Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of Passive Dynamic Control to Pneumatic Cylinders

The passive dynamic control ("PDC") is a new mechanical system control method using variable passive elements with less energy and more safety. In the study described in this paper, the PDC is applied to a pneumatic cylinder for positioning control. When an object is stopped in the intermediate position by a pneumatic control and an electromagnetic friction brake, the unbalance force is cut to zero and the balanced state is achieved. Thus, high-rigidity positioning is achieved and the object can be moved to the next position. In this paper, the authors also propose a method of improving the internal pressure control precision for the cylinder.
Antinociceptive responses to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligands after systemic and intrathecal administration in mice.

The objective of this study was to determine which nicotinic receptor subtypes are involved in antinociception and their site of action. For that, the antinociceptive effects of several nicotinic receptor ligands were evaluated in the tail-flick test both after s.c. and intrathecal (i.t.) administration. Nicotine and other nicotine agonists increased tail-flick latencies in a dose-dependent manner after both routes of administration. Epibatidine enantiomers were the most potent agonists examined. Cytisine, a potent nicotinic ligand, failed to elicit antinociception when injected either i.t. or s.c. Despite some similarities in the effects of nicotinic agonists after i.t. and s.c. injections, their rank-order potency was different. In contrast to the s.c. results, the stereoselectivity of nicotine's effect after i.t. administration was minimal. When various nicotinic antagonists were compared after i.t. and s.c. administration, the results showed that mecamylamine and dihydro-beta-erythroidine differ in potency and their degree of antagonism of some of the nicotinic agonists given i.t. These data suggest that different subtypes of nicotinic receptors may exist in the spinal cord. A good correlation was found between binding affinity to [3H]-nicotine binding sites and analgesic potency after i.t. (r = 0.82), suggesting the involvement of alpha 4 beta 2 receptor subunits. In contrast, studies with MLA and alpha-BGTX suggested a minimal role for alpha-BGTX-sensitive receptors in the antinociceptive effect of nicotinic agonists.
A Powerful Radio Halo in the Hottest Known Cluster of Galaxies 1E 0657–56

We report the detection of a diffuse radio halo source in the hottest known cluster of galaxies 1E 0657-56 (RX J0658-5557). The radio halo has a morphology similar to the X-ray emission from the hot intracluster medium. The presence of a luminous radio halo in such a hot cluster is further evidence for a steep correlation between the radio halo power and the X-ray temperature. We favor models for the origin of radio halo sources involving a direct connection between the X-ray emitting thermal particles and the radio emitting relativistic particles.
Predictive and prognostic value of folate receptor-positive circulating tumor cells in small cell lung cancer patients treated with first-line chemotherapy

To assess the predictive and prognostic significance of folate receptor (FR)-positive circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) received first-line chemotherapy. Eligible patients with chemotherapy-naïve, unresectable SCLC were enrolled and blood samples were collected. CTCs were enumerated using ligand-targeted polymerase chain reaction (LT-PCR) at baseline, after two cycles of chemotherapy regimen and on disease progression. In total, 80 patients were enrolled and 67 (83.8%) had positive CTC count at baseline (CTCs ≥ 8.7 FU/3mL). The baseline CTC counts in patients with partial response (PR) were significantly higher than those with progression disease (PD) (P = 0.0365). An obvious reduction of CTC enumeration after two cycles of chemotherapy was significantly correlated with PR (P = 0.0380), instead of SD (P = 0.4934). Among positive CTC count group, patients with relative low CTC level had significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than those with high CTC level (PFS: 9.1 vs 6.9 months, P = 0.0458; OS: 11.1 vs 8.6 months, P = 0.056). In multivariate analysis, distant metastases (HR = 1.466, P = 0.021) and relative low CTC level (HR = 0.656, P = 0.049) were the independent predictive factors for patients with SCLC received first-line chemotherapy. The present results demonstrated that baseline CTC counts could be the valuable predictive and prognostic biomarker for patients with SCLC received first-line chemotherapy. The reduction of CTC enumeration after two cycles of chemotherapy was a potential predictor of chemotherapeutic response in SCLC.
Bile Acid Sequestration Reduces Plasma Glucose Levels in db/db Mice by Increasing Its Metabolic Clearance Rate

Aims/Hypothesis Bile acid sequestrants (BAS) reduce plasma glucose levels in type II diabetics and in murine models of diabetes but the mechanism herein is unknown. We hypothesized that sequestrant-induced changes in hepatic glucose metabolism would underlie reduced plasma glucose levels. Therefore, in vivo glucose metabolism was assessed in db/db mice on and off BAS using tracer methodology. Methods Lean and diabetic db/db mice were treated with 2% (wt/wt in diet) Colesevelam HCl (BAS) for 2 weeks. Parameters of in vivo glucose metabolism were assessed by infusing [U-13C]-glucose, [2-13C]-glycerol, [1-2H]-galactose and paracetamol for 6 hours, followed by mass isotopologue distribution analysis, and related to metabolic parameters as well as gene expression patterns. Results Compared to lean mice, db/db mice displayed an almost 3-fold lower metabolic clearance rate of glucose (p = 0.0001), a ∼300% increased glucokinase flux (p = 0.001) and a ∼200% increased total hepatic glucose production rate (p = 0.0002). BAS treatment increased glucose metabolic clearance rate by ∼37% but had no effects on glucokinase flux nor total hepatic or endogenous glucose production. Strikingly, BAS-treated db/db mice displayed reduced long-chain acylcarnitine content in skeletal muscle (p = 0.0317) but not in liver (p = 0.189). Unexpectedly, BAS treatment increased hepatic FGF21 mRNA expression 2-fold in lean mice (p = 0.030) and 3-fold in db/db mice (p = 0.002). Conclusions/Interpretation BAS induced plasma glucose lowering in db/db mice by increasing metabolic clearance rate of glucose in peripheral tissues, which coincided with decreased skeletal muscle long-chain acylcarnitine content.
A Genome-Wide Association Study of IVGTT-Based Measures of First-Phase Insulin Secretion Refines the Underlying Physiology of Type 2 Diabetes Variants

Understanding the physiological mechanisms by which common variants predispose to type 2 diabetes requires large studies with detailed measures of insulin secretion and sensitivity. Here we performed the largest genome-wide association study of first-phase insulin secretion, as measured by intravenous glucose tolerance tests, using up to 5,567 individuals without diabetes from 10 studies. We aimed to refine the mechanisms of 178 known associations between common variants and glycemic traits and identify new loci. Thirty type 2 diabetes or fasting glucose–raising alleles were associated with a measure of first-phase insulin secretion at P < 0.05 and provided new evidence, or the strongest evidence yet, that insulin secretion, intrinsic to the islet cells, is a key mechanism underlying the associations at the HNF1A, IGF2BP2, KCNQ1, HNF1B, VPS13C/C2CD4A, FAF1, PTPRD, AP3S2, KCNK16, MAEA, LPP, WFS1, and TMPRSS6 loci. The fasting glucose–raising allele near PDX1, a known key insulin transcription factor, was strongly associated with lower first-phase insulin secretion but has no evidence for an effect on type 2 diabetes risk. The diabetes risk allele at TCF7L2 was associated with a stronger effect on peak insulin response than on C-peptide–based insulin secretion rate, suggesting a possible additional role in hepatic insulin clearance or insulin processing. In summary, our study provides further insight into the mechanisms by which common genetic variation influences type 2 diabetes risk and glycemic traits.
Quantitative analysis of population-scale family trees with millions of relatives

Quantitative analysis of millions of relatives Human relationships, as documented by family trees, can elucidate the heritability of a host of medical and biological parameters. Kaplanis et al. collected 86 million publicly available profiles from a crowd-sourced genealogy website and used them to examine the genetic architecture of human longevity and migration patterns (see the Perspective by Lussier and Keinan). Various models of inheritance suggested that life span is predominantly attributable to additive genetic effects, with a smaller component from dominant genetic inheritance. The data also suggested that relatedness between individuals is less attributable to advances in human transportation than to cultural changes. Science, this issue p. 171; see also p. 153 Crowdsourced genealogy data are useful for testing genetic hypotheses. Family trees have vast applications in fields as diverse as genetics, anthropology, and economics. However, the collection of extended family trees is tedious and usually relies on resources with limited geographical scope and complex data usage restrictions. We collected 86 million profiles from publicly available online data shared by genealogy enthusiasts. After extensive cleaning and validation, we obtained population-scale family trees, including a single pedigree of 13 million individuals. We leveraged the data to partition the genetic architecture of human longevity and to provide insights into the geographical dispersion of families. We also report a simple digital procedure to overlay other data sets with our resource.
Antioxidant properties of silybin glycosides

New soluble derivatives of the hepatoprotective flavonolignan silybin (1), namely silybin galactoside (2), glucoside (3), lactoside (4) and maltoside (5) were investigated for their radical scavenging and antilipoperoxidation properties. According to cyclic voltammetry the results show that glycosides are weaker electron donors than silybin, although it was of interest that they were found to be more potent scavengers of the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl and the 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid)‐derived radicals. The glycosides (2)–(5) were more efficient than silybin in preventing tert‐butylhydroperoxide‐induced lipoperoxidation of rat liver mitochondrial membranes. Furthermore, glycosides (2)–(5) were significantly more cytoprotective than silybin in tert‐butylhydroperoxide‐damaged rat erythrocytes and primary hepatocyte cultures. Glycosylation of silybin substantially reduced its toxic effects in primary cultured hepatocytes observed during prolonged incubation. These results suggest that silybin glycosides are suitable soluble derivatives of silybin for experimental studies and may have therapeutic potential. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neuroanatomical Variability of Religiosity

We hypothesized that religiosity, a set of traits variably expressed in the population, is modulated by neuroanatomical variability. We tested this idea by determining whether aspects of religiosity were predicted by variability in regional cortical volume. We performed structural magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in 40 healthy adult participants who reported different degrees and patterns of religiosity on a survey. We identified four Principal Components of religiosity by Factor Analysis of the survey items and associated them with regional cortical volumes measured by voxel-based morphometry. Experiencing an intimate relationship with God and engaging in religious behavior was associated with increased volume of R middle temporal cortex, BA 21. Experiencing fear of God was associated with decreased volume of L precuneus and L orbitofrontal cortex BA 11. A cluster of traits related with pragmatism and doubting God's existence was associated with increased volume of the R precuneus. Variability in religiosity of upbringing was not associated with variability in cortical volume of any region. Therefore, key aspects of religiosity are associated with cortical volume differences. This conclusion complements our prior functional neuroimaging findings in elucidating the proximate causes of religion in the brain.
Free vibration response of sandwich cylindrical shells with functionally graded material face sheets resting on Pasternak foundation

This paper focuses on the free vibration characteristics of functionally graded sandwich cylindrical shells resting on Pasternak elastic foundation. The free vibration analysis is based on three-dimensional elasticity theory and the natural frequencies are obtained by means of generalized differential quadrature method. The two-constituent functionally graded shell consists of ceramic and metal. These constituents are graded through the thickness according to a generalized power-law distribution with four parameters. The benefit of using the considered power-law distribution is to illustrate and present useful results arising from symmetric, asymmetric and classic profiles. A detailed parametric study is carried out in order to reveal the effects of different profiles of ceramic volume fraction, two-parameter elastic foundation modulus, different geometrical parameters such as the mid radius-to-thickness ratio, length-to-mean radius ratio and the thickness of face sheets on the vibrational characteristics of the functionally graded sandwich cylindrical shell.
Changes in LXR signaling influence early-pregnancy lipogenesis and protect against dysregulated fetoplacental lipid homeostasis

Human pregnancy is associated with enhanced de novo lipogenesis in the early stages followed by hyperlipidemia during advanced gestation. Liver X receptors (LXRs) are oxysterol-activated nuclear receptors that stimulate de novo lipogenesis and also promote the efflux of cholesterol from extrahepatic tissues followed by its transport back to the liver for biliary excretion. Although LXR is recognized as a master regulator of triglyceride and cholesterol homeostasis, it is unknown whether it facilitates the gestational adaptations in lipid metabolism. To address this question, biochemical profiling, protein quantification, and gene expression studies were used, and gestational metabolic changes in T0901317-treated wild-type mice and Lxrab−/− mutants were investigated. Here, we show that altered LXR signaling contributes to the enhanced lipogenesis in early pregnancy by increasing the expression of hepatic Fas and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (Scd1). Both the pharmacological activation of LXR with T0901317 and the genetic ablation of its two isoforms disrupted the increase in hepatic fatty acid biosynthesis and the development of hypertriglyceridemia during early gestation. We also demonstrate that absence of LXR enhances maternal white adipose tissue lipolysis, causing abnormal accumulation of triglycerides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids in the fetal liver. Together, these data identify LXR as an important factor in early-pregnancy lipogenesis that is also necessary to protect against abnormalities in fetoplacental lipid homeostasis.
Family- and school-based predictors of energy balance-related behaviours in children: a 6-year longitudinal study

Abstract Objective To examine family- and school-based predictors of breakfast consumption, soft drink consumption and physical activity (PA) and moderating effects of gender and socio-economic status (SES). Design Longitudinal study (6-year follow-up), including a questionnaire about dietary and activity behaviour. Setting Fifty-nine Flemish elementary schools. Subjects Seven hundred and twenty-seven children (51·9 % girls, 51·9 % high SES, mean age 9·9 (sd 0·4) years at baseline). Results Having breakfast together with parents (P < 0·001) at age 10 years related to more days of eating breakfast at age 16 years. More parental soft drink consumption (P = 0·04), less soft drink availability at home (P < 0·001) and less parental permissiveness (children received soft drinks from their parents whenever they asked for it and children could take soft drinks whenever they wanted; P = 0·02 and P = 0·001, respectively) at age 10 years related to less soft drink consumption at age 16 years. A more positive parental attitude towards PA (P = 0·009), more parental encouragement (P = 0·002) and a higher rating of PA's benefit ‘relaxing’ (P < 0·001) at age 10 years related to more PA at age 16 years. Gender and SES did not significantly moderate any of the associations. Conclusions Only parental factors at age 10 years were associated with breakfast consumption, soft drink consumption and PA at age 16 years. An intervention programme at age 10 years with a strong focus on the modifiable parental factors might lead to healthy behaviour in the long term.
Aesthetic Emotions and Aesthetic People: Openness Predicts Sensitivity to Novelty in the Experiences of Interest and Pleasure

There is a stable relationship between the Openness/Intellect domain of personality and aesthetic engagement. However, neither of these are simple constructs and while the relationship exists, process based evidence explaining the relationship is still lacking. This research sought to clarify the relationship by evaluating the influence of the Openness and Intellect aspects on several different aesthetic emotions. Two studies looked at the between- and within-person differences in arousal and the emotions of interest, pleasure and confusion in response to visual art. The results suggest that Openness, as opposed to Intellect, was predictive of greater arousal, interest and pleasure, while both aspects explained less confusion. Differences in Openness were associated with within-person emotion appraisal contingencies, particularly greater novelty-interest and novelty-pleasure relationships. Those higher in Openness were particularly influenced by novelty in artworks. For pleasure this relationship suggested a different qualitative structure of appraisals. The appraisal of novelty is part of the experience of pleasure for those high in Openness, but not those low in Openness. This research supports the utility of studying Openness and Intellect as separate aspects of the broad domain and clarifies the relationship between Openness and aesthetic states in terms of within-person appraisal processes.
Characterization and Analysis of 1.3-μm InAs/InGaAs Self-Assembled Quantum Dot Lasers

High performance 1.3-μm GaAs-based InAs/InGaAs quantum dot (QD) lasers have been fabricated. The QD lasers have demonstrated low threshold current, high output power as well as high temperature operation. Temperature-dependent (20-100°C) and excitation power-dependent (12-700 mW) photoluminescence (PL) measurements have been carried out on the QD laser structures. Both ground state (GS) and excited state (ES) luminescence has been observed in the PL spectra as well as in the lasing spectra. Rate equations were used to interpret the PL behavior of the QD structures. High radiative recombination efficiency in the QD structure has been verified even at 100°C. The excitonic modal gain has been calculated and compared with the experimentally obtained modal gain value by the Hakki-Paoli method from the QD laser with good agreement.
Rapid propagation of Phalaenopsis from floral stalk-derived leaves

SummaryAn efficient and rapid in vitro method was developed for regeneration of Phalaenopsis using leaf segments derived in vitro from flower stalk nodes. Leaf segments of four cultivars Tinny Sunshine ‘Annie’, ‘Taisuco Hatarot’, Teipei Gold ‘Golden Star’, Tinny Galaxy ‘Annie’ cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with N6-benzyladenine (BA; 88,8 μM) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA; 5,4 μM) produced an average of 10–13 protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) after 12 wk. PLB proliferation was achieved on a modified Hyponex medium (1 gl−1 6.5N−4.5P−19K+20N−20P−20K+2gl−1 peplone +3% (w/v) potato homogenate +0.05% activated 1 gl−1 charcoal) and an optimal number of 13–18 PLBs developed from single PLB sections of different cultivars. Plantlet development was also achieved on a modified Hyponex medium. By repeated subculture of PLBs on a proliferation medium, and culturing them in the plantlet regeneration medium, plantlets could be produced continuously. Approximately 6 mo, were required from the initiation of culture to the production of plantlets for transplant to community pots.
Increasing the Dose of Autologous Chondrocytes Improves Articular Cartilage Repair

Background: We hypothesized that implanting cells in a chondral defect at a density more similar to that of the intact cartilage could induce them to synthesize matrix with the features more similar to that of the uninjured one. Methods: We compared the implantation of different doses of chondrocytes: 1 million (n = 5), 5 million (n = 5), or 5 million mesenchymal cells (n = 5) in the femoral condyle of 15 sheep. Tissue generated by microfracture at the trochlea, and normal cartilage from a nearby region, processed as the tissues resulting from the implantation, were used as references. Histological and molecular (expression of type I and II collagens and aggrecan) studies were performed. Results: The features of the cartilage generated by implantation of mesenchymal cells and elicited by microfractures were similar and typical of a poor repair of the articular cartilage (presence of fibrocartilage, high expression of type I collagen and a low mRNA levels of type II collagen and aggrecan). Nevertheless, in the samples obtained from tissues generated by implantation of chondrocytes, hyaline-like cartilage, cell organization, low expression rates of type I collagen and high levels of mRNA corresponding to type II collagen and aggrecan were observed. These histological features, show less variability and are more similar to those of the normal cartilage used as control in the case of 5 million cells implantation than when 1 million cells were used. Conclusions: The implantation of autologous chondrocytes in type I/III collagen membranes at high density could be a promising tool to repair articular cartilage.
Full-body skin examinations: the patient's perspective.

OBJECTIVES To determine (1). primary care practitioner (PCP) and dermatologist full-body skin examination (FBSE) rates by using a patient questionnaire and (2). whether patient risk factors for skin cancer alter these rates. DESIGN Questionnaires pertaining to whether participants underwent regular FBSE, their feelings about this screening test, and their risks for developing skin cancer. SETTING The primary care and dermatology clinics at the West Haven Veterans Affairs Medical Center. PARTICIPANTS A convenience sample of 356 patients awaiting clinic appointments. Of those asked to participate, 251 (71%) agreed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Patient report of undergoing FBSE, attitudes regarding this examination, and risk factors for cutaneous malignancy. RESULTS Thirty-two percent of all respondents reported undergoing regular FBSE by their PCP, whereas 55% of those with a history of skin cancer reported undergoing FBSE. Eight percent of participants reported embarrassment with FBSE, 83% reported that their PCP would be considered thorough by performing FBSE, and 87% would like their PCP to perform FBSE regularly. Only 2% of participants would refuse the examination if the PCP were of the opposite sex, whereas 8% would be more willing to be examined. CONCLUSIONS Although patients report a low incidence of FBSE, those with a personal history of skin cancer are more likely to be screened. A low rate of embarrassment and a high rate of perceived PCP thoroughness are associated with FBSE. Patients have a strong preference to undergo FBSE. A sex difference between the PCP and the patient should not be a barrier to this examination.