Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Osteoblast extracellular Ca2+‐sensing receptor regulates bone development, mineralization, and turnover

The extracellular Ca2+‐sensing receptor (CaR), a G protein‐coupled receptor responsible for maintenance of calcium homeostasis, is implicated in regulation of skeletal metabolism. To discern the role of the osteoblast CaR in regulation of bone development and remodeling, we generated mice in which the CaR is excised in a broad population of osteoblasts expressing the 3.6‐kb a1(I) collagen promoter. Conditional knockouts had abnormal skeletal histology at birth and developed progressively reduced mineralization secondary to retarded osteoblast differentiation, evident by significantly reduced numbers of osteoblasts and decreased expression of collagen I, osteocalcin, and sclerostin mRNAs. Elevated expression of ankylosis protein, ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1, and osteopontin mRNAs in the conditional knockout indicate altered regulation of genes important in mineralization. Knockout of the osteoblast CaR also resulted in increased expression of the receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL), the major stimulator of osteoclast differentiation and function, consistent with elevated osteoclast numbers in vivo. Osteoblasts from the conditional knockouts exhibited delayed differentiation, reduced mineralizing capacity, altered expression of regulators of mineralization, and increased ability to promote osteoclastogenesis in coculture experiments. We conclude that CaR signaling in a broad population of osteoblasts is essential for bone development and remodeling and plays an important role in the regulation of differentiation and expression of regulators of bone resorption and mineralization. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Prevalence of Hypertension Stages and the Main Risk Factors in Khartoum Locality, Sudan, 2014

Background Information: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are number one killer in the world among non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The principal underlying risk factor for CVDs is hypertension (HTN). Objectives: To identify the prevalence of hypertension, the stages of HTN and the related risk factors such as age, sex, smoking and body mass index (BMI) among the population in Khartoum Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out in Khartoum locality during March- April 2014. A total of 948 adult individual were interviewed using structured questionnaire that was filled by medical officers, house officers and semi-final medical students. Blood pressure (BP) was measured twice with 5-6 minutes in-between. Hypertension was considered as ≥ 140 mmHg and ≥ 90 mmHg for systole and diastole BP respectively. The international classification of BMI was used for underweight, normal, overweight and obesity. Analysis: Prevalence of HTN and the stages was measured by descriptive statistics. Multiple logistic regressions was used to test relationships of age, sex, smoking and BMI with stages of hypertension, pre-HTN, stage one HTN, stage two HTN, isolated systolic hypertension (ISHTN) and isolated diastolic hypertension (IDHTN). Results: More than half of the population (51.3%) was in the age group 18-36 years. Males and females account to 44.7% and 55.3% respectively. Overweight and obesity was detected in 59.1% of the study population. Most of the study populations were non-smokers (88.8%). Pre-HTN, HTN (stage one and two), ISHTN and IDHTN were 7.7%, 10.7%, 9.4% and 7.9 respectively. HTN. Male sex is the contributing factor for occurrence of pre-HTN, stage one HTN and stage two HTN, Odd Ratios: 4.555, 8.355 and 6.588 respectively. Overweight to all stages of HTN by various degrees. Age is also a contributory factor for stage one HTN, stage two HTN and ISHTN. Age and male sex were not contributing to pre-HTN and ISHTN respectively.
Effect of the diesel engine delay on stability of isolated power systems with high levels of renewable energy penetration

Isolated power systems (IPSs) up to 20MW capacity are traditionally based on diesel generators. Due to the high cost of diesel fuel supply, as well as environmental concerns, IPSs are increasingly integrating renewable generation. Since traditional diesel generation was built for slow changing, diesel-only systems some IPSs might experience problems in the future, while trying to support fast-changing, intermittent renewable generation. This paper argues that engine delay, together with the governor and inertia, has to be considered when designing a high renewable penetration IPS based on diesel generators for reserve capacity. Our simulation results show that some diesel generators have advantage over others in governing the system and preserving power system stability.
OCDMA light source using directly modulated Fabry-Pe/spl acute/rot laser diode in an external injection scheme

This investigation proposes and experimentally demonstrates an optical code-division multiple-access (OCDMA) light source using a directly modulated Fabry-Pe/spl acute/rot laser diode in an external injection scheme. This light source has an optical sidemode suppression ratio of over 27.5 dB and a pulsewidth of around 55 ps. Such a narrow pulsewidth has great potential for a two-dimensional OCDMA system. Additionally, the bit-error-rate performance with a 2/sup 31/-1 pseudorandom bit sequence indicates the feasibility of this light source in a 2.488-Gb/s system application.
Chromosomal elements conferring epigenetic inheritance.

Epigenetic regulation of transcription can lead to a stable differential expression of identical genetic information in the same cell or cell population. There is increasing evidence that higher order chromatin structures, involving specific multiprotein complexes, constitute one device to establish and maintain epigenetic marks. In addition, defined chromosomal elements conferring epigenetic inheritance of transcriptional expression states have recently been identified. During the period where the difference in expression of identical genes is established, these sequences appear to be used as switch elements by both negative and positive regulators. Once the epigenetic mark is "set", the elements maintain either the silenced or the activated expression state over many cell generations. Here we review recent data obtained from analyzing epigenetic gene regulation in different organisms and show that similarities in the underlying mechanisms appear to exist.
A Computational Saliency Model Integrating Saccade Programming

Saliency models have showed the ability of predicting where human eyes fixate when looking at images. However, few models are interested in saccade programming strategies. We proposed a biologically-inspired model to compute image saliency maps. Based on these saliency maps, we compared three different saccade programming models depending on the number of programmed saccades. The results showed that the strategy of programming one saccade at a time from the foveated point best matches the experimental data from free viewing of natural images. Because saccade programming models depend on the foveated point where the image is viewed at the highest resolution, we took into account the spatially variant retinal resolution. We showed that the predicted eye fixations were more effective when this retinal resolution was combined with the saccade programming strategies.
Competitive execution: a method to exploit idle workstations

This paper presents competition protocols to speed up distributed programs on a network of shared workstations in the background by exploiting their wasted computing capacity, without interfering with foreground processes. Competition protocols are transparent operating system facilities that involve creating multiple instances (called clones) p/sub 1/, p/sub 2/, etc. of a process P on different processors, and making clones "compete", i.e., attempting to guarantee on a moment-by-moment basis that the output of the clone that is farthest "ahead" is fed to the rest of the computation, and that the entire application's performance tracks that of the clone which is farthest ahead. We show that competition protocols speed up distributed programs, especially with smaller granularity. We also show that competition protocols offer more speedup for distributed programs than for sequential programs.
Cecropin a ‐ magainin 2 hybrid peptides having potent antimicrobial activity with low hemolytic effect

In order to obtain peptides having improved antimicrobial activity with low hemolytic effect, a hybrid peptide (CA‐MA) composed from cecropin A (1‐8) and magainin 2(1‐12), and its analogues with amino acid substitutions were designed and synthesized. The antimicrobial activities against bacterial cells and hemolytic activities against human red blood cells were analyzed for each peptide. Secondary structures of the peptides in aqueous solution, 50% trifluoroethanol, and sodium dodecylsulfate micelles were estimated using circular dichroism spectroscopy. The increase in hydrophobicity or α‐helicity of the peptides correlated with an increase in hemolytic activity rather than antimicrobial activity. The substitution of Leu for Ser at position 16 in CA‐MA resulted in a remarkable increase in antimicrobial activity without a significant change in hemolytic activity. Furthermore, the increase in antimicrobial activity of the peptides was not always accompanied by the increase in hemolytic activity.
Effect of Sulfur and Urea Fortification of Fresh Cassava Root in Fermented Total Mixed Ration on the Improvement Milk Quality of Tropical Lactating Cows

The aim of the present research was to determine the influence of sulfur and urea combined with fresh cassava root in fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) on digestibility, fermentation in the rumen, blood metabolite, milk yield, and milk quality in tropical lactating dairy cows. Four mid-lactation Thai Holstein–Friesian crossbred cows were studied. Pre-experiment milk yield was 12.7 ± 0.30 kg/day, and the body weight was 495 ± 40.0 kg. Animals were evaluated in a 2 × 2 factorial in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to receive diets followed by: factor A, which was a dose of sulfur inclusion at 1.0% and 2.0%, and factor B, which was level of urea inclusion at 1.25% and 2.5% DM in FTMR. The hydrogen cyanide (HCN) concentrations reduced 99.3% to 99.4% compared with fresh cassava root when FTMR was supplemented with 1.0% and 2.0% sulfur, respectively. Intake of crude protein was increased based on urea level addition (p < 0.05). Blood thiocyanate concentration was increased by 21.6% when sulfur was supplemented at 2.0% compared to 1.0% (p < 0.05). There was no difference in protozoal concentration, whereas bacterial populations at 4 h after feeding were significantly greater by 6.1% with the FTMR supplemented with 2.0% sulfur and 2.5% urea (p < 0.01). Allantoin concentrations, excretion, absorption, and microbial crude protein showed significant interactions between sulfur levels and urea levels in cows fed diets supplemented with 2.0% sulfur and 2.5% urea (p < 0.05). The molar ratios of the volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile were affected by dietary FTMR (p < 0.01). Furthermore, propionic acid increased by 4.6% when diets were supplemented by 2.5% sulfur (p < 0.01). Milk fat and total solids increased when feed was supplemented with 2.0% sulfur and 2.5% urea (p < 0.05). The diets supplemented with 2.0% sulfur levels resulted in greater concentrations of milk thiocyanate (p < 0.05). The somatic cell count was significantly reduced throughout the experiment with increasing sulfur supplementation (p < 0.05). Animals fed diets supplemented with 2.0% sulfur exhibited a decreased somatic cell count by 18.3% compared with those fed diets supplemented with 1.0% sulfur. Thus, inclusion of 2.0% sulfur with 2.5% urea in FTMR containing fresh cassava root improved digestibility, ruminal fermentation, microbial crude protein synthesis, and milk qualities in dairy cows.
Prinz’s constitution model of moral judgment: A critical reading

espanolEl proposito del presente ensayo es presentar una lectura critica del modelo de constitucion concebido por Jesse Prinz. De acuerdo con los modelos mas significativos que se han producido hasta el momento, el juicio moral es el resultado de procesos cognitivos especificos, ya sean estos de tipo intuitivo, emocional o racional. Segun afirma Prinz, la perspectiva sentimentalista sostiene que tales juicios son causados por emociones. En contraste, el defiende una tesis segun la cual el juicio moral esta constituido, no es causado, por aquellas. En este articulo se presentara el argumento con el que Prinz sustenta su propuesta y se expondran algunas inconsistencias. EnglishThe purpose of this paper is to critically review Prinz’s constitution model. According to commonly suggested models, moral judgment is the result of specific cognitive processes that are intuitive, emotional or rational. According to Prinz, sentimentalist views argue that such judgments are caused by emotions. In contrast, he argues that moral judgment is constituted, not caused, by them. I will expose Prinz’s argument to support his proposal and outline some inconsistencies of it.
Common-Mode Circulating Current Control of Paralleled Interleaved Three-Phase Two-Level Voltage-Source Converters With Discontinuous Space-Vector Modulation

This paper presents a control method to limit the common-mode (CM) circulating current between paralleled three-phase two-level voltage-source converters (VSCs) with discontinuous space-vector pulsewidth modulation (DPWM) and interleaved switching cycles. This CM circulating current can be separated into two separate components based on their frequency; the high-frequency component, close to the switching frequency, can be effectively limited by means of passive components; the low-frequency component, close to the fundamental frequency, embodies the jumping CM circulating current observed in parallel VSCs. This is the main reason why it is usually recommended not to implement discontinuous and interleaving PWM together. The origin of this low-frequency circulating current is analyzed in detail, and based on this, a method to eliminate its presence is proposed by impeding the simultaneous use of different zero vectors between the converters. This control method only requires six additional switching actions per line cycle, presenting a minimum impact on the converter thermal design. The analysis and the feasibility of the control method are verified by simulation and experimental results.
Chinese Experiences in Breeding Three-Line, Two-Line and Super Hybrid Rice

Because rice is a staple food for over half of the world’s population, it is estimated that the world rice production must be annually increased by approximately 1% to meet the growing demand for food, resulting from population growth and economic development (Rosegrant et al., 1995). Rice is one of the main food crops in China with the second largest planting area, most total yield and highest per unit yield (Table 1), it feeds more than 60% of the population and contributing nearly 40% of total calorie intake in China (Cheng and Li, 2007). China is the largest producer and consumer of rice, and also a pioneer in the utilization of hybrid rice technology in the world. Hybrid rice has resulted in a substantial increase of food production in China over the past 40 years. China average rice yield has risen from 1.89 tons per ha (t/ha) in 1949 to 6.71 t/ha in 2012, which created the highest historical record (http:// futures.xinhua08.com/a/20121018/1042507.shtml). Hybrid rice has played an important role for total grain production to consecutively increase for nine years in China (http:// www.aqzyzx.com/system/2012/10/31/006110920.shtml).
Therapeutic efficacy of phenobarbital and primidone in canine epilepsy: a comparison.

The efficacy of phenobarbital and primidone against canine epilepsy was compared in a controlled study. Thirty-five dogs showing generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal), treated for a minimum of 6 months, were included in the study; fifteen of these were treated with phenobarbital, the other twenty with primidone. Both drugs were dosed according to the clinical requirement; the daily doses ranged from 5-17 mg/kg phenobarbital and from 17-70 mg/kg primidone. The plasma concentrations of phenobarbital, or of primidone and its metabolites phenobarbital and phenylethylmalondiamide (PEMA), were routinely monitored. Complete control of tonic-clonic seizures for 6 months, at least, was attained in six out of fifteen dogs of the phenobarbital group, and in five out of twenty dogs in the primidone group. A further six dogs on phenobarbital, and seven dogs on primidone, were classified as 'improved', i.e. the rate of seizures was reduced by at least 50%. The rest of the dogs were not improved by the treatment. The difference between the efficacy of phenobarbital and primidone was not significant, but primidone gave rise to signs of liver toxicity in fourteen out of twenty dogs, as indicated by considerable elevations of liver enzyme values (alanine transferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase). Phenobarbital is, therefore, regarded as the drug of first choice for the treatment of canine epilepsy.
Simplified power allocation for the DSL multiaccess channel through column-wise diagonal dominance

In the newest generation of DSL systems crosstalk is the dominant source of performance degradation. Many crosstalk cancellation schemes have been proposed. These schemes typically employ some form of coordination between modems and lead to large performance gains. The use of crosstalk cancellation means that power allocation should be viewed as a multiuser problem. In this paper we investigate optimal (i.e. capacity maximizing) power allocation in DSL systems which employ coordination to facilitate crosstalk cancellation. By exploiting certain properties of the DSL channel it is shown that power allocation can be simplified considerably. The result has each user waterfilling against the background noise only, explicitly ignoring the interference from other users. We show this to be near-optimal for upstream DSL when central office (CO) modems are coordinated. Compared with conventional waterfilling which is done against the background noise and interference, the performance gains are significant.
The Integration of Psychological and Network Perspectives in Organizational Scholarship

Although multiple disciplines have been applied to the study of organizations, organizational research is rarely interdisciplinary in the sense of two or more disciplines being linked in the joint analysis of organizational phenomena. The articles in this special issue illustrate the kinds of insights that can be gained by moving from a purely disciplinary perspective on organizational behavior to an interdisciplinary perspective that considers network phenomena and psychological phenomena as intertwined in organizational life. The advances of this special forum notwithstanding, large swaths of network-psychological integration are still largely unexplored in organizational research. We highlight a subset of particularly promising avenues for further interdisciplinary exploration. We also observe that the two research programs have developed into distinct paradigms, making interdisciplinary discourse challenging, and offer suggestions toward a greater integration and collaboration across the two research communities.
Clonal diversity in Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae

Genetic diversity among 135 isolates of nine serotypes of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae recovered from pigs with pleuropneumonia or other invasive diseases in 14 countries was estimated by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, which detects allelic variation in structural genes. Thirty-two multilocus genotypes (electrophoretic types [ETs]) were distinguished on the basis of allele profiles at 15 enzyme loci, and 36 distinctive combinations of ET and serotype were identified. The recovery of isolates with identical properties in widely separated geographic regions and over a 20-year period indicated that the population structure of H. pleuropneumoniae is clonal. Isolates of the same ET generally shared the same serotype and electrophoretic pattern of the outer membrane proteins, but some ETs were represented by isolates of several different serotypes, outer membrane protein patterns, or both. On average, the genetic diversity among ETs of the same serotype was 56% of the total genetic diversity in the species. Isolates of serotype 1, which are unusually pathogenic, belong to a distinctive group of clones that are closely related to clones marked by serotype 9.
Marijuana Use Among Latino Adolescents: Gender Differences in Protective Familial Factors

Given the important contextual function of family dynamics and traditional gender roles in Latino cultures, parental influences on substance use among Latino adolescents may differ across genders. This study examined associations between family factors (parental monitoring, parent–child communication, family cohesion, and familism) and marijuana use among 1,369 Latino adolescents in Southern California. Students from seven schools completed surveys in 9th and 11th grades. Longitudinal hierarchical linear regression analyses evaluated the associations between family factors in 9th grade and lifetime marijuana use in 11th grade, as well as gender differences in these associations. Girls reported higher levels of parental monitoring, parental communication, and familism than boys did, but there were no gender differences in family cohesiveness. In a regression model controlling for covariates and previous marijuana use, parent–child communication and family cohesion in 9th grade were each uniquely predictive of lower levels of marijuana consumption in 11th grade. Gender was a statistical moderator, such that higher levels of parent–child communication predicted lower marijuana use among boys, whereas girls’ use was relatively low regardless of parent–child communication levels. Results are discussed in the light of the concurrent socialization processes of family and gender in Latino culture and its relation to preventing delinquent behaviors such as marijuana use.
Genotype prevalence, viral load and outcome of hepatitis B virus precore mutant infection in stable patients and in patients after liver transplantation

Abstract: Objective: The precore mutant is detectable in most Israeli patients with persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV genotypes, viral load and outcome of precore mutant infection in stable patients and in patients after liver transplantation.
Effect of Sex Offenders Treatment Program on Cognitive and Emotional Characteristics of Mentally Ill Sex Offenders

This study assessed the effect of a 10‐week cognitive behavior treatment program in 30 mentally ill sex offenders. The effect of the program was evaluated using the Interpersonal Responsiveness Index (IRI), UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLALS), Coping Using Sex Inventory (CUSI), and Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (RMAS). Data were analyzed using the paired t‐test. The ability of sex offenders to cope with sexual acts when they faced stressful situations and to accept the rape myth was significantly improved on CUSI (t = 2.09, p = 0.04) and RMAS (t = 5.45, p < 0.001). Feelings of isolation and the ability to empathize based on IRI (t = 0.62, p = 0.54) and UCLALS (t = 0.88, p = 0.38) were not significantly improved. To prevent recidivism, treatment for mentally ill sex offenders should focus on changes in their cognitive and emotional characteristics in addition to their main psychiatric illness.