Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of physical exercise on the cartilage of ovariectomized rats submitted to immobilization

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the effects of physical exercise on cartilage histomorphometry in osteoporosis-induced rats subjected to immobilization. Methods We used 36 Wistar rats that were separated into six groups: G1, G2 and G3 submitted to pseudo-oophorectomy, and G4, G5 and G6 submitted to oophorectomy. After 60 days at rest, G2, G3, G5 and G6 had the right hind limbs immobilized for 15 days, followed by the same period in remobilization, being free in the box to G2 and G5, and climb ladder to G3 and G6. At the end of the experiment, the rats were euthanized, their tibias bilaterally removed and submitted to histological routine. Results There was significant increase in thickness of the articular cartilage (F(5;29)=13.88; p<0.0001) and epiphyseal plate (F(5;29)=14.72; p<0.0001) as the number of chondrocytes (F(5;29)=5.11; p=0.0021) in ovariectomized rats, immobilized and submitted to exercise. In the morphological analysis, degeneration of articular cartilage with subchondral bone exposure, loss of cellular organization, discontinuity of tidemark, presence of cracks and flocculation in ovariectomized, immobilized and free remobilization rats were found. In ovariectomized and immobilized remobilization ladder rats, signs of repair of the cartilaginous structures in the presence of clones, pannus, subcortical blood vessel invasion in the calcified zone, increasing the amount of isogenous groups and thickness of the calcified zone were observed. Conclusion Exercise climb ladder was effective in cartilaginous tissue recovery process damaged by immobilization, in model of osteoporosis by ovariectomy in rats.
Characteristics of Framingham offspring participants with long-lived parents.

BACKGROUND Prior research has suggested that delay or avoidance of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease risk factors plays an important role in longevity. METHODS We studied 1697 Framingham Heart Study (FHS) offspring members 30 years or older, whose parents (1) participated in the original FHS cohort and (2) achieved age 85 years or died before January 1, 2005. Offspring participants (mean +/- SD age, 40 +/- 7 years; 51% women) were grouped according to whether neither (n = 705), one (n = 804), or both parents (n = 188) survived to 85 years or older. We examined offspring risk factors at examination cycle 1 (1971-1975) including age, sex, education, cigarette smoking, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, total-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, body mass index, and Framingham Risk Score. Participants returning for examination cycle 3 (1983-1987; n = 1319) were eligible for inclusion in longitudinal analyses evaluating risk factor progression from baseline to a higher follow-up risk category. RESULTS For all factors studied, except body mass index, we observed statistically significant linear trends for lower offspring examination 1 risk factor levels with increasing parental survival category. The mean Framingham Risk Score was most favorable in offspring with both parents surviving to 85 years or older and was progressively worse in those with one or no long-lived parent (0.55, 1.08, and 1.71, respectively; P value for trend, <.001). Longitudinally, offspring of parents who lived longer had lower risk of blood pressure and Framingham Risk Score progression. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that individuals with long-lived parents have advantageous cardiovascular risk profiles in middle age compared with those whose parents died younger. The risk factor advantage persists over time.
Structural properties of cobalt substituted barium hexaferrite nanoparticles prepared by a thermal treatment method

A series of M-type hexagonal ferrites with BaCo x Fe 12 − x O 19 (x = 2.0, 3.0) composition were synthesized using a simple heat treatment method. The aqueous solution, containing metal nitrates and polyvinyle pyrrolidone (PVP) as a capping agent was used to prepare M-type barium hexferrite nanoparticles. The prepared hexaferrite particles were calcined at microwave frequency (2.45 GHz, power 900W, 5 min) as well as at 650 ˚ C temperature. The structural properties of the samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD pattern shows the pure M-phase. The particle size of the powder prepared by this method ranged from 20 nm to 27 nm. The thermal properties of the sample were investigated by thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), which confirmed the thermal stability of the barium hexaferrite sample prepared by the heat treatment method.
PET Demonstrates Functional Recovery After Transplantation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in a Rat Model of Cerebral Ischemic Injury

The purpose of this study was to determine the functionality of the transplanted induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in a rat model of cerebral ischemia with use of 18F-FDG small-animal PET imaging. Methods: Middle cerebral artery occlusion was used to establish cerebral ischemia. Twenty-four male rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: iPSC treatment, ESC treatment, and the control phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) injection. After neurologic function tests and baseline 18F-FDG small-animal PET had been performed, 1.0 × 106 suspended iPSCs or ESCs were injected stereotactically into the left lateral ventricle. The treatment response was evaluated weekly by 18F-FDG PET scans and neurologic function tests. Histologic analyses and autoradiographic imaging were performed 4 wk after stem cell transplantation. Results: Compared with the PBS injection group, higher 18F-FDG accumulation in the ipsilateral cerebral infarction was observed in both the iPSC and the ESC treatment groups during the 4-wk period (P < 0.05). 18F-FDG accumulation in the ipsilateral cerebral infarction increased steadily over time in the iPSC treatment group. At 1 and 2 wk after stem cell transplantation, significant recovery of glucose metabolism was found in the ESC treatment group (P < 0.05) and then decreased gradually. The neurologic score in both stem cell–treated groups was significantly lower than that in the PBS group, indicating functional improvement. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that transplanted stem cells survived and migrated close to the ischemic region, and most of the stem cells expressed protein markers for cells of interest. Conclusion: 18F-FDG small-animal PET demonstrated metabolic recovery after iPSC and ESC transplantation in the rat model of cerebral ischemia. iPSCs could be considered a potentially better therapeutic approach than ESCs and are worthy of further translational investigation.
Comparison of direct and indirect occlusal contact examinations with different clenching intensities.

The aims of this study were to examine the change of occlusal contact area following the increment of clenching intensity using silicone materials and electromyography (EMG) in normal subjects and to compare direct intra-oral examination with indirect examination using dental casts mounted by means of two impression methods. Participants were 7 men and 5 women with no more than one missing tooth per quadrant and no pain in the head and neck region. During the task, intercuspal position was maintained with minimal force, 20% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and 40% MVC using electromyography visual feedback. Three types of occlusal contact examinations were performed with the aid of blue silicone material in randomised order: (i) intra-oral direct occlusal contact examination (DE), (ii) indirect occlusal contact examination with dental casts using conventional impression method (IEC) and (iii) using occlusal impression method (IEO). Total occlusal contact area during DE and IEO significantly increased from baseline to 20% MVC and from baseline to 40% MVC, but not during IEC. Total occlusal contact area during DE in all tooth clenching conditions was significantly larger compared to IEO and IEC (P < 0·05). At 40% MVC, total occlusal contact area during IEO was significantly larger than during IEC (P < 0·05). These findings suggest that indirect occlusal contact examinations may not accurately reflect the intra-oral occlusal condition. If the intra-oral condition is reproduced using dental casts, these findings also suggest the occlusal impression method was more accurate compared to the conventional method (240 words).
Small-scale population structure of eastern North Pacific harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) indicated by molecular genetic analyses

Concern about the conservation and management of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) populations, which have experienced relatively large incidental fishery kills in localised areas throughout their range, has prompted research to better understand their population structure. Both mitochondrial and nuclear (microsatellites) DNA were used to examine the intra-specific structure of harbour porpoise inhabiting the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Null hypotheses of panmixia were tested after mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequence data (402 base pairs; n = 249) and allele frequency data (9 polymorphic loci; n = 194) were sub-divided into geographic strata defined a priori. Strata were based on sampling discontinuities and not discontinuities in population distribution. The mtDNA and nuclear gene data revealed statistically significant genetic differentiation between most strata (a = 0.05) suggesting demographic independence of fairly small sub-units within the population. Since harbour porpoises are essentially continuously distributed in the eastern North Pacific, this degree of genetic differentiation was unexpected and needs to be considered in developing a sound management plan to protect them.
Spectroscopic monitoring of the luminous blue variable Westerlund1-243 from 2002 to 2009

Context. The massive post-main sequence star W243 in the galactic starburst cluster Westerlund 1 has undergone a spectral transformation from a B2Ia supergiant devoid of emission features in 1981 to an A-type supergiant with a rich emission-line spectrum by 2002/03. Aims. We examine the continued evolution of W243 from 2002 to 2009 to understand its evolutionary state, current physical properties and the origin of its peculiar emission line spectrum. Methods. We used VLT/UVES and VLT/FLAMES to obtain high resolution, high signal-to-noise spectra on six epochs in 2003/04 (UVES) and ten epochs in 2008/09 (FLAMES). These spectra are used alongside other lower-resolution VLT/FLAMES and NTT/EMMI spectra to follow the evolution of W243 from 2002 to 2009. Non-LTE models are used to determine the physical properties of W243. Results. W243 displays a complex, time-varying spectrum with emission lines of hydrogen, helium and Lyman-α pumped metals, forbidden lines of nitrogen and iron, and a large number of absorption lines from neutral and singly-ionized metals. Many lines are complex emission/absorption blends, with significant spectral evolution occurring on timescales of just a few days. The LBV has a temperature of ∼8500 K (spectral type A3Ia + ), and displays signs of photospheric pulsations and weak episodic mass loss. Nitrogen is highly overabundant, with carbon and oxygen depleted, indicative of surface CNO-processed material and considerable previous mass-loss, although current time-averaged mass-loss rates are low. The emission-line spectrum forms at large radii, when material lost by the LBV in a previous mass-loss event is ionized by an unseen hot companion. Monitoring of the near-infrared spectrum suggests that the star has not changed significantly since it finished evolving to the cool state, close to the Humphreys-Davidson limit, in early 2003.
Mortality associations with long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution in a national English cohort.

RATIONALE Cohort evidence linking long-term exposure to outdoor particulate air pollution and mortality has come largely from the United States. There is relatively little evidence from nationally representative cohorts in other countries. OBJECTIVES To investigate the relationship between long-term exposure to a range of pollutants and causes of death in a national English cohort. METHODS A total of 835,607 patients aged 40-89 years registered with 205 general practices were followed from 2003-2007. Annual average concentrations in 2002 for particulate matter with a median aerodynamic diameter less than 10 (PM(10)) and less than 2.5 μm (PM(2.5)), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), ozone, and sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) at 1 km(2) resolution, estimated from emission-based models, were linked to residential postcode. Deaths (n = 83,103) were ascertained from linkage to death certificates, and hazard ratios (HRs) for all- and cause-specific mortality for pollutants were estimated for interquartile pollutant changes from Cox models adjusting for age, sex, smoking, body mass index, and area-level socioeconomic status markers. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Residential concentrations of all pollutants except ozone were positively associated with all-cause mortality (HR, 1.02, 1.03, and 1.04 for PM(2.5), NO(2), and SO(2), respectively). Associations for PM(2.5), NO(2), and SO(2) were larger for respiratory deaths (HR, 1.09 each) and lung cancer (HR, 1.02, 1.06, and 1.05) but nearer unity for cardiovascular deaths (1.00, 1.00, and 1.04). CONCLUSIONS These results strengthen the evidence linking long-term ambient air pollution exposure to increased all-cause mortality. However, the stronger associations with respiratory mortality are not consistent with most US studies in which associations with cardiovascular causes of death tend to predominate.
Stronger spatial genetic structure in recolonized areas than in refugia in the European beech

Extant rear‐edge populations located in former glacial refugia remain understudied despite their high conservation value. These populations should have experienced strong genetic drift due to their small size and long isolation. Moreover, the prolonged action of isolation by distance in refugial areas should result in stronger regional spatial genetic structure (SGS) than in recolonized areas, but empirical tests of this prediction are scarce. To fill this gap, we first used a set of 16 microsatellite markers to investigate the genetic structure of European beech in France in 65 populations from three refugial areas and one control recolonized (nonrefugial) area. Then, using the same approach, we reanalysed published isozyme data from 375 populations distributed across the entire species range. We found stronger genetic differentiation among populations in refugia than in recolonized areas. However, contrary to expectations, regional SGS was lower within refugia than within recolonized areas. Published studies presenting similar analyses suggest that our results could have generality across different biogeographical settings and types of organisms. Strong and prolonged genetic drift in refugial areas could have erased the signature of range expansions that is still visible in recolonized areas. Our results therefore suggest that Pleistocene population isolation has played a key role in increasing the genetic complexity of extant rear‐edge populations.
NP Bracketing by Maximum Entropy Tagging and SVM Reranking

We perform Noun Phrase Bracketing by using a lo-cal, maximum entropy-based tagging model, which produces bracketing hypotheses. These hypotheses are subsequently fed into a reranking framework based on support vector machines. We solve the problem of hierarchical structure in our tagging model by modeling underspeciﬁed tags, which are fully determined only at decoding time. The tagging model performs comparably to competing approaches and the subsequent reranking increases our system’s performance from an f-score of 81 : 7 to 86 : 1 , surpassing the best reported results to date of 83 : 8 .
Medial subluxation of the patella as a complication of lateral retinacular release

We examined 54 patients (60 knees) referred to us because of their failure to improve, or because of a worsening of their preoperative symptoms, following an arthroscopic lateral retinacular release. Thirty knees developed medial subluxation of the patella postoper atively. This disabling condition is new to us. It is previously unreported as a complication of arthroscopic lateral retinacular release. Anterior knee pain was the only reported preoperative symptom in 14 knees. Six teen knees had a preoperative diagnosis of lateral patellar subluxation on the basis of a positive appre hension sign only. Eighteen of 30 knees had no surgery of the extensor mechanism other than the arthroscopic lateral release. The remainder additionally underwent varying types and numbers of operations in an attempt to resolve their disability. CAT scan evaluation of three patients who volun teered for the procedure demonstrated severe atrophy and retraction of the vastus lateralis. Loss of this dy namic lateral stabilizer contributed to the medial sub luxation of the patella.
Pattern of ocular dominance columns and cytochrome oxidase activity in a macaque monkey with naturally occurring anisometropic amblyopia

Abstract Unilateral eyelid suture, a model for amblyopia induced by congenital cataract, produces shrinkage of the deprived eye's ocular dominance columns in the striate cortex. Loss of geniculocortical projections are thought to account for the poor vision in the amblyopic eye. It is uncertain whether ocular dominance columns become shrunken in other forms of amblyopia. We examined the striate cortex in a pigtailed macaque with natural anisometropia discovered at age 5 months. Amblyopia in the left eye was documented at 1 year by behavioral testing. At age 6 years, the left eye was injected with [3H]proline and the striate cortex was processed for autoradiography and cytochrome oxidase (CO). The ocular dominance columns in layer IVc labelled with [3H]proline were normal. CO staining showed a novel pattern of thin dark bands in layer IV. These bands occupied the core zones at the center of the ocular dominance columns. Their appearance resulted from relative loss of CO activity along the borders of the ocular dominance columns, regions specialized for binocular processing. These findings indicate that not all forms of amblyopia are accompanied by shrinkage of ocular dominance columns. The unusual pattern of CO staining in layer IVc reflected a subtle alteration in metabolic activity which may have resulted from impairment of binocular function in anisometropic amblyopia.
Incorporating certification in feature modelling of an unmanned aerial vehicle product line

Safety critical systems (e.g., an avionics control system for safe flight) are often required to achieve certification under pre-established standards (e.g., DO-178B for software considerations in airborne systems and equipment certification). We have been working with our industrial partner for the last three years to develop product line assets for their avionics software product line (SPL) and, recently, we encountered two major challenges regarding certification. Firstly, an individual product must be certified, but each may require a different certification level: there might be variations in the certification requirements according to specific system usage contexts. Secondly, certification involves not only product but also process, as standards such as DO-178B also assess the quality of the development process. In this paper, we propose to include a certification view during feature modelling to provide a better understanding of the relationships between features and a certification level required for each product. The experience of introducing certification into the design model of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) SPL is presented to illustrate some key ideas. We also describe the lessons we have learned from this experience.
Unraveling the Paradoxes of Narcissism: A Dynamic Self-Regulatory Processing Model

We propose a dynamic self-regulatory processing model of narcissism and review supporting evidence. The model casts narcissism in terms of motivated self-construction, in that the narcissist's self is shaped by the dynamic interaction of cognitive and affective intrapersonal processes and interpersonal self-regulatory strategies that are played out in the social arena. A grandiose yet vulnerable self-concept appears to underlie the chronic goal of obtaining continuous external self-affirmation. Because narcissists are insensitive to others' concerns and social constraints and view others as inferior, their self-regulatory efforts often are counterproductive and ultimately prevent the positive feedback that they seek-thus undermining the self they are trying to create and maintain. We draw connections between this model and other processing models in personality and employ these models to further elucidate the construct of narcissism. Reconceptualizing narcissism as a self-regulatory processing system promises to resolve many of its apparent paradoxes, because by understanding how narcissistic cognition, affect, and motivation interrelate, their internal subjective logic and coherence come into focus.
Do Processing Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses Predict Differential Treatment Response?

OBJECTIVE No previous empirical study has investigated whether the LD identification decisions of proposed methods to operationalize processing strengths and weaknesses (PSW) approaches for LD identification are associated with differential treatment response. We investigated whether the identification decisions of the concordance/discordance model (C/DM; Hale & Fiorello, 2004) and Cross Battery Assessment approach (XBA method; Flanagan, Ortiz, & Alfonso, 2007) were consistent and whether they predicted intervention response beyond that accounted for by pretest performance on measures of reading. METHOD Psychoeducational assessments were administered at pretest to 203 4th graders with low reading comprehension and individual results were utilized to identify students who met LD criteria according to the C/DM and XBA methods and students who did not. Resulting group status permitted an investigation of agreement for identification methods and whether group status at pretest (LD or not LD) was associated with differential treatment response to an intensive reading intervention. RESULTS The LD identification decisions of the XBA and C/DM demonstrated poor agreement with one another (κ = -.10). Comparisons of posttest performance for students who met LD criteria and those who did not meet were largely null, with small effect sizes across all measures. CONCLUSIONS LD status, as identified through the C/DM and XBA approaches, was not associated with differential treatment response and did not contribute educationally meaningful information about how students would respond to intensive reading intervention. These results do not support the value of cognitive assessment utilized in this way as part of the LD identification process.