Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resistance exercise and growth hormone as countermeasures for skeletal muscle atrophy in hindlimb-suspended rats.

Unweighting of rat hindlimb muscles results in skeletal muscle atrophy, decreased protein synthesis, and reduced growth hormone (GH) secretion. Resistance exercise (ladder climbing) and GH treatment partially attenuate skeletal muscle atrophy in hypophysectomized hindlimb-suspended rats. It was hypothesized that a combination of multiple bouts of daily resistance exercise and GH (1 mg.kg-1.day-1) would prevent skeletal muscle atrophy in growing nonhypophysectomized hindlimb-suspended rats. Hindlimb suspension decreased the absolute (mg/pair) and relative (mg/100 g body wt) weights of the soleus, a slow-twitch plantar flexor, by 30 and 21%, respectively, and the absolute and relative weights of the gastrocnemius, a predominantly fast-twitch plantar flexor, by 20 and 11%, respectively (P < 0.05). Exercise did not increase soleus mass but attenuated loss of relative wet weight in the gastrocnemius muscles of hindlimb-suspended rats (P < 0.05). Hindlimb suspension decreased gastrocnemius myofibrillar protein content and synthesis (mg/day) by 26 and 64%, respectively (P < 0.05). The combination of exercise and GH attenuated loss of gastrocnemius myofibrillar protein content and synthesis by 70 and 23%, respectively (P < 0.05). Results of the present investigation indicate that a combination of GH and resistance exercise attenuates atrophy of unweighted fast-twitch skeletal muscles.
Comparative study of surgical and conservative treatments for fifth metatarsal base avulsion fractures (type I) in young adults or athletes

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and complications of minimally invasive surgery in treating displaced avulsion fractures (2–3 mm) of fifth metatarsal base zone I in young adults or athletes. Methods: Forty-six patients with displaced fifth metatarsal base avulsion fractures were assigned to operative and nonoperative groups by randomization. Patients in nonoperative group were immobilized with plaster, while patients in operative group were treated with closed reduction and fixation with a percutaneous screw. Results: All patients were followed up for 14 months on average (ranging from 12 to 24 months). All cases got primary union except for three patients in nonoperative group with malunion and two with frequent mild to moderate plantar pain. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was significantly better in operative group at 6 months after treatment (p < 0.05) but not significantly different at 12 months after treatment (p > 0.05). The average time of full weight bearing and returning to work was significantly shorter in operative group than nonoperative group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In young adults or athletes with displaced avulsion fractures of fifth metatarsal base zone I, closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation provides anatomical stable fixation and early mobilization.
[Spatial analysis of Oncomelania snail information based on grid data-driven].

OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between the Oncomelania snail situation and the distance to the water source, soil humidity, vegetation and water level in flood seasons in the islets of Changsha Section of the Xiang River. METHODS Combined with the NDVI and soil humidity of islets, the GIS spatial analysis based on grid data-driven was used to analyze the snail situation in Changsha Section of the Xiang River from 2005 to 2009. The relationship between the snail density and the water level in blood seasons was analyzed. RESULTS In 2005, the snails in Zengpi Islet were mainly distributed at the range of 40-240 m far away from the nearest water source, and the number at the spots with a distance of 60 m was the largest. There was an obvious positive correlation between the snail density and water level in flood seasons. The ranges of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and soil humidity of Zengpi Islet in 2005 were 0-0.982 and 0-0.298, respectively and the main vegetation in Changsha Section of the Xiang River were weed and sedge. The map of snail situation by year was drawn according to the standard water level, which reflected the snail situation intuitionistically. CONCLUSIONS By using spatial analysis based on grid data-driven, the situation of vegetation, soil humidity and snail accurately can be reflected, which can help us to understand the endemic situation timely. Even under the circumstance of human intervention, the water level in flood seasons is still an important factor influencing the change of snail situation.
An Implementation of H.264 Intra Predictor Based on Sub-sampling

In order to reduce the computational complexity and the power consumption, sub-sampling technique applies for the H.264 intra predictor. Sub-sampling using some part of pixel values can reduce the amount of operation and exhibit the power reduction when compared to the case of intra prediction using all pixel values, although a coding gain of down remains negligible. With the 4:1 sub-sampling, the PSNR is decreased only by 0.1dB and the encoded bit size is increased by about 3% compared to the standard reference. Simulation results reveal a performance decrease up to 75% overall an amount of SAE operation and show a reduction of power consumption. The authors presented various performance indexes through implementing the intra-predictor of H.264 on virtual platform with MaxSimtrade environment
Physical and psychomotor performance of Australian football and rugby league officials during a match simulation

Abstract The onset of exercise facilitates an improvement in psychomotor performance until the second ventilatory threshold, after which performance is reduced. This inverted-U relationship appears valid for incremental and steady-state exercise, however, not for intermittent exercise. This study examined changes in psychomotor performance of team sport officials during a laboratory-based match simulation. Twelve elite Australian football (n = 5) and rugby league (n = 7) officials (32.5 ± 5.5 years; 180.0 ± 6.8 cm; 78.8 ± 7.6 kg) completed the match simulation on a non-motorised treadmill. Physiological measures were routinely taken, while psychomotor performance was assessed using the Eriksen flanker task (multiple-choice response time). Significant reductions (P < 0.05) were observed in distance covered and high-speed running during the second half when compared to the first. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in psychomotor performance at different time points were observed. Response time was significantly improved when running above 65% of maximal sprinting speed (P < 0.01). This data questions the application of the inverted-U hypothesis for intermittent exercise and suggests that the short high-intensity efforts may not result in the same physiological events that limit psychomotor performance during sustained high-intensity exercise. More so, the high-intensity efforts during the match protocol appeared to promote psychomotor performance during the intermittent exercise.
Aberrant Spatial and Temporal Prefrontal Activation Patterns in Medication-Naïve Adults with ADHD

Previous near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) studies using a verbal fluency task (VFT) have consistently reported that adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) showed significantly smaller oxygenated-hemoglobin [oxy-Hb] activations in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) compared to those in healthy controls (HC). Despite this consistent evidence of brain dysfunction in ADHD, ADHD is currently diagnosed based only on subjective clinical and scoring measures, which are often unreliable. Hence, it is necessary to establish objective neuroimaging biomarkers for ADHD. While most NIRS studies have utilized averaged [oxy-Hb] values during the whole task period for group comparisons, we used a cluster-based non-parametric randomization test to compare the [oxy-Hb] time-course changes with a 0.1-s time resolution between drug-naïve adults with ADHD and HC, which may provide us with more details regarding abnormal prefrontal activation patterns in ADHD. A total of 101 participants, consisting of 63 drug-naïve adult individuals with ADHD and 38 HC, were included in this study. We identified that adults with ADHD showed significantly smaller [oxy-Hb] activations than those in HC at spatially and temporally connected clusters located in the bilateral PFC (more prominent on the left) and temporal brain region (more prominent on the left). We further found that aberrant [oxy-Hb] activation differs according to the time period during the task or according to brain location. Our findings indicate more detailed aberrant prefrontal and temporal activation patterns of ADHD compared with those in previous studies, possibly representing a biological marker for ADHD.
Developmental defects of testicular morphology and steroidogenesis in the male rat pseudohermaphrodite and response to testosterone and dihydrotestosterone.

The pubertal development of testicular steroidogenic enzymes and sperm cell maturation has been studied in the rat pseudohermaphrodite and its King-X Holtzman male littermate. Enzymatic activity has been determined by the separation and quantitation of the products formed from labeled steroidal precursors by a partition system on thin-layer chromatography and by trimethylsilylether derivative formationand radio-gas-liquid chromatography. The separationshave been confirmed by formation of dinitrophenylhydrazones,by reverse isotope dilution and/or recrystallization. Three periods ofpubertal development of testicular steroidogenicenzymes have been delineated in the male. Thefirst is characterized by the onset of steroid 5areductaseactivity, beginning about 15 days of age,and rising to a maximum between 30 and 40 days.The second stage consists of the onset between20 and 30 days of activities of 17α-hydroxylase,C17–20 lyase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase,the latter enzyme converting the 17β-alcoholof tes.
RESPONSE OF HUMAN ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES TO ULTRAFINE, FINE, AND COARSE URBAN AIR POLLUTION PARTICLES

In the lower airways, macrophages are important regulators of inflammation and indispensable in their antimicrobial activities. Thus, air pollution particles, which modulate airway macrophage host defenses may, in susceptible individuals, increase severity of inflammatory and infectious disease. In the present study, size fractionated, ultrafine (UF), fine (PM 0.1-2.5) , and coarse (PM 2.5-10) particulate matter (PM) were collected from 2 urban sites in the Netherlands, and were compared for effects on human alveolar macrophages (AM). Inflammatory cytokine production, phagocytosis, and expression of phagocyte receptor CD11b were assessed in particle-exposed AM. Interleukin (IL)-6 levels induced by PM 2.5-10 (20411 pg/mL) were >10-fold higher than induced by PM 0.1-2.5 (1781 pg/mL). Levels induced by PM 0.1-2.5 were 2- to 3-fold higher than induced by UF (770 pg/mL) when cells were exposed to the same particle mass. Cytokine induction by the PM was inhibited by antibody to CD14 and required the presence of serum for optimal stimulation, implying that bacterial products or endotoxin were stimulatory moieties in both coarse and fine particulate matter. Phagocytosis of opsonized yeast was inhibited by coarse more than by fine PM, as was yeast-induced oxidative burst. Coarse particles decreased CD11b expression more than fine PM. The UF did not affect these functions. Taken together, these results suggest that PM recognition by human AM involves receptors evolved to recognize microbial cell structures, and that microbial products preferentially found in the coarse particle fraction of PM may be involved in inflammatory events and decreased pulmonary defenses associated with exposure to pollution particles.
The wavy growth 3 E3 ligase family controls the gravitropic response in Arabidopsis roots.

Regulation of the root growth pattern is an important control mechanism during plant growth and propagation. To better understand alterations in root growth direction in response to environmental stimuli, we have characterized an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant, wavy growth 3 (wav3), whose roots show a short-pitch pattern of wavy growth on inclined agar medium. The wav3 mutant shows a greater curvature of root bending in response to gravity, but a smaller curvature in response to light, suggesting that it is a root gravitropism-enhancing mutation. This wav3 phenotype also suggests that enhancement of the gravitropic response in roots strengthens root tip impedance after contact with the agar surface and/or causes an increase in subsequent root bending in response to obstacle-touching stimulus in these mutants. WAV3 encodes a protein with a RING finger domain, and is mainly expressed in root tips. RING-containing proteins often function as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and the WAV3 protein shows such activity in vitro. There are three genes homologous to WAV3 in the Arabidopsis genome [EMBRYO SAC DEVELOPMENT ARREST 40 (EDA40), WAVH1 and WAVH2 ], and wav3 wavh1 wavh2 triple mutants show marked root gravitropism abnormalities. This genetic study indicates that WAV3 functions positively rather than negatively in root gravitropism, and that enhancement of the gravitropic response in wav3 roots is dependent upon the function of WAVH2 in the absence of WAV3. Hence, our results demonstrate that the WAV3 family of proteins are E3 ligases that are required for root gravitropism in Arabidopsis.
Dysferlin Interacts with Annexins A1 and A2 and Mediates Sarcolemmal Wound-healing*

Mutations in the dysferlin gene cause limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B and Miyoshi myopathy. We report here the results of expression profile analyses and in vitro investigations that point to an interaction between dysferlin and the Ca2+ and lipid-binding proteins, annexins A1 and A2, and define a role for dysferlin in Ca2+-dependent repair of sarcolemmal injury through a process of vesicle fusion. Expression profiling identified a network of genes that are co-regulated in dysferlinopathic mice. Co-immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation, and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy revealed that dysferlin normally associates with both annexins A1 and A2 in a Ca2+ and membrane injury-dependent manner. The distribution of the annexins and the efficiency of sarcolemmal wound-healing are significantly disrupted in dysferlin-deficient muscle. We propose a model of muscle membrane healing mediated by dysferlin that is relevant to both normal and dystrophic muscle and defines the annexins as potential muscular dystrophy genes.
Neuronal energy-sensing pathway promotes energy balance by modulating disease tolerance

Significance The Drosophila coactivator cAMP-regulated transcription coactivator (Crtc) functions in neurons to promote energy balance. We found that Crtc and its binding partner cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) maintain metabolic homeostasis by stimulating the expression of the neuropeptide-Y–like neuropeptide short neuropeptide F (sNPF). Loss of sNPF disrupted gut epithelial integrity and increased immune response gene expression, leading to decreases in triglyceride and glycogen stores. Conversely, overexpression of Crtc or sNPF in neurons of wild-type flies attenuated the immune response and enhanced starvation resistance. By enhancing gut barrier integrity, the CREB/CRTC pathway maintains energy homeostasis in response to stress. The starvation-inducible coactivator cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)–cAMP-regulated transcription coactivator (Crtc) has been shown to promote starvation resistance in Drosophila by up-regulating CREB target gene expression in neurons, although the underlying mechanism is unclear. We found that Crtc and its binding partner CREB enhance energy homeostasis by stimulating the expression of short neuropeptide F (sNPF), an ortholog of mammalian neuropeptide Y, which we show here is a direct target of CREB and Crtc. Neuronal sNPF was found to promote energy homeostasis via gut enterocyte sNPF receptors, which appear to maintain gut epithelial integrity. Loss of Crtc–sNPF signaling disrupted epithelial tight junctions, allowing resident gut flora to promote chronic increases in antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene expression that compromised energy balance. Growth on germ-free food reduced AMP gene expression and rescued starvation sensitivity in Crtc mutant flies. Overexpression of Crtc or sNPF in neurons of wild-type flies dampens the gut immune response and enhances starvation resistance. Our results reveal a previously unidentified tolerance defense strategy involving a brain–gut pathway that maintains homeostasis through its effects on epithelial integrity.
The Effect of CEO Extraversion on Analyst Forecasts: Stereotypes and Similarity Bias

In an experiment with professional analysts, we study their reliance on CEO personality information when producing financial forecasts. Drawing on social cognition research, we suggest analysts apply a stereotyping heuristic, believing that extraverted CEOs are more successful. The between‐subjects results with CEO extraversion as treatment variable confirm that analysts issue more favorable forecasts (earnings per share, long‐term earnings growth, and target price) for firms led by extraverted CEOs. Increased forecast uncertainty leads to even stronger stereotyping. Additionally, personality similarity between analysts and CEOs has a large effect on financial forecasts. Analysts issue more positive forecasts for CEOs similar to themselves.
Atrogin‐1 Increases Smooth Muscle Contractility Through Myocardin Degradation

Atrogin‐1, an E3 ligase present in skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle, down‐regulates myocardin protein during skeletal muscle differentiation. Myocardin, the master regulator of smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation, induces expression of smooth muscle marker genes through its association with serum response factor (SRF), which binds to the CArG box in the promoter. Myocardin undergoes ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation. Evidence suggests that proteasomal degradation of myocardin is critical for myocardin to exert its transcriptional activity, but there is no report about the E3 ligase responsible for myocardin ubiquitylation and subsequent transactivation. Here, we showed that overexpression of atrogin‐1 increased contractility of cultured SMCs and mouse aortic tissues in organ culture. Overexpression of dominant‐negative myocardin attenuated the increase in SMC contractility induced by atrogin‐1. Atrogin‐1 overexpression increased expression of the SM contractile markers while downregulated expression of myocardin protein but not mRNA. Atrogin‐1 also ubiquitylated myocardin for proteasomal degradation in vascular SMCs. Deletion studies showed that atrogin‐1 directly interacted with myocardin through its amino acids 284–345. Immunostaining studies showed nuclear localization of atrogin‐1, myocardin, and the Rpt6 subunit of the 26S proteasome. Atrogin‐1 overexpression not only resulted in degradation of myocardin but also increased recruitment of RNA Polymerase II onto the promoters of myocardin target genes. In summary, our results have revealed the roles for atrogin‐1 in the regulation of smooth muscle contractility through enhancement of myocardin ubiquitylation/degradation and its transcriptional activity. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 806–817, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Novel Unified Model for Copper and MLGNR Interconnects Using Voltage- and Current-Mode Signaling Schemes

A novel unified model, for conventional copper and futuristic multilayer graphene nanoribbon (MLGNR) interconnects, based on a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique has been proposed in this paper. The performance of quasi-transverse electromagnetic model of interconnects has been exhaustively analyzed for both voltage-mode signaling (VMS) and current-mode signaling (CMS) schemes. The effect of variations in edge roughness and dopant dependent Fermi energy in MLGNR interconnects has been examined. The crosstalk and coupling effects in interconnects have been investigated by incorporating capacitive and inductive interconnect parasitic elements. From the results carried out for 32-nm technology node, it has been observed that for similar dimensions and operating conditions, MLGNR interconnects show a significant performance improvement over the copper interconnects. The results also show that the CMS scheme outperforms VMS scheme at global wire lengths and is very suitable for state-of-the-art chip applications. The proposed model results are in close propinquity with the SPICE results. Furthermore, the FDTD-based model is computationally efficient compared to SPICE.
Macroeconomic Shocks and Trade Balance Adjustments in Papua New Guinea

Previous studies have mostly focused on the relationship between macroeconomic shocks and trade balance adjustments of resource-rich countries while largely overlooked countries with trade composition of high resource-export and strong import-dependence such as Papua New Guinea. Utilising a Bayesian Vector Autoregressive (BVAR) model, we quantify the relative importance of macroeconomic shocks on the country's trade balance adjustments and examine how they evolve over time. Our identification strategy takes advantage of the fact that shocks generated from the resource sector and non-resource sector would have heterogeneous impacts on trade activity. We document that at a different point in time, all identified shocks except inflation contributed significantly to the fluctuations in trade balance with varying magnitude. The impulse responses show that one standard deviation of devaluation in the real exchange rate and resource boom lead to an immediate improvement in the trade balance. Shocks in the non-resource sector and inflation are found to have a positive impact on the trade balance, but they are mostly statistically insignificant.
The Influence of Internet Entrepreneur-Related Word-of-Mouth (WOM) on Corporate Image Association

Both the consumer’s corporate social responsibility association and enterprise production capacity association are beneficial to business sustainable development. Based on Chinese traditional culture and from the perspective of Stereotype Content Model, this paper explores the relationship between two types of entrepreneur-related Word-of-mouth (WOM) and the two afore-mentioned types of consumer’s associations. On the one hand, the results show that the entrepreneur-related WOM labeled as “making yourself a person”, which emphasizes the personal qualities of the entrepreneur, may prompt consumers to form corporate social responsibility associations. On the other hand, the entrepreneur-related WOM labeled as “managing your own affairs”, which emphasizes the ability of the entrepreneur, may cause consumers to form associations regarding the enterprise’s production capacity. The mechanism underlying these effects is that the former type of entrepreneur-related WOM stimulates the consumer’s perception of the entrepreneur’s warmth, while the latter stimulates the consumer’s perception of the entrepreneur’s competence.