Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 gene expression increases after pioglitazone treatment and is associated with peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-gamma responsiveness.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase (SCD1) is the rate-limiting enzyme that converts palmitoyl- and stearoyl-coenzyme A to palmitoleoyl- and oleoyl-cownzyme A, respectively. SCD-deficient mice are protected from obesity, and the ob/ob mouse has high levels of SCD. This study was designed to better characterize SCD1 gene and protein expression in humans with varying insulin sensitivity. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND SETTING In a university hospital clinical research center setting, SCD1 gene expression was measured in sc adipose and vastus lateralis muscle of 86 nondiabetic subjects; 10 wk of pioglitazone (45 mg daily) and metformin (1000 mg twice daily) treatment were assessed in 36 impaired glucose-tolerant subjects. Adipocytes were treated with pioglitazone, and SCD1 expression was attenuated with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to examine other adipocyte genes. RESULTS There was no significant relationship between adipose or muscle SCD1 mRNA and either body mass index or insulin sensitivity. After pioglitazone (but not metformin) treatment, there was a 2-fold increase in SCD1 mRNA and protein in adipose tissue. Pioglitazone also increased SCD1 in vitro. There were significant positive correlations between SCD1 and peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) as well as other PPARgamma-responsive genes, including lipin-beta, AGPAT2, RBP4, adiponectin receptors, CD68, and MCP1. When SCD1 expression was inhibited with a siRNA, lipin-beta, AGPAT2, and the adiponectin R2 receptor expression were decreased, and adipocyte MCP-1 was increased. CONCLUSIONS SCD1 is closely linked to PPARgamma expression in humans, and is increased by PPARgamma agonists. The change in expression of some downstream PPARgamma targets after SCD1 knockdown suggests that PPARgamma up-regulation of SCD1 leads to increased lipogenesis and potentiation of adiponectin signaling.
Refined 2D and Exact 3D Shell Models for the Free Vibration Analysis of Single- and Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The present paper talks about the free vibration analysis of simply supported Single- and Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs and DWCNTs). Refined 2D Generalized Differential Quadrature (GDQ) shell methods and an exact 3D shell model are compared. A continuum approach (based on an elastic three-dimensional shell model) is used for natural frequency investigation of SWCNTs and DWCNTs. SWCNTs are defined as isotropic cylinders with an equivalent thickness and Young modulus. DWCNTs are defined as two concentric isotropic cylinders (with an equivalent thickness and Young modulus) which can be linked by means of the interlaminar continuity conditions or by means of van der Waals interactions. Layer wise approaches are mandatory for the analysis of van der Waals forces in DWCNTs. The effect of van der Waals interaction between the two cylinders is shown for different DWCNT lengths, diameters and vibration modes. The accuracy of beam models and classical 2D shell models in the free vibration analysis of SWCNTs and DWCNTs is also investigated.
Changes in acute pulmonary vascular responsiveness to hypoxia during a progressive ascent to high altitude (5300 m)

What is the central question of this study? Do the pulmonary vascular responses to hypoxia change during progressive exposure to high altitude and can alterations in these responses be related to changes in concentrations of circulating biomarkers that affect the pulmonary circulation? What is the main finding and its importance? In our field study with healthy volunteers, we demonstrate changes in pulmonary artery pressure suggestive of remodelling in the pulmonary circulation, but find no changes in the acute responsiveness of the pulmonary circulation to changes in oxygenation during 2 weeks of exposure to progressive hypoxia. Pulmonary artery pressure changes were associated with changes in erythropoietin, 8‐isoprostane, nitrite and guanosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate.
Coping together with hearing loss: a qualitative meta-synthesis of the psychosocial experiences of people with hearing loss and their communication partners

Abstract Objective: To examine the psychosocial experiences of hearing loss from the perspectives of both the person with hearing loss and their communication partner. Design: A meta-synthesis of the qualitative literature. Study Sample: From 880 records, 12 qualitative papers met the inclusion criteria, (i) adults with hearing loss, communication partners, or both, and (ii) explored psychosocial issues. Results: Four themes related to the psychosocial experience of hearing loss were found, (i) the effect of the hearing loss, (ii) the response to hearing aids, (iii) stigma and identity, and (iv) coping strategies. Hearing loss affected both people with hearing loss and communication partners. Hearing aids resulted in positive effects, however, these were often outnumbered by negative effects. Non-use of hearing aids was often influenced by stigma. Coping strategies used were related to how the person with hearing loss perceived their self and how the communication partner perceived the relationship. Aligned coping strategies appeared to have a positive effect. Conclusions: Hearing loss affects both people with hearing loss and their communication partners. Aligned coping strategies can facilitate adjustment to hearing loss.
Climate Change Impact on Tree Architectural Development and Leaf Area

The response of forests to the forecasted increase in climate stress occurrence is considered a key issue in climate change scenarios [1]. Although forest productivity increased in most ecosystems during the 20th century [2,3], a review by Allen et al. [4] underlined an emerging trend of heat and drought induced forest decline and dieback at global scale. Several and generally combined physical and biological causes contribute to observed tree decline or die-off [4-7]. Apart extensive insect outbreaks [8], understanding the respective role of hydraulic failure and carbon starvation due to excessive or long lasting water stress is one of the major research goal in order to predict forest response to climate change [9].
A population-based study on the association between the intake of soft drinks and periodontal disease in Taiwanese adults aged 35–44 years (KCIS no. 33)

Abstract Objective To elucidate the association between the intake of soft drinks and periodontal disease (PD) among Taiwanese middle-aged adults. Design The cross-sectional design was employed to assess a dose–response relationship between the intake of soft drinks and PD after controlling for relevant confounding factors, with adjusted odds ratios obtained from a multivariate logistic regression model. Setting Keelung Community-based Integrated Screening (KCIS) programme, Keelung, Taiwan. Subjects Participants (n 10 213) aged 35–44 years who had undergone oral checks for PD between 2005 and 2009. Results A dose–response relationship between the intake of soft drinks and elevated risk for PD defined by community periodontal index ≥3 (the current status of PD) was noted (P=0·02 by trend test). Compared with infrequent intake of soft drinks (≤2 times/week), the adjusted OR increased from 1·05 (95 % CI 0·92, 1·20) for the frequency of 3–4 times/week to 1·17 (95 % CI 1·03, 1·34) for the frequency of ≥5 times/week. A similar trend (P<0·01) was also observed for PD defined by loss of attachment ≥1 (representing the long-term cumulative gum damage due to PD). Conclusions A dose–response relationship between the intake frequency of soft drinks and PD was observed in Taiwanese middle-aged adults. Such evidence could be used in health promotion to support reductions in soft drink intake.
Effect of Vocabulary Test Preparation on Low-Income Black Middle School Students' Reading Scores.

Effect of Vocabulary Test Preparation on Low-Income Black Middle School Students’ Reading Scores by Ingrid Nadia Mitchell EdS, Union University, 2007 MA, University of Memphis, 2004 BS, Oral Roberts University, 1999 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Differential impact of CX3CL1 on lung cancer prognosis in smokers and non‐smokers

CX3CL1 is a unique chemokine, expressed in both soluble and membrane bound forms, which mediates different biological activities. Recent studies have revealed the potential of CX3CL1 signaling pathway as a target for the treatment of inflammation and cancer. The correlation between expression of CX3CL1 and prognosis of patients varies among cancers. In this study, based on CX3CL1 immunohistochemistry in non‐small cell lung cancer, CX3CL1 levels were positively associated with cancer stage (Pearson chi‐square, P = 0.048) and lymph node status (P = 0.033). Interestingly, survival effects of CX3CL1 were only observed in patients with smoking history and adenocarcinoma (AD, log rank, P = 0.027), but not in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SQ). The median survival time of patients with smoking history and low level CX3CL1 expressing AD was 1538 days, while that of patients with smoking history and high level CX3CL1 expressing AD was 396 days. Cox regression models showed adverse effects of high CX3CL1 levels only in AD patients with smoking history (hazard ratio = 3.01, p = 0.034), but not in AD patients without smoking history or in SQ patients with smoking history. The results of this study suggest that CX3CL1 plays different roles in lung tumorigenesis in smokers and non‐smokers, and different CX3CL1‐based therapeutic strategies are needed depending on patient smoking status and tumor type. Furthermore, high level of CX3CL1 expression enhances nodal metastasis by activating JNK & MMP2/MMP9 activity in lung cancer cells.
Moderate Effects of Same-Sex Legislation on Dependent Employer-Based Insurance Coverage Among Sexual Minorities

A difference-in-difference approach was used to compare the effects of same-sex domestic partnership, civil union, and marriage policies on same- and different-sex partners who could have benefitted from their partners’ employer-based insurance (EBI) coverage. Same-sex partners had 78% lower odds (Marginal Effect = −21%) of having EBI compared with different-sex partners, adjusting for socioeconomic and health-related factors. Same-sex partners living in states that recognized same-sex marriage or domestic partnership had 89% greater odds of having EBI compared with those in states that did not recognize same-sex unions (ME = 5%). The impact of same-sex legislation on increasing take-up of dependent EBI coverage among lesbians, gay men, and bisexual individuals was modest, and domestic partnership legislation was equally as effective as same-sex marriage in increasing same-sex partner EBI coverage. Extending dependent EBI coverage to same-sex partners can mitigate gaps in coverage for a segment of the lesbians, gay men, and bisexual population but will not eliminate them.
Statin and fibrate treatment of combined hyperlipidemia: the effects on some novel risk factors

Summary The effects of cerivastatin and fenofibrate on proteins involved in haemostasis and on markers of inflammation were investigated in otherwise healthy middle-aged males with combined hyperlipidemia. Besides classical risk factors, other so-called novel risk factors for coronary artery disease are seen to be playing an increasingly important role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Thirty-eight males, aged 49 ± 5 years were randomised to 12 weeks treatment either with cerivastatin at a daily dose of 0.2 mg to 0.4 mg to achieve the LDL cholesterol goal of <3.0 mM, or with fenofibrate 250 mg daily. Fasting serum lipids, homocysteine, total and free tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen and activity, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured. No change in homocysteine level was observed in the cerivastatin group, while after fenofibrate administration it increased (p <0.0001). Total TFPI decreased significantly after cerivastatin (p = 0.002), but not after fenofibrate. Free TFPI did not decrease after either drug. Neither drug affected (t-PA) antigen and activity, while fenofibrate increased PAI-1 antigen (p <0.05) and activity (p <0.05). Cerivastatin decreased serum CRP values by 49.5% (p = 0.001), and fenofibrate by 29.8% (p = 0.03). The decreases of CRP in the two groups differed significantly (p = 0.04). IL-6 levels decreased significantly in the fenofibrate group (39%; p <0.0001), but not in the cerivastatin group (15%; p = 0.24) No significant decreases were observed for TNF-α. Cerivastatin had neutral effects on fibrinolysis, homocysteine or coagulation. On the other hand, fenofibrate increased PAI-1 antigen and activity and homocysteine, and did not affect coagulation. Both cerivastatin and fenofibrate reduced CRP levels, the decrease being significantly greater after cerivastatin. Fenofibrate also significantly decreased IL-6.
The Behavioral Effects of Chronic Sugar and/or Caffeine Consumption in Adult and Adolescent Rats

Caffeine is a psychostimulant frequently consumed by adults and children, often in combination with high levels of sugar. Chronic pretreatment with either substance can amplify both amphetamine and cocaine-induced hyperactivity in rodents. The present study sought to elucidate whether age at the time of exposure to sugar and/or caffeine alters sensitivity to an acute illicit psychostimulant (methamphetamine, [METH]) challenge in adulthood. Adult and adolescent (Postnatal Day 35 on first day of treatment) male Sprague–Dawley rats were treated for 26 days with water, caffeine (0.6 g/L), 10% sucrose or their combination. Locomotor behavior was measured on the first and last day of treatment. Following 9-days treatment free, animals were challenged with saline (1 ml/kg, i.p.) or METH (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and locomotor activity was measured. During the treatment period, adolescent rats maintained a higher caffeine (mg/kg) dose than their adult counterparts. Adding sugar to caffeine increased adolescent consumption and the highest caffeine dose consumed was measured in these animals. Drinking sugar-sweetened caffeinated water or combination did not produce cross-sensitization to METH administration in either age group. Nevertheless, the finding that regular exposure through adolescence to caffeinated sugar-sweetened beverages could increase consumption of caffeine and sugar later in life is important, as there is a large body of evidence that has linked excess consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages to a broad range of other negative physical and mental health outcomes.
Mathematical models, problems, and controversies of evolutionary theory

1. The year 1982, the centenary of Charles Darwin's death, witnessed conferences, symposia, and publications in many disciplines devoted to reassessing the theory of evolution by natural selection and all its ramifications. A brief historical review on developments in evolutionary theory emphasizing the role of mathematics is given in §3 of this paper. §2 presents background material on agents of evolutionary processes. §4 contains an annotated listing of several problems and controversies pertaining to evolutionary processes, and a more extended discussion of the neutralist-selectionist controversy. §5 presents background information relating to sex ratio in various plant and animal species. Several classes of mathematical models of much recent interest centering on sex ratio evolution and related dynamical systems are examined in §§6-8; the purely mathematically oriented reader can pass directly to these sections. The concluding section presents our views on several philosophic issues in evolutionary theory today, and on the nature of the mathematics relevant to the genetics of the current decade. Taxonomists have recorded 1-2 million plant and animal species and surmise that another 4-6 million species remain to be classified. More than 50% of all living species are of the insect genera; the Drosophila flies alone comprise at least 2,500 species. Counts of bird species vary from 8,000 to 10,000. The number of species from the evolution of life to the present is estimated at 4-16 billion. Simpson (1953) projects that more than 99.9% of all species that ever existed are extinct. The ubiquitous variability within species of biochemical, morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits is also intriguing. As observation, and experimental techniques are being refined, increasing numbers of segregating genes (those exhibiting at least two alternative types) are being detected. Another aspect of nonuniformity is the prodigious variety of sexual mechanisms, mating patterns, life cycles, life styles, strategies for survival and reproduction, growth characteristics, and ecosystem interactions. Concomitant to the observed diversity in living forms and life patterns, there are some universals and expressions of identity. The basic DNA-RNA structure and its replication mechanism are present in "all" organisms. Proteins
Cardiovascular deconditioning and venous air embolism in simulated microgravity in the rat.

BACKGROUND Astronauts conducting extravehicular activities undergo decompression to a lower ambient pressure, potentially resulting in gas bubble formation within the tissues and venous circulation. Additionally, exposure to microgravity produces fluid shifts within the body leading to cardiovascular deconditioning. A lower incidence of decompression illness in actual spaceflight compared with that in ground-based altitude chamber flights suggests that there is a possible interaction between microgravity exposure and decompression illness. HYPOTHESIS The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cardiovascular and pulmonary effects of simulated hypobaric decompression stress using a tail suspension (head-down tilt) model of microgravity to produce the fluid shifts associated with weightlessness in conscious, chronically instrumented rats. METHODS Venous bubble formation resulting from altitude decompression illness was simulated by a 3-h intravenous air infusion. Cardiovascular deconditioning was simulated by 96 h of head-down tilt. Heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, central venous pressure, left ventricular wall thickening and cardiac output were continuously recorded. Lung studies were performed to evaluate edema formation and compliance measurement. Blood and pleural fluid were examined for changes in white cell counts and protein concentration. RESULTS Our data demonstrated that in tail-suspended rats subjected to venous air infusions, there was a reduction in pulmonary edema formation and less of a decrease in cardiac output than occurred following venous air infusion alone. Mean arterial blood pressure and myocardial wall thickening fractions were unchanged with either tail-suspension or venous air infusion. Heart rate decreased in both conditions while systemic vascular resistance increased. CONCLUSIONS These differences may be due in part to a change or redistribution of pulmonary blood flow or to a diminished cellular response to the microvascular insult of the venous air embolization.
Delivery efficiency of an Elekta linac under gated operation

In this study, we have characterized the efficiency of an Elekta linac in the delivery of gated radiotherapy. We have explored techniques to reduce the beam‐on delay and to improve the delivery efficiency, and have investigated the impact of frequent beam interruptions on the dosimetric accuracy of gated deliveries. A newly available gating interface was installed on an Elekta Synergy. Gating signals were generated using a surface mapping system in conjunction with a respiratory motion phantom. A series of gated deliveries were performed using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment plans previously generated for lung cancer patients treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy. Baseline values were determined for the delivery times. The machine was then tuned in an effort to minimize beam‐on delays and improve delivery efficiency. After that process was completed, the dosimetric accuracy of the gated deliveries was evaluated by comparing the measured and the planned coronal dose distributions using gamma index analyses. Comparison of the gated and the non‐gated deliveries were also performed. The results demonstrated that, with the optimal machine settings, the average beam‐on delay was reduced to less than 0.22 s. High dosimetric accuracy was demonstrated with gamma index passing rates no lower than 99.0% for all tests (3%/3 mm criteria). Consequently, Elekta linacs can provide a practical solution for gated VMAT treatments with high dosimetric accuracy and only a moderate increase in the overall delivery time. PACS numbers: 87.56. bd, 87.55. de, 87.55. ne
A mesoscale approach for growth of 3D microstructurally small fatigue cracks in polycrystals

In the high cycle fatigue regime, microstructure attributes such as grain size, shape, and crystallographic orientation usually affect fatigue crack formation and early growth. However, most computational strategies and theoretical models for assessing the influence of the microstructure on early stages of fatigue crack formation and growth rely on simple constitutive models and 2D microstructures, which limit their applicability in design of microstructure of engineering materials. This work employs finite element simulations that explicitly render the 3D microstructure of an Face-centered cubic (FCC) alloy to evaluate the change of the driving force for fatigue crack formation and early stages of transgranular growth, including consideration of growth within individual grains and stress redistribution as the crack extends. The methodology is implemented using a crystal plasticity algorithm in ABAQUS and used to study the effect of microstructure on early fatigue life of a powder processed Ni-base RR1000 superalloy at 650℃ subjected to constant amplitude loading. The effects of the microstructure in extending a fatigue crack over the first few grains are analyzed.
Chronic and Episodic Anger and Gratitude Toward the Organization: Relationships With Organizational and Supervisor Supportiveness and Extrarole Behavior

Gratitude and anger represent 2 fundamental moral emotions in response to help or harm. Research suggests that individuals perceive organizations to have humanlike qualities and thus hold them responsible for helpful or harmful treatment. Given this line of reasoning, we hypothesized that workers direct gratitude toward their organizations in response to supportive treatment and anger toward their organizations in response to unsupportive treatment. Gratitude and anger, in turn, were expected to influence daily extrarole behavior. After developing short measures of organization-directed anger and gratitude in 2 pilot studies, we tested these hypotheses in a daily diary study of 54 workers providing 421 daily reports. Results indicate that perceived organizational support was related to chronic gratitude and anger, which is stable from day to day, and chronic gratitude was in turn related to chronic differences in organizational citizenship behavior. Episodic anger and gratitude, which vary daily, were related to daily supervisor interactional justice and helping behavior, respectively, and in turn predicted daily episodic variance in organizational citizenship and counterproductive work behavior. These findings suggest that the moral emotions of gratitude and anger toward the organization are indicators of employee affective well-being and play a mediating role in the effects of organizational and supervisor supportiveness on employee performance.