Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hormone replacement in menopausal women with multiple sclerosis

In this issue of Neurology®, Bove et al.1 address whether hormone replacement therapy in the early menopausal years may be associated with better quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis (MS). There may be worsening of disabilities during menopause in women with MS,2 and functional networks of working memory circuitry are influenced by menopausal status.3 Estrogen replacement therapy administered after surgical menopause has shown beneficial effects on verbal memory,4 and a window of opportunity of estrogen treatment for neuroprotection has been proposed.5 In this retrospective analysis of data acquired from the Nurse's Healthy Study including 248 MS cases, the authors determined whether hormone use for at least 12 months was associated with better scores on the 10-item physical functioning assessment (PF10) subscale of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (quality of life). Surveys completed between 3 and 10 years after the final menstrual period were assessed (147 MS cases). They found that there was an association between better PF10 scores and estrogen use (mainly Premarin use; Pfizer, New York, NY). Also, duration of hormone treatment was associated with higher PF10 scores. An association between better PF10 scores and hormone use in women without MS was not found, suggesting that hormone treatment may uniquely benefit physical functioning in women with MS.
A Theory of How Columns in the Neocortex Enable Learning the Structure of the World

Neocortical regions are organized into columns and layers. Connections between layers run mostly perpendicular to the surface suggesting a columnar functional organization. Some layers have long-range excitatory lateral connections suggesting interactions between columns. Similar patterns of connectivity exist in all regions but their exact role remain a mystery. In this paper, we propose a network model composed of columns and layers that performs robust object learning and recognition. Each column integrates its changing input over time to learn complete predictive models of observed objects. Excitatory lateral connections across columns allow the network to more rapidly infer objects based on the partial knowledge of adjacent columns. Because columns integrate input over time and space, the network learns models of complex objects that extend well beyond the receptive field of individual cells. Our network model introduces a new feature to cortical columns. We propose that a representation of location relative to the object being sensed is calculated within the sub-granular layers of each column. The location signal is provided as an input to the network, where it is combined with sensory data. Our model contains two layers and one or more columns. Simulations show that using Hebbian-like learning rules small single-column networks can learn to recognize hundreds of objects, with each object containing tens of features. Multi-column networks recognize objects with significantly fewer movements of the sensory receptors. Given the ubiquity of columnar and laminar connectivity patterns throughout the neocortex, we propose that columns and regions have more powerful recognition and modeling capabilities than previously assumed.
Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter (SGLT) and glucose transporter (GLUT) expression in the kidney of type 2 diabetic subjects

The sodium‐glucose co‐transporters (SGLTs) are responsible for the tubular reabsorption of filtered glucose from the kidney into the bloodstream. The inhibition of SGLT2‐mediated glucose reabsorption is a novel and highly effective strategy to alleviate hyperglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the effectiveness of SGLT2 inhibitor therapy is diminished due, in part, to a compensatory increase in the maximum reabsorptive capacity (Tm) for glucose in patients with T2DM. We hypothesized that this increase in Tm could be explained by an increase in the tubular expression of SGLT and glucose transporters (GLUT) in these patients. To examine this, we obtained human kidney biopsy specimens from patients with or without T2DM and examined the mRNA expression of SGLTs and GLUTs. The expression of SGLT1 is markedly increased in the kidney of patients with T2DM, and SGLT1 mRNA is highly and significantly correlated with fasting and postprandial plasma glucose and HbA1c. In contrast, our data demonstrate that the levels of SGLT2 and GLUT2 mRNA are downregulated in diabetic patients, but not to a statistically significant level. These important findings are clinically significant and may have implications for the treatment of T2DM using strategies that target SGLT transporters in the kidney.
Ionic liquids: Physico-chemical, solvent properties and their applications in chemical processes

A new class of compounds, called as ionic liquids, has recently emerged as potential substitute for volatile organic solvents. Ionic liquids possess certain special physico-chemical characteristics that render them very useful in different areas of research and development. In this review, the physico-chemical properties and the applications of ionic liquids in chemical processes are critically discussed and recommendations made for probing further the poorly understood aspect of this newly emerging class of compounds.
Let's not forget the critical role of surface tension in xylem water relations.

The widely supported cohesion–tension theory of water trans -port explains the importance of a continuous water column and the mechanism of long-distance ascent of sap in plants (Dixon 1914, Tyree 2003, Angeles et al. 2004). The evapora-tion of water from the surfaces of mesophyll cells causes the air–water interface to retreat into the cellulose matrix of the plant cell wall because the cohesion forces between water mol -ecules are stronger than their attraction to air. As a result, the interface between the gas and liquid phases places the mass of water under negative pressure (tension). This pulling force is then transmitted to soil water via a continuous water column since the strong hydrogen bonding of the water molecules also allows water to stay liquid under tension (Oertli 197 1). Related to these cohesive forces is surface tension, which characterizes how difficult it is to stretch the surface of a liquid.Most laboratory and field studies dealing with xylem cavita-tion and embolism repair assume that surface tension is equal to that of pure water and constant within and between species. Although surface tension is a crucial parameter in xylem water movement, few studies have tested whether this parameter dif -fers from that of pure water (Bolton and Koutsianitis 1980). In this issue, the study by Christensen-Dalsgaard et al. (2011) looked at the instantaneous surface tension of xylem sap extracted from branches of three tree species and its change over time. Using the pendant-drop method, they showed that in all three species studied, the instantaneous sap surface ten-sion was indeed equal to that of pure water. However, in one species,
A Morphometric Study on the Skull of the German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian)

In this study, a total of 33 skulls of German shepherd (Alsatian) puppies between 45 and 105 days old were used. Animals were divided into two groups. Group 1 included puppies between 45 and 60 days old, and group 2 included those between 61 and 105 days old. In group 1, a skull weight of 36.95 g, a skull length of 113.96 mm, a maximum zygomatic width of 66.52 mm, a cranial length of 71.31 mm, a maximum neurocranium width of 52.11 mm, a viscerocranial length of 50.28 mm, a skull index of 58.43, a cranial index of 73.24, a facial index of 133.13 and a cranial volume of 55.38 ml were measured. In group 2, a skull weight of 61.17 g, a skull length of 143.38 mm, a maximum zygomatic width of 73.54 mm, a cranial length of 83.38 mm, a maximum neurocranium width of 53.70 mm, a viscerocranial length of 68.64 mm, a skull index of 51.44, a cranial index of 64.57, a facial index of 107.96 and a cranial volume of 75.75 ml were obtained. In order to determine the likely relationship, if any, between the indices and the other parameters, correlation coefficients were computed. It was found that all the measurements increased with age, while indices decreased, and an insignificant positive correlation was found between cranial volume and skull weight. The data obtained in this study may be of use in the consideration of the German shepherd type. For German shepherd dogs, which are a dolichocephalic race, it should be agreed that, in line with growth, the farther the values are from the mean value, the higher the defect rate of a puppy is. Also, the data may be of use in investigating the correlation between, for example, nasal cancer risk and the shape of the skull.
Dihydrorhodamine 123: a fluorescent probe for superoxide generation?

Imaging techniques, such as confocal microscopy and fluorescent activated cells scan are facilitating the study of responses at the single-cell level. Superoxide is reported to oxidise the non-fluorescent dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) to rhodamine 123. The generation of rhodamine 123 by human neutrophils, stimulated by the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was inhibited slowly by diphenylene iodonium and rapidly by azide, but not by superoxide dismutase. In the absence of enzymes H2O2 (but not O2-.) oxidised DHR slowly but the rate was greatly enhanced by peroxidases. The rhodamine 123 generated by phorbol-ester-stimulated neutrophils was observed to be located within the cell despite the fact that neutrophils failed to accumulate external rhodamine 123. This stimulated rise in cellular fluorescence was eliminated by excess extracellular catalase. It appears that H2O2, released on the outside, crosses the plasma membrane where oxidation of DHR is catalysed by cellular peroxidases. Since in a mixed population DHR failed to distinguish between O2-. -producing and non-producing HL60 cells it is not a suitable probe for single-cell observations. We conclude that DHR oxidation reports only the presence of H2O2 and intracellular peroxidases, and not the generation of O2-. by any one cell. Only peroxidase-containing cells fluoresce.
Measuring leadership effectiveness in complex socio- technical systems

As complex systems, organizations face the challenge of continuing efficient operations and adapting to a changing environment. This challenge is often framed in the context of strategic leadership: leaders are seen as managing the tension between longand short-term objectives and between exploration and exploitation. This article looks at how leadership and the actions of leaders relate to these adaptive tensions and how the effectiveness of leadership can be measured in a complexity science context. To do this, leadership is conceptualized as an organizational meta-capability that processes information about the environment and the organization, and then changes the organization by reconfiguring and building new capabilities. The article suggests a family of possible metrics, discusses the complexity of their interactions, and suggests future research to further the field’s understanding of the important question: how individual human actions influence the social systems in which they occur.
On the Precipitation and Precipitation Change in Alaska

Alaska observes very large differences in precipitation throughout the state; southeast Alaska experiences consistently wet conditions, while northern Arctic Alaska observes very dry conditions. The maximum mean annual precipitation of 5727 mm is observed in the southeastern panhandle at Little Port Arthur, while the minimum of 92 mm occurs on the North Slope at Kuparuk. Besides explaining these large differences due to geographic and orographic location, we discuss the changes in precipitation with time. Analyzing the 18 first-order National Weather Service stations, we found that the total average precipitation in the state increased by 17% over the last 67 years. The observed changes in precipitation are furthermore discussed as a function of the observed temperature increase of 2.1 °C, the mean temperature change of the 18 stations over the same period. This observed warming of Alaska is about three times the magnitude of the mean global warming and allows the air to hold more water vapor. Furthermore, we discuss the effect of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), which has a strong influence on both the temperature and precipitation in Alaska.
Advantage of multiple spot urine collections for estimating daily sodium excretion: comparison with two 24-h urine collections as reference

Objective: Several estimation methods for 24-h sodium excretion using spot urine sample have been reported, but accurate estimation at the individual level remains difficult. We aimed to clarify the most accurate method of estimating 24-h sodium excretion with different numbers of available spot urine samples. Methods: A total of 370 participants from throughout Japan collected multiple 24-h urine and spot urine samples independently. Participants were allocated randomly into a development and a validation dataset. Two estimation methods were established in the development dataset using the two 24-h sodium excretion samples as reference: the ‘simple mean method’ estimated by multiplying the sodium–creatinine ratio by predicted 24-h creatinine excretion, whereas the ‘regression method’ employed linear regression analysis. The accuracy of the two methods was examined by comparing the estimated means and concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) in the validation dataset. Results: Mean sodium excretion by the simple mean method with three spot urine samples was closest to that by 24-h collection (difference: −1.62 mmol/day). CCC with the simple mean method increased with an increased number of spot urine samples at 0.20, 0.31, and 0.42 using one, two, and three samples, respectively. This method with three spot urine samples yielded higher CCC than the regression method (0.40). When only one spot urine sample was available for each study participant, CCC was higher with the regression method (0.36). Conclusion: The simple mean method with three spot urine samples yielded the most accurate estimates of sodium excretion. When only one spot urine sample was available, the regression method was preferable.
Development of an Analytical Framework and Measurement Tools to Assess Adaptive Performance of Individual and Teams in Military Work Domains

Military work domains are undergoing a paradigm shift characterized by increasing complexity, integration, diversity, dynamic nature, distributed control and coordination, and need for knowledge and information. As a result, there will be an increasing necessity for flexible, adaptive behavior of individuals and teams. Accordingly, it is important that empirical measures of adaptation be developed to assess the effectiveness of different types of systems design interventions in these new environments. In this report, we have adopted Rasmussen's cognitive work analysis (CWA) framework as a basis for addressing this problem. CWA is a constraintbased approach that is tailored to the need for worker adaptation. We show how the layers in CWA can be used to develop and organize empirical measures of adaptation. Several example measures are discussed based on previous research conducted for a process control microworld simulation (DURESS II). In addition, new measures are proposed based on dynamical systems and stability concepts, and higher-order moments of response distributions. Next, case studies showing how our approach can be applied to command and control type problems are presented. Finally, we conclude by briefly outlining an agenda for future research. Assessment of Adaptive Performance in Military Work Domains 1
Acquisition of Luteolytic Capacity: Changes in Prostaglandin F2α Regulation of Steroid Hormone Receptors and Estradiol Biosynthesis in Pig Corpora Lutea1

Abstract The pig corpora lutea (CL) acquires luteolytic capacity at about Day 13 of the estrous cycle, after which luteolysis occurs in response to prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) treatment. We postulated that differences in transcription factors such as the steroid hormone receptors may be responsible for the differences in PGF2α-induced gene expression after acquisition of luteolytic capacity. In these studies, we evaluated the effect of PGF2α on luteal expression of receptors for progesterone (nuclear and membrane progesterone receptor [PR]), estradiol (ERα and ERβ), glucocorticoid, androgens, and two enzymes in estradiol synthesis (P450-17α and aromatase). Two experiments were conducted to examine the early (0.5 h, experiment I) and late (10 h, experiment II) effects of PGF2α on the expression of these receptors in CL with (Day 17) or without (Day 9) luteolytic capacity. PGF2α decreased ERα mRNA (35%) and increased ERβ mRNA (558%) and protein (376%) only in Day 17 CL and not Day 9. The estradiol biosynthetic pathway was upregulated by PGF2α in Day 17 CL but not Day 9 CL, with a dramatic increase in aromatase mRNA and luteal estradiol content. Nuclear PR was not affected by PGF2α, but was greater (176%) in Day 9 CL, while a putative membrane PR was greater (156%) in Day 17 than Day 9 CL. There were no detectable changes in glucocorticoid or androgen receptor mRNA. Thus, luteolytic capacity is associated with upregulation of estradiol biosynthesis, which in conjunction with increased ERβ expression and altered PR expression may promote luteolysis in the pig CL.
Experimental characterization of optical-gap solitons in a one-dimensional photonic crystal made of a corrugated semiconductor planar waveguide

We fully characterize the stationary spatial-gap soliton through the measurement of the phase function of its nearly periodic transverse intensity distribution. The spatial-gap soliton is generated in one-dimensional photonic crystal consisting of a corrugated semiconductor planar optical waveguide. The measured phase function allows us to determine the detuning parameter that provides the position of the gap soliton within the photonic band gap.
Simulation numérique du processus d’assemblage de câbles flexibles en grands déplacements

Avec l’essor de l’electronique embarquee, les câbles electriques constituentune part importante des pieces automobiles tandis que l’espace a bord n’a cesse de diminuer. Leur flexibilite requiert la prediction de leur deformation durant leur montage afin d’eviter le contact avec d’autres pieces du vehicule et leur endommagement. Les outils actuels ne permettent pas une prediction assez realiste et precise de leur comportement, necessaire dans un volume de travail tres restreint. Les etapes de montage sont donc validees via la realisation de maquettes reelles couteuses. Cette thesea pour but d’ameliorer la simulation numerique de ces pieces souples. Nous proposonsici un code de simulation 3D base sur un modele de poutre geometriquement exact resolu par la methode des elements finis. Son originalite tient dans le couplage des quaternions pour modeliser les rotations 3D et de la methode asymptotique numerique pour la continuation du systeme non lineaire qui lui confere une grande robustesse. Un banc d’essai permettant l’identification des parametres homogeneises necessaires au modele numerique et sa validation par comparaison de la geometrie finale et du chemin d’equilibre est presente. Combines a des developpements analytiques sur les modeles de poutres avec cisaillement, les essais menent a une evaluation critique du modele deTimoshenko 3D pour la representation des torons de câbles.
Metrical structure in planning the production of spoken words

According to most models of speech production, the planning of spoken words involves the independent retrieval of segments and metrical frames followed by segment-to-frame association. In some models, the metrical frame includes a specification of the number and ordering of consonants and vowels, but in the word-form encoding by activation and verification (WEAVER) model (A. Roelofs, 1997), the frame specifies only the stress pattern across syllables. In 6 implicit priming experiments, on each trial, participants produced 1 word out of a small set as quickly as possible. In homogeneous sets, the response words shared word-initial segments, whereas in heterogeneous sets, they did not. Priming effects from shared segments depended on all response words having the same number of syllables and stress pattem, but not on their having the same number of consonants and vowels. No priming occurred when the response words had only the same metrical frame but shared no segments. Computer simulations demonstrated that WEAVER accounts for the findings. Most theories of word production assume that the phonological representations constructed in planning utterances include separate representations of the segmental content of words and of their metrical properties, such as their syllable structure and stress pattern. This view is compatible with current linguistic theory, which allocates segmental and metrical information on separate representational tiers (e.g., Goldsmith, 1990; Kenstowicz, 1994). In addition, psycholinguistic models often contend that during speech planning, the metrical and segmental tiers are first retrieved, or generated, independently of each other and later combined (see Levelt, 1989, for an overview). Most of the evidence for this view comes from analyses of speech errors. The argument runs roughly as follows (see, for instance, Meyer, 1992, for a more extensive discussion). Speakers often commit sound errors, in which the intended and the actual utterance differ in a speech fragment smaller than a complete morpheme. Usually, these fragments correspond to individual segments or, less often, to clusters of two adjacent segments. This shows that, during speech planning, stored form representations are decomposed into their segments. Misplaced segments typically move from their target positions to corresponding positions in new syllables, for instance from one syllable onset (the prevocalic part of a
Quantitative assessment of mirror movements in children and adolescents with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Mirror movements in individuals with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) may result from a reorganization of the central sensorimotor system. Motor performances of both hands were measured to characterize mirror activity (or mirroring) and hand functions in 22 participants (6 to 18 years) with hemiplegic CP and in 17 control participants. During a unimanual repetitive squeezing task, contractions of the active hand and fingertip forces of the opposite hand were recorded simultaneously. In the control group, slight mirror activity (or mirroring) was found that decreased with age. In participants with CP, mirror activity was 15 times stronger than in the control group, and was found at all age levels. Mirroring was more prominent in the unaffected hand of the CP group. The amount of mirror activity was not related to the degree of hemiplegia, which was assessed with measures of spasticity, strength, and dexterity. Mirror movements disturbed functional bimanual skills, although to some extent they could be suppressed by voluntary effort.
When everyone misses on the same side: Debiased earnings surprises and stock returns

In event studies of capital market efficiency, an earnings surprise has historically been measured by the consensus error, defined as earnings minus the consensus or average of professional forecasts. The rationale is that the consensus is an accurate measure of the market’s expectation of earnings. But since forecasts can be biased due to conflicts of interest and some investors can see through these conflicts, this rationale is flawed and the consensus error a biased measure of an earnings surprise. We show that the fraction of forecasts that miss on the same side (FOM), by ignoring the size of the misses, is less sensitive to such bias and a better measure of an earnings surprise. As a result, FOM out-performs the consensus error and its related robust statistics in explaining stock price movements around and subsequent to the announcement date.