Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma Selenium and Plasma and Erythrocyte Glutathione Peroxidase Activity Increase with Estrogen during the Menstrual Cycle

Objective: This study was designed to determine the timing and magnitude of changes in selenium status in relation to the fluctuation of 17-β-estradiol during the menstrual cycle and the effect of different phases of the menstrual cycle on dietary selenium intake. Methods:Plasma 17-β-estradiol and plasma and erythrocyte selenium and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were measured in fasting blood samples collected in the morning at four times over three phases of the menstrual cycle: early follicular (EF: days 1–3 menstruation), periovulatory (PO; E-1: 1 day before estrogen peak and E: during estrogen peak) and mid-luteal (ML: 7–9 days after ovulation) in healthy women (n = 14) aged 21 to 39 years and with regular menstrual cycles (26 to 30 days). The estrogen peak was confirmed by measurement of the luteinizing hormone surge. Dietary records (three-day) coincided with blood collection for each phase. Results:Plasma selenium and plasma and erythrocyte GPx activity were greatest during the periovulatory phase, coinciding with the estrogen peak. No differences were observed for erythrocyte selenium or dietary selenium throughout the cycle. A linear relationship existed between estradiol and plasma selenium (p < 0.0027), plasma GPx activity (p < 0.0001), and erythrocyte GPx activity (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: These results indicate that blood selenium parameters fluctuate during the menstrual cycle such that the phase of the cycle should be considered when assessing selenium status.
Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of DMT liposome-adjuvanted tuberculosis subunit CTT3H vaccine

Different strategies have been proposed for the development of protein subunit vaccine candidates for tuberculosis (TB), which shows better safety than other types of candidates and the currently used Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. In order to develop more effective protein subunits depending on the mechanism of cell-mediated immunity against TB, a polyprotein CTT3H, based on 5 immunodominant antigens (CFP10, TB10.4, TB8.4, Rv3615c, and HBHA) with CD8+ epitopes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, was constructed in this study. We vaccinated C57BL/6 mice with a TB subunit CTT3H protein in an adjuvant of dimethyldioctadecylammonium/monophosphoryl lipid A/trehalose 6,6′-dibehenate (DDA/MPL/TDB, DMT) liposome to investigate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of this novel vaccine. Our results demonstrated that DMT liposome-adjuvanted CTT3H vaccine not only induced an antigen-specific CD4+ Th1 response, but also raised the number of PPD- and CTT3H-specific IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cells and elicited strong CTL responses against TB10.4, which provided more effective protection against a 60 CFU M. tuberculosis aerosol challenge than PBS control and DMT adjuvant alone. Our findings indicate that DMT-liposome is an effective adjuvant to stimulate CD8+ T cell responses and the DMT-adjuvanted subunit CTT3H vaccine is a promising candidate for the next generation of TB vaccine.
Effects of a social cue on reproductive development and pre-alternate molt in seasonally breeding migrant and resident female songbirds (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

ABSTRACT To time reproduction optimally, birds have evolved diverse mechanisms by which they respond to environmental changes that help them anticipate and prepare for the breeding season. While residents initiate reproductive preparation and breed in the same geographic location, migrant birds simultaneously prepare for breeding and migration far from their breeding grounds. As a result, it is hypothesized that migrant and resident birds use environmental cues differently to prepare to breed and that there is adaptive specialization in mechanisms regulating reproductive preparation. Specifically, residents are expected to rely more on non-photic cues (e.g. food, temperature, social cues) than migrants. We tested this general prediction using a social cue manipulation. First, we compared the effects of subspecies-appropriate recorded male song on reproductive development in migrants and residents on a naturally increasing photoperiod. Second, we tested the sensitivity of migrant-specific life history events (fattening and pre-alternate molt) to song treatment. After 82 days, residents had higher luteinizing hormone and greater ovarian development than migrants, but song treatment had no effect on these metrics in either subspecies. Song advanced pre-alternate molt but had no effect on fattening in migrants. While our study does not support specialization in social cue use in migrants and residents, it is consistent with findings in the literature of specialization in photoperiodic response. It also demonstrates for the first time that social cues can influence molt in a migrant species. Additional findings from a pilot study looking at responses to a live male suggest it is important to test other kinds of social cues. Highlighted Article: Migrant and resident birds exhibit differences in reproductive development consistent with adaptive specialization in the use of photoperiodic cues, but not social cues, to regulate reproductive development.
A novel three-vectors-based model predictive flux control of induction motor drives

Recently, model predictive flux control (MPFC) has been proposed to cope with the tedious weighting factor tuning work required in conventional model predictive torque control (MPTC). However, similar to MPTC, MPFC presents high torque and current ripples if only one voltage vector are applied during each control period. To improve the steady state performance of MPFC and MPTC, various two-vectors-based schemes can be found in the existing literature. Although better performance can be expected if three vectors are selected during one control period, the complexity would also be increased significantly, which makes its practical application difficult. To address this problem, a simple yet very effective three-vectors-based MPFC is proposed in this paper. The novel method can achieve better performance than that of single-vector and two-vectors-based MPFC. The effectiveness of the proposed three-vectors-based MPFC is verified by the experimental testes, which were carried out on a two-level inverter-fed induction motor (IM) drive platform.
Frequency Offset Estimation for Unknown QAM Constellations

We introduce a novel, both gain and signal-to-noise ratio independent, constellation unaware, blind frequency offset estimation procedure for QAM signals. Asymptotic performance analysis and numerical simulations show that the herein presented method outperforms a selected state of the art blind constellation unaware estimator, especially for cross constellations.
Soil Moisture data product generated from NASA SMAP observations with NOAA ancillary data

NASA Soil Moisture Active/Passive (SMAP) satellite was launched on January 31st, 2015 and has been providing level-1B radiometer brightness temperature (L1B-TB) data with an official latency of 12 hours since April 2015. The primary application users of the SMAP radiometer observations include numerical weather prediction operations that require shorter data latency (e.g. less than 6 hours). With slightly simplified algorithms of the L1B-TB data, NASA SMAP project is also providing near real time (NRT) L1B-TB data to NOAA operational users with a latency ranging from 2-6 hours. With this latency NOAA NWP models could use most of those SMAP half-orbit data that arrives within the 6 hour cut-off time limit. Before a radiance data assimilation capability for NOAA NWP models is developed, NOAA NESDIS is retrieving soil moisture from the NRT L1B-TB data through its Soil Moisture Product System (SMOPS) and makes surface soil moisture directly available for assimilation into the NWP models with the shortest possible turn-around time. Unlike using NASA GEOS model surface and soil temperature and multi-year average vegetation index data, SMOPS soil moisture retrieval algorithm uses the surface temperature data from operational Global Forecast System (GFS) and the vegetation index (NDVI) data from the near real time Suomi-NPP VIIRS observations. This paper introduce the structure of SMOPS, the soil moisture retrieval algorithm for SMAP data, and validation of the soil moisture data products against in the situ soil moisture measurements collected from the Soil Climate Analysis Networks of US Department of Agriculture and the Tibetan Soil Moisture Networks of Chinese Academy of Sciences. The soil moisture data retrieved from SMAP NRT TB data through SMOPS are also evaluated against the NASA official SMAP Level 2/3 soil moisture products. Preliminary validation results indicate that the SMAP soil moisture product from the SMAP NRT TB data and NESDIS SMOPS has similar quality to the NASA official products, but has shorter latency which may be critical to NOAA NWP operations.
Legislative Fragmentation and Government Spending in Presidential Democracies: Bringing Ideological Polarization into the Picture

We claim that, in presidential democracies, the effect of increasing fragmentation on government spending should be conditional on polarization, defined as the ideological distance between the government's party and other parties in Congress. We build a model where this result follows from negotiations between the legislature and an independent government seeking the approval of its initiatives—as in presidential democracies. Using cross-country data over time, we test the empirical validity of our claim finding that, in presidential democracies, there is indeed a positive effect of fragmentation only when polarization is sufficiently high. The same is not true for parliamentary democracies.
Compensatory redistribution of neuroligins and N‐cadherin following deletion of synaptic β1‐integrin

β1‐containing integrins are required for persistent synaptic potentiation in hippocampus and regulate hippocampal‐dependent learning. Based largely on indirect evidence, there is a prevailing assumption that β1‐integrins are localized at synapses, where they contribute to synapse adhesion and signaling, but this has not been examined directly. Here we investigate the fine localization of β1‐integrin in adult mouse hippocampus using high‐resolution immunogold labeling, with a particular emphasis on synaptic labeling patterns. We find that β1‐integrins localize to synapses in CA1 and are concentrated postsynaptically. At the postsynaptic membrane, β1‐integrins are found more commonly clustered near active zone centers rather than at the peripheral edges. In mice harboring a conditional deletion of β1‐integrins, labeling for N‐cadherin and neuroligins increases. Western blots show increased levels of N‐cadherin in total lysates and neuroligins increase selectively in synaptosomes. These data suggest there is a dynamic, compensatory adjustment of synaptic adhesion. Such adjustment is specific only for certain cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), because labeling for SynCAM is unchanged. Together, our findings demonstrate unequivocally that β1‐integrin is an integral synaptic adhesion protein, and suggest that adhesive function at the synapse reflects a cooperative and dynamic network of multiple CAM families. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2041–;2052, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using Information Scent to Understand Mobile and Desktop Web Search Behavior

This paper investigates if Information Foraging Theory can be used to understand differences in user behavior when searching on mobile and desktop web search systems. Two groups of thirty-six participants were recruited to carry out six identical web search tasks on desktop or on mobile. The search tasks were prepared with a different number and distribution of relevant documents on the first result page. Search behaviors on mobile and desktop were measurably different. Desktop participants viewed and clicked on more results but saved fewer as relevant, compared to mobile participants, when information scent level increased. Mobile participants achieved higher search accuracy than desktop participants for tasks with increasing numbers of relevant search results. Conversely, desktop participants were more accurate than mobile participants for tasks with an equal number of relevant results that were more distributed across the results page. Overall, both an increased number and better positioning of relevant search results improved the ability of participants to locate relevant results on both desktop and mobile. Participants spent more time and issued more queries on desktop, but abandoned less and saved more results for initial queries on mobile.
Model selection and relationship between idiosyncratic volatility and expected stock returns: evidence from Chinese A-share Market

With the daily data and monthly data of stock market for January 1, 2000 to March 31, 2011 as research sample, use Fama-French three factor regression and EGARCH(1,1) model to estimate idiosyncratic risk, the relationship between idiosyncratic risk and the return of stocks is analyzed based on the cross-sectional regression analysis method. Using Fama-French three factor regression to estimate idiosyncratic risk, a strongly statistically significant positive relation between idiosyncratic risk and the return of stocks is found. Using EGARCH(1,1)model to estimate idiosyncratic risk, there is a strongly statistically significant negative relation between idiosyncratic risk and the weighted return of stocks. Moreover, size, turnover, illiquidity, book-to-market ratio and is positively related to return of stocks, momentum and is negatively related to return of stocks. Two different models (Fama-French Three-factor Model and EGARCH Model) indicate that no robustly significant relationship exists between idiosyncratic volatility and expected return.
Time to abandon the bio-bio-bio model of psychosis: Exploring the epigenetic and psychological mechanisms by which adverse life events lead to psychotic symptoms

Abstract Mental health services and research have been dominated for several decades by a rather simplistic, reductionistic focus on biological phenomena, with minimal consideration of the social context within which genes and brains inevitably operate. This ‘medical model’ ideology, enthusiastically supported by the pharmaceutical industry, has been particularly powerful in the field of psychosis, where it has led to unjustified and damaging pessimism about recovery. The failure to find robust evidence of a genetic predisposition for psychosis in general, or ‘schizophrenia’ in particular, can be understood in terms of recently developed knowledge about how epigenetic processes turn gene transcription on and off through mechanisms that are highly influenced by the individual's socio-environmental experiences. To understand the emerging evidence of the relationship between adverse childhood events and subsequent psychosis, it is necessary to integrate these epigenetic processes, especially those involving the stress regulating functions of the HPA axis, with research about the psychological mechanisms by which specific types of childhood trauma can lead to specific types of psychotic experiences. The implications, for research, mental health services and primary prevention, are profound. Declaration of Interest: None of the authors have any conflicts of interest in relation to this paper.
Butyrate response factor 1 enhances cisplatin sensitivity in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Resistance to cisplatin is a common feature of HNSCC. To identify genes that may regulate cisplatin sensitivity, we carried out a cDNA microarray analysis of gene expression in cisplatin‐sensitive and cisplatin‐resistant HNSCC‐derived cell lines. Among genes differentially expressed by cisplatin treatment, we have confirmed the elevated expression of butyrate responsive factor 1 (BRF1) in cisplatin‐sensitive HNSCC cells and have demonstrated that the expression level of BRF1 is associated with cisplatin‐sensitivity. Specific inhibition of BRF1 expression using an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) decreased the cisplatin‐sensitivity and, on the contrary, overexpression of BRF1 increased cisplatin‐sensitivity in HNSCC cells. Elevated expression of BRF1 decreased the level of the human inhibitor of apoptosis protein‐2 (cIAP2) and increased the caspase‐3 activity in HNSCC cells. In addition, elevated expression of BRF1 decreased the expression level of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) linked to a 3′ terminal AU‐rich element (ARE) of cIAP2 mRNA. These findings demonstrate that BRF1 expression enhanced cisplatin sensitivity in HNSCC cells by reducing the levels of cIAP2 mRNA. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Pilot Study Examining Patient Attitudes and Intentions to Adopt Assistive Technologies Into Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management

Background: Approximately half of individuals living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have suboptimal self-management, which could be improved by using assistive technologies in self-management regimes. This study examines patient attitudes and intentions to adopt assistive technologies into T2DM self-management. Methods: Forty-four participants (M = 58.7 years) with T2DM were recruited from diabetes education classes in the southwestern Ontario, Canada, between February and April 2014. Participants completed a self-reported in-person survey assessing demographic characteristics, current diabetes management, and attitudes toward using assistive technologies in their diabetes self-management. Demographics, disease characteristics, and current technology use and preferences of the cohort were examined, followed by a correlational analysis of descriptive characteristics and attitudes and intentions to use technology in self-management. Results: The majority of (but not all) participants felt that using Internet applications (65%) and smartphone (53.5%) applications for self-management was a good idea. The majority of participants did not currently use an Internet (92.5%) or mobile (96%) application for self-management. Of participants, 77% intended to use an Internet application to manage their diabetes in the future and 58% intended to use mobile applications. Younger age was associated with more positive attitudes (r = –.432, P = .003) and intentions (r = –.425, P = .005) to use assistive technologies in diabetes self-management. Conclusions: Findings suggest that patients, especially those younger in age, are favorable toward adopting assistive technologies into management practice. However, attitudes among older adults are less positive, and few currently make use of such technologies in any age group.
Consensus report from the 6th International forum for liver MRI using gadoxetic acid

As the utility of liver‐specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) increases, it is pertinent to optimize and expand protocols to improve accuracy and foster evolution of techniques; in turn, positive impacts should be seen in patient management. This article reports on the latest expert thinking and current evidence in the field of liver‐specific MRI, as discussed at the 6th International Forum for Liver MRI, which was held in Vancouver, Canada in September 2012. Topics discussed at this forum described the use of gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI for the assessment of liver function at the segmental level; to increase accuracy in the diagnosis of liver metastases; to overcome current challenges in patients with cirrhosis, including management of arterial hypo‐/isovascular, hepatobiliary phase hypointense nodules; and the data which would be required in order to recommend the use of this modality in hepatocellular carcinoma management guidelines. Growing evidence suggests that gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI can help to improve the management of patients with a number of different liver disorders; however, more data are needed in some areas, and there may be a case for developing an interpretation guideline for gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI findings to aid standardization. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:516–529. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neutralizations of IL-17A and IL-21 regulate regulatory T cell/T-helper 17 imbalance via T-helper 17-associated signaling pathway in immune thrombocytopenia

Objective: The imbalance of regulatory T cell/T-helper 17 (Treg/Th17) is critical for the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and IL-17A and IL-21 are overexpressed in ITP. The effects and mechanisms of IL-17A and IL-21 in Treg/Th17 imbalance and ITP pathophysiology are not clarified. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD3+ T cells from ITP patients and healthy controls were treated with cytokines or antibodies to increase or neutralize IL-17A or IL-21 levels for 72 h. Treg/Th17 differentiation, apoptosis, proliferation and Th17 differentiation-associated transcriptional factors were analyzed. Results: Natural Treg/Th17 decreased in newly diagnosed ITP patients and recovered after remission. IL-17A or IL-21 increased Th17, decreased Tregs and downregulated Treg/Th17 in vitro. Conversely, neutralization of IL-17A or IL-21 decreased Th17, increased Tregs and up-regulated Treg/Th17. The reverse effects of IL-17A or IL-21 were mediated by Th17-associated transcriptional factors. IL-17A or IL-21 enhanced STAT-1, STAT-3, STAT-5 or RAR-related orphan receptor C (RORC), whereas anti-IL-17A or anti-IL-21 mAb downregulated STAT-1, STAT-5 or RORC transcripts in ITP PBMCs. Proliferation showed no significant difference. IL-21 inhibited apoptosis in ITP PBMCs. Conclusion: IL-17A and IL-21 induce Th17 and inhibit Tregs re-differentiation via Th17-associated signaling pathway in ITP patients in vitro. It highlights the potential value of IL-17A or IL-21 blockade as a novel therapeutic target for ITP.
Comparison of sirolimus and everolimus in their effects on blood lipid profiles and haematological parameters in heart transplant recipients

Abstract: The mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitors sirolimus (SRL) and everolimus (EVL) are potent immunosuppressive agents, which allow reducing the dose of the nephrotoxic calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporin and tacrolimus (TAC) in solid organ transplant recipients. However, there is evidence that mTOR inhibitors may lead to myelosuppression and dyslipidemia/hyperlipidemia. We therefore performed a retrospective analysis in heart transplant recipients with renal insufficiency, who received 3.0 mg/d SRL (SRL group; n = 28) or 1.5 mg/d EVL (EVL group; n = 27) each in combination with a reduced TAC dose for at least one yr. Fewer cardiac rejections, but a similar rate of infections occurred in the EVL group compared with the SRL group indicating that the administered EVL dose resulted in a potent immunosuppression. Serum triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations rose significantly in the SRL group but not in the EVL group. In the SRL group only, the frequency of statin use increased significantly during follow‐up. The EVL group showed a significant rise in HDL cholesterol levels during follow‐up. There was a slight transient fall in haemoglobin concentrations in the SRL group but not in the EVL group. Leucocyte counts fell significantly in both study groups. However, no cases of leucopenia and also no cases of thrombopenia occurred. In summary, we could demonstrate that in heart transplant recipients with renal insufficiency the introduction of 1.5 mg/d EVL in combination with a reduced TAC dose is effective in preventing cardiac rejections and has less adverse effects on lipid metabolism than the usually prescribed SRL dose, whereas both therapy regimens are not associated with major haematological side‐effects.