Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pulsating red giant stars in eccentric binary systems discovered fromKeplerspace based photometry

Context. The unparalleled photometric data obtained by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope has led to improved understanding of red giant stars and binary stars. Seismology allows us to constrain the properties of red giants. In addition to eclipsing binaries, eccentric non-eclipsing binaries that exhibit ellipsoidal modulations have been detected with Kepler. Aims. We aim to study the properties of eccentric binary systems containing a red giant star and to derive the parameters of the primary giant component. Methods. We applied asteroseismic techniques to determine the masses and radii of the primary component of each system. For a selected target, light and radial velocity curve modelling techniques were applied to extract the parameters of the system and its primary component. Stellar evolution and its effects on the evolution of the binary system were studied from theoretical models. Results. The paper presents the asteroseismic analysis of 18 pulsating red giants in eccentric binary systems, for which masses and radii were constrained. The orbital periods of these systems range from 20 to 440 days. The results of our ongoing radial velocity monitoring programme with the Hermes spectrograph reveal an eccentricity range of e= 0.2 to 0.76. As a case study we present a detailed analysis of KIC 5006817, whose rich oscillation spectrum allows for detailed seismic analysis. From seismology we constrain the rotational period of the envelope to be at least 165 d, which is roughly twice the orbital period. The stellar core rotates 13 times faster than the surface. From the spectrum and radial velocities we expect that the Doppler beaming signal should have a maximum amplitude of 300 ppm in the light curve. Fixing the mass and radius to the asteroseismically determined values, we find from our binary modelling a value of the gravity darkening exponent that is significantly larger than expected. Through binary modelling, we determine the mass of the secondary component to be 0.29± 0.03 M . Conclusions. For KIC 5006817 we exclude pseudo-synchronous rotation of the red giant with the orbit. The comparison of the results from seismology and modelling of the light curve shows a possible alignment of the rotational and orbital axis at the 2σ level. Red giant eccentric systems could be progenitors of cataclysmic variables and hot subdwarf B stars.
Regulation of Pituitary ACTH Secretion during Chronic Stress

Maintenance of adequate levels of response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during chronic stress is important for survival. Three basic patterns of response can be identified depending on the type of stress: (a) desensitization of ACTH responses to the sustained stimulus, but hyperresponsiveness to a novel stress despite elevated plasma glucocorticoid levels, as occurs in physical-psychological paradigms; (b) no desensitization of ACTH response to the repeated stimulus and hyperresponsiveness to a novel stress, as occurs during repeated painful stress and insulin hypoglycemia; and (c) small and transient increases in ACTH, but sustained elevations of plasma corticosterone and diminished ACTH responses. The level of response of the pituitary corticotroph is determined by differential regulation of the hypothalamic regulators, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin (VP), and the sensitivity of the negative glucocorticoid feedback. While osmotic stimulation increases VP expression in magnocellular neurons of the paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus, chronic stress paradigms with high pituitary responsiveness are associated with activation of CRH and CRH/VP parvicellular neurons of the PVN, predominantly of the VP-containing population. While moderate increase of CRH output is important for stimulation of POMC transcription, the increase of the VP:CRH secretion ratio appears to be important in maintaining the secretory capacity of the pituitary corticotroph during chronic stimulation. Decreased sensitivity of the glucocorticoid feedback, probably due to interaction of glucocorticoid receptors with transcription factors induced by CRH and VP, is critical for the maintenance of ACTH responses in the presence of elevated plasma glucocorticoid levels during chronic stress. Although both CRH and VP receptors are activated and undergo regulatory variations during chronic stress, only the changes in VP receptor levels are parallel to the changes in pituitary ACTH responsiveness. The inhibitory effect of chronic osmotic stimulation on ACTH secretion in spite of high circulating levels of VP is probably the result of diminished activity of parvicellular PVN neurons and downregulation of pituitary VP receptors. Although the exact interaction between regulatory factors and the molecular mechanisms controlling the sensitivity of the corticotroph during adaptation to chronic stress remain to be determined, it is clear that regulation of the proportional secretion of CRH and VP in the PVN, modulation of pituitary VP receptors, and the sensitivity to feedback inhibition play a critical role.
Agmatine attenuates silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis

There is a large body of evidence that nitric oxide (NO) formation is implicated in mediating silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis. As a reactive free radical, NO may not only contribute to lung parenchymal tissue injury but also has the ability to combine with superoxide and form a highly reactive toxic species peroxynitrite that can induce extensive cellular toxicity in the lung tissues. This study aimed to explore the effect of agmatine, a known NO synthase inhibitor, on silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were treated with agmatine for 60 days following a single intranasal instillation of silica suspension (50 mg in 0.1 ml saline/rat). The results revealed that agmatine attenuated silica-induced lung inflammation as it decreased the lung wet/dry weight ratio, protein concentration, and the accumulation of the inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Agmatine showed antifibrotic activity as it decreased total hydroxyproline content of the lung and reduced silica-mediated lung inflammation and fibrosis in lung histopathological specimen. In addition, agmatine significantly increased superoxide dismutase (p < 0.001) and reduced glutathione (p < 0.05) activities with significant decrease in the lung malondialdehyde (p < 0.001) content as compared to the silica group. Agmatine also reduced silica-induced overproduction of pulmonary nitrite/nitrate as well as tumor necrosis factor α. Collectively, these results demonstrate the protective effects of agmatine against the silica-induced lung fibrosis that may be attributed to its ability to counteract the NO production, lipid peroxidation, and regulate cytokine effects.
High-Frequency Properties of Fe-4.5 Wt% Si Powders With an Insulating Layer Synthesized by a Modified Dew-Point Treatment

The frequency for wireless power chargers is in the range of 100–205 kHz when using MnZn ferrite and NiZn ferrite. Compared to ferromagnetic metals, these ferrites have higher resistivity, which reduces the eddy loss at high frequencies, though they also have lower magnetization values that limit the distance and the direction between the receiver and transmitter units. Thus, there is a strong demand for the development of a new metallic magnetic sheet that can suppress the eddy-current loss in the high-frequency range. To meet this demand, a modified dew-point insulation coating method for Fe-4.5 wt% Si powders was assessed and the high-frequency properties of green compacts consisting of these powders were investigated. As a result, a thin high-resistivity layer was successfully coated onto the powders. In addition, both eddy-current loss and hysteresis loss of their compacts were dramatically reduced in the high-frequency region.
Physiological and self-reported disgust reactions to obesity

ABSTRACT There is accumulating evidence that disgust plays an important role in prejudice toward individuals with obesity, but that research is primarily based on self-reported emotions. In four studies, we examined whether participants displayed a physiological marker of disgust (i.e. levator labii activity recorded using facial electromyography) in response to images of obese individuals, and whether these responses corresponded with their self-reported disgust to those images. All four studies showed the predicted self-reported disgust response toward images of obese individuals. Study 1 further showed that participants exhibited more levator activity to images of obese individuals than to neutral images. However, Studies 2–4 failed to provide any evidence that the targets’ body size affected levator responses. These findings suggest that disgust may operate at multiple levels, and that the disgust response to images of obese individuals may be more of a cognitive-conceptual one than a physiological one.
CEO Compensation and Subsequent Firm Performance: An Empirical Investigation

This study develops and uses a two-stage model to examine the correlation between the compensation of 137 CEO's and the subsequent performance of the 56 companies they manage. This study tests both relationships suggested by the analytical compensation literature and several common assumptions made in the empirical compensation literature. The results suggest that the form of CEO compensation and the relative importance of personal stock ownership both have an effect on subsequent firm performance. Greater reliance on stock options, as a form of CEO compensation is positively correlated with superior subsequent firm performance, while greater reliance on annual bonuses appears to have the opposite effect. The results also suggest that greater personal stock ownership may not provide the commonly assumed alignment of interest between CEO and stockholder.
Plexus muscularis profundus and associated interstitial cells. II. Ultrastructural studies of mouse small intestine

The ultrastructure of plexus muscularis profundus (PMP) of the mouse small intestine was investigated subsequent to vascular perfusion with ruthenium red‐containing and routine aldehyde fixatives. Four types of nerve terminals were revealed. Type I: numerous 500‐Å agranular vesicles and few 1,000‐Å granular vesicles. Type II: predominantly large (1,000–1,500 Å), granular vesicles and fewer 500‐Å agranular vesicles. Type III: an abundance of mitochondria and many flattened vesicles (300 Å × 700‐1,300 Å). Type IV was identified by abundant smooth cisternae 200 Å in width. Types I‐III formed close (200 Å), synapselike contacts to interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC‐III). Presynaptic densities were frequent in type I endings. A direct innervation of muscle cells via PMP was only very occasionally suggested. ICC‐III possessed a basal lamina and numerous caveolae associated with subsurface SER‐cisternae. Mitochondria were very abundant in ICC‐III‐processes. ICC‐III formed multiple, large gap junctions with outer circular‐muscle cells and with other ICC‐III. Also reflexive gap junctions were observed. Fibroblastlike cells (FLC) were distinguished by their prominent GER, the frequent presence of lipid droplets, and the lack of caveolae and a basal lamina. FLC never participated in synaptic arrangements or gap junctions. Macrophagelike cells were occasionally encountered. It is concluded that possible efferent and afferent nerve terminals in PMP may chiefly, if not exclusively, innervate ICC‐III, the ultrastructure of which is compatible with efferent and/or afferent modulatory actions.
Nitrous oxide analgesia during intra-articular injection for juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nitrous oxide–oxygen for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) undergoing intra-articular corticosteroid injection. Methods: A total of 55 consecutive patients with JIA undergoing intra-articular corticosteroid injection, using self administered nitrous oxide–oxygen for analgesia were studied. Patient, nurse, and parent pain scores were compared using a 0–10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) immediately after the procedure. Results: A total of 70 joints were injected in 55 patients (median age 13.54 years). The median pain score for patient, nurse, and parent was 1 (0–10 cm VAS). The mean rank patient score was 2.12, which was greater than the nurse score (1.97), which was greater than the parent score (1.91). These differences were significant. There were no serious adverse events in any patient. Conclusions: Nitrous oxide–oxygen provides safe and effective analgesia for intra-articular injection in children. In some cases, nurses and parents underestimated pain related to the procedure compared to the child.
Angioembolization reduces operative intervention for blunt splenic injury.

BACKGROUND Nonoperative management for blunt splenic injury (BSI) has become gold standard, but the role of angiographic embolization (AE) is still controversial for bleeding. We postulated that splenic AE for BSI would have superior outcomes compared with operation and increase our splenic salvage rate. METHODS This was a retrospective study of all adult trauma patients admitted to our Level I center from 2000 through 2006. Multivariate analysis adjusting for age, Injury Severity Score, and Glasgow Coma Scale score was performed. Only patients who had a computed tomographic (CT) scan before surgery (CT + OR) were compared with those who had CT scans then AE. RESULTS Eighty-seven of 317 patients required initial intervention for their BSI, for a no intervention rate (no OR or AE) of 73% and a nonoperative rate of 89%. The groups had similar Injury Severity Score, mortality, and lengths of stay. The AE group was older (p < 0.01), had higher spleen Abbreviated Injury Score (p = 0.02), and required significantly fewer packed RBC transfusions, p < 0.01. The overall hospitalization costs were not different, but the number of intraabdominal complications was higher for the CT + OR group (36% vs. 6%, p < 0.01). Pneumonia, thromboembolic events, and pleural effusions were equivalent. There were no deaths from splenic hemorrhage. CONCLUSION Despite recent concerns that AE may be overutilized for BSI, this study showed a lower incidence of abdominal complications and blood utilization in the AE group despite an older age and higher splenic Abbreviated Injury Score. Use of AE decreased operative intervention by 16%.
Investigation and Experimental Verification of a Novel Spoke-Type Ferrite-Magnet Motor for Electric-Vehicle Traction Drive Applications

In order to exhibit high performance, traction drive motors that use rare-earth magnets have been mainly applied to hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). However, the raw materials of the magnets have critical issues such as unstable supply and high cost. Thus, a variety of motors not using rare-earth materials have been intensively developed for the traction motor. Nevertheless, it has limitation in increasing the performance of such motors without the use of rare-earth magnets. Accordingly, this paper investigates the availability of a spoke-type ferrite-magnet motor (FMM) with a novel rotor configuration for EV traction motors. In particular, the proposed motor has two rotor designs, and its characteristics based on finite-element analysis are compared according to each rotor design. Furthermore, various mechanical characteristics such as thermal stability, structural safety, and acoustic noise are checked in the design stage of the spoke-type FMM. Finally, the spoke-type FMM is tested in order to verify its performance and feasibility, including vehicle installation and on-road test in LA4 city driving mode.
Immune activation and increased IL‐21R expression are associated with the loss of memory B cells during HIV‐1 infection

Abstract. Ruffin N, Lantto R, Pensieroso S, Sammicheli S, Hejdeman B, Rethi B, Chiodi F (Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm; and South Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden). Immune activation and increased IL‐21R expression are associated with the loss of memory B cells during HIV‐1 infection. J Intern Med 2012; 272: 492–503.
Effects of Liquated Humic Substances on Runoff , Soil Losses by Runoff and by Splash under Artificial Rainfall Conditions

oil, one of the most important natural resources, is lost by water and wind erosion. Addition of organic materials into the soils is commonly used for reducing soil and water losses. In this study liquated humic substances were applied at different doses (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 ml l-1) to investigate its effects on runoff and soil losses caused by runoff and splash under artificial rainfall conditions on soil surface. Liquated humic substances were sprayed by a hand type pomp uniformly on the surface of the soil samples in the erosion pans (30 x 30 x 15 cm; at a slope of 9 %) and then simulated rainfall (40 mm h-1) was applied to these pans for 1 hour. The results indicated that, increases in humic substances doses reduced runoff (24-45 %), soil losses by runoff (7-97 %) and by splash (3-37 %), significantly (P < 0.01).
LigaSure versus conventional hemostasis in thyroid surgery: prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Meticulous hemostasis is a critical and often time-consuming step of safe thyroid surgery. The LigaSure system (Valleylab, Boulder, CO) is a diathermy hemostasis method that fuses vessel walls to form a collagen seal. Previous studies have shown reduced operative times in thyroidectomy using the LS system. The primary objective of the study was to compare operative times using the LS system to conventional titanium clips and surgical ties (CLTs). Secondary outcomes included vocal cord dysfunction, scores on the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), postoperative hypocalcemia, and operative costs between the two groups. METHODS Twenty-eight patients were block randomized to thyroidectomy with either the LS system or CLTs. Patient demographics, operative times, pre- and postoperative VHI scores, vocal cord endoscopy, and operative costs were collected on all patients. Patients were also monitored for clinically significant hypocalcemia postoperatively. RESULTS The mean operative time for CLTs was 68.6 minutes (SD 14.56) versus 68.5 minutes (SD 27.47) for the LS system, which was not statistically significant. VHI scores differed between CLTs and the LS system for the postoperative score only: CLT 19.83 (SD 19.81) versus LS 6.57 (SD 10.83). This was statistically significant, with p = . 041. No difference was detected for hypocalcemia rates or endoscopic vocal cord dysfunction. The operative cost for the LS system was $387.15 (SD $11.93) and for the CLTs was $73.60 (SD $27.72), which was statistically significant (p < .001). CONCLUSION The use of the LS system in thyroidectomy did not reduce overall operative time by a clinically significant level, indicating limited utility in terms of cost reduction contradictory to current literature.
Patients with HIV/Aids and ulcer risk: nursing care demands.

OBJECTIVE to analyze the demand for nursing care and the risk of pressure ulcers (PU) of patients with HIV/Aids. METHOD quantitative survey, carried out from December 2012 to March 2013 in a public hospital of Teresina, state of Piauí, Brazil. RESULTS the sample of 31 patients was predominantly male, mean age 36.6 years, average care demand 49.4%, most showing some risk of developing PU. The variables correlated with PU risk were care demand and clinical outcome (death). Those associated with care demand were age and clinical outcome (death). CONCLUSION the results showed that patients require moderate nursing care needs and most of them present risk of developing PU.
Effect of resolving a subclinical uterine infection on plasma and follicular fluid steroid concentrations in early lactation dairy cows

Sub-clinical endometritis (scEndo) in early lactation affects ovarian follicle dynamics, delays a return to cyclicity, with changes in plasma and follicular fluid (FF) amino acid concentrations around the time of rebreeding. This study examined the effect of resolving scEndo in early lactation on plasma and FF oestrogen, progestagen, androgen and corticosteroid concentrations at the time of rebreeding in 46 dairy cattle. On D42 postpartum, cows were classified as having scEndo, clean or having resolved scEndo based on uterine cytology on D21 of > 18% polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells amongst uterine nucleated cells. On D42 and D63 follicular and plasma samples were collected and steroid concentrations analysed. On D21 and D42, 35% and 7% of cows respectively were classified as having scEndo, with 81% of scEndo cows having self-resolved the infection by D42. In those cows that resolved scEndo, none of the plasma or FF steroid concentrations changed between D42 and D63, except for plasma progesterone (P = 0.08). Using a low (4%PMN) threshold to classify scEndo did not identify any significant changes in steroid concentrations. In contrast to previously described changes in plasma and FF amino acid concentrations, there were no significant effects on steroid concentrations when cows self-resolved a sub-clinical uterine infection.
Immigration and Preferences for Redistribution in Europe

We examine the relationship between immigration and preferences for redistribution in Europe using a newly assembled dataset of immigrant stocks for 140 regions in 16 Western European countries. Exploiting within-country variations in the share of immigrants at the regional level, we find that native respondents display lower support for redistribution when the share of immigrants in their residence region is higher. This negative association is driven by regions of countries with relatively large welfare states and by respondents at the center or at the right of the political spectrum. It is stronger when immigrants originate from Middle-Eastern or Eastern European countries, are less skilled than natives and experience more residential segregation. These results are unlikely to be driven by immigrants’ endogenous location choices, that is, by welfare magnet effects or by immigrants’ sorting into regions with better economic opportunities. They are also robust to instrumenting immigration using a standard shift-share approach.
Prevalence of elevated mean arterial pressure and how fitness moderates its association with BMI in youth

Abstract Objective Cardiorespiratory fitness is known to be cardioprotective and its association with the components of the metabolic syndrome in children is becoming clearer. The aim of the present study was to examine the extent to which cardiorespiratory fitness may offset the weight-related association with mean arterial pressure (MAP) in schoolchildren. Design Cross-sectional study. Settings Schoolchildren from the East of England, UK. Subjects A total of 5983 (48 % females) schoolchildren, 10 to 16 years of age, had height, weight and blood pressure measured by standard procedures and cardiorespiratory fitness assessed by the 20 m shuttle-run test. Participants were classified as fit or unfit using internationally accepted fitness cut-off points; and as normal weight, overweight or obese based on BMI, again using international cut-off points. Age-adjusted ANCOVA was used to determine the main effects and interaction of fitness and BMI on MAP Z-score. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios of elevated MAP. Results Prevalence of elevated MAP in schoolchildren was 14·8 % overall and 35·7 % in those who were obese-unfit. Approximately 21 % of participants were overweight and 5 % obese, while 23 % were classified as unfit. MAP generally increased across BMI categories and was higher in the aerobically unfit participants. Obese-fit males had lower MAP compared with obese-unfit males (P < 0·001); this trend was similar in females (P = 0·05). Conclusions Increasing fitness level may have a positive impact on the weight-related elevations of MAP seen in obese and overweight schoolchildren.