Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceived relational evaluation : biological, psychological, and physical health correlates

Humans have a fundamental need to belong, and being rejected or devalued elicits strong emotional reactions such as stress and anxiety (Leary, 2001). Low perceived relational evaluation (PRE), as a type of rejection, occurs when one person in a relationship believes his or her significant other does not regard his or her bond with the other person as valuable, close, or important (Leary, 2001). The goal of the research was to examine the interrelations among PRE, cortisol (biological stress), relationship quality, and physical and psychological within dating couples. Undergraduate female students (N = 109) who were involved in dating relationships completed computer-based questionnaires assessing various aspects of their current relationship as well as measures of psychological and physical health symptoms. Immediately prior to and after completing the questionnaires, participants provided saliva samples that were subsequently analyzed for cortisol levels. PRE was expected to be positively correlated with satisfaction and commitment and negatively correlated with physical and psychological health. Relationship stress was expected to be positively correlated with physical health symptoms. Neuroticism was expected to be negatively correlated with cortisol and positively correlated with psychological health and physical health symptoms. Additionally, cortisol was expected to mediate the relationship between PRE and satisfaction, commitment, psychological health, and physical health symptoms. This mediational effect was further predicted to be moderated by neuroticism. PRE was positively correlated with satisfaction and commitment and negatively correlated with psychological distress. Contrary to expectations, PRE was not significantly correlated with physical health symptoms. In addition, cortisol was not significantly related to any of the criterion variables. Therefore, neuroticism was examined as a moderator variable between PRE and the criterion variables. However, no moderation results were significant. Strengths of the research include assessing PRE for its influence on physical and psychological health and obtaining self-report and biological indicators of stress. However, the research was limited by a small sample size and small effect sizes. Future research may benefit from utilizing a longitudinal design as well as including a measure of self-esteem. PERCEIVED RELATIONAL EVALUATION: BIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CORRELATES A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts Emily Christina Banitt University of Northern Iowa July 2015
Short-term effects of a progestational contraceptive drug on food intake, resting energy expenditure, and body weight in young women.

BACKGROUND Studies showed that hormonal fluctuations that occur over the human menstrual cycle affect energy intake and expenditure. However, little is known about the possible effects on body weight regulation that may arise when these cyclic changes are suppressed with hormonal contraceptives. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine how a progestational contraceptive drug (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) affects food intake, resting energy expenditure (REE), and body weight in young women. DESIGN Twenty normal-weight women were tested in a single-blind, placebo-controlled experiment. Body weight, REE, and 3-d food intake (food provided) were measured in the follicular and luteal phases of 2 menstrual cycles before a single injection of depot medroxyprogesterone or saline solution was administered. Measurements were also taken 4 times after injection: in the luteal and follicular phases of 2 cycles in the placebo group and 2 wk apart (to mimic timing of the menstrual phases) in the drug group. RESULTS Before injection, the phase of the menstrual cycle affected both energy intake and REE. The study participants consumed more energy (4.3%; P = 0.02) and expended more energy at rest (4.3%; P = 0.0002) in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase. Comparison of pre- and postinjection means showed that treatment with the contraceptive drug had no significant effects on energy intake, REE, or body weight. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that, although phases of the menstrual cycle affected energy intake and REE, depot medroxyprogesterone acetate did not alter energy intake or expenditure or cause weight gain in young women.
Estimates for two-phase nonlinear conductors via iterated homogenization

Estimates for the overall response of two-phase nonlinear conductors are derived via an iterated homogenization approach. The approach consists in the construction of sequentially laminated microgeometries for which the overall response can be determined exactly. The estimate depends on the one- and two-point microstructural correlations through the volume fractions of each constituent phase and the H-measures of the microstructure. Sample results for power-law random conductors are provided and compared with earlier predictions. The work concludes with a discussion on the possible extremal character of sequential laminates.
Antimicrobial properties of natural honey : a review of literature

Health benefits of honey have been reported in a variety of conditions including microbial infections, wound healing, inflammation, glucose tolerance and analgesia. Honey is a supersaturated sugar solution mainly comprised of D-fructose, D-glucose, sucrose, maltose and higher sugars (~80% of solid mass). While other natural products i.e. alkaloids, flavonoids/isoflavones, glycosides, phenolics, peptides/proteins are present in minor quantities. A number of enzymes such as invertase, amylase and glucose oxidase have been found in honey. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of honey are well documented and characterized. These antimicrobial properties have been related to oligosaccharides, glycopeptides and peptides present in honey. Honey glucose oxidase provides a continuous and slow release of hydrogen peroxide at a level which is antibacterial but not tissue-damaging. Hydrogen peroxide produced by glucose oxidase plays important roles in inflammation, wound healing etc. The antimicrobial properties of honey have great potential for application in medicine as well as in food industry.
The protective effects of sciadopitysin against methylglyoxal‐induced cytotoxicity in cultured pancreatic β‐cells

Increased glycation of macromolecules via the reactive dicarbonyl and α‐oxoaldehyde methylglyoxal (MG) has shown an association with diabetes and its complications. In the present study, the protective effects of sciadopitysin against MG‐induced oxidative cell damage were investigated in the insulin‐producing pancreatic β‐cell line, RIN‐m5F cells. When exposed to MG for 48 hours, RIN‐m5F cells experienced significant loss of viability and impaired insulin secretion; however, treatment with sciadopitysin protected RIN‐m5F cells against MG‐induced cell death and decreased insulin secretion. Treatment of RIN‐m5F cells with sciadopitysin prevented MG‐induced production of interleukin‐1β, intracellular reactive oxygen species and cardiolipin peroxidation. Furthermore, sciadopitysin increased adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase phosphorylation of RIN‐m5F cells. Treatment of cells with sciadopitysin increased the activity of glyoxalase I and decreased the levels of MG‐protein adducts, indicating that sciadopitysin protects against MG‐induced protein glycation by increasing MG detoxification. Taken together, the results indicated the potential utility of sciadopitysin as an intervention against MG‐induced cell damage in pancreatic β‐cells.
Variation in Phenolic Content, Profile, and Antioxidant Activity of Seeds among Different Paeonia ostii Cultivated Populations in China

The purpose of this study was to analyze the phenolic profiles of seeds from fifteen Paeonia ostii cultivated populations in China and identify their relationship with antioxidant activities and associated environmental factors. Thirteen individual phenolic compounds were quantitatively determined by HPLC, and (+)‐catechin was the most abundant phenolic compound in the seeds. Correlation analysis showed that phenolics were the most effective antioxidant compound class by evaluating DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power. Latitude and annual rainfall had significant effects on the contents of many phenolic compounds, and elevation was only significantly correlated with gallic acid content. Within fifteen P. ostii cultivated populations, the seeds of Tongling population exhibited the highest phenolic contents and strongest antioxidant activities. These results suggest that Tongling population has a relatively high utilization value and a potential for sources of natural antioxidants.
Combining Generalized Renewal Processes with Non-Extensive Entropy-Based q-Distributions for Reliability Applications

The Generalized Renewal Process (GRP) is a probabilistic model for repairable systems that can represent the usual states of a system after a repair: as new, as old, or in a condition between new and old. It is often coupled with the Weibull distribution, widely used in the reliability context. In this paper, we develop novel GRP models based on probability distributions that stem from the Tsallis’ non-extensive entropy, namely the q-Exponential and the q-Weibull distributions. The q-Exponential and Weibull distributions can model decreasing, constant or increasing failure intensity functions. However, the power law behavior of the q-Exponential probability density function for specific parameter values is an advantage over the Weibull distribution when adjusting data containing extreme values. The q-Weibull probability distribution, in turn, can also fit data with bathtub-shaped or unimodal failure intensities in addition to the behaviors already mentioned. Therefore, the q-Exponential-GRP is an alternative for the Weibull-GRP model and the q-Weibull-GRP generalizes both. The method of maximum likelihood is used for their parameters’ estimation by means of a particle swarm optimization algorithm, and Monte Carlo simulations are performed for the sake of validation. The proposed models and algorithms are applied to examples involving reliability-related data of complex systems and the obtained results suggest GRP plus q-distributions are promising techniques for the analyses of repairable systems.
Microbial diversity of thermophiles with biomass deconstruction potential in a foliage‐rich hot spring

The ability of thermophilic microorganisms and their enzymes to decompose biomass have attracted attention due to their quick reaction time, thermostability, and decreased risk of contamination. Exploitation of efficient thermostable glycoside hydrolases (GHs) could accelerate the industrialization of biofuels and biochemicals. However, the full spectrum of thermophiles and their enzymes that are important for biomass degradation at high temperatures have not yet been thoroughly studied. We examined a Malaysian Y‐shaped Sungai Klah hot spring located within a wooded area. The fallen foliage that formed a thick layer of biomass bed under the heated water of the Y‐shaped Sungai Klah hot spring was an ideal environment for the discovery and analysis of microbial biomass decay communities. We sequenced the hypervariable regions of bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA genes using total community DNA extracted from the hot spring. Data suggested that 25 phyla, 58 classes, 110 orders, 171 families, and 328 genera inhabited this hot spring. Among the detected genera, members of Acidimicrobium, Aeropyrum, Caldilinea, Caldisphaera, Chloracidobacterium, Chloroflexus, Desulfurobacterium, Fervidobacterium, Geobacillus, Meiothermus, Melioribacter, Methanothermococcus, Methanotorris, Roseiflexus, Thermoanaerobacter, Thermoanaerobacterium, Thermoanaerobaculum, and Thermosipho were the main thermophiles containing various GHs that play an important role in cellulose and hemicellulose breakdown. Collectively, the results suggest that the microbial community in this hot spring represents a good source for isolating efficient biomass degrading thermophiles and thermozymes.
Relations of body fat distribution and height with cataract in men.

BACKGROUND Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)) is a risk factor for cataract, but other anthropometric measurements may also be important. OBJECTIVE We tested relations of alternative measures of body size, including height and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), as well as BMI, with cataract. DESIGN This was a prospective follow-up study. We analyzed data from 20271 participants in the Physicians' Health Study who did not have cataract at baseline and for whom there was complete information on weight, height, and other risk factors. For analyses concerning WHR, we excluded 3121 additional men for whom we did not have these measurements, assessed at the ninth year of follow-up. The main outcome measures were incident cataract and cataract surgery. RESULTS Among the 17150 men for whom there were complete data, we confirmed an incident cataract in 1727 during an average of 14 y of follow-up. In proportional hazards regression models that adjusted for many known or suspected risk factors, higher BMI [rate ratio (RR) = 1.25 for >/=27.8 compared with <22, P: for trend = 0. 03], height (RR = 1.23 for >/=184 cm compared with </=170 cm, P: for trend = 0.02), and WHR (RR = 1.31 for top compared with bottom quintile, P: for trend = 0.003) were each independently associated with incident cataract. CONCLUSIONS In addition to BMI, both height and abdominal adiposity are independent risk factors for cataract. These relations are biologically plausible and, if causal, suggest that prevention of obesity and beneficial lifestyle changes resulting in weight loss and reduction of central obesity would lessen the incidence and costs of cataract.
Meta‐analysis of test accuracy studies using imputation for partial reporting of multiple thresholds

For tests reporting continuous results, primary studies usually provide test performance at multiple but often different thresholds. This creates missing data when performing a meta‐analysis at each threshold. A standard meta‐analysis (no imputation [NI]) ignores such missing data. A single imputation (SI) approach was recently proposed to recover missing threshold results. Here, we propose a new method that performs multiple imputation of the missing threshold results using discrete combinations (MIDC).
Microstructural Study and Mechanical Properties of Dissimilar Friction Stir Welded AA5083-H111 and AA6082-T6 Reinforced with SiC Nanoparticles

Dissimilar friction stir welds were produced in 3 mm thick plates of AA6082-T6 and AA5083-H111 aluminum alloys using SiC as reinforcing material. The optimum weld presents a good distribution of nanoparticles in the weld nugget and mechanical mixing of the two alloys as well as further grain refinement compared to the one without nanoparticles. Higher hardness in the weld nugget is also evidenced, followed by enhanced ultimate tensile strength and elongation values. All specimens, after the tensile test, were lead to fracture at the heat affected zone of AA6082-T6 and specifically at the region of the lowest hardness.
An in situ correlative STEM‐EDS and HRTEM based nanoscale chemical characterization of solid–liquid interfaces in an aluminium alloy

The chemistry and the structure of solid–liquid interface in an Al‐Si based alloy during high temperature phase transformation were characterized at nanoscale using scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy‐EDS and HRTEM. Such studies were until recently limited by large sample drift associated with conventional heating holders. This study was made possible thanks to the modern low‐drift MEMS‐chip based localized heating technology. The results reveal that (i) the structural interface between solid (111) oriented Si phase and the liquid phase (i.e. decay of crystalline order) coexisting at 600°C is 3.2 nm wide (ii) the STEM‐EDS chemical maps show inhomogeneous distribution of the elements with the solid phase being rich in Si and the liquid phase rich in Al (iii) the HRTEM and the HAADF images display respectively dark and bright intensity bands along the interface which could be due to apparent enrichment of Cu at the interface region resulting in enhanced amplitude‐contrast (darker band in HRTEM) and Z‐contrast (bright band in HAADF) and (iv) intriguingly, the concentration profiles within (i.e. compositional width) and across the solid–liquid interface display element‐specific complex and asymmetric variation in the chemical widths.
Factors that influence student pursuit of science careers; the role of gender, ethnicity, family and friends

This study adds to a body of research reporting on pupils’ choices and outcomes in relation to science. The article reports on 536 Scottish pupils’ perceptions regarding reported intention to choose careers in science, with further analysis in terms of family, friends, gender and ethnicity. The pupils, aged 14-15, from 5 schools in one Scottish education authority, thought that science is important and scientific careers are good. Pupils had evenly balanced views and attitudes towards science, but just over one third (38.7%) of all respondents indicated that they were considering a career in science. The major factor influencing pupils’ career choices in Scotland seemed to be their perception of whether their parents want them to pursue a career in science.
The Pharmacological Activities of Licorice

Abstract Licorice is one of the oldest and most frequently used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. It contains more than 20 triterpenoids and 300 flavonoids. In recent years, a lot of studies have reported that the active compounds isolated from licorice possess antitumor, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and several other activities that contribute to the recovery and protection of the nervous, alimentary, respiratory, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems. In this paper, nine different pharmacological activities of licorice are summarized. The active compounds responsible for these pharmacological activities, the molecular mechanisms, and in vivo and in vitro studies are listed in detail. Furthermore, the clinical therapeutics and toxicity studies of licorice are also discussed. We hope this work can provide a basis for further studies concerning with the safe and effective use of licorice.
Intestinal Protease-Activated Receptor-2 and Fecal Serine Protease Activity are Increased in Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease and May Contribute to Intestinal Cytokine Expression

ABSTRACT Serine proteases elicit cellular responses via protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) which is known to regulate inflammation and the immune response. Although the gastrointestinal tract is exposed to large amounts of proteolytic enzymes, the role of PAR-2 in canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of PAR-2 activation on inflammatory cytokine/chemokine gene expression in canine intestine and the expression of intestinal PAR-2 and fecal serine protease activity in dogs with IBD. Duodenal biopsies from healthy dogs were cultured and treated ex vivo with trypsin or PAR-2 agonist peptide, and inflammatory cytokine/chemokine gene expression in the tissues was then quantified by real-time PCR. PAR-2 mRNA and protein expression levels in the duodenal mucosa were examined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Fecal serine protease activity was determined by azocasein assay. In ex vivo-cultured duodenum, trypsin and PAR-2 agonist peptide induced significant up-regulation of mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1 β (IL-1β), IL-8, mucosae-associated epithelial chemokine (MEC) and fractalkine, and this up-regulation was inhibited by a serine protease inhibitor. Duodenal PAR-2 mRNA and protein expression levels were higher in dogs with IBD than in healthy control dogs. Fecal serine protease activity was significantly elevated in dogs with IBD, and the level of activity correlated positively with the clinical severity score. These results suggest that PAR-2 may contribute to the pathogenesis of canine IBD by inducing expression of inflammatory mediators in response to luminal serine proteases.
Rice bran oil, not fiber, lowers cholesterol in humans.

BACKGROUND The cholesterol-lowering abilities of rice bran's fiber and oil apart from its fatty acid composition remain unclear. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to assess the effects of defatted rice bran and rice bran oil in an average American diet on blood lipids in moderately hypercholesterolemic persons. DESIGN Study 1 used a parallel-arm design. Twenty-six healthy volunteers consumed a diet with 13-22 g dietary fiber/d for 3 wk, and then 13 of the volunteers were switched to a diet with defatted rice bran to double the fiber intake for 5 wk. Study 2 was a randomized, crossover, 10-wk feeding study performed in 14 volunteers who consumed a diet with rice bran oil (1/3 of the total dietary fat) substituted for an oil blend that had a fatty acid composition similar to that of the rice bran oil. Serum lipids and factor VII were measured in both studies. RESULTS Defatted rice bran did not lower lipid concentrations. In study 2, total cholesterol was significantly lower with consumption of the diet containing rice bran oil than with consumption of the control diet. Moreover, with consumption of the rice bran oil diet, LDL cholesterol decreased by 7% (P < 0.0004), whereas HDL cholesterol was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS Rice bran oil, not fiber, lowers cholesterol in healthy, moderately hypercholesterolemic adults. There were no substantial differences in the fatty acid composition of the diets; therefore, the reduction of cholesterol was due to other components present in the rice bran oil, such as unsaponifiable compounds.
The venous thrombosis of the pancreatic graft.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Venous thrombosis of the pancreatic graft is the main nonimmunological cause of the loss of transplants. It has a frequency between 0.8 to 20% according to literature. In this study our team tried to identify the risk factors related to the donor, the recipient including the surgical techniques involved. METHODS The study was conducted in the Department of Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Strasbourg-Hautepierre. 37 patients, with type I diabetes who had been submitted to 7 transplantations of segmentary pancreas and 30 of total pancreas and kidney during 09.07. 1992 and 14.08. 2006 were included in the study. The surgery comprised the retroperitoneal placement of the pancreas and kidney and the anastomosis with the urinary bladder. RESULTS In the immediate evolution we observed 4 thromboses (10.5%). All 4 thromboses were in the group of kidney and total pancreas transplantations. Two of these 4 patients were retransplanted and presented recurrence of thrombosis at 17 days and 1 year. CONCLUSIONS To prevent thrombosis, it is necessary to perform surgery which avoids unnecessary handling and which ensures broad, tension free vascular anastomoses. The method of early monitoring by pulsed Doppler related to the biological data and the clinical state are suggestive to diagnose thrombosis. The venous thrombosis of the graft implies pancreatic explantation. Retransplantation in patients who have undergone thrombosis of the graft is possible only in well selected patients.