Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Th17 cells in pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus infection of macaques

Purpose of reviewWe discuss studies on a subset of CD4+T cells, designated Th17, and their role in the pathogenesis of human and simian acquired immune deficiency, caused by infection with HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), respectively. Most of the Th17 cells are lost within 2 weeks from infection at mucosal sites of SIV-infected macaques and are not replenished over time. Comparison of simian pathogenic and nonpathogenic models of SIV infection suggests that Th17 cells contribute to the pathogenesis of AIDS. Recent findingsTh17 cells, a recently identified subset of T helper cells, play a major role in both inducing autoimmune disorders and fencing off extracellular pathogens. Several groups have reported that the number of Th17 cells is decreased in the gut of HIV-infected and SIV-infected hosts. The loss of Th17 cells from the mucosal compartment has been associated with the dissemination of Salmonella typhimurium that is normally contained locally by the host immune system. It is believed that microbial translocation sustains immune activation in HIV infection and contributes to AIDS. SummaryUnderstanding the mechanisms that lead to disruption of mucosal integrity, viral spread, and chronic immune activation is of crucial importance for the design of efficient vaccines and therapeutic intervention for HIV.
Sixth International Joint Conference on Natural Language Processing

In Taiwan, there are different types of TV programs, and each program usually has its broadcast length and frequency. We accumulate the broadcasted TV programs’ word-ofmouth on Facebook and apply the Backpropagation Network to predict the latest program audience rating. TV audience rating is an important indicator regarding the popularity of programs and it is also a factor to influence the revenue of broadcast stations via advertisements. Currently, the present media environments are drastically changing our media consumption patterns. We can watch TV programs on YouTube regardless location and timing. In this paper, we develop a model for predicting TV audience rating. We also present the audience rating trend analysis on demo system which is used to describe the relation between predictive audience rating and
Research on modelling and optimisation of RBF neural network based on particle filter

The BP neural network algorithm used in approximation of function has two shortcomings: the one is its slower convergence rate and the other is its falling into the local minimum. In order to solve the problems, a new method is proposed in this paper and is complicated on a typical complex system – the synthetic ammonia decarbonisation industrial process. The main issue of the proposed approach is on modelling and optimisation of the radial basis function (RBF) neural network based on particle filter algorithm. The learning capability and the advantage of particle filtering algorithm on processing non-linear system are used and the modelling and optimisation of RBF neural network based on particle filter is present. Furthermore, some simulation studies with calcination section have been done. The simulation result shows the superiority of the RBF neural network based on particle filter algorithm. It provides an efficient way for the complex system modelling and optimisation control research. Both the experimental results and the application validate the feasibility of the proposed algorithm.
Initial development of a neuropsychological screening measure for school children : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

The present study developed a pilot neuropsychological screening measure, called the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status for Children (RBANS-q which is designed to be used with children between five and ten years of age. 'Ibis pilot measure was trialled on a sample of 30 New Zealand primary school children to evaluate its screening ability for children. It is based on the Repeatable Battery for the Asscssmc.>nt of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) which is used to screen adults for neurocognitive deficits. Like the RBANS, the RBANS-C is made up of a battery of subtests that assess five cognitive domains, including attention, immediate and delayed memory, visuospatial/constructional abilities and language. Some of the subtests o f the RBANS-C were altered to be more suitable for children while o thers were left the same as in the RBANS. The results from the pilot tryout indicated that some subtests have adequate psychometric properties while others do not. This is most likely due to the small sample size and to a lack o f some research controls as well as to inadequacies of some of the subtests. Nevertheless, the results suggest that the RBANS-C seems to identify children with cognitive difficulties, and to some extent isolate those difficulties. No significant sex differences but some considerable age variations were observed since the measure lacks any adjustments for age effects which further improvements of the RBANS-C sho uld incorporate. Also, future research on the RBANS-C will need to develop an alternative form and make necessary modifications to make the RBANS-C an effective neuropsychological screening tool for school children.
Coverage metrics for functional tests

Describes test quality measures that quantify the completeness of a functional test. The measures are based on exercising a functional model of the unit with the given set of test sequences. Two metrics are proposed: the control-flow coverage (FC1) indicates how completely the logical flow of the functional model is traversed, and the data path coverage (FC2) indicates how completely the data paths have been exercised over a specified set of observable values. The metrics were evaluated using an RTL model of a RISC processor and a combinational circuit. <<ETX>>
Prenatal Nicotine Exposure Recruits an Excitatory Pathway to Brainstem Parasympathetic Cardioinhibitory Neurons during Hypoxia/Hypercapnia in the Rat: Implications for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Maternal cigarette smoking and prenatal nicotine exposure increase the risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by 2- to 4-fold, yet despite adverse publicity, nearly one of four pregnant women smoke tobacco. Infants who succumb to SIDS typically experience a severe bradycardia that precedes or is accompanied by centrally mediated life-threatening apneas and gasping. Although the causes of the apnea and bradycardia prevalent in SIDS victims are unknown, it has been hypothesized that these fatal events are exaggerated cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia or hypercapnia. Changes in heart rate are primarily determined by the activity of cardiac vagal neurons (CVNs) in the brainstem. In this study, we tested whether hypoxia/hypercapnia evokes synaptic pathways to CVNs and whether these cardiorespiratory interactions are altered by prenatal exposure to nicotine. Spontaneous rhythmic inspiratory-related activity was recorded from the hypoglossal rootlet of 700- to 800-μm medullary sections. CVNs were identified in this preparation by retrograde fluorescent labeling, and excitatory synaptic inputs to CVNs were isolated and studied using patch-clamp electrophysiologic techniques. Hypoxia/hypercapnia did not elicit an increase in excitatory neurotransmission to CVNs in unexposed animals, but in animals that were exposed to nicotine in the prenatal period, hypoxia/hypercapnia recruited an excitatory neurotransmission to CVNs. This study establishes a likely neurochemical mechanism for the exaggerated decrease in heart rate in response to hypoxia/hypercapnia that occurs in SIDS victims.
Transcriptional Responses of Escherichia coli K-12 and O157:H7 Associated with Lettuce Leaves

ABSTRACT An increasing number of outbreaks of gastroenteritis recently caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7 have been linked to the consumption of leafy green vegetables. Although it is known that E. coli survives and grows in the phyllosphere of lettuce plants, the molecular mechanisms by which this bacterium associates with plants are largely unknown. The goal of this study was to identify E. coli genes relevant to its interaction, survival, or attachment to lettuce leaf surfaces, comparing E. coli K-12, a model system, and E. coli O157:H7, a pathogen associated with a large number of outbreaks. Using microarrays, we found that upon interaction with intact leaves, 10.1% and 8.7% of the 3,798 shared genes were differentially expressed in K-12 and O157:H7, respectively, whereas 3.1% changed transcript levels in both. The largest group of genes downregulated consisted of those involved in energy metabolism, including tnaA (33-fold change), encoding a tryptophanase that converts tryptophan into indole. Genes involved in biofilm modulation (bhsA and ybiM) and curli production (csgA and csgB) were significantly upregulated in E. coli K-12 and O157:H7. Both csgA and bhsA (ycfR) mutants were impaired in the long-term colonization of the leaf surface, but only csgA mutants had diminished ability in short-term attachment experiments. Our data suggested that the interaction of E. coli K-12 and O157:H7 with undamaged lettuce leaves likely is initiated via attachment to the leaf surface using curli fibers, a downward shift in their metabolism, and the suppression of biofilm formation.
Wireless Smart Sensors Networks, systems, trends and its impact in environmental monitoring

Wireless Smart Sensor Networks (WSSN) offers a new paradigm regards to the way that the traditional monitoring systems have been designed, all this happens due to the impactgenerating by technology in society. The deployment of Information and Communication Technologies or ICT allow us now rely with small devices that are able to integrate into a “simple element” the potential of computing, communication and monitoring systems and from here starts to move to these minidevices, the ability of intelligence that ensure the deployment of new systems focused in environmental monitoring. In this paper we present a survey of technologies employed to wireless smart sensor networks, their management systems as well as their trends and finally we presents the design and implementation of an application for monitoring environmental variables using the WSSN and virtual instrumentation on Smartphone.
The psychology of the oldest-old: the fourth age

Most of our knowledge about ageing, including psychological ageing, stems from the young-old, those aged between 60 and 70 years. Is this knowledge applicable to the oldest-old, or do we have to differentiate between the 'Third' and the 'Fourth Age'? Curr Opin Psychiatry 11:411-415.
Cooking pasta in La Paz: Bilingualism, bias and the replication crisis

Literature on bilingualism and cognition is characterised by a large amount of conflicting evidence. In some studies, bilinguals perform better then monolinguals on executive tasks involving inhibition, monitoring and switching but are slower on tasks of lexical processing. Other studies don’t find any significant effects and challenge the very existence of cognitive differences between monolinguals and bilinguals. In this paper I question the assumption that different studies performed in different parts of the world should yield the same results. I argue that the environment (in the widest sense of the word) in which an experiment is conducted can exert profound influence on its outcome. Against the background of the current debate about the replication crisis in science, I propose that conflicting evidence is not a threat to the trustworthiness of scientific research but a sign of the health of a discipline and a welcome opportunity to identify new relevant variables.
Autocrine Endothelin-3/Endothelin Receptor B Signaling Maintains Cellular and Molecular Properties of Glioblastoma Stem Cells

Glioblastoma stem cells (GSC) express both radial glial cell and neural crest cell (NCC)-associated genes. We report that endothelin 3 (EDN3), an essential mitogen for NCC development and migration, is highly produced by GSCs. Serum-induced proliferative differentiation rapidly decreased EDN3 production and downregulated the expression of stemness-associated genes, and reciprocally, two glioblastoma markers, EDN1 and YKL-40 transcripts, were induced. Correspondingly, patient glioblastoma tissues express low levels of EDN3 mRNA and high levels of EDN1 and YKL-40 mRNA. Blocking EDN3/EDN receptor B (EDNRB) signaling by an EDNRB antagonist (BQ788), or EDN3 RNA interference (siRNA), leads to cell apoptosis and functional impairment of tumor sphere formation and cell spreading/migration in culture and loss of tumorigenic capacity in animals. Using exogenous EDN3 as the sole mitogen in culture does not support GSC propagation, but it can rescue GSCs from undergoing cell apoptosis. Molecular analysis by gene expression profiling revealed that most genes downregulated by EDN3/EDNRB blockade were those involved in cytoskeleton organization, pause of growth and differentiation, and DNA damage response, implicating the involvement of EDN3/EDNRB signaling in maintaining GSC migration, undifferentiation, and survival. These data suggest that autocrine EDN3/EDNRB signaling is essential for maintaining GSCs. Incorporating END3/EDNRB-targeted therapies into conventional cancer treatments may have clinical implication for the prevention of tumor recurrence. Mol Cancer Res; 9(12); 1668–85. ©2011 AACR.
Building from the Ground Up

SUMMARY In an era of low crime rates and high imprisonment rates, the role of communities in producing safety and justice is open for critical reexamination. This article suggests that community resiliency is an unexplored factor in the recent drop in violent crime rates, and that community capacity is adversely affected by imprisonment policies, creating critical questions about the ability of community organizations to engage in partnerships on crime and justice topics. Drawing lessons from several community policing experiments, this article outlines a possible role for community engagement in reducing the current reliance on incarceration as a response to crime.
RAGE Expression in Human T Cells: A Link between Environmental Factors and Adaptive Immune Responses

The Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) is a scavenger ligand that binds glycated endproducts as well as molecules released during cell death such as S100b and HMGB1. RAGE is expressed on antigen presenting cells where it may participate in activation of innate immune responses but its role in adaptive human immune responses has not been described. We have found that RAGE is expressed intracellularly in human T cells following TCR activation but constitutively on T cells from patients with diabetes. The levels of RAGE on T cells from patients with diabetes are not related to the level of glucose control. It co-localizes to the endosomes. Its expression increases in activated T cells from healthy control subjects but bystander cells also express RAGE after stimulation of the antigen specific T cells. RAGE ligands enhance RAGE expression. In patients with T1D, the level of RAGE expression decreases with T cell activation. RAGE+ T cells express higher levels of IL-17A, CD107a, and IL-5 than RAGE- cells from the same individual with T1D. Our studies have identified the expression of RAGE on adaptive immune cells and a role for this receptor and its ligands in modulating human immune responses.
Promoting health in a virtual world: Impressions of health communication messages delivered in Second Life

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the use of the online virtual world Second Life (SL) for the delivery of health communication messages designed to encourage individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices regarding physical activity and nutrition. Research questions addressed participants’ impressions of the usefulness and relevance of health information received via an online virtual world and participants’ overall impressions of an online health education intervention program. Forty individuals participated in a health education intervention and completed a post-test survey. Four focus groups were also held, one in real life and three in Second Life and included a total of 28 participants. Overall, participants rated the health intervention positively, found the information useful in helping them think about changing their health behaviors, and reported finding the information easy to understand and personally relevant. Participants were also consistent in reporting they found the use of Second Life to be a unique and novel approach for the delivery of health information.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND DIAGNOSIS OF ANISAKIS, PSEUDOTERRANOVA, AND CONTRACAECUM FROM NORTHERN PACIFIC MARINE MAMMALS

Individual specimens of Anisakis, Pseudoterranova, and Contracaecum collected from marine mammals inhabiting northern Pacific waters were used for comparative diagnostic and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Forty-eight new sequences were obtained for this study of 14 Anisakis taxa, 8 Pseudoterranova taxa, 4 Contracaecum taxa, and 4 outgroup species. Partial 28S (LSU) and complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2) ribosomal DNA was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Sequences of ITS indicated that Pseudoterranova specimens from Zalophus californianus (California sea lion), Mirounga angustirostris (northern elephant seal), Phoca vitulina (harbor seal), Enhydra lutris (sea otter), and Eumetopias jubatus (Steller's sea lion) exactly matched P. decipiens s. str. , extending the host and geographic range of this species. Anisakis from northern Pacific marine mammals were most closely related to members of the A. simplex species complex. Comparison of Anisakis ITS sequences diagnosed the presence of A. simplex C in 2 M. angustirostris hosts, which is a new host record. Anisakis specimens from Phocoena phocoena (harbor porpoise), Lissodelphis borealis (Pacific rightwhale porpoise), and E. jubatus included 3 ITS sequences that did not match any known species. Contracaecum adults obtained from Z. californianus were most closely related to C. ogmorhini s.l. and C. rudolphii, but ITS sequences of these Contracaecum specimens did not match C. ogmorhini s. str. or C. margolisi. These novel Anisakis and Contracaecum ITS sequences may represent previously uncharacterized species. Phylogenetic analysis of LSU sequences revealed strong support for the monophyly of Anisakinae, Contracaecum plus Phocascaris, Pseudoterranova, and Anisakis. Phylogenetic trees inferred from ITS sequences yielded robustly supported relationships for Pseudoterranova and Anisakis species that are primarily consistent with previously published phenograms based on multilocus electrophoretic data.
Dual-band quadruple planar inverted-F antenna for GPS L1/L2 band

In this paper, a new dual-band quadruple planar inverted-F antenna (QPIFA) radiating right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) pattern is presented and experimentally investigated for the application as global positioning system (GPS) receiving antenna at L1/L2 band (1.575 GHz / 1.227 GHz). The proposed antenna has a 3-dB beam-width of more than 120° ∼ 140° and a front-to-back ratio of more than 15 dB at the target frequencies. Also, the proposed antenna shows the peak gain of about 1.5 dBic / 4 dBic and the axial ratio less than 1 dB in GPS L1 / L2 band.
An appreciative inquiry into teacher aides' perspectives on best practice for inclusion : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Educational Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS.iv LIST OF FIGURES.vi LIST OF APPENDICES.vi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION.1 Background and justification for this study . 1 Using words deliberately: A note on terminology . 2 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW . 4 Inclusive education in New Zealand: Historical, social, political and economic context. 4 Inclusive education in New Zealand: Current policy and practice . 7 Teacher aiding: Themes from literature . 9 Teacher aide working conditions: A snapshot from the literature . 10 How does the presence of teacher aides influence student outcomes? 11 Effective deployment of teacher aides in an inclusive schooling context . 13 Conclusion. 14 CHAPTER THREE: METHOD.15 Epistemological framework: Social constructionism. 15 Theoretical framework and methodology: Appreciative inquiry. 15 Research Design. 16 Research objectives. 16 Participants. 16 Data collection and analysis. 17 Limitations . 18 Ethical considerations . 18 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS.19 The best of what is in teacher aide practice . 19 Making a difference . 20 The components that contribute to moments of best practice . 22 Collaboration. 22 Expertise . 24 Flexibility and Responsiveness. 26
The extracytoplasmic function σ factor σC regulates expression of a branched quinol oxidation pathway in Corynebacterium glutamicum

Bacteria modify their expression of different terminal oxidases in response to oxygen availability. Corynebacterium glutamicum, a facultative anaerobic bacterium of the phylum Actinobacteria, possesses aa3‐type cytochrome c oxidase and cytochrome bd‐type quinol oxidase, the latter of which is induced by oxygen limitation. We report that an extracytoplasmic function σ factor, σC, is responsible for the regulation of this process. Chromatin immunoprecipitation with microarray analysis detected eight σC‐binding regions in the genome, facilitating the identification of a consensus promoter sequence for σC recognition. The promoter sequences were found upstream of genes for cytochrome bd, heme a synthesis enzymes and uncharacterized membrane proteins, all of which were upregulated by sigC overexpression. However, one consensus promoter sequence found on the antisense strand upstream of an operon encoding the cytochrome bc1 complex conferred a σC‐dependent negative effect on expression of the operon. The σC regulon was induced by cytochrome aa3 deficiency without modifying sigC expression, but not by bc1 complex deficiency. These findings suggest that σC is activated in response to impaired electron transfer via cytochrome aa3 and not directly to a shift in oxygen levels. Our results reveal a new paradigm for transcriptional regulation of the aerobic respiratory system in bacteria.
Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies: The Measuring of Equine Temperament

Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies: The Measuring of Equine Temperament by Thecla Helmbrecht Howard EDS, University of Wisconsin, 1991 MS, University of Wisconsin, 1981 BS, Marquette University, 1971 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Health Psychology
A Study on Optimal Pole Design of Spoke-Type IPMSM With Concentrated Winding for Reducing the Torque Ripple by Experiment Design Method

An optimal design procedure is proposed to effectively reduce the torque ripple by optimizing the rotor pole shape of the spoke-type IPMSM with concentrated winding. The procedure is composed of two steps. In step 1, the steepest descent method (SDM) is used with only two design variables to rapidly approach the optimal shape. From the near optimal rotor shape as a result of the step 1, the design variables are reselected, and the drawing spline curves are utilized to explain more complex shape with the Kriging model in step 2. By using an optimal design procedure, we show that the optimized rotor pole shape of the spoke-type IPMSM effectively reduces the torque ripple while still maintaining the average torque.