Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The key to success in elite athletes? Explicit and implicit motor learning in youth elite and non-elite soccer players

ABSTRACT In sports, fast and accurate execution of movements is required. It has been shown that implicitly learned movements might be less vulnerable than explicitly learned movements to stressful and fast changing circumstances that exist at the elite sports level. The present study provides insight in explicit and implicit motor learning in youth soccer players with different expertise levels. Twenty-seven youth elite soccer players and 25 non-elite soccer players (aged 10–12) performed a serial reaction time task (SRTT). In the SRTT, one of the sequences must be learned explicitly, the other was implicitly learned. No main effect of group was found for implicit and explicit learning on mean reaction time (MRT) and accuracy. However, for MRT, an interaction was found between learning condition, learning phase and group. Analyses showed no group effects for the explicit learning condition, but youth elite soccer players showed better learning in the implicit learning condition. In particular, during implicit motor learning youth elite soccer showed faster MRTs in the early learning phase and earlier reached asymptote performance in terms of MRT. Present findings may be important for sports because children with superior implicit learning abilities in early learning phases may be able to learn more (durable) motor skills in a shorter time period as compared to other children.
High rate of durable remissions after treatment of newly diagnosed aggressive mantle-cell lymphoma with rituximab plus hyper-CVAD alternating with rituximab plus high-dose methotrexate and cytarabine.

PURPOSE To determine the response, failure-free survival (FFS), and overall survival rates and toxicity of rituximab plus an intense chemotherapy regimen in patients with previously untreated aggressive mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL). PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a prospective phase II trial of rituximab plus fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (hyper-CVAD; considered one cycle) alternating every 21 days with rituximab plus high-dose methotrexate-cytarabine (considered one cycle) for a total of six to eight cycles. RESULTS Of 97 assessable patients, 97% responded, and 87% achieved a complete response (CR) or unconfirmed CR. With a median follow-up time of 40 months, the 3-year FFS and overall survival rates were 64% and 82%, respectively, without a plateau in the curves. For the subgroup of patients < or = 65 years of age, the 3-year FFS rate was 73%. The principal toxicity was hematologic. Five patients died from acute toxicity. Four patients developed treatment-related myelodysplasia/acute myelogenous leukemia, and three patients died while in remission from MCL. A total of eight treatment-related deaths (8%) occurred. CONCLUSION Rituximab plus hyper-CVAD alternating with rituximab plus high-dose methotrexate and cytarabine is effective in untreated aggressive MCL. Toxicity is significant but expected. Because of the shorter FFS concurrent with significant toxicity in patients more than 65 years of age, this regimen is not recommended as standard therapy for this age subgroup. Larger prospective randomized studies are needed to define the role of this regimen in the treatment of MCL patients compared with existing and new treatment modalities.
Actin Binding Activity of Subunit B of Vacuolar H+‐ATPase Is Involved in Its Targeting to Ruffled Membranes of Osteoclasts

Adeno‐associated virus was used to transduce primary mouse osteoclasts with the B1 isoform of vacuolar H+‐ATPase. B1, which is not normally expressed in osteoclasts, was correctly targeted to ruffled membranes of resorbing osteoclasts. Mutant subunit B1 that lacked a functional actin‐binding site did not accumulate in ruffled membranes.
Multi-dimensional local binary pattern descriptors for improved texture analysis

Texture analysis algorithms are employed in many computer vision applications. A group of high performing texture algorithms are based on the concept of local binary patterns (LBP) which describe the relationship of pixels to their local neighbourhood. LBP descriptors are invariant to intensity changes and rotation invariance is simple to derive. In addition, LBP features can be calculated for different neighbourhood radii and thus allow texture description at different scales. In conventional LBP methods, the histograms corresponding to different radii are simply concatenated which results in a loss of information between these scales and added ambiguity. In this paper, we address this problem and show that multi-dimensional LBP histograms provide effective texture descriptors. We demonstrate, on various texture datasets from the Outex suite and both for texture classification and texture retrieval scenarios, that our proposed approach consistently outperforms conventional LBP features.
Nuclear accumulation of glycogen synthase kinase‐3 during replicative senescence of human fibroblasts

Activation of the tumor suppressor protein p53 contributes to cellular senescence. As glycogen synthase kinase‐3 (GSK3) was recently found to interact with p53 and contribute to the actions of p53, this study examined whether GSK3 accumulated in the nucleus and associated with p53 in senescent cells. Compared with young and middle‐aged human WI‐38 fibroblasts, senescent cells were found to contain increased nuclear levels of GSK3β, and also tended to accumulate in the nucleus the other isoform of GSK3, GSK3α. Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that GSK3β and p53 formed a complex in the nucleus. Further experiments tested whether inhibition of GSK3 altered the development of senescence using long‐term treatment with the selective GSK3 inhibitor lithium. Lithium treatment reduced the senescence‐associated accumulation of p53 and caused cells to enter a reversible quiescent state. These results indicate that a portion of the p53 that is activated in senescent cells is modulated by its association with GSK3β in the nucleus, an association that is known to facilitate the actions of p53 and that may contribute to senescence.
Nebivolol induces, via &bgr;3 adrenergic receptor, lipolysis, uncoupling protein 1, and reduction of lipid droplet size in human adipocytes

Objectives: Most &bgr;-blockers may induce weight gain, dysglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Nebivolol is a third-generation &bgr;1-blocker with vasodilating properties mediated by &bgr;3 adrenergic receptors (&bgr;3AR). We investigated whether nebivolol is able to induce &bgr;3AR-mediated lipolysis, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), and size-reduction in human adipocytes. Methods: Human visceral (n = 28) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (n = 26) samples were used to obtain differentiated subcutaneous and visceral preadipocytes. Adipocytes were used to verify the effects of nebivolol onlipolysis, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and other genes of the thermogenic program. Results: Lipolysis was induced by isoproterenol and specific &bgr;3AR agonist, as expected,and also by nebivolol at 100 nmol/l and by its L-enantiomer at 10 nmol/l (P < 0.01). Nebivolol-mediated lipolysis was blocked by SR59230A, a specific &bgr;3AR antagonist, suggesting that nebivolol acts through &bgr;3AR in human adipocytes. Interestingly, in human adipocytes, nebivolol activated UCP1, PPAR&ggr; coactivator-1&agr; (PGC-1&agr;) and cytochrome c (CYCS) gene expression in a p38 MAPK–dependent manner. Using propranolol (&bgr;1 and &bgr;2 antagonist) together with nebivolol we showed that the induction of these genes was still present suggesting again &bgr;3AR activation. Moreover, nebivolol significantly reduced the diameter of lipid droplets in cultured adipocytes. Conclusion: In summary, nebivolol, through &bgr;3AR, is able to induce lipolysis and promote thermogenic and mitochondrial genes. The induction of lipolysis and the thermogenic program could explain the reduction of lipid droplets size. In conclusion, the lower dysmetabolic effects of nebivolol in humans may depend on its &bgr;3 agonist activity and the consequent induction of thermogenic program in human adipocytes.
Expression of Lipoxygenase During Organogenic Nodule Formation from Hop Internodes

Study of lipoxygenase expression (LOX; EC 1.13.11.12) during organogenic nodule formation in hop (Humulus lupulus var. Nugget) showed that LOXs are developmentally regulated throughout the process, suggesting their involvement in the response of internodes to wounding, nodule formation, and plantlet regeneration from these nodules. LOX activity and lipid peroxides exhibited a huge increase during the first week of culture, which may indicate a role for LOX and LOX products in response to wounding in hop, as reported for other systems. Western blotting analysis showed a de novo synthesis of LOX isoenzymes in response to wounding and the detection of three different isoenzymes. Confocal analysis of LOX immunofluorescence revealed the presence of the enzyme in cortical cells of induced internodes and in prenodular cells, mostly appearing as cytoplasmic spots. Some of them were identified as lipid bodies by cytochemical and double immunofluorescence assays, suggesting the involvement of a lipid body LOX during nodule formation. Immunogold labeling detected LOX in peroxisomes, lipid bodies, and plastids of nodular cells. Quantification of the labeling density provided statistical significance for the localization of LOX (three different isoenzymes) in the three compartments, which suggested a possible involvement of LOX in metabolic functions of these organelles during organogenic nodule formation and plantlet regeneration.
Developing Electromechanical Coupling Macro Models for Dynamic Responses of MEMS Structures With Command Shaping Techniques

Dynamic response and structural longevity of MEMS devices such as RF switches is an important issue. However, the process involves complicated electromechanical interaction and stress analysis. In this paper, a rational analysis flow is first proposed to address this problem. By using a macro modeling approach, it is possible to estimate the dynamic performance and yield a contact velocity as the input for solving the associate contact stress. Such a macro model can be easily implemented in a MATLAB/Simulink environment, and a command shaping scheme is used to demonstrate the possible advantage of using the scheme to optimize the device performance and structural integrity. To achieve this, the pull-in voltage is discussed first and the command shaping methods are reanalyzed for MEMS applications for fast positioning and for minimizing contact stress during operations. An online tuning scheme is proposed for ease of design. These issues are integrated into a lumped-element Simulink model to serve as the platform for examining the effectiveness of the developed shaping schemes and evaluating the performance of electrostatically driven MEMS. Finally, essentially experimental investigations are performed to demonstrate the possible advantage of using shaping schemes. Throughout these analyses, it is possible to optimize the integrated system dynamics for applications in performance enhancement or in improving the structural reliability of electrostatic actuated MEMS devices.
Postnatal long bone growth in terrestrial placental mammals: Allometry, life history, and organismal traits

The ontogenetic allometry of long bone proportions is poorly understood in Mammalia. It has previously been suggested that during mammalian ontogeny long bone proportions grow more slender (positive allometry; length ∝ circumference>1.0), although this conclusion was based upon data from a few small‐bodied taxa. It remains unknown how ontogenetic long bone allometry varies across Mammalia in terms of both taxonomy and body size. We collected long bone length and circumference data for ontogenetic samples of 22 species of mammals spanning six major clades and three orders of magnitude in body mass. Using reduced major axis bivariate regressions to compare bone length to circumference, we found that isometry and positive allometry are the most widespread patterns of growth across mammals. Negative allometry (i.e., bones growing more robust during ontogeny) occurs in mammals but is largely restricted to cetartiodactyls. Using regression slope as a proxy for long bone allometry, we compared long bone allometry to life history and organismal traits. Neonatal body mass, adult body mass, and growth rate have a negative relationship with long bone allometry. At an adult mass of roughly 15–20 kg, long bone growth shifts from positive allometry to mainly isometry and negative allometry. There were no significant relationships between ontogenetic long bone allometry and either cursoriality or basal metabolic rate. J. Morphol. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ciliary Motility in Bovine Oviducts for Sensing Rapid Non-genomic Reactions upon Exposure to Progesterone

Based on the expression of hormone receptors, oviductal cells receive a series of signals to control the conduit and transport of gametes. Most cells in the inner oviductal mucosa have motile cilia, and the mucociliary system of oviducts represents a prominent object of study for rapid feedback after application of steroid hormones. Using a high-speed reflectometry method, we investigated effects on the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of bovine oviductal explants after progesterone treatment. To classify changes of CBF as either classic or non-classic reactions, we pretreated primary tissue cultures with mifepristone, an antagonist to the classic progesterone receptor in a second experimental series. In contrast to classical genomic reactions, non-classic or non-genomic reactions are characterized by fast effects, insensitive to the classic receptor antagonist. We observed inhibitory effects on the ciliary beat frequency as soon as 15 minutes after application of progesterone (20 microM), reaching a plateau of about 11 % after 90 minutes. Pretreatment with mifepristone (20 microM) for two hours did not induce significant differences in short-term reactions. However, the inhibitory influence of progesterone after 24 hours could be effectively prevented. Our data confirmed the short-term reaction of CBF as non-genomic or non-classic.
A voltage balancing strategy with extended operating region for cascaded H-bridge converters

In this paper, a generalized switching technique for cascaded H -bridge (CHB) converters is proposed. To take advantage of both low- and high-frequency modulation techniques, a hybrid modulation method is utilized. The proposed technique employs the low-frequency switching for voltage balancing of the dc-link capacitors, and the high-frequency sinusoidal pulse-width modulation switching for shaping the input ac current. Using the proposed technique, the stable operating region of CHB converters is extended. The proposed technique is capable of maintaining the dc voltages balanced even under critical operating conditions in which the load of one H-bridge cell is removed. The validity and effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed by several simulation and experimental tests on a seven-level CHB rectifier.
Trehalose synthesis genes are controlled by the putative sigma factor encoded by rpoS and are involved in stationary-phase thermotolerance in Escherichia coli

The rpoS (katF) gene of Escherichia coli encodes a putative sigma factor (sigma S) required for the expression of a variety of stationary phase-induced genes, for the development of stationary-phase stress resistance, and for long-term starvation survival (R. Lange and R. Hengge-Aronis, Mol. Microbiol. 5:49-59, 1991). Here we show that the genes otsA, otsB, treA, and osmB, previously known to be osmotically regulated, are also induced during transition into stationary phase in a sigma S-dependent manner. otsA and otsB, which encode trehalose-6-phosphate synthase and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase, respectively, are involved in sigma S-dependent stationary-phase thermotolerance. Neither sigma S nor trehalose, however, is required for the development of adaptive thermotolerance in growing cells, which might be controlled by sigma E.
Prevalence of unilateral and bilateral deafness in border collies and association with phenotype.

BACKGROUND Congenital sensorineural deafness (CSD) occurs in Border Collies, but its prevalence and inheritance are unknown. This study estimated the prevalence of CSD in Border Collies and investigated its association with phenotypic attributes linked to the merle gene, including coat pigmentation and iris color. HYPOTHESIS Deafness in Border Collies is associated with pigmentation patterns linked to the merle gene. ANIMALS A total of 2597 Border Collies from the United Kingdom. METHODS A retrospective study of Border Collies tested, during 1994-2002, by using brainstem auditory evoked responses. Associations between deafness and phenotypic attributes were assessed by using generalized logistic regression. RESULTS The prevalence of CSD in puppies was estimated as 2.8%. The corresponding rates of unilateral and bilateral CSD were 2.3 and 0.5%, respectively. Adjustment for clustering of hearing status by litter reduced the overall prevalence estimate to 1.6%. There was no association between CSD and sex (P = .2). Deaf Border Collies had higher rates of merle coat pigmentation, blue iris pigment, and excess white on the head than normal hearing Border Collies (all P < .001). The odds of deafness were increased by a factor of 14 for Border Collies with deaf dams, relative to the odds for dogs with normal dams (P = .007), after adjustment for phenotypic attributes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Associations between CSD and pigmentation patterns linked to the merle gene were demonstrated for Border Collies. Evidence for an inherited component to CSD in Border Collies supports selective breeding from only tested and normal parents to reduce the prevalence of this disease.
Modulation of beta‐adrenergic responses of chloride and calcium currents by external cations in guinea‐pig ventricular cells.

1. The catecholamine‐induced Cl‐ current and the Ca2+ current were recorded in the single ventricular cells of guinea‐pig hearts, using the whole‐cell patch clamp technique combined with internal perfusion. Dependence of the beta‐adrenergic responses on external monovalent cations was investigated. The Cl‐ current was recognized by measuring the reversal potential of the agonist‐induced current. 2. The amplitude of the Cl‐ current, activated by 1 microM adrenaline or 0.01‐0.1 microM isoprenaline, was decreased when the external Na+ concentration ([Na+]o) was reduced by replacement with Tris+. The conductance of the catecholamine‐induced Cl‐ current was proportional to the logarithm of the [Na+]o over a range of 15‐140 mM. When the conductance was plotted against the concentration of Tris+, a dose‐dependent inhibition of the Cl‐ response by Tris+ was suggested with a half‐maximum concentration of 95 mM. 3. The inhibitory effect of the Na+ substitute TEA+ on the Cl‐ current was not affected by either increasing the buffer for the internal Ca2+ (10 mM BAPTA) or for the pH (50 mM HEPES). 4. In the relationship between agonist concentration and the Cl‐ conductance, the half‐maximum concentration (K1/2) of isoprenaline was 0.013 microM in the control Na+ solution, and was shifted to 0.07, 0.08, 0.1 and 0.3 microM in the Li+, Cs+, TEA+ and Tris+ external solutions, respectively. The maximum slope conductance was not significantly affected, except for a slight depression on the Tris+ solution. When the current was induced by adrenaline, qualitatively the same finding was obtained; K1/2 was 0.15 and 3.2 microM in the Na+ and Tris+ solutions, respectively. 5. As a substitute for the external Na+, sucrose seemed to be inert. The activation of the inward Cl‐ current was conserved in the 300 mM sucrose solution ([Cl‐]o = 8 mM) with a K1/2 value of 0.015 microM isoprenaline. 6. The Cl‐ current, when activated by either an external application of forskolin (0.2‐10 microM) or an internal perfusion of cyclic AMP (100‐500 microM), was not affected by replacing external Na+ with other cations. Activation of the Cl‐ current by 0.2‐5 microM histamine was also insensitive to a substitution of Na+. These findings indicate that the inhibition by the Na+ substitute is at a point before the activation of GTP‐binding protein. 7. The effects of Na+ substitution were not affected by varying the Na+ concentration (0‐115 mM) in the internal solution, excluding an involvement of a change in the [Na+]i. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Mechanism of the Tyrosine Transporter TyrP Supports a Proton Motive Tyrosine Decarboxylation Pathway in Lactobacillus brevis

ABSTRACT The tyrosine decarboxylase operon of Lactobacillus brevis IOEB9809 contains, adjacent to the tyrosine decarboxylase gene, a gene for TyrP, a putative tyrosine transporter. The two genes potentially form a proton motive tyrosine decarboxylation pathway. The putative tyrosine transporter gene of L. brevis was expressed in Lactococcus lactis and functionally characterized using right-side-out membranes. The transporter very efficiently catalyzes homologous tyrosine-tyrosine exchange and heterologous exchange between tyrosine and its decarboxylation product tyramine. Tyrosine-tyramine exchange was shown to be electrogenic. In addition to the exchange mode, the transporter catalyzes tyrosine uniport but at a much lower rate. Analysis of the substrate specificity of the transporter by use of a set of 19 different tyrosine substrate analogues showed that the main interactions between the protein and the substrates involve the amino group and the phenyl ring with the para hydroxyl group. The carboxylate group that is removed in the decarboxylation reaction does not seem to contribute to the affinity of the protein for the substrates significantly. The properties of the TyrP protein are those typical for precursor-product exchangers that operate in proton motive decarboxylation pathways. It is proposed that tyrosine decarboxylation in L. brevis results in proton motive force generation by an indirect proton pumping mechanism.
Higher-order constrained horn clauses for verification

Motivated by applications in automated verification of higher-order functional programs, we develop a notion of constrained Horn clauses in higher-order logic and a decision problem concerning their satisfiability. We show that, although satisfiable systems of higher-order clauses do not generally have least models, there is a notion of canonical model obtained through a reduction to a problem concerning a kind of monotone logic program. Following work in higher-order program verification, we develop a refinement type system in order to reason about and automate the search for models. This provides a sound but incomplete method for solving the decision problem. Finally, we show that there is a sense in which we can use refinement types to express properties of terms whilst staying within the higher-order constrained Horn clause framework.