Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cystathionine-β-Synthase Gene Transfer Into Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla Exacerbates Hypertension via Nitric Oxide in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

BACKGROUND Rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) plays a crucial role in the central regulation of cardiovascular functions. Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) is a major hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-generating enzyme that has been identified mainly in the brain. The present study was designed to examine CBS expression and determine its roles and mechanisms of regulating sympathetic outflow and blood pressure (BP) in the RVLM in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS AND RESULTS CBS expression was decreased in the RVLM in SHR compared to Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Accumulating evidences suggest that H2S interacts with nitric oxide (NO) to regulate cardiovascular function. Therefore, we hypothesize that the decrease in CBS expression in the RVLM may be involved in the disorder of l-arginine/NO pathway, which subsequently affects BP in SHR. Overexpression of CBS in the RVLM caused significant increases in BP, heart rate, and urinary norepinephrine excretion in SHR but not in WKY. Acute experiments were carried out at day 7 after gene transfer. NO metabolite levels, neuronal NO synthase, and γ-amino butyric acid were decreased in SHR after CBS gene transfer. Furthermore, pressor responses to microinjection of NG-monomethyl-l-arginine into RVLM were blunt in SHR transfected with AdCBS compared to SHR transfected with AdEGFP. CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of CBS in the RVLM elicits enhanced pressor responses in SHR, but not in WKY, and the NO system is involved in these effects. The results suggest that alterations of H2S signaling in the brain may be associated with the development of hypertension.
Control by quantum dynamics on graphs

We address the study of controllability of a closed quantum system whose dynamical Lie algebra is generated by adjacency matrices of graphs. We characterize a large family of graphs that renders a system controllable. The key property is a graph-theoretic feature consisting of a particularly disordered cycle structure. Disregarding efficiency of control functions, but choosing subfamilies of sparse graphs, the results translate into continuous-time quantum walks for universal computation.
Component Based Design of MultitoleranceAnish

The concept of multitolerance abstracts problems in system dependability and provides a basis for improved design of dependable systems. In the abstraction, each source of undependability in the system is represented as a class of faults, and the corresponding ability of the system to deal with that undependability source is represented as a type of tolerance. Multitolerance thus refers to the ability of the system to tolerate multiple fault-classes, each in a possibly diierent way. In this paper, we present a component based method for designing multitolerance. Two types of components are employed by the method, namely detectors and correctors. A theory of detectors, correctors, and their interference-free composition with intolerant programs is developed, that enables stepwise addition of components to provide tolerance to a new fault-class while preserving the tolerances to the previously added fault-classes. We illustrate the method by designing a fully distributed, multitolerant program for a token ring.
Making the Switch: Alternatives to Fetal Bovine Serum for Adipose-Derived Stromal Cell Expansion

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are being used extensively in clinical trials. These trials require that ASCs are prepared using good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and are safe for use in humans. The majority of clinical trials in which ASCs are expanded make use of fetal bovine serum (FBS). While FBS is used traditionally in the research setting for in vitro expansion, it does carry the risk of xenoimmunization and zoonotic transmission when used for expanding cells destined for therapeutic purposes. In order to ensure a GMP quality product for cellular therapy, in vitro expansion of ASCs has been undertaken using xeno-free (XF), chemically-defined, and human blood-derived alternatives. These investigations usually include the criteria proposed by the International Society of Cellular Therapy (ISCT) and International Fat Applied Technology Society (IFATS). The majority of studies use these criteria to compare plastic-adherence, morphology, the immunophenotype and the trilineage differentiation of ASCs under the different medium supplemented conditions. Based on these studies, all of the alternatives to FBS seem to be suitable replacements; however, each has its own advantages and drawbacks. Very few studies have investigated the effects of the supplements on the immunomodulation of ASCs; the transcriptome, proteome and secretome; and the ultimate effects in appropriate animal models. The selection of medium supplementation will depend on the downstream application of the ASCs and their efficacy and safety in preclinical studies.
Dark matter halo properties of GAMA galaxy groups from 100 square degrees of KiDS weak lensing data

The Kilo-Degree Survey is an optical wide-field survey designed to map the matter distribution in the Universe using weak gravitational lensing. In this paper, we use these data to measure the density profiles and masses of a sample of ∼1400 spectroscopically identified galaxy groups and clusters from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly survey. We detect a highly significant signal (signal-to-noise-ratio ∼120), allowing us to study the properties of dark matter haloes over one and a half order of magnitude in mass, from M ∼ 1013–1014.5 h−1 M⊙. We interpret the results for various subsamples of groups using a halo model framework which accounts for the mis-centring of the brightest cluster galaxy (used as the tracer of the group centre) with respect to the centre of the group's dark matter halo. We find that the density profiles of the haloes are well described by an NFW profile with concentrations that agree with predictions from numerical simulations. In addition, we constrain scaling relations between the mass and a number of observable group properties. We find that the mass scales with the total r-band luminosity as a power law with slope 1.16 ± 0.13 (1σ) and with the group velocity dispersion as a power law with slope 1.89 ± 0.27 (1σ). Finally, we demonstrate the potential of weak lensing studies of groups to discriminate between models of baryonic feedback at group scales by comparing our results with the predictions from the Cosmo-OverWhelmingly Large Simulations project, ruling out models without AGN feedback.
Comparing Clines on Molecular and Phenotypic Traits in Hybrid Zones: A Window on Tension Zone Models

Abstract The study of zones of secondary contact provides insight into the maintenance of reproductive isolation. Tension zone theory supplies powerful tools for assessing how dispersal and selection shape hybrid zones. We present a multimodal analysis of phenotypic clines in conjunction with clines at molecular markers in a hybrid zone between Larus glaucescens and Larus occidentalis. We developed a new method to analyze simultaneously clines of quantitative traits and molecular data. Low linkage disequilibrium and the lack of coincidence between clines at six microsatellites, a mitochondrial DNA region, and two phenotypic traits indicated introgression. However, the hypothesis of neutral diffusion was rejected based on evidence that all of the clines were concordant and narrower than expected for neutral clines, indicating some indirect selection. The analysis of phenotypic variance gave evidence of restricted phenotypic introgression and together with the bimodal distribution of phenotypes suggested that disruptive selection is acting across the hybrid zone, especially on the coloration of bare parts. Multimodal analysis of phenotypic clines also highlighted a shift between the peak of intermediates and the cline center, left behind by hybrid zone motion. High-resolution analysis of phenotypes distribution thus proved useful for detecting hybrid zone movement even without temporal data.
Sensitivity to reward and punishment: Associations with fat and sugar intake among South African students

This study examined whether higher sensitivity to reward predicted higher fat and sugar intake among a sample of South African students at a university in the Western Cape and explored whether this relationship was mediated by food cue responsivity. It also examined whether sensitivity to punishment predicted higher fat and sugar intake among those who eat in response to anxiety. University students (n = 320) completed a series of questionnaires that measured sensitivity to reward and punishment, diet, their tendency towards hedonic eating, and their tendency towards eating in response to anxiety. Results showed that higher sensitivity to reward predicted higher fat intake. This relationship was partially mediated by eating in response to food-rich environments (hedonic eating). Sensitivity to punishment failed to predict diet. The results of this study add to the growing body of evidence showing a relationship between sensitivity to reward and eating behaviours, and how this relationship might play out in a university environment.
A historical subject-didactical genetic analysis of Life Skills education in early childhood

The assumption of educationists is that the teaching of Beginning Knowledge, situated in the Life Skills subject within the Foundation Phase curriculum, is not as important as the education of Literacy and Mathematics to learners. However, scholarly work has conveyed that the acquisition and comprehension of Beginning Knowledge concepts and skills, developed through Geography, History, Natural Sciences, and Technology knowledge bases, is essential for cultivating scientific literate citizens for a democratic society and essential knowledge and skills for an ever-changing future. The purpose of this historical research inquiry was to explicate how the subject Beginning Knowledge has developed historically, by means of critically analysing international and national views on Education, Society and Technology over a period of six hundred and fifteen years. These three accounts were interpreted, by using a hybrid theoretical framework (CulturalHistorical Activity Theory, Ecological Systems Theory, and Media Theory), to explain the complex nature and development of Beginning Knowledge education in the Foundation Phase in South Africa. The significance of the inquiry is not only in the unique methodological and theoretical framework utilised to investigate the phenomenon, but also the first ever intellectual mapping of this subject within a South African context. It also has the potential for serving as an impetus for future debates and research, especially in South Africa, on the importance of teaching Beginning Knowledge in the Foundation Phase to cater for the necessities of future societies. This historical research inquiry also announces the compelling truth that Foundation Phase teachers should be trained adequately, with sophisticated knowledge about Beginning Knowledge and how to teach the subject optimally to our future generation of Foundation Phase learners. In the words of Vygotsky in Doyla: “Education must be orientated not towards the yesterday of child development but towards its tomorrow” (2010, p. 10). Key terms: Beginning Knowledge, Foundation Phase, Life Skills, Hybrid Cultural-Historical Activity Theory, Historical analysis, Sciences Education, South Africa.
LOGIC OF FIXED POINTS AND SCOTT TOPOLOGY

Domains with Scott topologies are frequently dened as sets of xed points of retractions or, more generally, arbitrary Scott continuous transformations of domains. For the case of retractions, the logical approach to this technique was developed by Hoofman under the name of continuous information systems. We present this approach for general Scott continuous transformations, together with its underly- ing intuition, a number of applications to closure operations and nitary retractions in the algebraic case, and a spectrum of outstanding open problems.
Authentic leadership in context: An analysis of banking CEO narratives during the global financial crisis

The concept of authentic leadership rose to prominence through its idealization as an inherently moral and universally desirable trait. We problematize this romantic notion by exploring how the ‘authenticity’ of the CEOs of four major Australian banks was discursively constructed before and during the global financial crisis (GFC). Using multimodal discourse analysis of media texts, we show how what it meant to be an ‘authentic leader’ was co-constructed differently by the CEOs and the media. We also highlight the dynamic nature of context, where the GFC was variously framed by and for each of the CEOs. Our study challenges the acontextual notion of authentic leadership by showing how a discursively constructed context can reinforce or undermine leaders’ narratives of authenticity.
String Quartet Classification with Monophonic Models

Polyphonic music classification remains a very challenging area in the field of music information retrieval. In this study, we explore the performance of monophonic models on single parts that are extracted from the polyphony. The presented method is specifically designed for the case of voiced polyphony, but can be extended to any type of music with multiple parts. On a dataset of 207 Haydn and Mozart string quartet movements, global feature models with standard machine learning classifiers are compared with a monophonicn-gram model for the task of composer recognition. Global features emerging from feature selection are presented, and future guidelines for the research of polyphonic music are outlined.
The adsorption of nitrogen oxides on crystalline ice

The partitioning of nitrogen oxides between ice and air is important to the ozone budget in the upper tro- posphere. In the present study, the adsorption of nitrogen oxides on ice was investigated at atmospheric pressure us- ing a chromatographic technique with low concentrations of radioactively labelled nitrogen oxides. The measured reten- tions solely depended on molecular adsorption and were not influenced by dimerisation, formation of encapsulated hy- drates on the ice surface, dissociation of the acids, nor by mi- gration into a quasi-liquid layer or grain boundaries. Based on the chromatographic retention and the model of thermo- chromatography, the adsorption enthalpies of 20 kJ mol 1 for NO, 22 kJ mol 1 for NO2, 30 kJ mol 1 for peroxy- acetyl nitrate, 32 kJ mol 1 for HONO and 44 kJ mol 1 for HNO3 were calculated. To assess the adsorption en- thalpies, standard adsorption entropies were calculated based on statistical thermodynamics. In this work, the use of two different standard states was demonstrated. Conse- quently different values of the standard adsorption entropy, of either between 39 J(K mol) 1 and 45 J(K mol) 1 , or 164 J(K mol) 1 and 169 J(K mol) 1 for each nitrogen oxide were deduced. The adsorption enthalpy derived from the measurements, was independent of the choice of standard state. A brief outlook on environmental implications of our findings indicates that adsorption on ice might be an impor- tant removal process of HNO3. In addition, it might be of some importance for HONO and peroxyacetyl nitrate and ir- relevant for NO and NO2.
Quadrupedal locomotion using hierarchical operational space control

This paper presents the application of operational space control based on hierarchical task optimization for quadrupedal locomotion. We show how the behavior of a complex robotic machine can be described by a simple set of least squares problems with different priorities for motion, torque, and force optimization. Using projected dynamics of floating base systems with multiple contact points, the optimization dimensionality can be reduced or decoupled such that the formulation is purely based on the inversion of kinematic system properties. The present controller is extensively tested in various experiments using the fully torque controllable quadrupedal robot StarlETH. The load distribution is optimized for static walking gaits to improve contact stability and/or actuator efficiency under various terrain conditions. This is augmented with simultaneous joint position and torque limitations as well as with an interpolation method to ensure smooth contact transitions. The same control structure is further used to stabilize dynamic trotting gaits under significant external disturbances such as uneven ground or pushes. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first documentation of static and dynamic locomotion with pure task-space inverse dynamics (no joint position feedback) control.
Herbal Therapies and Social-Health Policies: Indigenous Ati Negrito Women's Dilemma and Reproductive Healthcare Transitions in the Philippines

The high maternal mortality in the Philippines in the past decades prompted intervention strategies to curb unwanted deaths of mothers and improve health and social conditions of women. Such introductions however have begun to challenge traditional reproductive health practices creating confusion among practitioners and incipient transitions in healthcare. Our aim in this study was to document the herbal therapies practiced by indigenous Ati Negrito women and discuss the implications of social and conventional healthcare intervention programs on reproductive healthcare traditions by conducting semistructured interviews. Fidelity Level index was used to determine culturally important plants (i.e., the most preferred). Review of related studies on most preferred plants and therapies was further carried out to provide information regarding their safety/efficacy (or otherwise). Determination of informants' traditional medicinal knowledge was done using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. A total of 49 medicinal plants used in treating female reproductive health-related syndromes across four categories were recorded. Significant differences in traditional medicinal knowledge were recorded when informants were grouped according to age, education, and number of children. Issues discussed in this research could hopefully raise awareness on changes in healthcare practices in indigenous cultures and on medical safety especially when traditional and conventional medications interact.
Young children's perceptions of peer obesity in the context of other visible differences

The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity is of serious concern due to its negative physical health and psychosocial consequences. Overweight and obese children often become the target of negative stereotypes and weight-based stigmatisation, and it has been suggested that anti-fat attitudes are held by children as young as three years old. This study aimed to address methodological limitations in the current literature by engaging young children in qualitative research to explore their attitudes towards fatness in the context of other visible differences. 85 children aged 4 – 6 took part in a semi-structured interview using a dyadic approach within Kelly’s repertory grid methodology. The children were asked about the visibility and desirability of physical differences in four illustrated characters. They were also asked about their self-image and friendship preferences, and the reasons for their answers. Data from the repertory grids were analysed quantitatively and thematic analysis was used to explore the qualitative data resulting from open-ended interview questions. The results showed that the majority of children did not consider fatness to be the primary differentiating physical characteristic between peers. They showed a general preference for categorical similarity in their friendship choices and did not demonstrate predominant negativity towards fatness when considering their actual and ideal self-image. There were, however, a minority of children who identified negative characterisations and beliefs, which were reflective of fat stereotypes in the media, and that are evidenced in first hand reports by people with obesity. The findings indicate that negativity towards fatness amongst this age group have been previously overstated due to the nature of the research methods used. The repertory grid methodology enabled the direction of the study to be guided by the children, which allowed the expression of a few specific anti-fat attitudes within the broader context of negativity towards other ‘not-like-me’ visible differences.
Relieving pain using dose-extending placebos

Placebos are often used by clinicians, usually deceptively and with little rationale or evidence of benefit, making their use ethically problematic. In contrast with their typical current use, a provocative line of research suggests that placebos can be intentionally exploited to extend analgesic therapeutic effects. Is it possible to extend the effects of drug treatments by interspersing placebos? We reviewed a database of placebo studies, searching for studies that indicate that placebos given after repeated administration of active treatments acquire medication-like effects. We found a total of 22 studies in both animals and humans hinting of evidence that placebos may work as a sort of dose extender of active painkillers. Wherever effective in relieving clinical pain, such placebo use would offer several advantages. First, extending the effects of a painkiller through the use of placebos may reduce total drug intake and side effects. Second, dose-extending placebos may decrease patient dependence. Third, using placebos along with active medication, for part of the course of treatment, should limit dose escalation and lower costs. Provided that nondisclosure is preauthorized in the informed consent process and that robust evidence indicates therapeutic benefit comparable to that of standard full-dose therapeutic regimens, introducing dose-extending placebos into the clinical arsenal should be considered. This novel prospect of placebo use has the potential to change our general thinking about painkiller treatments, the typical regimens of painkiller applications, and the ways in which treatments are evaluated.
Facebook and Teenagers: Investigating Changes of Perceived Peer Pressures for Romantic Relationship Involvement Based on Facebook Attachment

Facebook and Teenagers: Investigating Changes of Perceived Peer Pressures for Romantic Relationship Involvement Based on Facebook Attachment by Courtney Lynn Weiss Bennett MS, Florida State University, 2006 BS, Florida State University, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University February 2017
Zyxin, a Regulator of Actin Filament Assembly, Targets the Mitotic Apparatus by Interacting with H-Warts/Lats1 Tumor Suppressor

The mitotic apparatus plays a pivotal role in dividing cells to ensure each daughter cell receives a full set of chromosomes and complement of cytoplasm during mitosis. A human homologue of the Drosophila warts tumor suppressor, h-warts/LATS1, is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase and a dynamic component of the mitotic apparatus. We have identified an interaction of h-warts/LATS1 with zyxin, a regulator of actin filament assembly. Zyxin is a component of focal adhesion, however, during mitosis a fraction of cytoplasmic-dispersed zyxin becomes associated with h-warts/LATS1 on the mitotic apparatus. We found that zyxin is phosphorylated specifically during mitosis, most likely by Cdc2 kinase, and that the phosphorylation regulates association with h-warts/LATS1. Furthermore, microinjection of truncated h-warts/LATS1 protein, including the zyxin-binding portion, interfered with localization of zyxin to mitotic apparatus, and the duration of mitosis of these injected cells was significantly longer than that of control cells. These findings suggest that h-warts/LATS1 and zyxin play a crucial role in controlling mitosis progression by forming a regulatory complex on mitotic apparatus.