Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic Regulation of miR‐29s Affects the Lactation Activity of Dairy Cow Mammary Epithelial Cells

Milk is important for human nutrition, and enhanced milk quality has become a major selection criterion for the genetic improvement of livestock. Epigenetic modifications have been shown to be involved in mammary gland development; but the mechanisms underlying their effects remain unknown. MicroRNAs are involved in the regulation of milk synthesis and in mammary gland development. Our study is the first to investigate the roles of miR‐29s and epigenetic regulation in dairy cow mammary epithelial cells (DCMECs). Our results show that miR‐29s regulate the DNA methylation level by inversely targeting both DNMT3A and DNMT3B in DCMECs. The inhibition of miR‐29s caused global DNA hypermethylation and increased the methylation levels of the promoters of important lactation‐related genes, including casein alpha s1 (CSN1S1), E74‐like factor 5 (ElF5), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1 (SREBP1), and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). The inhibition of miR‐29s reduced the secretion of lactoprotein, triglycerides (TG) and lactose by DCMECs. Moreover, the treatment of DCMECs with 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (5‐Aza‐dC) decreased the methylation levels of the miR‐29b promoter and increased the expression of miR‐29b. The link between miR‐29s and DNMT3A/3B enhances our understanding of the roles of miRNAs in mammary gland function, and our data will inform more experimentally oriented studies to identify new mechanisms of regulating lactation. We present new insights regarding the epigenetic regulation of lactation performance. Improved understanding of the molecular basis of lactation will aid in the development of strategies for optimizing milk quality in dairy cows and modifying the lactation performance of offspring. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2152–2163, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Breastfeeding of Very Low Birth Weight Infants

This research examines the rate of breastfeeding among mothers of very low birth weight infants (VLBW, <1500 grams), and the correlates of breast milk pumping and transition to nursing at the breast. Eighty-two mothers and their 69 singleton and 21 twin VLBW infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (January 1-June 30, 1995) of an urban tertiary care hospital. Maternal demographic, infant birth, and neonatal data were compared according to breast or bottle feeding, and a telephone interview was administered retrospectively to mothers pumping breast milk at the time of the infant's discharge home. Of 39 mothers who chose to pump breast milk, 19 were still pumping at the time of the infant's discharge home. Only 8 made a successful transition to nursing at the breast. Mothers who continued pumping tended to be white, married, and older, and their infants had fewer neonatal complications. The rates of prolonged breast milk pumping and of nursing are very low. Specific interventions and better support might improve the success rates.
Analysis of force control based on linear models

The author addresses force control of robot manipulators. It is shown that from a linear system point of view the methods proposed in the literature are equivalent to state an/for output variable feedback, and the stability, for measurement performed either in joint or task space coordinates, can be established through similarity transformations. However, when selection matrices are used, the stability is affected by the choice of compensation in terms of task or joint space coordinates. Using linear models, it is argued that many different methods are analytically equivalent, hence the suggested improvements are inconclusive unless considerations of hardware-, software-, and equipment-specific data are taken into account. <<ETX>>
An architecture for DICOM medical images storage and retrieval adopting distributed file systems

Conventional storage and retrieval of information from telemedicine environments is usually based on ordinary database systems. Aspects such as scalability, information distribution, high performance system techniques and operational costs are well known challenges to be circumvented in the research for novel proposals in the field of large-scale telemedicine systems. In this paper we present an architecture that targets high performance levels in storing and retrieving DICOM medical images, adopting a distributed approach in a cluster configuration. Our proposal has two main components: the first element is a data model that is based on image hierarchy, considering the hierarchical data format 5 (HDF5). The second component is a distributed file system, characterised by the parallel virtual file system (PVFS) that was employed in this proposal as a distributed storage data system. As a result, this paper presents a differentiated approach for storage and retrieval of information for a telemedicine environment. Experimental results, utilising the architecture, indicate an enhanced level of performance around 16% in terms of storage process. This number represents an improved performance in comparison to a conventional database system.
Association of Cigarette Use and Complication Rates and Outcomes Following Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Background: Tobacco use is a known risk factor for increased perioperative complications and having worse functional outcomes in many orthopedic procedures. To date, no study has elucidated the effect of cigarette smoking on complications or functional outcome scores after total ankle replacement (TAR). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 642 patients who had TAR between June 2007 and February 2014 with a known smoking status. These patients were separated into 3 groups based on their smoking status: 34 current smokers, 249 former smokers, and 359 nonsmokers. Outcome scores and perioperative complications, which included infection, wound complications, revision surgeries, and nonrevision surgeries were compared between the groups. Results: When comparing perioperative complications in the active smokers to the nonsmokers, we found a statistically significant increased risk of wound breakdown (hazard ratio [HR] 3.08, P = .047). Although the active smokers had an increased rate of infection (HR 2.61, P = .392), revision surgery (HR 1.75, P = .470), and nonrevision surgery (HR 1.69, P = .172), these findings were not statistically significant. With regard to outcome scores, all groups demonstrated improvement at 1- and 2-year follow-up compared with their preoperative outcome scores. However, the active smokers had less improvement in their outcome scores than the nonsmokers at 1- and 2-year follow-up. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the outcome scores when comparing the nonsmokers to the former smokers. Conclusion: Active cigarette smokers undergoing TAR had a significantly higher risk of wound complications and worse outcome scores compared with nonsmokers and former smokers. Furthermore, tobacco cessation appeared to reverse the effects of smoking, which allowed TAR to be an effective and safe procedure for providing pain relief and improving function in former smokers as they had perioperative complication rates and outcomes similar to nonsmokers. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative series.
Evaluation of a liquid chromatographic method for the determination of fumonisins in corn, poultry feed, and Fusarium culture material.

The performance of a liquid chromatographic method for determining fumonisins in corn, animal feeds, and culture material was evaluated. Efficiencies of extractions with the following solvent systems were determined: acetonitrile-water (50 + 50, v/v), methanol-water (75 + 25, v/v), and 100% water. The acetonitrile solvent gave both higher extraction efficiencies and faster extraction times than the other 2 solvents. Extraction was followed by C18 solid-phase extraction column cleanup. Fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2), and fumonisin B3 (FB3) were measured by precolumn derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde followed by isocratic separation on a C18 reversed-phase column with a mobile phase of 50 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 3.3)-acetonitrile (60 + 40). Commercially prepared poultry feed, corn, and Fusarium spp. corn cultures were analyzed at the following levels: FB1, 1.5 to 15,000 micrograms/g; FB2, 0.5 to 4000 micrograms/g; FB3, and 0.17 to 1,500 micrograms/g. Recoveries were 91-94%, 90-100%, and 81-93% for FB1, FB2, and FB3, respectively. Precision (coefficient of variation) was determined with pooled field samples and ranged from 2% at 19 micrograms/g for FB1 to 9% at 0.17 microgram/g for FB3. Time and pH studies of the formation of the fluorescent derivative and its stability were conducted. Complete reaction occurred at pHs above 7.9, with optimal pH for chromatography between 8.0 and 8.5. No statistically significant response differences were detected for reaction times ranging from 4 to 40 min; however, the detector signal was significantly reduced when reaction times were shorter than 4 min. Chromatograms of samples were free of interferences for all feeds, corn, and culture material tested. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A comparison of two golf shoe designs : Effect of perception and biomechanical testing in elite and recreational golfers

Purpose: The study set out to investigate two different golf shoe outer sole configurations in two independent stages: A comfort questionnaire and an indoor laboratory test. Methods: Fifteen recreational and elite players volunteered to participate as subject’s. For stage l, the questionnaire group, consisting of subjects being both recreational and elite players (age: 27.7 ± 11.3 years; handicap: 7,6 ± 10,7). Subjects were approached on the local golf driving range and tested each pair of ECCO golf shoes before completing the comfort questionnaire. For stage l, each answer and perception of the two different shoes were measured. For stage ll, the indoor laboratory test, consisting of subjects being only elite players (hcp:<4; age: 23.75 ± 0.5 years; height: 1.85 ± 0.05 m; body weight: 86.3 ± 5.3 kg). Subjects tested each pair of ECCO golf shoes and completed twenty shots on artificial grass mats in the laboratory setting. Stage ll, considered the independent variables shoe (2: Soft spike model and hybrid model design); club (2: 3-wood and 5-iron) in relation to the dependent variables, ground reaction forces (Fy Max) in front and back foot and club head speed and ball speed. A two-way ANOVA was used to compare the independent and dependent variables at a 5% significance level. Results: For stage l, the results indicated that the recreational golfers (hcp>4) tend to choose the hybrid shoe model, while elites (hcp<4) tend to choose the soft spike model. Between the subjects participating in the study ~73% would choose the hybrid model compared to ~27% choosing the soft spike model after trying each pair of ECCO shoes. For stage ll, no significant difference (p>0.05) exists in ground reaction force (Fy Max) between the two variables; club and shoe selection. However, a significant difference exists (p<0.05) in simple main effects maximum and minimum (peak) force generation for the back foot within club selection (iron and 3-wood) and within shoes (soft spike and hybrid) used in the study. No significant differences (p>0.05) exist in club head speed and ball speed between any of the variables. Conclusion: The results indicate that the hybrid model seems to be the general favorite amongst subjects in the comfort questionnaire. The tendency seems to be towards the general population of golfers, while elites/ professionals prefer the soft spike model. Also, no differences were found in ground reaction forces and club head or ball speed suggesting that the hybrid model could potentially deliver similar traction as the soft spike model and thus not affecting the golf swing or outcome.
Adolescent sleep, risk behaviors, and depressive symptoms: are they linked?

OBJECTIVE To explore how weekday and weekend sleep patterns are related to adolescent substance use, depressive symptoms, and school truancy. METHODS Selfreport surveys of 242 youth (93.4% white, mean age 16.4 years). RESULTS Longer weekday sleep duration was inversely associated with depressive symptoms, past month alcohol use, and drunkenness. Later weekend bedtime and wake-times, compared to those of weekdays, were associated with increased substance use and truancy. CONCLUSIONS Weekday sleep duration appears to be protective for substance use, depression and school truancy for teenagers. However, inconsistent sleep patterns between weekdays and weekends were associated with a range of markers for adolescent risk.
Isostructurality, polymorphism and mechanical properties of some hexahalogenated benzenes: the nature of halogen...halogen interactions.

The nature of intermolecular interactions between halogen atoms, X.X (X = Cl, Br, I), continues to be of topical interest because these interactions may be used as design elements in crystal engineering. Hexahalogenated benzenes (C6Cl(6-n)Br(n), C6Cl(6-n)I(n), C6Br(6-n)I(n)) crystallise in two main packing modes, which take the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n and the triclinic space group P1. The former, which is isostructural to C6Cl6, is more common. For molecules that lack inversion symmetry, adoption of this monoclinic structure would necessarily lead to crystallographic disorder. In C6Cl6, the planar molecules form Cl.Cl contacts and also pi.pi stacking interactions. When crystals of C6Cl6 are compressed mechanically along their needle length, that is, [010], a bending deformation takes place, because of the stronger interactions in the stacking direction. Further compression propagates consecutively in a snakelike motion through the crystal, similar to what has been suggested for the motion of dislocations. The bending of C6Cl6 crystals is related to the weakness of the Cl.Cl interactions compared with the stronger pi.pi stacking interactions. The triclinic packing is less common and is restricted to molecules that have a symmetrical (1,3,5- and 2,4,6-) halogen substitution pattern. This packing type is characterised by specific, polarisation-induced X.X interactions that result in threefold-symmetrical X3 synthons, especially when X = I; this leads to a layered pseudohexagonal structure in which successive planar layers are inversion related and stacked so that bumps in one layer fit into the hollows of the next in a space-filling manner. The triclinic crystals shear on application of a mechanical stress only along the plane of deformation. This shearing arises from the sliding of layers against one another. Nonspecificity of the weak interlayer interactions here is demonstrated by the structure of twinned crystals of these compounds. One of the compounds studied (1,3,5-tribromo-2,4,6-triiodobenzene) is dimorphic, adopting both the monoclinic and triclinic structures, and the reasons for polymorphism are suggested. To summarise, both chemical and geometrical models need to be considered for X.X interactions in hexahalogenated benzenes. The X.X interactions in the monoclinic group are nonspecific, whereas in the triclinic group some X.X interactions are anisotropic, chemically specific and crystal-structure directing.
Same-Sex Partnership for What? Evidence from Swedish Register Data

The expansion of legal rights to same-sex couples is afoot in a number of Western countries. The effects of this roll-out are not only important in their own right but can also provide a window on the institution of marriage and the rights bundled therein. In this paper, using Swedish longitudinal register data covering the period 1994-2007, we study the impact of the extension of rights to same-sex couples on labor earnings and fertility. In 1994, Registered Partnership for same-sex couples was introduced in Sweden. Registered partnership conferred almost all rights and obligations of marriage, a notable exception being joint legal parenting (paternity presumption). Joint legal parenting was added as an option to same-sex couples in registered partnership in 2002. We find registered partnership to be important to both gays and lesbians but for different reasons. For gays, resource pooling emerges as the main function of registered partnership. For lesbians, registered partnership appears to be an important vehicle for family formation, especially after the 2002-adoption law. In contrast to heterosexual couples (included for comparison), we find no evidence of specialization among lesbians. The lack of specialization is noteworthy given comparable fertility effects of registered partnership (after 2002) and the fact that the lesbian couples were less assortatively matched (on education) than the heterosexual couples, two factors commonly believed to promote specialization.
Food supplement-related risks in the light of internet and RASFF data.

OBJECTIVE Based on legal acts and RASFF information, this paper aimed at evaluating available facts on food supplements in comparison to the most popular data accessible via Internet for future and present consumers. MATERIAL AND METHODS Having analyzed legal acts and RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) database, the authors attempted to verify what kind of information on food supplements may be found by an Internet user, using the first webpage of Google.pl. This search engine was used in this study as it gained the highest popularity among Internet users. It was decided that exclusively search results displayed on the first webpage would be subject to analysis as 91.5% of Internet users limit their search to the first 9-10 results. Internet was searched using the following two terms: 'supplement' and 'supplements' as well as terms suggested by Google. pl. Subsequently, the results were subject to qualitative and quantitative analyses. RESULTS On the Internet, the most frequently searched terms were: 'supplements' (243 000 000), 'supplement' (9 290 000), 'supplements shop' (8 200 000). Having analyzed the content of particular websites, information on certain products, given by their manufacturers may be found. Then, data on supplement itself were provided, i.e. what is a supplement and when it should be used. Expert articles (written by physicians, dieticians, pharmacists) on a risk resulting from these products, including therapeutic indications or the presence of unauthorized substances were identified considerably less frequently. No warnings regarding the necessity of purchasing the products in legal and verified places were found. CONCLUSIONS There is a necessity of systemic education of consumers on reasonable use of food supplements. It is also advisable to consider the organization of alert system whose objective would be to monitor adverse reactions caused by an intake of food supplements or novel food launched into the country. To obtain reliable information on the composition and effects of food supplements, potential consumer should contact physician or dietician. Additionally, complementary information, using different sources with an example being health-related portals, presenting articles written by physicians or pharmacists, may be also searched.
Neuronal mechanisms encoding objects in the early visual cortex

When we open our eyes, visual information flows from the retina to the optic nerves and into the brain, allowing us to ‘see’ what kind of physical objects exists in our field of vision. However, a visual scene is simply, in essence, an array of different colours and intensities. What we perceive is our brains’ interpretation of this visual scene. This is leads us to the following question: How does the brain assemble this raw information into objects and scenes?
The validity of a short form of the Coopersmith Self Esteem Inventory.

Summary. The short form of the Coopersmith Self Esteem Inventory designed by Lee (Argyle and Lee, 1972) was subjected to several tests of validity and internal consistency. The short form was administered to 41 children in off-site units for persistent school non-attenders and 41 matched controls (average age 14 years 9 months). Factor analysis revealed no general factor of self esteem. Scores were found not to correlate significantly with general verbal abilities nor word reading. However, there was a moderate correlation between the Coopersmith scores and repetory grid measures of self esteem. Children who were rated by their teachers to have “neurotic” compared with conduct or no difficulties showed significantly lower scores on the Coopersmith inventory, suggesting that the short-form inventory was assessing some aspects of self perceptions and self evaluations about emotional reactions. The results are interpreted as illustrating the need for improved test construction and validation in this area.
Providing security for E-wallet using E-cheque

Payment is one of the main parts in businesses. Different types of software, hardware and methods for paying electronically have been presented. Different types of banking cards, E-wallet; internet web pages for payment make it possible to pay both online and offline. However, in most payment tools, exchanging money is anonymously and untraceably. Therefore, although most security techniques within payment tools are considered to restrict abuse, if it is stolen, it makes possible to be abuse. Furthermore, anonymous characteristics of E-money make it possible for money laundering. E-cheque includes both sides name in a business, and also it is traceable. By using E-cheque techniques in payment tools instead of E-money, it is possible to increase payment tools security.
TheMg 2 + andMg 2 +-Nucleotide-Regulated Channel-Kinase TRPM 7

TRPM7 is a member of the melastatin-related subfamily of TRP channels and represents a protein that contains both an ion channel and a kinase domain. The protein is ubiquitously expressed and represents the only ion channel known that is essential for cellular viability. TRPM7 is a divalent cation-selective ion channel that is permeable to Ca2+ and Mg2+, but also conducts essential metals such as Zn2+, Mn2+, and Co2+, as well as nonphysiologic or toxic metals such as Ni2+, Cd2+, Ba2+, and Sr2+. The channel is constitutively open but strongly downregulated by intracellular levels of Mg2+ and MgATP and other Mg-nucleotides. Reducing the cellular levels of these regulators leads to activation of TRPM7-mediated currents that exhibit a characteristic nonlinear current–voltage relationship with pronounced outward rectification due to divalent influx at physiologically negative voltages and monovalent outward fluxes at positive voltages. TRPM7 channel activity is also actively regulated following receptor-mediated changes in cyclic AMP (cAMP) and protein kinase A activity. This regulation as well as that by Mg-nucleotides requires a functional endogenous kinase domain. The function of the kinase domain is not completely understood, but may involve autophosphorylation of TRPM7 as well as phosphorylation of other target proteins such as annexin and myosin IIA heavy chain. Based on these properties, TRPM7 is currently believed to represent a ubiquitous homeostatic mechanism that regulates Ca2+ and Mg2+ fluxes based on the metabolic state of the cell. Physiologically, the channel may serve as a regulated transport mechanism for these ions that could affect cell adhesion, cell growth and proliferation, and even cell death under pathological stress such as anoxia.