Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic responses of the adrenal steroidogenic regulatory network

Significance Our ability to respond to stress depends on a remarkably dynamic process of hormone secretion. The rapid release of glucocorticoid hormones from the adrenal glands is critical to mount such an efficient response to stress, particularly during inflammation. Although many key factors involved in this process have been studied, the way in which these factors interact dynamically with one another to regulate glucocorticoid secretion has not been investigated. Here, we develop a mathematical model of the regulatory network controlling glucocorticoid synthesis and, by combining this with in vivo experiments, show how this network governs changes in adrenal responsiveness under basal unstressed physiological conditions and under exposure to inflammatory stress. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis is a dynamic system regulating glucocorticoid hormone synthesis in the adrenal glands. Many key factors within the adrenal steroidogenic pathway have been identified and studied, but little is known about how these factors function collectively as a dynamic network of interacting components. To investigate this, we developed a mathematical model of the adrenal steroidogenic regulatory network that accounts for key regulatory processes occurring at different timescales. We used our model to predict the time evolution of steroidogenesis in response to physiological adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) perturbations, ranging from basal pulses to larger stress-like stimulations (e.g., inflammatory stress). Testing these predictions experimentally in the rat, our results show that the steroidogenic regulatory network architecture is sufficient to respond to both small and large ACTH perturbations, but coupling this regulatory network with the immune pathway is necessary to explain the dissociated dynamics between ACTH and glucocorticoids observed under conditions of inflammatory stress.
Family, Economy & State: The Social Reproduction Process Under Capitalism

This book is a collection of 11 papers by various authors on aspects of the relationships among the family the economy and the state. The focus is on the social reproduction process and the papers examine the institutions social processes and forms of state intervention that contribute to the reproduction of households and working populations in the developed countries. The geographic focus is on Europe and North America. The linkages between reproduction at the family level and the needs of the state as a whole are examined with emphasis on the role played by the welfare state.
Is it fun or exercise? The framing of physical activity biases subsequent snacking

Do consumers eat more when they exercise more? If so, the implications could ripple through the multi-billion dollar fitness and food industries and have implications for both consumers and health-care providers. Three studies—two field experiments and one observational field study—triangulate on this potential compensatory mechanism between physical activity and food intake. The findings showed that when physical activity was perceived as fun (e.g., when it is labeled as a scenic walk rather than an exercise walk), people subsequently consume less dessert at mealtime and consume fewer hedonic snacks. A final observational field study during a competitive race showed that the more fun people rated the race as being, the less likely they were to compensate with a hedonic snack afterwards. Engaging in a physical activity seems to trigger the search for reward when individuals perceive it as exercise but not when they perceive it as fun. Key implications for the fitness industry and for health-care professionals are detailed along with the simple advice to consumers to make certain they make their physical activity routine fun in order to avoid compensation.
The Oncolytic Adenovirus VCN-01 as Therapeutic Approach Against Pediatric Osteosarcoma

Purpose: Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. Despite aggressive chemotherapy, more than 30% of patients do not respond and develop bone or lung metastasis. Oncolytic adenoviruses engineered to specifically destroy cancer cells are a feasible option for osteosarcoma treatment. VCN-01 is a replication-competent adenovirus specifically engineered to replicate in tumors with a defective RB pathway, presents an enhanced infectivity through a modified fiber and an improved distribution through the expression of a soluble hyaluronidase. The aim of this study is to elucidate whether the use of VCN-01 would be an effective therapeutic strategy for pediatric osteosarcoma. Experimental Design: We used osteosarcoma cell lines established from patients with metastatic disease (531MII, 678R, 588M, and 595M) and a commercial cell line (143B). MTT assays were carried out to evaluate the cytotoxicity of VCN-01. Hexon assays were used to evaluate the replication of the virus. Western blot analysis was performed to assess the expression levels of viral proteins and autophagic markers. The antitumor effect of VCN-01 was evaluated in orthotopic and metastatic osteosarcoma murine animal models. Results: This study found that VCN-01, a new generation genetically modified oncolytic adenovirus, administered locally or systemically, had a potent antisarcoma effect in vitro and in vivo in mouse models of intratibial and lung metastatic osteosarcoma. Moreover, VCN-01 administration showed a safe toxicity profile. Conclusions: These results uncover VCN-01 as a promising strategy for osteosarcoma, setting the bases to propel a phase I/II trial for kids with this disease. Clin Cancer Res; 22(9); 2217–25. ©2015 AACR.
The influence of predation and competition on the survival of commensal and pathogenic fecal bacteria in aquatic habitats.

The role of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in water quality assessment is to provide a warning of the increased risk of pathogen presence. An effective surrogate for waterborne pathogens would have similar survival characteristics in aquatic environments. Although the effect of abiotic factors such as sunlight and salinity on the survival of FIB and pathogens are becoming better understood, the effect of the indigenous microbiota is not well characterized. The influence of biotic factors on the survival of non-pathogenic Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and E. coli O157:H7 were compared in fresh (river) water and sediments over 5 days. Treatments were (i) disinfection (filtration of water and baking of sediments) to remove indigenous protozoa (predators) and bacteria (competitors), and (ii) kanamycin treatment to reduce competition from indigenous bacteria. The disinfection treatment significantly increased survival of E. coli, E. coli O157:H7 and Ent. faecalis in the water column. In sediments, survival of FIB but not that of E. coli O157:H7 increased in disinfected treatments, indicating that the pathogen's survival was unaffected by the natural microbiota. Location (water or sediment) influenced bacterial survival more than species/type in the disinfection experiment. In the competition experiments where only the natural bacterial flora was manipulated, the addition of kanamycin did not affect the survival of Ent. faecalis, but resulted in greater survival of E. coli in water and sediment. Species/type influenced survival more than the level of competition in this experiment. This study demonstrates the complexity of interactions of FIB and pathogens with indigenous microbiota and location in aquatic habitats, and argues against over-generalizing conclusions derived from experiments restricted to a particular organism or habitat.
Simulating Ideal Assistive Devices to Reduce the Metabolic Cost of Running

Tools have been used for millions of years to augment the capabilities of the human body, allowing us to accomplish tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible. Powered exoskeletons and other assistive devices are sophisticated modern tools that have restored bipedal locomotion in individuals with paraplegia and have endowed unimpaired individuals with superhuman strength. Despite these successes, designing assistive devices that reduce energy consumption during running remains a substantial challenge, in part because these devices disrupt the dynamics of a complex, finely tuned biological system. Furthermore, designers have hitherto relied primarily on experiments, which cannot report muscle-level energy consumption and are fraught with practical challenges. In this study, we use OpenSim to generate muscle-driven simulations of 10 human subjects running at 2 and 5 m/s. We then add ideal, massless assistive devices to our simulations and examine the predicted changes in muscle recruitment patterns and metabolic power consumption. Our simulations suggest that an assistive device should not necessarily apply the net joint moment generated by muscles during unassisted running, and an assistive device can reduce the activity of muscles that do not cross the assisted joint. Our results corroborate and suggest biomechanical explanations for similar effects observed by experimentalists, and can be used to form hypotheses for future experimental studies. The models, simulations, and software used in this study are freely available at simtk.org and can provide insight into assistive device design that complements experimental approaches.
The Effect of Piracy on the Market Penetration of Subscription Software

Software piracy is not necessarily harmful to a software firm seeking to launch a new product. When strategically managed through the use of price and protection measures, piracy establishes the initial adopters of the software, who in turn influence other users to buy the product. We examine the role of piracy in affecting the adoption of subscription software products. We present an individual‐level model in an adaptive population setting intended to determine the price‐protection mix that maximizes the discounted profit stream over the life of the software. An extension for nonsubscription software is also discussed.
Masculine sexuality: A critical discourse analysis of FHM

Abstract This article aims to investigate the linguistic construction of gender ideology in the men's lifestyle magazine For Him Magazine (FHM), by investigating its approach to masculine sexuality. A critical discourse analytic (CDA) framework, based on Fairclough (2003), as well as Kitis and Milapides (1997), was used to qualitatively analyse two articles on sex. The findings suggest that magazines like FHM approach sexuality as a test of men's masculinity without paying attention to the relationship in which sex occurs. However, when confronted by readers’ personal questions, this approach is altered in order to acknowledge the importance of such relationships. One consequence is that the importance of gaining women's consent before engaging in sexual experiments is highlighted.
Managing Voluntary Turnover Through Challenging Assignments

This study examines employees’ challenging assignments as manageable means to reduce turnover intentions, job search behaviors, and voluntary turnover. Results indicate that challenging assignments are negatively related to turnover intentions and job search behaviors and that these relationships are mediated by on-the-job learning. Moreover, results show that an increase in challenging assignments over time is negatively related to voluntary employee turnover, when controlling for employees’ initial turnover intentions and job search behaviors. A decrease in challenging assignments is positively related to voluntary turnover, when controlling for employees’ initial turnover intentions and job search behaviors. These results suggest that challenging assignments may be a valuable tool for managers and their organizations to lower voluntary employee turnover.
A Rasch analysis of the Academic Self-Concept Questionnaire

This study used the Rasch model to assess the unidimensionality and item-person fit of an Academic Self-Concept Questionnaire (ASCQ) that is based on the Confucian Heritage Culture (CHC) perspective. Knowledge of the relationship between academic achievement and academic self-concept is particularly useful because academic achievement is overemphasized in the CHC. ASCQ largely satisfies the Rasch model for unidimensionality. However, four items had poor Infit statistics, suggesting that they do not contribute significantly to the scale hierarchy. Rasch model also confirmed the unidimensionality of the two subscales – Academic Confidence and Academic Effort. The academic self-concept scale, academic effort and academic confidence subscales were also been found to be valid with students with learning disabilities. Results from this study will extend the predominantly Western based literature regarding Academic Self-Concept by reaffirming the construct of a CHC measure of academic self-concept that incorporates the values of academic effort and academic confidence. Academic self-concept, Confucian heritage culture, Rasch analysis, Singapore, learning disabilities
Dietary intake estimate for perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS) and other perfluorocompounds (PFCs) in UK retail foods following determination using standard addition LC–MS/MS

The analysis of 252 food samples (UK-produced and imported) purchased from a variety of retail outlets in the UK was undertaken for the presence of perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and nine other perfluorocompounds (PFCs). A limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1 µg/kg was achieved for all target analytes, in all samples. Standard addition was used for quantification of PFC levels. All 11 of the targeted PFCs were detected in 75 individual food items. In 70% of the samples, including all meat other than offal, none of the analytes were present above the LOD. The highest levels found were 59 µg/kg perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS) and 63 µg/kg total PFCs (ΣPFCs) in an eel sample, and 40 µg/kg PFOS (62 µg/kg ΣPFCs) in a whitebait sample. The highest level in an offal sample was 10 µg/kg, in a wild roe deer liver. There were six samples with ΣPFCs >15 µg/kg (fish, shellfish, crustaceans), a further seven samples with ΣPFCs ranging 11–15 µg/kg (including a liver), nine with ΣPFCs ranging 6–10 µg/kg (fish and livers), 31 with ΣPFCs in the range 2–5 µg/kg (including kidneys, popcorn and processed peas) and a further 22 with ΣPFCs close to the LOD of 1 µg/kg (including eggs and potatoes). These concentrations indicate that UK consumers are being exposed to a low level of PFC contamination from food. The estimated upper bound dietary intake of 10 ng/kg bodyweight (bw)/day of PFOS for average adult consumers is well below the 0.15 µg (150 ng)/kg bw tolerable daily intake (TDI) set by the European Food Safety Authority. The lower bound adult dietary intake estimate of 1 ng/kg bw/day is similar to estimates undertaken and reported in countries such as Canada, Germany and Spain.
Clonal Composition of the Parthenogenetic Gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris, at the Northernmost Extremity of Its Range

Abstract The mourning gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris, is an all-female parthenogenetic species widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. We examined clonal diversity of L. lugubris in southern Japan, the northernmost extremity of the species' range. Results indicated that the assemblages of the Ogasawara Islands are composed solely of diploid clone A, which may have originated from artificial transportation after World War II. Assemblages of L. lugubris in the Ryukyu Archipelago were composed solely of triploid clone C. This, along with literature records, suggests that the gecko recently colonized the Ryukyu Archipelago on limited opportunities from limited sources. Samples from the Daito Islands included both diploid and triploid individuals representing one and 11 different clones, respectively. Except for one triploid clone (clone B), these clones were most likely to be endemic to the Daito Islands. Analyses of genotypic pattern suggest that most of the putative endemic triploid clones of the Daito Islands originated from iterative crosses between sympatric diploid clones and males of closely related bisexual species that were most likely extirpated subsequently.
Investigating self‐perceptions and resilience in Looked After Children

The perceptions of Looked After Children (LAC; n = 51), their Designated Teachers (DTs), and a sample of non‐LAC (n = 99) were elicited. LAC held more positive self‐perceptions than the non‐LAC, and similarly positive ratings were given for the LAC by their DTs; but LAC held lower career aspirations than the non‐LAC. LAC differed in their levels of resilience, in terms of the number of risk and protective factors identified for each child. Girls had more protective and fewer risk factors than boys. Moreover, a high incidence of protective factors in LAC was associated with positive self‐perceptions, and a high incidence of risk factors was associated with negative self‐perceptions. The implications of these findings for educational psychology practice are discussed.
Prevalence of diabetes mellitus among the James Bay Cree of northern Quebec.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among the James Bay Cree in northern Quebec. DESIGN Chart survey of physician-diagnosed cases of diabetes. The biochemical criteria of the World Health Organization were used to confirm the diagnoses. SETTING Eight James Bay Cree communities: six remote and two rural. SUBJECTS All James Bay Cree with diabetes whose names were in a chronic disease registry or on a diabetes clinic list kept at each community clinic. OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence rates, both crude and standardized to the 1986 Canadian population, were estimated by sex, age group and type of diabetes. RESULTS A total of 235 cases of diabetes were confirmed, for a crude prevalence of 2.7%. The age-standardized rate of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was 6.6% among people 20 years and over. The prevalence increased as the latitude decreased. CONCLUSIONS Our crude prevalence resembles that in similar native linguistic and cultural groups elsewhere in Canada. Diabetes is becoming an important disease in the Cree population of Quebec. A better understanding of the sociocultural changes in this population is necessary.
Cord blood IgE levels are influenced by gestational age but do not predict allergic manifestations in infants

The predictive value of cord blood IgE (clgE) for atopy and related disorders was investigated. Samples were collected from 792 infants delivered consecutively at the National University Hospital in Reykjavik in 1987. The concentration of IgE, but not that of IgA, was found to increase with increasing gestational age at birth. There was no correlation between IgE and IgA levels in individual samples. At the age of 18–23 months 180 of these children were studied for manifestations of allergy and related disorders. Included were all available infants with detectable (≥ 23 kU/L) clgE. However, infants born by Cesarean section or with IgA exceeding 10 mg/L were excluded because of potential contamination with maternal blood. The clinical evaluation was made without knowledge of the IgE levels. Sixty‐six of the 180 participants (36.6%) were judged to have had definite allergic manifestations. However, no striking correlation was found between allergic symptoms and cIgE levels in this study, nor did high levels of IgE add significantly to the predictive value of family history. Children with atopic features had more frequently been affected by otitis media. Unexpectedly, infants with intermediate cIgE levels (0.2–0.6 kU/L) were significantly less affected by otitis media than children with unmeasurable (< 0.2 kU/L) or high (≥ 0.7 kU/L) cIgE levels. It is concluded that cord blood IgE can not be used to predict allergic manifestations in children under the age of 2 years.
High Aerobic Intensity Training and Psychological States in Patients with Depression or Schizophrenia

Aim: To explore changes in psychological states in response to a bout of high aerobic intensity training (HIT) in patients with depression or schizophrenia compared to healthy individuals. Methods: After familiarization training of HIT, 20 patients with schizophrenia, 13 patients with depression, and 20 healthy individuals performed a no-training day followed by a training day. HIT was 4 × 4 min intervals at 85–95% of peak heart rate, intermitted by 3 min active rest periods at 70% of peak heart rate. Self-evaluation questionnaires of positive affect, negative affect, state anxiety, well-being, distress, and fatigue were completed before training, 15 min after, and 3 h after training. The two latter measures were also completed the no-training day. Results: All three groups improved in positive affect and well-being 15 min after HIT (p < 0.01), but only patients with depression had maintained the effect after 3 h (p = 0.007, p = 0.012). The duration of the improved positive affect was longer in depression (p = 0.002) and schizophrenia (p = 0.025) than in healthy individuals (F2.50 = 5.83, p < 0.01). Patients with depression or schizophrenia had reduced distress and state anxiety 15 min after HIT and 3 h after HIT (p < 0.05). The improvement in distress 15 min after HIT was larger in patients with depression (p = 0.028) compared to healthy individuals (F2.50 = 5.05, p < 0.01). No changes were found during the no-training day (p > 0.05). Conclusion: High aerobic intensity training used as an acute intervention improved positive affect and well-being and reduced distress and state anxiety in patients with depression and schizophrenia. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01310998.
Human Detection from Aerial Imagery for Automatic Counting of Shellfish Gatherers

Automatic human identification from aerial image time series or video sequences is a challenging issue. We propose here a complete processing chain that operates in the context of recreational shellfish gatherers counting in a coastal environment (the Gulf of Morbihan, South Brittany, France). It starts from a series of aerial photographs and builds a mosaic in order to prevent multiple occurrences of the same objects on the overlapping parts of aerial images. To do so, several stitching techniques are reviewed and discussed in the context of large aerial scenes. Then people detection is addressed through a sliding window analysis combining the HOG descriptor and a supervised classifier. Several classification methods are compared, including SVM, Random Forests, and AdaBoost. Experimental results show the interest of the proposed approach, and provides directions for future research.
Transient, unsettling and creative space: Experiences of liminality through the accounts of Chinese students on a UK-based MBA

This article explores the experiences of liminality through the accounts of Chinese students on a UK-based MBA programme. The transient nature of the MBA experience, as well as the international status of the Chinese student, is resonant with conceptualizations of liminality as ‘in between’ space. Based on semi-structured interviews with 20 MBA graduates who had subsequently returned to China with their qualification, we explored their perceptions of outcomes from the course and their experiences as international students on a programme imbued with western norms and values. Results support the unsettling yet creative implications of liminality, as well as the fragmented insecure nature of identities, as individuals pass through the MBA ‘rite of passage’ in terms of ‘becoming’ a manager and entering a new phase of career. Accounts suggest the creation of hierarchical structures within liminal space whereby Chinese students, through their positioning at the margin, have uncomfortable yet illuminating encounters with alterity. At the same time, they experience levels of ambiguity and uncertainty in the post-liminal phase of China-located employments, as new western-based managerial identities collide with dominant discourses of Chinese organization.