Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adiponectin Level as a Consequence of Genetic Variation, but Not Leptin Level or Leptin: Adiponectin Ratio, Is a Risk Factor for Carotid Intima-Media Thickness

Background and Purpose— The adipocytokines adiponectin and leptin have been suggested as risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including stroke, acting through atherosclerosis. However, studies have provided conflicting results in underpowered cohorts with some suggesting that the leptin:adiponectin ratio is a better predictor of risk. We examined these associations with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a marker of early atherosclerosis and arterial remodeling and an independent predictor of stroke. We also examined association between genetic variants in the leptin and adiponectin genes and IMT. Methods— Adiponectin and leptin levels were determined in 990 individuals from the community Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression Study. Five variants in the gene encoding adiponectin and 7 in the gene encoding leptin were genotyped and their effects on circulating levels assessed. Both were then correlated with IMT. Results— Adiponectin levels negatively correlated with IMT (−0.079, P=0.013). There was no correlation between leptin levels or leptin:adiponectin ratio and IMT. Two variants in the ADIPOQ gene encoding adiponectin were associated with altered adiponectin levels, 1 of which (rs266729) was associated with IMT. There was also an interaction with body mass index (P=0.019) with the association being present in obese subjects (P=0.02). Conclusions— Our results support a causal role for adiponectin in early carotid IMT and suggest it may act through interaction with obesity. In contrast, we found no evidence of a role for leptin and no evidence that leptin:adiponectin ratio is a better predictor of risk that adiponectin levels alone.
Increased Age, but Not Parity Predisposes to Higher Bacteriuria Burdens Due to Streptococcus Urinary Tract Infection and Influences Bladder Cytokine Responses, Which Develop Independent of Tissue Bacterial Loads

Streptococcus agalactiae causes urinary tract infection (UTI) in pregnant adults, non-pregnant adults, immune-compromised individuals and the elderly. The pathogenesis of S. agalactiae UTI in distinct patient populations is poorly understood. In this study, we used murine models of UTI incorporating young mice, aged and dam mice to show that uropathogenic S. agalactiae causes bacteriuria at significantly higher levels in aged mice compared to young mice and this occurs coincident with equivalent levels of bladder tissue colonisation at 24 h post-infection (p.i.). In addition, aged mice exhibited significantly higher bacteriuria burdens at 48 h compared to young mice, confirming a divergent pattern of bacterial colonization in the urinary tract of aged and young mice. Multiparous mice, in contrast, exhibited significantly lower urinary titres of S. agalactiae compared to age-matched nulliparous mice suggesting that parity enhances the ability of the host to control S. agalactiae bacteriuria. Additionally, we show that both age and parity alter the expression levels of several key regulatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are known to be important the immune response to UTI, including Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-12(p40), and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1). Finally, we demonstrate that other cytokines, including IL-17 are induced significantly in the S. agalactiae-infected bladder regardless of age and parity status. Collectively, these findings show that the host environment plays an important role in influencing the severity of S. agalactiae UTI; infection dynamics, particularly in the context of bacteriuria, depend on age and parity, which also affect the nature of innate immune responses to infection.
A new estimate of the CaCO3 to organic carbon export ratio

We use an ocean biogeochemical‐transport box model of the top 100 m of the water column to estimate the CaCO3 to organic carbon export ratio from observations of the vertical gradients of potential alkalinity and nitrate. We find a global average molar export ratio of 0.06 ± 0.03. This is substantially smaller than earlier estimates of 0.25 on which a majority of ocean biogeochemical models had based their parameterization of CaCO3 production. Contrary to the pattern of coccolithophore blooms determined from satellite observations, which show high latitude predominance, we find maximum export ratios in the equatorial region and generally smaller ratios in the subtropical and subpolar gyres. Our results suggest a dominant contribution to global calcification by low‐latitude nonbloom forming coccolithophores or other organisms such as foraminifera and pteropods.
Detecting Sporadic Recombination in DNA Alignments with Hidden Markov Models

Conventional phylogenetic tree estimation methods assume that all sites in a DNA multiple alignment have the same evolutionary history. This assumption is violated in data sets from certain bacteria and viruses due to recombination, a process that leads to the creation of mosaic sequences from different strains and, if undetected, causes systematic errors in phylogenetic tree estimation. In the current work, a hidden Markov model (HMM) is employed to detect recombination events in multiple DNA sequence alignments. The emission probabilities in a given state are determined by the branching order (topology) and the branch lengths of the respective phylogenetic tree, while the transition probabilities depend on the global frequency of recombination. All model parameters are optimized in a maximum likelihood sense with the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. The resulting parameter optimization scheme is applied to a synthetic benchmark problem and to real DNA sequences from the argF gene of four strains of the bacterium Neisseria. In both cases we find a significant im- provement over an earlier heuristic parameter estimation approach.
Revisiting Live Lectures: A Shift in Paradigm?

The ability to revisit live lecture material confers a range of benefits to students, particularly if it can closely replicate the rich environment of the live classroom. This paper proposes a new mode of lecture delivery based on digital capture and student-controlled playback of synchronized lecturer dynamic annotation and video. This approach was tested in a large undergraduate course during which lectures were delivered entirely via pre-recorded lecture material on DVD. Our evaluation of the novel delivery mode in this course shows convincingly that students are better able to review and understand lecture material. These findings suggest that a re-examination of the paradigm of live lectures may be warranted.
Immune Defense of Ants Is Associated with Changes in Habitat Characteristics

Abstract Although the immune functions of insects are known to correlate with body condition and food resources, the association between habitat structure and immune function is still largely unknown. We studied the effects of forest clear-cutting on encapsulation rate in gynes and workers in the forest-dwelling ant Formica aquilonia. Forest logging resulted in disturbed immunity in workers and gynes. Logging enhanced encapsulation reaction in gynes, whereas decreased that of workers. In gynes, there was a likely trade-off between growth and immune function that was apparent in terms of different investment in size and immune function in different habitats. In workers, however, such associations were not found. The results indicate that, because of disturbed immunity, environmental stress may increase susceptibility of wood ants to diseases and parasites in disturbed habitats.
Is Sexual Attraction Independent of the Instrumental and Expressive Traits?

Sexual attraction is an essential part of sex, just as the instrumental and expressive traits are the mainstay of gender. Various hypotheses concerning the dimensionality and independence versus dependence/overlapping of these core entities were tested. A group of 423 university students completed the Sexual Attraction Questionnaire (SAQ; Fernández, Quiroga, & Rodríguez, 2006) and the 12-item Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI; Bem, 1974). Internal consistency and factor analyses (PAF) were conducted. The results support the dimensionality established for the SAQ and reveal some psychometric and conceptual weaknesses of the 12-item BSRI. The results also support the independence of the two cores: sexual attraction and the instrumental and expressive traits. The logical implications for the different viewpoints of the relations between sex and gender are discussed. Uno de los núcleos básicos de la realidad del sexo es la atracción sexual, al igual que uno de los núcleos básicos de género hace referencia a los dominios instrumental y expresivo. En este trabajo se van a poner a prueba las distintas hipótesis sobre la dimensionalidad de la atracción sexual y de los dominios instrumental y expresivo, a la par que la hipótesis de la independencia frente a la dependencia o solapamiento de ambas realidades. Se contó para ello con la participación de 423 estudiantes universitarios. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Cuestionario de Atracción Sexual (CAS; Fernández, Quiroga, & Rodríguez, 2006) y la versión de 12 ítems del Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI; Bem, 1974). Los resultados proporcionaron un claro apoyo empírico a la dimensionalidad establecida para el SAQ, a la par que dejaron al descubierto ciertas debilidades conceptuales y psicométricas del BSRI. Los resultados apoyan la independencia de los dos núcleos: la atracción sexual y los dominios instrumental y expresivo. Se establecen las implicaciones lógicas para las distintas posturas en torno a las relaciones del sexo y el género.
A Scan for Positively Selected Genes in the Genomes of Humans and Chimpanzees

Since the divergence of humans and chimpanzees about 5 million years ago, these species have undergone a remarkable evolution with drastic divergence in anatomy and cognitive abilities. At the molecular level, despite the small overall magnitude of DNA sequence divergence, we might expect such evolutionary changes to leave a noticeable signature throughout the genome. We here compare 13,731 annotated genes from humans to their chimpanzee orthologs to identify genes that show evidence of positive selection. Many of the genes that present a signature of positive selection tend to be involved in sensory perception or immune defenses. However, the group of genes that show the strongest evidence for positive selection also includes a surprising number of genes involved in tumor suppression and apoptosis, and of genes involved in spermatogenesis. We hypothesize that positive selection in some of these genes may be driven by genomic conflict due to apoptosis during spermatogenesis. Genes with maximal expression in the brain show little or no evidence for positive selection, while genes with maximal expression in the testis tend to be enriched with positively selected genes. Genes on the X chromosome also tend to show an elevated tendency for positive selection. We also present polymorphism data from 20 Caucasian Americans and 19 African Americans for the 50 annotated genes showing the strongest evidence for positive selection. The polymorphism analysis further supports the presence of positive selection in these genes by showing an excess of high-frequency derived nonsynonymous mutations.
Radiofrequency current density imaging of kainate‐evoked depolarization

The purpose of this study was to examine whether radiofrequency current density imaging (RF‐CDI) can quantitatively monitor depolarizations evoked by excitatory amino acids in a rat's brain. To evoke depolarization, a glutamate receptor agonist, kainate, was administered into the right lateral ventricle. First, electroencephalographic activity was recorded in a basal condition and after the application of kainate. Complex behavioral patterns were observed. Second, impedance measurements were performed to assess the change in conductivity of the brain due to kainate at the Larmor frequency of the imager. Calculated changes were about 17%. Third, a set of current density images was obtained with RF‐CDI before and after the administration of kainate. Kainate‐induced excitatory changes were observed on current density images as brighter regions, mainly in the hippocampal area compared with the same area in the basal condition. Magn Reson Med 42:136–140, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization and simulation of high-quality AlN-actuated resonant suspended beams

Micro-cantilevers and micro-bridges actuated by sputter-deposited aluminium nitride (AlN) thin films were measured with a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer up to 6 MHz, covering more than 10 resonance modes of different nature. A finite element model (FEM) was used to simulate the modal response of the micromachined structures. The comparison between experiment and simulation, regarding modal shapes and frequencies, resulted in an excellent agreement, what confirmed the quality of the structures. Finally, we point out, and illustrate with the help of micro-bridges, the importance for a locally tailored distribution of electrical excitation on the top surface of the device, in order to either optimize or cancel out the displacement of a given mode.
Nociceptin Inhibits T-Type Ca2+ Channel Current in Rat Sensory Neurons by a G-Protein-Independent Mechanism

Nociceptin (orphanin FQ) is a novel, opioid-like, heptadecapeptide that is an endogenous ligand for the opioid receptor-like (ORL1) receptor. Unlike classical opioids, nociceptin can produce hyperalgesia when injected intracerebroventricularly into mice. Despite this, nociceptin has been reported to decrease transmitter release, activate an inwardly rectifying K+ conductance, and suppress high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channel conductances (HVA gCa) in much the same way as μ-, δ-, and κ-opioids. We report an action of nociceptin that is not shared by morphine: the suppression of low-voltage-activated, transient calcium (barium) current (IBa,T) in acutely dissociated rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons (EC50 = 100 nm). This effect was reflected as inhibition of bursts of action potentials that can be evoked in “medium-sized” DRG neurons. Experiments with GTP-γ-S (100 μm), GDP-β-S (2 mm), or aluminum fluoride (AlF3) (100 μm) in the patch pipette failed to provide evidence for G-protein involvement in nociceptin-inducedIBa,T suppression. By contrast, both morphine and nociceptin suppressed HVAgCa, and the latter response was affected by intracellular GTP-γ-S, GDP-β-S, and AlF3 in ways that confirmed G-protein involvement. The selective effect of nociceptin on IBa,T may therefore be relevant to understanding why its behavioral actions differ from those of other opioids. This G-protein-independent effect of the action of nociceptin may reflect a new general mechanism of action for opioid peptides within the nervous system.
To Do It or Not to Do It? How Communally Motivated People Navigate Sexual Interdependence Dilemmas

The current research investigates how people make sexual decisions when romantic partners’ sexual desires conflict, situations we refer to as sexual interdependence dilemmas. Across an experimental study, a retrospective recall study, and a 21-day daily experience study, we found that people who were motivated to meet their partner’s sexual needs—those high in sexual communal strength—were more willing to engage in sex with their romantic partner, even when their own desire was low, and as a result, both partners reported enhanced relationship and sexual satisfaction. The benefits of sexual communal strength were due to communally oriented people’s increased desire to promote their partner’s interests and decreased desire to pursue their own interests. This is the first set of studies to investigate how people make decisions in sexual interdependence dilemmas and show that communally motivated individuals navigate these situations in a way that is beneficial for relationships.
Direct pelletization in a rotary processor controlled by torque measurements. II: Effects of changes in the content of microcrystalline cellulose

In the present study we investigated the effect of changes in the content of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) on a direct pelletization process in a rotary processor in which the liquid addition was terminated once a certain increase in torque was produced. Nine different mixtures of MCC and lactose with MCC contents varying from 10% to 100% (w/w) were pelletized using 6 different torque increase levels, and the changes in pellet characteristics were investigated. The pellet characteristics investigated were pellet shape, size, and size distribution as well as the water content of the pellets at the end of liquid addition. To produce spherical agglomerates with suitable characteristics in a reproducible way, a content of a least 20% (w/w) MCC was found necessary. Linear correlations were found between the MCC content and the water content and between the torque incraase and the water content, showing that the torque increase is suitable to control the process. A higher torque increase or a higher MCC content was found to increase the water content independently of each other.
Low Carotid Calcium Score Is Associated With Higher Levels of Glycosaminoglycans, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, and Parathyroid Hormone in Human Carotid Plaques

Background and Purpose— Computed tomography (CT) is used to study coronary artery plaques, but little is known about its potential to characterize plaque composition. This study assesses the relation between carotid calcium score (CCS) by CT and plaque composition, namely extracellular matrix, inflammatory mediators, and calcium metabolites. Methods— Thirty patients with significant carotid stenosis underwent preoperative CT. CCS was quantified by Agaston calcium score. Plaque components were studied histologically and biochemically (collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans). Fraktalkine, interferon-&ggr;, interleukin-10, interleukin-12 p70, interleukin-1&bgr;, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, platelet-derived growth factor-AB/BB, RANTES and tumor necrosis factor-&agr;, and parathyroid hormone were measured using Luminex technology. Results— Plaques with CCS ≥400 had more calcium (P=0.012), less glycosaminoglycan (P=0.002), tumor necrosis factor-&agr; (P=0.013), and parathyroid hormone (P=0.028) than those with CCS <400. CCS correlated with plaque content of calcium (r=0.62; P<0.001) and inversely with glycosaminoglycan (r=−0.49; P=0.006) and tumor necrosis factor-&agr; (r=−0.56; P=0.001). Conclusions— Human carotid plaques with high CCS are richer in calcium and have lower amounts of glycosaminoglycan, parathyroid hormone, and tumor necrosis factor-&agr;, which is one of the main proinflammatory cytokines involved in atherosclerosis. This suggests that CCS not only reflects the degree of calcification, but also other important biological components relevant for stability such as inflammation.
Study of Behaviours via Visitable Paths

Around 2000, J.-Y. Girard developed a logical theory, called Ludics. This theory was a step in his program of Geometry of Interaction, the aim of which being to account for the dynamics of logical proofs. In Ludics, objects called designs keep only what is relevant for the cut elimination process, hence the dynamics of a proof: a design is an abstraction of a formal proof. The notion of behaviour is the counterpart in Ludics of the notion of type or the logical notion of formula. Formally a behaviour is a closed set of designs. Our aim is to explore the constructions of behaviours and to analyse their properties. In this paper a design is viewed as a set of coherent paths. We recall or give variants of properties concerning visitable paths, where a visitable path is a path in a design or a set of designs that may be traversed by interaction with a design of the orthogonal of the set. We are then able to answer the following question: which properties should satisfy a set of paths for being exactly the set of visitable paths of a behaviour? Such a set and its dual should be prefix-closed, daimon-closed and satisfy two saturation properties. This allows us to have a means for defining the whole set of visitable paths of a given set of designs without closing it explicitly, that is without computing the orthogonal of this set of designs. We finally apply all these results for making explicit the structure of a behaviour generated by constants and multiplicative/additive connectives. We end by proposing an oriented tensor for which we give basic properties.
Flexible Piezoelectric Generators by Using the Bending Motion Method of Direct-Grown-PZT Nanoparticles on Carbon Nanotubes

Recently, composite-type nanogenerators (NGs) formed from piezoelectric nanostructures and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have become one of the excellent candidates for future energy harvesting because of their ability to apply the excellent electrical and mechanical properties of CNTs. However, the synthesis of NG devices with a high proportion of piezoelectric materials and a low polymer content, such as of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), continues to be problematic. In this work, high-piezoelectric-material-content flexible films produced from Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT)-atomically-interconnected CNTs and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are presented. Various physical and chemical characterization techniques are employed to examine the morphology and structure of the materials. The direct growth of the piezoelectric material on the CNTs, by stirring the PZT and CNT mixed solution, results in various positive effects, such as a high-quality dispersion in the polymer matrix and addition of flexoelectricity to piezoelectricity, resulting in the enhancement of the output voltage by an external mechanical force. The NGs repeatedly generate an output voltage of 0.15 V. These results present a significant step toward the application of NGs using piezoelectric nanocomposite materials.
Design and development of self-compacting concrete made with coal bottom ash

An experimental program was carried out to study the properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) made with coal bottom ash (CBA). The mixes were prepared with CBA as partial replacement of fine aggregates. Tests were conducted for slump flow, J-ring, V-funnel, L-box and U-box, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, deicing salt surface scaling, carbonation and rapid chloride penetration resistance. Results indicated that SCC mixes achieved 28-day compressive strength between 25.8 and 35.2 MPa and splitting tensile strength between 1.9 and 2.4 MPa. Compressive and splitting tensile strength increased with the increase in age. Carbonation depth and deicing salt surface scaling weight loss increased with the increase in CBA. Maximum carbonation depth was observed to be 1.17 mm at 90 days and 1.66 mm at 365 days for SCC with 30% CBA content. SCC mixes made with CBA exhibited very low chloride permeability resistance (between 381 and 800 Coulomb).