Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic syndrome in nondiabetic, obese, first-degree relatives of African American patients with type 2 diabetes: African American triglycerides-HDL-C and insulin resistance paradox.

OBJECTIVE Metabolic syndrome (MetS) defines cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks. Despite higher rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, African Americans have lower rates of MetS when compared to Caucasians, which is paradoxical, since African Americans are more insulin resistant and have higher rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality when compared to White Americans. We hypothesized that genetic inheritance predisposes African Americans to the greater cardiovascular risk and the associated morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of components of MetS in obese, glucose-tolerant, first degree relatives of African American patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS We examined the clinical and metabolic characteristics of 201 first-degree relatives (159 females and 42 males, mean age 41 +/- 8 years, and mean body mass index (BMI) of 32 +/- 8 (kg/m2). The subjects were categorized with MetS according to the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria. Insulin sensitivity (Bergman minimal model method) and insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment [HOMA]) were determined. We compared the clinical and metabolic characteristics in the relatives with and without MetS. Where appropriate, we compared the prevalence of the components of MetS in our African American sample with those of African American data in the National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey (NHANES) III. RESULTS Comparing the MetS group (n=65) vs control subjects (n=136), the mean age, BMI, and percent body fat were greater in the MetS group. Mean fasting serum glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels were also greater in the MetS group. Insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was higher in the MetS group (HOMA-IR: 3.7 +/- 2.7 vs 2.2 +/- 1.7, P=.0002). Mean insulin sensitivity tended to be lower in the MetS group (2.16 +/- 2.64 vs 2.82 +/- 2.31, P=.08). In addition, despite the moderately severe insulin resistance, the MetS group had very low serum triglyceride levels and was the parameter least likely to meet the ATP criteria. The metabolic cutoff points for ATP III criteria were much lower in African American first-degree relatives with MetS. Of the five components of the ATP III criteria, waist circumference was the single most common parameter to likely meet the MetS criteria. We found that the prevalence of MetS was 29% in women and 40% in men when compared with 20.9% in African American women and 13.9% for African American men in the NHANES III. CONCLUSION We found that: 1) the prevalence of MetS is higher in a subgroup of African Americans who were first-degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes than that of African Americans in the NHANES III; and 2) waist circumference rather than metabolic parameters was the single most important parameter and was more likely to meet the MetS criteria in African American relatives.
Filled pauses and their status in the mental lexicon

We report a study of the relationship between form and meaning in the most frequent monosyllabic words in the lexicon of English. There is a small but significant correlation between the phonological distance and the semantic distance between each pair of words. To this extent, words that have similar meanings tend to sound similar. Words differ as to the size of this meaning-form correlation in their relationship with all of the other words. When the words are ranked according to the size of this correlation we find that the words which appear towards the top of the ranking are the communicatively important words. When we look at the position in the ranking of the speech editing terms, such as er , oh and um , we find that they are at the very top of the ranking. We argue that this position reflects the communicative importance of these items, and that it therefore makes sense to treat them as a proper part of the mental lexicon.
Deep sequencing-based expression analysis shows major advances in robustness, resolution and inter-lab portability over five microarray platforms

The hippocampal expression profiles of wild-type mice and mice transgenic for δC-doublecortin-like kinase were compared with Solexa/Illumina deep sequencing technology and five different microarray platforms. With Illumina's digital gene expression assay, we obtained ∼2.4 million sequence tags per sample, their abundance spanning four orders of magnitude. Results were highly reproducible, even across laboratories. With a dedicated Bayesian model, we found differential expression of 3179 transcripts with an estimated false-discovery rate of 8.5%. This is a much higher figure than found for microarrays. The overlap in differentially expressed transcripts found with deep sequencing and microarrays was most significant for Affymetrix. The changes in expression observed by deep sequencing were larger than observed by microarrays or quantitative PCR. Relevant processes such as calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity and vesicle transport along microtubules were found affected by deep sequencing but not by microarrays. While undetectable by microarrays, antisense transcription was found for 51% of all genes and alternative polyadenylation for 47%. We conclude that deep sequencing provides a major advance in robustness, comparability and richness of expression profiling data and is expected to boost collaborative, comparative and integrative genomics studies.
Surface acoustic wave nebulization device with dual interdigitated transducers improves SAWN-MS performance.

We compared mass spectrometric (MS) performance of surface acoustic wave nebulization (SAWN) generated by a single interdigitated transducer (IDT) designed to produce a progressive wave (PW) to one with a dual IDT that can in theory generate standing waves (SW). Given that devices using dual IDTs had been shown to produce fewer large size droplets on average, we hypothesized they would improve MS performance by improving the efficiency of desolvation. Indeed, the SW-SAWN chip provided an improved limit of detection of 1 femtomole of peptide placed on chip making it 100× more sensitive than the PW design. However, as measured by high-speed image recording and phase Doppler particle analyzer measurements, there was only a 26% increase in the small diameter (1-10 µm) droplets produced from the new device, precluding a conclusion that the decrease in droplet size was solely responsible for the improvement in MS signal/noise. Given that the dual IDT design produced a more instantaneous plume than the PW design, the more likely contributor to improved MS signal/noise was concluded to be a higher ion flux entering the mass spectrometer for the dual IDT designs. Notably, the dual IDT device allowed production of much higher quality protein mass spectra up to about 20 kDa, compared with the single IDT device. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Performance Is Associated With Athletic Performance And Sprinting Kinetics In Division I Men And Women's Basketball Players.

PURPOSE To examine the relationships between isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) force, athletic performance measures, and sprint kinetics in Division I men's and women's basketball players. METHODS Twenty-three (male = 8, female = 15) division 1 basketball players completed a maximal 20-m sprint trial while tethered to a device which provided kinetic feedback (peak and average sprinting power, velocity and force). Additionally, one repetition-maximal (1RM) front squat, 1RM hang clean, vertical jump height, and agility (pro-agility and lane agility) tests were performed. Rate of force development (RFD) at 50ms, 100ms, 150ms, 200ms and 250ms of IMTP, as well as peak force (PF) were also collected. Pearson product-moment correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between these measures. RESULTS Significant (p < 0.05) relationships were observed between IMTP PF and sprint time over all distances (5 - 20m; r = -0.62 to 0.69), average sprint velocity (r = 0.50 to 0.70), peak sprint velocity (r = 0.50 to 0.54), average sprint force (r = 0.48 to 0.69), and average sprint power (r = 0.62 to 0.73). Sprinting kinetic measures (average force and power) over the first 5 meters were also significantly (p < 0.05) related to IMTP RFD (50 - 250ms; r = 0.42 to 0.62). CONCLUSION Results indicate that IMTP variables are significantly associated with 20-m sprint kinetics. Specifically, IMTP RFD appears to be related to the initial acceleration kinetics of a sprint. Strength and conditioning professionals can possibly implement the IMTP for improved assessment and monitoring of athletic performance and training.
The National Science Foundation promotes and advances scientific progress in the United States by competitively awarding grants and cooperative agreements for research

United States by competitively awarding grants and cooperative agreements for research and education in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering. To get the latest information about program deadlines, to download copies of NSF publications, and to access abstracts of awards, visit the NSF Web Site at: * Workshop supported by funds from the National Science Foundation. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views, position, or endorsement of the NSF. † This report is dedicated to the memory of Rodney R. Cocking, who was instrumental in planning this workshop but who suffered a tragic death a month prior to the workshop. one and one-half days 12 NSF program officers and 22 participants, representing diverse fields such as developmental, social and cognitive psychology, educational media/technology, cognitive science, and research into teaching and learning, met both to discuss past and present issues of transfer as it pertains to education and to generate a research agenda for the future. The National Science Foundation is planning to fund several Science of Learning Centers (SLCs) in the near future; it is hoped that the research agenda contained herein will be useful and informative for future research planned in the SLCs. We begin with a broad introduction of transfer of knowledge, discussing why it is both central and timely to the country's educational mission in science, mathematics and engineering. Next the background leading up to the workshop is presented, including the governing charge and organizing themes. We then present the research agenda that resulted from the participant's deliberations, and conclude with final remarks to place the research agenda in perspective. An appendix contains a complete participant list and the agenda followed in the workshop.
Incidence of stroke in relation to cognitive function and dementia in the Kungsholmen Project

Objective: To investigate whether cognitive function is related to incidence of stroke. Methods: A population-based cohort of 1551 subjects with no clinical history or signs of stroke, age 75 years and over at baseline, were followed up for 3 years. Individuals with a first-ever stroke event that was recorded in the Stockholm inpatient register after the date of baseline interview were considered as incident stroke patients. Diagnosis of stroke followed the International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision (ICD-9). Diagnosis of dementia was made according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd ed., revised (DSM-III-R). Cognitive functioning was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination. Results: During the 4102 person-years of follow-up, 110 events were recorded, giving an overall incidence of stroke of 26.8 per 1000 person-years. Subjects with mild dementia had a relative risk of 2.6 (95% CI, 1.2 to 5.7) of developing stroke after controlling for the potential confounders. The corresponding figure for subjects with cognitive impairment was 2.0 (95% CI, 1.0 to 3.8; p = 0.05). There was a tendency for subjects who developed stroke to be more likely to have vascular factors (systolic blood pressure >180 mm Hg, heart disease, or diabetes mellitus) than those who did not. Conclusions: Mild dementia and cognitive impairment are associated with an increased incidence of stroke among subjects age 75 years old and over. Because stroke increases risk of dementia and prior stroke increases risk of a subsequent stroke, mild dementia and cognitive impairment may be a manifestation of clinically unrecognized stroke.
Imaginary powers of Laplace operators

We show that if L is a second-order uniformly elliptic operator in divergenceformonRd, then Ci(1+lol)d/2 < |ILi'I|,1-L,,. <? C2(1+1kaI)d/2. We also prove that the upper bounds remain true for any operator with the finite speed propagation property.
Estimating the yin-yang nature of Western herbs: a potential tool based on antioxidation-oxidation theory.

BACKGROUND One of the biggest obstacles to progress in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) development in Western countries is the difficulty of applying the traditional concepts to the Western medicinal plants, which are not traditionally described in ancient literature. During recent years, new advances in the field of understanding Yin/Yang aspects from a modern bioscientific point of view have led to the conclusion that antioxidationoxidation concepts might mirror a Yin-Yang relationship. METHODS This study was intended to integrate the Yin-Yang theory of the traditional Chinese medicine with modern antioxidation-oxidation theory, and to propose a biochemical tool based on redox parameters (e.g. antioxidant capacity, chemiluminescence-CL signal inducing capacity), usable for the classification of Western medicinal plants from Yin/Yang perspective. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of six vegetal aqueous extracts (Symphitum officinalae (radix)-SYM, Inula helenium (radix)-INU, Calendula officinalis (flores)-CAL, Angelica arhanghelica (folium)ANG(F), Angelica arhanghelica (radix)-ANG(R), Ecbalium Elaterium (fruits)-ECB) and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence of PMNL on addition of these vegetal extracts were measured. Percentages from the maximal or minimal values obtained were calculated for each extract (TEAC%, PMNL stimulation%, PMNL inhibition%, relative speed of action% (RSA%%)), specific Yin-Yang significance was assigned to each relative parameter. In the end, an integration of all the relative values was done, in order to find a global "Yin" or a "Yang" trait of each vegetal extract. RESULTS TEAC decreased in the following order: SYM > INU > CAL >ANG(F) > ANG(R > ECB. Three vegetal extracts (SYM > INU > ECB) decreased the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence of PMNL, two (ANG(R) > ANG(F)) increased it, while one (CAL) had a dual effect. After the integration of the percentages, CAL was found to have a global "Yang" trait, while the rest of the plants had a global "Yin" trait. CONCLUSIONS TEAC% and PMNL inhibition% appears to correlate with the Yin properties of herbs, while PMNL stimulation% and RSA% might correlate with Yang aspects within the formal TCM classification system, and may be useful criteria in describing the Western herbs from a TCM point of view.
Worldwide screening for canine hip dysplasia: where are we now?

OBJECTIVE To critically review the different screening systems used for canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and their impact on the prevalence of the disease. STUDY DESIGN Critical literature review. METHODS Literature search through PubMed (November 1959-October 2011) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club (BVA/KC), and Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP) websites. RESULTS The OFA, FCI, and BVA/KC screening methods, which use the hip-extended radiographic projection, have had relatively minor success on CHD prevalence. These screening approaches are prone to conflicting data regarding interobserver agreement. The PennHIP and Dorsolateral Subluxation (DLS) systems, both distraction methods, have not reported on prevalence but seem to be important heritable traits in genomic screening of dysplastic dogs. CONCLUSION A shift towards genome screening yields a promising future combating CHD, although further investigation towards fine-mapping in the search for genes, responsible for CHD, is necessary.
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 7: From Synaptic Function to Therapeutic Implications

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7) is localized presynaptically at the active zone of neurotransmitter release. Unlike mGluR4 and mGluR8, which share mGluR7’s presynaptic location, mGluR7 shows low affinity for glutamate and is activated only by high glutamate concentrations. Its wide distribution in the central nervous system (CNS) and evolutionary conservation across species suggest that mGluR7 plays a primary role in controlling excitatory synapse function. High mGluR7 expression has been observed in several brain regions that are critical for CNS functioning and are involved in neurological and psychiatric disorder development. Until the recent discovery of selective ligands for mGluR7, techniques to elucidate its role in neural function were limited to the use of knockout mice and gene silencing. Studies using these two techniques have revealed that mGluR7 modulates emotionality, stress and fear responses. N,N'-dibenzhydrylethane-1,2-diamine dihydrochloride (AMN082) was reported as the first selective mGluR7 allosteric agonist. Pharmacological effects of AMN082 have not completely confirmed the mGluR7-knockout mouse phenotype; this has been attributed to rapid receptor internalization after drug treatment and to the drug’s apparent lack of in vivo selectivity. Therefore, the more recently developed mGluR7 negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) are crucial for understanding mGluR7 function and for exploiting its potential as a target for therapeutic interventions. This review presents the main findings regarding mGluR7’s effect on modulation of synaptic function and its role in normal CNS function and in models of neurologic and psychiatric disorders.
Enhancement in mechanical behavior and wear resistance of severe plastically deformed two-phase Zn–Al alloys

Abstract The microstructural evolution, tensile response and wear properties of a two-phase Zn – Al alloy (Zn-8 wt.% Al, ZA-8) have been studied after severe plastic deformation by equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE). The experimental results reveal that the strength levels of the ECAE processed samples were considerably improved regardless of the processing route. More importantly, the elongation at fracture was dramatically increased after ECAE. The optimum tensile properties (high strength and high ductility) were reached after eight ECAE passes following route BA. It was also found that the wear rate of severe plastically deformed ZA-8 is considerably lower than that of the as-cast alloy, especially under high applied pressures, demonstrating improved wear resistance of ZA-8. Moderate strength and high ductility along with improved wear resistance in the ECAE processed ZA-8 samples in comparison with the brittle as-cast alloy makes these alloys attractive for wear-sensitive structural applications.
The Open Access Advantage

A study published today in PLoS Biology provides robust evidence that open-access articles are more immediately recognized and cited than non-OA articles. This editorial provides some additional follow up data from the most recent analysis of the same cohort in April 2006, 17 to 21 months after publication. These data suggest that the citation gap between open access and non-open access papers continues to widen. I conclude with the observation that the “open access advantage” has at least three components: (1) a citation count advantage (as a metric for knowledge uptake within the scientific community), (2) an end user uptake advantage, and (3) a cross-discipline fertilization advantage. More research is needed, and JMIR is inviting research on all aspects of open access. As the advantages for publishing open access from a researchers' point of view become increasingly clear, questions around the sustainability of open access journals remain. This journal is a living example that "lean publishing" models can create successful open access journals. Open source tools which have been developed by the Public Knowledge Project at the University of British Columbia with contributions from the Epublishing & Open Access group at the Centre for Global eHealth Innovation in Toronto are an alternative to hosting journals on commercial open access publisher sites.
Cxcr4 and Cxcl12 expression in radial glial cells of the brain of adult zebrafish

Unlike that of mammals, the brain of adult teleost fish exhibits an intense and widespread neurogenic activity as a result of the persistence of radial glial cells acting as neural progenitors throughout life. Because chemokines, notably CXCL12, and their receptors, such as CXCR4, play key roles in mammalian embryonic neurogenesis, we investigated Cxcr4 and Cxcl12 expressions in the brain of adult zebrafish and their potential relationships with cell proliferation. Cxcr4 expression was found to be restricted to radial glial cells in the adult zebrafish, where it is co‐expressed with established radial glial cell markers, such as brain lipid‐binding protein (Blbp) or the estrogen‐synthesizing enzyme aromatase B (Cyp19a1b). Double stainings combining proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Cxcr4 immunolabelling indicated that there is no obvious association between Cxcr4 expression and radial glial cell proliferation. Interestingly, cxcl12a messengers were detected in ventricular regions, in cells corresponding to aromatase B‐immunoreactive radial glial cells. Altogether, our data demonstrate Cxcl12 and Cxcr4 expression in radial glial cells of the brain of adult zebrafish, supporting important roles for the Cxcl12/Cxcr4 pair in brain development and functioning. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:4855–4876, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.