Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute cold and exercise training up-regulate similar aspects of fatty acid transport and catabolism in house sparrows (Passer domesticus)

ABSTRACT Summit maximum thermoregulatory metabolic rate (Msum) and maximum exercise metabolic rate (MMR) both increase in response to acute cold or exercise training in birds. Because lipids are the main fuel supporting both thermogenesis and exercise in birds, adjustments to lipid transport and catabolic capacities may support elevated energy demands from cold and exercise training. To examine a potential mechanistic role for lipid transport and catabolism in organismal cross-training effects (exercise effects on both exercise and thermogenesis, and vice versa), we measured enzyme activities and mRNA and protein expression in pectoralis muscle for several key steps of lipid transport and catabolism pathways in house sparrows (Passer domesticus) during acute exercise and cold training. Both training protocols elevated pectoralis protein levels of fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36), cytosolic fatty acid-binding protein, and citrate synthase (CS) activity. However, mRNA expression of FAT/CD36 and both mRNA and protein expression of plasma membrane fatty acid-binding protein did not change for either training group. CS activities in supracoracoideus, leg and heart, and carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) and β-hydroxyacyl CoA-dehydrogenase activities in all muscles did not vary significantly with either training protocol. Both Msum and MMR were significantly positively correlated with CPT and CS activities. These data suggest that up-regulation of trans-sarcolemmal and intramyocyte lipid transport capacities and cellular metabolic intensities, along with previously documented increases in body and pectoralis muscle masses and pectoralis myostatin (a muscle growth inhibitor) levels, are common mechanisms underlying the training effects of both exercise and shivering in birds. Summary: Cold and exercise training in house sparrows increase trans-sarcolemmal and intramyocyte lipid transport capacities and cellular metabolic intensities associated with elevated shivering thermogenesis and exercise capacities.
Enhancing consumer engagement in online shopping platforms through economic incentives

Online shopping is becoming part of people’s everyday life experience. Recognizing the tremendous growth of online shopping, it is important to investigate how to achieve success in the competitive environment. The purpose of this paper is to understand the development of consumer engagement process on online shopping platform. We propose a more complete framework to examine consumer engagement process by adding economic incentives. In our framework, economic incentives, considered as both cognitive and emotive basis for purchase, moderates the process of consumer engagement. We believe that our study will provide a deeper understanding of consumer engagement process.
Developing a parenting skills-and-support intervention for mothers with eating disorders and pre-school children part 1: Qualitative investigation of issues to include.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to (i) identify themes and issues that might usefully be addressed in a skills-and-support intervention for mothers with eating disorders who have children less than 5 years of age, and (ii) determine the most appropriate format for such an intervention. METHOD Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with seven mothers with eating disorders and pre-school children, and four local health professionals working with mothers of pre-school children. RESULTS Thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed 10 themes: 'Passing on Traits', 'Food Preparation and Provision', 'Interactions Around Food and Mealtimes', 'Mother's Intake', 'Self Care', 'Self Identity and Parental Expectations', 'Impact on General Parent-Child Relationship', 'Need for Control', 'The Group Experience' and 'Practicalities and Format'. DISCUSSION Findings highlight a number of difficulties and concerns experienced by mothers with eating disorders who have pre-school age children. An intervention incorporating the identified themes could provide important support to this patient group and potential benefit to their offspring.
Perceptions of successful aging among Mexican older adults

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore Mexican older adults’ perspectives on successful aging along with their views about whether they consider themselves successful agers and why. Using a grounded theory framework, individual interviews were conducted with 23 older adults aged 62-88 years in Zapopan, Mexico. Successful aging is a multidimensional concept that is influenced by numerous intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Overall, participants’ definition of successful aging includes acceptance and adaptation to life transitions and health conditions, strong involvement with family and friends, being close to God, the achievement of personal goals, and aging in place. Most participants considered themselves to be successful agers although some of them recognized that not in all aspects of their lives.
Philosophy in verse : competition and Early Greek philosophical thought

This thesis is a study of Archaic and Early Classical philosophical poetry within the competitive context which characterized the poetic production of that period. In particular, I evaluate the ideas and arguments of Xenophanes, Parmenides, Epicharmus and Empedocles in the context of the social and cultural aspects of Archaic poetic performance in order to evaluate their response to traditional agonism. As I argue, these figures entered the poetic contest not only to defeat their poetic adversaries, but also to transform and redefine the terms of the competition itself. Chapter 1 is devoted to the analysis of three institutionalized forms of poetic agonism: sympotic games, rhapsodic contests, and dramatic performances. In chapter 2, I evaluate the socio-political import of Xenophanes' poetry and argue that his conception of the greatest god serves to substantiate his moral prescriptions aimed at eliminating civic conflict. In chapter 3, I examine Parmenides' original notion of alētheia as logical deduction, whereby he provides a solution to the problem of the truth-status of poetry stemming from the Muses' ability to inspire both genuine and false accounts, as narrated in Hesiod's Theogony. Chapter 4 provides an analysis of Empedocles' polemic allusions to his poetic and philosophical predecessors. I argue that Empedocles' confidence in his poetic authority is ultimately grounded on his self-declared divine status, which grants him a unique and comprehensive poetic knowledge. In chapter 5, I evaluate Epicharmus' philosophical fragments against the background of early rhetoric and argue that, through the use of philosophically inspired arguments, Epicharmus aimed to make manifest philosophy's agonistic potential and to show how it could be exploited to one's own advantage.
Who Exports High-Quality Products? Some Empirical Regularities from Greek Exporting Firms

This study assesses the quality of Greek exports and links the estimates with exporters’ characteristics. Export quality in manufacturing is estimated to have fallen by 1% per year on average for the period 1998-2010, but recovered in 2011 and 2012 when export quality displayed a cumulative rise of 25.7%, yielding a cumulative rise of 9.2% for the entire period 1998-2012. Export quality in agriculture displays a slightly upward trend with the average annual rise over the period 1998-2012 amounting to 1.6%. Linking the quality estimates at the product level with exporting firms in the manufacturing sector shows that higher product quality is associated with firms that have a higher share of their wage bill paid to skilled workers. This positive relationship stems from firms with higher skilled to unskilled employment ratios, rather than higher wage skill premia, and is more pronounced in large and rich destinations.
GABAB and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors in the striatopallidal complex in primates

Glutamate and GABA neurotransmission is mediated through various types of ionotropic and metabotropic receptors. In this review, we summarise some of our recent findings on the subcellular and subsynaptic localisation of GABAB and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors in the striatopallidal complex of monkeys. Polyclonal antibodies that specifically recognise GABABR1, mGluR1a and mGluR5 receptor subtypes were used for immunoperoxidase and pre‐embedding immunogold techniques at the light and electron microscope levels. Both subtypes of group I mGluRs were expressed postsynaptically in striatal projection neurons and interneurons where they aggregate perisynaptically at asymmetric glutamatergic synapses and symmetric dopaminergic synaptic junctions. Moreover, they are also strongly expressed in the main body of symmetric synapses established by putative intrastriatal GABAergic terminals. In the globus pallidus, both receptor subtypes are found postsynaptically in the core of striatopallidal GABAergic synapses and perisynaptically at subthalamopallidal glutamatergic synapses. Finally, extrasynaptic labelling was commonly seen in the globus pallidus and the striatum.
Estimating internal wave spectra using constrained models of the dynamic ocean

Multi‐Channel Seismic method (MCS), with its ability to image events down to a lateral resolution of 10 m has been successfully applied to address questions in physical oceanography. However, to date, these analyses have overlooked an important detail; the imaged boundaries are dynamic and move on a timescale that can be resolved by the MCS method. An important step in understanding the effect of the movement is calibration against constrained models. We demonstrate in this paper that it is possible using careful interpolation to take high resolution models of dynamic water (160 m × 2 m spatial resolution and 15 min temporal resolution) and generate models for synthetic seismic simulations (20 m × 4 m spatial resolution and 20 sec temporal resolution). We show that moving water, when ignored, will distort analyses of wavenumber spectra estimated from seismic data since the relative movement of water masses and the seismic acquisition vessel will change the apparent slope of spectra.
EFFECTS OF LIFEPAK ® SUPPLEMENTATION ON ANTIOXIDANT STATUS AND LDL- OXIDATION IN HEALTHY NON-SMOKERS

Background: Although there is substantial evidence for antioxidant effects of individual nutrients, such as vitamins C and E, little research has been done to show the antioxidant efficacy of nutritionally complete micronutrient supplements. Objective: This study examined whether a comprehensive multivitamin/mineral supplement (MVMS; LifePak ® ) improves antioxidant status and resistance to LDL oxidation in healthy non-smokers. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized crossover study, 50 subjects received MVMS and placebo (PL) for 6 weeks with a 6-week washout period. MVMS provided vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids and flavonoids among other nutrients. Results: MVMS significantly increased serum concentrations of ascorbic acid (from 68.1 to 94.3 µmol/L) β-carotene (from 335 to 716 nmol/L), α-carotene (from 77 to 592 nmol/L), and vitamin E (α-tocopherol, from 20.0 to 36.9 µmol/L), with no changes in PL treatment. MVMS significantly decreased LDL oxidizability, as the lag time was prolonged (by 17 %), and oxidation rate was reduced without changes with PL treatment. Conclusions: MVMS significantly increased serum antioxidants and decreased LDL oxidizability. Results suggest that MVMS supplementation may have cardiovascular and antioxidant benefits in healthy non-smokers.
THE IMPACT OF LIFE EXPECTANCY ON ECONOMIC GROWTH : PANEL COINTEGRATION AND CAUSALITY ANALYSES FOR OECD COUNTRIES

This paper examines the impact of life expectancy at birth on economic growth for 21 OECD countries using panel data for the period of 1970-2010 in the context of panel cointegration and causality tests. Three different model specifications are considered for this purpose. We use the variable of life expectancy as an indicator of health and also employ real per capita gross domestic product (constant 2000 $) as a criterion of economic growth. The other independent variables are real exports, real fixed capital and energy use per capita. Based on the findings of the empirical analyses, some important findings can be suggested. Firstly, the results of the LLC, IPS and Breitung panel unit root tests indicate that all of the series are I(1). Secondly, by using Kao and Maddala-Wu cointegration tests, it is showed that there is a long-run relationship between the variables. Thirdly, based on panel OLS, Pedroni DOLS and FMOLS techniques, the estimated coefficient for life expectancy is found positive and statistically significant. Fourthly, the results of panel Granger causality tests based on panel VAR models indicate that there is a unidirectional causality running from life expectancy to real per capita GDP. Thus, this paper provides some important evidence that life expectancy is a fundamental determinant of economic growth in the OECD countries for the period considered for all of three models. Additionally, some important policy implications are drawn from the findings of this study.
Both nitric oxide and prostaglandin-mediated responses are impaired in skeletal muscle arterioles of hypertensive rats

Objective To investigate the role played by endotheliumderived dilator factors in the regulation of peripheral vascular resistance by determining whether the dysfunction of the endothelium contributes to the reduced dilator responsiveness of skeletal muscle arterioles in hypertension Methods The endothelial function of isolated, cannulated, pressurized (at 80mmHg) gracilis muscle arterioles (45-50 µm diameter) of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was compared by utilizing vasoactive agents of known action Results Acetylcholine (ACh, 10−9, 10−8 and 5 × 10− 8mol/l) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10−8, 10−7 and 10−6mol/l) elicited similar dilations in arterioles of WKY rats and SHR. Substance P (10−9, 10−8 and 5 × 10−8mol/l) caused significantly less dilation (by approximately 70% ) of SHR arterioles compared with WKY rat arterioles. The calcium ionophore A23187 (5 × 10−8, 5 × 10−7 and 10-6mol/l) elicited dilations in WKY rat arterioles (9.1 ± 1.1,24.0 ± 1.5, and 39.0 ± 3.4%, respectively), whereas it evoked constrictions (6.5 ± 1.1, 14.9 ± 1.5, and 25.5 ± 1.6%, respectively) in SHR arterioles. Removal of endothelium, inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis (indomethacin) or blockade of prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) receptors (by SQ29 548) eliminated A23187-induced constrictions of SHR arterioles. The nitric oxide synthase blocker, NG-nitro- L-arginine elicited a significantly greater inhibition of substance P-induced dilations and a greater reduction in basal diameter of WKY rat arterioles than it did in those from SHR Conclusions These data suggest that, in SHR arterioles, the synthesis and/or action of nitric oxide is, or are, impaired and the metabolism of arachidonic acid is altered, resulting in an enhanced production of PGH2. The simultaneous dysfunction of these two dilator pathways of arteriolar endothelium could contribute significantly to the enhanced peripheral resistance observed in hypertension
Using Matlab with Quadrilateral Finite Elements in Analysis of Multilayered Nonhomogeneous Soils under Strip Footing

Natural soils are often comprised of separate layers. Foundations of engineering structures are designed to transfer and distribute their loading to the underlying soil and/or rock. Therefore, the designer must ensure that the structure does not suffer from excessive displacements. In this research, it is intended to make a generalized numerical solution through a computer program has written in MATLAB to analyze a multilayered nonhomogeneous (Gibson-type) soil, where the stiffness contrast exists between layers, by determining the displacements and stresses under strip footing during applied incremental loading sequence. This research presents a plane strain two-dimensional finite element method. In this method, the soil is divided into several 4-node quadrilateral elements. The general behavior of a multilayered soil profile and the influences of strip foundations resting on soils having homogeneous (constant modulus with depth) to Gibson-type (linearly increasing modulus) profiles are studied. The influences of foundation size and embedment, incremental loading, and soil stratifications are considered in this study.
Depression and Epilepsy: We Are No Longer One Direction

Commentary With humble apologies offered to anglophiles and pop music aficionados, we in clinical medicine can no longer accept a “one-direction” approach to the etiologies of depression and epilepsy. Josephson and colleagues have given us analyses from a large database for consumption, and in doing so, may have propelled us well past conventional wisdom characterizing epilepsy and psychiatric comorbidity and related severity of the two conditions. Initially, the authors have confirmed the findings of other large population based studies that have found bi-directional associations with epilepsy and psychiatric illness and/or suicidality (1-3). However, the study goes on to suggest that severity of depression may also be associated with the severity of epilepsy and vice versa. We have long known that depression is more common in epilepsy than in other similarly encumbering diseases such as asthma or diabetes. The proposed reasons vary as to why this is so. Some consider that epilepsy leads to depression because, psychologically, patients may be compromised in their “locus of control” and have a variant of learned helplessness as a result (4). Yet seizure type may also matter. We have also learned in recent years to be alert that epilepsy localized in the temporal lobe may have a higher than expected presence of depressive symptoms (5, 6). Depression resulting from epilepsy, either through psychosocial context or from functional neuroanatomy seems to be relatively well accepted by the field. However, the idea that Association of Depression and Treated Depression With Epilepsy and Seizure Outcomes: A Multicohort Analysis.
Intracellular degradation of insulin and crinophagy are maintained by nitric oxide and cyclo‐oxygenase 2 activity in isolated pancreatic islets

Background information. Pancreatic β‐cells require an optimal insulin content to allow instantaneous secretion of insulin. This is maintained by insulin biosynthesis and intracellular degradation of insulin. Degradation may be effected by crinophagy, i.e. the fusion of secretory granules with lysosomes. IL‐1β (interleukin 1β) induces distinct changes of β‐cell lysosomes. To study the mechanisms for intracellular insulin degradation and crinophagy, isolated mouse pancreatic islets were exposed to IL‐1β and known pathways for IL‐1β actions were blocked. Intracellular insulin degradation was determined by following the fate of radioactively labelled insulin. Crinophagy was studied by ultrastructural analysis. The effects of blocking pathways for IL‐1β were monitored by measurements of nitrite and PGE2 (prostaglandin E2).
Potential of Unicellular Cyanobacteria from Saline Environments as Exopolysaccharide Producers

ABSTRACT Fifteen Cyanothece strains isolated from saline environments have been characterized with regard to exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. The polymers contained six to eight monosaccharides, with one or two acidic sugars. In some EPS samples, the additional presence of acetyl, pyruvyl, and/or sulfate groups was also detected.
Mechanisms of escape from trastuzumab-mediated ADCC in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: relation to susceptibility to perforin-granzyme.

BACKGROUND The escape mechanisms leading to trastuzumab-resistance are under investigation, but no report has yet described the mechanisms of escape from trastuzumab-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). In the present study, the mechanisms of escape from trastuzumab-mediated ADCC were elucidated using esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell clones. MATERIALS AND METHODS The esophageal SCC cell line TE4, which is highly susceptible to trastuzumab-mediated ADCC, was cloned by limited dilution, resulting in SCC clones with different sensitivities to trastuzumab-mediated ADCC. RESULTS There was no significant correlation between human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) 2-expression on the tumor and the sensitivity to trastuzumab-mediated ADCC. Altered major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression treated by IFN-gamma or the blocking of natural killer (NK) cell inhibitory receptors did not induce significant changes in sensitivity to trastuzumab-mediated ADCC. However, the tumor clones with a lower sensitivity to trastuzumab-mediated ADCC showed a reduced susceptibility to the perforin-granzyme system compared to those with a greater sensitivity to trastuzumab-mediated ADCC. CONCLUSION Lower susceptibility to the perforin-granzyme system is one of the important mechanisms explaining escape from trastuzumab-mediated ADCC.
Asymptomatic bacteriuria in the elderly: High prevalence and high turnover of strains

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) was followed in repeated prevalence surveys in a cohort of non-institutionalized residents (n=330), aged≥80 y. Urine samples were collected at baseline, and at 6, and at 18 months. Phenotyping (PhenePlate) was performed on isolates of Escherichia coli to evaluate strain relatedness. ASB occurred in 19.0, 19.4, and 19.9% in women, and in 9.4, 9.6 and 7.9% in men, at baseline and at the 6- and 18-months follow-up, respectively, and ASB was found at least once in 37% of women and in 20% of men. Of those with ASB at baseline, 60% also had ASB in the 2 subsequent surveys. Among those with persisting E. coli bacteriuria, 76% and 40%, respectively, carried the same strain at the 6- and 18-months follow-ups. In women, we found that the risk of developing a symptomatic urinary tract infection within 24 months was higher among those with ASB at baseline than in those without bacteriuria (p=0.019). ASB is common and often persistent, but we found a high turnover of strains, indicating a high rate of recolonization.
A Prospective, Randomized Trial of Cognitive Intervention for Postoperative Pain

A single-blind, randomized prospective trial was performed at a university hospital to determine if preoperative relaxation training will decrease pain and narcotic demand postoperatively. A convenience sample of 49 patients undergoing lumbar and cervical spine surgery was randomized to receive instruction on relaxation techniques or routine preoperative information before surgery. Pain score and narcotic demand in the first 48 hours after surgery were the primary outcomes. Pain scores were higher in the relaxation (4.8 ± 1.7) versus the standard preparation group (3.9 ± 1.7) on postoperative day one (POD) 1, but lower on POD 2 (3.9 ± 1.9 vs 4.1 ± 1.9), whereas narcotic use (milligrams of IV morphine per hour) was higher in the relaxation group on POD 1 (1.14 ± 0.94 vs 0.54 ± 0.55) and POD 2 (0.86 ± 0.73 vs 0.50 ± 0.61). The differences were significant for narcotic demand (P = 0.01) but not for pain (P = 0.94). In conclusion, our results could not support the use of relaxation training for reducing postoperative pain and narcotic demand in this selected surgical population.