Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic syndrome in youths

Abstract: The metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by a clustering of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) risk factors, has become prevalent in children and adolescents in recent years. However, the reported prevalence data on the MetS in youths has varied markedly, in large part, because of the disagreement among the variously proposed definitions of the MetS. Obesity is defined by using body mass index, waist circumference, or percent overweight, pointing to the need for standardized use of anthropometric variables to define obesity with a well‐defined reference year for each ethnic population. In addition, slightly different cutoff values are used for triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose. Therefore, International Diabetes Federation recently proposed unified, easy‐to‐use criteria for diagnosing the MetS in youths. To provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the MetS in youths, the degree of insulin sensitivity/resistance and its correlation with the serum lipid and blood pressure levels have been evaluated. In addition, the serum levels of adipocytokines, such as adiponectin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor‐α, resistin, interleukin‐6, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, and their correlation with childhood obesity have been extensively investigated. Recommendations for future research include exploring ways to assess visceral adiposity, to identify better biochemical markers for prediction of T2DM and disease progression, and to effectively intervene to prevent the MetS in youths.
Radiolabeled neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitors: synthesis, in vivo evaluation, and primate PET studies.

UNLABELLED The objectives of this study were to synthesize neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS-I)-selective imaging agents based on the 2 potent, selective inhibitors AR-R 17443 [N-(4-((2-((phenylmethyl) (methyl)-amino)ethyl)phenyl)-2-thiophenecarboximidamide)] and AR-R 18512 [(N(2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-7-yl)-2-thiophenecarboxim idamide)] in positron-emitting form and to evaluate regional brain uptake in rodents and primates. METHODS [11C]AR-R 17443 and [11C]AR-R 18512 were produced by N-alkylation of the corresponding desmethyl precursors using [11C]iodomethane. Regional brain uptake of [11C]AR-R 17443 and [11C]AR-R 18512 was assayed in rats and NOS-I knockout mice, and PET was performed in baboons. Tracer kinetic modeling used a 2-compartment plasma and brain tissue model. RESULTS Yields of [11C]AR-R 17443 and [11C]AR-R 18512 ranged from 8% to 16% at the end of synthesis, with specific activities of 50-178 GBq/micromol (1,350-4,800 Ci/mmol) at the end of synthesis. In rat cerebellum and cortex at 30 min after injection, [11C]AR-R 17443 showed 1.01 +/- 0.01 and 1.63 +/- 0.12 percentage injected dose per gram (%ID/g) uptake, respectively, whereas [11C]AR-R 18512 showed 0.88 +/- 0.01 and 1.30 +/- 0.07 %ID/g uptake, respectively. Attempts to block tracer uptake by pretreatment with the NOS-I-selective inhibitor 7-nitroindazole or the corresponding unlabeled inhibitor (or desmethyl precursor to AR-R 17443 of similar potency) were unsuccessful. A small but significant (20%) decrease in cerebellar uptake of [11C]AR-R 18512 was present in NOS-I knockout mice compared with control mice. PET of [11C]AR-R 18512 in baboons with concurrent regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) determination before and after administration of blocker showed dose-related decreases in cerebellar uptake that were greater than or equal to decreases in rCBF. Plasma metabolites accounted for 27% of total activity at 30 min after injection. Kinetic modeling of binding potentials revealed a distribution volume of 334 in cerebral blood that dropped 51% after blocker administration. CONCLUSION Rodent studies for [11C]AR-R 17443 and [11C]AR-R 18512 showed little evidence of specific NOS-I binding. In baboons, we detected a higher uptake of [11C]AR-R 18512 in the cerebellum than in the cortex (approximately 5%, accounting for decreased rCBF because of blockade), indicating minimal specific binding. Analogs of higher affinity are likely required if this class of agents is to prove viable for PET.
Dielectric barrier discharge for multi-point plasma-assisted ignition at high pressures

Nanosecond surface dielectric barrier discharge (nSDBD) is an efficient tool for a multi-point plasma-assisted ignition of combustible mixtures at elevated pressures. The discharge develops as a set of synchronously propagated from the high-voltage electrode charged channels (streamers), with a typical density up to a few streamers per millimetre of the length of the electrode. In combustible mixtures, nSDBD initiates numerous combustion waves propagating from the electrode. Very little is known about nSDBD at high pressures. This work presents a comparative experimental study of the surface dielectric barrier discharge initiated by high-voltage pulses (U=±(20–60) kV) of different polarities in air at elevated pressures (P=1–6 atm). Discharge morphology, deposited energy and velocity of the discharge front propagation are analysed. Differences between the discharges of positive and negative polarity, as well as the changes in the discharge morphology with changing of a gas mixture composition,
Comment on causality and pathway search in microarray time series experiment

Granger causality (GC) (Granger, 1969) is ideally suited to infer causal relationships from bivariate time series such as first-order vector-autoregressive processes VAR (1) (Hamilton, 1994). Recent studies have used GC to infer causal relationships and network structure from temporal gene expression profiles (Mukhopadhyay and Chatterjee, 2007; Fujita et al., 2007). Mukhopadhyay and Chatterjee (2007) proposed a method to infer causality from temporal gene expression data. Their approach determine the p-values from F-test (Hamilton, 1994) across each pair of genes (gi, gj) addressing the null hypotheses (gi fails to Granger cause gj) and (gj fails to Granger cause gi). Subsequently, they chose the desired uni-directional causal relationship as the direction with the lowest p-value. Mukhopadhyay and Chatterjee (2007) also caution the audience that their approach does not guarantee true causality but may prove to be a strong starting point in uncovering “…. functional, metabolic relationship and biological causation models for temporal gene expressions……”. They demonstrate their approach on stationary and non-stationary networks modeled as vector auto-regressive processes as well as microarray gene expression profiles. In this brief letter, we investigate the usefulness of such unidirectional/acyclic approximations within the context of Granger causality and vector auto-regressive processes (VAR). Subsequently, biological significance of the various parameters in a VAR (1) model that can give rise to acyclic approximations is elucidated. In this respect, synthetic two-gene networks modeled as VAR (1) with and without auto-regulatory feedback are investigated. The choice of VAR (1) is especially encouraged by (i) its close connection with the formulation of Granger causality (Granger, 1969; Hamilton, 1994); (ii) recent simulation studies presented by the authors Mukhopadhyay and Chatterjee (2007) and (iii) its prevalence in modeling genetic networks [Fujita et al., 2007; Opgen-Rhein and Strimmer, 2007). We show that such uni-directional/acyclic approximations reflected by discrepancy in p-values as proposed by (Mukhopadhyay and Chatterjee, 2007) may provide biologically meaningful results under the assumptions of equal transcriptional noise variance, reflected by the variance of the noise terms in VAR (1). and equal strength of auto-regulatory feedback, reflected by the magnitude of the diagonal elements in VAR (1). The results presented encourage cautious interpretation of the results of Granger causality (Granger, 1969; Hamilton, 1994) and its variants (Mukhopadhyay and Chatterjee, 2007) in acyclic representation of transcriptional networks inferred from their expression profiles.
Quantum network reduced-state synchronization part I-convergence under directed interactions

We consider reduced-state synchronization of qubit networks with the aim of driving the qubits' reduced states to a common trajectory. The evolution of the quantum network's state is described by a master equation, where the network Hamiltonian is either a direct sum or a tensor product of identical qubit Hamiltonians, and the coupling terms are given by a set of permutation operators over the network. The permutations introduce naturally quantum directed interactions. This part of the paper focuses on convergence conditions. We show that reduced-state synchronization is achieved if and only if the quantum permutations form a strongly connected union graph. The proof is based on an algebraic analysis making use of the Perron-Frobenius theorem for non-negative matrices. The convergence rate and the limiting orbit are explicitly characterized. Numerical examples are provided illustrating the obtained results.
L’évolution morphologique récente du réseau hydrographique sur les marges des glaciers Lovén, presqu’île de Brøgger (Spitsberg, 79° N)

Les changements climatiques posterieurs au Petit Âge Glaciaire entrainent pour les milieux polaires la mise en place de processus paraglaciaires (Church et Ryder, 1972) ou le ruissellement domine les processus zonaux (glaciaires et periglaciaires). En effet, au Spitsberg, la decrue enregistree par les glaciers de la presqu’ile de Brogger provoque la liberation d’eau liquide qui gagne le Kongsfjord en dessinant sur les marges proglaciaires un reseau hydrographique complexe et tres mobile. Cependant, nous avons pu mettre en evidence que cette mobilite diminue au fil des annees. Le reseau hydrographique proglaciaire adopte une organisation de plus en plus stable marquee par la diminution du nombre de drains et une dynamique de hierarchisation malgre son extreme jeunesse.
Processing Russian inflectional morphology: a PET study of verb generation

For many years, acquisition of verbal morphology has been an issue of much debate within linguistic theory, research on first and second language acquisition, mental grammar representation, and cognitive processing. The proponents of the Dual Mechanism account claim that regularly inflected forms are computed by a ruleprocessing system, while morphologically irregular forms are processed in associative memory. The opposite Single Mechanism account claims that both regular and irregular forms are processed in associative memory. In the present PET study significant rCBF increase in the anterior cingulate gyrus of the left hemisphere (24 BA) was shown for regular verb generation.This may support the rule-based (de)compositional account.
Developmentally Regulated Systemic Endopolyploid in Succulents with Small Genomes

Nuclei from Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (ice plant) exhibit multiple levels of ploidy in every tissue as revealed by flow microfluorometric analysis of isolated nuclei stained with mithramycin. Multiples of the haploid nuclear genome complement (1C) corresponding to 2C, 4C, 8C, 16C, 32C, and 64C were observed. The distribution of nuclei among the different ploidy levels is tissue-specific and in leaves is characteristic of the stage of development. This type of genome organization has been identified in eight other succulent CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) plant species with small genomes. Multiploidy may be a common property of this type of plant.
Unemployment and young people's health

function. z A 37-year-old woman with psychosis in association with Prader-Willi syndrome was admitted with cellulitis and confusion, and her rectal temperature was found to be 30°C. On two previous occasions two months earlier she had also been admitted with pneumonia and cellulitis associated with hypothermia (rectal temperatures, 27°C and 32°C, respectively). The first of these admissions occurred one month after she had commenced risperidone (2 mg twice a day) for recurrent psychosis. During the current admission, withdrawal of risperidone resulted in temperature normalisation. She was treated with flucloxacillin and prednisone, the latter because of suspected adrenocortical insufficiency. Olanzapine was administered for the psychosis, but after one dose her oral temperature fell to 34°C and she became obtunded. Withdrawal of olanzapine resulted in clinical improvement and her temperature returned to 36.5°C. On admission, serum electrolyte and glucose levels and the results of thyroid function tests were normal. Levels of luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were low, consistent with the hypogonadotropic hypogonadism of Prader-Willi syndrome. The short Synacthen test (Ciba Geigy) showed a subnormal cortisol response. Before administration of risperidone, this patient had not previously developed paradoxical hypothermia in association with frequent infections, but this occurred on three occasions after commencing risperidone. She also became hypothermic after olanzapine administration, despite adequate steroid replacement and treatment of infection. Hypothyroidism was excluded as the cause of the hypothermia, and the subnormal cortisol response to Synacthen reflects adrenocortical insufficiency secondary to hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. Hypothermia in response to risperidone and olanzapine may result from 5-HTzreceptor blockage. Certainly, 5-HTz agonists may block the hypothermic effect of chlorpromazine and haloperidol, and the hyperthermic effect of tryptophan is blunted by 5-HTz receptor antagonists. 3,4 Clozapine is ap.other antipsychotic agent which has 5-HTzA antagonistic properties, but the patient had not taken clozapine. Moreover, in the rat, clozapine binds D3 receptors, whereas risperidone and olanzapine bind D z receptors preferentially. 5 Our experience suggests that patients
Regulation of Expression of the Borrelia burgdorferi β3-Chain Integrin Ligand, P66, in Ticks and in Culture

ABSTRACT Borrelia burgdorferi is maintained in an infection cycle between mammalian and arthropod hosts. Appropriate gene expression by B. burgdorferi at different stages of this cycle is probably essential for transmission and establishment of infection. The B. burgdorferi β3 integrin ligand P66 is expressed by the bacteria in mammals, laboratory culture, and engorged but not unfed ticks. No in vitro culture conditions in which P66 expression reflected that in the unfed tick were found, suggesting that there are aspects of B. burgdorferi-tick interaction that remain unexplored.
Very-high-speed permanent magnet motors: Mechanical rotor stresses analytical model

In the context of the development of a 500'000 rpm miniaturized permanent magnet motor, a 3D analytical model for the assessment of mechanical stresses is presented. The significant mechanical stresses and thermal constraints encountered at such speeds are limiting factors, especially for the permanent magnets. The model, taking into account the axial stress component and the temperature, can be used for fast multiphysics designs. It has been validated by FEM at several temperatures, geometries and speeds with low a error. The model is finally combined with an analytical electromagnetic model to illustrate the interactions with a motor.
Crowds and Communities: Light and Heavyweight Models of Peer Production

Two collaborative forms of organizing dominate discussion of open participation and production on the Internet: a crowdsourcing model based on microparticipation from many, unconnected individuals, and a virtual community model, based on strong connections among a committed set of connected members. This paper argues that dimensions such as task interdependence, authority control, and group focus underpin behaviors associated with participation in such open systems, resulting in contributory behaviors that can be described at one end as 'lightweight', functioning by weak-tie attachment to a common purpose, enacted through authority-determined, rule-based contribution, and at the other end as 'heavyweight', operating through strong-tie affiliation with community members and community purpose, enacted through internally negotiated, peer-reviewed contribution. Examination and articulation of these dimensions, and the resulting patterns of contributory behavior they engender, help reconcile peer production and virtual community approaches to online collaboration, explain motivational and structural aspects of new forms of collaborative production, and inform design for building and sustaining collective contributory systems.
Intestinal mucosal mast cells: enumeration in urticaria pigmentosa and systemic mastocytosis

Endoscopic gastrointestinal mucosal biopsy specimens from one patient with systemic mastocytosis and five with urticaria pigmentosa (UP) were fixed with Carney's reagent and then stained for chloracetate esterase. The mast cell population densities were enumerated in the mucosa using cursor planimetry. Compared with controls, mast cell counts were increased in gastric and duodenal but not sigmoid mucosae. On a histological basis, systemic involvement would appear commoner in urticaria pigmentosa than is generally expected. Gastrointestinal symptoms did not relate to elevated mucosal mast cell counts.
Inverse signal shapers in effective feedback architecture

New feedback control architecture is proposed in this paper suitable for manipulation of weakly damped flexible structures. Delay-based signal shapers are considered since they are very popular in such applications for their simple implementation and very good performance. Unlike the classical approach where the shapers are used just to filter the reference command, we consider placing it inside the closed loop. Compared to previous attempts, we propose to include the inverse of the signal shaper's dynamics in the feedback path. This architecture is justified by thorough analysis of important feedback loop channels, namely the feedback response from input disturbance to the output. As results from the spectral properties, classical ZV shapers with lumped delays are very inconvenient for the shaper inverse operation, leading to neutrality of the dynamics with the associated risks of stability loss due to high frequency unstable modes. Therefore, a recently introduced DZV shaper with a distributed delay element is utilized in the feedback loop. Results are verified by simulations and experiments.
Grasshopper oral secretions increase salicylic acid and abscic acid levels in wounded leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana

Recent investigations showed that the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana specifically responds to herbivory-associated molecular patterns by activating a sophisticated signaling network. The lipase activity of insect oral secretions was shown to elevate oxylipin levels when applied to puncture wounds in leaves. The results also demonstrated that the oral secretions of the generalist Schistocerca gregaria contained other, probably non-proteinous, elicitors of plant defense responses which induced mitogen-activated protein kinases, calcium signaling and ethylene levels.1 This addendum presents data on the levels of additional phytohormones that are elevated after application of S. gregaria oral secretion to wounded leaves. Abscisic acid and salicylic acid levels are significantly elevated after elicitation with S. gregaria oral secretions, adding another layer of complexity to the herbivory-induced response of A. thaliana.
SH2-Containing Inositol 5′-Phosphatase Inhibits Transformation of Abelson Murine Leukemia Virus

ABSTRACT v-Abl protein tyrosine kinase encoded by Abelson murine leukemia virus (Ab-MLV) transforms pre-B cells. Transformation requires the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. This pathway is antagonized by SH2-containing inositol 5′-phosphatase (SHIP), raising the possibility that v-Abl modulates PI3K signaling through SHIP. Consistent with this, we show that v-Abl expression reduces levels of full-length p145 SHIP in a v-Abl kinase activity-dependent fashion. This event requires signals from the Abl SH2 domain but not the carboxyl terminus. Forced expression of full-length SHIP significantly reduces Ab-MLV pre-B-cell transformation. Therefore, reduction of SHIP protein by v-Abl is a critical component in Ab-MLV transformation.
Measurement of airway resistance by the interrupter technique (Rint) in healthy preschool children

Background: Lung function measurement is extremely helpful in diagnosing and managing the obstructive airway disease. The interrupter technique for measuring airway resistance (Rint) has been shown to be a feasible and sensitive technique suitable for assessing lung function in children as young as 3 years. Normal values are measured in several countries among children of various ethnicities. Since respiratory function depends on anthropometri c data varying among different populations, each country should have its own normative values. The aim of this study was to present the normative values of Rint in Lithuanian preschool children, to compare them with data of other researches, and to explore its usefulness for 2-year-old children particularly. Methods: Rint was measured in 250 healthy children, mean age 4.5 ± 1.1 (2–6) years during expiration with supported cheeks. All children were attending kindergartens at the time of measurement. Outpatient cards were checked in order to exclude children with history of atopy or recent upper and lower respiratory infection. Results and conclusions: Rint was inversely proportional to height and age; height showed a strongest correlation with the normal values of Rint. The linear model of Rint dependence on the height is: Rint = 1.93–0.0112*Height, r = –0.534 (p < 0.001) for healthy children. There are some limitations of Rint suitability for 2-year-old children.
Explaining successful language learning in difficult circumstances

This paper considers the special challenges facing learners of English in developing country contexts, and asks why a few individuals succeed in achieving competence in English where the majority more understandably fail. While research theory has shed light on individual learner differences such as aptitude, motivation and learning strategies, there has been very little empirical investigation of whether these factors can explain L2 achievement in environments where exposure to and use of the L2 are severely limited. At the same time, while it is now recognised that classroom behaviour must be understood in its social and cultural context, there has been less interest in how context shapes and constrains outof-classroom learning behaviour, arguably more important where formal educational provision is wanting. This article reports on a small-scale exploratory study into the attitudes, learning behaviour and L2 achievement of 16 students in provincial Indonesia. Analysis of interview data shows that formal and informal learning opportunities are indeed scarce, frustrating the majority of English learners. The few individuals who have overcome these difficulties demonstrate a personal investment in learning, and the autonomy and resourcefulness to pursue their goals independently.