Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Exenatide on Metabolic Changes, Sexual Hormones, Inflammatory Cytokines, Adipokines, and Weight Change in a DHEA-Treated Rat Model

Insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism are the main features of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Low-grade inflammation is also involved in PCOS. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of exenatide on metabolic changes, sexual hormones, inflammatory cytokines, adipokines, and weight changes in a dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-treated rat model. After the model was produced by daily subcutaneous injections of DHEA, rats were given metformin (265 mg/kg), exenatide (10 μg/kg), and saline (1 mL). One group served as a control group. Blood samples and ovarian tissues were removed and prepared for biochemical and hormonal analyses. Exenatide significantly reduced body weight and insulin, testosterone, interleukin 6 (IL-6), PEDF, and visfatin levels. Exenatide also ameliorated changes in ovarian morphology, as evidenced by decreased numbers of cystic follicles and various follicles and elevated numbers of granular cell layers. The effects observed with exenatide were comparable to those observed with metformin. This study has provided evidence that exenatide may be efficient in the treatment of PCOS.
Spermine Protects Mice Against Lethal Sepsis Partly by Attenuating Surrogate Inflammatory Markers

The pathogenesis of sepsis is partly attributable to dysregulated inflammatory response mediated by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) (for example, endotoxin) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) (for example, high-mobility group box 1 [HMGB1]). An endogenous ubiquitous polyamine, spermine, inhibits endotoxin-induced cytokine release in vitro, but its capacities to attenuate sepsis- and HMGB1-induced inflammatory responses was previously unknown. We thus tested the hypothesis that spermine protects mice against lethal sepsis by attenuating sepsis-induced local and systemic inflammatory responses. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of spermine (10 mg/kg, twice daily, for 3 d) conferred a significant protection against lethal sepsis. The protective effects were associated with a significant reduction in peritoneal and serum levels of several surrogate markers of sepsis (for example, Interleukin-6 [IL-6], keratinocyte-derived chemokine [KC], monocytes chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1], macrophage inflammatory protein-2 [MIP-2], tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), soluble tumor necrosis factor-a receptor I [sTNFRI], and soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor II [sTNFRII]) during a late stage of sepsis. In vitro, spermine effectively inhibited HMGB1-induced release of the above surrogate markers in peritoneal macrophages. Thus, spermine confers protection against lethal sepsis partly by attenuating sepsis- and HMGB1-induced inflammatory responses.
ERSA: Error Resilient System Architecture for probabilistic applications

There is a growing concern about the increasing vulnerability of future computing systems to errors in the underlying hardware. Traditional redundancy techniques are expensive for designing energy-efficient systems that are resilient to high error rates. We present Error Resilient System Architecture (ERSA), a low-cost robust system architecture for emerging killer probabilistic applications such as Recognition, Mining and Synthesis (RMS) applications. While resilience of such applications to errors in low-order bits of data is well-known, execution of such applications on error-prone hardware significantly degrades output quality (due to high-order bit errors and crashes). ERSA achieves high error resilience to high-order bit errors and control errors (in addition to low-order bit errors) using a judicious combination of 3 key ideas: (1) asymmetric reliability in many-core architectures, (2) error-resilient algorithms at the core of probabilistic applications, and (3) intelligent software optimizations. Error injection experiments on a multi-core ERSA hardware prototype demonstrate that, even at very high error rates of 20,000 errors/second/core or 2×10−4 error/cycle/core (with errors injected in architecturally-visible registers), ERSA maintains 90% or better accuracy of output results, together with minimal impact on execution time, for probabilistic applications such as K-Means clustering, LDPC decoding and Bayesian networks. Moreover, we demonstrate the effectiveness of ERSA in tolerating high rates of static memory errors that are characteristic of emerging challenges such as Vccmin problems and erratic bit errors. Using the concept of configurable reliability, ERSA platforms may also be adapted for general-purpose applications that are less resilient to errors (but at higher costs).
Are Regional Variations in End-of-Life Care Intensity Explained by Patient Preferences?: A Study of the US Medicare Population

Objective:We sought to test whether variations across regions in end-of-life (EOL) treatment intensity are associated with regional differences in patient preferences for EOL care. Research Design:Dual-language (English/Spanish) survey conducted March to October 2005, either by mail or computer-assisted telephone questionnaire, among a probability sample of 3480 Medicare part A and/or B eligible beneficiaries in the 20% denominator file, age 65 or older on July 1, 2003. Data collected included demographics, health status, and general preferences for medical care in the event the respondent had a serious illness and less than 1 year to live. EOL concerns and preferences were regressed on hospital referral region EOL spending, a validated measure of treatment intensity. Results:A total of 2515 Medicare beneficiaries completed the survey (65% response rate). In analyses adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, financial strain, and health status, there were no differences by spending in concern about getting too little treatment (39.6% in lowest spending quintile, Q1; 41.2% in highest, Q5; P value for trend, 0.637) or too much treatment (44.2% Q1, 45.1% Q5; P = 0.797) at the end of life, preference for spending their last days in a hospital (8.4% Q1, 8.5% Q5; P = 0.965), for potentially life-prolonging drugs that made them feel worse all the time (14.4% Q1, 16.5% Q5; P = 0.326), for palliative drugs, even if they might be life-shortening (77.7% Q1, 73.4% Q5; P = 0.138), for mechanical ventilation if it would extend their life by 1 month (21% Q1, 21.4% Q5; P = 0.870) or by 1 week (12.1% Q1, 11.7%; P = 0.875). Conclusions:Medicare beneficiaries generally prefer treatment focused on palliation rather than life-extension. Differences in preferences are unlikely to explain regional variations in EOL spending.
Optimizing Decentralization of Management and Exploitation of Irrigation Works in Quan Lo-Phung Hiep Region, Mekong River Delta

: In Vietnam as well as many countries which apply the irrigated agriculture over the world, the process of promoting the socialization trend in irrigation for the basic irrigation organizations, of which the main factor is water users, is very important. This paper aimed to optimize the decentralization of management and exploitation of irrigation works for water users, organizations in Quan Lo-Phung Hiep irrigation system of Mekong River Delta. The research has implemented a survey on 384 water users along four canals of level 2 of Quan Lo-Phung Hiep irrigation system under two sets of index: (1) water users’ perception assessment of the irrigation works (14 indicators) and (2) assessment of the management efficiency in the irrigation works (six indicators). The research proposes the decentralization process from building. After determining the correlation coefficients, the multi-objective linear regression equation will be shown on six single objective functions. With the aim at achieving the highest efficiency in the management and exploitation of the irrigation works, there should be a shift in terms of the water users’ perception of the irrigation works. These study results also demonstrate that about 65%-68% of the change in the indicators of the exploitation efficiency in the irrigation works is explained by some water users’ perception indexes of irrigation works, including the quality of irrigation service and the output efficiency in agricultural production. By using the algorithm for multi-objective optimization problem, the optimal results in perception are determined. The input data is generated for the matrix supporting the decision making, and the decentralization of management and exploitation of irrigation works meets the three criteria, i.e., effectiveness, sustainability and flexibility.
Unified dual data caches

The dual data cache is a cache organization with a split temporal/spatial cache. The temporal sub-cache stores data exhibiting temporal locality and the spatial sub-cache saves data exhibiting spatial locality. A locality prediction table is used to predict the type of locality load/store instructions exhibit. In this way, both types of locality can be exploited more effectively. Unfortunately, the dual data cache does not make effective use of the entire cache capacity. If most memory references exhibit the same type of locality, only one sub-cache will be used. We therefore propose a cache organization called the Unified Dual Data Cache that employs only one (unified) cache unit. If a cache miss occurs and the locality prediction is temporal, only the missing block is fetched from the next memory level. If on the other hand spatial locality is predicted, adjacent blocks are also brought to the cache. In fact, we present two versions of the UDDC called the UDDC Type A (UDDC-A) and the UDDC Type B (UDDC-B), respectively. The difference between the two types is that in the UDDC-B each smaller block is tagged, while in the UDDC-A the smaller blocks within a larger block share the tag.
Dynamic Characteristics of Retinal Ganglion Cell Responses in Goldfish

A cross-correlation technique has been applied to quantify the dependence of the dynamic characteristics of retinal ganglion cell responses in goldfish on intensity, wavelength, spatial configuration, and spot size. Both theoretical and experimental evidence justify the use of the cross-correlation procedure which allows the completion of rather extensive measurements in a relatively short time. The findings indicate the following. (a) The shape of the amplitude characteristics depends on the energy per unit of time (power) falling within the center of a receptive field rather than on the intensity of the stimulus spot. For spot diameters of up to 1 mm, identical amplitude characteristics can be obtained by interchanging area and intensity. Therefore the receptor processes do not contribute to the change in the amplitude characteristics as a function of the power of the stimulus light. (b) For high frequencies the amplitude characteristics obtained as a function of power join together in a common envelope if plotted on an absolute sensitivity scale. For spontaneous ganglion cells this envelope holds over a range of three log units and the shape is identical for central and peripheral processes. (c) The amplitude characteristics of the central and peripheral processes converging to a ganglion cell are identical, irrespective of the sign (on or off) and the spectral coding of the response. Therefore we have no evidence for interneurons in the goldfish retina unique to the periphery of the receptive field.
Ovulation Order Mediates a Trade-Off between Pre-Hatching and Post-Hatching Viability in an Altricial Bird

Simultaneously dependent siblings often compete for parentally provided resources. This competition may lead to mortality, the probability of which may be a function, in part, of the individual offspring's production order. In birds, serial ovulation followed by hatching asynchrony of simultaneous dependents leads to differences in post-hatching survival that largely depend on ovulation (laying) order. This has led to the widespread assumption that early-laid eggs are of greater value and therefore should possess different maternally manipulated characteristics than later-laid eggs. However, this perspective ignores the potential effect of laying order on pre-hatching viability, an effect which some studies suggest should offset the effect of laying order on post-hatching viability. I examined the relationship between laying order and hatching and fledging probability in wild, free-living Lincoln's sparrows (Melospiza lincolnii). In broods with complete hatching success, first-laid and therefore first-hatched offspring had the highest probability of fledging, and fledging probability declined with increasing laying order. However, first-laid eggs were less likely than later-laid eggs to hatch. This effect of laying order on pre-hatching viability seemed to offset that on post-hatching viability, and, consistently, maternal investment in egg size varied little if at all with respect to laying order. These results suggest that ovulation order mediates a trade-off between pre-hatching and post-hatching viability and should encourage a re-evaluation of the solitary role post-embryonic survival often plays when researchers make assumptions about the value of propagules based on the order in which they are produced.
Anatomy of the nerves and ganglia of the aortic plexus in males

It is well accepted that the aortic plexus is a network of pre‐ and post‐ganglionic nerves overlying the abdominal aorta, which is primarily involved with the sympathetic innervation to the mesenteric, pelvic and urogenital organs. Because a comprehensive anatomical description of the aortic plexus and its connections with adjacent plexuses are lacking, these delicate structures are prone to unintended damage during abdominal surgeries. Through dissection of fresh, frozen human cadavers (n = 7), the present study aimed to provide the first complete mapping of the nerves and ganglia of the aortic plexus in males. Using standard histochemical procedures, ganglia of the aortic plexus were verified through microscopic analysis using haematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and anti‐tyrosine hydroxylase stains. All specimens exhibited four distinct sympathetic ganglia within the aortic plexus: the right and left spermatic ganglia, the inferior mesenteric ganglion and one previously unidentified ganglion, which has been named the prehypogastric ganglion by the authors. The spermatic ganglia were consistently supplied by the L1 lumbar splanchnic nerves and the inferior mesenteric ganglion and the newly characterized prehypogastric ganglion were supplied by the left and right L2 lumbar splanchnic nerves, respectively. Additionally, our examination revealed the aortic plexus does have potential for variation, primarily in the possibility of exhibiting accessory splanchnic nerves. Clinically, our results could have significant implications for preserving fertility in men as well as sympathetic function to the hindgut and pelvis during retroperitoneal surgeries.
Molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in yeast.

PERSPECTIVE AND SUMMARY 1051 YEAST PROMOTER ELEMENTS 1052 SPECIFIC DNA-BINDING PROTEINS 1054 TRANSCRIPTIONAL ACTIVATION 1059 REGULATION 1062 MORE CO~vlPLEX PHENOMENA 1063 Multiple Proteins Recognizing the Same Target Sequence 1063 Multiple Proteins Necessary for a Single DNA-Binding Event 1065 Multiple Proteins Necessary for Activation or Repression 1066 Activation and Repression by the Same Protein 1067 Functional Distinctions Between TATA Elements 1068 Poly(dA-dT) Sequences and the Effect of Chromatin 1069 Upstream Activator Proteins Function When Bound at the TATA Position 1070 MOLECULAR MECHANISM OF ACTIVATION AND REPRESSION 1070 EVOLUTION 1073
Efficacy of Two Lion Conservation Programs in Maasailand, Kenya

Lion (Panthera leo) populations are in decline throughout most of Africa. The problem is particularly acute in southern Kenya, where Maasai pastoralists have been spearing and poisoning lions at a rate that will ensure near term local extinction. We investigated 2 approaches for improving local tolerance of lions: compensation payments for livestock lost to predators and Lion Guardians, which draws on local cultural values and knowledge to mitigate livestock‐carnivore conflict and monitor carnivores. To gauge the overall influence of conservation intervention, we combined both programs into a single conservation treatment variable. Using 8 years of lion killing data, we applied Manski's partial identification approach with bounded assumptions to investigate the effect of conservation treatment on lion killing in 4 contiguous areas. In 3 of the areas, conservation treatment was positively associated with a reduction in lion killing. We then applied a generalized linear model to assess the relative efficacy of the 2 interventions. The model estimated that compensation resulted in an 87–91% drop in the number of lions killed, whereas Lion Guardians (operating in combination with compensation and alone) resulted in a 99% drop in lion killing.
The First Bifurcation Point for Delaunay Nodoids

We give two numerical methods for computing the first bifurcation point for Delaunay nodoids. With regard to methods for constructing constant mean curvature surfaces, we conclude that the bifurcation point in the analytic method of Mazzeo- Pacard is the same as a limiting point encountered in the integrable systems method of Dorfmeister-Pedit-Wu.
Gonadectomy differentially regulates steroid receptor coactivator‐1 and synaptic proteins in the hippocampus of adult female and male C57BL/6 mice

Hippocampus is one of the most important structures that mediates learning and memory, cognition, and mental behaviors and profoundly regulated by sex hormones in a sex‐specific manner, but the mechanism of underlying sex differences regulation is still unclear. We have previously reported that in the male and female mice, steroid receptor coactivator‐1 (SRC‐1) and some key synaptic proteins share similar developmental profile in the hippocampus, but how circulating sex hormones affect hippocampal SRC‐1 as well as these synaptic proteins remain unclear. In this study, we examined how gonad sex hormones regulate hippocampal SRC‐1, synaptophysin, PSD‐95, and AMPA receptor subtype GluR1 by using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The results showed that in the female mice, ovariectomy affected hippocampal SRC‐1 and GluR1 were only detected at 2 weeks post operation, then it recovered to sham level; synaptophysin was unaffected at any timepoint examined; significant decrease of PSD‐95 was only detected at 4 weeks post operation. However, in the male hippocampus, SRC‐1 and PSD‐95 were decreased from one week and lasted to 4 weeks after orchidectomy, GluR1 decreased from 2 weeks after orchidectomy, but synaptophysin remained unchanged as in the females. Correlation analysis showed the profiles of SRC‐1 were positively correlated with GluR1 of the females, PSD‐95 and GluR1 of the males, respectively. The above results suggested a distinct regulatory mode between female and male gonad hormones in the regulation of hippocampal SRC‐1 and synaptic proteins, which may be one of the mechanisms contributing to the dimorphism of hippocampus during development and ageing. Synapse, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pharmacokinetics of erythromycin ethylsuccinate and estolate in infants under 4 months of age

We studied the pharmacokinetics of erythromycin estolate and ethylsuccinate suspensions in infants under 4 months of age who were being treated for chlamydial infections or pertussis. We conducted our studies after the initial dose of 10 mg/kg and subsequently during steady-state treatment. The estolate preparation resulted in higher peak concentrations in sera, and its absorption and elimination half-lives were longer. Peak concentrations occurred 3 h after a dose with the estolate preparation and 1 h after a dose with the ethylsuccinate preparation. The area under the curve for the estolate preparation was about three times greater than that for the ethylsuccinate preparation. Based on these findings, we recommend that erythromycin estolate suspensions be given to young infants at 8- or 12-h intervals (30 mg/kg per day in three divided doses or 20 mg/kg per day in two divided doses) and that erythromycin ethylsuccinate is best given at 6-h intervals (40 mg/kg per day in four divided doses).
The Impact of Aesthetic Evaluation and Physical Ability on Dance Perception

The field of neuroaesthetics attracts attention from neuroscientists and artists interested in the neural underpinnings of esthetic experience. Though less studied than the neuroaesthetics of visual art, dance neuroaesthetics is a particularly rich subfield to explore, as it is informed not only by research on the neurobiology of aesthetics, but also by an extensive literature on how action experience shapes perception. Moreover, it is ideally suited to explore the embodied simulation account of esthetic experience, which posits that activation within sensorimotor areas of the brain, known as the action observation network (AON), is a critical element of the esthetic response. In the present study, we address how observers’ esthetic evaluation of dance is related to their perceived physical ability to reproduce the movements they watch. Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while evaluating how much they liked and how well they thought they could physically replicate a range of dance movements performed by professional ballet dancers. We used parametric analyses to evaluate brain regions that tracked with degree of liking and perceived physical ability. The findings reveal strongest activation of occipitotemporal and parietal portions of the AON when participants view movements they rate as both esthetically pleasing and difficult to reproduce. As such, these findings begin to illuminate how the embodied simulation account of esthetic experience might apply to watching dance, and provide preliminary evidence as to why some people find enjoyment in an evening at the ballet.
Individual Behaviour as a Pathway between Early�?Life Shocks and Adult Health: Evidence from Hunger Episodes in Post�?War Germany

We investigate long-run effects of episodes of hunger experienced as a child on health status and behavioral outcomes in later life. We combine self-reported data on hunger experiences from SHARELIFE, a retrospective survey conducted as part of SHARE in Europe in 2009, with administrative data on food supply (caloric rations) in post-war Germany. The data suggest that individual behavior is a pathway between early life shocks and adult health: We find that those who experienced hunger spend a larger fraction of income on food. Taken together, our results confirm that in addition to the well-documented biological channel from early life circumstances to adult health, there is also a behavioral pathway.
Combined photodynamic and photothermal induced injury enhances damage to in vivo model blood vessels

The degree of port wine stain (PWS) blanching following pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy remains variable and unpredictable. Because of the limitations of current PDL therapy, alternative treatment approaches should be explored. The objective was to evaluate a novel methodology for selective vascular damage, combined photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal (PDL) treatment, using the in vivo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model.