Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of ovarian steroids on basal and oxytocin-induced prostaglandin F2alpha secretion from pig endometrial cells.

These studies were undertaken to determine how treatment with 100 nM progesterone and/or 10 nM oestradiol-17beta acutely (3 h; Experiment 1) or chronically (72 h; Experiments 2-4) influenced basal and oxytocin (OT)-stimulated prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) secretion, in enriched cultures of pig endometrial luminal epithelial, glandular epithelial and stromal cells obtained on Day 16 (Experiments 1, 2 and 4) or Day 12 (Experiment 3) after oestrus. In Experiment 1, acute treatment with progesterone stimulated PGF(2alpha) secretion from each cell type on Day 16, whereas acute oestradiol treatment inhibited the stimulatory action of progesterone on PGF(2alpha) secretion only in glandular epithelial cells. In Experiment 2, OT stimulated phospholipase (PL) C activity in luminal epithelial cells on Day 16 only in the presence of chronic oestradiol treatment. For glandular epithelial cells on Day 16, OT stimulated PLC activity only in the presence of chronic treatment with steroid. In stromal cells on Day 16, OT stimulated PLC activity in the absence of steroids and the response to OT was further enhanced by oestradiol. In the absence of chronic treatment with steroid, OT did not stimulate PGF(2alpha) secretion from luminal epithelial cells, but oestradiol induced a response to OT. For glandular epithelial cells, OT-induced PGF(2alpha) secretion was not altered by steroids, whereas the stimulatory response to OT was inhibited by oestradiol or progesterone in stromal cells. For endometrial cells obtained on Day 12 after oestrus in Experiment 3, OT only stimulated PGF(2alpha) release from glandular epithelial and stromal cells. For luminal epithelial cells obtained on Day 16 after oestrus and cultured under polarizing conditions in Experiment 4, secretion of PGF(2alpha) occurred preferentially from the basolateral surface and was stimulated by OT more from the basolateral surface than from the apical surface. Oxytocin-induced PGF(2alpha) secretion from the apical surface was enhanced by chronic treatment with oestradiol, whereas that from the basolateral surface was enhanced by chronic treatment with progesterone. In summary, oestradiol enhanced OT-induced PGF(2alpha) secretion from the apical surface of luminal epithelial cells and reduced the response of stromal cells to OT, actions that may contribute to the reorientation of PGF(2alpha) from endocrine secretion (i.e. towards the uterine vasculature) to exocrine secretion (i.e. towards the uterine lumen) during pregnancy recognition in pigs.
Direction of heading from image deformations

A method is proposed to compute the direction of heading from the differential changes in the angles between the projection rays of pairs of point features. These angles, the image deformations, do not depend on viewer rotation. The key problem of separating the effects of rotation from those of translation is solved at the input. Experiments show both the feasibility of the method on real images and the advantages of using deformation rather than optical flow. <<ETX>>
Two-dimensional gyrokinetic turbulence

Two-dimensional gyrokinetics is a simple paradigm for the study of kinetic magnetised plasma turbulence. In this paper, we present a comprehensive theoretical framework for this turbulence. We study both the inverse and direct cascades (the ‘dual cascade’), driven by a homogeneous and isotropic random forcing. The key characteristic length of gyrokinetics, the Larmor radius, divides scales into two physically distinct ranges. For scales larger than the Larmor radius, we derive the familiar Charney–Hasegawa–Mima equation from the gyrokinetic system, and explain its relationship to gyrokinetics. At scales smaller than the Larmor radius, a dual cascade occurs in phase space (two dimensions in position space plus one dimension in velocity space) via a nonlinear phase-mixing process. We show that at these sub-Larmor scales, the turbulence is self-similar and exhibits power-law spectra in position and velocity space. We propose a Hankel-transform formalism to characterise velocity-space spectra. We derive the exact relations for third-order structure functions, analogous to Kolmogorov's four-fifths and Yaglom's four-thirds laws and valid at both long and short wavelengths. We show how the general gyrokinetic invariants are related to the particular invariants that control the dual cascade in the long- and short-wavelength limits. We describe the full range of cascades from the fluid to the fully kinetic range.
Digital image watermarking using balanced multiwavelets

In this paper, a robust watermarking algorithm using balanced multiwavelet transform is proposed. The latter transform achieves simultaneous orthogonality and symmetry without requiring any input prefiltering. Therefore, considerable reduction in computational complexity is possible, making this transform a good candidate for real-time watermarking implementations such as audio broadcast monitoring and DVD video watermarking. The embedding scheme is image adaptive using a modified version of a well-established perceptual model. Therefore, the strength of the embedded watermark is controlled according to the local properties of the host image. This has been achieved by the proposed perceptual model, which is only dependent on the image activity and is not dependent on the multifilter sets used, unlike those developed for scalar wavelets. This adaptivity is a key factor for achieving the imperceptibility requirement often encountered in watermarking applications. In addition, the watermark embedding scheme is based on the principles of spread-spectrum communications to achieve higher watermark robustness. The optimal bounds for the embedding capacity are derived using a statistical model for balanced multiwavelet coefficients of the host image. The statistical model is based on a generalized Gaussian distribution. Limits of data hiding capacity clearly show that balanced multiwavelets provide higher watermarking rates. This increase could also be exploited as a side channel for embedding watermark synchronization recovery data. Finally, the analytical expressions are contrasted with experimental results where the robustness of the proposed watermarking system is evaluated against standard watermarking attacks.
Graph minor approach for application mapping on CGRAs

Coarse-grained reconfigurable arrays (CGRA) exhibit high performance, improved flexibility, low cost, and power efficiency for various application domains. Compute-intensive loop kernels are mapped to CGRA through modified modulo scheduling algorithms that integrate placement and routing. Most existing approaches are heavily influenced by VLIW compilation and FPGA synthesis techniques. A salient feature of these approaches is that data routing from a single source node to multiple destination nodes follow independent paths leading to resource wastage and hence inefficient schedule.We transform the CGRA mapping problem with route sharing into a graph minor problem. Our graph minor formalization provides a solid foundation for application mapping on CGRA. We provide an efficient framework based on graph mapping to solve this problem. Experimental validation shows that our approach leads to higher performance compared to state-of-the-art solutions with better resource utilization and minimal compilation time.
Simile in English: from description to translation

Simile is much less investigated than metaphor, although it occurs as frequently in discourse. This paper aims to provide an account of similes in English, which serves as the starting point for an exploration of the problems they can pose when translated into Italian. First, it deals with the nature and function of similes, the criteria for their classification, and their interpretation. Then, it examines a range of similes illustrating the translation problems they can pose, and discusses the strategies to adopt for each problem stated. The data discussed are taken from English texts belonging to various textual genres, and their translations into Italian.
On the relationship between convex bodies related to correlation experiments with dichotomic observables

In this paper we explore further the connections between convex bodies related to quantum correlation experiments with dichotomic variables and related bodies studied in combinatorial optimization, especially cut polyhedra. Such a relationship was established in Avis et al (2005 J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 38 10971–87) with respect to Bell inequalities. We show that several well-known bodies related to cut polyhedra are equivalent to bodies such as those defined by Tsirelson (1993 Hadronic J. Suppl. 8 329–45) to represent hidden deterministic behaviours, quantum behaviours and no-signalling behaviours. Among other things, our results allow a unique representation of these bodies, give a necessary condition for vertices of the no-signalling polytope, and give a method for bounding the quantum violation of Bell inequalities by means of a body that contains the set of quantum behaviours. Optimization over this latter body may be performed efficiently by semidefinite programming. In the second part of the paper we apply these results to the study of classical correlation functions. We provide a complete list of tight inequalities for the two party case with (m, n) dichotomic observables when m = 4, n = 4 and when min{m, n} ≤ 3, and give a new general family of correlation inequalities.
Alterations in MurM, a Cell Wall Muropeptide Branching Enzyme, Increase High-Level Penicillin and Cephalosporin Resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae

ABSTRACT We report that alteration in MurM, an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of branched-stem cell wall muropeptides, is required for maximal expression of penicillin and cefotaxime resistance in the pneumococcus. Hungarian isolate 3191 (penicillin MIC, 16 μg/ml; cefotaxime MIC, 4 μg/ml) was a source of donor DNA in transformation experiments. Penicillin-binding protein DNA was insufficient to transform recipient strain R6 to full resistance. Further transformation with altered murM DNA was required for full expression of donor penicillin and cefotaxime resistance.
Bilingual Markov Reordering Labels for Hierarchical SMT

Earlier work on labeling Hiero grammars with monolingual syntax reports improved performance, suggesting that such labeling may impact phrase reordering as well as lexical selection. In this paper we explore the idea of inducing bilingual labels for Hiero grammars without using any additional resources other than original Hiero itself does. Our bilingual labels aim at capturing salient patterns of phrase reordering in the training parallel corpus. These bilingual labels originate from hierarchical factorizations of the word alignments in Hiero’s own training data. In this paper we take a Markovian view on synchronous top-down derivations over these factorizations which allows us to extract 0th- and 1st-order bilingual reordering labels. Using exactly the same training data as Hiero we show that the Markovian interpretation of word alignment factorization offers major benefits over the unlabeled version. We report extensive experiments with strict and soft bilingual labeled Hiero showing improved performance up to 1 BLEU points for Chinese-English and about 0.1 BLEU points for German-English.
On the Compatibility of Terror Management Theory and Perspectives on Human Evolution

Terror management theory (TMT) posits that the uniquely human awareness of death gives rise to a potential for debilitating terror, which is averted by the construction and maintenance of cultural worldviews. Over 300 studies have supported hypotheses derived from TMT. In a recent critique of TMT, Navarrete and Fessler (2005) argued that TMT is inconsistent with contemporary evolutionary biology and that the evidence supporting TMT can be better accounted for by an alternative “coalitional psychology” (CP), which posits a domain general mechanism whereby a wide range of adaptive threats activate an even wider range of judgments and behaviors all directed toward sustaining unspecified coalitions. In this paper, we argue that: a) Navarrete and Fessler do not adequately present either TMT or the empirical evidence in support of it; b) TMT is in no way inconsistent with modern evolutionary biology; and c) CP is not theoretically plausible and cannot provide a convincing empirical account of evidence supporting TMT. The broader goal of this paper is to encourage evolutionary theorists to move beyond overly simplistic alternatives that target superficial portrayals of TMT and the evidence supporting it, and contribute to a more useful integration of TMT and its findings with evolutionary thinking about culture and human social behavior.
The niche party concept and its measurement

The concept of the niche party has become increasingly popular in analyses of party competition. Yet, existing approaches vary in their definitions and their measurement approaches. We propose using a minimal definition that allows us to compare political parties in terms of their ‘nicheness’. We argue that the conceptual core of the niche party concept is based on issue emphasis and that a niche party emphasizes policy areas neglected by its rivals. Based on this definition, we propose a continuous measure that allows for more fine-grained measurement of a party’s ‘nicheness’ than the dominant, dichotomous approaches and thereby limits the risk of measurement error. Drawing on data collected by the Comparative Manifesto Project, we show that (1) our measure has high face validity and (2) exposes differences among parties that are not captured by alternative, static or dichotomous measures.
GATA3 and TRPS1 are distinct biomarkers and prognostic factors in breast cancer: database mining for GATA family members in malignancies

GATA transcription factors are zinc finger DNA binding proteins that activate transcription during development and cell differentiation. To date, 7 members of GATA family have been reported. However, the expression patterns and the exact roles of distinct GATA family members contributing to tumorigenesis and progression of breast cancer (BC) remain to be elucidated. Here, we studied the expression of GATA transcripts in a variety of tumor types compared with the normal controls using the ONCOMINE and GOBO databases, along with their corresponding expression profiles in an array of cancer cell lines through CCLE analysis. Based on Kaplan-Meier plotter, we further investigated the prognostic values of GATA members specifically high expressed in BC patients. It was found that, when compared with normal tissues, GATA3 and TRPS1 were distinctly high expressed in BC patients among all GATA members. GATA3 expression was significantly associated with ESR1, while TRPS1 was correlated with ERBB2. In survival analysis, GATA3 and TRPS1 mRNA high expressions were correlated to better survival in BC patients, and TRPS1 high expression was significantly associated with longer RFS in patients who have received chemotherapy. These results suggest that GATA3 and TRPS1 are distinct biomarkers and essential prognostic factors for breast cancer.
Symptoms and Immune Markers in Plasmodium/Dengue Virus Co-infection Compared with Mono-infection with Either in Peru

Background Malaria and dengue are two of the most common vector-borne diseases in the world, but co-infection is rarely described, and immunologic comparisons of co-infection with mono-infection are lacking. Methodology and Principal Findings We collected symptom histories and blood specimens from subjects in a febrile illness surveillance study conducted in Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado, Peru, between 2002–2011. Nineteen symptoms and 18 immune markers at presentation were compared among those with co-infection with Plasmodium/dengue virus (DENV), Plasmodium mono-infection, and DENV mono-infection. Seventeen subjects were identified as having Plasmodium/DENV co-infection and were retrospectively matched with 51 DENV mono-infected and 44 Plasmodium mono-infected subjects. Those with Plasmodium mono-infection had higher levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and MIP1-α/CCL3 compared with DENV mono-infection or co-infection; those with Plasmodium mono-infection had more cough than those with DENV mono-infection. Subjects with DENV mono-infection had higher levels of TGF-β1 and more myalgia than those with Plasmodium mono-infection. No symptom was more common and no immune marker level was higher in the co-infected group, which had similar findings to the DENV mono-infected subjects. Conclusions/Significance Compared with mono-infection with either pathogen, Plasmodium/DENV co-infection was not associated with worse disease and resembled DENV mono-infection in both symptom frequency and immune marker level.
Computational Models Constrained by Voltage-clamp Data F O R Investigating Dendritic

We have investigated dendritic currents using a combination of experimental and modeling approaches. Voltage-clamp recordin s were obtained in neurons with and without dendrites (intact vs. dissociates cells), and the recordings were compared to simulations that incorporated the corresponding dendritic morphology. This approach was applied to thalamic reticular cells to examine dendritic location of the low-threshold calcium current (I T J). The simulations matched the recordings only if ITS was located in distal dendrites with high density. Moreover, dendritic ITS was also necessary to reproduce the typical responses of these cells seen in intracellular recordings in vivo. This approach can be used to investigate other types of neurons with active dendritic currents. Thalamic reticular (RE) cells typically fire burst discharges, which play a central role in the genesis of various types of synchronized sleep oscillations and epileptic behavior (Steriade et al., 1993). A low-threshold Ca2+ current, I T S , underlies the production of these bursts (Bal and McCormickl1993; Huguenard and Prince 1992. As suggested by Mulle et al. (1986), IT, may be localized in the dendrites. 2 his may have important consequences for the synaptic control of the burst in RE cells (Destexhe et al., 1995). In order to investigate the hypothesis of dendritic ITS in RE cells, we have combined computational models with electrophysiological recordings. Based on voltage-clamp recordings of RE cells with and without dendrites, and morphologically accurate models of these cells, we demonstrate that dendritic ITS can account for all voltage-clamp and current-clamp data.
Spreading depolarizations have prolonged direct current shifts and are associated with poor outcome in brain trauma.

Cortical spreading depolarizations occur spontaneously after ischaemic, haemorrhagic and traumatic brain injury. Their effects vary spatially and temporally as graded phenomena, from infarction to complete recovery, and are reflected in the duration of depolarization measured by the negative direct current shift of electrocorticographic recordings. In the focal ischaemic penumbra, peri-infarct depolarizations have prolonged direct current shifts and cause progressive recruitment of the penumbra into the core infarct. In traumatic brain injury, the effects of spreading depolarizations are unknown, although prolonged events have not been observed in animal models. To determine whether detrimental penumbral-type depolarizations occur in human brain trauma, we analysed electrocorticographic recordings obtained by subdural electrode-strip monitoring during intensive care. Of 53 patients studied, 10 exhibited spreading depolarizations in an electrophysiologic penumbra (i.e. isoelectric cortex with no spontaneous activity). All 10 patients (100%) with isoelectric spreading depolarizations had poor outcomes, defined as death, vegetative state, or severe disability at 6 months. In contrast, poor outcomes were observed in 60% of patients (12/20) who had spreading depolarizations with depression of spontaneous activity and only 26% of patients (6/23) who had no depolarizations (χ2, P<0.001). Spontaneous electrocorticographic activity and direct current shifts of depolarizations were further examined in nine patients. Direct current shift durations (n=295) were distributed with a significant positive skew (range 0:51-16:19 min:s), evidencing a normally distributed group of short events and a sub-group of prolonged events. Prolonged direct current shifts were more commonly associated with isoelectric depolarizations (median 2 min 36 s), whereas shorter depolarizations occurred with depression of spontaneous activity (median 2 min 10 s; P<0.001). In the latter group, direct current shift durations correlated with electrocorticographic depression periods, and were longer when preceded by periodic epileptiform discharges than by continuous delta (0.5-4.0 Hz) or higher frequency activity. Prolonged direct current shifts (>3 min) also occurred mainly within temporal clusters of events. Our results show for the first time that spreading depolarizations are associated with worse clinical outcome after traumatic brain injury. Furthermore, based on animal models of brain injury, the prolonged durations of depolarizations raise the possibility that these events may contribute to maturation of cortical lesions. Prolonged depolarizations, measured by negative direct current shifts, were associated with (i) isoelectricity or periodic epileptiform discharges; (ii) prolonged depression of spontaneous activity and (iii) occurrence in temporal clusters. Depolarizations with these characteristics are likely to reflect a worse prognosis.
Vitamin K Status in Chronic Kidney Disease

The purpose of this review is to summarize the research to date on vitamin K status in chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review includes a summary of the data available on vitamin K status in patients across the spectrum of CKD as well as the link between vitamin K deficiency in CKD and bone dynamics, including mineralization and demineralization, as well as ectopic mineralization. It also describes two current clinical trials that are underway evaluating vitamin K treatment in CKD patients. These data may inform future clinical practice in this population.
Evaluation of meloxicam for the treatment of obstructive feline idiopathic cystitis

Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam on the clinical course of obstructive idiopathic cystitis in cats in a placebo-controlled clinical study. Methods Thirty-seven cats with obstructive idiopathic cystitis were enrolled. Cats received supportive treatment and an indwelling transurethral catheter for 48 h. On days 0 and 1, all cats received buprenorphine 0.01 mg/kg subcutaneously every 8 h. On day 1, cats were randomly assigned to the meloxicam (n = 18) or placebo group (n = 19) and received meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg on day 1, 0.05 mg/kg on days 2–5) or placebo orally for five consecutive days. Cats were monitored by repeated physical examinations and urinalysis, and with a 5 day questionnaire filled in by the owners after discharge and a telephone interview 3 months after presentation. Parameters for evaluation of treatment success were the occurrence of recurrent urethral obstruction, results of physical examinations and questionnaires. Results Recurrent urethral obstruction occurred in 4/18 cats (22%) in the meloxicam group and 5/19 cats (26%) in the placebo group (P = 1.000). General demeanour and pain on abdominal palpation during hospitalisation improved significantly in both groups (P <0.001). After discharge, with regard to general demeanour, food intake and voiding behaviour, there were no significant differences within or between groups at different time points. Conclusions and relevance Orally administered meloxicam for 5 days did not influence the incidence of recurrent urethral obstruction and the recovery from clinical signs in cats with obstructive feline idiopathic cystitis. The persistence of clinical signs in most of the cats 1 week after initial presentation indicates that symptomatic treatment for a longer period of time is warranted.