Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early Low-Fat Diet Enriched With Linolenic Acid Reduces Liver Endocannabinoid Tone and Improves Late Glycemic Control After a High-Fat Diet Challenge in Mice

Evidence suggests that alterations of glucose and lipid homeostasis induced by obesity are associated with the elevation of endocannabinoid tone. The biosynthesis of the two main endocannabinoids, N-arachidonoylethanolamine and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol, which derive from arachidonic acid, is influenced by dietary fatty acids (FAs). We investigated whether exposure to n-3 FA at a young age may decrease tissue endocannabinoid levels and prevent metabolic disorders induced by a later high-fat diet (HFD) challenge. Three-week-old mice received a 5% lipid diet containing lard, lard plus safflower oil, or lard plus linseed oil for 10 weeks. Then, mice were challenged with a 30% lard diet for 10 additional weeks. A low n-6/n-3 FA ratio in the early diet induces a marked decrease in liver endocannabinoid levels. A similar reduction was observed in transgenic Fat-1 mice, which exhibit high tissue levels of n-3 FA compared with wild-type mice. Hepatic expression of key enzymes involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism was concomitantly changed. Interestingly, some gene modifications persisted after HFD challenge and were associated with improved glycemic control. These findings indicate that early dietary interventions based on n-3 FA may represent an alternative strategy to drugs for reducing endocannabinoid tone and improving metabolic parameters in the metabolic syndrome.
Speed funnel control with disturbance observer for wind turbine systems with elastic shaft

The results from [1] and [2] are combined and extended to speed funnel control with simplified disturbance observer for wind turbine systems (WTS) with elastic shaft where active damping is necessary but only generator-side speed measurement is available. It is shown that (i) WTS with elastic shaft and disturbance observer have relative degree one, bounded-input bounded-output (BIBO) stable zero-dynamics and known sign of the high-frequency gain, (ii) active damping by the disturbance observer is feasible and (iii) funnel control guarantees “speed tracking with prescribed transient accuracy” and, so, achieves maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Control and damping performance of two funnel speed controllers with and without disturbance observer are compared in simulations.
Distribution of Ca2+ channels on frog motor nerve terminals revealed by fluorescent omega-conotoxin

Tetramethylrhodamine-conjugated omega-conotoxin was used as a fluorescent stain (Jones et al., 1989) to determine the spatial distribution of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels along frog motor nerve terminals. Like native omega-conotoxin, the fluorescent toxin blocked neuromuscular transmission irreversibly. The fluorescent staining was confined to the neuromuscular junction and consisted of a series of narrow bands (in face views) or dots (in side views) approximately 1 micron apart. This characteristic staining pattern was prevented by pretreatment with omega-conotoxin and by prior denervation for 5–7 d. Combined fluorescence and phase-contrast optics indicated that the stain was on the synaptic rather than the nonsynaptic side of the nerve terminal. The bands and dots of stain proved to be in spatial register with the postsynaptic junctional folds, as revealed by combined staining of ACh receptors. It is concluded that the voltage-gated Ca2+ channels on frog motor nerve terminals are concentrated at active zones. The findings are consistent with the suggestion (Heuser et al., 1974; Pumplin et al., 1981) that the large intramembraneous particles seen at freeze-fractured active zones are voltage-gated Ca2+ channels.
Single Restorations in the Resorbed Posterior Mandible Supported by 6-mm Implants: A 1-Year Prospective Case Series Study.

PURPOSE The aim of this prospective case series study was to assess the clinical performance of single restorations in the posterior mandible supported by 6-mm implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-one consecutive patients with one or more missing premolars or molars in the posterior mandible and with an estimated bone height of 8 mm between the top of the ridge and alveolar nerve were included. Each patient was to receive one or more 6-mm implants (OsseoSpeed 4.0 S, Astra Tech Implant System, Dentsply Implants, Mölndal, Sweden) without any grafting. After a 3-month osseointegration period, the implants were restored with custom-made titanium abutments (Atlantis abutment, Dentsply Implants) and cemented zirconia-based porcelain crowns. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at placement of the restoration and 12 months thereafter. Next to this, patients' satisfaction was scored before treatment and after 12 months with the restoration in function. RESULTS Implant survival was 100%. From loading to the 12-month follow-up, mean marginal bone loss was 0.14 mm (SD: 0.4). Mean scores for plaque, calculus, gingiva, bleeding, and pocket probing depth were low. Patients' satisfaction was high. CONCLUSION One-year follow-up data revealed that 6-mm dental implants inserted in the resorbed posterior mandible provide a solid basis for single tooth restoration.
Evolution arrests invasions of cooperative populations

Population expansions trigger many biomedical and ecological transitions, from tumor growth to invasions of non-native species. Although population spreading often selects for more invasive phenotypes, we show that this outcome is far from inevitable. In cooperative populations, mutations reducing dispersal have a competitive advantage. Such mutations then steadily accumulate at the expansion front bringing invasion to a halt. Our findings are a rare example of evolution driving the population into an unfavorable state and could lead to new strategies to combat unwelcome invaders. In addition, we obtain an exact analytical expression for the fitness advantage of mutants with different dispersal rates. PACS numbers: 87.23. Kg, 05.60. Cd, 64.60. -i, 87.23. Cc
How evidence-based are advertisements in journals regarding the subspecialty of rheumatology?

OBJECTIVES In rheumatology, five different billion-dollar drugs have emerged in recent years, making this subspecialty the focus of extensive advertising campaigns. Considering this development and the fact that the scientific content of advertisements has been questioned, we initiated a study to determine how evidence-based advertisements are in four leading journals of rheumatology. METHODS Advertisements were extracted from the journals Arthritis and Rheumatism, Rheumatology, Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism and the Journal of Rheumatology, and were evaluated using a standardized score form. RESULTS In total, 353 advertisements were obtained, of which 84 were unique. Of the 300 references provided by these unique advertisements, 53 (18%) were considered 'supporting'. In addition, 87 (29%) of the 300 references referred to randomized controlled trials (RCTs), of which 49% supported the claim. The vast majority of RCTs (97%) were sponsored by the advertising company. In the 84 unique advertisements 288 claims were made, of which 190 provided one or more references. Of these 190 claims, 33 (17%) were judged 'well supported'. In total, only four (5%) of the 84 different advertisements were judged 'well supported' and 11 (13%) of the 84 were judged 'misleading' because they contained one or more misleading claims, i.e. claims with references to articles contradicting the claim. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that few advertisements in rheumatology journals are entirely evidence-based.
Heterogeneity in Subcortical Brain Development: A Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Brain Maturation from 8 to 30 Years

Brain development during late childhood and adolescence is characterized by decreases in gray matter (GM) and increases in white matter (WM) and ventricular volume. The dynamic nature of development across different structures is, however, not well understood, and the present magnetic resonance imaging study took advantage of a whole-brain segmentation approach to describe the developmental trajectories of 16 neuroanatomical volumes in the same sample of children, adolescents, and young adults (n = 171; range, 8–30 years). The cerebral cortex, cerebral WM, caudate, putamen, pallidum, accumbens area, hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, brainstem, cerebellar GM, cerebellar WM, lateral ventricles, inferior lateral ventricles, third ventricle, and fourth ventricle were studied. The cerebral cortex was further analyzed in terms of lobar thickness and surface area. The results revealed substantial heterogeneity in developmental trajectories. GM decreased nonlinearly in the cerebral cortex and linearly in the caudate, putamen, pallidum, accumbens, and cerebellar GM, whereas the amygdala and hippocampus showed slight, nonlinear increases in GM volume. WM increased nonlinearly in both the cerebrum and cerebellum, with an earlier maturation in cerebellar WM. In addition to similarities in developmental trajectories within subcortical regions, our results also point to differences between structures within the same regions: among the basal ganglia, the caudate showed a weaker relationship with age than the putamen and pallidum, and in the cerebellum, differences were found between GM and WM development. These results emphasize the importance of studying a wide range of structural variables in the same sample, for a broader understanding of brain developmental principles.
An efficient synthesis of 5-alkylthio and 5-arylthiotetrazoles using Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles as a magnetically recoverable and reusable catalyst

The 5-alkylthio and 5-arylthiotetrazoles were efficiently synthesized from thiocyanates using Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a magnetically recoverable and reusable catalyst. The main advantages allocated to this method are elimination of hydrazoic acid as a dangerous and harmful reagent, high yields and ease of product isolation. The catalyst can be simply recovered by an external magnet and reused with no significant loss in its reactivity.
Suplemental Material for Temporally Coherent Local Tone Mapping of HDR Video

Figure 2: Comparison of filtering results of our method with WLS. Image (a) shows the original synthetic stimulus, while image (b) shows the same stimulus with help of a perceptually uniform color map. Filtering results generated with WLS are shown in (c) and (d). These results are generated with settings for WLS as reported in [Farbman et al. 2008]. Images (e) and (f) represent filtering results of our method with different settings. Result (e) is generated with only 1 iteration, while for the smoother result (f) 20 iterations are applied. Note that both methods generate qualitatively similar results.
Feminist, Queer, Crip

Introduction: Imagined Futures 1. Time for Disability Studies and a Future for Crips 2. At the Same Time, Out of Time: Ashley X 3. Debating Feminist Futures: Slippery Slopes, Cultural Anxiety, and the Case of the Deaf Lesbians 4. A Future for Whom? Passing on Billboard Liberation 5. The Cyborg and the Crip: Critical Encounters 6. Bodies of Nature: The Environmental Politics of Disability 7. Accessible Futures, Future Coalitions Appendices Notes Bibliography Index
Validation of the Turkish Version of the Oswestry Disability Index for Patients With Low Back Pain

Study Design. Validation of a translated, culturally adapted questionnaire. Objectives. To translate and culturally adapt the Turkish version of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (2.0), and to validate its use for assessing disability in Turkish patients with low back pain. Summary of Background Data. The ODI is a reliable evaluation instrument for disability, but no validated Turkish version is available. Methods. A total of 95 outpatients with low back pain were assessed by the ODI. Sixty-five of these patients were observed on a second occasion. Translation/retranslation of the English version of the ODI was done blindly and independently by four different individuals, and adapted by a team. Individuals were given the ODI and other scales (Visual Analog Scale, Schober Test, and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire) on their first visit and a week later. Results. Scores of the two ODIs were 27.10 (SD 16.22) on day 1 and 22.88 (SD 13.94) on day 7, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of r = 0.938 (P < 0.001). Cronbach’s alpha was 0.918 (day 1) and 0.895 (day 7) in the validation. Concurrent validity, measured by comparing ODI responses with the results of Visual Analog Scale and Schober test, was r = 0.367 (P < 0.01), r = −0.068 (P = 0.591) for day 1, and r = 0.392 (P < 0.01), r = −0.041 (P = 0.745) for day 7, respectively. Construct validity, tested by determining the correlation between the Turkish ODI and the Turkish adaptation of the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, yielded r = 0.815 (P < 0.001) on day 1 and r = 0.708 (P < 0.001) on day 7. Conclusion. The Turkish version of ODI has good comprehensibility, internal consistency, and validity and is an adequate and useful instrument for the assessment of disability in patients with low back pain.
Investigating reactivity to incentive downshift as a correlated response to selection for high alcohol preference and a determinant of rash action and alcohol consumption

Matson, Liana M. Ph.D., Purdue University, May 2014. Investigating Reactivity to Incentive Downshift as a Correlated Response to Selection for High Alcohol Preference and a Determinant of Rash Action and Alcohol Consumption. Major Professor: Nicholas Grahame. Losing a job or a significant other are examples of incentive shifts that result in negative emotional reactions. The occurrence of negative life events is associated with increased drinking, and alleviation of negative emotions has been cited as a drinking motive for individuals with problematic drinking patterns (Keyes et al., 2011; Adams et al., 2012). Further, there is evidence that certain genotypes drink alcohol in response to stressful negative life events (Blomeyer et al., 2008; Covault et al., 2007). It is possible that shared genetic factors contribute to both alcohol drinking and emotional reactivity, but there is a critical need for this relationship to be understood. The first aim of this proposal will use an incentive downshift paradigm to address whether emotional reactivity is elevated in mice predisposed to drink alcohol. The second aim of this proposal will address if reactivity to an incentive shift can result in rash action using a differential reinforcement of low rates of responding task, and whether this response is also associated with a predisposition for high drinking. The third aim of this proposal will investigate if experimenter administered ethanol reduces contrast effects, and if an incentive shift increases ethanol consumption in a high drinking line. The overall goal of this proposal is to investigate whether reactivity to incentive shift is an important mechanism underlying alcohol drinking in these mice, and the role an incentive shift may play in producing rash action and influencing ethanol consumption.
Antecedents, accuracy and consequences of parents' behaviours. A cross sectional study based on Eccles Expectancy Value model.

Recent reviews of the literature raise questions about parental influence in sport. Based on Eccles' model, this study investigated the relationships between certain antecedents of parents' behaviours, athletes' perceptions of their parents' behaviours and sport outcomes. 161 athletes, 134 mothers and 114 fathers volunteered to participate in the study. Questionnaires assessed parents' perceptions of their child and selfreported behaviours; athletes' perceptions of their parents' behaviours, perceived competence, and value accorded to their activity. The analyses revealed significant relationships between (a) athletes' sex and age, and parents' child-specific beliefs, and (b) the four categories of behaviours - Active Involvement, Praise and Understanding, Directive Behaviour, Pressure - for mothers and fathers, respectively. There were also significant correlations between parents' self-reported behaviours and athletes' perceptions. Finally, perceived parental behaviours significantly predicted perceived athletes' sport competence and value. Taken together, the results contribute to enrich the complex picture of parents' socialization in sport.
Issues in high‐throughput comparative modelling: A case study using the ubiquitin E2 conjugating enzymes

Sequences of the ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme (UBC or E2) family were used as a test set to investigate issues associated with the high‐throughput comparative modelling of protein structures. A semi‐automatic method was initially developed with particular emphasis on producing models of a quality suitable for structural comparison. Structural and sequence features of the E2 family were used to improve the sequence alignment and the quality of the structural templates. Initially, failure to correct for subtle structural inconsistencies between templates lead to problems in the comparative analysis of the UBC electrostatic potentials. Modelling of known UBC structures using Modeller 4.0 showed that multiple templates produced, on average, no better models than the use of just one template, as judged by the root‐mean‐squared deviation between the comparative model and crystal structure backbones. Using four different quality‐checking methods, for a given target sequence, it was not possible to distinguish the model most similar to the experimental structure. The UBC models were thus finally modelled using only the crystal structure template with the highest sequence identity to the target to be modelled, and producing only one model solution. Quality checking was used to reject models with obvious structural anomalies (e.g., bad side‐chain packing). The resulting models have been used for a comparison of UBC structural features and of their electrostatic potentials. The work was extended through the development of a fully automated pipeline that identifies E2 sequences in the sequence databases, aligns and models them, and calculates the associated electrostatic potential. Proteins 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
[Effect of Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid on the proliferation of HepG2 cells].

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid-infected host liver cells had differential expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) or differential cell cycle activity. METHODS Human liver cells cultured with different concentrations of hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) were tested by the MTT method to determine effects on proliferation. The cell cycle was assessed by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to detect changes in protein expressions of p-ERK, PCNA, cyclin-A, cyclin-B1, cyclin-D1, and cyclin-E. RESULTS Forty-eight, 72 and 96 h of HCF at 15%, 30% and 60% concentrations in the cell media significantly promoted cell proliferation (F=67.845, P less than 0.01) and compared to controls (P less than 0.05). Cells exposed to 15% HCF for 48 h showed significantly induced expression of p-ERK (F=1.916, P less than 0.01), higher than controls (P less than 0.01). Cells exposed to 15% HCF for 24 h showed significantly induced expression of cyclin-Dl (F=3.901, P less than 0.01), higher than controls (P less than 0.01). Cells exposed to 15% HCF for 48 h or 30% HCF for 72 h showed significantly induced expression of PCNA (F=91.140, P less than 0.01), higher than controls (P less than 0.01). Cells exposed to 15% HCF for 48 h or 30% HCF for 72 h shed significantly induced expression of cyclin-A (F=18.587, P=0.002), higher than controls (P less than 0.01). Cells exposed to 15% HCF for either 48 h or 72 h showed significantly induced expression of cyclin-B1 (F=2.064, P less than 0.01), higher than controls (P less than 0.01). Cells exposed to 30% HCF for 96 h showed significantly induced expression of cyclin-E (F=1.068, P less than 0.01), higher than controls (P less than 0.01). CONCLUSION Hydatid cyst fluid exerts no inhibitory effect on primary cultured host liver cells, but may promote cellular proliferation.
Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Allele-specific Cooperative and Competitive Interactions between Immune Evasion Proteins of Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) deploy a set of genes for interference with antigen presentation in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I pathway. In murine CMV (MCMV), three genes were identified so far: m04/gp34, m06/gp48, and m152/gp40. While their function as immunoevasins was originally defined after their selective expression, this may not necessarily reflect their biological role during infection. The three immunoevasins might act synergistically, but they might also compete for their common substrate, the MHC class I complexes. To approach this question in a systematic manner, we have generated a complete set of mutant viruses with deletions of the three genes in all seven possible combinations. Surface expression of a set of MHC class I molecules specified by haplotypes H-2d (Kd, Dd, and Ld) and H-2b (Kb and Db) was the parameter for evaluation of the interference with class I trafficking. The data show the following: first, there exists no additional MCMV gene of major influence on MHC class I surface expression; second, the strength of the inhibitory effect of immunoevasins shows an allele-specific hierarchy; and third, the immunoevasins act not only synergistically but can, in certain combinations, interact antagonistically. In essence, this work highlights the importance of studying the immunosubversive mechanisms of cytomegaloviruses in the context of gene expression during the viral replicative cycle in infected cells.
On the observed variability of the cross–polar cap potential

[1] A study of the cross–polar cap potential estimated by the HF Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) during periods of steady interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and solar wind velocity is presented. The potential estimates were examined as time series along with time series of the IMF and solar wind. In addition, the data were examined statistically to obtain a best fit linear expression for the potential as a function of the solar wind and IMF, which was used for comparison with observed potential values. It was found that the observed potential was significantly more variable than would have been predicted by the observed solar wind and IMF. The variability was found to be on the order of 20 kV, while the predicted variability would have been only 5 kV. Implications of these findings with regard to magnetospheric physics, ionospheric simulations, and space weather are discussed.
Laterality related to the successive selection of Dutch national youth soccer players

ABSTRACT In the general population, estimates of left-foot preference are around 20%. In soccer, specific tasks create positional demands, requiring 40% of the players to be left-footed. Whether and how this is related to the selection of players is unknown. To examine the successive selection of soccer players for Dutch national youth teams in relation to foot preference, 280 youth players (age = 16.2 ± 1.08 years) were monitored from the U16 through the U19 teams over the last 5 years. No difference in successive selection between left- and right-footed players was found (p < 0.05). Regardless of foot preference, more than 50% of the selected players were deselected out of a national youth team after 2 years. On average, 31% of the national youth players were left-footed, which is higher than expected, based on population estimates (χ2 (1) = 37.49, p < 0.001, w = 0.27). However, there was an under-representation of left-footed players, based on expected positional demands (i.e., attack, midfield, defence) (χ2 (1) = 16.83, p < 0.001, w = 0.18). The conclusion is that left-foot preference increases the probability of selection in Dutch national youth soccer teams.