Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cultures de tournesol et développement des colonies d'abeilles mellifères

En Suisse, la culture de tournesol prend de l'ampleur depuis les annees nonante et couvre pres de 5000 ha actuellement. Les semences de tournesol ne sont pas traitees avec des insecticides (Imidacloprid, Fipronil) mais, malgre cela, des apiculteurs semblent observer des affaiblissements de colonies d'abeilles apres le butinage du tournesol. L'essai presente ici cherchait a evaluer si le tournesol provoque par lui-meme ces affaiblissements et, le cas echeant, a les quantifier. L'etude montre que le butinage du tournesol n'a pas d'effet deletere sur les populations d'abeilles durant la floraison et dans les mois qui suivent. Les pertes hivernales ne sont pas augmentees non plus. Les abeilles visitent intensement le tournesol, mais les recoltes de nectar de tournesol sont nulles ou faibles. Le pollen de tournesol est recolte durant les jours qui suivent la transhumance sur le tournesol, mais les abeilles l'abandonnent ensuite pour des autres sources de pollen, comme le mais ou le trefle.
Impact of fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: results from an exploratory study

Introduction: Fatigue, which is also present in the healthy population, is a common but understudied symptom in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We hypothesized that clinically significant fatigue is also frequent in COPD and can be associated with an increased disease burden. Methods: An exploratory analysis derived from an ongoing cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate levels of fatigue and impact on health-related quality of life/health status in patients with COPD (COPD group; n = 20) and healthy subjects (control group; n = 5). Health-related quality of life was measured using the Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36), health status with the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ), and airways obstruction with postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 %predicted). Fatigue was measured with the vitality score of the SF-36, its clinical significance being defined by values of 50 or less. Fatigue was also measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy scale for fatigue (FACIT-F). Results: Vitality scores were significantly worse in the COPD group (45.60 versus 76.25; p = 0.004). FACIT-F scores were significantly lower in the COPD group versus the control group (74.5 versus 95.0; p = 0.03). Clinically significant fatigue was detected in 60% of the COPD group, and was associated with a worse FEV1 %predicted (47.71 versus 65.82%; p = 0.016), worse symptoms burden (CCQ symptoms score 3.75 versus 2.43; p = 0.019), and worse overall health status (CCQ total score 3.30 versus 2.11; p = 0.011). Its link with systemic inflammation remains to be clarified further. Conclusions: Clinically significant fatigue is common among patients with COPD and is associated with an increased disease burden. It should therefore be integrated as a measure of disease prognosis and control in patients with COPD.
Effects of walking and strength training on resting and exercise cardiovascular responses in patients with intermittent claudication.

BACKGROUND Exercise training is recommended as the first-line therapy for intermittent claudication patients. However, the effects of exercise therapy on cardiovascular function of these patients have been poorly studied. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of walking and strength training on cardiovascular responses assessed at rest and during exercise in patients with intermittent claudication. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-four patients with stable symptoms of intermittent claudication were randomized into two groups: strength training (ST) consisting of eight exercises, three sets of 10 repetitions, intensity of 11 - 13 on 15-grade Borg scale, 2-min interval between sets; and walking training (WT) consisting of walking on a treadmill, 15 bouts of 2-min, intensity of 11 - 13 on 15-grade Borg scale, with a 2-min interval between bouts. Before and after 12 weeks, blood pressure, heart rate and rate pressure product were measured at rest and during a progressive treadmill test until maximal claudication pain. RESULTS Fifteen patients in each group completed the training program. After the training programs, resting systolic blood pressure (ST:-6 ± 13 mmHg and WT:-3 ± 18 mmHg, P = .04), heart rate (ST: -6 ± 10 bpm and WT:-2 ± 9 bpm, P = .03), and rate pressure product (ST:-1485 ± 1442 mmHg*bpm and WT:- 605 ± 2145 mmHg*bpm, P = .01) decreased significantly and similarly in both groups. Submaximal systolic blood pressure (ST: -14 ± 23 mmHg and WT:-6 ± 23 mmHg, P = .02), and rate pressure product (ST:-1579 ± 3444 mmHg*bpm and WT: -1264 ± 3005 mmHg*bpm, P = .04) decreased significantly and similarly in both groups. There were no changes in submaximal heart rate after ST and WT. Maximal systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and rate pressure product did not change in either group, although maximal exercise time increased similarly in the ST and WT groups (+31 ± 19 %, and +31 ± 32 %, respectively, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Strength and walking trainings promoted similar increases in walking capacity and decreases in resting and submaximal exercise cardiovascular load.
Studies on the effect of prolactin treatment on testicular steroidogenesis and gametogenesis in lithium-treated rats.

The effect of PRL supplementation in lithium-treated rats on spermatogenesis, testicular delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities, and serum levels of FSH, LH, PRL and testosterone were studied on the 22nd day of the experiment. Subcutaneous injections of lithium chloride at a dose of 2.0 mg.kg-1.day-1 for 21 days resulted in a significant inhibition of spermatogenesis at stage VII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle, along with remarkable diminution of serum levels of the above hormones and suppression of the activities of the above two testicular steroidogenic enzymes. Administration of bovine PRL at a dose of 0.25 mg.kg-1.day-1 plus lithium treatment resulted in a remarkable protection of spermatogenic and steroidogenic activities of the testes, along with restoration of serum levels of FSH and testosterone. It is concluded that PRL can markedly protect the testicular dysfunction induced by lithium chloride treatment in rats.
Activation of Association Auditory Cortex Demonstrated with Functional MRI

Activations in the temporal lobes previously observed using positron emission tomography and auditory stimuli were partially reproduced with functional MRI and echo-planar imaging at 1.5 T in six volunteers performing tone and phoneme monitoring tasks. Verbal processing compared to a tone recognition task significantly activated a cortical area located in the left anterior temporal region (P < 0.02).
Composition of leachate from old landfills in Denmark

The Danish counties have performed numerous investigations of old landfills. These investigations have been presented in several reports, but no comprehensive summary of the findings has been carried out. The objective of this study was to evaluate the typical composition of leachates from old smaller landfills by a comprehensive review of the investigations carried out by the counties. In total 106 landfills were selected by criteria avoiding dilution effects. A database was constructed using a standard program. Statistical evaluations showed that the leachate concentrations in general decreased with the age of the landfill, and that the leachate concentrations were lower than found in other similar studies.
Modification of immunologic and hematologic variables by method of CO2 euthanasia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The major goal was to determine whether variations in the method of CO2 euthanasia would induce significant immunologic differences. METHODS Young adult C57BL/6 mice (n = 40) were euthanized, using four regimens: 70% CO2/30% O2; 70% CO2/30% O2-->100% CO2; 100% CO2-naïve chamber; and 100% CO2 pre-charged chamber. Time to recumbency and euthanasia and body, liver, lung, spleen, and thymus masses were determined. Blood and spleen were further evaluated for leukocyte, lymphocyte, and thrombocyte counts, erythrocyte characteristics, distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations, spontaneous and mitogen-induced blastogenesis, complement activity, and cytokine production. RESULTS Time to euthanasia was five- to eightfold longer in mice exposed to 70% CO2/30% O2 than that for any other group. There were slight increases in mean erythrocyte volume (MCV) and mean erythrocyte hemoglobin (MCH) for all groups, compared with those for the 100% CO2 pre-charged group. Circulating cytotoxic T (CD8+) lymphocyte percentages and numbers, and spontaneous blastogenesis of leukocytes in blood and spleen, also were affected by euthanasia method. CONCLUSIONS The method of CO2 euthanasia can result in significant differences in immunologic/hematologic variables. Thus, consistency in euthanasia procedures may be important in accurate interpretation of research data.
Tinnitus and Auditory Perception After a History of Noise Exposure: Relationship to Auditory Brainstem Response Measures

Objectives: To determine whether auditory brainstem response (ABR) wave I amplitude is associated with measures of auditory perception in young people with normal distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and varying levels of noise exposure history. Design: Tinnitus, loudness tolerance, and speech perception ability were measured in 31 young military Veterans and 43 non-Veterans (19 to 35 years of age) with normal pure-tone thresholds and DPOAEs. Speech perception was evaluated in quiet using Northwestern University Auditory Test (NU-6) word lists and in background noise using the words in noise (WIN) test. Loudness discomfort levels were measured using 1-, 3-, 4-, and 6-kHz pulsed pure tones. DPOAEs and ABRs were collected in each participant to assess outer hair cell and auditory nerve function. Results: The probability of reporting tinnitus in this sample increased by a factor of 2.0 per 0.1 µV decrease in ABR wave I amplitude (95% Bayesian confidence interval, 1.1 to 5.0) for males and by a factor of 2.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 6.4) for females after adjusting for sex and DPOAE levels. Similar results were obtained in an alternate model adjusted for pure-tone thresholds in addition to sex and DPOAE levels. No apparent relationship was found between wave I amplitude and either loudness tolerance or speech perception in quiet or noise. Conclusions: Reduced ABR wave I amplitude was associated with an increased risk of tinnitus, even after adjusting for DPOAEs and sex. In contrast, wave III and V amplitudes had little effect on tinnitus risk. This suggests that changes in peripheral input at the level of the inner hair cell or auditory nerve may lead to increases in central gain that give rise to the perception of tinnitus. Although the extent of synaptopathy in the study participants cannot be measured directly, these findings are consistent with the prediction that tinnitus may be a perceptual consequence of cochlear synaptopathy.
Comparison of (1→3)-β-d-Glucan, Mannan/Anti-Mannan Antibodies, and Cand-Tec Candida Antigen as Serum Biomarkers for Candidemia

ABSTRACT We conducted a case-control study using the Fungitell assay, the novel Platelia Candida Antigen (Ag) Plus and Candida Antibody (Ab) Plus assays, and the Cand-Tec latex agglutination test to evaluate the usefulness of (1→3)-β-d-glucan (BDG), mannan antigen with/without anti-mannan antibody, and Cand-Tec Candida antigen measurement for the diagnosis of candidemia. A total of 56 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. One hundred patients with bacteremia and 100 patients with sterile blood cultures served as negative controls. In the candidemia group, median (1→3)-β-d-glucan, mannan antigen, and anti-mannan antibody levels were 427 pg/ml, 190 pg/ml, and 18.6 antibody units (AU)/ml, respectively. All three parameters were significantly elevated in patients with candidemia. The sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 87.5% and 85.5% for (1→3)-β-d-glucan, 58.9% and 97.5% for mannan antigen, 62.5% and 65.0% for anti-mannan antibody, 89.3% and 63.0% for mannan antigen plus anti-mannan antibody, 89.3% and 85.0% for BDG plus mannan antigen, and 13.0% and 93.9% for Cand-Tec Candida antigen. The low mannan antigen sensitivity was in part caused by Candida parapsilosis and Candida guilliermondii fungemias, which were not detected by the Platelia Candida Ag Plus assay. When the cutoff was lowered from 125 pg/ml to 50 pg/ml, mannan antigen sensitivity increased to 69.6% without severely affecting the specificity (93.5%). Contrary to recently published data, superficial candidiasis was not associated with elevated mannan antigen levels, not even after the cutoff was lowered. Combining procalcitonin (PCT) with (1→3)-β-d-glucan to increase specificity provided a limited advantage because the benefit of the combination did not outweigh the loss of sensitivity. Our results demonstrate that the Cand-Tec Candida antigen and the mannan antigen plus anti-mannan antibody measurements have unacceptably low sensitivity or specificity. Of the four tests compared, (1→3)-β-d-glucan and mannan antigen are the superior biomarkers, depending on whether a sensitivity-driven or specificity-driven approach is used.
Variation in sitting pressure distribution and location of the points of maximum pressure with rotation of the pelvis, gender and body characteristics

The pressure distribution and the locations of the points of maximum pressure, usually below the ischial tuberosities, were measured for subjects sitting on a flat, hard and horizontal support, and at various angles of the rotation of the pelvis. The pressure data were analysed for force- and pressure-related quantities. Multiple regression was applied to explore relationships between these quantities and (i) a set of body characteristics and (ii) the pelvis rotation. The maximum pressure and the pressure gradient were mainly found to be explained by the ectomorphic index and the distance between the maximum pressure points by gender and the angle of rotation of the pelvis.
SUPERSTRING THEORY

This talk will consist of three short stories. The first is a standard pep talk and progress report on string theory. For the second and third, I have picked out a pair of recent ideas that may turn out to be important: the existence of a minimum distance in string theory, and string theory as a model for quantum gravity. Let me first mention some general references. Part one is very broad and the reader interested in more detail should start with the textbook by Green, Schwarz, and Witten. ' In part two, some specific references are given, but I should mention that 1 picked up this point of view from David Gross. Part three is a summary of my own work. * Extensive references to other work on two-dimensional gravity can be found in that source. The first story starts with our present understanding of fundamental physics, specifically, the quantum field theory known as the Standard Model. This model includes some bosons [the spin-2 graviton, the spin-1 SU(3) x S U ( 2 ) x U(1) gauge bosons, and the spin-0 Higgs boson] and some fermions (the quarks and leptons). The fermions come in 15 kinds (multiplets), in 3 sets (generations) of 5 each. This model is fairly elegant and is consistent with physics over a wide range of energies. In particular, it is consistent with all known physics up to current accelerator energies, as well as with a variety of indirect tests, such as proton decay, a t higher energies. There are many places where non-Standard-Model physics might well have appeared, but there has been no confirmed sign of it. In spite of these impressive successes, the Standard Model cannot be complete. First, it is too arbitrary; it gives no explanation for why these particular particles exist: why is the gauge group SU(3) x SU(2) x U( 1) and why do the fermions come in this precise pattern? In addition, the model involves approximately 20 constants of naturedoupl ings and particle masses-whose values are unexplained. Going further, quantum gravity is probably not a consistent theory due to short distance divergences. These divergences appear to require new physics (although this may not appear until the Planck energy, which is 17 orders of magnitude beyond current accelerator energies). The Standard Model also has some other technical difficulties, known as naturalness problems. Thus, our main guidance in going beyond the Standard Model is the need to explain the pattern of particles and constants and to resolve the divergence and naturalness problems. There are a number of good ideas. One is grand unification, which combines the three gauge interactions into one and the five multiplets in each
Knowledge-Based Discovery of Anti-Fibrotic and Pro-Fibrotic Activities from Chinese Materia Medica

Fibrosis, also known as scarring, sclerosis or cirrhosis, is characterised by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins leading to tissue contraction, disruption of tissue architecture and eventually chronic organ failure (Wynn, 2007; Xu et al., 2007). Research and development of anti-fibrotic drugs are generally based on two distinct but interactive strategies, with one based on mechanism studies and another based on exploring efficacy. In principle, the mechanism-based strategy begins with identification of molecular targets through mechanistic studies, and then development of inhibitors or enhancers targeting the molecules. On the other hand, efficacy-based strategy starts with screening drug candidates in disease models to identify activities and efficacy, with less reliance on analysis of mechanisms of action. There are certain limitations in both the mechanism-based strategy and the efficacy-based strategy, which largely account for the lack of success in development of anti-fibrotic drugs. The former is often associated with identification of multiple molecular targets impeding development of a single drug that tackles multiple targets, while the latter is often hampered by establishment of apt models ideal for efficacy-driven drug screens. Efficacy-based strategy has been employed in development of both traditional and modern medicines. In the context of traditional medicine, the knowledge about efficacy of a given drug is largely derived from a trial-and-error process, namely by assessing patients’ response upon treatment with natural drug candidates. However, in modern medicine, it is impossible to directly test any new drugs in patients. Solid scientific evidence on efficacy and safety of a given drug in experimental models is required prior to clinical trials. Understandably, quality of these models would determine the specificity and efficiency of the tested drug.
Involvement of PKC‐α in regulatory volume decrease responses and activation of volume‐sensitive chloride channels in human cervical cancer HT‐3 cells

1 The present study was carried out to identify the specific protein kinase C (PKC) isoform involved in regulatory volume decrease (RVD) responses, and to investigate the signal transduction pathways underlying the activation of volume‐sensitive chloride channels in human cervical cancer HT‐3 cells. The role of Ca2+ in RVD and in the activation of chloride currents was also studied. 2 The time course of RVDs was prolonged by microinjection of PKC‐α antibody but not by PKC‐β or PKC‐γ antibody, and also by exposure to Ca2+‐free medium, in particular when combined with microinjection of EDTA. Immunofluorescence staining showed that hypotonic superfusion evoked the translocation of PKC‐α to the cell membrane, whereas PKC‐β or PKC‐γ remained unaffected. The translocation of PKC‐α was observed a few minutes after hypotonic stress, reaching peak intensity at 30 min, and returned to the cytoplasm 60 min after hypotonic exposure. Western blot analyses showed an increased PKC‐α level in terms of intensity and phosphorylation in the cell membrane, while neither PKC‐β nor PKC‐γ was activated upon hyposmotic challenge. 3 Whole‐cell patch‐clamp studies demonstrated that neomycin and PKC blockers such as staurosporine and H7 inhibited volume‐sensitive chloride currents. The inhibitory effect of neomycin on chloride currents can be reversed by the PKC activator phorbol 12‐myristate, 13‐acetate (PMA). Moreover, the PKC inhibitor and PKC‐α antibody, but not PKC‐β or PKC‐γ antibody, significantly attenuated the chloride currents. The activation of volume‐sensitive chloride currents were insensitive to the changes of intracellular Ca2+ but required the presence of extracellular Ca2+. 4 Our results suggest the involvement of PKC‐α and extracellular Ca2+ in RVD responses and the activation of volume‐sensitive chloride channels in HT‐3 cells.
High-resolution image classification with convolutional networks

We address the pixelwise classification of high-resolution aerial imagery. While convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are gaining increasing attention in image analysis, it is still challenging to adapt them to produce fine-grained classification maps. This is due to a well-known trade-off between recognition and localization: the impressive capability of CNNs to recognize meaningful objects comes at the price of losing spatial precision. We here propose an architecture that addresses this issue. It learns features at different levels of detail and also learns a function to combine them. By integrating local and global information in an efficient and flexible manner, it outperforms previous techniques.
Cultural Differences in Caregiving Motivations for Demented Parents: Korean Caregivers versus American Caregivers

The study examined differences in motivations for parent care of Korean caregivers and Caucasian American caregivers of elderly parents with dementia. A number of American caregivers, mostly daughters of the demented parents, had affectionate relationships with their parents, but they expressed a relatively low degree of filial responsibility. In contrast, among Korean caregivers, the care of demented parents was predominantly the responsibility of daughters-in-law who were less likely to have affectionate relationships with the parents-in-law. However, Korean caregivers expressed a significantly higher level of filial responsibility than the American caregivers. Some cultural differences between the two ethnic groups associated with parent care were discussed.
Injury Mechanisms for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Team Handball

Objective To describe the mechanisms for anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female team handball. Study Design Descriptive video analysis. Methods Twenty videotapes of anterior cruciate ligament injuries from Norwegian or international competition were collected from 12 seasons (1988-2000). Three medical doctors and 3 national team coaches systematically analyzed these videos to describe the injury mechanisms and playing situations. In addition, 32 anterior cruciate ligament-injured players in the 3 upper divisions in Norwegian team handball were interviewed during the 1998-1999 season to compare the injury characteristics between player recall and the video analysis. Results Two main injury mechanisms for anterior cruciate ligament injuries in team handball were identified. The most common (12 of 20 injuries), a plant-and-cut movement, occurred in every case with a forceful valgus and external or internal rotation with the knee close to full extension. The other main injury mechanism (4 of 20 injuries), a 1-legged jump shot landing, occurred with a forceful valgus and external rotation with the knee close to full extension. The results from the video analysis and questionnaire data were similar. Conclusions The injury mechanism for anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female team handball appeared to be a forceful valgus collapse with the knee close to full extension combined with external or internal rotation of the tibia.