Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal deprivation of neonatal rats produces enduring changes in dopamine function

Isolation‐rearing of weanling rats produces a syndrome of behavioral and neurochemical effects that are indicative of enhanced ventrostriatal dopamine function observed in adulthood. By contrast, maternal deprivation of neonatal rats decreases behavioral responses to dopamine agonists when tested in adults, which may indicate the opposite situation. However, in the present study it is reported that in vivo microdialysis of the nucleus accumbens (NAC) revealed enhanced release of dopamine (DA) in response to both d‐amphetamine and high K+ perfusate in maternally deprived subjects. Thus, behavioral responses to d‐amphetamine are diminished in maternally deprived rats despite apparent increases in presynaptic dopaminergic function in the NAC. Synapse 32:37–43, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative photoacoustic tomography

In this paper, several algorithms that allow for quantitative photoacoustic reconstruction of tissue optical, acoustic and physiological properties are described in a finite-element method based framework. These quantitative reconstruction algorithms are compared, and the merits and limitations associated with these methods are discussed. In addition, a multispectral approach is presented for concurrent reconstructions of multiple parameters including deoxyhaemoglobin, oxyhaemoglobin and water concentrations as well as acoustic speed. Simulation and in vivo experiments are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the reconstruction algorithms presented.
Cellular targets of infection and route of viral dissemination after an intravaginal inoculation of simian immunodeficiency virus into rhesus macaques

We used the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)/rhesus macaque model to study events that underlie sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Four female rhesus macaques were inoculated intravaginally with SIVmac251, and then killed 2, 5, 7, and 9 d later. A technique that detected polymerase chain reaction- amplified SIV in situ showed that the first cellular targets for SIV were in the lamina propria of the cervicovaginal mucosa, immediately subjacent to the epithelium. Phenotypic and localization studies demonstrated that many of the infected cells were likely to be dendritic cells. Within 2 d of inoculation, infected cells were identified in the paracortex and subcapsular sinus of the draining internal iliac lymph nodes. Subsequently, systemic dissemination of SIV was rapid, since culturable virus was detectable in the blood by day 5. From these results, we present a model for mucosal transmission of SIV and HIV-1.
Managing and Mining Video-Sensor Data

Sensor research has been undergoing a quiet revolution, promising to have significant impact on a broad range of applications relating to national security, health care, the environment, etc. In this work, we particularly focus our effort on building large-scale video-sensor networks, addressing several large-scale data-management and data-mining issues. We outline our preliminary results in two research areas: sensornetwork resource management, and statistical methods for sensor-data mining. We also discuss future directions that research might take.
Chronic Deep Brain Stimulation for Segmental Dystonia

Fourteen consecutive patients with segmental dystonia underwent chronic deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in the frame of a prospective study protocol. Twelve patients received chronic pallidal stimulation, while 2 patients with prominent dystonic tremor received chronic thalamic ventrointermediate nucleus stimulation. Twelve patients had primary dystonia, and 2 patients secondary dystonia. The Burke-Fahn-Marsden dystonia rating scale (BFM motor) showed a mean relative improvement of 57.3% at the first follow-up (FU1, mean 7 months) and 57.8% at the second follow-up (FU2, mean 16 months). The mean BFM scores were 34.9 ± 17.7 preoperatively, 14.9 ± 11.7 at FU1, and 14.8 ± 10.3 at FU2. Scores of the disability subscale improved by 43% at FU1 and 36% at FU2. Improvement was comparatively less in those patients with secondary dystonia. Dysarthria was a limitation of DBS in 4 patients when using high voltage. Overall, chronic DBS is a very effective treatment option for medically refractory segmental dystonia.
Enhanced Production of Androst-1,4-Diene-3,17-Dione by Mycobacterium neoaurum JC-12 Using Three-Stage Fermentation Strategy

To improve the androst-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD) production from phytosterol by Mycobacterium neoaurum JC-12, fructose was firstly found favorable as the initial carbon source to increase the biomass and eliminate the lag phase of M. neoaurum JC-12 in the phytosterol transformation process. Based on this phenomenon, two-stage fermentation by using fructose as the initial carbon source and feeding glucose to maintain strain metabolism was designed. By applying this strategy, the fermentation duration was decreased from 168 h to 120 h with the ADD productivity increased from 0.071 g/(L·h) to 0.108 g/(L·h). Further, three-stage fermentation by adding phytosterol to improve ADD production at the end of the two-stage fermentation was carried out and the final ADD production reached 18.6 g/L, which is the highest reported ADD production using phytosterol as substrate. Thus, this strategy provides a possible way in enhancing the ADD production in pharmaceutical industry.
Breast-feeding practice in Norway 1860–1984

Summary Data from birth records with information on previously born children from three maternity hospitals in Norway have been used to study the trend in breast-feeding practice from 1860 to 1984. During the whole period, the percentage of women breast-feeding for at least 1 week was remarkably high, above 90%. The results show a fairly stable duration of breast-feeding up until 1920, at least 3 months in approximately 80% of the women. After that year, the distribution of the duration of breast-feeding changed dramatically. The shortest durations were found in the late 1960s, when only about 30% lactated for 3 months or more. The duration then increased quickly, so that at the beginning of the 1980s about 80% of the women were again breast-feeding for at least 3 months. By multiple regression methods, the relationships of several independent variables to the duration of breast-feeding were investigated. Married women lactated for 1·5–3 months longer than unmarried, the difference being largest before 1920. First-born children were breast-fed for a little shorter time than second and later-born children. Until World War II women of lowest social strata had the longest durations of breast-feeding, and then the situation was reversed, women of highest social strata continuing the longest.
ective are Neural Networks at Forecasting and Prediction ? A Review and Evaluation

Despite increasing applications of arti®cial neural networks (NNs) to forecasting over the past decade, opinions regarding their contribution are mixed. Evaluating research in this area has been dicult, due to lack of clear criteria. We identi®ed eleven guidelines that could be used in evaluating this literature. Using these, we examined applications of NNs to business forecasting and prediction. We located 48 studies done between 1988 and 1994. For each, we evaluated how eectively the proposed technique was compared with alternatives (eectiveness of validation) and how well the technique was implemented (eectiveness of implementation). We found that eleven of the studies were both eectively validated and implemented. Another eleven studies were eectively validated and produced positive results, even though there were some problems with respect to the quality of their NN implementations. Of these 22 studies, 18 supported the potential of NNs for forecasting and prediction. # 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resilience and Stereotyping

Purpose: The lived experiences of Native American elders regarding the effects of stereotypes on resilience were examined. Method: This qualitative study emphasized culturally compatible methods of traditional storytelling and featured interpretive analysis. Results: Themes revealed were the following: (a) having the ability to successfully bridge cultures fostered resilience and inspired self-confidence, (b) a strong sense of identity was a core element of resilience, (c) being responsible and accountable inspired a sense of pride, (d) educational attainment and employment fostered resilience, and (e) cultural resilience was a key component when confronting stereotypes. Although stereotyping has had profound effects, these first Americans have taken the best of both worlds and successfully integrated them to live successful, well-adjusted lives. Discussion: These findings suggest that disparities in mental and physical health could be addressed by building on the unique foundation of cultural resilience embodied by these Native elders.
Further characterization of a novel triacylglycerol hydrolase activity (pH 6.0 optimum) from microvillous membranes from human term placenta.

We recently identified the presence of two distinct triacylglycerol hydrolases with pH optima of 6.0 and 8.0 in human placental microvillous membranes (MVM). The TAG hydrolase with a pH optimum of 8.0 has properties similar to lipoprotein lipase, whereas TAG hydrolase with a pH optimum of 6.0 still to be fully characterized. In order to understand the functional and structural relationships between these two TAG hydrolases of MVM we have further investigated their biochemical and molecular properties. The presence of oleic acid inhibited TAG hydrolase activity with a pH optimum of 8.0 by 60 per cent whilst it had very little effect on the pH 6.0 TAG hydrolase activity. K(m)values for TAG hydrolases at pH 6.0 and pH 8. 0 optima were 170.6 and 9.83 nmol triolein, respectively, whereas the corresponding V(max)values were 0.32 and 0.037 nmol oleic acid/min mg/protein. Treatment of MVM with phenylmethylsulphonofluoride or protamine had no effect on TAG hydrolase at pH 6.0 whereas both decreased activity at pH 8.0, by 70 per cent and 52 per cent, respectively (P< 0.05), compared with control. p-Chloromercuribenzoate inhibited both TAG hydrolase activities by 25-30 per cent whereas iodoacetate inhibited TAG hydrolase activity with optimum pH 8.0 by 74 per cent and the activity at pH 6.0 by 28 per cent. Unlike the TAG hydrolase activity at pH 8.0, the activity at pH 6.0 was not affected by heparin. TAG hydrolase activity at pH 6.0 was significantly decreased compared with that of pH 8.0 optimum TAG hydrolase activity in smokers placenta. A threefold increase in pH 6.0 TAG hydrolase activity was observed following differentiation, whereas membrane associated TAG hydrolase activity with optimum pH 8.0 did not change. The TAG hydrolase with optimum pH 6.0 was subsequently purified from MVM to almost 1000-fold enrichment of the activity over the starting material. The final preparation however, still contained three distinct protein bands (90, 70 and 45 kDa). When extracted from non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels, the 70 kDa protein was the only protein to have TAG hydrolysing activity and had a pH optimum of 6.0. Labelling of samples with [(14)C]tetrahydrolipstatin also confirmed that the TAG hydrolase active protein was a 70 kDa protein. In conclusion, we report that there is a 70 kDa TAG hydrolase with optimum pH 6.0 in human placental MVM which is quite distinct from placental lipoprotein lipase.
A Highly Accurate FGG-FG-FFT for the Combined Field Integral Equation

In this paper, a novel realization of the Integral Equation in combination with the fast Fourier transform for the CFIE is established by Fitting both the Green's function and its Gradient onto the nodes of a uniform Cartesian grid. The new method has been compared with several existing popular FFT-based methods, including the AIM, the IE-FFT, and the p-FFT. The accuracy of the proposed method is significantly higher than other FFT-based methods, and the method is not sensitive to both the grid spacing and the expansion order. The outstanding merit of the proposed method is that the fitting procedure is independent of the basis functions. Therefore, when the higher order basis functions would be adopted in the method of moments, only one fitting procedure for the Green's function and its gradient on a basis function support is needed to meet all of basis functions defined on this support. Some numerical examples are provided in this paper to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.
Correlation between platelet-derived growth factor signaling pathway and inflammation in desoxycorticosterone-induced salt-sensitive hypertensive rats with myocardial fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether inflammation could excessively activate platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling pathway in desoxycorticosterone (DOCA) induced salt-sensitive hypertensive rats with myocardial fibrosis (MF). METHODS A total of 30 male SD rats underwent right nephrectomy and then bred with 1% sodium chloride and 0.1% potassium chloride for 2 weeks. These animals were randomly divided into 3 groups: CON group, DOCA group and DOCA+FAS group. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured once every 2 weeks; HE staining was done to observe myocardial inflammation; immunohistochemistry was done to detect expressions of monocyte-macrophage antigen (ectodermal dysplasia 1, ED-1), PDGFRα and PDGFRβ in the myocardium; real time fluorescence quantitative PCR was employed to detect the mRNA expressions of DGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGF-C, PDGF-D, PDGFRα and PDGFRβ. RESULTS The SBP in DOCA group and DOCA+FAS group increased markedly when compared with CON group (P<0.01), but there was no marked difference between DOCA group and DOCA+FAS group (P>0.05). At 14 days, in DOCA group, the myocardial inflammation was obvious, ED-1 expression increased markedly, the mRNA expressions of PDGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGF-C, PDGFRα and PDGFRβ increased to different extents, protein expressions of PDGFRα and PDGFRβ also elevated markedly (P<0.01), but the PDGF-D mRNA expression remained unchanged, when compared with CON group. After treatment with fasudil (a drug with anti-inflammatory activity), myocardial inflammation was significantly attenuated, mRNA expressions of PDGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGF-C and PDGFRα as well as PDGFRα protein expression reduced dramatically (P<0.01), but the mRNA and protein expressions of PDGFRβ remained unchanged (P>0.05) when compared with DOCA group. CONCLUSION In DOCA/salt induced hypertensive rats with MF, excessive activation of PDGF/PDGFR signaling pathway is involved in myocardial inflammation.
Trichoderma-Plant Root Colonization: Escaping Early Plant Defense Responses and Activation of the Antioxidant Machinery for Saline Stress Tolerance

Trichoderma spp. are versatile opportunistic plant symbionts which can colonize the apoplast of plant roots. Microarrays analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana roots inoculated with Trichoderma asperelloides T203, coupled with qPCR analysis of 137 stress responsive genes and transcription factors, revealed wide gene transcript reprogramming, proceeded by a transient repression of the plant immune responses supposedly to allow root colonization. Enhancement in the expression of WRKY18 and WRKY40, which stimulate JA-signaling via suppression of JAZ repressors and negatively regulate the expression of the defense genes FMO1, PAD3 and CYP71A13, was detected in Arabidopsis roots upon Trichoderma colonization. Reduced root colonization was observed in the wrky18/wrky40 double mutant line, while partial phenotypic complementation was achieved by over-expressing WRKY40 in the wrky18 wrky40 background. On the other hand increased colonization rate was found in roots of the FMO1 knockout mutant. Trichoderma spp. stimulate plant growth and resistance to a wide range of adverse environmental conditions. Arabidopsis and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants treated with Trichoderma prior to salt stress imposition show significantly improved seed germination. In addition, Trichoderma treatment affects the expression of several genes related to osmo-protection and general oxidative stress in roots of both plants. The MDAR gene coding for monodehydroascorbate reductase is significantly up-regulated and, accordingly, the pool of reduced ascorbic acid was found to be increased in Trichoderma treated plants. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC)-deaminase silenced Trichoderma mutants were less effective in providing tolerance to salt stress, suggesting that Trichoderma, similarly to ACC deaminase producing bacteria, can ameliorate plant growth under conditions of abiotic stress, by lowering ameliorating increases in ethylene levels as well as promoting an elevated antioxidative capacity.
Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Anterior Single Implant-Supported Prostheses with Different Bone Anchorages

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution of monocortical and bicortical implant placement of external hexagon connection in the anterior region of the maxilla by 3D finite element analysis (FEA). 3D models were simulated to represent a bone block of anterior region of the maxilla containing an implant (4.0 × 10.0 mm) and an implant-supported cemented metalloceramic crown of the central incisor. Different techniques were tested (monocortical, bicortical, and bicortical associated with nasal floor elevation). FEA was performed in FEMAP/NeiNastran software using loads of 178 N at 0°, 30°, and 60° in relation to implant long axis. The von Mises, maximum principal stress, and displacement maps were plotted for evaluation. Similar stress patterns were observed for all models. Oblique loads increased the stress concentration on fixation screws and in the cervical area of the implants and bone around them. Bicortical technique showed less movement tendency in the implant and its components. Cortical bone of apical region showed increase of stress concentration for bicortical techniques. Within the limitations of this study, oblique loading increased the stress concentrations for all techniques. Moreover, bicortical techniques showed the best biomechanical behavior compared with monocortical technique in the anterior maxillary area.
Performance Evaluation of RESTful Web Services for Mobile Devices

Smart Mobile devices and web services are becoming very popular. Mobile devices are physically constrained devices; low processor speed, limited memory, limited battery, and slow intermit wireless connection. This implies to take in consideration these factors when implementing web services for mobile devices. In this paper, we evaluate the RESTful web service for mobile devices against conventional SOAP web services. The experimental results show that RESTful web services outperform conventional SOAP web services. A recommendation to use RESTful web services on mobile devices has been concluded from experimental result.
Active Sugar Transport by the Small Intestine

Tris-disrupted and intact brush border membrane preparations from mucosa of hamster jejunum were capable of preferentially binding actively transported D-glucose in a similar manner. Density gradient centrifugation of the Tris-disrupted brush borders indicated that D-glucose was bound to a fraction containing the cores or inner material of the microvilli. The properties of this binding were examined with the Tris-disrupted brush border preparation. Actively transported sugars competitively inhibited preferential D-glucose binding, whereas no effect was observed with nonactively transported sugars. Neither actively nor nonactively transported amino acids affected D-glucose binding. D-Glucosamine, which is not actively transported, was inhibitory to preferential D-glucose binding as well as to the active transport of D-glucose by everted sacs of hamster jejunum. No inhibitory effect was observed with the same concentration of D-galactosamine. Preferential D-glucose binding was also inhibited by sulfhydryl-reacting compounds, Ca2+, and Li+ ions. On the other hand, Mg2+ was shown to be stimulatory and Na+, NH4 +, and K+ had no effect on this phenomenon. The results of these experiments suggest that preferential D-glucose binding to brush borders is related to the initial step in active sugar transport by the small intestine.
Th1 (IL‐2, interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ)) and Th2 (IL‐10, IL‐4) cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

We investigated the production of IL‐2, IFN‐γ, IL‐10 and IL‐4 by PBMC from 24 patients with SLE and 10 healthy individuals. Basal and mitogen‐stimulated (lipopolysaccharide and phytohaemagglutinin (LPS + PHA)) cytokine production was determined in a whole blood assay (WBA). Supernatants were collected and assayed with specific ELISAs. Although the IL‐2 and IFN‐γ contents did not differ significantly between patients and controls under both conditions, statistically significant correlations were found between each cytokine and disease activity (SLAM index) after stimulation (respectively, r= 0.501, P = 0.01 and r = 0.631, P = 0.001). PBMC IL‐10 production was significantly higher for patients than controls (P = 0.05), but no correlation between IL‐10 levels and the SLAM index was obtained. IL‐4 production was not statistically different between SLE patients and controls. For stimulated WBAs, the IL‐10/IL‐2 and IL‐10/IFN‐γ ratios were significantly correlated with disease severity (P = 0.02; P = 0.001, respectively). Overall, our data suggest that SLE is characterized by an elevated production of IL‐10, reflecting the basal state of activation of the immune system. During exacerbation of SLE, IL‐2 and IFN‐γ are synthesized in larger amounts and may cause the tissue damage observed.
Aminoglycoside Stress Together with the 12S rRNA 1494C>T Mutation Leads to Mitophagy

Aminoglycosides as modifying factors modulated the phenotypic manifestation of mitochondrial rRNA mutations and the incomplete penetrance of hearing loss. In this report, using cybrids harboring the m.1494C>T mutation, we showed that gentamycin aggravated mitochondrial dysfunction in a combination of the m.1494C>T mutation. The m.1494C>T mutation was responsible for the dramatic reduction in three mtDNA-encoded proteins of H-strand, with the average of 39% reduction, except of the MT-ND6 protein, accompanied with 21% reduction of ATP production and increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, compared with those of control cybrids. After exposure to gentamycin, 35% reduction of mitochondrial ATP production was observed in mutant cybrids with a marked decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential. More excessive cellular reactive oxygen species was detected with stimulus of gentamycin than those in mutant cells. Under gentamycin and m.1494C>T stress together, more dysfunctional mitochondria were forced to fuse and exhibited mitophagy via up-regulated LC3-B, as a compensatory protective response to try to optimize mitochondrial function, rather than undergo apoptosis. These findings may provide valuable information to further understand of mechanistic link between mitochondrial rRNA mutation, toxicity of AGs and hearing loss.
Interpreting Time Horizon Effects in Inter-Temporal Choice

We compare different designs that have been used to test for an impact of time horizon on discounting, using real incentives and two representative data sets. With the most commonly used type of design we replicate the typical finding of declining (hyperbolic) discounting, but with other designs find constant or increasing discounting. As a whole, the data are not consistent with any of these usual candidate discounting assumptions, and they also imply a violation of transitivity. The results have implications for interpreting previous evidence, and pose an important puzzle for understanding inter-temporal choice.