Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Studies on the developing cerebellum. II. The ultrastructure of the external granular layer

The ultrastructure of the external granular layer (EGL) of the rat cerebellum has been studied with special attention given to the changes occurring during its postnatal existence. Three periods are described: In the first period, lasting until day 5, the EGL is composed of a homogeneous population of germinal cells; the second period, lasting until day 17, is characterized by differentiation of neuroblasts which accumulate under the germinal cells forming the mantle zone. In the third period, the cell proliferation ends and the layer becomes progressively thinner and disappears by postnatal day 20. During these periods, the following cells have been identified: (A) germinal cells, ovoid or polyhedral and usually ciliated, have a comparatively large nucleus, a rim of cytoplasm, and an undetermined number of thin, long processes which persist during mitosis, although their fate during postmitotic differentiation was not established. (B) horizontal neuroblasts, with flattened nucleus and soma, are richer in organoids than the germinal cells, have neurotubules and thick lateral processes. (C) transitional bipolar neuroblasts resemble horizontal cells, except that most organoids, including the cilium migrate into the descending process. (D) A stage of apolar neuroblast has not been observed and there was no evidence of glial formation in the layer. A variety of cellular attachments are present, but synapses were not seen at any stage. At birth, the EGL adjacent to the pia mater is formed by EGL cells and their processes which are later replaced by the end feet of Bergmann glia which during a time exhibit giant mitochondria. Glial processes separate the EGL cells into columns and a neuropile is formed by these processes, and those of the EGL cells. The extension of the extracellular space is discussed as is the spontaneous degeneration of cells.
Teacher Talk and Learner Involvement in EFL Classroom: The Case of Iranian Setting

The present study was an attempt to investigate the ways through which teacher talk can create opportunities for learning in an EFL classroom. In addition, it identified how the teacher talk can lead to more and more learner involvement in an EFL context. The study also determined the types of the teacher talk which can decrease learning a foreign language. To achieve such aims, three experienced teachers who were teaching English as a foreign for more than 5 years were selected based on the purposeful sampling procedure to serve as the participants of the study. Their talk was audio recorded for three subsequent sessions and then analyzed based on the interactional features proposed by Self evaluation of teacher talk (SETT) framework. The findings supported the role of the teacher talk as being a determinant one in the performance of the foreign language learners. Also, the results of this research play a significant role in ascertaining the ways in which Iranian foreign language teachers improve their talk to optimize learner contribution. Therefore, a teacher should be able to shape learners contribution and make strategic decision in the moment by moment of lesson according to SETT framework which is regarded as a crucial factor for developing foreign language learning in L2 classroom context.
Effect of hemodialysis schedules and membranes on hepatocyte growth factor and hepatitis C virus RNA levels

Hemodialysis induces production of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and decrease of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in patients with HCV infection, but it is not known if the hemodialysis schedule or type of membrane affect both the HGF production and HCV viremia. The effects on both parameters of alternate‐day intermittent hemodialysis and short‐daily hemodialysis and high and low flux membranes were investigated in 41 patients treated by hemodialysis. Sixteen (39%) patients were anti‐HCV positive and 11 (69%) had HCV RNA. Twenty‐six patients were on alternate‐day intermittent and 15 on short‐daily hemodialysis. High flux membranes were used for 29 patients and low flux membranes for 12 patients. A decrease in HCV RNA was observed at the end of hemodialysis (8.6 × 105 ± 1.1 × 106 IU/ml vs. 4.4 × 105 ± 7.3 × 105 IU/ml, P = 0.003). The proportion of HCV RNA decrease was similar in patients dialyzed with both schedules and with both types of membranes. The HGF levels increased from 2,605.9 ± 1,428.7 to >8,000 pg/ml at 15 min. At the end of the session, the HGF levels decreased to 5,106.7 ± 2,533.9 pg/ml. The HGF levels at the start of the next session were similar to those at baseline (2,680.0 ± 1,209.3 pg/ml). The increase and dynamics of the HGF levels were similar in patient's hemodialyzed with both schedules and with both types of membranes. These results suggest that changes in HCV RNA and HGF levels during hemodialysis are not influenced by the schedule or type of membrane used. J. Med. Virol. 82: 763–767, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Low bone density risk is higher in exercising women with multiple triad risk factors.

UNLABELLED The cumulative effect of the female athlete triad (Triad) risk factors on the likelihood of low bone mineral density (BMD) in exercising women is unclear. PURPOSE This study aimed to determine the risk of low BMD in exercising women with multiple Triad risk factors. METHODS We retrospectively examined cross-sectional data from 437 exercising women (mean ± SD age of 18.0 ± 3.5 yr, weighed 57.5 ± 7.1 kg with 24.5% ± 6.1% body fat) obtained at baseline from 4 prospective cohort studies examining Triad risk factors. Questionnaires were completed to obtain information on demographic characteristics, self-reported eating attitudes/behaviors, menstrual function, sport/activity participation, and medication use. Height and body weight were measured. BMD was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Low BMD was defined as z-scores of <-1 and ≤-2. Chi-square tests were performed to determine the percentage of women with low BMD who met the criteria for individual (current oligo/amenorrhea, late menarche, low body mass index (BMI), elevated dietary restraint, lean sport/activity participation) or multiple (2, 3, 4, or 5) Triad risk factors. RESULTS Late menarche and low BMI were associated with the highest percentage of low BMD (z-score < -1), 55% and 54%, respectively, and low BMD (z-score ≤-2), 14% and 16%, respectively. The percentage of participants with low BMD (z-score < -1 and ≤-2) increased from 10% to 62% and from 2% to 18%, respectively, as women met the criteria for an increasing number of Triad risk factors. CONCLUSIONS A cumulative number of Triad risk factors were associated with an increased risk of low BMD, suggesting a dose-response association between the number of Triad risk factors and BMD in exercising women. Further research should be conducted to develop a user-friendly algorithm integrating these indicators of risk for low BMD in exercising women (particularly factors associated with low BMI/body weight, menstrual dysfunction, lean sport/activity participation, and elevated dietary restraint).
Effect of ethanol on reductions in norepinephrine electrochemical signal in the rostral ventrolateral medulla and hypotension elicited by I1-receptor activation in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

BACKGROUND The mechanism of the antagonistic hemodynamic interaction between ethanol and centrally acting sympatholytics is not known. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the imidazoline (I1)-receptor modulation of norepinephrine (NE) release within the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) plays a pivotal role in this clinically relevant hemodynamic interaction. METHOD In anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats, the effects of centrally acting sympatholytics on RVLM NE electrochemical signal were investigated by in vivo electrochemistry along with cardiovascular responses in the absence and presence of ethanol. In vivo microdialysis in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats was used to confirm the electrochemical findings. RESULTS Clonidine (30 microg/kg, intravenously) or rilmenidine (400, 600, or 800 microg/kg) significantly reduced RVLM NE electrochemical signal (index of neuronal activity) and mean arterial pressure; rilmenidine effects were dose-related, and ethanol (1 g/kg) counteracted these responses. Ethanol (1 g/kg) pretreatment increased both RVLM NE electrochemical signal and blood pressure but did not influence the reductions in both variables elicited by subsequently administered clonidine. The alpha2-adrenergic antagonist 2-methoxyidazoxan (30 microg/kg) counteracted rilmenidine (800 microg/kg)-evoked responses. In vivo microdialysis in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats confirmed the electrochemical findings since clonidine- (30 microg/kg, intravenously) evoked reductions in RVLM NE and the associated hypotension were counteracted by ethanol (1 g/kg). CONCLUSIONS (1) Ethanol counteracts centrally mediated hypotension, at least in part, by increasing RVLM NE; (2) the interaction involves the I1 receptor modulation of RVLM neuronal activity; (3) the alpha2-adrenergic receptor contributes to the electrochemical and cardiovascular effects of high doses of rilmenidine, and (4) the RVLM is a neuroanatomical target for systemically administered ethanol.
Lost and found twice: Discussion of an early post-glacial single-edged tanged point from Brodgar on Orkney, Scotland

Over the last few decades it has been shown that Scotland was settled – or at least occasionally visited – during the late Upper Palaeolithic period. The finds include diagnostic artefacts of Hamburgian, Federmesser and Ahrensburgian typology, but since Livens’ presentation in 1956 of three tanged arrowheads from Scotland, it has also been discussed whether northern Britain was settled or visited from the north-east, by groups belonging to the Scandinavian Fosna-Hensbacka complex. Only one of the three arrowheads presented by Livens appeared to be a Fosna-Hensbacka point, but this piece was lost immediately after the paper in which it was initially summarily described was published. However, this point – originally found at Brodgar on Orkney – has now been refound, and the authors hope that their detailed characterization and discussion of the object’s date and affinity will allow the question of a possible Upper Palaeolithic-Early Mesolithic connection across Doggerland to be addressed in a more authoritative manner.
Robust Ultra-Wideband Direction Finding in Dense Cluttered Environments

Ultra-wideband impulse radio (UWB-IR) exhibits good immunity to the multipath in dense cluttered environments because of its high temporal resolution. However, UWB-IR source direction finding is more challenging due to the frequency-selective distortion. Furthermore, the multipath interferences in both far-field and near-field regions affect the direct path resolution. This paper presents a robust solution for direction finding using UWB-IR in the presence of far-field and near-field multipath components overlapping with the direct path signal. An alternating projection (AP) method is proposed to separate the multiple interfering plane waves for better angle-of-arrival (AOA) estimation accuracy based on the signal subspace of UWB discrete Fourier transform (DFT). Detection of the number of plane waves is suggested before AOA estimation for fast computational convergence. Compared to the MUSIC algorithm based on IEEE 802.15. 4a channel simulation, the AP has average root mean square error (RMSE) of less than 2.3° while the MUSIC has poorer RMSE of 22.6° in angular resolution when the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) ranges from 41 dB to 15 dB. The AP is also found to perform well in the presence of strong multipath overlapping with the direct path with AOA average RMSE error of less than 3.4°.
Ecotone Hierarchies.

Ecological phenomena are evident over a broad spectrum of space and time scales. Ecotones, being defined as zones of transition between adjacent ecological systems, also must occur over an equally broad spectrum of space and time scales. Scale-dependent constraints influence ecological phenomena and resulting zones of transition; however, in traditional ecotone studies little treatment has been given to these influences. This paper addresses aspects of the ecotone concept that relate to the strength of interactions between adjacent systems for a hierarchy of ecotones in a biome transition area in central New Mexico on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. Zones of transition occur at plant, population, patch, landscape, and biome levels in the hierarchy suggested here. Constraints differ across this hierarchy, primarily because of the different scales at which these constraints exert their influences. The basic strategy to understand these cross-scale influences must be to perform studies at different scales, and a hierarchical approach identifies those scales. This also is important for identifying the appropriate technologies that focus at the scales where transition zones between ecological systems/phenomena are expressed. A broad array of technologies are available for integrating the pattern-process relationships that occur across the many scales in ecological systems.
A Frequency Demodulation Technique Based on Sliding DFT Phase Locking Scheme for Large Variation FM Signals

A new frequency demodulation scheme based on sliding discrete Fourier transform (SDFT) and a phase locking scheme (PLL) is proposed for extracting message signal from sinusoidal frequency modulated signals. A wide operating range of the PLL, especially the pull-in range is utilized in extracting modulation signal from the large deviation FM signals. As fundamental frequency SDFT bin is involved in the design, the SDFT PLL scheme is suitable for demodulating linear FM signals of frequency range between d.c. and second harmonic of the carrier. Simulation and experimental results prove the fast acquisition behavior and competence of the SDFT PLL in modulation signal retrieval.
Use of Stochastic Simulation to Evaluate the Reduction in Methane Emissions and Improvement in Reproductive Efficiency from Routine Hormonal Interventions in Dairy Herds

This study predicts the magnitude and between herd variation in changes of methane emissions and production efficiency associated with interventions to improve reproductive efficiency in dairy cows. Data for 10,000 herds of 200 cows were simulated. Probability of conception was predicted daily from the start of the study (parturition) for each cow up to day 300 of lactation. Four scenarios of differing first insemination management were simulated for each herd using the same theoretical cows: A baseline scenario based on breeding from observed oestrus only, synchronisation of oestrus for pre-set first insemination using 2 methods, and a regime using prostaglandin treatments followed by first insemination to observed oestrus. Cows that did not conceive to first insemination were re-inseminated following detection of oestrus. For cows that conceived, gestation length was 280 days with cessation of milking 60 days before calving. Those cows not pregnant after 300 days of lactation were culled and replaced by a heifer. Daily milk yield was calculated for 730 days from the start of the study for each cow. Change in mean reproductive and economic outputs were summarised for each herd following the 3 interventions. For each scenario, methane emissions were determined by daily forage dry matter intake, forage quality, and cow replacement risk. Linear regression was used to summarise relationships. In some circumstances improvement in reproductive efficiency using the programmes investigated was associated with reduced cost and methane emissions compared to reliance on detection of oestrus. Efficiency of oestrus detection and the time to commencement of breeding after calving influenced variability in changes in cost and methane emissions. For an average UK herd this was a saving of at least £50 per cow and a 3.6% reduction in methane emissions per L of milk when timing of first insemination was pre-set.
Mechanisms for D-Glucose Inhibition of myo-Inositol Influx Into Rat Lens

myo-Inositol depletion as a result of hyperglycemia is considered one of the leading contributors to chronic diabetic complications. We investigated the possible mechanisms through which elevated extracellular glucose levels affect the loss of intracellular myo-inositol in rat lens. Short-term incubation (up to 4 h) in solutions with elevated glucose concentrations revealed a concentration-dependent inhibition of myo-inositol influx. This inhibition was caused by both an increase of the transport coefficient and a decrease of maximal flux and thus was a mixed competitive and noncompetitive inhibition. If polyol accumulation was prevented with sorbinil, an aldose reductase inhibitor, the inhibition of myo-inositol influx was partially reduced. The remaining inhibition was the result of an increased transport coefficient without a change in maximal flux and therefore represents a strictly competitive inhibition. A similar competitive inhibition was observed with the nonmetabolizable glucose analogue L-glucose, which cannot be converted to polyol. Longer exposure (16 h) to solutions with high glucose concentrations resulted in an inhibition that correlated with high lens polyol levels. This inhibition persisted after the lenses were returned to solutions with normal glucose concentrations and was the result of a decrease of maximal flux without a significant change in transport coefficient, a strictly noncompetitive inhibition. The noncompetitive inhibition associated with polyol accumulation and the competitive inhibition due to extracellular glucose were additive. Lens myo-inositol depletion after exposure to elevated glucose concentrations thus resulted from a competitive inhibition caused by the interaction of extracellular glucose with the myo-inositol carrier and a noncompetitive inhibition associated with polyol accumulation.
On the role of goal relevance in emotional attention: Disgust evokes early attention to cleanliness

Prior evidence has shown that aversive emotional states are characterised by an attentional bias towards aversive events. The present study investigated whether aversive emotions also bias attention towards stimuli that represent means by which the emotion can be alleviated. We induced disgust by having participants touch fake disgusting objects. Participants in the control condition touched non-disgusting objects. The results of a subsequent dot-probe task revealed that attention was oriented to disgusting pictures irrespective of condition. However, participants in the disgust condition also oriented towards pictures representing cleanliness. These findings suggest that the deployment of attention in aversive emotional states is not purely stimulus driven but is also guided by the goal to alleviate this emotional state.
Radiofrequency Treatment of Peripheral Nerves

Abstract: Treatment of chronic refractory pain in which peripheral nerves are involved has proven to be difficult. Neurolysis by surgical, chemical, cryogenic, or thermal means may be considered as an option on seldom occasions, because of the risk of neuritis and deafferentation pain, motor deficit, and potential unintentional damage to nontargeted tissue. To our knowledge, there is only 1 report concerning selective radiofrequency (RF) treatment of the obturator and femoral nerves that was published. The introduction of the non‐neurodestructive pulsed radiofrequency technique has provided new possibilities for the treatment of peripheral nerves. Today there is some experience with the management of chronic shoulder pain and additional case reports on other indications.
Infections, heat shock proteins, and atherosclerosis

&NA; Recent evidence indicates that infections or a pathogen burden contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. While the mechanism of infection contributing to the pathogenesis is not fully elucidated, I hypothesize that heat shock proteins may be a link between infections and atherosclerosis. Heat shock proteins are a highly conserved family of proteins expressed in most cell types and have been shown to play a general role in protecting cells in response to stress. It has been demonstrated that Chlamydia and human HSP60 coexist in atherosclerotic lesions. Bacterial and human heat shock proteins have been found in soluble form in the general circulation of patients with atherosclerosis. Both heat shock proteins can stimulate cells to express adhesion molecules and proinflammatory cytokines. Certain organisms synthesize heat shock proteins that have close structural homology with human heat shock proteins. Because of the immunologic molecular mimicry between bacterial and human HSP60, it could be an autoantigen involved in eliciting cell‐mediated and humoral immune responses that cause vessel injury leading to atherosclerosis. The aim of this review is to provide an update overview on the involvement of heat shock proteins in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in response to infections.
Salt Fog Evaluation of RTV SIR Coatings With Different Fillers

The performance of three commercially available room-temperature-vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber (SIR) coatings was evaluated by means of salt fog testing. Leakage current and contact angle measurements were used in order to monitor the coatings' performance. The measurements indicated that the initial loss of hydrophobicity can be correlated to the surface discharges that develop on the material surface due to the droplets formed. In the case of the silica-filled coating, the considered los.s was observed earlier. Further, lower levels of surface activity and material deterioration were observed for the alumina-trihydrate (ATH)-filled coatings in comparison to the SiO2 filled. The results can be correlated to the filler efficiency and especially to the thermal conductivity achieved. For the considered formulations, the silica-filled coating appeared to have the lowest value of heat conductivity. Finally, for the ATH-filled coatings, additional parameters, such as the particle size, must be considered.
Genetic interactions between activin type IIB receptor and Smad2 genes in asymmetrical patterning of the thoracic organs and the development of pancreas islets

Signaling through activin type IIB receptor (ActRIIB) has been shown to regulate the axial formation and the development of foregut‐derived organs such as the pancreas in mice. Here, we provide genetic evidence that ActRIIB and Smad2 genes cooperatively regulated asymmetrical patterning of the thoracic organs and pancreas development in mice. The loss of one allele of Smad2 on ActRIIB−/− background resulted in the increased severity of ActRIIB−/− phenotypes, including right pulmonary isomerism and complex cardiac malformations, and resulted in 100% frequency of death soon after birth. Of interest, 14% of compound heterozygous ActRIIB+/−Smad2+/− mice exhibited the ActRIIB−/− phenotypes and died soon after birth. In the pancreas, hypoplastic islets were found not only in ActRIIB−/− but also in Smad2+/− mice. A more severe phenotype was also found in ActRIIB+/−Smad2+/− mice. As well, these mutant mice exhibited impaired glucose tolerance in a gene dosage‐sensitive manner. This genetic evidence strongly suggested that ActRIIB and Smad2 function in the same signaling pathway to regulate axial patterning and pancreas islet formation by means of a threshold mechanism. Developmental Dynamics 236:2865–2874, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.