Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Refractoriness to a static melatonin signal develops in the pituitary gland for the control of prolactin secretion in the ram.

Hypothalamo-pituitary disconnected (HPD) and control Soay rams were treated chronically for 48 wk with s.c. , continuous-release implants of melatonin while under long days (16L:8D). The implants produced continuously elevated blood concentrations of melatonin 2-3 times higher than the normal nocturnal maximum. The long-term treatment induced a biphasic effect on prolactin secretion in both the HPD and control rams, with a marked decrease in the blood prolactin concentrations for 10 wk followed by a gradual increase. The introduction of a second melatonin implant after 20 wk failed to affect prolactin secretion. The treatment with melatonin also caused a dynamic effect on FSH secretion, but this occurred in the control rams only. Blood concentrations of FSH in the HPD rams were very low throughout, but there were minor changes in testicular diameter that were correlated with variations in prolactin. Overall, the results support the conclusion that 1) melatonin acts primarily in the pituitary gland to affect prolactin secretion, and partial refractoriness develops at this level for control of prolactin; and 2) melatonin acts most probably in the hypothalamus to affect gonadotropin secretion, and refractoriness develops at the level of the neural tissue regulating GnRH release for control of gonadotropins.
The microRNA-Processing Enzyme Dicer Is Essential for Thyroid Function

Dicer is a type III ribonuclease required for the biogenesis of microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. To explore the functional role of miRNAs in thyroid gland function, we generated a thyrocyte-specific Dicer conditional knockout mouse. Here we show that development and early differentiation of the thyroid gland are not affected by the absence of Dicer, while severe hypothyroidism gradually develops after birth, leading to reduced body weight and shortened life span. Histological and molecular characterization of knockout mice reveals a dramatic loss of the thyroid gland follicular architecture associated with functional aberrations and down-regulation of several differentiation markers. The data presented in this study show for the first time that an intact miRNAs processing machinery is essential for thyroid physiology, suggesting that deregulation of specific miRNAs could be also involved in human thyroid dysfunctions.
Clinical Interventions in Aging Dovepress Open Access to Scientific and Medical Research Open Access Full Text Article Eggshell Membrane: a Possible New Natural Therapeutic for Joint and Connective Tissue Disorders. Results from Two Open-label Human Clinical Studies

Background: Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM ®) is a novel dietary supplement that contains naturally occurring glycosaminoglycans and proteins essential for maintaining healthy joint and connective tissues. Two single center, open-label human clinical studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of NEM ® as a treatment for pain and inflexibility associated with joint and connective tissue disorders. Methods: Eleven (single-arm trial) and 28 (double-arm trial) patients received oral NEM ® 500 mg once daily for four weeks. The primary outcome measure was to evaluate the change in general pain associated with the treatment joints/areas (both studies). In the single-arm trial, range of motion (ROM) and related ROM-associated pain was also evaluated. The primary treatment response endpoints were at seven and 30 days. Both clinical assessments were performed on the intent-to-treat (ITT) population within each study. Results: Single-arm trial: Supplementation with NEM ® produced a significant treatment response at seven days for flexibility (27.8% increase; P = 0.038) and at 30 days for general pain (72.5% reduction; P = 0.007), flexibility (43.7% increase; P = 0.006), and ROM-associated pain (75.9% reduction; P = 0.021). Double-arm trial: Supplementation with NEM ® produced a significant treatment response for pain at seven days for both treatment arms (X: 18.4% reduction; P = 0.021. Y: 31.3% reduction; P = 0.014). There was no clinically meaningful difference between treatment arms at seven days, so the Y arm crossed over to the X formulation for the remainder of the study. The significant treatment response continued through 30 days for pain (30.2% reduction; P = 0.0001). There were no adverse events reported during either study and the treatment was reported to be well tolerated by study participants. Conclusions: Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM ®) is a possible new effective and safe therapeutic option for the treatment of pain and inflexibility associated with joint and connective tissue (JCT) disorders. Supplementation with NEM ® , 500 mg taken once daily, significantly reduced pain, both rapidly (seven days) and continuously (30 days). It also showed clinically meaningful results from a brief responder analysis, demonstrating that significant proportions of treated patients may be helped considerably from NEM ® supplementation. The Clinical Trial Registration numbers for these trials are: NCT00750230 and NCT00750854.
Intestinal absorption, organ distribution, and urinary excretion of the rare sugar D-psicose

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate intestinal absorption, organ distribution, and urinary elimination of the rare sugar D-psicose, a 3-carbon stereoisomer of D-fructose that is currently being investigated and which has been found to be strongly effective against hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Methods This study was performed using radioactive D-psicose, which was synthesized enzymatically from radioactive D-allose. Concentrations in whole blood, urine, and organs were measured at different time points until 2 hours after both oral and intravenous administrations and 7 days after a single oral administration (100 mg/kg body weight) to Wistar rats. Autoradiography was also performed by injecting 100 mg/kg body weight of 14C-labeled D-psicose or glucose intravenously to C3H mice. Results Following oral administration, D-psicose easily moved to blood. The maximum blood concentration (48.5±15.6 μg/g) was observed at 1 hour. Excretion to urine was 20% within 1 hour and 33% within 2 hours. Accumulation to organs was detected only in the liver. Following intravenous administration, blood concentration was decreased with the half-life=57 minutes, and the excretion to urine was up to almost 50% within 1 hour. Similarly to the results obtained with oral administration, accumulation to organs was detected only in the liver. Seven days after the single-dose oral administration, the remaining amounts in the whole body were less than 1%. Autoradiography of mice showed results similar to those in rats. High signals of 14C-labeled D-psicose were observed in liver, kidney, and bladder. Interestingly, no accumulation of D-psicose was observed in the brain. Conclusion D-psicose was absorbed well after oral administration and eliminated rapidly after both oral and intravenous administrations, with short duration of action. The study provides valuable pharmacokinetic data for further drug development of D-psicose. Because the findings were mainly based on animal study, it is necessary to implement human trials to study the metabolism pathway, which would give an important guide for human intake and food application of D-psicose.
Inhibition of Toxoplasma gondii protein synthesis by azithromycin

Azithromycin was shown to specifically inhibit the protein synthesis of Toxoplasma gondii in experimental systems by using free tachyzoites and T. gondii-infected mouse macrophages. RNA synthesis of the parasite was not affected by azithromycin. Inhibition of protein synthesis was also proportional to the relative anti-Toxoplasma activity of three macrolides.
Feminism and "race"

NOTES ON CONTRIBUTORS INTRODUCTION THE BASIS FOR THE DEBATES Challenging Imperial Feminism Black Women: Shaping Feminist Theory Angry Women are Building Preface: Black Women in White America Rape, Racism and the Myth of the Black Rapist Transforming Socialist Feminism: The Ampersand Problem in Feminist Thought The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House La conciencia de la mestiza: Towards a New Consciousness ENGAGING THE DEBATES 'Race', Gender, and the Concept of Difference in Feminist Thought Moving the Mountains, Making the Links The Persistence of Vision Bold Omissions and Minute Depictions 'Race', Identity and Cultural Criticism The Social Construction of Black Feminist Thought The Intersection of Gender and Race in the Research Process 'Somebody Forgot to Tell Somebody Something'. African-American Women's Historical Novels The Occult of True Black Womanhood: Critical Demeanor and Black Feminist Studies U.S. Third World Feminism and Oppositional Consciousness Decolonising Feminism SHIFTING THE DEBATES Black Women's Employment and the British Economy Women, Migration, and the State People or Population Women and the Politics of Fundamentalism in Iran Jewish Fundamentalism and Women's Empowerment Black (w)holes and the Geometry of Black Female Sexuality 'Other' Women and Postnational Feminism Environmental Action, Equity, and Ecofeminism: Debating India's Experience Difference, Diversity, Differentiation Crosscurrents, Crosstalk Genealogies, Legacies, Movements Exploding the Canon INDEX
Spanking by parents and subsequent antisocial behavior of children.

OBJECTIVE To deal with the causal relationship between corporal punishment and antisocial behavior (ASB) by considering the level of ASB of the child at the start of the study. METHODS Data from interviews with a national sample of 807 mothers of children aged 6 to 9 years in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-Child Supplement. Analysis of variance was used to test the hypothesis that when parents use corporal punishment to correct ASB, it increases subsequent ASB. The analysis controlled for the level of ASB at the start of the study, family socio-economic status, sex of the child, and the extent to which the home provided emotional support and cognitive stimulation. RESULTS Forty-four percent of the mothers reported spanking their children during the week prior to the study and they spanked them an average of 2.1 times that week. The more spanking at the start of the period, the higher the level of ASB 2 years later. The change is unlikely to be owing to the child's tendency toward ASB or to confounding with demographic characteristics or with parental deficiency in other key aspects of socialization because those variables were statistically controlled. CONCLUSIONS When parents use corporal punishment to reduce ASB, the long-term effect tends to be the opposite. The findings suggest that if parents replace corporal punishment by nonviolent modes of discipline, it could reduce the risk of ASB among children and reduce the level of violence in American society.
Removal of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Environments Using Micelle-Clay Adsorption

Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions under different conditions was investigated using either clay (montmorillonite) or micelle-clay complex, the last obtained by adsorbing critical micelle concentration of octadecyltrimethylammonium ions onto montmorillonite. Batch experiments showed the effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, and pH on the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Langmuir adsorption isotherm fitted the experimental data giving significant results. Filtration experiments using columns filled with micelle-clay complex mixed with sand were performed to assess Cr(VI) removal efficiency under continuous flow at different pH values. The micelle-clay complex used in this study was capable of removing Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions without any prior acidification of the sample. Results demonstrated that the removal effectiveness reached nearly 100% when using optimal conditions for both batch and continuous flow techniques.
ON THE CAUSE OF SUPRA-ARCADE DOWNFLOWS IN SOLAR FLARES

A model of supra-arcade downflows (SADs), dark low density regions also known as tadpoles that propagate sunward during solar flares, is presented. It is argued that the regions of low density are flow channels carved by sunward-directed outflow jets from reconnection. The solar corona is stratified, so the flare site is populated by a lower density plasma than that in the underlying arcade. As the jets penetrate the arcade, they carve out regions of depleted plasma density which appear as SADs. The present interpretation differs from previous models in that reconnection is localized in space but not in time. Reconnection is continuous in time to explain why SADs are not filled in from behind as they would if they were caused by isolated descending flux tubes or the wakes behind them due to temporally bursty reconnection. Reconnection is localized in space because outflow jets in standard two-dimensional reconnection models expand in the normal (inflow) direction with distance from the reconnection site, which would not produce thin SADs as seen in observations. On the contrary, outflow jets in spatially localized three-dimensional reconnection with an out-of-plane (guide) magnetic field expand primarily in the out-of-plane direction and remain collimated in the normal direction, which is consistent with observed SADs being thin. Two-dimensional proof-of-principle simulations of reconnection with an out-of-plane (guide) magnetic field confirm the creation of SAD-like depletion regions and the necessity of density stratification. Three-dimensional simulations confirm that localized reconnection remains collimated.
An additional phase in PCr use during sustained isometric exercise at 30% MVC in the tibialis anterior muscle

The occurrence of an abrupt acceleration in phosphocreatine hydrolysis in the tibial anterior muscle during the last part of a sustained isometric exercise at 30% maximal voluntary contraction until fatigue is demonstrated in seven out of eight healthy subjects by applying in vivo 31P NMR spectroscopy at 1.5 T field strength. This additional third phase in PCr hydrolysis, is preceded by a common biphasic pattern (first fast then slow) in PCr use. The NMR spectra, as localized by a surface coil and improved by proton irradiation, were collected at a time resolution of 16 s. Mean rates of PCr hydrolysis during exercise were −0.44 ± 0.19% s−1, −0.07 ± 0.04% s−1, and −0.29 ± 0.10% s−1 for the three successive phases. The increased rate of PCr hydrolysis, and also the loss of fine force control evident in the force records are consistent with increased involvement of large, fast‐fatiguable units later in the contraction. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy Savings in Complex Distillation Arrangements : Importance of Using the Preferred Separation

Prefractionator arrangements are often preferred from an energy point of view when separating ternary mixtures. The prefractionator performs a separation between the heaviest and lightest component, whereas the intermediate component distributes to both products. The energy usage in the prefractionator itself has a very sharp minimum for a particular distribution, which is the \preferred separation" of Stichlmair (1988). On the other hand, the energy usage in the downstream main column has a minimumwhen the two parts of the column, above and below the side stream, are \balanced". In the paper we derive simple analytic expression for the total energy usage of the two-column sequence as a function of the separation in the prefractionator. We nd that although the preferred separation is optimal, at least for sharp splits in in nite columns, the energy usage is almost the same for any separation between the \preferred" and the \balanced". The same results are shown numerically to hold for columns with nite number of stages and non-sharp separation, as well as when the prefractionator and main column are directly coupled, as in the Petlyuk arrangement. Finally, some implications for the operation and control of such columns are discussed. Author to whom correspondence should be addressed : Fax : +47 7359-4080, E-mail: skoge@chembio.ntnu. no
The Case for Restricting Fiscal Policy Discretion

This Paper studies how discretionary fiscal policy affects output volatility and the rate of economic growth. Using data on fifty-one countries we isolate five empirical regularities: (1) Governments that use often fiscal policy make their economies volatile; (2) The use of fiscal policy is explained to a large extent by the presence of political constraints and other political and institutional variables; (3) The volatility of output induced by discretionary fiscal policy lowers economic growth by 0.6 percentage points for every percentage point increase in volatility; (4) There is evidence that the increase in volatility is in part due to electoral cycles; nevertheless, we do find that political constraints restrain fiscal policy beyond their impact on the traditional election-year volatility; (5) Rules-based fiscal policy identified by the degree of automatic stabilizers in the economy helps to stabilize business cycles. The evidence in the Paper argues in favour of imposing institutional restrictions on governments as a way of reducing output volatility and increasing the rate of economic growth.
Dynamic pricing for connection-oriented services in wireless networks

In this paper, we deal with dynamic pricing strategies for connection-oriented services in wireless systems. Dynamic pricing policies allow the network operator to charge a cost per time unit depending on the network usage. In this way, the users behavior can be regulated and the network management is significantly improved. We model the user demand and the call duration as functions of the service price. By using standard Markovian techniques to represent the system evolution, we devise an optimal linear pricing scheme, which can be easily computed and controlled. When compared with a flat-rate policy, where a constant price for the network services is fixed, the proposed solution is able to provide a better quality of service to the users as well as a greater revenue to the network operator. For example, when eight radio channels are available and the traffic load is equal to 0.8, we obtain a 25% improvement in the network revenue with respect to the flat-rate policy, while the blocking probability is halved.
Anomalous Effects in Deuterated Systems.

Abstract : Excess power was measured in 28 out of 94 electrochemical experiments conducted using palladium or palladium alloy cathodes in heavy water. Reproducibility continues to be the major problem in this controversial research area. Based on our experiments, this lack of reproducibility stems from unknown variables in the palladium metal. The best reproducibility for excess power was obtained using palladium boron materials supplied by the Naval Research Laboratory. Our basic isoperibolic calorimeters were capable of measuring excess power with a sensitivity of +/- 1% of the input power or +/- 20 mW, whichever was larger. Calorimeters that are capable of detecting excess power levels of 1 watt per cubic centimeter of palladium are essential for research in this field. Results from our laboratory indicate that helium-4 is the missing nuclear product accompanying the excess heat. Thirty out of 33 experiments showed a correlation between either excess power and helium production or no excess power and no excess helium. The collection of the electrolysis gases in both glass and metal flasks place the helium-4 production rate at 10(exp 11) to 10(exp 12) atoms per second per watt of excess power. This is the correct magnitude for typical deuteron fusion reactions that yield helium-4 as a product. Anomalous radiation was detected in some experiments by the use of X-ray films, Geiger-Mueller counters, and by the use of sodium iodide detectors. There was never any significant production of tritium in any of our experiments.
Effect of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Matrix Protein on Transcription Directed by Host RNA Polymerases I, II, and III

ABSTRACT The matrix (M) protein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) functions in virus assembly and inhibits host-directed gene expression independently of other viral components. Experiments in this study were carried out to determine the ability of M protein to inhibit transcription directed by each of the three host RNA polymerases (RNA polymerase I [RNAPI], RNAPII, and RNAPIII). The effects of wild-type (wt) VSV, v6 (a VSV mutant isolated from persistently infected cells), and tsO82 viruses on poly(A)+ and poly(A)− RNA synthesis were measured by incorporation of [3H]uridine. v6 andtsO82 viruses, which contain M-gene mutations, had a decreased ability to inhibit synthesis of both poly(A)+ and poly(A)− RNA. Nuclear runoff analysis showed that VSV inhibited transcription of 18S rRNA and α-tubulin genes, which was dependent on RNAPI and RNAPII, respectively, but infection with wt virus enhanced transcription of 5S rRNA by RNAPIII. The effect of M protein alone on transcription by RNAPI-, RNAPII-, and RNAPIII-dependent promoters was measured by cotransfection assays. M protein inhibited transcription from RNAPI- and RNAPII-dependent promoters in the absence of other viral gene products. RNAPIII-dependent transcription of the adenovirus VA promoters was also inhibited by M protein. However, as observed during wt VSV infection, M protein enhanced endogenous 5S rRNA transcription, indicating that the inhibition of transcription by RNAPIII was dependent on the nature of the promoter.
High prevalence of 1762T 1764A mutations in the basic core promoter of hepatitis B virus isolated from black africans with hepatocellular carcinoma compared with asymptomatic carriers

The purpose of this study was to identify mutations in the basic core promoter and enhancer II region of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that might cause the HBV e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative phenotype and contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis in black African carriers of the virus. The basic core promoter/enhancer II overlaps with the X gene. HBV DNA from serum of 47 asymptomatic carriers and 50 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and from 28 tumor and 10 nontumor liver tissues was amplified and sequenced directly. That part of the enhancer II region not overlapping the basic core promoter was completely conserved in all samples. Missense mutations at nucleotides 1809 and 1812 in the basic core promoter were found in 80% of all sequences and may represent wild‐type sequence in Southern African isolates. Nucleotide and amino acid divergences were higher in the basic core promoter of hepatocellular carcinoma patients when compared with asymptomatic carriers (P < .0001). This applied particularly to the paired 1762 adenine to thymine (1762T) and 1764 guanine to adenine (1764A) missense mutations, the prevalence of which was 66% in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma compared with 11% in asymptomatic carriers (P < .0001). There was no association between the presence of 1762T1764A and HBeAg negativity, although these mutations suppressed HBeAg titers in HBeAg‐positive patients. Suppression of HBeAg expression as well as alteration of the amino acid sequence of the X protein may play a role in hepatocarcinogenesis.
A possible biogenic origin for hydrogen peroxide on Mars: the Viking results reinterpreted

Abstract The adaptability of extremophiles on Earth raises the question of what strategies putative life might have used to adapt to the present conditions on Mars. Here, we hypothesize that organisms might utilize a water–hydrogen peroxide (H2O–H2O2) mixture rather than water as an intracellular liquid. This adaptation would have the particular advantages in the Martian environment of providing a low freezing point, a source of oxygen and hygroscopicity. The findings by the Viking experiments are reinterpreted in light of this hypothesis. Our conclusion is that the hitherto mysterious oxidant in the Martian soil, which evolves oxygen when humidified, might be H2O2 of biological origin. This interpretation has consequences for site selection for future missions to search for life on Mars.