Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of artificial cryptorchidism in the rabbit on the transport and survival of spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract.

Summary. Artificial cryptorchidism is known to result in sterility in male rabbits within 6 to 8 days. When oestrous females were artificially inseminated per vaginam with constant numbers of ejaculated spermatozoa collected from groups of males before, and 2, 5 and 8 days after the induction of cryptorchidism, the numbers of spermatozoa recovered from the oviducts at about the time of ovulation remained normal up to 5 days. There were highly significant correlations (P<0\m=.\001) between the numbers oflive spermatozoa inseminated and the numbers recovered from the female tracts. The survival of spermatozoa was studied by insemination of constant numbers into the uterine horns of females at various times in relation to ovulation. Control ejaculated spermatozoa proved most efficient at contacting and fertilizing ova when insemination was at the `normal' time, 10 to 12 hr before ovulation: spermatozoa from the same males 4 days after the artificial induction of cryptorchidism were of lower fertilizing ability, but did not appear to suffer from any reduced capacity for survival in the female. The onset of infertility following the induction of cryptorchidism thus does not appear to be caused by a failure of spermatozoa to be transported to the site of fertilization, nor by a failure to survive to contact ova. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the retention of the cytoplasmic droplet.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Chinese Virulent Avian Coronavirus Infectious Bronchitis Virus Variants

ABSTRACT Avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is variable, which causes many serotypes. Here we reported the complete genome sequences of two virulent IBV variants from China, GX-YL5 and GX-YL9, belonging to different serotypes. Differences between GX-YL5 and GX-YL9 were found mainly in stem-loop structure I in the predicted RNA secondary structure of open reading frame (ORF) 1b and the S protein gene fusion region, which will help us understand the molecular evolutionary mechanism of IBV and the disconcordance between the genotypes and serotypes of coronavirus.
Functional sites of human PCNA which interact with p21 (Cip1/Waf1), DNA polymerase δ and replication factor C

PCNA, an eukaryotic DNA sliding clamp interacts with replication factors and the cell cycle protein, p21(Cip1/Waf1) and functions as a molecular switch for DNA elongation. To understand how DNA replication is regulated through PCNA, elucidation of the precise mechanisms of these protein interactions is necessary.
Study of bending-induced strain effects on MuGFET performance

The impact of stress induced by biaxial mechanical bending on multiple-gate FET (MuGFET) performance is studied. For relatively low levels of bending-induced surface strain (~ 0.1%), significant enhancements in the driving current can be achieved and maintained with gate-length scaling. This makes package strain a potentially attractive approach to enhancing MuGFET-based CMOS performance at low cost. For bending-induced strain, the enhancements in electron mobility and (110) hole mobility are well predicted by the piezoresistance model using the coefficients for bulk-Si, but the impact of stress on (100) hole mobility is more complex
Physician response to implementation of genotype‐tailored antiplatelet therapy

Physician responses to genomic information are vital to the success of precision medicine initiatives. We prospectively studied a pharmacogenomics implementation program for the propensity of clinicians to select antiplatelet therapy based on CYP2C19 loss‐of‐function variants in stented patients. Among 2,676 patients, 514 (19.2%) were found to have a CYP2C19 variant affecting clopidogrel metabolism. For the majority (93.6%) of the cohort, cardiologists received active and direct notification of CYP2C19 status. Over 12 months, 57.6% of poor metabolizers and 33.2% of intermediate metabolizers received alternatives to clopidogrel. CYP2C19 variant status was the most influential factor impacting the prescribing decision (hazard ratio [HR] in poor metabolizers 8.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] [5.4, 12.2] and HR 5.0, 95% CI [4.0, 6.3] in intermediate metabolizers), followed by patient age and type of stent implanted. We conclude that cardiologists tailored antiplatelet therapy for a minority of patients with a CYP2C19 variant and considered both genomic and nongenomic risks in their clinical decision‐making.
Use of the concomitant serum dosage of CA 125, CA 19-9 and interleukin-6 to detect the presence of endometriosis. Results from a series of reproductive age women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for benign gynaecological conditions.

BACKGROUND Recent studies have proposed the measurement of CA 19-9 and IL-6 as an alternative to CA 125 as markers for endometriosis. This study was performed in order to verify the clinical value of serum CA 125, CA 19-9 and IL-6 levels, either by themselves or combined, in the detection of the disease. METHODS In a prospective cohort study, serum concentrations of CA 125, CA 19-9 and IL-6 were measured in a consecutive series of 80 women of reproductive age who underwent laparoscopy for benign gynaecological pathologies. RESULTS Endometriosis was documented in 45 women (stage I-II in 14 cases and stage III-IV in 31 cases). Patients with endometriosis had significantly higher levels of CA 125 than controls [23.4 IU/ml (13.3-37.6) versus 11.4 IU/ml (9.1-18.5), P < 0.001)]. Conversely, women with and without the disease were shown to have similar levels of both IL-6 pg/ml [0.6 (undetectable-1.4) versus 1.0 pg/ml (0.4-1.9), P = 0.09] and CA 19-9 [9.8 IU/ml (4.5-20.8) versus 7.4 IU/ml (2.8-11.5), P = 0.11]. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve resulted in a statistically significant difference from the null hypothesis only for CA 125 (P < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of CA 125 were 27 and 97% respectively and were higher than those related to CA 19-9 and IL-6. Concomitant use of the three dosages led to a sensitivity and a specificity of 42 and 71% respectively. CONCLUSIONS The concomitant dosage of CA 125, CA 19-9 and IL-6 does not add significant information in respect to the CA 125 test alone in diagnosing either early or advanced stages of endometriosis.
Tetraquarks, hadronic molecules, meson-meson scattering and disconnected contributions in lattice QCD

There are generally two types of Wick contractions in lattice QCD calculations of a correlation function: connected and disconnected ones. The disconnected contribution is difficult to calculate and noisy, thus it is often neglected. In the context of studying tetraquarks, hadronic molecules, and mesonmeson scattering, we show that whenever there are both connected and singly disconnected contractions, the singly disconnected part gives the leading order contribution, and thus should never be neglected. As an explicit example, we show that information about the scalar mesons sigma, f(0)(980), a(0)(980), and kappa will be lost when neglecting the disconnected contributions.
Timing and rate of nitrogen application influence grain quality and yield in maize planted at high and low densities.

BACKGROUND Efficient use of nitrogen (N) is considered one of the most important inputs needed for increasing grain quality and crop productivity. Hypothesis was that grain quality and yield of maize (Zeamays L.) in north-west Pakistan are enhanced by increasing the rate of N, and that response to applied N is greater with an increase in the number of N split applications at high plant density compared to low density. RESULTS Field experiments were carried out on maize (cv. Azam) in summer 2002 and 2003 consisting of two planting densities and three N rates as main plots, and six split N applications as sub-plots. Year 1 had higher shelling percentage and stover yield (SY). Harvest index (HI) decreased but SY increased with increase in plant density. Increase in N rate and number of split N applications increased grain weight and protein content, HI and SY. CONCLUSION The highest N rate in four to five split applications increased maize grain quality and yield at both densities. Maize response to the interactive effect of year x plant density, year x N rate, and year x N timing suggests zonal specific effective N management practices for sustainable maize production in different agro-ecological zones.
Synthetic 3D Model-Based Object Class Detection and Pose Estimation. (Détection de Classes d'Objets et Estimation de leurs Poses à partir de Modèles 3D Synthétiques)

This dissertation aims at extending object class detection and pose estimation tasks on single 2D images by a 3D model-based approach. The work describes learning, detection and estimation steps adapted to the use of synthetically rendered data with known 3D geometry. Most existing approaches recognize object classes for a particular viewpoint or combine classifiers for a few discrete views. By using existing CAD models and rendering techniques from the domain of computer graphics which are parameterized to reproduce some variations commonly found in real images, we propose instead to build 3D representations of object classes which allow to handle viewpoint changes and intra-class variability. These 3D representations are derived in two different ways : either as an unsupervised filtering process of pose and class discriminant local features on purely synthetic training data, or as a part model which discriminatively learns the object class appearance from an annotated database of real images and builds a generative representation of 3D geometry from a database of synthetic CAD models. During detection, we introduce a 3D voting scheme which reinforces geometric coherence by means of a robust pose estimation, and we propose an alternative probabilistic pose estimation method which evaluates the likelihood of groups of 2D part detections with respect to a full 3D geometry. Both detection methods yield approximate 3D bounding boxes in addition to 2D localizations ; these initializations are subsequently improved by a registration scheme aligning arbitrary 3D models to optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images in order to disambiguate and prune 2D detections and to handle occlusions. The work is evaluated on several standard benchmark datasets and it is shown to achieve state-of-the-art performance for 2D detection in addition to providing 3D pose estimations from single images.
Survival of immunoglobulin G-opsonized Toxoplasma gondii in nonadherent human monocytes

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that is able to penetrate human monocytes by either passive uptake during phagocytosis or active penetration. It is expected that immunoglobulin G (IgG) opsonization will target the parasite to macrophage Fc gamma receptors for phagocytic processing and subsequent degradation. Antibody-opsonized T. gondii tachyzoites were used to infect nonadherent and adherent human monocytes obtained from the peripheral blood of seronegative individuals. The infected monocytes were evaluated for the presence of intracellular parasites and the degree of parasiticidal activity. A marked difference in both the numbers of infected macrophages and numbers of parasites per 100 macrophages was observed in the nonadherent cells when compared with those of the adherent cell population. When macrophage Fc gamma receptors were down-modulated, opsonized tachyzoites retained their ability to penetrate the host cell at a rate similar to that observed for unopsonized parasites. These results suggest that antibody opsonization of T. gondii does not prevent active penetration of human monocytes by the parasite and, furthermore, has little effect on intracellular replication of the parasite.
Differential Requirement for CD28/CTLA-4-CD80/CD86 Interactions in Drug-Induced Type 1 and Type 2 Immune Responses to Trinitrophenyl-Ovalbumin

The use of mAbs to abrogate costimulatory interactions has attracted much attention with regard to prevention and modulation of adverse (auto)immune-like reactions. However, the role of costimulatory molecules and possible therapeutic use of Ab-treatment in drug-induced immunostimulation is poorly elucidated. In the present studies, we show that CD28/CTLA-4-CD80/CD86 costimulatory interactions differently regulate drug-induced type 1 and type 2 responses to an identical bystander Ag, TNP-OVA, in BALB/c mice using the reporter Ag popliteal lymph node assay. The antirheumatic drug D-Penicillamine, which may induce lupus-like side-effects, stimulated type 2 responses against TNP-OVA, characterized by the production of IL-4 and TNP-specific IgG1 and IgE. These responses were abrogated in CD80/CD86-deficient mice and in wild-type mice that were treated with anti-CD80 and anti-CD86, or CTLA-4-Ig. Anti-CTLA-4 intensively enhanced the D-Penicillamine-induced effects. In contrast, the type 1 response (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IgG2a) to TNP-OVA induced by the diabetogen streptozotocin still developed in the absence of CD80/CD86 costimulatory signaling. In addition, it was demonstrated that coadministration of anti-CD80 and anti-CD86 mAbs slightly enhanced streptozotocin-induced type 1 responses, whereas the CTLA-4-Ig fusion protein completely abrogated this response. In conclusion, different drugs may stimulate distinct types of immune responses against an identical bystander Ag, which are completely dependent on (type 2) or independent of (type 1) the CD28/CTLA-4-CD80/CD86 pathway. Importantly, the effects of treatment with anti-CD80/CD86 mAbs and CTLA-4-Ig may be considerably different in responses induced by distinct drugs.
The Epstein-Barr Virus Protein BMRF1 Activates Gastrin Transcription

ABSTRACT The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) BMRF1 gene encodes an early lytic protein that functions not only as the viral DNA polymerase processivity factor but also as a transcriptional activator. BMRF1 has been previously shown to activate transcription of an EBV early promoter, BHLF1, though a GC-rich motif which binds to SP1 and ZBP-89, although the exact mechanism for this effect is not known (D. J. Law, S. A. Tarle, and J. L. Merchant, Mamm. Genome 9:165-167, 1998). Here we demonstrate that BMRF1 activates transcription of the cellular gastrin gene in telomerase-immortalized keratinocytes. Furthermore, BMRF1 activated a reporter gene construct driven by the gastrin promoter in a variety of cell types, and this effect was mediated by two SP1/ZBP-89 binding sites in the gastrin promoter. ZBP-89 has been previously shown to negatively regulate the gastrin promoter. However, ZBP-89 can function as either a negative or positive regulator of transcription, depending upon the promoter and perhaps other, as-yet-unidentified factors. BMRF1 increased the binding of ZBP-89 to the gastrin promoter, and a ZBP-89-GAL4 fusion protein was converted into a positive transcriptional regulator by cotransfection with BMRF1. BMRF1 also enhanced the transcriptional activity of an SP1-GAL4 fusion protein. These results suggest that BMRF1 activates target promoters through its effect on both the SP1 and ZBP-89 transcription factors. Furthermore, as the EBV genome is present in up to 10% of gastric cancers, and the different forms of gastrin are growth factors for gastrointestinal epithelium, our results suggest a mechanism by which lytic EBV infection could promote the growth of gastric cells.
Abnormal glucose regulation and gender-specific risk of fatal coronary artery disease in the HUNT 1 study

Abstract Objectives. To assess fatal coronary artery disease (CAD) by gender and glucose regulation status. Design. 47,951 people were followed up according to fatal CAD identified in the National Cause of Death Registry. Gender-effects of fatal CAD in people with impaired glucose regulation (IGR), newly diagnosed diabetes (NDM) or known diabetes (KDM) compared with people with normal glucose regulation (NGR) were calculated using Cox regression. Results. Using NGR as reference, the hazard ratios (HR, 95% confidence intervals) associated with IGR was 1.2 (0.8–1.9) for women and 1.2 (0.9–1.6) for men. The corresponding HRs were 1.6 (1.2–2.2) and 1.4 (1.1.–1.9) for NDM, and 2.5 (2.1–2.8) and 1.8 (1.6–2.1) for KDM. The gender-difference in mortality varied by category (Pinteraction = 0.003). Using women as the reference, the HRs for men were 2.1 (2.0–2.3) for NGR, 1.8 (1.0–3.3) for IGR, 1.6 (1.0–2.5) for NDM, and 1.2 (1.0–1.5) for KDM. Conclusions. Diabetes mellitus, but not IGR, was associated with fatal CAD in both genders. The known gender-difference in CAD mortality was attenuated in people with abnormal glucose regulation, evident already in people with IGR.
Bounds for Eigenvalues of Spatial Correlation Matrices With the Exponential Model in MIMO Systems

It is important to understand the properties of spatial correlation matrices in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. In this paper, we derive new bounds for the maximum and minimum eigenvalues of spatial correlation matrices characterized by the exponential model. The new upper bounds for the maximum and minimum eigenvalues are tighter than the previously known bounds. Moreover, the new lower bound for the minimum eigenvalue, which has not yet been derived in the literature as a function of the number of antennas, is also tight. In order to predict the behavior of these bounds, we investigate the gap between the lower and upper bounds. These bounds are directly applicable to the analysis of wireless communication scenarios, such as uniform planar arrays and ill-conditioned channels, which are expected to be widely used for massive MIMO systems.
Superfluid field response to edge dislocation motion

We study the dynamic response of a superfluid field to a moving edge dislocation line to which the field is minimally coupled. We use a dissipative Gross-Pitaevskii equation, and determine the initial conditions by solving the equilibrium version of the model. We consider the subsequent time evolution of the field for both glide and climb dislocation motion and analyze the results for a range of values of the constant speed VD of the moving dislocation. We find that the type of motion of the dislocation line is very important in determining the time evolution of the superfluid field distribution associated with it. Climb motion of the dislocation line induces increasing asymmetry, as function of time, in the field profile, with part of the probability being, as it were, left behind. On the other hand, glide motion has no effect on the symmetry properties of the superfluid field distribution. Damping of the superfluid field due to excitations associated with the moving dislocation line occurs in both cases.
Looking and learning: Upper Palaeolithic Art and information gathering

Abstract The paper identifies a theme in Upper Palaeolithic art of information gathering. It demonstrates that a significant number of images relate to the activity of information gathering from the natural environment about the location and state of large game. To do this, it describes some of the information gathering methods used by modern foragers, such as using tracks and trails, and then shows how the subject and stylistic traits of certain images relate to such methods. Having established this theme, the paper considers its implications for general explanations of Upper Palaeolithic art.
Effet des fortes contraintes hydrostatiques sur la tenue en fatigue des matériaux métalliques

Ces travaux de these traitent des effets des fortes contraintes hydrostatiques sur la tenue en fatigue a grand nombre de cycles des materiaux metalliques. Il s'agit d'etudier, d'une part, l'effet de la contrainte moyenne (et plus particulierement des fortes contraintes moyennes ou forts rapports de charge) et, d'autre part, l'effet de la biaxialite. Dans une premiere partie, une campagne d'essais importante est realisee sur deux materiaux, un alliage d'aluminium de fonderie AlSi7Cu05Mg03 et un alliage d'aluminium corroye 2024-O. L'effet de la contrainte moyenne et de la biaxialite (dans le cas de chargement de traction biaxiale) sur le comportement en fatigue a grand nombre de cycles (FGNC) des materiaux est caracterise. Une attention particuliere est portee a la description et a l'analyse des mecanismes d'endommagement. Une etude des modelisations existantes dans la litterature est realisee visant a donner un apercu sur leurs capacites a prendre en compte les effets des fortes contraintes hydrostatiques. Une modelisation adequate est ensuite proposee pour le cas particulier de l'alliage d'aluminium de fonderie etudie. Base sur une approche probabiliste, elle permet de refleter la competition entre les differents mecanismes d'endommagement locaux observes et de rendre compte efficacement des effets de moyenne et de biaxialite. Les observations conduites sur differents alliages metalliques ont egalement montre, pour les plus forts rapports de charge, qu'un endommagement genere lors du premier quart de cycle pouvait modifier les conditions d'apparition d'une fissure. Un critere de fatigue base sur un couplage plasticite-endommagement a l'echelle mesoscopique est alors mis en place. Il rend compte des principales tendances experimentales notamment celles relatives au chargement de traction biaxiale.
Relationship between visuomotor and handwriting skills of children in kindergarten.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the performance of children in kindergarten on the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) and their ability to copy letters legibly. METHOD Sixty typically developing children in kindergarten aged 64 months to 75 months (30 girls and 30 boys) were administered the VMI and the Scale of Children's Readiness In PrinTing (SCRIPT). The SCRIPT requires children to copy 26 lower case letters and 8 upper case letters from a model. RESULTS A significant relationship was found between subjects' performance on the VMI and ability to copy letters legibly. In addition, as subjects' ability to copy the forms on the VMI increased, a concomitant increase in ability to copy letters was also found. There were no gender differences in performance on the VMI or on the SCRIPT: CONCLUSION The findings of this study suggest that most children in kindergarten similar to those in this study will be ready for handwriting instruction in the latter part of the kindergarten year.