Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypertension induced by foetal exposure to a maternal low‐protein diet, in the rat, is prevented by pharmacological blockade of maternal glucocorticoid synthesis

Background Hypertension and coronary heart disease are programmed by maternal undernutrition in utero. The feeding of low-protein diets to rats during their pregnancy results in higher blood pressure in the offspring from the age of weaning. Objective To determine whether a low-protein diet increases foetal exposure to glucocorticoids of maternal origin, resulting in altered hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis function and hypertension. Design Rats were fed an 18% casein diet (control) or a 9% casein diet (low protein) during pregnancy. Low-protein-fed dams were injected with metyrapone to inhibit corticosterone synthesis or with metyrapone plus a replacement dose of corticosterone. The offspring of these pregnancies had their blood pressure determined when they were aged 7 weeks. Methods The systolic blood pressure was determined using an indirect tail-cuff method. Glucocorticoid action in the hypothalamus was measured using glycerol-3 phosphate dehydrogenase as a reference enzyme. Results Blood pressures of rats exposed to maternal low-protein diets in utero were elevated significantly relative to those of control rats. The animals that had been exposed to a maternal low-protein diet also exhibited increased glycerol-3 phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity in the hypothalamus, whereas their pyruvate kinase activity was not changed. The offspring of rats injected with metyrapone did not have raised blood pressure or GPDH activities. Replacement of corticosterone during pregnancy had no effect upon the blood pressures and GPDH activities of male offspring, but it reversed the effects of metyrapone in female offspring. Conclusions Exposure to a maternal low-protein diet in utero programmes hypertension in the rat. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that corticosteroids of maternal origin play a role in this programming effect.
Developmental Tasks as a Framework to Study Personality Development in Adulthood and Old Age

Research consistently shows that personality development is a lifelong phenomenon, with mean–level and rank–order changes occurring in all life phases. What happens during specific life phases that can explain these developmental patterns? In the present paper, we review literature linking personality development in different phases of adulthood to developmental tasks associated with these phases. Building on previous work, we describe several categories of developmental tasks that are present in all phases of adulthood. However, the specific tasks within these categories change across adulthood from establishing new social roles in early adulthood to maintaining them in middle adulthood and preventing losses in old age. This trajectory is reflected in mean–level changes in personality, which indicates development towards greater maturity (increases in social dominance, conscientiousness, and emotional stability) in early and middle adulthood, but less so at the end of life. Importantly, developmental tasks are not only associated with mean–level changes, but the way in which people deal with these tasks is also related to rank–order changes in personality. We provide an outlook for future research on how the influence of historical time on the normativeness of developmental tasks might be reflected in personality development. Copyright © 2014 European Association of Personality Psychology
Analysis and Measurement of Buildability Factors Affecting Edge Formwork Labour Productivity

Labour productivity is affected by several factors, but buildability is among the most important. Nevertheless, a thorough examination of the literature revealed a dearth of research into the influence of buildability factors on labour productivity of in situ reinforced concrete construction, especially at the formwork trade level. Although edge formwork is an important labour intensive activity, most often, its labour cost is either crudely estimated or lumped within the formwork cost of other activities. Therefore, the objective of this research is to investigate and quantify the effects and relative influence of the following buildability factors on its labour productivity: (a) depth of slab being edge-formed; (b) slab geometric factor; and (c) type of formwork material used. To achieve this objective, a sufficiently large volume of productivity data was collected and analyzed using the multiple categorical-regression method. As a result, the effects and relative influence of the buildability factors investigated are determined. The findings show significant effects of these factors on edge formwork labour productivity, which can be used to provide designers feedback on how well their designs consider the requirements of buildability principles, and the consequences of their decisions on labour efficiency. On the other hand, the depicted patterns of results may provide guidance to construction managers for effective activity planning and efficient labour utilization.
EVALUACIÓN DE MATERIALES DE Chinene (Persea schiedeana Nees) DE TABASCO Y VERACRUZ

El chinene (Persea schiedeana: lauraceae) es un arbol frutal que es consumido por los habitantes de zonas calido humedas de mesoamerica. Por sus cantidades importantes de aceites se ha promovido su cultivo con fines industriales. Sin embargo, actualmente no hay huertas comerciales con variedades injertadas de chinene. Con el objetivo de caracterizar la calidad de frutos de chinene se realizo colecta de muestras de frutos de seis arboles sobresalientes de Veracruz y Tabasco. Se evaluaron caracteristicas fisicas y morfologicas de los frutos colectados y se compararon con los frutos de otros estudios y con los datos de los mismos arboles evaluados previamente en 2015. Los arboles de dos materiales evaluados sobresalen por sus cantidades importantes de pulpa (alrededor de 50%) y materia seca (38 a 49%). Consideramos que estos materiales son candidatos a propagarse y establecer plantaciones comerciales.
Increased parasympathetic cardiac modulation in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD: how should we interpret it?

Background Cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) is impaired in patients with stable COPD. Exacerbation aggravates the patients’ health status and functional capacity. While the clinical and functional effects of exacerbation are known, no studies investigated CAM during exacerbation and whether there is a relationship between CAM and functional capacity and dyspnea. Methods Thirty-two patients with moderate to severe COPD were enrolled into two groups: stable COPD (GSta, n=16) and acute exacerbation of COPD (GAE, n=16). The GAE patients were evaluated 24–48 hours after starting standard therapy for COPD exacerbation during hospitalization; the GSta patients were evaluated in an outpatient clinic and included in the study if no decompensation episodes had occurred during the previous month. The heart rate (HR) and R-wave peak detection intervals in ms (RRi) were registered using a heart rate monitor (Polar® system) at rest in seated position during 10 minutes. CAM was assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) linear and non-linear analysis. Functional capacity was evaluated by handgrip strength test, performed by Jamar® dynamometer, and dyspnea was scored using the modified scale of the Medical Research Council. Results GAE presented higher parasympathetic CAM values compared with GSta for square root of the mean squared differences of successive RRi (RMSSD; 17.8±5.6 ms vs 11.7±9.5 ms); high frequency (HF; 111.3±74.9 ms2 vs 45.6±80.7 ms2) and standard deviation measuring the dispersion of points in the plot perpendicular to the line of identity (SD1; 12.7±3.9 ms vs 8.3±6.7 ms) and higher CAM values for standard deviation of the mean of all of RRi (STD RRi; 19.3±6.5 ms vs 14.3±12.5 ms); RRi tri (5.2±1.7 ms vs 4.0±3.0 ms); triangular interpolation of NN interval histogram (TINN; 88.7±26.9 ms vs 70.6±62.2 ms); low frequency (LF; 203±210.7 ms2 vs 101.8±169.7 ms2) and standard deviation measuring the dispersion of points along the line of identity (SD2; 30.4±14.8 ms vs 16.2±12.54 ms). Lower values were observed for the complexity indices: approximate entropy (ApEn; 0.9±0.07 vs 1.06±0.06) and sample entropy (SampEn; 1.4±0.3 vs 1.7±0.3). Significant and moderate associations were observed between HF (nu) and handgrip strength (r=−0.58; P=0.01) and between LF (ms2) and subjective perception of dyspnea (r=−0.53; P=0.03). Conclusion COPD exacerbated patients have higher parasympathetic CAM than stable patients. This should be interpreted with caution since vagal influence on the airways determines a narrowing and not a better clinical condition. Additionally, functional capacity was negatively associated with parasympathetic CAM in COPD exacerbation.
Modeling Pharmacodynamics on HIV Latent Infection: Choice of Drugs is Key to Successful Cure via Early Therapy

Highly active antiretroviral therapy has successfully controlled HIV replication in many patients. The treatment effectiveness may depend on the pharmacodynamics of antiretroviral drugs. In this paper, we integrate several drug-related parameters into an HIV infection model to investigate the effects of drug pharmacodynamics on the HIV latent reservoir and viral load dynamics. We showed that pharmacodynamic characteristics of drugs and the dosing schedule can significantly affect the outcome of either early or late treatment. Variations in each of the four studied parameters (the slope of the dose-response curve, the ratio of the maximum dosage to the 50% inhibitory concentration, the drug's half-life, and the dosing interval) can generate either an infection-free steady state or persistent infection when the other parameters remain unchanged. The global stability of the infection-free steady state and the viral persistence are shown to be governed by a viral invasion threshold that depends on the drug ph.
Isolation and characterization of three distinct forms of lipases from Candida rugosa produced in solid state fermentation

Three distinct forms (Lip A, Lip B and Lip C) of extra-cellular lipases (EC- 3.1.1.3), produced by Candida rugosa in solid state fermentation (SSF) were purified and characterised. SSF was carried out in glass columns using coconut oil cake and wheat bran. The enzyme was purified from the aqueous extract of fermented matter by ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysis, ultra-filtration and gel filtration using Sephadex-200 to a 43-fold purification and 64.35-mg/ml specific activity. SDS-PAGE of purified enzyme revealed three distinct bands, indicating the existence of three iso-forms, Lip A, Lip B and Lip C with apparent molecular weight about 64,000, 62,000 and 60,000 Da, respectively. All the three iso-forms were optimally active at 35-40°C and pH 7-8. They showed marked differences in their Km values with different saturated and unsaturated triacyl glycerols. Ag++ and Hg++ strongly inhibited enzyme activity of all the iso-forms, Mn++ has no effect and Ca++ and Mg++ enhanced the activity. EDTA also strongly inhibited the enzyme activities of iso-forms. However, activities of all the three lipases were completely inhibited by serine protease inhibitors such as 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin, pefabloc and partially by phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the purification and characterisation of C. rugosa lipase iso-forms from solid cultures. These lipase iso-forms with diverse characteristics produced in solid cultures may find potential application in biomedical field.
Discovering Findings That Replicate From a Primary Study of High Dimension to a Follow-Up Study

We consider the problem of identifying whether findings replicate from one study of high dimension to another, when the primary study guides the selection of hypotheses to be examined in the follow-up study as well as when there is no division of roles into the primary and the follow-up study. We show that existing meta-analysis methods are not appropriate for this problem, and suggest novel methods instead. We prove that our multiple testing procedures control for appropriate error rates. The suggested family-wise error rate controlling procedure is valid for arbitrary dependence among the test statistics within each study. A more powerful procedure is suggested for false discovery rate (FDR) control. We prove that this procedure controls the FDR if the test statistics are independent within the primary study, and independent or have positive dependence in the follow-up study. For arbitrary dependence within the primary study, and either arbitrary dependence or positive dependence in the follow-up study, simple conservative modifications of the procedure control the FDR. We demonstrate the usefulness of these procedures via simulations and real data examples. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Distribution of Interaural Time Difference in the Barn Owl's Inferior Colliculus in the Low- and High-Frequency Ranges

Interaural time differences are an important cue for azimuthal sound localization. It is still unclear whether the same neuronal mechanisms underlie the representation in the brain of interaural time difference in different vertebrates and whether these mechanisms are driven by common constraints, such as optimal coding. Current sound localization models may be discriminated by studying the spectral distribution of response peaks in tuning curves that measure the sensitivity to interaural time difference. The sound localization system of the barn owl has been studied intensively, but data that would allow discrimination between currently discussed models are missing from this animal. We have therefore obtained extracellular recordings from the time-sensitive subnuclei of the barn owl's inferior colliculus. Response peaks were broadly scattered over the physiological range of interaural time differences. A change in the representation of the interaural phase differences with frequency was not observed. In some neurons, response peaks fell outside the physiological range of interaural time differences. For a considerable number of neurons, the peak closest to zero interaural time difference was not the behaviorally relevant peak. The data are in best accordance with models suggesting that a place code underlies the representation of interaural time difference. The data from the high-frequency range, but not from the low-frequency range, are consistent with predictions of optimal coding. We speculate that the deviation of the representation of interaural time difference from optimal-coding models in the low-frequency range is attributable to the diminished importance of low frequencies for catching prey in this species.
Effect of clinoptilolite on performance of broiler chickens during experimental aflatoxicosis

1. The amelioration of aflatoxicosis in broiler chickens was examined by feeding 2 concentrations of natural zeolite (clinoptilolite). Clinoptilolite (CLI), incorporated into the diet at 15 and 25 g/kg, was evaluated for its ability to reduce the deleterious effects of 2·5 mg total aflatoxin (AF; 76·40% AFB1, 16·12% AFB2, 6·01% AFG1 and 1·47% AFG in diet on growing broiler chicks from 1 to 21 d of age. A total of 360 broiler chicks were divided into 6 treatment groups (6 replicates of 10 broilers each): control, AF, CLI (15 g/kg), AF plus CLI (15 g/kg), CLI (25 g/kg), and AF plus CLI (25 g/kg). 2. Compared to controls, the AF treatment had significantly decreased body weight gain from week 1 onwards. The adverse effect of AF on food consumption (8·0%) and food conversion ratio (8·3%) was also shown over the entire 21-d feeding period. 3. The addition of CLI (15 g/kg) to an AF-containing diet significantly reduced the deleterious effects of AF on food consumption and body weight gain. Food conversion ratio was also slightly improved by adding CLI (15 g/kg) to AF-containing diets. Food consumption, body weight gain and food conversion ratio values were rendered numerically intermediate between AF and control groups by the addition of CLI (25 g/kg) to the AF-containing diet. 4. The addition of CLI (both 15 and 25 g/kg) to the AF-free diet did not produce any significant changes compared with the controls, except for decreased total food consumption in the CLI (25 g/kg)-alone group. 5. These results suggest that CLI (15 g/kg) addition effectively diminished the detrimental effects of AF on the values investigated. Also, the lower dietary concentration of CLI (15 g/kg) was more effective than the greater concentration against the adverse effects of AF on the variables investigated in this study.
When Threat Is Near, Get Out of Here

When detecting a threat, humans and other animals engage in defensive behaviors and supporting physiological adjustments that vary with threat imminence and potential response options. In the present study, we shed light on the dynamics of defensive behaviors and associated physiological adjustments in humans using multiple psychophysiological and brain measures. When participants were exposed to a dynamically approaching, uncontrollable threat, attentive freezing was augmented, as indicated by an increase in skin conductance, fear bradycardia, and potentiation of the startle reflex. In contrast, when participants had the opportunity to actively avoid the approaching threat, attention switched to response preparation, as indicated by an inhibition of the startle magnitude and by a sharp drop of the probe-elicited P3 component of the evoked brain potentials. These new findings on the dynamics of defensive behaviors form an important intersection between animal and human research and have important implications for understanding fear and anxiety-related disorders.
Neonatal cerebral infarction and visual function at school age

Objective: To assess various aspects of visual function at school age in children with neonatal cerebral infarction. Patients and methods: Sixteen children born at term, who had cerebral infarction of perinatal onset on neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were assessed using a battery of visual tests. This included measures of crowding acuity (Cambridge Crowding Cards), stereopsis (TNO test), and visual fields. The results of the visual assessment were compared with the type and the extent of the lesion observed on neonatal MRI. Results: Only six of the 16 children (28%) had some abnormalities of visual function on these tests. Visual abnormalities were more common in children with more extensive lesions involving the main branch of the middle cerebral artery and were less often associated with lesions in the territory of one of the cortical branches of the middle cerebral artery. The presence of visual abnormalities was not always associated with the involvement of optic radiations or occipital primary visual cortex. Abnormal visual fields were only found in children who also developed hemiplegia. Conclusions: Abnormality of visual function is not common in children who had neonatal infarction and, when present, tends to be associated with hemiplegia and more extensive lesions.
Effects of Ingesting a Sports Bar Versus Glucose Polymer on Substrate Utilisation and Ultra-Endurance Performance

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the ingestion of a sports bar (BAR) containing a mixture of fat (7 g), protein (14 ) and carbohydrate (CHO; 19 ) improved ulta-endurance cycling performance compared to when an equicaloric amount of CHO was consumed. On two occasions separated by a minimum of 7 days, six highly trained (peak power output [PPO] 414 +/- 8 W) endurance cyclists rode for 330 min at approximately 50% of PPO (203 +/- 8 W) while ingesting either the BAR or just CHO, before performing a 400 k] time trial as fast as possible. Rates of fat oxidation were significantly greater at the end of the submaximal ride when subjects ingested the BAR compared to CHO (1.09 +/- 0.08 vs 0.73 +/- 0.08g x min(-1); P<0.05), and accordingly total fat oxidation was significantly higher (280 +/- 24 vs 203 +/- 25 g, P < 0.05). However, two subjects failed to complete the time trial after they consumed the BAR during the prolonged, submaximal ride, whereas all subjects managed to finish the time trial when ingesting CHO. In conclusion, ingestion of the sports bar enhanced fat metabolism during prolonged, submaximal exercise, but impaired subsequent high-intensity time-trial performance.
Ethnicity as a Moderator of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Physical Activity in College Students

Most college students do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines, and ethnic disparities exist. The present study examined the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in explaining PA intentions and behavior in black and white college students and whether any TPB relationships were moderated by ethnicity. Black (n = 170) and white (n = 180) students completed a baseline TPB questionnaire and PA assessment 2 weeks later. Hierarchical latent variable regression analyses showed that affective attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) were significant predictors of intention for both ethnic groups, whereas the PBC-intention relationship was significantly stronger for white students. Intention significantly predicted PA for both ethnic groups. Furthermore, common and ethnic-specific beliefs were identified.
The efficacy of esmolol and nitroglycerine in creating dry operative field by producing controlled hypotension in spinal surgeries.

Introduction: Laminectomy and Spine Surgeries are associated with increased blood loss due to bleeding from the extensive epidural venous plexuses. Controlled hypotension is a time tested technique utilized for reducing blood loss and creating a blood less operative field. Esmolol and Nitroglycerine(NTG) are reportedly used in various surgeries for this purpose. As dry operative field is a fundamental component of spine surgeries this study intended to compare the dry operative field created by esmolol with NTG. Material and Methods: This single blinded randomized controlled trial was carried out on 50 adult patients undergoing spine surgeries and divided into two groups of 25 each. Group-E received Esmolol infusion while the Group-N received NTG infusion.Dosages were titrated to achieve controlled hypotension and optimum bloodless operative field. Results: Systoloic, Diastolic and Mean arterial pressures were comparable in both the groups.Pulse rates in group-E were significantly lower(P<0.05) as compared to that in group-N.Mean scores for quality of surgical field were comparable in both the groups however group E required lower blood pressures to achieve it compared to group-N. Esmolol infusion required significantly higher cost than NTG for the above trial. Conclusion: Both Esmolol and NTG can be used as a sole agent to create dry operative field in spine surgeries by way of controlled hypotension with comparable efficacy however NTG is more economical than esmolol for this purpose. Also dry operative field with NTG can be achieved at higher mean blood pressure values compared with use of esmolol.