Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphology of the Pelvis and Hind Limb of the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) Evidenced by Gross Osteology, Radiography and Computed Tomography

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is a quadrupedal arboreal animal primarily distributed in the Himalayas and southern China. It is a species commonly kept in zoological collections. This study was carried out to describe the morphology of the pelvis and hind limb of the red panda evidenced by gross osteology, radiography and computed tomography as a reference for clinical use and identification of skeletons. Radiography of the pelvis and right hind limb was performed in nine and seven animals, respectively. Radiographic findings were correlated with bone specimens from three adult animals. Computed tomography of the torso and hind limb was performed in one animal. The pelvic bone had a wide ventromedial surface of the ilium. The trochlea of the femur was wide and shallow. The patella was similar to that seen in feline species. The medial fabella was not seen radiographically in any animal. The cochlea grooves of the tibia were shallow with a poorly defined intermediate ridge. The trochlea of the talus was shallow and presented with an almost flattened medial ridge. The tarsal sesamoid bone was always present. The lateral process of the base of the fifth metatarsal (MT) bone was directed laterally. The MT bones were widely spaced. The morphology of the pelvis and hind limb of the red panda indicated flexibility of the pelvis and hind limb joints as an adaptation to an arboreal quadrupedal lifestyle.
Horizontal and vertical prism adaptation are different mechanisms

As part of a study on subjects with convergence insufficiency (CI), their vertical and horizontal vergence adaptation was assessed and compared with age matched controls in order to investigate whether the horizontal adaptation system can be regarded as being independent of the vertical adaptation system. Using a flashed Maddox rod technique horizontal vergence adaptation was found to be reduced in CI subjects whereas no difference could be found in vertical adaptation. These results confirm that the vertical and horizontal adaptation systems can be treated as independent mechanisms.
Comparing effects of low- and high-volume moderate-intensity exercise on sexual function and testosterone in obese men.

INTRODUCTION Obesity and inactivity are associated with erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism. AIM To compare the effects of low volume (LV) and high volume (HV) of moderate-intensity exercise on sexual function, testosterone, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), endothelial function, and quality of life (QoL) in obese men. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Weight, waist circumference (WC), body composition, International Index of Erectile Function 5-item (IIEF-5), International Prostate Symptom Scale (IPSS) (for LUTS), and 36-item Short Form Survey version 2 Instrument (SF-36) (for QoL) scores, plasma testosterone, sex-hormone binding globulin, glucose, insulin and lipids, and endothelial function (by Reactive Hyperaemia Index [RHI] using finger plethysmography) were measured at baseline and 24 weeks. METHODS Ninety abdominally obese (body mass index > 27.5 kg/m(2), WC > 90 cm), sedentary (exercise ≈ 80 minutes/week) Asian men (mean age 43.6 years, range 30-60) were prescribed a diet to reduce daily intake by ≈ 400 kcal below calculated requirement and randomized to perform moderate-intensity exercise of LV (<150 minutes/week) or HV (200-300 minutes/week) (n = 45 each) for 24 weeks. Seventy-five men (83.3%) completed the study. RESULTS Weekly exercise volume was significantly greater in the HV (236 ± 9 minutes) than the LV (105 ± 9 minutes) group. The HV group had significantly greater increases in IIEF-5 score (2.6 ± 0.5 points) and testosterone (2.06 ± 0.46 nmol/L) and reductions in weight (-5.9 ± 0.7 kg, -6.2%), WC (-4.9 ± 0.8 cm, -4.9%), and fat mass (-4.7 ± 1.0 kg, -14.5%) than the LV group (-2.9 ± 0.7 kg, -3.0%; -2.7 ± 0.7 cm, -2.5%; -1.1 ± 0.8 kg, -3.2%; 0.79 ± 0.46 nmol/L; and 1.8 ± 0.5 points). Improvements in IPSS and SF-36 scores, and RHI, were similar. CONCLUSIONS Moderate-intensity HV aerobic exercise > 200 minutes/week produces greater improvements in sexual function, testosterone, weight, WC, and fat mass than smaller exercise volume.
Impaired Insulin Signaling Affects Renal Organic Anion Transporter 3 (Oat3) Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Organic anion transporter 3 (Oat3) is a major renal Oats expressed in the basolateral membrane of renal proximal tubule cells. We have recently reported decreases in renal Oat3 function and expression in diabetic rats and these changes were recovered after insulin treatment for four weeks. However, the mechanisms by which insulin restored these changes have not been elucidated. In this study, we hypothesized that insulin signaling mediators might play a crucial role in the regulation of renal Oat3 function. Experimental diabetic rats were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). One week after injection, animals showing blood glucose above 250 mg/dL were considered to be diabetic and used for the experiment in which insulin-treated diabetic rats were subcutaneously injected daily with insulin for four weeks. Estrone sulfate (ES) uptake into renal cortical slices was examined to reflect the renal Oat3 function. The results showed that pre-incubation with insulin for 30 min (short term) stimulated [3H]ES uptake into the renal cortical slices of normal control rats. In the untreated diabetic rats, pre-incubation with insulin for 30 min failed to stimulate renal Oat3 activity. The unresponsiveness of renal Oat3 activity to insulin in the untreated diabetic rats suggests the impairment of insulin signaling. Indeed, pre-incubation with phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase C zeta (PKCζ) inhibitors inhibited insulin-stimulated renal Oat3 activity. In addition, the expressions of PI3K, Akt and PKCζ in the renal cortex of diabetic rats were markedly decreased. Prolonged insulin treatment in diabetic rats restored these alterations toward normal levels. Our data suggest that the decreases in both function and expression of renal Oat3 in diabetes are associated with an impairment of renal insulin-induced Akt/PKB activation through PI3K/PKCζ/Akt/PKB signaling pathway.
Regional Projections of Extreme Apparent Temperature Days in Africa and the Related Potential Risk to Human Health

Regional climate modelling was used to produce high resolution climate projections for Africa, under a “business as usual scenario”, that were translated into potential health impacts utilizing a heat index that relates apparent temperature to health impacts. The continent is projected to see increases in the number of days when health may be adversely affected by increasing maximum apparent temperatures (AT) due to climate change. Additionally, climate projections indicate that the increases in AT results in a moving of days from the less severe to the more severe Symptom Bands. The analysis of the rate of increasing temperatures assisted in identifying areas, such as the East African highlands, where health may be at increasing risk due to both large increases in the absolute number of hot days, and due to the high rate of increase. The projections described here can be used by health stakeholders in Africa to assist in the development of appropriate public health interventions to mitigate the potential health impacts from climate change.
Large-Scale Multi-resolution Surface Reconstruction from RGB-D Sequences

We propose a method to generate highly detailed, textured 3D models of large environments from RGB-D sequences. Our system runs in real-time on a standard desktop PC with a state-of-the-art graphics card. To reduce the memory consumption, we fuse the acquired depth maps and colors in a multi-scale octree representation of a signed distance function. To estimate the camera poses, we construct a pose graph and use dense image alignment to determine the relative pose between pairs of frames. We add edges between nodes when we detect loop-closures and optimize the pose graph to correct for long-term drift. Our implementation is highly parallelized on graphics hardware to achieve real-time performance. More specifically, we can reconstruct, store, and continuously update a colored 3D model of an entire corridor of nine rooms at high levels of detail in real-time on a single GPU with 2.5GB.
An Empirical Model of Subprime Mortgage Default from 2000 to 2007

The turmoil that started with increased defaults in the subprime mortgage market has generated instability in the financial system around the world. To better understand the root causes of this financial instability, we quantify the relative importance of various drivers behind subprime borrowers' decision to default. In our econometric model, we allow borrowers to default either because doing so increases their lifetime wealth or because of short-term budget constraints, treating the decision as the outcome of a bivariate probit model with partial observability. We estimate our model using detailed loan-level data from LoanPerformance and the Case-Shiller home price index. According to our results, one main driver of default is the nationwide decrease in home prices. The decline in home prices caused many borrowers' outstanding mortgage liability to exceed their home value, and for these borrowers default can increase their wealth. Another important driver is deteriorating loan quality: The increase of borrowers with poor credit and high payment to income ratios elevates default rates in the subprime market. We discuss policy implications of our results. Our findings point to flaws in the securitization process that led to the current wave of defaults. Also, we use our model to evaluate alternative policies aimed at reducing the rate of default.
Detection of patient movement during CBCT examination using video observation compared with an accelerometer-gyroscope tracking system.

OBJECTIVES To compare video observation (VO) with a novel three-dimensional registration method, based on an accelerometer-gyroscope (AG) system, to detect patient movement during CBCT examination. The movements were further analyzed according to complexity and patient age. METHODS In 181 patients (118 females/63 males; age average 30 years, range: 9-84 years), 206 CBCT examinations were performed, which were video-recorded during examination. An AG was, at the same time, attached to the patient head to track head position in three dimensions. Three observers scored patient movement (yes/no) by VO. AG provided movement data on the x-, y- and z-axes. Thresholds for AG-based registration were defined at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 mm (movement distance). Movement detected by VO was compared with that registered by AG, according to movement complexity (uniplanar vs multiplanar, as defined by AG) and patient age (≤15, 16-30 and ≥31 years). RESULTS According to AG, movement ≥0.5 mm was present in 160 (77.7%) examinations. According to VO, movement was present in 46 (22.3%) examinations. One VO-detected movement was not registered by AG. Overall, VO did not detect 71.9% of the movements registered by AG at the 0.5-mm threshold. At a movement distance ≥4 mm, 20% of the AG-registered movements were not detected by VO. Multiplanar movements such as lateral head rotation (72.1%) and nodding/swallowing (52.6%) were more often detected by VO in comparison with uniplanar movements, such as head lifting (33.6%) and anteroposterior translation (35.6%), at the 0.5-mm threshold. The prevalence of patients who move was highest in patients younger than 16 years (64.3% for VO and 92.3% for AG-based registration at the 0.5-mm threshold). CONCLUSIONS AG-based movement registration resulted in a higher prevalence of patient movement during CBCT examination than VO-based registration. Also, AG-registered multiplanar movements were more frequently detected by VO than uniplanar movements. The prevalence of patients who move was highest in patients younger than 16 years.
On the Sampled-Data Control of Nonlinear Systems

Most research in control of nonlinear systems is devoted to continuous time systems, the discrete time models being not well defined and difficult to handle. In this paper, an attempt to obtain equivalent discrete time models for sampled data control system is presented. Although the class of nonlinear systems is restricted to the so called sampled data computable nonlinear systems, it is also shown how broad the class of systems suitable to be expressed by this form is. Some properties of these models are also analyzed and a methodology to design sampled data controllers is outlined. A dual rate framework, faster for updating the control signals and slower to evaluate the controlled system behavior, is used to implement multirate controllers.
Measuring Adiposity in Patients: The Utility of Body Mass Index (BMI), Percent Body Fat, and Leptin

Background Obesity is a serious disease that is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and cancer, among other diseases. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates a 20% obesity rate in the 50 states, with 12 states having rates of over 30%. Currently, the body mass index (BMI) is most commonly used to determine adiposity. However, BMI presents as an inaccurate obesity classification method that underestimates the epidemic and contributes to failed treatment. In this study, we examine the effectiveness of precise biomarkers and duel-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to help diagnose and treat obesity. Methodology/Principal Findings A cross-sectional study of adults with BMI, DXA, fasting leptin and insulin results were measured from 1998–2009. Of the participants, 63% were females, 37% were males, 75% white, with a mean age = 51.4 (SD = 14.2). Mean BMI was 27.3 (SD = 5.9) and mean percent body fat was 31.3% (SD = 9.3). BMI characterized 26% of the subjects as obese, while DXA indicated that 64% of them were obese. 39% of the subjects were classified as non-obese by BMI, but were found to be obese by DXA. BMI misclassified 25% men and 48% women. Meanwhile, a strong relationship was demonstrated between increased leptin and increased body fat. Conclusions/Significance Our results demonstrate the prevalence of false-negative BMIs, increased misclassifications in women of advancing age, and the reliability of gender-specific revised BMI cutoffs. BMI underestimates obesity prevalence, especially in women with high leptin levels (>30 ng/mL). Clinicians can use leptin-revised levels to enhance the accuracy of BMI estimates of percentage body fat when DXA is unavailable.
Dynamic valid models for the conservative Hénon-Heiles system

In this work the discretization of the Hénon-Heiles system obtained by applying the Monaco and Normand-Cyrot method is investigated. In order to obtain dynamically valid models, several approaches covering from the choice of terms in the difference equation originated from the discretization process to the increase of the discretization order are analyzed. As a conclusion it is shown that discretized models that preserve both the symmetry and the stability of their continuous counterpart can be obtained, even for large discretization steps.
The Impact of the Economic Crisis on Youth Trajectories

This article analyzes the impact of the economic crisis on the patterns of transition followed by Catalan young people. In particular, it does so by examining to what extent the crisis has affected the extension, de-linearization, reversibility and diversification of their trajectories. These processes have been detected at the European level and are often linked to a context of greater opportunities. The article focuses on Catalonia, an example of a familistic youth regime. Results show that, in a context of crisis and for the Catalan case, transitions take longer, linearity and reversibility increase and, although vulnerability rises, the typical trajectories remain stable. Thus, risk avoidance, mostly through family support, has become even a more dominant strategy than during the expansive economic period. This reinforcement of the traditional pattern of transition, in which the family of origin has a central role, is expected to strengthen social reproduction.
The spectraplakin Short stop is an essential microtubule regulator involved in epithelial closure in Drosophila

ABSTRACT Dorsal closure of the Drosophila embryonic epithelium provides an excellent model system for the in vivo analysis of molecular mechanisms regulating cytoskeletal rearrangements. In this study, we investigated the function of the Drosophila spectraplakin Short stop (Shot), a conserved cytoskeletal structural protein, during closure of the dorsal embryonic epithelium. We show that Shot is essential for the efficient final zippering of the opposing epithelial margins. By using isoform-specific mutant alleles and genetic rescue experiments with truncated Shot variants, we demonstrate that Shot functions as an actin–microtubule cross-linker in mediating zippering. At the leading edge of epithelial cells, Shot regulates protrusion dynamics by promoting filopodia formation. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) analysis and in vivo imaging of microtubule growth revealed that Shot stabilizes dynamic microtubules. The actin- and microtubule-binding activities of Shot are simultaneously required in the same molecule, indicating that Shot is engaged as a physical crosslinker in this process. We propose that Shot-mediated interactions between microtubules and actin filaments facilitate filopodia formation, which promotes zippering by initiating contact between opposing epithelial cells. Summary: The Drosophila spectraplakin Shot coordinates actin–microtubule interactions at the leading edge to ensure the formation of filopodia that promote the dorsal closure of the embryonic epithelium.
Understanding the Impacts of Information Quality, System Quality and Service Quality on Consumers' Satisfaction and Continuance Intention

Online shopping has grown substantially across the globe. Understanding how to increase customers' loyalty through lifting up the level of satisfaction has been emphasized by both researchers and practitioners. Prior research focuses on overall satisfaction and continuance intention. In this study, we integrate expectation-confirmation theory (ECT) and IS success model to examine how consumers' expectation, perception and confirmation and satisfaction on information quality, system quality, and service quality affects their continuance intention toward online shopping. We surveyed 368 full- and part-time students to test and validate the model and relationship. The results showed that confirmation and satisfaction are strongly affected by perceived quality but not expectation. However, the impact of satisfaction on continuance intention is not as strong as expected.
Can't Let It Go: Hate in Interpersonal Relationships

Theories concerning hatred in personal relationships lack empirical evidence. These two studies address the need to provide empirical information about how hate works in interpersonal, loving relationships. Effort justification theory (Aronson & Mills, 1959) suggests that past hate may have a beneficial function in relationships that remain together; however, if hate is a truly destructive motivation (Rempel & Burris, 2005), this hate may have a lasting irreconcilable impact on the quality of the relationship. By surveying people in both the United States and Norway about their personal loving relationships, we discovered that hatred leaves a lasting deleterious impression on interpersonal relationships. People are more likely to report less intimacy, satisfaction, and love with people they have previously hated. Furthermore, effort justification and cognitive dissonance, when measured as relationship length, was observed in the report of higher commitment to those previously hated. Future assessments of relationship quality should consider measuring hatred and length of relationship.
Decreased Pain Threshold in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective. To examine the pain threshold in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) compared with healthy children by using a digital pressure algometer. Methods. Fifty-eight children with JIA born between 1995 and 2000 and 91 age-related healthy children participated in the study. We used a digital pressure algometer to measure the pain threshold on 17 symmetric, anatomically predefined joint-related or bone-related areas. All children were asked to rate their current pain on a Faces Pain Scale, and parents of children with JIA were asked to complete a parental revised version of the Child Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ-R). Clinical data were registered on children with JIA. Results. The pain threshold was significantly lower among children with JIA (total mean PT = 1.33 ± 0.69 kg/cm2) when compared with the healthy control group (total mean PT = 1.77 ± 0.67 kg/cm2). The same pattern was found in all areas measured, including negative control areas that are normally unaffected in JIA (p = 0.0001 to 0.005). Overall, the pain threshold was 34% lower in females than in males in both groups (p < 0.0001). We found no correlation between pain threshold and age, current pain experience, disease duration, or disease activity. Conclusion. Children with JIA had a substantially lower pain threshold even in areas usually unaffected by arthritis. Our findings suggest that JIA alters the pain perception and causes decreased pain threshold.
Chronic Treatment With Minocycline Preserves Adult New Neurons and Reduces Functional Impairment After Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Background and Purpose— Evidence suggests that activated microglia are detrimental to the survival of new hippocampal neurons, whereas blocking inflammation has been shown to restore hippocampal neurogenesis after cranial irradiation and seizure. The aim of this current study is to determine the effect of minocycline on neurogenesis and functional recovery after cerebral focal ischemia. Methods— Four days after temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion, minocycline was administered intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. BrdU was given on days 4 to 7 after middle cerebral artery occlusion to track cell proliferation. The number of remaining new neurons and activated microglia were quantified in the dentate gyrus. Infarct volume was measured to assess the treatment effect of minocycline. Motor and cognitive functions were evaluated 6 weeks after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Results— Minocycline delivered 4 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion for 4 weeks did not result in reduction in infarct size but significantly decreased the number of activated microglia in the dentate gyrus. Minocycline also significantly increased the number of newborn neurons that coexpressing BrdU and NeuN without significantly affecting progenitor cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus. Lastly, minocycline significantly improved motor coordination on the rotor rod, reduced the preferential use of the unaffected limb during exploration, reduced the frequency of footfalls in the affected limb when traversing on a horizontal ladder, and improved spatial learning and memory in the water maze test. Conclusions— Minocycline reduces functional impairment caused by cerebral focal ischemia. The improved function is associated with enhanced neurogenesis and reduced microglia activation in the dentate gyrus and possibly improved neural environment after chronic treatment with minocycline.