used for both ferromagnetic and eddy-current shieldings. The shielding factor was 60 dB at DC and 40 dB between 0.1 Hz and about 3 Hz. The eddy-current shielding due to the alloy alone provided a shielding factor of 55 dB at 30 Hz and 66 dB at 60 Hz. The shielding factor was sufficiently high in all the frequency range for biomagnetic measurements with a first-order superconducting gradiometer. <<ETX>>
Towards further understanding of the co-morbidity between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder: a MRI study of brain volumes

Background Although attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder (BPD) co-occur frequently and represent a particularly morbid clinical form of both disorders, neuroimaging research addressing this co-morbidity is scarce. Our aim was to evaluate the morphometric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) underpinnings of the co-morbidity of ADHD with BPD, testing the hypothesis that subjects with this co-morbidity would have neuroanatomical correlates of both disorders. Method Morphometric MRI findings were compared between 31 adults with ADHD and BPD and with those of 18 with BPD, 26 with ADHD, and 23 healthy controls. The volumes (cm3) of our regions of interest (ROIs) were estimated as a function of ADHD status, BPD status, age, sex, and omnibus brain volume using linear regression models. Results When BPD was associated with a significantly smaller orbital prefrontal cortex and larger right thalamus, this pattern was found in co-morbid subjects with ADHD plus BPD. Likewise, when ADHD was associated with significantly less neocortical gray matter, less overall frontal lobe and superior prefrontal cortex volumes, a smaller right anterior cingulate cortex and less cerebellar gray matter, so did co-morbid ADHD plus BPD subjects. Conclusions Our results support the hypothesis that ADHD and BPD independently contribute to volumetric alterations of selective and distinct brain structures. In the co-morbid state of ADHD plus BPD, the profile of brain volumetric abnormalities consists of structures that are altered in both disorders individually. Attention to co-morbidity is necessary to help clarify the heterogeneous neuroanatomy of both BPD and ADHD.
Kinetic characterization of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor desensitization in isolated guinea-pig trachea and rabbit aorta.

Desensitization of the contractile response mediated by the 5-hydroxytryptamine2 (5-HT2) receptor in the isolated guinea-pig trachea and rabbit aorta is a time-dependent process and therefore it has been characterized by an apparent rate constant obtained from a kinetic analysis. Under similar conditions, desensitization of the response in the trachea is 7-fold faster than in the aorta. Desensitization is homologous and reversible and is not affected by inhibition of neuronal and extraneuronal uptake, monoamine oxidase activity, alpha 1 adrenergic, cholinergic muscarinic or histamine H1 receptors. Desensitization does not depend on removal of epithelium from the trachea or endothelium and adventitia from the aorta or on the release of a stable relaxant factor. It is also not affected by the removal of extracellular Ca++, which is needed for tonic contraction. The dependence of desensitization on agonist concentration, number of receptors and the intrinsic activity of the agonist was determined. The observed values of the rate constants for desensitization and of the peak tension (T peak) in trachea show a saturable dependence on the concentration of 5-HT, indicating that occupancy of the 5-HT2 receptor is needed for desensitization. The less efficacious agonists, N-methyl serotonin, dimethyltryptamine, quipazine, 5-methoxytryptamine, 5-methyltryptamine, 5-methoxy dimethyltryptamine, 4-hydroxytryptamine and bufotenine induce significantly slower desensitization than 5-HT. A 25 to 75% reduction in 5-HT2 receptor number by alkylation had no effect on the observed rate constants for desensitization. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
New Therapeutic Potentials of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

Silymarin is a bioflavonoid complex extract derived from dry seeds of Milk thistle [(Silybum marianum(L.) Gaernt. (Fam. Asteraceae/Compositaceae)] whose hepatoprotective effect has clinically been proved. Low toxicity, favorable pharmacokinetics, powerful antioxidant, detoxifying, preventive, protective and regenerative effects and side effects similar to placebo make silymarin extremely attractive and safe for therapeutic use. The medicinal properties of silymarin and its main component silibinin have been studied in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, sepsis, burns, osteoporosis, diabetes, cholestasis and hypercholesterolemia. Owing to its apoptotic effect, without cytotoxic effects, silymarin possesses potential applications in the treatment of various cancers. Silymarin is being examined as a neuro-, nephro- and cardio-protective in the damage of different etiologies due to its strong antioxidant potentials. Furthermore, it has fetoprotective (against the influence of alcohol) and prolactin effects and is safe to be used during pregnancy and lactation. Finally, the cosmetics industry is examining the antioxidant and UV-protective effects of silymarin. Further clinical studies and scientific evidence that silymarin and silibinin are effective in the therapy of various pathologies are indispensable in order to confirm their different flavonolignan pharmacological effects.
Cold dark matter models with high baryon content

Recent results have suggested that the density of baryons in the Universe, OmegaB, is much more uncertain than previously thought, and may be significantly higher. We demonstrate that a higher OmegaB increases the viability of critical-density cold dark matter (CDM) models. High baryon fraction offers the twin benefits of boosting the first peak in the microwave anisotropy power spectrum and of suppressing short-scale power in the matter power spectrum. These enable viable CDM models to have a larger Hubble constant than otherwise possible. We carry out a general exploration of high OmegaB CDM models, varying the Hubble constant h and the spectral index n. We confront a variety of observational constraints and discuss specific predictions. Although some observational evidence may favour baryon fractions as high as 20 per cent, we find that values around 10 to 15 per cent provide a reasonable fit to a wide range of data. We suggest that models with OmegaB in this range, with h about 0.5 and n about 0.8, are currently the best critical-density CDM models.