Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial function and apoptotic susceptibility in aging skeletal muscle

During aging, skeletal muscle undergoes sarcopenia, a condition characterized by a loss of muscle cell mass and alterations in contractile function. The origin of these decrements is unknown, but evidence suggests that they can be partly attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction. To characterize the nature of this dysfunction, we investigated skeletal muscle contractile properties, subsarcolemmal (SS) and intermyofibrillar (IMF) mitochondrial biogenesis and function, as well as apoptotic susceptibility in young (6 months old) and senescent (36 months old) Fischer 344 Brown Norway rats. Muscle mass and maximal force production were significantly lower in the 36‐month group, which is indicative of a sarcopenic phenotype. Furthermore, contractile activity in situ revealed greater fatigability in the 36‐month compared to the 6‐month animals. This decrement could be partially accounted for by a 30% lower mitochondrial content in fast‐twitch muscle from 36‐month animals, as well as lower protein levels of the transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator‐1α. Enzyme activities and glutamate‐induced oxygen consumption rates in isolated SS and IMF mitochondria were similar between age groups. However, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during state 3 respiration was ~1.7‐fold greater in mitochondria isolated from 36‐month compared to 6‐month animals, and was accompanied by a 1.8‐fold increase in the DNA repair enzyme 8‐oxoguanine glycosylase 1 in fast‐twitch muscle. Basal rates of release of cytochrome c and endonuclease G in SS mitochondria were 3.5‐ to 7‐fold higher from senescent animals. These data suggest that the age‐related sarcopenia and muscle fatigability are associated with enhanced ROS production, increased mitochondrial apoptotic susceptibility and reduced transcriptional drive for mitochondrial biogenesis.
Estrogens in male germ cells

The biosynthesis of steroids and the production of spermatozoa are two major functions of the mammalian testis, which are tightly controlled by gonadotropins and numerous locally produced factors. Among these are the estrogens that are produced within the seminiferous epithelium via the irreversible transformation of androgens (C19) into estrogens (C18) by aromatase. We have recently reported that male germ cells are the new source of estrogens in the testis. For instance, estrogen receptors (ER) are found mainly in spermatids that give rise spermatozoa. Moreover, it is noteworthy that GPR30 (a transmembrane ER) induces rapid responses after estradiol binding, which, in turn, modulates cyclins and proapoptotic factors (e.g., BAX) to affect germ cell cycle progression and apoptosis. In summary, at least in the animal species that were studied thus far, germ cells are the major source and the target of estrogens, affecting normal male gonadal development and spermatogenesis, in particular spermiogenesis. These findings have also shed new light on the possible adverse effects of endocrine disruptors having estrogenic activities that can cause abnormal development of the male genital tract.
Discouraged older male workers and the discouraged worker effect

With governments worldwide attempting to increase the labour force participation of older workers in the context of ageing populations, both older workers marginally attached to the labour force (discouraged workers), and those whose labour force participation is affected by cyclical fluctuations (via the discouraged worker effect), are of particular interest to policy makers. Analysis of OECD statistics shows that discouraged older males workers, as collected and published by government statistical agencies, are both relatively low in number and also do not display any strong cyclical pattern. In contrast, results from a panel model of eleven OECD countries’ older male labour force participation rates indicate that the econometrically estimated cyclical discouraged worker effect is the dominant influence on participation in recent decades. In comparison, the estimated influence of social security pension value on participation rates is relatively small. Further modelling reveals that the discouraged worker effect is asymmetric in nature, with results showing that the influence from a cyclical downturn in decreasing older male participation rates significantly outweighs the role of economic recovery in encouraging participation. The findings have important implications for policy reforms advocated by the OECD and ILO to increase older worker labour force participation.
Decreased expression of alpha2 integrin in fibroblasts isolated from cyclosporin A- induced gingival overgrowth in rats.

OBJECTIVES Cyclosporin A (CsA), an immunosuppressive agent, induces fibrous gingival overgrowth through reduction of collagen phagocytosis by fibroblasts. Distinct receptors are involved in the binding of collagen to fibroblasts in collagen phagocytosis, and alpha2beta1 integrin serves as a specific receptor for type I collagen on fibroblasts. To elucidate the role of alpha2beta1 integrin in CsA-induced gingival overgrowth, we investigated collagen phagocytosis and alpha2beta1 integrin expression in rat gingival fibroblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fibroblats were isolated from gingiva of rats fed a powdered diet containing or lacking CsA for 30 d. Flow cytometric analysis were performed to measure the collagen phagocytosis and the alpha2 integrin expression in fibroblasts. Furthermore, total RNAs were isolated from fibroblasts, and the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was employed to investigate the mRNA levels of alpha2 integrin. RESULTS In vitro collagen phagocytosis assay revealed that CsA-treated and control fibroblasts contained a mean of 13.5% and 36.1% phagocytic cells, respectively. CsA-treated fibroblasts had 28% lower expression of alpha2 integrin than that of control. and mRNA expression of alpha2 integrin in CsA-treated fibroblasts was apparently lower than in the controls, but the mRNA expression of beta1 integrin was not affected. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that one etiological factor of gingival overgrowth may be inhibition of collagen phagocytosis by reducing alpha2 integrin expression in gingival fibroblasts.
Formation of Unreduced Megaspores (Diplospory) in Apomictic Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale, s.l.) Is Controlled by a Sex-Specific Dominant Locus

In apomictic dandelions, Taraxacum officinale, unreduced megaspores are formed via a modified meiotic division (diplospory). The genetic basis of diplospory was investigated in a triploid (3x = 24) mapping population of 61 individuals that segregated ∼1:1 for diplospory and meiotic reduction. This population was created by crossing a sexual diploid (2x = 16) with a tetraploid diplosporous pollen donor (4x = 32) that was derived from a triploid apomict. Six different inheritance models for diplospory were tested. The segregation ratio and the tight association with specific alleles at the microsatellite loci MSTA53 and MSTA78 strongly suggest that diplospory is controlled by a dominant allele D on a locus, which we have named DIPLOSPOROUS (DIP). Diplosporous plants have a simplex genotype, Ddd or Dddd. MSTA53 and MSTA78 were weakly linked to the 18S-25S rDNA locus. The D-linked allele of MSTA78 was absent in a hypotriploid (2n = 3x – 1) that also lacked one of the satellite chromosomes. Together these results suggest that DIP is located on the satellite chromosome. DIP is female specific, as unreduced gametes are not formed during male meiosis. Furthermore, DIP does not affect parthenogenesis, implying that several independently segregating genes control apomixis in dandelions.
Fire Detection Algorithm using Image Processing Techniques

Lately fire outbreak is common issue happening in Malays and the damage caused by these type of incidents is tremendous toward nature and human interest. Due to this the need for application for fire detection has increases in recent years. In this paper we proposed a fire detection algorithm based on image processing techniques which is compatible in surveillance devices like CCTV, wireless camera to UAVs. The algorithm uses RGB colour model to detect the colour of the fire which is mainly comprehended by the intensity of the component R which is red colour. The growth of fire is detected using sobel edge detection. Finally a colour based segmentation technique was applied based on the results from the first technique and second technique to identify the region of interest (ROI) of the fire. After analysing 50 different fire scenarios images, the final accuracy obtained from testing the algorithm was 93.61% and the efficiency was 80.64%.
Cryopreserved Cytoplasts From Human Neutrophils Migrate Across Monolayers of Human Endothelial Cells in Response to a Chemoattractant Gradient

We have measured the capacity of two types of granule‐poor anucleate cytoplasmic fragments (cytoplasts) from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to migrate across the barrier imposed by monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC) with and without chemotactic stimulation by fMLP. Cytoplasts were made by brief heating of PMN attached to surfaces (CKP) or by discontinuous gradient centrifugation (U‐CYT). In the absence of chemoattractant, both types of cytoplast adhered poorly to endothelial cell monolayers, as did unstimulated intact PMN from which the cytoplasts were derived. In the presence of a transendothelial chemoattractant gradient both types of cytoplast exhibited a marked increase in adherence to, and migration across, endothelial monolayers; CKP did so to the same extent as chemoattractant‐stimulated intact PMN. Since these motile cytoplasts are markedly deficient in most cytoplasmic organelles they may serve as useful tools for the dissection of cellular mechanisms that mediate PMN migration across endothelia.
Introduction: Linkage Analysis of Full‐Genome Screens

Asthma and asthma-associated phenotypes are complex traits for which genetic predisposition is important but poorly understood [Sanford et al., 1997). There may be common genetic and environmental pathways contributing to asthma susceptibility and variation in these traits [Postma et al., 1995]. In this summary, we report on the fmdings obtained by groups that have examined evidence for linkage to asthma and serum lgE, an intermediate phenotype of asthma. Using genome screen and chromosome 5q data and multiple analytic approaches, several regions of interest were identified that could be explored in the future.
Antimicrobial activity of lactobacillus strains against uropathogens

The use of lactobacillus probiotics has been proposed as an alternative to prophylactic antibiotics for preventing urinary tract infection (UTI) in the era of antibiotic resistance. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of lactobacillus strains against uropathogens, was evaluated and compared with that of antibiotics.
Simultaneous recording of intramembrane charge movement components and calcium release in wild‐type and S100A1−/− muscle fibres

In the preceding paper, we reported that flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle fibres from S100A1 knock‐out (KO) mice exhibit a selective suppression of the delayed, steeply voltage‐dependent component of intra‐membrane charge movement current termed Qγ. Here, we use 50 μm of the Ca2+ indicator fluo‐4 in the whole cell patch clamp pipette, in addition to 20 mm EGTA and other constituents included for the charge movement studies, and calculate the SR Ca2+ release flux from the fluo‐4 signals during voltage clamp depolarizations. Ca2+ release flux is decreased in amplitude by the same fraction at all voltages in fibres from S100A1 KO mice compared to fibres from wild‐type (WT) littermates, but unchanged in time course at each pulse membrane potential. There is a strong correlation between the time course and magnitude of release flux and the development of Qγ. The decreased Ca2+ release in KO fibres is likely to account for the suppression of Qγ in these fibres. Consistent with this interpretation, 4‐chloro‐m‐cresol (4–CMC; 100 μm) increases the rate of Ca2+ release and restores Qγ at intermediate depolarizations in fibres from KO mice, but does not increase Ca2+ release or restore Qγ at large depolarizations. Our findings are consistent with similar activation kinetics for SR Ca2+ channels in both WT and KO fibres, but decreased Ca2+ release in the KO fibres possibly due to shorter SR channel open times. The decreased Ca2+ release at each voltage is insufficient to activate Qγ in fibres lacking S100A1.
A qualitative study of the transition from hospital to home for individuals with acquired brain injury and their family caregivers

Primary Objective: To explore the transition experiences from hospital to home of a purposive sample of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). Research Design: Phenomenological, qualitative design. Methods and Procedures: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 individuals with ABI (mean time since discharge = 15.2 months) and 11 family caregivers. Each interview was recorded, transcribed verbatim and then inductively analyzed. Results: Through the inductive analysis process, a summary coding framework was developed that included that following eight main categories: the hospital experience; the transition process; the role of family caregivers; post-discharge services; friendship networks and community involvement; meaningful activities and time management; physical and psychological wellbeing; and barriers and facilitators. Conclusions: The results of the study provide valuable insights into the lived experiences of participants and provide evidence to support the existence of a distinct transition phase within the ABI rehabilitation continuum; additional to and closely associated with the acute, post-acute and community integration phases.
Influence of Carbohydrate on Immune Function Following 2 h Cycling

The influence of carbohydrate compared with placebo ingestion on changes in immune cell counts and functions following 2 h intensive cycling was studied in 12 trained cyclists who functioned as their own controls. The subjects performed two tests 2 weeks apart where they cycled for 2 h at ∼64% Wattsmax while receiving 4 mL·kg−1·15 min−1 carbohydrate (6%) (Cho) or placebo (Pla) beverages. Blood samples were collected 30 min preexercise, and immediately and 1 h postexercise. The samples were assayed for plasma cortisol and epinephrine, blood leukocyte subset counts, PHA-induced lymphocyte proliferation, and natural killer cell activity (NKCA). Compared with Pla ingestion, Cho attenuated exercise-induced changes in plasma cortisol, blood neutrophil, and monocyte counts, but not in total blood lymphocyte, T cell, and NK cell counts, PHA-induced lymphocyte proliferation, and NKCA. Thus despite a strong attenuating influence of carbohydrate ingestion on exercise-induced changes in plasma cortisol and blood neutrophil and monocyte counts, other immune measures related to lymphocyte subset counts, and function were unaffected.
Identification of Coulomb and Viscous Friction in Robot Drives: An Experimental Comparison of Methods

This paper presents an experimental comparison of five methods of identifying friction in robot drives. The methods considered are direct plotting of velocity versus armature voltage, plotting velocity versus armature current, third harmonic estimation, batch least squares and sequential least squares. These methods were implemented on a d.c. servo motor robot drive system to identify Coulomb and viscous friction parameters. It is shown that an asymmetric Coulomb and viscous model properly identifies the frictional torque due to the combined sliding and rolling friction in the motor. Furthermore, although each of the identification methods is shown to be capable of giving reasonable estimates of the frictional coefficients, the plotting of velocity versus armature current is shown to be most suitable for off-line frictional identification and the sequential least-squares method most suitable for on-line identification, particularly when coefficients may change with time.
Hyperglycemia is associated with poor outcome in newborn infants undergoing therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) improves survival and neurodevelopmental outcome in neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Both, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are common in infants with HIE. The relationship between hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and immediate outcome has not been well described. METHODS A retrospective analysis of newborn infants with HIE (N = 56) was conducted. Blood glucose concentrations recorded during the first 96 hours were noted. Glucose levels of infants who underwent TH (TH group, N = 20) were compared with those that did not undergo TH (No-TH group, N = 36). The relationship between blood glucose and mortality and/or moderate/severe disability was determined. RESULTS Mean ± SD blood glucose concentration during the first 24 hours of age was significantly higher in the TH group (148 ± 65 mg/dl), compared with the No-TH group (113 ± 50 mg/dl; p = 0.02), despite a lower glucose infusion rate in the former (4.05 ± 1.77 mg/kg/hr vs. 5.36 ± 2.51 mg/kg/hr; p = 0.04). One hundred percent of infants (n = 9) in the TH group with blood glucose levels >200 mg/dl during the first 24 hours of age died or had moderate/severe disability, compared with 54.5% of those with blood glucose <200 mg/dl in this group (p = 0.03). A similar effect was not present in the No-TH group. CONCLUSION Hyperglycemia on the first day portends poor outcome in newborn infants undergoing TH for HIE.
Fructan degradation and hydrolytic activity in tuberous roots of Viguiera discolor Baker (Asteraceae), a herbaceous species from the cerrado

Frutano do tipo inulina e o principal carboidrato de reserva das raizes tuberosas de Viguiera discolor, uma especie herbacea nativa do cerrado. Variacoes na massa molecular do polimero, acompanhadas de altas proporcoes de frutose livre sugeriram que a hidrolise do mesmo poderia estar associada a brotacao das plantas, apos o periodo de dormencia, quando toda a parte aerea e naturalmente eliminada. Apos inducao experimental de brotacao e estimulo da atividade hidrolitica, por eliminacao da parte aerea, o extrato enzimatico foi parcialmente purificado por adsorcao em Sepharose ConA, sendo a maior atividade detectada em pH 5,4 e entre 20 e 40 °C. Nao foi possivel determinar os valores de Km para a inulina, uma vez que ate a concentracao de 10% nao houve a saturacao do substrato. O estudo da cinetica da atividade de frutano 1- exohidrolase mostrou que a mesma nao corresponde a cinetica de Michaelis-Menten, apresentando um comportamento aparentemente alosterico, uma vez que os dados se enquadram na equacao de Hill. A 1-FEH de V. discolor e uma glicoproteina, mais ativa sobre oligofrutanos do que sobre inulina de alta massa molecular, como a encontrada em outras Asteraceas, e principalmente na propria especie.
The lattice Boltzmann method, a petaflop and beyond

Numeriska simuleringar med hjalp av datorer later forskare analysera fenomen fran den riktiga varlden. Ett fenomen som undersoks ar stromningsdynamik. Med hjalp av datorer gar det att simulera vatskeflode for system som annars inte skulle vara mojligt att observera, eller vara dyrt eller svart att observera. Forskare inom detta falt vill analysera storre och mera komplexa vatskeflodessystem, men ocksa gora detta pa kortare tid och vill fa mera gjort med de resurser som finns tillgangliga. Avhandlingen fokuserar sig pa lattice Boltzmann (LB) metoden, en numerisk metod inom stromningsdynamik, och hur denna kors pa moderna superdatorsystem. Moderna superdatorsystem ar byggda av en samling datorer som ar ihopkopplade med ett snabbt natverk. For att utnyttja dessa maste programmen vara byggda for att optimeras utnyttja den hardvara maskinerna ar byggda med. Grundlaggande ar att programmen byggs pa ett sadant satt att programmen parallellt distribuerar arbetet som gors pa dessa maskiner. Nya superdatorsystem blir allt kraftigare. Detta gors antingen genom att bygga storre maskiner med flera datorer sammankopplade, eller med hjalp av att lagga till berakningsacceleratorer i maskinerna. Bada dessa mojligheter skapar nya utmaningar for anvandarna av dessa maskiner. Programmen maste effektivt klara av att anvanda berakningsacceleratorerna och skala upp till de storre maskinerna. I avhandlingen presenteras kort hardvaran och programmeringstekniker som anvands i moderna superdatorer och hur dessa skall tas i beaktande da man bygger ett LB simuleringsprogram. Eftersom stora accelererade system borjar bli allt vanligare undersoker vi hur vart accelererade LB simuleringsprogram kan koras pa en av varldens snabbaste superdatorer, och visar hur vart program klarar av att prestera over 1 biljard flyttalsoperationer per sekund.
Happiness and job satisfaction in urban China: A comparative study of two generations of migrants and urban locals

This study investigates determinants of happiness and job satisfaction of urban locals, first-generation migrants and new-generation migrants in China’s urban workforce. We present evidence to suggest that new-generation migrants are less satisfied with their jobs and lives than first-generation migrants, despite having higher income. This finding is consistent with aspirations rising faster than income in China’s fast-growing urban economy.
The Impact of Content-Based Language Instruction on EFL Students’ Reading Performance

Reading has always been regarded as an essential skill in foreign language learning, especially for college students. According to previous studies, relative effectiveness is found between the use of Content-Based Language Instruction (CBLI) and reading comprehension. CBLI has been found effectively in developing students’ reading comprehension through the topics chosen grounded academic discipline-based and the systematic use of content-based instructional strategies. However, CBLI has been a controversial issue because teachers lack specific linguistic knowledge and skills to help students deliver a language focus on reading. Since the utilization of CBLI is a controversial issue, the purpose of this study attempted to investigate the effect of CBLI on EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students’ reading comprehension through the design and implementation of a content-based literature curriculum. Subjects in this study were 101 sophomores majoring in English at I-Shou University in southern Taiwan. T-test, ANOVA, and semi-structured interview techniques were used to examine students’ attitudes and effect of CBLI on reading performance. Results indicate that the utilization of content-based language instruction in the literature class could enhance students’ reading comprehension as well as critical thinking ability. Interview results further support the experimental findings, providing in-depth information about the conditions of CBLI use. Based on the research results of this study, pedagogical implications and suggestions for future study are discussed.