Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructural plasticity in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus. Possible involvement in clock entrainment

Circadian rhythms in mammals are synchronized to the light (L)/dark (D) cycle through messages relaying in the master clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN). Here, we provide evidence that the SCN undergoes rhythmic ultrastructural rearrangements over the 24‐h cycle characterized by day/night changes of the glial, axon terminal, and/or somato‐dendritic coverage of neurons expressing arginine vasopressin (AVP) or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), the two main sources of SCN efferents. At nighttime, we noted an increase in the glial coverage of the dendrites of the VIP neurons (+29%) that was concomitant with a decrease in the mean coverage of the somata (−36%) and dendrites (−43%) of these neurons by axon terminals. Conversely, glial coverage of the dendrites of AVP neurons decreased (−19%) with parallel increase in the extent of somatal (+96%) and dendritic (+52%) membrane appositions involving these neurons. These plastic events were concomitant with daily fluctuations in quantitative expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), which were then used as an index of structural plasticity. The GFAP rhythm appeared to be strictly dependent on light entrainment, indicating that structural reorganization of the SCN may subserve synchronization of the clock to the L/D cycle. Other results presented reinforced this view while showing that circulating glucocorticoid hormones, which are known to modulate photic entrainment, were required to maintain amplitude of the GFAP rhythm to normal values. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The synthesis and reactions of a modified cobalt corrin

The typically inert Co(III) ion exhibits remarkable lability when encapsulated in a corrin macrocycle such as in vitamin B12. It has been postulated that this lability arises from a significant kinetic cis-effect through the delocalisation of electron density from the relatively electron-rich corrin to Co(III), thus conferring to it a degree of soft, labile Co(II)-like character. We suggest that structural and electronic modifications of the corrin should modulate the transfer of electron density to the central Co(III) ion, thus changing its electronic character. Another important feature of the corrin ring is the relatively small macrocyclic cavity. It appears that Co(III) may be compressed within the corrin macrocycle, which is likely to significantly impact its chemistry. To evaluate what effect these factors may have on the chemistry of Co(III), we prepared a vitamin B12 derivative, Coα,Coβ-dicyano-5,6-dioxo-5,6-secoheptamethylcob(III)yrinate, [DC-5-seco-Cbs], by perturbing the electronic structure of the dicyanocobyrinic acid heptamethyl ester, Coα,Coβ-dicyano-heptamethylcob(III)yrinate ([DCCbs]) through a photosensitized oxygenation reaction. Not only does this disrupt the partially conjugated system of a normal corrin ring, but the bond between C5 and C6 has been cleaved such that the equatorial ligand of Co(III) is no longer macrocyclic, thereby relieving the steric constraints surrounding the axial coordination site of Co(III) corrins. The secocobester was then converted to the aquacyano derivative, Coα,Coβ-aquacyano-5,6dioxo-5,6-seco-heptamethylcob(III)yrinate, [AC-5-seco-Cbs], in which a coordinated water could be readily displaced by an exogenous ligand in solution chemistry investigations. The effect of these structural modifications was evaluated by comparing analogous thermodynamic and kinetic data for [AC-5-seco-Cbs] with aquacyanocobyrinic acid heptamethyl ester (aquacyanocobester, [ACCbs]), a corrin with an intact delocalised system (the values were re-determined in this study), and aquacyano-stable yellow-cobester, ([ACSYCbs]), a corrin with a diminished delocalised π electron system, to observe the effect the nature of the corrin ring has on the properties of the Co(III) ion.
Endothelial Healing in the Rabbit Aorta and the Effect of Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis: Hypercholesterolemia

The effect of diet-induced moderate hypercholesterolemia on endothelial healing has been investigated in the rabbit following a narrow superficial injury to aortic endothelium without damage to the media of the vessel. The healing process was compared with that observed in normocholesterolemic animals. The degree of platelet involvement was similar in both normoand hypercholesterolemic animals. Reendothelialization occurred within 48 hours in both groups of animals, showing that hypercholesterolemia did not delay endothelial healing. It was found that esterasepositive cells, which morphologically resembled monocyte-macrophages, adhered to and penetrated regenerated endothelium only in hypercholesterolemic animals. After reendothelialization in normocholesterolemic animals, there was no increase in the number of cells within the intima of the vessel and no evidence of lipid accumulation. In hypercholesterolemic animals, cells accumulated in the intima in areas of regeneration, and lipid accumulation occurred within both the intima and the media in areas of regeneration.
The effect of hyoscine butyl bromide in shortening the duration of first stage of labor: A single-blind randomized control study

Background: Active management of labor reduces the number of prolonged labor and the duration of labor without having any adverse effects on the mother and the fetus. Intervention with drugs is among the options used for active management of labor. This includes use of analgesics, oxytocics, prostaglandins derivatives, and smooth muscle relaxants. The objectives of the study were to determine whether hyoscine N butyl bromide (HNBB) shortens the first stage of labor in term pregnancies, to compare the mean duration of labor between primigravidae and multigravidae in HBB group, to compare the maternal and fetal outcome between HBB and control group, and also to determine the side effects of HBB in parturients. Materials and Methods: The study was a single-blind randomized control study carried out in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) over 4-month period. A total of 204 pregnant women at term in spontaneous labor who presented in active phase of labor at UDUTH and have met the inclusion criteria were recruited and randomized into 102 women as case group and 102 women as control. The women in the case group received 40 mg (2 mls) of HBB, while those in the control group received 2 mls of normal saline. Data entry and analysis was done with IBM SPSS version 20. The duration and outcome was monitored. Results: The mean duration of labor in the first stage among the case group was 5:44 ± 2:11, while it was 6:52 ± 2:11 among the control group representing a decrease of 16.5%. This was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the duration of the second and third stages of labor among the two groups. There was no difference in the maternal and neonatal outcome among the two groups. Vomiting was the only maternal side effect that was statistically significant among the HBB group. Conclusion: HBB reduced the duration of first stage of labor in both primigravid and multigravid women without adverse maternal and neonatal complications. It is recommended that HBB to be given to women in active phase of labor to reduce the incidence of prolonged labor.
Awareness of Cytomegalovirus Infection among Pregnant Women in Geneva, Switzerland: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most frequent cause of congenital infection and commonly associated with sensorineural deficit. At present, there is neither prophylaxis nor treatment during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of awareness regarding CMV infection and its consequences in women delivering at the University of Geneva Hospitals (Geneva, Switzerland). Methods: The study consisted of a validated questionnaire completed by women in the immediate postpartum period. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 59% (314/528) of delivering women. Only 39% (123/314) knew about CMV and 19.7% (62/314) had received information about preventive measures. Women were more aware about other congenital diseases, such as toxoplasmosis (87%); human immunodeficiency virus (99%); syphilis (85.5%); rubella (92.3%); and group B Streptococcus (63%). Factors associated with CMV awareness were Swiss nationality, high education level, employment in health care or with children, and being followed by an obstetrician. Regarding quality of information, few were aware of the main CMV complications (deafness, 25.2%; mental retardation, 34.5%). Among those informed about CMV, most (74.6%) knew about preventive measures. Among these, 82.5% thought that these were easily applicable. Conclusions: Most women are unaware of CMV infection and its potential risks during pregnancy. It is crucial to improve CMV information given to pregnant women to prevent the risks for the fetus/newborn.
A Low-Voltage Processor for Sensing Applications With Picowatt Standby Mode

Recent progress in ultra-low-power circuit design is creating new opportunities for cubic millimeter computing. Robust low-voltage operation has reduced active mode power consumption considerably, but standby mode power consumption has received relatively little attention from low-voltage designers. In this work, we describe a low-voltage processor called the Phoenix Processor that has been designed at the device, circuit, and architecture levels to minimize standby power. A test chip has been implemented in a carefully selected 0.18 mum process in an area of only 915 times 915 mum2. Measurements show that Phoenix consumes 35.4 pW in standby mode and 226 nW in active mode.
Generalization and Exploration via Randomized Value Functions

We propose randomized least-squares value iteration (RLSVI) -- a new reinforcement learning algorithm designed to explore and generalize efficiently via linearly parameterized value functions. We explain why versions of least-squares value iteration that use Boltzmann or epsilon-greedy exploration can be highly inefficient, and we present computational results that demonstrate dramatic efficiency gains enjoyed by RLSVI. Further, we establish an upper bound on the expected regret of RLSVI that demonstrates near-optimality in a tabula rasa learning context. More broadly, our results suggest that randomized value functions offer a promising approach to tackling a critical challenge in reinforcement learning: synthesizing efficient exploration and effective generalization.
"Nematic ordered cellulose": a concept of glucan chain association.

Native cellulose consists of a set of parallel chains composed of glucose. Most of the time, these chains are highly ordered and form a structure that is known as a microfibril. On the other hand, highly crystalline forms of cellulose are more difficult to process and often are unpredictable in their behavior. If an ordered but noncrystalline form of cellulose could be produced, this would greatly extend the possibilities of usage of cellulose to new areas. In this paper, we have produced such a new supermolecular structure of cellulose, called nematic ordered cellulose. The unique characteristics of this supermolecular structure of cellulose have been clarified using various kinds of physicochemical analyses. Using a high-resolution transmission electron microscopic approach, we have also imaged the single glucan chains, demonstrating the close but nonprecise association usually found in crystalline biopolymers.
Microbial diversity and the lability of dissolved organic carbon

Marine metagenomics is steadily unveiling the phylogenetic diversity and metabolic potential of the microbial plankton. Our awareness that planktonic Bacteria and Archaea (bacterioplankton) dominate this diversity only underscores our inability to answer a basic ecological question: what are bacterioplankton eating? The majority of these organisms decompose organic matter either as a source of electrons or carbon (often both) and are classified as chemoheterotrophic (like animals and fungi). However, our understanding of the pool of organic compounds in nature remains largely amorphous, stymied by the challenges of resolving the chemical complexity of these heterogenous mixtures (1). At the same time, resolving these linkages is relevant to the global carbon cycle: bacterioplankton are the primary conduit for the massive pool of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in aquatic ecosystems. Despite steady advances in our understanding of the quantity and quality of marine DOC and how they vary in space and time (2), our ability to directly link diverse heterotrophic microbes to their (presumably) diverse organic resources remains limited. This interaction regulates both the recycling of DOC to higher trophic levels (the microbial loop) and the remineralization of DOC to inorganic constituents, primarily carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. In PNAS, Pedler et al. (3) present the results of a study demonstrating that a single bacterial isolate is capable of removing an ecologically relevant pool of ambient DOC, contributing significantly to the growing body of work linking community structure and organic matter lability (4⇓–6).
The Unknown Position of Intuition in Design Activity

Abstract Although the concept of intuition is quite popular within design research today, it still needs to be thoroughly investigated. The paper in this sense aims to discuss the concept of intuition and examine how designerly activities resonate with the well-known theories on intuition. Inspired by Sinclair’s ‘integrated framework of intuition’, this study aims to conceptualize a framework, then identify intuitive functions as direct matching, associative matching, incremental synthesis and radical synthesis. Those theoretical assumptions are then tested with an exploratory study by tracing the design behaviours of novice and expert designers. By doing this, the paper seeks to reveal ‘design moves’ that go hand in hand with the cognitive features of intuition. In a broader perspective, this study aims to contribute to the theory of intuition and thus provide an alternative perspective to the ‘unprincipled’ behaviours of the designer.
The pathogenesis of idiopathic megacolon

Background Even today, the pathogenesis of idiopathic megacolon is still a subject of controversy. Anomalies of the gastrointestinal autonomous nervous system or of the smooth muscle of the muscularis propria are being considered. Methods Sixty-three idiopathic megacolon resections between 1997 and June 2004 were investigated. The native specimens were coiled caudo-cranially and cryostat-cut. Connective tissue was stained with picric acid/Sirius red after Delauney fixation. Immunohistochemistry was performed for collagen types I, II, III and IV, as well as smooth muscle actin, vimentin, desmin fibronectin and CD117 for interstitial cells of Cajal. The enteric nervous system was examined by enzyme histochemistry for acetylcholine-esterase, lactate dehydrogenase, succinic dehydrogenase and nitroxide synthase. Results Histologically, idiopathic megacolon was characterized by a total atrophy of the collagenous tendinous connective tissue membrane of the myenteric plexus and the tendinous collagen fibre net of the muscularis propria. Immunohistochemically, mainly collagen type III was missing in the muscularis propria. Interestingly, the incidence of idiopathic megacolon in those of the female sex was seven times more frequent than in the male sex. The myenteric plexus was normal in the majority of patients. Interstitial cells of Cajal, collagen II and IV, as well as smooth muscle actin, desmin and fibronectin showed no consistent alteration. Conclusion A normally structured tendinous fibre net of muscularis propria is an essential prerequisite for effective gut peristalsis. Atrophy of the tendinous fibre net abolishes peristalsis and allows for unlimited distension of the colon. A diagnosis of idiopathic megacolon can reliably be made on a collagen stain. The normal findings of myenteric plexus support the hypothesis that a primary metabolic defect of muscularis propria may be the underlying cause of idiopathic megacolon.
Pluripotency of reprogrammed somatic genomes in embryonic stem hybrid cells

Somatic nuclei can be epigenetically reprogrammed by factors present in undifferentiated embryonic stem (ES) cells. The acquisition of pluripotency by somatic genomes could render such cells a viable source of personalized cell type(s) for therapeutic application, avoiding the need for controversial therapeutic cloning. To investigate this possibility, we first determined the origin of transcripts in teratomas generated from mouse (ES × somatic cell) hybrid clones. Transcription of markers from the somatic genome demonstrated efficient in vivo differentiation down independent lineages. The induction of dopaminergic neurons by coculture with stromal PA6 feeder cells also demonstrated efficient capacity to differentiate in vitro. Hybrid clone‐derived neurons expressed appropriate markers, and transcription of Pitx3 from the somatic genome was confirmed. When transplanted into mouse brains, the dopaminergic neurons were successfully integrated and expressed tyrosine hydroxylase. Thus, it should be possible to produce personalized ES‐like cells with the reprogrammed somatic genomes. Developmental Dynamics 227:504–510, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolated frog olfactory cilia: a preparation of dendritic membranes from chemosensory neurons

The recently introduced frog olfactory cilia preparation (Chen and Lancet, 1984; Pace et al., 1985) has been useful for studies of molecular chemosensory mechanisms. Here we describe in detail the properties of this cilia preparation. The “calcium shock” procedure leads to a complete removal of the cilia from the olfactory epithelial surface. Isolated cilia constitute segments of proximal regions with 9 X 2 + 2 microtubular arrangement and a large proportion of membrane vesicles, probably derived from the ciliary distal segments. Polypeptides unique to the olfactory cilia preparation, compared to a control preparation of palate respiratory cilia, are identified by Coomassie brilliant blue staining, silver staining, and radiolabeled lectin overlays, as well as by biosynthetic labeling with 35S- methionine in epithelial explants and protein phosphorylation in isolated cilia. The olfactory cilia preparation contains odorant- sensitive adenylate cyclase, which is absent in control membranes from deciliated epithelium. High activities of tyrosine and serine/threonine protein kinases are also present. The olfactory cilia preparation described should be instrumental in the further elucidation of the biochemistry and molecular biology of vertebrate olfaction.
Risk Factors for Hospital and Long-Term Mortality of Critically Ill Elderly Patients Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit

Background. Data on long-term outcomes of elderly (≥65 years) patients in ICU are sparse. Materials and Methods. Adult patients (n = 1563, 45.4% elderly) admitted over 28 months were analyzed by competing risks regression model to determine independent factors related to in-hospital and long-term mortality. Results. 414 (26.5%) and 337 (21.6%) patients died in-hospital and during the 52 months following discharge, respectively; the elderly group had higher mortality during both periods. After discharge, elderly patients had 2.3 times higher mortality compared to the general population of the same age-group. In-hospital mortality was independently associated with mechanical ventilation (subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) 2.74), vasopressors (SHR 2.56), neurological disease (SHR 1.77), and Mortality Prediction Model II score (SHR 1.01) regardless of age and with malignancy (SHR, hematological 3.65, nonhematological 3.4) and prior renal replacement therapy (RRT, SHR 2.21) only in the elderly. Long-term mortality was associated with low hemoglobin concentration (SHR 0.94), airway disease (SHR 2.23), and malignancy (SHR hematological 1.11, nonhematological 2.31) regardless of age and with comorbidities especially among the nonelderly. Conclusions. Following discharge, elderly ICU patients have higher mortality compared to the nonelderly and general population. In the elderly group, prior RRT and malignancy contribute additionally to in-hospital mortality risk. In the long-term, comorbidities (age-related), anemia, airway disease, and malignancy were significantly associated with mortality.
SVM parameter selection based on harmony search with an application to hyperspectral image classification

Support vector machines is a very efficient and frequently used method in classification of hyperspectral images since they provide high classification accuracy even with a limited number of training samples. The accuracy of SVM depends on choice of kernel parameters. In order to obtain a high classification accuracy, it is vital to optimally determine the kernel parameters. In this work, harmony search method, that has been recently introduced as a heuristic method, will be used to optimally determine the kernel parameters of SVM's radial basis kernel function, and the proposed approach will firstly be experimented on hyperspectral datasets. The proposed approach will be compared to classical grid search strategy and genetic algorithm in terms of computational time and classification accuracy.
Exploring the Conjunction Fallacy in Probability Judgment: Conversational
 Implicature or Nested Sets?

Why do participants commit the conjunction fallacy, for instance by judging it more probable that Linda is a feminist bank teller than a bank teller? The conversational-implicature hypothesis (CIH) suggests that “bank teller” is interpreted as “non-feminist bank teller”. The nested-sets hypothesis (NSH) suggests that participants overlook that the set of bank tellers includes all feminist bank tellers. Both hypotheses were tested in an experiment with 157 participants. The results, analyzed using Bayes factors, indicated that the CIH manipulation does not robustly decrease the fallacy rate (BH(0, 1.52) = 0.14, OR = 0.84). Furthermore, the effect of the NSH manipulation was substantially smaller than predicted (BN(3.04, 1.52) = 0.1, OR = 1.47), suggesting that NSH does not explain the fallacy.
The Frequency of Malaria Is Similar among Women Receiving either Lopinavir/Ritonavir or Nevirapine-based Antiretroviral Treatment

HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) show antimalarial activity in vitro and in animals. Whether this translates into a clinical benefit in HIV-infected patients residing in malaria-endemic regions is unknown. We studied the incidence of malaria, as defined by blood smear positivity or a positive Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 antigen test, among 444 HIV-infected women initiating antiretroviral treatment (ART) in the OCTANE trial (A5208; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00089505). Participants were randomized to treatment with PI-containing vs. PI-sparing ART, and were followed prospectively for ≥48 weeks; 73% also received cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. PI-containing treatment was not associated with protection against malaria in this study population.
Racisms, Heterosexisms, and Identities

ABSTRACT This article examines the contributions of lesbians of color to the developmental relationship between queer theory and qualitative research methodology. Its thesis is that the contributions of lesbians of color in this context have been overlooked despite being featured. This oversight is explained through an examination of theoretical perspectives that dominate our current understanding of the relationship between queer theory and qualitative research. Postmodernism is revealed as susceptible to liberal bias and racist exclusions common in U.S. culture. Semiotic phenomenology is offered as a non-essentialist approach to queer theory and qualitative research that reduces the liberal bias and racist exclusions often perpetuated in postmodern theorizing that have led to the exclusion of contributions of lesbians of color in queer theory.