Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Congenital Prepubic Sinus (Type 2 Stephens Variant of Epispadiac Dorsal Urethral Duplication): An Uncommon Anomaly

Variants of congenital prepubic sinus have been reported rarely, and because the anatomic features often differ from each other, a consensus concerning the embryology and classification was not achieved yet. Various names including congenital prepubic sinus, sub pubic fistula, prepubic dermoid sinus, and suprapubic dermoid sinus, were used to identify these lesions, and, among the classifications available, none seems to clearly describe this entity. We present a 2-year old boy with a case of epispadiac variant of urethral duplication in which the duplicated urethra presented as a prepubic sinus. We report this uncommon anomaly and review the scattered published reports to improve the global understanding of this uncommon congenital lesion.
Actin‐Based Motility in the Net Slime Mould Labyrinthula: Evidence for the Role of Myosin in Gliding Movement

Abstract. In contrast to crawling movement (e.g. in amoebae and tissue cells) the other major class of substratum‐associated motility in eukaryotes, gliding, has received relatively little attention. The net slime mold Labyrinthula provides a useful laboratory model for studying this process since it exhibits a particular kind of gliding in its plasmodial stage. Here nucleated spindle cells glide along self‐established cytoplasmic trackways in a predominantly unidirectional manner, at 1–2 μm/s. These trackways, upon which gliding is dependent, are held by filopodial tethers some distance off the well‐developed reticulopodial mesh anchoring the plasmodium onto the substratum. Reflection interference microscopy resolves this matrix in live plasmodia. The axially disposed cytoskeletal elements of the trackways are revealed by rhodamine‐labelled phalloidin to be rich in F‐actin. A weft of peripheral, rapidly extending filopodia (50 μm/min) typifies the expanding regions of the plasmodium. Here spindle cells are recruited before emigrating into newly differentiated trackways. Immunoblotting whole plasmodia or a sucrose‐soluble cytoplasmic extract reveals a single actin‐positive band of Mr 48 kDa. Polyclonal antibodies to two distinct myosin peptide sequences identify a single myosin HC (Mr 96 kDa) in immunoblots. Gliding was reversibly blocked by 10 mM 2,3‐butanedione‐2‐monoxime, a myosin ATPase inhibitor, but it was insensitive to the actin‐binding drugs cytochalasin D and phalloidin. We suggest that the force (>50 pN) for gliding motility results from interaction of myosin molecules, associated with the spindle cells, with trackway F‐actin via the bothrosomes.
Differential Effects of Acute (Extenuating) and Chronic (Training) Exercise on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Status in an Animal Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This study compares the effects of a single bout of exercise (acute extenuating) with those promoted by an exercise training program (chronic), focusing on low-grade chronic inflammation profile and on oxidative stress status, using the obese ZDF rats as a model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks of a swimming training program and after a single bout of acute extenuating exercise. Glycaemic, insulinemic, and lipidic profile (triglycerides, total-cholesterol) were evaluated, as well as inflammatory (serum CRPhs, TNF-α, adiponectin) and oxidative (lipidic peroxidation and uric acid) status. When compared to obese diabetic sedentary rats, the animals submitted to acute exercise presented significantly lower values of glycaemia and insulinaemia, with inflammatory profile and oxidative stress significantly aggravated. The trained animals showed amelioration of glycaemic and lipidic dysmetabolism, accompanied by remarkable reduction of inflammatory and oxidative markers. In conclusion, the results presented herein suggessted that exercise pathogenesis-oriented interventions should not exacerbate underlying inflammatory stress associated with T2DM.
L-shaped array-based 2-D DOA estimation using parallel factor analysis

For two-dimensional (2-D) directions-of-arrival (DOA) estimation problem, the L-shaped array seems to have higher accuracy than other structured arrays (see [3] for details), and has received much attention. Many algorithms firstly estimate two electric angles separately using the two orthogonal subarrays of the L-shaped array, and then obtain elevation and azimuth angles from these two correctly matched electric angles. However, the failure in pairing will cause severe performance degradation. To avoid the performance degradation resulted from wrong pairing, a parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis model-based algorithm is proposed in this paper to estimate 2-D DOA in the L-shaped array geometry without pairing parameters. The key points of this paper are: i) Dividing the whole L-shaped array into several subarrays, and constructing several matrices using the second-order statistics of some properly chosen array outputs to alleviate the noise effect and thus improve estimation accuracy; and ii) Forming a PARAFAC analysis model to avoid the performance degradation resulted from wrong pairing. Simulation results are presented to validate the performance of the proposed method.
Global stabilisation for a class of more general high-order time-delay nonlinear systems by output feedback

This paper addresses the problem of global stabilisation by output feedback for a class of high-order time-delay nonlinear systems with more general uncertainties, which cover both high-order and low-order nonlinearities. By introducing sign function and necessarily modifying the homogeneous domination approach, an output feedback controller is successfully constructed to guarantee the global asymptotic stability of the resulting closed-loop system. Due to the versatility of the homogeneous domination approach and homogeneous properties, the proposed method is also utilised to the control design of upper-triangular systems.
A method for the selective enumeration and isolation of ruminal Lactobacillus and Streptococcus

Ruminal lactic acid‐producing bacteria were selectively isolated and enumerated using a one hour aerobic exposure prior to incubation on a semi‐selective Lactobacillus medium, MRS, under anaerobic conditions. The technique allowed growth of pure cultures of ruminal Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus bovis without supporting the growth of pure cultures of any of the prominent ruminal bacterial species. In mixed cultures, the one hour aerobic pre‐incubation inhibited the growth of the obligate anaerobic ruminal bacteria which can otherwise grow on the MRS medium, and the subsequent anaerobic incubation permitted maximal recovery of the weakly aerotolerant ruminal lactic acid‐producing Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus spp. The efficacy of this technique in selecting exclusively for the lactic acid‐producing bacteria was also demonstrated from populations of rumen bacteria from mixed culture end‐point in vitro fermentation, continuous in vitro culture and isolations from fresh ruminal samples.
Assessing Hindu–Muslim Fertility Differentials in West Bengal

Religion, class–caste factors, and sociocultural norms influence fertility rates, largely determining reproductive behavior. Hindu–Muslim fertility differentials in West Bengal, India, are examined through characteristics and interaction hypotheses tests using National Family Health Survey-3 data. Results reveal most Hindu women have at least two births while Muslim women are likely to have at least four births, before avoiding subsequent births. Multiple classification analysis implies prevalent socioeconomic characteristics cause this fertility differential. Fertility differences are also noticed between lesser- and better-educated women groups, implying a strong religion–women education level interaction effect. The same holds true for the religion–son preference interaction effect as well.
Span-program-based quantum algorithm for tree detection

Span program is a linear-algebraic model of computation originally proposed for studying the complexity theory. Recently, it has become a useful tool for designing quantum algorithms. In this paper, we present a time-efficient span-program-based quantum algorithm for the following problem. Let $T$ be an arbitrary tree. Given query access to the adjacency matrix of a graph $G$ with $n$ vertices, we need to determine whether $G$ contains $T$ as a subgraph, or $G$ does not contain $T$ as a minor, under the promise that one of these cases holds. We call this problem the subgraph/not-a-minor problem for $T$. We show that this problem can be solved by a bounded-error quantum algorithm with $O(n)$ query complexity and $\tilde{O}(n)$ time complexity. The query complexity is optimal, and the time complexity is tight up to polylog factors.
A cross-sectional study of perceived injustice and disability in hip osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the correlation among severity of hip osteoarthritis, disability, and Perceived injustice. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cohort of 46 participants with unilateral hip osteoarthritis underwent hip range of motion measurements and completed the Injustice Experience Questionnaire (IEQ), the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), and a Croft radiological grading of osteoarthritis severity. RESULTS The mean age of the cohort was 62.7±10.4 years, and the cohort included 27 females. The mean duration of symptoms was 46.9±20.6 months. The means of each of the five subscales of the HOOS were as follows: Pain, 62.3±9.4; Other Symptoms, 56.7±9.6; Function in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), 58.2±6.7; Function in Sport and Recreation (Sport/Rec), 58.1±6.7; and Hip-Related Quality of Life (QOL) 59.9±7.5. The combined mean hip range of motion (abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, external rotation, internal rotation) was 215.9±10.9 degrees. The mean IEQ score (Perceived injustice) was 12.0±1.7. Of the available factors, only QOL, hip range of motion, and the Croft radiological osteoarthritis grade predicted Perceived injustice scores, with an R-squared of 0.81 in multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION In this cohort of patients with unilateral osteoarthritis, more severe disease (as measured by restricted range of motion and radiological severity) was highly correlated with higher levels of Perceived injustice. Perceived injustice may thus reflect an appropriate response to the severity of the disease and is thus more likely a result of the disease process and subsequent disability rather than a cause of disability.
Identification of Exonic Nucleotide Variants of the Thyroid Hormone Responsive Protein Gene Associated with Carcass Traits and Fatty Acid Composition in Korean Cattle

The thyroid hormone responsive protein (THRSP) gene is a functional gene that can be used to indicate the fatty acid compositions. This study investigates the relationships of exonic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the THRSP gene and fatty acid composition of muscle fat and marbling score in the 612 Korean cattle. The relationships between fatty acid composition and eight SNPs in the THRSP gene (g.78 G>A, g.173 C>T, g.184 C>T, g.190 C>A, g.194 C>T, g.277 C>G, g.283 T>G and g.290 T>G) were investigated, and according to the results, two SNPs (g.78 G>A and g.184 C>T) in exon 1 were associated with fatty acid composition. The GG and CC genotypes of g.78 G>A and g.184 C>T had higher unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content (p<0.05). In addition, the ht1*ht1 group (Val/Ala haplotype) in a linkage disequilibrium increased MUFAs and marbling scores for carcass traits (p<0.05). As a result, g.78 G>A and g.184 C>T had significantly relationships with UFAs and MUFAs. Two SNPs in the THRSP gene affected fatty acid composition, suggesting that GG and CC genotypes and the ht1*ht1 group (Val/Ala haplotype) can be markers to genetically improve the quality and flavor of beef.
Amplexicaule A exerts anti-tumor effects by inducing apoptosis in human breast cancer

Chemotherapy is the main treatment for patients with breast cancer metastases, but natural alternatives have been receiving attention for their potential as novel anti-tumor reagents. Amplexicaule A (APA) is a flavonoid glucoside isolated from rhizomes of Polygonum amplexicaule D. Don var. sinense Forb (PADF). We found that APA has anti-tumor effects in a breast cancer xenograft mouse model and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines. APA increased levels of cleaved caspase-3,-8,-9 and PARP, which resulted from suppression of MCL-1 and BCL-2 expression in the cells. APA also inactivated the Akt/mTOR pathway in breast cancer cells. Thus, APA exerts a strong anti-tumor effect on breast cancer cells, most likely through induction of apoptosis. Our study is the first to identify this novel anti-tumor compound and provides a new strategy for isolation and separation of single compounds from herbs.
Two Takes on the Social Brain: A Comparison of Theory of Mind Tasks

We compared two tasks that are widely used in research on mentalizingfalse belief stories and animations of rigid geometric shapes that depict social interactionsto investigate whether the neural systems that mediate the representation of others' mental states are consistent across these tasks. Whereas false belief stories activated primarily the anterior paracingulate cortex (APC), the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus (PCC/PC), and the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ)components of the distributed neural system for theory of mind (ToM)the social animations activated an extensive region along nearly the full extent of the superior temporal sulcus, including a locus in the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), as well as the frontal operculum and inferior parietal lobule (IPL)components of the distributed neural system for action understandingand the fusiform gyrus. These results suggest that the representation of covert mental states that may predict behavior and the representation of intentions that are implied by perceived actions involve distinct neural systems. These results show that the TPJ and the pSTS play dissociable roles in mentalizing and are parts of different distributed neural systems. Because the social animations do not depict articulated body movements, these results also highlight that the perception of the kinematics of actions is not necessary to activate the mirror neuron system, suggesting that this system plays a general role in the representation of intentions and goals of actions. Furthermore, these results suggest that the fusiform gyrus plays a general role in the representation of visual stimuli that signify agency, independent of visual form.
Microsatellite Instability Is Often Observed in Esophageal Carcinoma Patients with Allelic Loss in the FHIT/FRA3B Locus

We have previously reported a significant correlation between the progression of colorectal carcinoma and the loss of Fhit and Msh2 expression. This observation led us to investigate the effect of an allelic loss of the FHIT gene on esophageal cancer when coupled with a deficient mismatch repair system. In this study, 8 of 42 patients with esophageal cancer had microsatellite instability (MSI), and 29 cases demonstrated allelic loss (loss of heterozygosity or homozygous deletion) at the FHIT/FRA3B locus. All 8 MSI-positive cases showed allelic loss, while 13 of 34 MSI-negative cases retained both alleles, and a significant correlation was found between the incidence of MSI and allelic loss (p < 0.05). On the other hand, only 1 of the 8 MSI-positive patients exhibited neither Msh2 nor Fhit protein expression in both normal and carcinoma epithelial tissues, but neither a relationship between Msh2 expression and Fhit expression nor with the incidence of MSI was noted. This result indicated that the disruption of the mismatch repair system of Msh2 does not mainly lead to allelic loss of the FHIT/FRA3B locus as well as MSI in esophageal cancer. We concluded that MSI is significantly related to the allelic loss in the FHIT/FRA3B region, but Msh2 might be unrelated to the progression or oncogenic process in esophageal cancer.
Molecular response of Sargassum vulgare to acidification at volcanic CO2 vents: insights from de novo transcriptomic analysis

Ocean acidification is an emerging problem that is expected to impact ocean species to varying degrees. Currently, little is known about its effect on molecular mechanisms induced in fleshy macroalgae. To elucidate genome wide responses to acidification, a transcriptome analysis was carried out on Sargassum vulgare populations growing under acidified conditions at volcanic CO2 vents and compared with populations in a control site. Several transcripts involved in a wide range of cellular and metabolic processes were differentially expressed. No drastic changes were observed in the carbon acquisition processes and RuBisCO level. Moreover, relatively few stress genes, including those for antioxidant enzymes and heat‐shock proteins, were affected. Instead, increased expression of transcripts involved in energy metabolism, photosynthetic processes and ion homeostasis suggested that algae increased energy production to maintain ion homeostasis and other cellular processes. Also, an increased allocation of carbon to cell wall and carbon storage was observed. A number of genes encoding proteins involved in cellular signalling, information storage and processing and transposition were differentially expressed between the two conditions. The transcriptional changes of key enzymes were largely confirmed by enzymatic activity measurements. Altogether, the changes induced by acidification indicate an adaptation of growth and development of S. vulgare at the volcanic CO2 vents, suggesting that this fleshy alga exhibits a high plasticity to low pH and can adopt molecular strategies to grow also in future more acidified waters.
Modeling of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs using field-plate technology

An analytical approach for calculating the electric field and designing Field Plates (FP) for reducing the Peak electric field in the channel and at the surface of high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) for a given gate and drain voltage is presented in this paper. The difference caused by the field plate is better demonstrated by the electrical field distribution in the channel. A 50% reduction of the maximum electric field, located at the drain side of the gate edge, is achieved by the introduction of the field plate, thus increasing the breakdown voltage.
A Guided Workbook Intervention (WorkPlan) to Support Work-Related Goals Among Cancer Survivors: Protocol of a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Returning to and staying at work following illness is associated with better physical and psychological functioning. Not working has been shown to be associated with reduced self-esteem, lowered self-efficacy, and decreased belief in one's ability to return to the workplace. Although there is a growing body of research looking at what predicts return to work following cancer treatment, there are fewer studies examining interventions targeting return to work. Objective The primary objective is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a theoretically led workbook intervention designed to support cancer patients in returning to work to inform a fully powered randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods This is a multicenter feasibility RCT where the main analysis uses a qualitative approach. Sixty participants (aged 18-65 years) who have received a diagnosis of cancer and who intend to return to work will be randomized to either the WorkPlan intervention group or a usual care group (ratio 1:1). Participants in the intervention group will receive a guided workbook intervention (which contains activities aimed at eliciting thoughts and beliefs, identifying targets and actions, and concrete steps to achieve goals) and will receive telephone support over a 4-week period. The primary outcome measure is time taken to return to work (in days), and secondary outcome measures include mood, quality of life, illness perceptions, and job satisfaction. Data will be collected through postal questionnaires administered immediately postintervention and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. In addition, interviews will be undertaken immediately postintervention (to explore acceptability of the intervention and materials) and at 12-month follow-up (to explore perceptions of participation in the trial and experiences of returning to work). Results Enrollment for the study will be completed in May 2016. Data analysis will commence in April 2017, and the first results are expected to be submitted for publication in late 2017. Conclusions Currently no standardized return-to-work intervention based on targeting cancer patient beliefs is in existence. If the intervention is shown to be feasible and acceptable, the results of this study will inform a future full RCT with the potential to provide a valuable and cost-efficient tool in supporting cancer survivors in the return-to-work process. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): ISRCTN56342476; http://www.isrctn. com/ISRCTN56342476 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6gblhEPXd).
A Closer Look at Self-Esteem, Perceived Social Support, and Coping Strategy: A Prospective Study of Depressive Symptomatology Across the Transition to College

The first year of college is a significant life transition, which is often characterized by stress and may contribute to the development or exacerbation of depressive symptoms. Due to the considerable negative outcomes that are associated with depressive symptoms across the lifespan, it is important to understand the mechanisms and pathways through which depressive symptoms arise. This prospective study examines the mediating and moderating roles of perceived social support and disengagement coping on the association between self-esteem and depressive symptomatology in a sample of 1,118 first-year college students. Results of longitudinal cross-lagged path analyses indicate that self-esteem predicts depressive symptomatology via perceived social support and disengagement coping. The association between self-esteem and perceived social support appear to be bidirectional, in that level of self-esteem predicts perceived social support, and vice versa. Furthermore, disengagement coping was found to moderate t.
Online CBT Is Effective in Overcoming Cultural and Language Barriers in Patients With Depression

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of weekly email in delivering online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat mild to moderately depressed individuals. The effectiveness of the online CBT was measured following treatment and then again at a 6-month follow-up and was compared with outcomes in a waitlist control group. Methods: Participants were recruited through announcements on psychology Web sites, Iranian organization Web sites, and weblogs and flyers. Ninety-three individuals who met inclusion criteria, including a score >18 on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), participated in the study, with 47 randomly assigned to the CBT group and 46 to the control group. The CBT group received 10 to 12 sessions of online CBT conducted by a psychiatrist and a psychiatry resident. Following completion of the CBT, a second BDI was sent to participants. Another BDI was then sent to participants 6 months after the completion of treatment. Results: Email-based CBT significantly reduced BDI scores compared with results in a waitlist control group following 10 to 12 weeks of treatment and at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: Email is a viable method for delivering CBT to individuals when face-to-face interaction is not possible. Limitations and future directions are discussed.