Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of tear location on propagation of isolated supraspinatus tendon tears during increasing levels of cyclic loading.

BACKGROUND The morphology of the supraspinatus tendon may affect tear propagation. It was hypothesized that tears located in the anterior third of the supraspinatus tendon would propagate more readily and would require lower loads to reach critical amounts of tear propagation than those located in the middle third of the supraspinatus tendon. METHODS Twenty-three fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders were tested under increasing levels of cyclic loading. Tears were created in the anterior third (Group A, n=10) or the middle third (Group M, n=13) of the supraspinatus tendon. The maximum load at which a critical tear retraction was reached and the tear area for the final loading set were compared between groups. A correlation analysis was also performed for age compared with maximum load. RESULTS No significant differences were found between the anterior-third tear group (Group A) and the middle-third tear group (Group M) in maximum load (p=0.09) or tear area (p=0.6). However, Group A first reached a 100% increase in tear size at a significantly lower load than Group M (p=0.03). Strong negative correlations were detected between age and maximum load in Group A (τ=-0.82) and Group M (r=-0.63). CONCLUSIONS Other factors being equal, tears in the anterior supraspinatus tendon may propagate more readily than tears in the tendon's middle part. Age may be a factor for tear propagation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Older patients and patients with tears in the anterior supraspinatus should be followed especially carefully.
LRGUK-1 Is Required for Basal Body and Manchette Function during Spermatogenesis and Male Fertility

Male infertility affects at least 5% of reproductive age males. The most common pathology is a complex presentation of decreased sperm output and abnormal sperm shape and motility referred to as oligoasthenoteratospermia (OAT). For the majority of OAT men a precise diagnosis cannot be provided. Here we demonstrate that leucine-rich repeats and guanylate kinase-domain containing isoform 1 (LRGUK-1) is required for multiple aspects of sperm assembly, including acrosome attachment, sperm head shaping and the initiation of the axoneme growth to form the core of the sperm tail. Specifically, LRGUK-1 is required for basal body attachment to the plasma membrane, the appropriate formation of the sub-distal appendages, the extension of axoneme microtubules and for microtubule movement and organisation within the manchette. Manchette dysfunction leads to abnormal sperm head shaping. Several of these functions may be achieved in association with the LRGUK-1 binding partner HOOK2. Collectively, these data establish LRGUK-1 as a major determinant of microtubule structure within the male germ line.
Spectral normalized indices related with forage quality in temperate grasses: scaling up from leaves to canopies

ABSTRACT Forage quality is an important regulator of livestock performance also determining the grazing capacity in grasslands and pastures. The objective of this work was to develop spectral normalized indices to accurately predict canopy nitrogen (N), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and acid detergent fibre (ADF) concentrations and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) in three forage species, at two phenological stages and under two fertilization conditions. To select indices with the highest possible independence from canopy structure, we prioritized the selection of indices that were stable at both leaf and canopy scales and evaluated if the best selected indices were correlated with selected leaf and canopy structural traits and leaf water content. All possible normalized indices, based on the reflectance and the first difference reflectance, for the 400–2400 nm spectral range were related through simple regression models with N, NDF, and ADF concentrations and IVDMD. The index that combined the first difference reflectance in the 685 and 1770 nm wavelengths was found to be a potentially useful index to predict canopy N concentration under different field conditions. The best indices selected to predict canopy NDF and ADF concentration and IVDMD, based on the reflectance around 2120–2145 and 2250–2260 nm, had limited application and appeared to be suitable only to identify gross differences in fibre and IVDMD. Future studies should analyse how the best selected indices behave under field lighting conditions and for a wide range of species, phenological stages, and variations in canopy structural traits.
Grounding Action Descriptions in Videos

Recent work has shown that the integration of visual information into text-based models can substantially improve model predictions, but so far only visual information extracted from static images has been used. In this paper, we consider the problem of grounding sentences describing actions in visual information extracted from videos. We present a general purpose corpus that aligns high quality videos with multiple natural language descriptions of the actions portrayed in the videos, together with an annotation of how similar the action descriptions are to each other. Experimental results demonstrate that a text-based model of similarity between actions improves substantially when combined with visual information from videos depicting the described actions.
Possibilities to improve the genetic evaluation of a rare breed using limited genomic information and multivariate BLUP

The use of molecular genetic information in the evaluation of livestock has become more common. This study looks at the efficacy of using such information to improve the genetic evaluation of a rare breed of dual-purpose cattle. Data were available in the form of pedigree information on the Gloucester cattle breed in the United Kingdom and recorded milk and beef performance on a small number of animals. In addition, molecular genetic information in the form of multi-marker, multiple regression results converted to a 1 to 10 score (Igenity scores) and 123 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes for 199 non-recorded animals were available. Appropriate mixed-animal models were explored for the recorded traits and these were used to calculate estimated breeding values (EBV), and their accuracies, for 6527 animals in the breed’s pedigree file. Various ways to improve the accuracy of these EBV were explored. This involved using multivariate BLUP analyses, genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) and combining Igenity scores with recorded traits in a series of bivariate genetic analyses. Using the milk recording traits as an example, the accuracy of a number of traits could be improved using multivariate analyses by up to 14%, depending on the combination of traits used. The level of increase in accuracy largely corresponded to the absolute difference between the genetic and residual correlations between two traits, but this was not always symmetrical. The use of GEBV did not increase the accuracy of milk trait EBV owing to the low proportion of variance explained by the 101 SNPs used. Using Igenity scores in bivariate analyses with the recorded data was more successful in increasing EBV accuracy. The largest increases were found in genotyped animals with no recorded performance (e.g. a 58% increase in fat weight in milk); however, the size of the increase depended on the level of the genetic correlation between the recorded trait and the Igenity score for that trait. Lower levels of improvements in accuracy were seen in animals that were recoded but not genotyped, and ancestors which were neither genotyped nor recorded. This study demonstrated that it was possible to improve the accuracy of EBV estimation by including Igenity score information in genetic analyses but it also concluded that increasing the level of performance recording in the breed would be beneficial.
Applying socioendocrinology to evolutionary models: Fatherhood and physiology

Owing to humans' unique life history pattern, particularly comparatively short interbirth intervals, early weaning, and prolonged support of multiple dependents, human females have greater reproductive value and higher lifetime fertility, on average, than do their Great Ape counterparts. As hominin females began weaning their young early and “stacking” dependents of various ages, they must have had cooperative allomaternal care partners already in place or been successful at concurrently soliciting help to ensure a high rate of survival of their offspring. Following Hrdy, I define allomaternal care (and its derivatives, such as “allomothers” and “allomothering”) as “care from anyone other than the mother,” which thus encompasses a wide range of individuals, including fathers. Who the likely allomother candidates mothers were and what form that cooperation took remain intriguing, difficult‐to‐answer questions, which are limited, in some capacity, by the lines of evidence available to us. Here, I present a framework for the ways in which we can integrate neurobiological‐endocrine and social‐behavioral data (“socioendocrinology”) to contribute to this dialogue in terms of evaluating fathers' roles.
A Computational Study of How Orientation Bias in the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus Can Give Rise to Orientation Selectivity in Primary Visual Cortex

Controversy remains about how orientation selectivity emerges in simple cells of the mammalian primary visual cortex. In this paper, we present a computational model of how the orientation-biased responses of cells in lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) can contribute to the orientation selectivity in simple cells in cats. We propose that simple cells are excited by lateral geniculate fields with an orientation-bias and disynaptically inhibited by unoriented lateral geniculate fields (or biased fields pooled across orientations), both at approximately the same retinotopic co-ordinates. This interaction, combined with recurrent cortical excitation and inhibition, helps to create the sharp orientation tuning seen in simple cell responses. Along with describing orientation selectivity, the model also accounts for the spatial frequency and length–response functions in simple cells, in normal conditions as well as under the influence of the GABAA antagonist, bicuculline. In addition, the model captures the response properties of LGN and simple cells to simultaneous visual stimulation and electrical stimulation of the LGN. We show that the sharp selectivity for stimulus orientation seen in primary visual cortical cells can be achieved without the excitatory convergence of the LGN input cells with receptive fields along a line in visual space, which has been a core assumption in classical models of visual cortex. We have also simulated how the full range of orientations seen in the cortex can emerge from the activity among broadly tuned channels tuned to a limited number of optimum orientations, just as in the classical case of coding for color in trichromatic primates.
Measurement of noise and impedance of dry and wet textile electrodes, and textile electrodes with hydrogel

Textile sensors, when embedded into clothing, can provide new ways of monitoring physiological signals, and improve the usability and comfort of such monitoring systems in the areas of medical, occupational health and sports. However, good electrical and mechanical contact between the electrode and the skin is very important, as it often determines the quality of the signal. This paper introduces a study where the properties of dry textile electrodes, textile electrodes moistened with water, and textile electrodes covered with hydrogel were studied with five different electrode sizes. The aim was to study how the electrode size and preparation of the electrode (dry electrode/wet electrode/electrode covered with hydrogel membrane) affect the measurement noise, and the skin-electrode impedance. The measurement noise and skin-electrode impedance were determined from surface biopotential measurements. These preliminary results indicate that noise level increases as the electrode size decreases. The noise level is high in dry textile electrodes, as expected. Yet, the noise level of wet textile electrodes is quite low and similar to that of textile electrodes covered with hydrogel. Hydrogel does not seem to improve noise properties, however it may have effects on movement artifacts. Thus, it is feasible to use textile embedded sensors in physiological monitoring applications when moistening or hydrogel is applied
Positional Cloning of Zinc Finger Domain Transcription Factor Zfp69, a Candidate Gene for Obesity-Associated Diabetes Contributed by Mouse Locus Nidd/SJL

Polygenic type 2 diabetes in mouse models is associated with obesity and results from a combination of adipogenic and diabetogenic alleles. Here we report the identification of a candidate gene for the diabetogenic effect of a QTL (Nidd/SJL, Nidd1) contributed by the SJL, NON, and NZB strains in outcross populations with New Zealand Obese (NZO) mice. A critical interval of distal chromosome 4 (2.1 Mbp) conferring the diabetic phenotype was identified by interval-specific congenic introgression of SJL into diabetes-resistant C57BL/6J, and subsequent reporter cross with NZO. Analysis of the 10 genes in the critical interval by sequencing, qRT–PCR, and RACE–PCR revealed a striking allelic variance of Zfp69 encoding zinc finger domain transcription factor 69. In NZO and C57BL/6J, a retrotransposon (IAPLTR1a) in intron 3 disrupted the gene by formation of a truncated mRNA that lacked the coding sequence for the KRAB (Krüppel-associated box) and Znf-C2H2 domains of Zfp69, whereas the diabetogenic SJL, NON, and NZB alleles generated a normal mRNA. When combined with the B6.V-Lepob background, the diabetogenic Zfp69SJL allele produced hyperglycaemia, reduced gonadal fat, and increased plasma and liver triglycerides. mRNA levels of the human orthologue of Zfp69, ZNF642, were significantly increased in adipose tissue from patients with type 2 diabetes. We conclude that Zfp69 is the most likely candidate for the diabetogenic effect of Nidd/SJL, and that retrotransposon IAPLTR1a contributes substantially to the genetic heterogeneity of mouse strains. Expression of the transcription factor in adipose tissue may play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
Distance or location? How the geographic distribution of kin networks shapes support given to single mothers in urban Kenya

With increasing urbanisation and mobility underway across sub-Saharan Africa, kin groups are becoming spatially dispersed. The extent of support provided by kin to one another is likely to vary with this geospatial positioning. Because most data collection is restricted to the co-residential household, we have little knowledge of the geospatial dimensions of kin groups of which a large part is beyond household boundaries, and even less insight into how spatial variation might impact on intra-familial support patterns. Drawing on recently collected data on single mothers and their kin in Nairobi, Kenya, we describe the geospatial positioning of non-residential kin; examine the relationship between objective and subjective measures of distance and location of kin and support for single mothers; and analyse the relationship between kin clustering and receipt of support. Our results show several important findings. First, financial support from non-residential kin is geographically quite dispersed but emotional support is more concentrated among kin living near the mother. Second, whereas there is no effect of the objective measures on financial or emotional support, we find strong effects of subjective measures. Third, we find that the clustering of kin around the mother by distance has no effect on either outcome but having the majority of kin living in rural areas has a negative effect on emotional support even after controlling for distance between kin and kin location.
Dynamic vectorization: a mechanism for exploiting far-flung ILP in ordinary programs

Several ILP limit studies indicate the presence of considerable ILP across dynamically far-apart instructions in program execution. This paper proposes a hardware mechanism, dynamic vectorization (DV), as a tool for quickly building up a large logical instruction window. Dynamic vectorization converts repetitive dynamic instruction sequences into vector form, enabling the processing of instructions from beyond the corresponding program loop to be overlapped with the loop. This enables vector-like execution of programs with relatively complex static control flow that may not be amenable to static, compile time vectorization. Experimental evaluation shows that a large fraction of the dynamic instructions of four of the six SPECInt92 programs can be captured in vector form. Three of these programs exhibit significant potential for ILP improvements from dynamic vectorization, with speedups of more than a factor of 2 in a scenario of realistic branch prediction and perfect memory disambiguation. Under perfect branch prediction conditions, a fourth program also shows well over a factor of 2 speedup from DV. The speedups are due to the overlap of post-loop processing with loop processing.
Vibro-acoustic sources in ground transportation

Long term exposure to ground transportation (road and rail traffic) noise is, after air pollution, the main environmentrelated health stressor in densely populated areas and compromises the quality of life and, indirectly, the life expectations of millions of people. At speeds up to 130 km/h in road traffic and up to 300 km/h in rail traffic the main source of noise is the tyre/road (respectively wheel/rail) interaction. In this paper the sound and vibration generation mechanisms due to tyre/road and wheel/rail interaction are discussed, focusing on the similarities and differences between the sound and vibration generation mechanisms in these two systems. This perspective is further extended to the discussion of contact force modelling and characterization methods in both road and rail traffic systems.
Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Relationship With Risk Factors of Coronary Artery Disease in a Rural Population

Background:Annually, over 150,000 cardiovascular events occur among individuals <65 years old in the United States, including asymptomatic ones. Coronary artery calcium (CAC), a subclinical marker of coronary artery disease (CAD), enhances risk stratification among asymptomatic individuals. This study assessed the prevalence of CAC in a rural population and determined relationships between traditional risk factors for CAD and CAC scores. Methods:During January 2011 to December 2012, asymptomatic individuals from central Appalachia were screened for CAC in the largest tertiary cardiovascular institute. Based on Agatston scale, participants were grouped into 4 CAC scores: zero (CAC = 0), mild (CAC = 1–99), moderate (CAC = 100–399) and severe (CAC ≥ 400). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations between potential risk factors of CAD and CAC score. Results:Of 1,674 participants, 55.4% had positive CAC score (CAC > 0). Increasing age and being male were positively associated with higher CAC scores. Although there was significant association between mild CAC and hypertension and family history of CAD, moderate CAC was positively associated with smoking status. Except hypercholesterolemia and sedentary lifestyle, severe CAC was significantly associated with major health conditions (obesity, diabetes and hypertension), lifestyle (smoking) and family history of CAD. Conclusions:More than half of participants in the CAC screening had subclinical CAD (CAC score > 0). The association between CAC score and CAD risk factors suggests that education about subclinical atherosclerosis among asymptomatic individuals in this region with high cardiovascular disease prevalence is needed because CAC improves CAD risk stratification, and the knowledge of CAC enhances medication adherence and motivates individuals towards beneficial behavioral/lifestyle modification.
The plasma pharmacokinetics of R-(+)-lipoic acid administered as sodium R-(+)-lipoate to healthy human subjects.

BACKGROUND The racemic mixture, RS-(+/-)-alpha-lipoic acid (rac-LA) has been utilized clinically and in a variety of disease models. Rac-LA and the natural form, R-lipoic acid (RLA), are widely available as nutritional supplements, marketed as antioxidants. Rac-LA sodium salt (NaLA) or rac-LA potassium salt (KLA) has been used to improve the aqueous solubility of LA. STUDY RATIONALE Several in vitro and animal models of aging and age-related diseases have demonstrated efficacy for the oral solutions of LA salts in normalizing age-related changes to those of young animals. Other models and studies have demonstrated the superiority of RLA, the naturally occurring isomer over rac-LA. Despite this, RLA pharmacokinetics (PK) is not fully characterized in humans, and it is unknown whether the concentrations utilized in animal models can be achieved in vivo. Due to its tendency to polymerize, RLA is relatively unstable and suffers poor aqueous solubility, leading to poor absorption and low bioavailability. A preliminary study demonstrated the stability and bioavailability were improved by converting RLA to its sodium salt (NaRLA) and pre-dissolving it in water. The current study extends earlier findings from this laboratory and presents PK data for the 600-mg oral dosing of 12 healthy adult subjects given NaRLA. In addition, the effect of three consecutive doses was tested on a single subject relative to a one-time dosing in the same subject to determine whether plasma maximum concentration (Cmax) and the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) values were comparable to those in animal studies and those achievable via intravenous infusions in humans. METHODS Plasma RLA was separated from protein by a modification of a published method. Standard curves were generated from spiking known concentrations of RLA dissolved in ethanol and diluted in a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) into each individual's baseline plasma to account for inter-individual differences in protein binding and to prevent denaturing of plasma proteins. Plasma RLA content was determined by the percent recovery using high-performance liquid chromatography (electrochemical/coulometric detection) (HPLC/ECD). RESULTS As anticipated from the preliminary study, NaRLA is less prone to polymerization, completely soluble in water, and displays significantly higher Cmax and AUC values and decreased time to maximum concentration (Tmax) and T1/2 values than RLA or rac-LA. In order to significantly extend Cmax and AUC, it is possible to administer three 600-mg RLA doses (as NaRLA) at 15-minute intervals to achieve plasma concentrations similar to those from a slow (20-minute) infusion of LA. This is the first study to report negligible unbound RLA even at the highest achievable plasma concentrations.
Pharmacotherapy of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: focus on safety

The therapy of osteoporosis has made enormous strides in the last decade. There is now a range of interventions, each with its pros and cons. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation remain the foundation and have few safety issues. Bisphosphonates are widely used, though gastrointestinal tolerance is a problem with some oral preparations. Intravenous administration may circumvent this, although this introduces the smaller problem of acute phase reactions. The side effect profile of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is still being delineated after 40 years of use, with substantial new information expected in the next few years. This will clarify its place in the medical management of the menopause. Raloxifene appears to have a superior safety profile to HRT, though its efficacy on bone may be less. While none of these options is suitable for everyone, the range of available therapies does mean that most patients can find an intervention that is effective and acceptable.