Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving the vitamin K status of breastfeeding infants with maternal vitamin K supplements.

OBJECTIVE To increase the phylloquinone (vitamin K1) concentration of human milk with maternal oral phylloquinone supplements such that both the phylloquinone intake of breastfed infants and their serum concentrations of phylloquinone would approach those of formula-fed infants who are known to be at much less risk for hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. DESIGN Two stages: stage I, longitudinal, randomized study of 6 weeks' duration; and stage II, longitudinal, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 12 weeks' duration. SETTING Patients from a private pediatric practice in Madison, WI. PATIENTS Stage I: sequential sampling of 20 lactating mothers to determine the level of maternal supplementation needed in stage II. Ten mothers received 2.5 mg/d oral phylloquinone, and 10 mothers received 5.0 mg/d oral phylloquinone. Stage II: sequential sampling of 22 human milk-fed infants and lactating mothers. All infants received 1 mg of phylloquinone at birth. Eleven mothers received a placebo; 11 mothers received 5 mg/d phylloquinone. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS In stage I, both 2.5 and 5.0 mg/d phylloquinone significantly increased the phylloquinone content of human milk at both 2 and 6 weeks. As expected, 5.0 mg had a greater effect (mean +/- SD, 58.96 +/- 25.39 vs 27.12 +/- 12.18 ng/mL at 2 weeks). In stage II, the vitamin K-supplemented group had significantly higher maternal serum phylloquinone concentrations, higher phylloquinone milk concentrations, and higher infant plasma phylloquinone concentrations at 2, 6, and 12 weeks compared with the placebo group. At 12 weeks infant phylloquinone intakes were significantly higher for the vitamin K group than the placebo group (9.37 +/- 4.55 vs 0.15 +/- 0.07 microgram/kg per day). This corresponded to a plasma phylloquinone concentration in the vitamin K group of 2.84 +/- 3.09 vs 0.34 +/- 0.57 ng/mL in the placebo group. At 12 weeks, the prothrombin times did not differ between the groups, but the des-gamma-carboxy-prothrombin (partially carboxylated prothrombin thought to be a measure of vitamin K deficiency) was significantly elevated in the placebo group compared with the vitamin K group (1.48 +/- 1.19 vs 0.42 +/- 0.55 ng/mL). CONCLUSION In exclusively breastfed infants who receive intramuscular phylloquinone at birth, the vitamin K status as measured by plasma phylloquinone and des-gamma-carboxy-prothrombin concentrations is improved by maternal oral supplements of 5 mg/d phylloquinone through the first 12 weeks of life.
Dopamine, Affordance and Active Inference

The role of dopamine in behaviour and decision-making is often cast in terms of reinforcement learning and optimal decision theory. Here, we present an alternative view that frames the physiology of dopamine in terms of Bayes-optimal behaviour. In this account, dopamine controls the precision or salience of (external or internal) cues that engender action. In other words, dopamine balances bottom-up sensory information and top-down prior beliefs when making hierarchical inferences (predictions) about cues that have affordance. In this paper, we focus on the consequences of changing tonic levels of dopamine firing using simulations of cued sequential movements. Crucially, the predictions driving movements are based upon a hierarchical generative model that infers the context in which movements are made. This means that we can confuse agents by changing the context (order) in which cues are presented. These simulations provide a (Bayes-optimal) model of contextual uncertainty and set switching that can be quantified in terms of behavioural and electrophysiological responses. Furthermore, one can simulate dopaminergic lesions (by changing the precision of prediction errors) to produce pathological behaviours that are reminiscent of those seen in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease. We use these simulations to demonstrate how a single functional role for dopamine at the synaptic level can manifest in different ways at the behavioural level.
Frequency dispersion and field dependence in the material constants of PVDF-TrFE copolymers in the thickness mode

A set of thickness resonators of PVDF-TrFE copolymer have been characterized as a function of the frequency and DC bias. The first six resonance peaks in the impedance spectra were analyzed to determine the degree of frequency dispersion in the complex elastic, piezoelectric, and dielectric constants. Modeling the dispersion in the material constants as a polynomial in the frequency f produced an excellent fit to the data over the 1-30 MHz frequency range. The samples were then tested for non-linearity by analyzing the fundamental resonance as a function of a DC bias field. The field dependence of the PVDF-TrFE samples was much smaller than for comparable samples of a soft PZT.
SELECTIVE DISRUPTION OF THE SARCOTUBULAR SYSTEM IN FROG SARTORIUS MUSCLE

Skeletal muscles which have been soaked for 1 hr in a glycerol-Ringer solution and then returned to normal Ringer solution have a disrupted sarcotubular system. The effect is associated with the return to Ringer's since muscles have normal fine structure while still in glycerol-Ringer's. Karnovsky's peroxidase method was found to be a very reliable marker of extracellular space, filling 98.5% of the tubules in normal muscle. It was interesting to note that only 84.1% of the sarcomeres in normal muscle have transverse tubules. The sarcotubular system was essentially absent from glycerol-treated muscle fibers, only 2 % of the tubular system remaining connected to the extracellular space; the intact remnants were stumps extending only a few micra into the fiber. Thus, glycerol-treated muscle fibers provide a preparation of skeletal muscle with little sarcotubular system. Since the sarcoplasmic reticulum is not destroyed and the sarcolemma and myofilaments are intact in this preparation, of the properties of the sarcolemma may thus be separated from those of the tubular system.
Internet Addiction of Adolescents in Taiwan: An Interview Study

This study presented a follow-up investigation of a series of studies about Taiwanese adolescents' Internet addiction. Through analyzing a series of questionnaires, 10 Taiwanese adolescents with Internet addiction were selected for in-depth interviews. Adolescents' interview data revealed the following: First, almost all of the interviewed adolescents exhibited most of the symptoms of Internet addiction as identified by previous studies, including compulsive use and withdrawal, tolerance, and related problems of school, health, family, finance, and time management. Moreover, almost all of the interviewed adolescents stated that messages on the Internet became the primary source of their information and knowledge. Many of them were addicted to the messages and activity on the Internet, but not by the Internet as a medium per se. Also, the world of the Internet seemed to become a place to relieve adolescents' depression. Most of the interviewed adolescents self-declared that they were Internet addicts, but none of them could clearly state what to do with such an addiction. Psychologists and educators should pay more attention to this and then propose possible solutions for adolescents.
Analysis of an estuarine striped bass (Morone saxatilis) population: influence of density-dependent mortality between metamorphosis and recruitment

Compensation due to density-dependent mechanisms is essential for the maintenance of an exploited fish stock. Understanding compensation is important for understanding population regulation and responses to added mortality. We examined possible density-dependent effects on striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in the San Francisco Estuary. Three sets of data from sampling programs for young striped bass showed density-dependent mortality between 1 month of age and 8-12 months. The relationships between two indices of young striped bass abundance and recruitment at age 3 fit a Beverton-Holt function, also indicating density dependence. The carrying capacity, as deter - mined by the asymptote of the Beverton-Holt curves, has declined over the last two to three decades. These results are consistent with a compensatory mechanism based on food limitation occurring after metamorphosis and with the decline in food resources observed in the estuary over the same period. The decline in striped bass over the last two to three decades may be partly due to this declining carrying capacity.
Plant genotypic diversity increases population size of a herbivorous insect

It is critical to incorporate the process of population dynamics into community genetics studies to identify the mechanisms of the linkage between host plant genetics and associated communities. We studied the effects of plant genotypic diversity of tall goldenrod Solidago altissima on the population dynamics of the aphid Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum. We found genotypic variation in plant resistance to the aphid in our experiments. To determine the impact of plant genotypic diversity on aphid population dynamics, we compared aphid densities under conditions of three treatments: single-genotype plots, mixed-genotype plots and mixed-genotype-with-cages plots. In the latter treatment plants were individually caged to prevent natural enemy attack and aphid movement among plants. The synergistic effects of genotypes on population size were demonstrated by the greater aphid population size in the mixed-genotype treatment than expected from additive effects alone. Two non-exclusive hypotheses are proposed to explain this pattern. First, there is a source–sink relationship among plant genotypes: aphids move from plant genotypes where their reproduction is high to genotypes where their reproduction is low. Second, natural enemy mortality is reduced in mixed plots in a matrix of diverse plant genotypes.
Raroc Based Capital Budgeting and Performance Evaluation: A Case Study of Bank Capital Allocation

This paper describes the RAROC system developed at Bank of America (B of A) in order to examine how risk-based capital allocation models work. I begin by discussing the economic rational for allocating capital in a diversified organization like the B of A. Drawing on recent work by Froot and Stein (1995) and Stein (1996), I argue that the capital budgeting process used by the B of A resembles the operation of an internal capital market in which businesses are allocated capital with the objective of mitigating the costs of external financing. Viewing the capital budgeting process in this way is useful because it suggests that a businesses contribution to the overall variability of the cash flows of the bank will be an important factor in evaluating the risk of (and the capital allocated to) a specific business unit. In addition, since RAROC systems are used both for capital budgeting and management compensation, the measures of risk are designed to limit rent seeking and influence activities by division managers, Next, given the theoretical background, I provide a detailed look at how the RAROC capital allocation and performance evaluation system works at B of A. The primary objective of B of A's system is to assign equity capital to business units (and ultimately to individual credits) so each business unit has the same cost of equity capital. This process implies that investments in riskier projects or business units (measured by the projects contribution to the overall volatility of the market value of the bank) will be required to use less leverage than investments in less risky business units. This paper was presented at the Financial Institutions Center's October 1996 conference on "
Transformation of Deformed Austenite at Temperatures above the Ae3

Recent observations regarding the transformation of deformed austenite are reviewed. It is shown that superequilibrium ferrite and pearlite can be formed at temperatures well above the Ae3 and Ae1, respectively. The role of the stored energy associated with the introduction of the dislocations introduced by the deformation is discussed. It is shown that the forward dynamic transformation into ferrite and pearlite is several orders of magnitude faster than the reverse static transformation back into austenite. The retarding effect of alloying additions such as niobium is also outlined. The results are interpreted in terms of the effect of deformation on the modified phase diagrams pertaining to the transformation of deformed austenite.
Crack formation due to weathering of radial and tangential sections of pine and spruce

Abstract The development of cracks and changes in appearance have been investigated on radial and tangential sections of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and spruce (Picea abies Karst.) after exposure outdoors for 61 months. The degradation of the sections has also been studied at the micro-level. The annual ring orientation was the most important factor affecting crack development on weathering. After 61 months of outdoor exposure, the tangential sections of spruce had 1.7–2.2 times greater mean total crack length per area unit than the corresponding radial sections. In pine, the total crack length per area unit on the tangential sections was 2.2–2.6 times greater than that on the radial sections. Tangential and radial sections show the same colour change as a result of weathering. Tangential sections have more and deeper cracks than radial surfaces. The cracks on the tangential sections occur frequently in both earlywood and latewood. On radial sections, cracks occur primarily at the annual ring borders, but to a certain extent also in the earlywood. Decomposition of the cell wall takes place in both radial and tangential cell walls, and cracks tend to follow the fibril orientation in the S2-layer of the cell wall. The radial cell wall of the earlywood has a large number of pits which are degraded at an early stage.
Metabolic Syndrome and Inflammatory Responses to Long-Term Particulate Air Pollutants

Background Human data linking inflammation with long-term particulate matter (PM) exposure are still lacking. Emerging evidence suggests that people with metabolic syndrome (MS) may be a more susceptible population. Objectives Our goal was to examine potential inflammatory responses associated with long-term PM exposure and MS-dependent susceptibility. Methods We conducted secondary analyses of white blood cell (WBC) count and MS data from The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and PM10 (PM with aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm) data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Aerometric Information Retrieval System. Estimated 1-year PM10 exposures were aggregated at the centroid of each residential census-block group, using distance-weighted averages from all monitors in the residing and adjoining counties. We restricted our analyses to adults (20–89 years of age) with normal WBC (4,000–11,000 × 106/L), no existing cardiovascular disease, complete PM10 and MS data, and living in current residences > 1 year (n = 2,978; age 48.5 ± 17.8 years). Mixed-effects models were constructed to account for autocorrelation and potential confounders. Results After adjustment for demographics, socioeconomic factors, lifestyles, residential characteristics, and MS, we observed a statistically significant association between WBC count and estimated local PM10 levels (p = 0.035). Participants from the least polluted areas (1-year PM10 < 1st quartile cutoff: 27.8 μg/m3) had lower WBC counts than the others (difference = 145 × 106/L; 95% confidence interval, 10–281). We also noted a graded association between PM10 and WBC across subpopulations with increasing MS components, with 91 × 106/L difference in WBC for those with no MS versus 214, 338, and 461 × 106/L for those with 3, 4, and 5 metabolic abnormalities (trend-test p = 0.15). Conclusions Our study revealed a positive association between long-term PM exposure and hematological markers of inflammation and supported the hypothesized MS-dependent susceptibility.
Antitumor and Antibacterial Derivatives of Oridonin: A Main Composition of Dong-Ling-Cao

Isodon rubescens has been used as a traditional green tea for more than 1000 years and many medicinal functions of I. rubescens are also very useful, such as its well-known antitumor and antibacterial activities. Oridonin, a bioactive ent-kaurane diterpenoid, is the major ingredient of this medicinal tea. Herein, 22 novel oridonin derivatives were designed and synthesized. The antibacterial activity was evaluated for the first time. Compound 12 was the most promising one with MIC of 2.0 μg/mL against B. subtilis, which was nearly 3-fold stronger than positive control chloromycetin. The antiproliferative property was also assayed and compound 19 showed stronger activity than taxol. The apoptosis-inducing ability, cell cycle arrest effect at S phase and influence of mitochondrial membrane potential by 19 in CaEs-17 cancer cells were first disclosed. Based on the above results, the cell apoptosis induced by compound 19 in CaEs-17 cells was most probably involved in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.
Balance impairments in individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a comparison with matched controls using clinical tests.

OBJECTIVES To compare balance in individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and in age-, gender- and body-mass-matched controls using simple clinical measures. METHODS Thirty-three people with OA and 33 controls participated. Static postural sway [antero-posterior (AP), lateral and total] was measured using a swaymeter on two different surfaces and under two visual conditions. Dynamic standing balance was assessed using the 'step test'. RESULTS Both groups displayed similar postural sway on most variables measured. Significantly greater sway was noted in the OA group on a firm surface in both lateral (eyes open) and AP directions (eyes closed), as well as total sway (eyes closed) (P < 0.05). Poorer dynamic standing balance was observed in the OA group as evidenced by the step test (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Balance deficits can be identified in the osteoarthritic population using simple, inexpensive measures. However, the clinical relevance of the small deficits identified remains unknown and warrants further investigation.
Adenylate Kinases 1 and 2 Are Part of the Accessory Structures in the Mouse Sperm Flagellum1

Abstract Proper sperm function depends on adequate ATP levels. In the mammalian flagellum, ATP is generated in the midpiece by oxidative respiration and in the principal piece by glycolysis. In locations where ATP is rapidly utilized or produced, adenylate kinases (AKs) maintain a constant adenylate energy charge by interconverting stoichiometric amounts of ATP and AMP with two ADP molecules. We previously identified adenylate kinase 1 and 2 (AK1 and AK2) by mass spectrometry as part of a mouse SDS-insoluble flagellar preparation containing the accessory structures (fibrous sheath, outer dense fibers, and mitochondrial sheath). A germ cell-specific cDNA encoding AK1 was characterized and found to contain a truncated 3′ UTR and a different 5′ UTR compared to the somatic Ak1 mRNA; however, it encoded an identical protein. Ak1 mRNA was upregulated during late spermiogenesis, a time when the flagellum is being assembled. AK1 was first seen in condensing spermatids and was associated with the outer microtubular doublets and outer dense fibers of sperm. This localization would allow the interconversion of ATP and ADP between the fibrous sheath where ATP is produced by glycolysis and the axonemal dynein ATPases where ATP is consumed. Ak2 mRNA was expressed at relatively low levels throughout spermatogenesis, and the protein was localized to the mitochondrial sheath in the sperm midpiece. AK1 and AK2 in the flagellar accessory structures provide a mechanism to buffer the adenylate energy charge for sperm motility.
Crystal Structure of the P Pilus Rod Subunit PapA

P pili are important adhesive fibres involved in kidney infection by uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains. P pili are assembled by the conserved chaperone–usher pathway, which involves the PapD chaperone and the PapC usher. During pilus assembly, subunits are incorporated into the growing fiber via the donor–strand exchange (DSE) mechanism, whereby the chaperone's G1 β-strand that complements the incomplete immunoglobulin-fold of each subunit is displaced by the N-terminal extension (Nte) of an incoming subunit. P pili comprise a helical rod, a tip fibrillum, and an adhesin at the distal end. PapA is the rod subunit and is assembled into a superhelical right-handed structure. Here, we have solved the structure of a ternary complex of PapD bound to PapA through donor–strand complementation, itself bound to another PapA subunit through DSE. This structure provides insight into the structural basis of the DSE reaction involving this important pilus subunit. Using gel filtration chromatography and electron microscopy on a number of PapA Nte mutants, we establish that PapA differs in its mode of assembly compared with other Pap subunits, involving a much larger Nte that encompasses not only the DSE region of the Nte but also the region N-terminal to it.
On the Novikov-Shiryaev Optimal Stopping Problems in Continuous Time

Novikov and Shiryaev (2004) give explicit solutions to a class of optimal stopping problems for random walks based on other similar examples given in Darling et al. (1972). We give the analogue of their results when the random walk is replaced by a Levy process. Further we show that the solutions show no contradiction with the conjecture given in Alili and Kyprianou (2004) that there is smooth pasting at the optimal boundary if and only if the boundary of the stopping reigion is irregular for the interior of the stopping region.
The Load Slice Core microarchitecture

Driven by the motivation to expose instruction-level parallelism (ILP), microprocessor cores have evolved from simple, in-order pipelines into complex, superscalar out-of-order designs. By extracting ILP, these processors also enable parallel cache and memory operations as a useful side-effect. Today, however, the growing off-chip memory wall and complex cache hierarchies of many-core processors make cache and memory accesses ever more costly. This increases the importance of extracting memory hierarchy parallelism (MHP), while reducing the net impact of more general, yet complex and power-hungry ILP-extraction techniques. In addition, for multi-core processors operating in power- and energy-constrained environments, energy-efficiency has largely replaced single-thread performance as the primary concern. Based on this observation, we propose a core microarchitecture that is aimed squarely at generating parallel accesses to the memory hierarchy while maximizing energy efficiency. The Load Slice Core extends the efficient in-order, stall-on-use core with a second in-order pipeline that enables memory accesses and address-generating instructions to bypass stalled instructions in the main pipeline. Backward program slices containing address-generating instructions leading up to loads and stores are extracted automatically by the hardware, using a novel iterative algorithm that requires no software support or recompilation. On average, the Load Slice Core improves performance over a baseline in-order processor by 53% with overheads of only 15% in area and 22% in power, leading to an increase in energy efficiency (MIPS/Watt) over in-order and out-of-order designs by 43% and over 4.7×, respectively. In addition, for a power- and area-constrained many-core design, the Load Slice Core outperforms both in-order and out-of-order designs, achieving a 53% and 95% higher performance, respectively, thus providing an alternative direction for future many-core processors.