Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of hypothalamic lesions and drugs interfering with dopaminergic transmission on pituitary MSH content of rats.

The physiological significance of the dopaminergic innervation of the pars intermedia was studied in rats. Electrothermic lesions were made in the mediobasal hypothalamus in order to destroy all hypothalamo-hypophysial connections. Pituitary MSH content decreased to 25% of control values 8 h after lesioning. From the 1st day, however, pituitary MSH content gradually increased, reaching control levels after about 1 week. Haloperidol and pimozide (both neuroleptics) were used to block specifically dopamine (DA)-receptors. Single administration of these drugs induced a time and dose dependent reduction in pituitary MSH. A maximal decrease to about 60% was found 4-5 h after i.p. administration of 2.5 mg/kg haloperidol and 1.0 mg/kg pimozide. Apomorphine and 2-Br-alpha-ergocryptine (DA-receptor stimulating drugs), had no effect on pituitary MSH stores of intact rats, but completely prevented the lesion-induced fall in pituitary MSH content. The results show that DA-receptors located within the pituitary itself are involved in the control of MSH release indicating that the effect of hypothalamic lesions on pituitary MSH content is primarily caused by interruption of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the hypophysis. We conclude therefore that the dopaminergic arcuato-hypophysial neurones innervating the pars intermedia tonically inhibit the release of MSH in intact rats.
Effects of N-methyl-D,L-aspartic acid on luteinizing hormone secretion in normal mice and in hypogonadal mice with fetal preoptic area implants.

Many aspects of reproductive function are corrected in hypogonadal mice with preoptic area grafts (HPG/POA). Gonadotropin release and gonadal development are dependent on the presence of GnRH cells within the grafts and GnRH innervation of the median eminence. This study examined the effect of a known modulator of GnRH secretion, N-methyl-D,L-aspartic acid (NMA), in adult normal and HPG/POA male and female mice. All HPG/POA males had significant testicular development after graft surgery, and most HPG/POA females were in constant vaginal estrus and showed ovarian and uterine development; a few also demonstrated ovulatory cyclicity after pregnancies initiated by reflex ovulation. Groups of normal and HPG/POA males that were intact (INT) or castrated (CX) 7 days before testing were challenged with saline, NMA (20 mg/kg), and GnRH (100 ng/0.1 ml). Sequential blood samples from awake animals were obtained via intracardiac catheters for evaluation of plasma LH. There were significant increases in plasma LH after NMA challenge in normal INT [n = 15; 0 min, 0.26 +/- 0.02 (mean +/- SE); 10 min, 1.20 +/- 0.10 ng/ml; P less than 0.05] and normal CX (n = 13; 0 min, 0.36 +/- 0.06, 10 min, 3.25 +/- 0.27). Plasma LH secretion in response to NMA was significantly correlated (r = 0.786; P less than 0.001) with plasma LH release after the GnRH challenge in normal males. In contrast, only 3 of 17 HPG/POA (1 INT and 2 CX) showed increased circulating LH after NMA challenge, despite heightened pituitary sensitivity to GnRH. Normal and HPG/POA female mice were ovariectomized (OX) or OX and estrogen primed (OXE2) 7 days before testing. Intact cycling normal and cycling HPG/POA mice were tested in estrus (EST). There was a greater response to NMA in normal OX (n = 8; 0 min, 0.39 +/- 0.02; 10 min, 1.44 +/- 0.28) than in OXE2 (n = 13; 0 min, 0.29 +/- 0.01; 10 min, 0.52 +/- 0.07) despite similar gonadotroph sensitivity to GnRH. There was also a significant increase in plasma LH in response to NMA in HPG/POA-OX (n = 7; 0 min, 0.50 +/- 0.10; 10 min, 1.62 +/- 0.22) and HPG/POA-OXE2 (n = 12; 0 min, 0.39 +/- 0.04; 10 min, 1.31 +/- 0.26). Plasma LH levels after NMA treatment were significantly correlated with responses to GnRH in female HPG/POA (r = 0.58; P less than 0.03), but not in normal females. Neither normal-EST nor HPG/POA-EST had increased LH release after NMA challenge, perhaps due to the low gonadotroph sensitivity in this state. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Using patents cluster method to facilitate open innovation from the perspective of project portfolio management

Nowadays, under the circumstance of open innovation, R&D organizations of dual-coupled mode have been used in China to solve such problems existing in R&D organizations as repetition and fragmentation of institutions and research programs, low commercialization rate of scientific research results, single operating mode and the phenomenon of research lagging behind the development of industry. Such R&D organizations have become more efficient in providing public welfare, but there are still problems in defining projects and aligning them with innovation strategy and needs of the industry. This paper proposes a patents cluster method from the perspective of project portfolio management for R&D organizations running on dual-coupled mode. The patents cluster method uses intellectual property rights big data to find out the cluster of patents related to a value chain development through data mining, to identify patent owners through related patents and then acquire the related R&D teams, thus achieving the goal of configuring sectoral value chain with the innovation chain. In this research, BICI is selected as a case of R&D organization with dual coupled mode and the patents cluster method is designed and tested. The results indicate that the patents cluster method can be used in facilitating open innovation in R&D organizations running on dual-coupled mode from the perspective of project portfolio management.
A Branch History Directed Heuristic Search for Effective Binary Level Dynamic Symbolic Execution

Heuristic search is an important part of modern dynamic symbolic execution (DSE) tools, as heuristic search can be used to effectively explore the large program input space. Searching task remains one of several research challenges due to the fact that the input space grows exponentially with the increase of program size, and different programs may have very different structures. The challenge is compounded in a cyber-physical system or cloud-based Internet of Things environment. In this paper, we propose a novel heuristic search algorithm, which analyzes the program execution history and uses the refined history information to inform the search. This paper is based on the observation that the branch and input history generated during dynamic symbolic execution can help memorize the explored input space, and infer the partial structure of the program. With a summarized branch history, the proposed heuristic search makes informed (and better) decisions about which input area to search next for better efficiency. To evaluate the search algorithm, we implement the core DSE engine, integrated with modules to perform execution history collection and analysis. To make our method practical, we incorporate taint analysis and constraint solving statistics to guide the search algorithm. Experimental results demonstrate that with the rich history information, the new search algorithm can explore the input space more effectively, thus resulting in detecting software defects faster.
Calretinin immunoreactive structures in the human hippocampal formation

The calcium‐binding protein calretinin is present in an intrinsic GABAergic and an extrinsic non‐GABAergic system in the rat and monkey hippocampal formation. Important species differences have been noted in hippocampal cell types immunostained for calretinin and the termination pattern of calretinin containing hypothalamic afferents in the hippocampus. In the present study, calretinin‐containing neurons were visualized using immunocytochemistry in the human hippocampal formation of individuals which showed no significant neuropathological alterations. Calretinin‐immunoreactivity was present exclusively in non‐granule cells of the dentate gyrus and in non‐pyramidal cells of Ammon's horn. Calretinin‐positive neurons were found most frequently in the hilus of the fascia dentata and in strate radiatum and lacunosum‐moleculare of CA1, whereas neurons in CA2 and CA3 were rarely immunostained. The majority of calretinin‐immunoreactive neurons were small, bipolar or fusiform neurons. The dendritic trees of the calretinin‐positive neurons were, for the most part, parallel to the dendrites of the principal cells. In the hilus, however, we observed cells with dendrites restricted to the hilar area. These dendrites were parallel to the granule cell layer. In the stratum lacunosum‐moleculare, neurons with dendrites oriented parallel to the hippocampal fissure were frequently detected. In general, dendrites were smooth or sparsely spiny, displaying small conventional spines. The axons usually emerged from the proximal dendrite and could be followed over long distances. Axons were thin, had small varicosities and displayed only few collaterals which branched relatively far away from the cell body. Distinct bands of darkly stained calretinin‐positive fibers occupied the innermost portion of the dentate molecular layer and the pyramidal cell layer of CA2. This distribution of calretinin‐immunoreactive structures in the human hippocampus is similar to that observed in other primates but differs from that described in lower mammals, i.e., the rat. Our findings suggest that primates may share a common hippocampal calrtinin‐containing system, presumably both the intrinsic GABAergic and the extrinsic hypothalamic non‐GABAergic components. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
From the lab to the real-world: An investigation on the influence of human movement on Emotion Recognition using physiological signals

The recognition of human emotions using physiological signals such as Electrodermal Activity (EDA), Electrocardiogram (ECG) or Electromyography (EMG), has been extensively researched in the past attracting a lot of interest during the last few decades. Although showing a relatively satisfactory performance under lab conditions, Emotion Recognition (ER) systems using physiological signals are not widely used in real-world scenarios. One important fact is that, in the real world, physiological signals may be influenced by human movement and therefore, they cannot be used as a unique indicative of emotions. In this paper, we investigate the influence of human movement on ER using physiological signals. We compare different measures of emotion before and after a test person has performed some physical activity (e.g. walking, going upstairs). We discuss the main differences between recognizing emotions in the lab and the real world and provide new insights into the development of ER systems in real-world scenarios.
Effects of Group Size and Lack of Sphericity on the Recovery of Clusters in K-means Cluster Analysis

K-means cluster analysis is known for its tendency to produce spherical and equally sized clusters. To assess the magnitude of these effects, a simulation study was conducted, in which populations were created with varying departures from sphericity and group sizes. An analysis of the recovery of clusters in the samples taken from these populations showed a significant effect of lack of sphericity and group size. This effect was, however, not as large as expected, with still a recovery index of more than 0.5 in the "worst case scenario. " An interaction effect between the two data aspects was also found. The decreasing trend in the recovery of clusters for increasing departures from sphericity is different for equal and unequal group sizes.
Change of the melanocortin system caused by bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation in Parkinson’s disease

Escamilla‐Sevilla F, Pérez‐Navarro MJ, Muñoz‐Pasadas M, Sáez‐Zea C, Jouma‐Katati M, Piédrola‐Maroto G, Ramírez‐Navarro A, Mínguez‐Castellanos A. Change of the melanocortin system caused by bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation in Parkinson’s disease. Acta Neurol Scand: 2011: 124: 275–281. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Nurses' autonomy: influence of nurse managers' actions.

BACKGROUND Autonomy plays an important part in nurses' job satisfaction and retention, but the literature shows that they are often dissatisfied with this aspect and want better working conditions and greater autonomy in decision-making. AIMS The aim of this study was to examine the role that nurse managers have in enhancing hospital staff nurses' autonomy. METHODS The study used a comparative descriptive survey design. Data collection took place over the Internet through the use of selective listservs in the United States of America (USA), Canada, and the United Kingdom. Of the 317 hospital nurses participating, 264 (83.3%) were from the USA. Differences relating to nurses, nurse managers, and hospital settings were controlled in the analysis. RESULTS Nurses were more autonomous in making patient care decisions than unit operational decisions, and they perceived their autonomy to be at a moderate level. Those who were autonomous in patient care decision-making were also likely to be autonomous in unit operation decision-making. Nurse managers' actions had a strong relationship with nurses' autonomy in deciding on patient care and unit operation decisions, and with total autonomy. The three important variables that were reported by staff nurses to increase their autonomy were supportive management, education and experience. The three most important factors that were reported to decrease nurses' autonomy were autocratic management, doctors and workload. DISCUSSION Technical issues such as the availability of listservs, valid e-mails, viruses, and familiarity with the Internet and its applications were the major limitations of this study. Nurses' autonomy over patient care and unit operations decisions needs to be enhanced, and nurse managers should promote this. Similarly, there is a role for nurse education, both in preregistration programmes and in continuing education for managers. Further research needs to explore the barriers that nurses face in autonomous decision-making and how nurses' participation in unit operational decisions can be promoted. CONCLUSIONS Hospital staff nurses have moderate autonomy which could be increased by more effective support from nurse managers. The use of electronic questionnaires is a promising data collection method.
Tissue-specific Expression of Rat Neutral Endopeptidase (Neprilysin) mRNAs (*)

Neutral endopeptidase is a cell surface zinc metallopeptidase that regulates the action of a variety of physiologically active peptides. The enzyme exhibits a wide tissue distribution, being most abundant in kidney and lung. Three rat neutral endopeptidase cDNAs with unique 5′-untranslated sequences were isolated. Distribution of the corresponding mRNAs in rat tissues was analyzed by RNase protection assays and by in situ hybridization. In kidney, the type 2b transcript was the major species. In lung and testis, type 1 and type 2b transcripts were expressed in approximately equal amounts, while in brain and spinal cord the type 1 mRNA was the major transcript. These findings were extended by in situ hybridization studies. All three mRNAs were expressed in the proximal tubule of the kidney, with the type 2b transcript giving the strongest signal. In the frontoparietal cortex, expression of the neutral endopeptidase mRNA subtypes was cell- and region-specific. The type 1 transcript was localized to neurons, type 2b mRNA was not detectable, while type 3 mRNA was localized to the oligodendrocytes of the corpus callosum. These results clearly demonstrate that expression of the three neutral endopeptidase mRNAs can be regulated in a cell-specific manner.
Power integrity analysis of TSV based 3-D integrated circuits

The power supply grids of integrated circuits (ICs) are interconnected through silicon vias (TSVs) to form a 3-D chip integration in vertical direction. The required currents for each functional device to operate in the ICs are supplied through power and ground TSV pairs and power distribution meshes. Accurate estimation of power/ground noises (static and dynamic drops) in a 3-D power distribution network is crucial for a robust power supply design in order to operate the devices functionally. With fast switching characteristics of the devices, the worst case power supply noise may not be analysed accurately. In this paper, we present a systematic approach to analyse the static and dynamic drop, as a function of switching time, in power supply grids of 3-D ICs. Furthermore the approach is extended to investigate noise sensitivity of TSVs and power supply grids with decoupling capacitors.
Extraepitopic Compensatory Substitutions Partially Restore Fitness to Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Variants That Escape from an Immunodominant Cytotoxic-T-Lymphocyte Response

ABSTRACT Selection for escape mutant immunodeficiency viruses by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) has been well characterized and may be associated with disease progression. CTL epitopes accrue escape mutations at different rates in vivo. Interestingly, certain high-frequency CTL do not select for escape until the chronic phase of infection. Here we show that mutations conferring escape from immunodominant CTL directed against an epitope in the viral Gag protein are strongly associated with extraepitopic mutations in gag in vivo. The extraepitopic mutations partially restore in vitro replicative fitness of viruses bearing the escape mutations. Constraints on epitope sequences may therefore play a role in determining the rate of escape from CTL responses in vivo.
Design-space exploration of an eFPGA soft-core based on Multi-Stages Switching Networks

Embedded FPGAs are becoming appealing IPs to enhance modern SoCs, since technology scaling is enabling reconfigurability at lower area impact. This notwithstanding, to become effective eFPGAs should be highly adaptable to support application-specific optimization, in terms of DSP blocks, technology options and floorplan requirements. For that, in this paper, we analyse a soft-core eFPGA template based on Multi-Stage Switching Network which couples high flexibility with a modular design approach based on the regular replication of few simple switch modules for the programmable routing. Implementation on 65nm technology showed the existence of a significantly wide design space which allows to quickly optimize the device for area, speed and/or leakage power. Results show that depending on architectural and technology options adopted, performance can vary in terms of area (~50%), speed (+/-30%) and leakage (~90%) with respect to a reference design.
Shared-control for the kinematic model of a mobile robot

This paper presents a shared-control algorithm for the kinematic model of a mobile robot. The set of feasible position of the robot is defined by a group of linear inequalities. The shared-control strategy is based on a hysteresis switch and its properties are established by a Lyapunov-like analysis. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
Antimicrobial coatings grown by the atomic layer deposition technique

We developed growth method allowing covering of different types of objects, such as surgical instruments, tissues, masks, etc. with the atomic layer deposition method using oxide thin layers as antimicrobial coatings. These layers are deposited at low temperature (usually below 100°C), which allows for the covering of various substrates, including the soft tissue paper material or surgical instruments, as well as, synthetic and organic materials. The elaborated method of coating on various kinds of surfaces with metal oxide layers can be very helpful in reducing the energy and water inputs to processes designed to eliminate micro-organisms (sterilization), especially in the food industry, production technology and production of animal feed. Potential applications can also be found in medicine, veterinary medicine and the broader health care.
A Data Driven Method to Build Learning Models for Correlation Analysis of Regional Air Quality

With the consciousness of environmental protection is going to rising up globally, every government have seriously concerned the related issues of PM2.5. In essence, PM2.5 is the microscopic contaminated particles. The sizes of particles are just one of twenty-eighth of human's hair, in addition to penetrating the respiration system, carrying the heavy mental, dioxin and bacteria, through the blood circulation could intrude easily into the human alveoli. Furthermore, the contaminated particles may cause great damages to human health. Thus, in this work we investigate some factors which may influence the air quality related to PM2.5, including temperature, humidity, and wind speed. In particular, we collected the data of the factors in several cities in Taiwan for experimentation. After removing the outlier data samples in the database, we make use of the Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) techniques to experiment with the collected data for correlation analysis of regional air quality.
A first introduction to programming for first-year students at a Chinese university using LEGO MindStorms

In this paper, we describe some of our experiences in incorporating LEGO MindStorms into an introductory programming course. There are three distinguishing features of this course. First, it had a large number of students; almost 500 students were enrolled in it and most of them had minimal to no exposure to programming before taking the course. Second, it is taught at a Sino-British university but located in China-that is, the lessons were given in English and the curriculum met both the UK and Chinese standards. Third, the students had varied interests, ranging from engineering to computer science to industrial design. The experiences described in this paper will be useful to educators who are planning to integrate LEGO MindStorms into their teaching of programming to novice students who are from different backgrounds and with varied interests, enrolled in a large class, and who attend a university outside of developed countries.
Comparison of the inflation prediction approaches: Monetary growth vs. Output gap analysis

Inflation is one of the often used monetary indicators in conducting monetary policy. Even though money supply is an essential determinant of inflation, it is not used in inflation modeling. Currently, output gap is considered as most predicative variable. This thesis brings the empirical evidence on the hypothesis of money supply carrying more information on estimating inflation than the output gap. It is provided on the case of 16 developed European economies using Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA). BMA is a comprehensive approach that deals with the model uncertainty and thus solves the variable selection problem. The results of analysis confirmed that money supply includes more information of inflation than the output gap and thus should be used in inflation modeling. These outcomes are robust towards prior selection and high correlation of some variables. JEL Classification C11, C52, C53, C82, E51, E58