Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for adverse phonatory change following an inhaled combination treatment.

PURPOSE Voice problems are reported as a frequent side effect of inhaled combination (IC) treatments. The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate whether IC treatments are detrimental to phonation. We hypothesized that IC treatment would significantly increase phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and perceived phonatory effort (PPE), whereas sham treatment would not. METHOD Fourteen healthy adults participated in a repeated-measures design in which they received IC and sham treatments in counterbalanced order. PTP and PPE were measured prior to treatments, immediately following treatments, and at 1 and 2 hr following treatments. RESULTS IC treatment increased PTP, but sham treatment did not. The increase in PTP was maintained for a 2 hr period following administration. PPE ratings were not significantly correlated with PTP. CONCLUSIONS IC treatments can have acute, adverse effects on phonation. Detrimental phonatory effects were elicited in participants with no self-reported voice problems. IC treatments are being increasingly prescribed across the lifespan. The current data increase our understanding of the nature of phonatory deterioration associated with IC treatment and lay the groundwork for increased research effort to develop IC treatments that effectively control respiratory disease while minimizing an adverse effect on phonation.
Stereotype threat: When minority members underperform

This chapter provides a brief overview of research on stereotype threat, and considers whether this phenomenon is specific to minority groups (defined as low status groups), or whether similar deficits may also be observed in groups that generally enjoy a high status in society but that are negatively stereotyped in a specific domain. We then review a number of individual difference variables that moderate stereotype threat and that may explain why some people are highly vulnerable to stereotype activation while others appear to resist its influence. Next, we consider what processes drive stereotype threat, including anxiety, intrusive thoughts, shift towards caution, expectancy, and disengagement. In the subsequent section we compare the stereotype threat model with other theories dealing with the link between stereotypes and performance, in particular self-fulfilling prophecy and the expectancy value model. The final sections of the chapter concern areas of application in which stereotype threat may account for performance gaps between social groups, and how to prevent it.
Locus of Control as a Multidimensional Personality Correlate of Political Involvement

Summary The purpose was to investigate the multidimensionality of Rotter's concept of locus of control of reinforcement as it relates to political involvement. Male and female university students (N = 148) were administered a questionnaire comprised of several measures including the Kerpelman Political Activity Scale and the Rotter Internal-External Scale. The various dimensions of the Rotter I-E Scale were those found in the Collins factor analysis of the scale. Although his factors were not found to be orthogonal, the data provide clear indication of the multidimensionality of the locus of control construct with regard to political involvement. The only factor identified by Collins which significantly predicted political activity was Factor IV, belief in a politically responsive/unresponsive world; these data were discussed in light of their support of the research of Abramowitz. In addition, significant results were found with several of the demographic variables.
Porphyrin-fullerene C60 Dyads with High Ability to Form Photoinduced Charge-separated State as Novel Sensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy¶

Abstract The photodynamic activities of a porphyrin-C60 dyad (P-C60) and its metal complex with Zn(II) (ZnP-C60) were compared with 5-(4-acetamidophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(4-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin (P), both in homogeneous medium-bearing photooxidizable substrates and in vitro on the Hep-2-human-larynx–carcinoma cell line. This study represents the first evaluation of dyads, with a high capacity to form a photoinduced charge-separated state, to act as agents to inactivate cells by photodynamic therapy (PDT). Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic studies were performed in toluene and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The emission of the porphyrin moiety in the dyads is strongly quenched by the attached fullerene C60 moiety. The singlet molecular oxygen, O2(1Δg), productions (ΦΔ) were determined using 9,10-dimethylanthracene (DMA). The values of ΦΔ were strongly dependent on the solvent's polarity. Comparable ΦΔ values were found for dyads and P in toluene, while O2(1Δg) production was significantly diminished for the dyads in DMF. In more polar solvent, the stabilization of charge-transfer state takes place, decreasing the efficiency of porphyrin triplet-state formation. Also, both dyads photosensitize the decomposition of L-tryptophan in DMF. In biological medium, no dark cytotoxicity was observed using sensitizer concentrations ≤1 μM and 24 h of incubation. The uptake of sensitizers into Hep-2 was studied using 1 μM of sensitizer and different times of incubation. Under these conditions, a value of ∼1.5 nmol/106 cells was found between 4 and 24 h of incubation. The cell survival after irradiation of the cells with visible light was dependent upon light-exposure level. A higher photocytotoxic effect was observed for P-C60, which inactivates 80% of cells after 15 min of irradiation. Moreover, both dyads keep a high photoactivity even under argon atmosphere. Thus, depending on the microenvironment where the sensitizer is localized, these compounds could produce biological photodamage through either an O2(1Δg)-mediated photoreaction process or a free-radicals mechanism under low oxygen concentration. These results show that molecular dyads, which can form a photoinduced charge-separated state, are a promising model for phototherapeutic agents, with potential applications in cell inactivation by PDT.
On the Strong Chromatic Index of Sparse Graphs

The strong chromatic index of a graph $G$, denoted $\chi'_s(G)$, is the least number of colors needed to edge-color $G$ so that edges at distance at most two receive distinct colors. The strong list chromatic index, denoted $\chi'_{s,\ell}(G)$, is the least integer $k$ such that if arbitrary lists of size $k$ are assigned to each edge then $G$ can be edge-colored from those lists where edges at distance at most two receive distinct colors.We use the discharging method, the Combinatorial Nullstellensatz, and computation to show that if $G$ is a subcubic planar graph with ${\rm girth}(G) \geq 41$ then $\chi'_{s,\ell}(G) \leq 5$, answering a question of Borodin and Ivanova [Precise upper bound for the strong edge chromatic number of sparse planar graphs, Discuss. Math. Graph Theory, 33(4), (2014) 759--770]. We further show that if $G$ is a subcubic planar graph and ${\rm girth}(G) \geq 30$, then $\chi_s'(G) \leq 5$, improving a bound from the same paper.Finally, if $G$ is a planar graph with maximum degree at most four and ${\rm girth}(G) \geq 28$, then $\chi'_s(G)N \leq 7$, improving a more general bound of Wang and Zhao from [Odd graphs and its applications to the strong edge coloring, Applied Mathematics and Computation, 325 (2018), 246-251] in this case.
Intuition, a Part of Bipolar Disorder? The Emotional Brain-Survival and Time

Survival and reproduction are essential for all living forms. Can intuition increase the survival rate and be a part of the evolution? One of our survival functions is the automatic response to fear like our reaction to snakes mediated by the amygdala also called the emotional brain. But how fast can the amygdala react? Can it react and protect even before an event has occurred? Dreams and visions bringing warnings of future danger have been described by many people. The condition can be related to psychiatric disorders and have a genetic base. If we strictly follow Einstein’s general theory, time is a dimension containing our universe’s past and future at the same time. Then a “time mirage” can be like an optical mirage where you can see people in the desert but they cannot see you. Our methods of measuring this dimension are limiting our understanding of it; but if the brain has access to the dimension, we might be able to study and understand it better with new tests.
Evaluation of Active Handrest performance using labyrinths with adaptive admittance control and virtual fixtures

The Active Handrest is a large workspace, human-machine interface that provides ergonomic support for a user's hand and arm while allowing the user to retain complete control over a grasped tool. In this paper, we introduce methods to improve the base performance of the Active Handrest's linear admittance controller (V = Kα * F) based on knowledge of user intention, through adaptive admittance, and knowledge of the environment, via virtual fixtures. Herein, we present feasibility studies to apply adaptive admittance and virtual fixtures to the motion of the Active Handrest and measure user performance. We introduce a more relevant evaluation task for the Active Handrest by conducting experiments involving the navigation of virtual labyrinths. The results of these experiments show that adaptive admittance improves a user's ability to accurately navigate a narrow labyrinth, with less cost of time than using constant gains with a linear admittance controller. Additionally, a feasibility study on virtual fixtures shows that user performance for drawing straight lines with virtual fixtures applied directly to the Active Handrest is equivalent to user performance with virtual fixtures applied directly to the grasped tool, as has been done more traditionally. These results underscore the utility of the Active Handrest as they show the potential to achieve highly accurate motions without the need for a robotically enabled or co-manipulated tool.
GC-MS Based Metabolite Profiling, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Different Solvent Extracts of Malaysian Plectranthus amboinicus Leaves

This study evaluates the phytochemistry, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects of Plectranthus amboinicus leaves extracted in different solvents. The methanol extract contained the highest total phenolic (94.37 ± 1.24 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid contents (26.90 ± 1.35 mg RE/g) and exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging activity (90.13 ± 3.32%) followed by the acetone extract (80.23 ± 3.26%) at 500 μg/mL concentration. Similarly, the highest ferric ion reduction potential (849.63 ± 30.95 μM of Fe (II)/g dry weight) was exhibited by the methanol extract followed by the acetone extract (695.92 ± 25.44 μM of Fe (II)/g dry weight). The methanol extract showed greater antimicrobial activity against all the tested pathogens (Bacillus subtilis, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans). However, both hexane and acetone extracts failed to inhibit E. coli. S. aureus and C. albicans were more susceptible to all the extracts. Further, GC-MS analysis confirmed the occurrence of a total 46 phytocompounds in different solvent extracts. Some of the major compounds included carvacrol (37.7%), tetracontane (16.6%), squalene (15.6%), tetrapentacontane (13.7%), and Phytol (12.9%). In conclusion, extraction solvents influenced the recovery of phytocompounds and the highest pharmacological activities of the methanol extract could be correlated to the presence of additional bioactive compounds.
A Dynamic and Complex Network Regulates the Heterosis of Yield-Correlated Traits in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Although much research has been conducted, the genetic architecture of heterosis remains ambiguous. To unravel the genetic architecture of heterosis, a reconstructed F2 population was produced by random intercross among 202 lines of a double haploid population in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). Both populations were planted in three environments and 15 yield-correlated traits were measured, and only seed yield and eight yield-correlated traits showed significant mid-parent heterosis, with the mean ranging from 8.7% (branch number) to 31.4% (seed yield). Hundreds of QTL and epistatic interactions were identified for the 15 yield-correlated traits, involving numerous variable loci with moderate effect, genome-wide distribution and obvious hotspots. All kinds of mode-of-inheritance of QTL (additive, A; partial-dominant, PD; full-dominant, D; over-dominant, OD) and epistatic interactions (additive × additive, AA; additive × dominant/dominant × additive, AD/DA; dominant × dominant, DD) were observed and epistasis, especially AA epistasis, seemed to be the major genetic basis of heterosis in rapeseed. Consistent with the low correlation between marker heterozygosity and mid-parent heterosis/hybrid performance, a considerable proportion of dominant and DD epistatic effects were negative, indicating heterozygosity was not always advantageous for heterosis/hybrid performance. The implications of our results on evolution and crop breeding are discussed.
Enhanced Contractile Response of the Basilar Artery to Platelet-Derived Growth Factor in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose— The level of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in cerebrospinal fluid is elevated in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Therefore, the contractile effect of PDGF on the basilar artery was examined in SAH. Methods and Results— A rabbit double-hemorrhage SAH model was used. In the medial layers of the control basilar artery, PDGF had no effect on contraction up to 1 nmol/L, whereas 3 nmol/L PDGF induced slight contraction. In SAH, PDGF induced an enhanced contraction with an increase in [Ca2+]i at 1 nmol/L and higher concentrations. The levels of [Ca2+]i and tension induced by 1 nmol/L PDGF in SAH were 17% and 20%, respectively, of those obtained with 118 mmol/L K+ depolarization. The PDGF-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i and contraction seen in SAH were abolished in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. In α-toxin–permeabilized strips of SAH animals, PDGF induced no further development of tension during contraction induced by 300 nmol/L Ca2+, suggesting no direct effect on myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. Genistein at 10 &mgr;mol/L completely inhibited the tension induced by 1 nmol/L PDGF. The level of myosin light-chain phosphorylation was significantly increased by 1 nmol/L PDGF. Conclusions— These results show that the contractile response to PDGF of the basilar artery was enhanced in SAH. The PDGF-induced contraction depended mostly on tyrosine phosphorylation and Ca2+-dependent myosin light-chain phosphorylation. The enhancement of the responsiveness to PDGF may therefore contribute to the development of cerebral vasospasm after SAH.
Repair of double-stranded DNA breaks by homologous DNA fragments during transfer of DNA into mouse L cells

To test the validity of various models for recombination between extrachromosomal DNAs in mammalian cells, we measured recombination between a plasmid containing a herpesvirus thymidine kinase (tk) gene with an internal BamHI linker insertion mutation (ptkB8) and a tk gene deleted at both ends (tk delta 3' delta 5'). The two DNAs shared 885 base pairs of perfect tk homology except for the interruption at the linker insertion site. Recombination events that restored the mutated insertion site to wild type were monitored by the generation of hypoxanthine-aminopterine-thymidine-resistant colonies after cotransformation of Ltk- cells with the two DNAs. We found that cleavage of the ptkB8 DNA at the linker insertion site was essential for gene restoration. If the tk delta 3' delta 5' DNA was ligated into mp10 vector DNA, then recombination with the cleaved ptkB8 DNA was inefficient. In contrast, if it was excised from that vector by cleavage at flanking restriction sites, then recombination was stimulated about 150-fold. Using restriction site polymorphisms, we showed that most of the recombination events leading to restoration of the tk gene with the excised tk delta 3' delta 5' fragment involved three double-strand duplexes: two ptkB8 DNAs and one tk delta 3' delta 5' fragment. These results are much more readily explained by the single-strand annealing model of recombination than by the double-strand break repair model, and they suggest that the deficiency of the latter pathway for extrachromosomal mammalian recombination may be due, at least in part, to the obligate tripartite nature of the reaction. Finally, we measured the effect of DNA homology on the efficiency of the ptkB8-tk delta 3' delta 5' reaction. Our results showed a near-linear relationship between the efficiency of recombination and the amount of homology flanking either side of the linker insertion site. Moreover, we could detect thymidine kinase-positive transformants with as little as 10 base pairs of homology.
A Modified Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm

A modified particle swarm optimization (MPSO) algorithm is presented based on the variance of the population's fitness. During computing, the inertia weight of MPSO is determined adaptively and randomly according to the variance of the populations fitness. And the ability of , particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) to break away from the local optimum is greatly improved. The simulating results show that this algorithm not only has great advantage of convergence property over standard simple PSO, but also can avoid the premature convergence problem effectively
The effect of inducing-line length on the magnitudes of the tilt illusion and aftereffect1

Abstract Five experiments were conducted to gather preliminary data on the magnitudes of the tilt illusion and aftereffect as a function of the relative lengths of single inducing and test lines. In general, the experiments suggested that the illusion and aftereffect are smaller when the inducing line is shorter than the test line but not when the inducing line is longer than the test line. Hence, the two effects do not appear to be line-length specific. Although inducing line length seemed to affect the illusion and aftereffect to different extents, further evidence is required to substantiate this apparent difference.
Beyond Social Capital: Spatial Dynamics of Collective Efficacy for Children

We propose a theoretical framework on the structural sources and spatially embedded nature of three mechanisms that produce collective efficacy for children. Using survey data collected in 1995 from 8,782 Chicago residents, we examine variations in intergenerational closure, reciprocal local exchange, and shared expectations for informal social control across 342 neighborhoods. Adjusting for respondents’ attributes, we assess the effects of neighborhood characteristics measured in the 1990 census and the role of spatial interdependence. The results show that residential stability and concentrated affluence, more so than poverty and racial/ethnic composition, predict intergenerational closure and reciprocal exchange. Concentrated disadvantage, by contrast, is associated with sharply lower expectations for shared child control. The importance of spatial dynamics in generating collective efficacy for children is highlighted—proximity to areas high in closure, exchange, and control bestows an advantage above and beyond the structural characteristics of a given neighborhood. Moreover, spatial advantages are much more likely to accrue to white neighborhoods than to black neighborhoods.
Regulated expression of apolipoprotein E by human retinal pigment epithelial cells Published, JLR Papers in Press, November 1, 2003. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M300306-JLR200

In early age-related macular degeneration (AMD), lipid-containing deposits (drusen) accumulate in Bruch's membrane underlying the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Recent studies indicate that apolipoprotein E (apoE) may play a role in lipid trafficking in AMD. Compared with the apoE3 allele, the apoE4 and apoE2 alleles are associated with decreased and increased risk for AMD, respectively; drusen contain high levels of apoE, and apoE null mice develop lipid deposits in Bruch's membrane similar to those observed in AMD. Primary cultures of human RPE cells expressing the apoE3 allele were grown on Transwell® culture plates. Western blotting, ELISA assay, and mass spectrometry confirmed that apoE3 was secreted into the apical and basal chambers and that secretion was upregulated by thyroid hormone, 9-cis-retinoic acid, and 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol. In addition, basally secreted apoE associated with exogenously added HDL. These results indicate that apoE secretion can be regulated by specific hormones and that apoE associates with HDL. The findings are consistent with a role for apoE in lipid trafficking through Bruch's membrane and may be relevant to AMD.
Positive Affect and Negative Affect as Modulators of Cognition and Motivation: The rediscovery of affect in achievement goal theory

A central hypothesis of classical motivation theory is that affect underlies motivation and its behavioural manifestations. However, this has been largely ignored in the past 30 years because social cognitivism has been the dominant theory. As a result, studies have concentrated on social cognitive processes when analysing those factors that determine and maintain performance‐related behaviour. In recent years affect has been “rediscovered” and attempts have been made to combine early writings in psychology and achievement goal theory. This has led to the identification of approach and avoidance temperaments as antecedents of and the energising force behind motive dispositions, which, in turn, have an influence on goals. This article discusses the main theoretical perspectives in cognitive motivational research in an effort to incorporate affective and emotional aspects of motivation and go beyond the limitations of the new achievement goal theory as presented by Elliot. The aim is to use this as a basis .
Comparison of Ablation Zones among Different Tissues Using 2450-MHz Cooled-Shaft Microwave Antenna: Results in Ex Vivo Porcine Models

Background For complete tumor ablation in different tissues, it is necessary to investigate the exact coagulation zone of microwave ablation in different tissues. The aim of this study was to compare the extent of microwave ablation zone in muscle, liver and adipose tissue in ex vivo porcine models and assess the shape of microwave coagulation zone among these tissues. Materials and Methods Microwave ablations were performed in ex vivo porcine muscle, liver and adipose tissue using 2450-MHz cooled-shaft microwave antenna. The content of water, fat and protein in these three tissues was determined. Two power increments (40 and 80 W) and five time increments (1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 minutes) were used in this study. Diameters and shapes of the ablation zones were assessed on gross specimens. Results The average percentages of water, fat and protein in these three tissues were significantly different (P < 0.001), respectively. The long-axis and short-axis diameters among these three tissues at each time-power combination were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The coagulation zones were all elliptical in muscle, liver and adipose tissue. When microwave ablation was performed in the tissue containing both muscle and adipose tissue, the coagulation zone was also elliptical. Regardless of the output power, the ellipticity index (EI) value of 1 minute treatment duration was higher than that of 10 minutes treatment duration (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the EI value did not decrease significantly when the treatment duration was more than 5 minutes (P > 0.05). Conclusion The extent of microwave ablation zones was not significantly different among completely different tissues. Microwave ablations with ≥ 5 minutes time duration can induce coagulation zones with clinical desirable shape. Future clinical studies are still required to determine the role of microwave ablation in different tissues.