Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liang-Ge-San, a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula, protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation through cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway

Liang-Ge-San (LGS) is a classic formula in traditional Chinese medicine, which is widely used to treat acute lung injury (ALI), pharyngitis and amygdalitis in clinic. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. In this study, we discovered that LGS exerted potent anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. We found that LGS significantly depressed the production of IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The degradation and phosphorylation of IκBα and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 were also inhibited. Moreover, LGS activated α7 nicotinic cholinergic receptor (α7nAchR). The blockage of α7nAchR by selective inhibitor methyllycaconitine (MLA) or α7nAchR siRNA attenuated the inhibitory effects of LGS on IκBα, NF-κB p65, IL-6 and TNF-α. Critically, LGS significantly inhibited inflammation in LPS-induced ALI rats through the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. However, these protective effects could be counteracted by the treatment of MLA. Taken together, we first demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of LGS both in vitro and in vivo through cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. The study provides a rationale for the clinical application of LGS as an anti-inflammatory agent and supports the critical role of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in inflammation.
Infants ingesting high breast milk levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers may have negative impact on their neurodevelopment

Our goal was to design a follow-up cohort study for infant exposure to PBDEs. Thirty-five breastfed infants having breast milk PBDE levels were recruited from our cohort at approximately one-year old. Eleven PBDEs (BDE-47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 196, 197, 206, 207, 208, and 209) in breast milk were analyzed using a high resolution gas chromatograph with a high resolution mass spectrometer. Infant development was determined using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition. The mean of ΣPBDEs in breast milk was 7.00 ng/g lipid. Higher ΣPBDEs in breast milk was significantly correlated with a lower score of the cognitive scale (r=−0.369, p=0.029). Increased ΣPBDEs was significantly linked to decreased the adaptive behavior scale (p=0.017). After adjusting for maternal age, pre-pregnant body mass index (BMI), baby ' s sex, gestational age, and infant 's current age for testing Bayley scales, an adjusted odds ratio (OR) (OR=0.966, p=0.035) of the cognitive score in infants with BDE-100 ≥75 percentile was significantly lower compared with the control group (BDE-100<75%) using logistic regression models. Infants with BDE-207, 208, and 209≥75% (ORs=0.802–0.818, p=0.043–0.047) had significantly lower adjusted ORs of the adaptive-behavior scores compared with control groups. The findings of the present study were that infants exposure to a high level of BDE-100 might suffer from developmental delay for cognition, while exposure to high levels of BDE-207, 208, and 209 might reduce their adaptive behavior.
The power of continuity in graduate teacher education master's programmes

The intentional development of continuity as it applies to programme structure, themes and outcomes is examined for their power in providing a coherent circular connection between the philosophy, operation, assessment and outcomes of a graduate teacher education programme. It is argued that the intentional development of programme continuity will address the emergence of standards as evaluative criteria and in meeting the characteristics of a constructivist learning model. The results of the specific designs of continuity provide for a meaningful learning and a true professional growth experience for the graduate student as well as a coherent programme delivery model.
Learning pattern transformation manifolds with parametric atom selection

We address the problem of building a manifold in order to represent a set of geometrically transformed images by selecting a good common sparse approximation of them with parametric atoms. We propose a greedy method to construct a representative pattern such that the total distance between the transformation manifold of the representative pattern and the input images is minimized. In the progressive construction of the pattern we select atoms from a continuous dictionary by optimizing the atom parameters. Experimental results suggest that the representative pattern built with the proposed method provides an accurate representation of data, where the invariance to geometric transformations is achieved due to the transformation manifold model.
The Critical Component of Cognitive Restructuring in Couples Therapy: A Case Study

This case study is offered as an example of how cognitive- behavioral strategies, namely, cognitive restructuring of couples' schemas and the use of specific homework assignments, may be integrated into the course of couple therapy. The article suggests that all therapeutic modalities, regardless of their theoretical orientation, embrace some form of cognitive restructuring and behavioural instruction as a primary agent of change. Cognitive restructuring is highlighted in particular as a critical component of treatment. Michelle Webster, who practices emotionally focused therapy, responds to Frank Dattilio, and he then replies. (author abstract)
Serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin correlates with hip bone mineral density in elderly women

We previously showed that circulating undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) is elevated in elderly women and is a powerful marker of the subsequent risk of hip fracture in elderly institutionalized women (J Clin Invest 1993; 91:1769). To investigate the relationship between bone mass and ucOC, we measured bone mineral density (BMD) of the hip with dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry in 98 elderly institutionalized women, 81.4 + 6.0 years old. ucOC was negatively correlated with BMD at all sites (r = –0.26 to –0.38, p < 0.001 to p < 0.0001), even after exclusion of the effect of age by partial correlation (for the femoral neck, r = –0.26, p < 0.01) and after controlling for serum parathyroid hormone. BMD was significantly lower at all sites of measurement in women with elevated ucOC (> 1.65 ng/ml, upper limit of the normal range in young women) than in those with normal ucOC (for the neck, 0.58 + 0.13 versus 0.43 + 0.13 g/cm2, p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained for ucOC expressed as the fraction of total OC (ucOC %). Multiple regression showed that ucOC has the highest predictive value for BMD when including age and body weight in the equation. In summary, our data indicate that serum ucOC is an independent determinant of BMD of the hip in elderly women. The mechanism by which serum ucOC is related to bone mass is unclear and should be addressed in further studies. However, our data suggest that ucOC level may be an interesting marker in the investigation of bone status in the elderly.
Automated Generation of Precise Signatures

The detection capability of signature-based intrusion detection systems crucially depends on the accuracy and topicality of the signatures used. In practice signatures are often imprecise. This is because signatures are mainly modeled and derived manually. Up to now the definition of signatures is an empirical process based on expert knowledge and experience which often requires several iterations to specify an accurate signature. Approaches for a systematic signature derivation have been rarely reported so far. In this paper we present a method for a systematic derivation of precise signatures for host-based intrusion detection systems that applies source code analysis to derive complete signatures or signature fragments for known vulnerabilities. The derivation is based on the generation of a static program model which is used to estimate the quality of the generated signatures. We describe the generation procedure and evaluate it with a realworld example of a vulnerable program.
A concurrent copying garbage collector for languages that distinguish (im)mutable data

This paper describes the design and implementation of a concurrent compacting garbage collector for languages that distinguish mutable data from immutable data (e.g., ML) as well for languages that manipulate only immutable data (e.g., pure functional languages such as Haskell). The collector runs on shared-memory parallel computers and requires minimal mutator/collector synchronization. No special hardware or operating system support is required. Our concurrent collector derives from sequential semi-space copying collectors. The collector requires that a heap object includes forwarding pointer in addition to its data fields. An access to an immutable object can be satisfied either by the original or the forwarded copy of the object. A mutable object is always accessed through the forwarded copy, if one exists. Measurements of this collector in a Standard ML compiler on a shared-memory computer indicate that it eliminates perceptible garbage-collection pauses by reclaiming storage in parallel with the computation proper. All observed pause times are less than 20 milliseconds. We describe extensions for the concurrent collection of multiple mutator threads and refinements to our design that can improve its efficiency.
Enhancing performance of anomaly based intrusion detection systems through dimensionality reduction using principal component analysis

Anomaly based Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) are capable of detecting wide range of network attacks. However, they are characterized by high computational overhead due to large number of redundant or highly correlated features in the input data being analyzed by them. In this paper, we propose a model to minimize the computational overhead of anomaly based IDSs through dimensionality reduction technique called Principal Component Analysis (PCA). PCA reduces the high dimensional data using the dependencies between the input features to represent it in a more tractable, lower dimensional form, without losing any significant information contained in the original data. Experimental results on the benchmark NSL-KDD dataset shows that applying PCA can significantly reduce the dimensionality of the data being processed by anomaly based IDSs and thereby minimize their computational overhead without adversely affecting their performances.
Dispositional Attributions Require the Joint Application of the Methods of Difference and Agreement

Denis J. Hilton, Richard H. Smith, and Sung Hee Kim proposed in 1995 that making dispositional inferences requires the use of John Stuart Mill's method of agreement. However, their data were based on "incomplete"information that may have obscured the use of Mill's method of difference. Consistent with this suspicion, a study with "complete" information revealed the joint operation of both Mill's methods. Dispositions to the actor required not only low distinctiveness but also low consensus, whereas dispositions to the stimulus required not only high consensus but also high distinctiveness. In contrast, causal explanations to the person, stimulus, or occasion were determined by the method of difference only.
A novel method for iris recognition using BP neural network and parallel computing by the aid of GPUs (Graphics Processing Units)

In this paper, we seek a new method in designing an iris recognition system. In this method, first the Haar wavelet features are extracted from iris images. The advantage of using these features is the high-speed extraction, as well as being unique to each iris. Then the back propagation neural network (BPNN) is used as a classifier. In this system, the BPNN parallel algorithms and their implementation on GPUs have been used by the aid of CUDA in order to speed up the learning process. Finally, the system performance and the speeding outcomes in a way that this algorithm is done in series are presented.
Validity of family history data on severe headache and migraine

This study evaluated the validity of family history data on severe headache and migraine obtained from adult probands with epilepsy in a family study of seizure disorders. We compared the probands' reports of severe headaches and migraines in their parents and full siblings with symptom-based diagnoses based on self-reports. Overall sensitivity was 48% for severe headache and 44% for migraine. When we used reports of severe headaches to screen for migraine headaches in the relatives, sensitivity was 56%. These results indicate that severe headache and migraine are underreported in family history interviews with first-degree relatives. To obtain accurate information on headaches in families for clinical practice and genetic research, direct interviews with each relative may be required.
Factors associated with stress in mothers of children with autism

The objective of this case-control study was to investigate the determinants of maternal stress in mothers of children with autism. Mothers of 31 children with autism from mental health clinics were matched by child age/gender and mother age to 31 mothers of children without mental health problems, drawn from public schools and a primary care unit. Logistic regression models showed that the presence of stress in mothers was primarily associated with having a child with autism. However, poor expression of affect, little interest in people, being an older mother, and having a younger child also contributed to increased stress levels. Although having a child with autism was the main factor responsible for stress, the presence of the other factors further increased maternal stress. The implication is that a subgroup of mothers of children with autism is more prone to experience stress, thus requiring special attention from mental health professionals.
Visual Secret Sharing Scheme with (k, n) Threshold Based on QR Codes

In this paper, a novel visual secret sharing (VSS) scheme with using QR codes is investigated. The proposed visual secret sharing scheme based on QR codes(VSSQR) can visually reveal secret image by stacking k or more shares (shadow images) from all the n QR codes as well as scan the QR code by a QR code reader. Our VSSQR exploits the error correction mechanism in the QR code structure, to embed the bits corresponding to shares generated by VSS from a secret bit into the same locations of QR codes in the processing of encoding QR. Each output share is a valid QR code, which may reduce the likelihood of attracting the attention of potential attackers, that can be scanned and decoded utilizing a QR code reader. The secret image can be recovered by stacking for case (k, n) based on the human visual system without any computation. In addition, it can assist alignment for VSS recovery. The experiment results show the effectiveness of our scheme.
Latent Microsporidial Infection in Immunocompetent Individuals – A Longitudinal Study

Background Microsporidia (Fungi) have been repeatedly identified as the cause of opportunistic infections predominantly in immunodeficient individuals such as AIDS patients. However, the global epidemiology of human microsporidiosis is poorly understood and the ability of microsporidia to survive and multiply in immunocompetent hosts remains unsolved. Aims To determine the presence of latent microsporidia infections in apparently healthy humans in the Czech Republic, the authors tested sera, urine and stool originating from fifteen persons within a three month period examined on a weekly basis. Methods Sera, stool and urine samples originating from fifteen HIV-negative people at risk with occupational exposure to animals, aged 22–56 years, living in the Czech Republic were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for the presence of specific anti-microsporidial antibodies, standard Calcofluor M2R staining for the detection of microsporidian spores in all urine sediments and stool smears and molecular methods for the microsporidial species determination. Results Specific anti-microsporidial antibodies were detected in fourteen individuals, asymptomatic Encephalitozoon spp. infection was found in thirteen and E. bieneusi infection was detected in seven of those examined. While E. hellem 1A and E. cuniculi II were the major causative agents identified, seven different genotypes of E. bieneusi were recorded. Conclusions These findings clearly show that exposure to microsporidia is common and chronic microsporidiosis is not linked to any clinical manifestation in healthy population. Moreover, our results indicate much higher incidence of microsporidial infections among an apparently healthy population than previously reported. These results open the question about the potential risk of reactivation of latent microsporidiosis in cases of immunosupression causing life-threatening disease.
Ablation of SNX6 leads to defects in synaptic function of CA1 pyramidal neurons and spatial memory

SNX6 is a ubiquitously expressed PX-BAR protein that plays important roles in retromer-mediated retrograde vesicular transport from endosomes. Here we report that CNS-specific Snx6 knockout mice exhibit deficits in spatial learning and memory, accompanied with loss of spines from distal dendrites of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells. SNX6 interacts with Homer1b/c, a postsynaptic scaffold protein crucial for the synaptic distribution of other postsynaptic density (PSD) proteins and structural integrity of dendritic spines. We show that SNX6 functions independently of retromer to regulate distribution of Homer1b/c in the dendritic shaft. We also find that Homer1b/c translocates from shaft to spines by protein diffusion, which does not require SNX6. Ablation of SNX6 causes reduced distribution of Homer1b/c in distal dendrites, decrease in surface levels of AMPAR and impaired AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission. These findings reveal a physiological role of SNX6 in CNS excitatory neurons. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.20991. 001
Cytoarchitecture of choroidal capillary endothelial cells.

PURPOSE To describe the cytoarchitecture of the choroidal capillary endothelial cells, especially as it relates to cellular processes that protrude through the basal lamina into Bruch's membrane (BM). METHODS Human donor eyes and monkey and hamster eyes were examined by transmission electron microscopy and freeze-fracture replication. The number of endothelial cell processes and the characteristics of the processes and surrounding structures were determined in the maculae of human eyes and correlated with age-related changes in neighboring structures. RESULTS Endothelial cell processes were observed in eyes of all species examined and at all ages. They typically occurred at sites of focally thickened, nonfenestrated regions of the endothelial cells. The basal lamina adjacent to the processes was often hypertrophic and associated deposits of long-spacing collagen (LSC) were observed frequently. In humans, there was no correlation between the number of processes per 100 micro m of the BM with age, sex, cause of death, postmortem time, RPE autofluorescence, or RPE residual body content. There was a weak linear association with the thickness of the BM. CONCLUSIONS The finding of cellular processes of choroidal capillary endothelial cells penetrating their basal laminae is normal. These processes may serve to stabilize choroidal endothelial cells physically and play an important structural role in the maintenance of patency of the choriocapillaris. It is also possible that they have additional functions, as suggested for similar processes in other tissues. They are not necessarily the harbinger of choroidal neovascularization, although growth of new vessels may result from distortion of this normal attribute.
The Rehabilitation Effect of Punishment

The putatively beneficial effect of punishment on criminal of fenders is examined by estimating a logistic specification of a two-period model of optimal participation in illegitimate and legitimate activities. Estimates are obtained utilizing a sample of parolees released from all adult correctional institutions in the United States during 1972. The conclusion would seem to be that incarceration is not substantially effective in rehabilita­tion efforts and may even have a result opposite to that intended, increased punishment may increase optimal participa­tion in crime.
Hybrid Approaches for User Navigation in Web Usage Mining

With the growth of World Wide Web and large number Hosts are join continuously to the internet, huge number of access events to Web sites pages were recorded by Servers in log files , many users share, send, post and download lot of things from Web Sites, this manner can be difficult to many organization and Agents in order to monitor and control that, the recorded information and type of analysis used to extract useful knowledge and understanding it become a practical challenges to many researchers. Log files can provide many events information regard to Clients activities, server activities and so on. Many organization employee many log files analysis tools to predict, analysis and monitor users behavior towards site contents . In this paper we proposed algorithms to analysis hidden information contents in Log files and discovering patterns by identified users along with them navigation behaviors then clustering similar users based on different interesting log file content for many Web sites that hosted in Web server. Find statistics for every part in log file command lines which are not present in many log files analysis tools are supported here and finally discovering frequent Web sites-Users and user's activities towards those Web sites. Forming a fine ordered web site to assist users to access the website effectively are the crisis in the modern information age. Web developer must recognize the structure of in viewer’s perception. Developer centered website is out of scope now a days. User centered websites have higher rating in the WWW. Navigation is important for novice users because most of the websites are dynamic in nature. Identifying accurate direction for target webpage is the essential commitment of each and every networked user. In this paper, we suggest a most favorable clarification for improved navigation for the users who accessing the dynamic website and using this they can find destination meticulously. Web Usage Mining (WUM) is applied to obtain information that may assist web site reorganization and adaptation. The classification algorithm, Longest Common Subsequence classifies user navigation.
GIVING SENSE TO AND MAKING SENSE OF JUSTICE IN POSTMERGER INTEGRATION

The objective of this article is to elucidate how justice in general and distributive justice in particular are given sense to and made sense of in postmerger integration. Drawing on a longitudinal real-time analysis of a recent merger, we identify a pattern in which focus moved from equality to equity to less emphasis on distributive justice. To understand the dynamics involved, we develop a process model that explains how actors reconcile pressures of value creation and sociopolitical concerns in dialogical “sensegiving” and “sensemaking” processes that lead to the enactment of specific norms of justice. This analysis adds to research on mergers and acquisitions by facilitating understanding of the crucial role that norms of justice play in postmerger integration, of the way in which they change over time as integration processes unfold, and of the intergroup dynamics through which these norms of justice are enacted. By uncovering the microdynamics of dialogical sensegiving and sensemaking processes, we also contribute to research on organizational justice, sensemaking, and process studies.