Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Redox Status of the Oviduct and Cdc2 Activity in 2-Cell Stage Embryos in Heat-Stressed Mice1

Abstract Mammalian preimplantation embryos are vulnerable to heat stress. However, the mechanisms by which maternal heat stress compromises embryonic development are unclear. We hypothesized that the loss of developmental competence in maternally heat-stressed embryos results from enhanced oxidative stress in the oviducts. In experiment 1, oviducts and zygotes were collected from mice that were heat-stressed at 35°C and 60% relative humidity for 12 h on the day of pregnancy as well as from control mice. The zygotes were cultured for 84 h to assess their development, and the H2O2 level, glutathione concentration, and free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) were measured in the oviduct. In experiment 2, zygotes were cultured for 22 h to reach the late G2 phase in the 2-cell stage, and Cdc2 activity was assessed using immunoblotting. A high percentage (87.6%) of control embryos developed to morulae or blastocysts, whereas the majority (67.4%) of the heat-stressed group arrested at the 2-cell stage. Although heat stress did not alter the FRSA or glutathione concentration in the oviducts, the H2O2 level (P < 0.01) and its ratio to the FRSA (P < 0.05) significantly increased in the heat-stressed group. The Cdc2 activation at the 2-cell stage, as shown by the ratio of the dephosphorylated form to the phosphorylated form, was evident in control embryos but absent in heat-stressed embryos, and the level was similar to that in embryos blocked at the 2-cell stage (positive control). These results indicate that maternal heat stress enhances oxidative stress in the oviducts and that loss of developmental competence in maternally heat-stressed embryos correlates with a defect in Cdc2 activity at the 2-cell stage.
Heterogeneous Effect of Financial Leverage on Corporate Performance: A Quantile Regression Analysis of Taiwanese Companies

The effect of financial leverage on corporate performance has been debated. We reexamine the effect by using a sample of 6,630 observations from nonfinancial Taiwanese publicly traded companies during the 2008–2012 period, employing the quantile regression approach and comparing its results with the ones provided by conventional models (least squares and fixed effects). Our empirical results show that the effect of financial leverage on the corporate performance is not homogeneous among various quantile levels: the financial leverage destroys (enhances) companies with low (high) return on equity quantiles. Moreover, the association between leverage and corporate performance is trivial when the mid-range performance quantiles are considered. Our findings are consistent with the results provided by Lee and Li [Lee, BS and M-YL Li (2012). Journal of Banking and Finance, 36, 2157–2173] for U.S. firms. The asymmetric relationship between financial leverage and the corporate performance identified in this study can adequately clarify the debated link between financial leverage and the corporate performance reported in previous empirical studies.
Functional response to total hip arthroplasty in patients with hip dysplasia

While recent studies have shown patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) to achieve comparable post‐operative outcomes to patients with primary osteoarthritis (OA), it is unclear whether DDH patients display better or worse preoperative function than the general THA population. We aimed to compare the preoperative function and functional response to THA of DDH patients with OA patients.
CELL TYPE‐DEPENDENT COLLAGEN‐TYPE RECOGNITION BY CELL RECEPTORS

Affinity chromatography of a number of cell types on collagens I and III reveals three proteins with MRof 250, 170 and 140kDa. These proteins are able to discriminate between types I and III, but not types III and IV. Collagen‐type recognition is therefore characteristic for cells of connective tissue origin. Polyclonal antibodies (Ab) raised against 170 and 140kDa polypeptides and used in immunofluorescence show membrane localisation for both, with their distribution being similar to each other and to the distribution of the integrin β1 chain. Abp140 and commercial monoclonal antibodies against α2chain stain a band of the same molecular mass as from purified collagen binding proteins from liver cells, indicating that the 140kDa protein is probably the α2integrin chain. The α2chain containing integrins are therefore able to discriminate collagen types I and III and collagen type recognition by this receptor is cell‐type dependent.
The Impact of Public Expenditures on Economic Growth in Two Very Different Countries: A comparative Analysis of Armenia and Spain

There is considerable controversy in the economic literature concerning whether particular government expenditures have an impact on economic growth. This study analyzes the macroeconomic magnitude of government expenditures in Armenia and Spain and evaluates whether there exists a causal relationship between government expenditures and economic growth and vice versa (Keynesian hypothesis and Wagner’s Law). The study employs VAR tests to analyze annual data for the years 1996-2014. Furthermore, by utilizing Granger causality tests, the study reveals whether the government expenditures are a significant factor in economic growth in short-term perspective. Finally, IRF and FEVD tests are applied to estimate the effect of a change in particular government expenditures on GDP for twelve year time horizon. This study validates the hypothesis that some public expenditures by the Armenian and Spanish public sectors positively contribute to the growth of their economies, while social protection is negatively related to GDP.
Engagement of the Rat Hindlimb Motor Cortex across Natural Locomotor Behaviors

Contrary to cats and primates, cortical contribution to hindlimb locomotor movements is not critical in rats. However, the importance of the motor cortex to regain locomotion after neurological disorders in rats suggests that cortical engagement in hindlimb motor control may depend on the behavioral context. To investigate this possibility, we recorded whole-body kinematics, muscle synergies, and hindlimb motor cortex modulation in freely moving rats performing a range of natural locomotor procedures. We found that the activation of hindlimb motor cortex preceded gait initiation. During overground locomotion, the motor cortex exhibited consistent neuronal population responses that were synchronized with the spatiotemporal activation of hindlimb motoneurons. Behaviors requiring enhanced muscle activity or skilled paw placement correlated with substantial adjustment in neuronal population responses. In contrast, all rats exhibited a reduction of cortical activity during more automated behavior, such as stepping on a treadmill. Despite the facultative role of the motor cortex in the production of locomotion in rats, these results show that the encoding of hindlimb features in motor cortex dynamics is comparable in rats and cats. However, the extent of motor cortex modulations appears linked to the degree of volitional engagement and complexity of the task, reemphasizing the importance of goal-directed behaviors for motor control studies, rehabilitation, and neuroprosthetics. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We mapped the neuronal population responses in the hindlimb motor cortex to hindlimb kinematics and hindlimb muscle synergies across a spectrum of natural locomotion behaviors. Robust task-specific neuronal population responses revealed that the rat motor cortex displays similar modulation as other mammals during locomotion. However, the reduced motor cortex activity during more automated behaviors suggests a relationship between the degree of engagement and task complexity. This relationship emphasizes the importance of the behavioral procedure to engage the motor cortex during motor control studies, gait rehabilitation, and locomotor neuroprosthetic developments in rats.
MultiparametricMagnetic Resonance Imaging , Spectroscopy and Multinuclear ( 23 Na ) Imaging Monitoring of Preoperative Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

Materials and Methods: Women with operable stage 2 or 3 breast cancer who received preoperative systemic therapy were studied using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and Na magnetic resonance. Quantitative metrics of choline peak signal-to-noise ratio, total tissue sodium concentration, tumor volumes, and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors were determined and compared to final pathologic results using receiver-operating characteristic analysis. Hormonal markers were investigated. Statistical significance was set at P < . 05.
Heavy episodic drinking in the São Paulo epidemiologic catchment area study in Brazil: gender and sociodemographic correlates.

OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to quantify heavy episodic drinking (HED) among adults living in two middle-class boroughs in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and to estimate possible effects of gender, age, and other sociodemographic factors. METHOD Data were taken from the São Paulo Catchment Area Study. A representative sample (N = 1,464) of the adult population living in households was assessed through Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 1.1. The pattern of lifetime and last-12-month alcohol consumption was evaluated. HED was defined as consuming five or more drinks per drinking day for men and four or more drinks per drinking day for women. Prevalence rates and sociodemographic correlates were examined separately for men and women. RESULTS The overall 12-month prevalence of HED in this sample was 10.7%, with 15.4% of the men and 7.2% of the women reporting HED. Lifetime overall abstinence was 22.2%, with 32.4% of the women and 8.7% of the men being lifetime abstainers. The odds of HED among women were increased for those between 18 and 44 years of age and for those who were not married (separated, divorced, widowed, and never married). Among men the risk was increased for those between 18 and 24 years of age. CONCLUSIONS HED is a common pattern of drinking in this sample, mainly in young men. Among women, HED is not confined to the younger groups. Future studies are needed to assess the impact of HED on physical health, mental health, and social functioning.
Fiber-optic multiple-wavelength filter based on one-dimensional photonic bandgap structures with defects

In this paper, a theoretical analysis is given of an optical fiber multiple-wavelength tunable filter based on a one-dimensional (1-D) photonic bandgap (PBG) structure with four defects. To understand the positioning of the modes in the bandgap, a previous analysis of structures with one and two defects is performed. By adequate parameterization, it will be possible to control the central wavelengths of the various filters of the device. Parameters responsible for this effect are the contrast of refractive indexes of high- and low-index layers, the optical thickness of the defects, and the number of layers stacked among the defects related to those stacked at the extremes. In addition to this, the finesse of the filters can be controlled by the adequate addition of layers among defects. As a result, a simple 1-D PBG structure with defects will permit designing almost any multiple-wavelength filter, with immediate application in the treatment of wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) signals. The possibility of the tunability of this device can be introduced if materials are included whose refractive index changes with some parameter, such as temperature, voltage, or strain. As an example, liquid crystals change their refractive index with an applied voltage, leading to a shift of the central wavelengths of the filters.
Adult-Like Competence in Perceptual Encoding of Facial Configuration by the Right Hemisphere Emerges after 10 Years of Age

In the present study, we examined ascription of bizarreness to faces in a ratings task by children aged 8–10 and 11–13 years, and by adults. Configural information was manipulated subtly (a single eye was inverted) or in a more salient manner (eye and mouth were inverted). By utilizing brief presentations we restricted initial processing of the manipulations to one hemisphere. Right-hemispheric sensitivity to the manipulations was seen in higher ratings for (viewer-centered) left-sided manipulations than for right-sided manipulations. The youngest group showed significantly less right-hemisphere sensitivity to the manipulations in upright faces than the adults, but children aged 11–13 years were similar to adults. The three age groups were equivalently able to detect the stronger eye and mouth manipulation. In all, children's performance approached that of adults gradually in this task, which emphasizes immediate perceptual encoding of faces and for which memorial demands are minimal.
Analysis of the Capacity Statistics for 2  $\times$ 2 3D MIMO Channels in Short-Range Communications

In this letter, we investigate the capacity of 2 × 2 short-range line-of-sight (LOS) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels in three-dimensional (3D) space. The corresponding channel with arbitrary antenna orientations in 3D space is modeled using the spherical-wave model (SWM) , based on which the capacity without channel knowledge at the transmitter is obtained. The exact analytical expressions for the probability density function (PDF), cumulative distribution function (CDF) , and expectation of the capacity are then derived and compared with those obtained by the plane-wave model (PWM) . Both the analytical and simulation results show that the capacity is determined by a factor depending on the transceiver distance, the wavelength, and the array size.
A Robust Predictive Current Controller for PMSM Drives

High-performance current control is required to obtain a smooth output torque in permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives. In this manner, a new discrete-time robust predictive current controller is presented for PMSM drives. Controller and current prediction schemes are designed based on the dead-beat structure. The dead-beat control has good transient response, but it suffers from parametric uncertainties and unmodeled dynamics. In order to provide robustness, a discrete-time integral term is added to the dead-beat current prediction. The stability analysis is carried out considering the prediction error dynamics, nonlinear uncertain model of PMSM, and the integral action as the states of the overall system. The designed robust predictive controller is tested through numerical simulations and experiments. The proposed controller is easy to implement and suitable for high-performance PMSM applications.
Building Maintenance Strategy: A Sustainable Refurbishment Perspective

The entire life cycle of a building include construction, operation, maintenance, demolition and removal, and the normal expected life span of a commercial building may up to 100 years. During this time span, building refurbishment is an important topical in facilities management but limited attempt has been made to study the sustainable refurbishment. In fact, refurbishment strategy should always be one of the core business decisions in the management agenda. The purpose of this research study is to collect the view from a group of practitioners of Australia prior to deciding the building maintenance strategy of existing commercial building. Through extensive literatures review and the quantitative and qualitative data collecting approaches, this paper concludes that traditional maintenance strategies are not adequate but sustainable approach is the right direction. Along the line, the key factors affecting sustainable refurbishment are economical considerations, and the obvious benefits relates to social matters. Respondents also suggest three precedent strategies in sustainable refurbishments to materialize such benefits: namely reusing building elements, applying sustainable techniques and using new materials and adopting new technologies.
Interspecific interactions and learning variability jointly drive geographic differences in mate preferences

Co‐occurrence of closely related species can cause behavioral interference in mating and increase hybridization risk. Theoretically, this could lead to the evolution of more species‐specific mate preferences and sexual signaling traits. Alternatively, females can learn to reject heterospecific males, to avoid male sexual interference from closely related species. Such learned mate discrimination could also affect conspecific mate preferences if females generalize from between species differences to prefer more species‐specific mating signals. Female damselflies of the banded demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) learn to reject heterospecific males of the beautiful demoiselle (C. virgo) through direct premating interactions. These two species co‐occur in a geographic mosaic of sympatric and microallopatric populations. Whereas C. virgo males have fully melanized wings, male C. splendens wings are partly melanized. We show that C. splendens females in sympatry with C. virgo prefer smaller male wing patches in conspecific males after learning to reject heterospecific males. In contrast, allopatric C. splendens females with experimentally induced experience with C. virgo males did not discriminate against larger male wing patches. Wing patch size might indicate conspecific male quality in allopatry. Co‐occurrence with C. virgo therefore causes females to prefer conspecific male traits that are more species specific, contributing to population divergence and geographic variation in female mate preferences.
Design of cyclic delay diversity for single carrier cyclic prefix (SCCP) transmissions with block-iterative GDFE (BI-GDFE) receiver

Single carrier cyclic prefix (SCCP) modulation has been adopted as one of the physical layer air-interfaces for IEEE802.I6 standards due to its less stringent requirement on peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) than multicarrier modulation. As a single carrier transmission, however, the received SCCP blocks suffer from inter-symbol interference (ISI). The block iterative generalized decision feedback equalizer (BI-GDFE) is an effective interference cancellation scheme which generally shows performance improvement over linear equalizers. However, in order to achieve a significant gain, the channel must contain rich multipath components, and this may not necessarily be true in many systems. In this paper, we propose to apply cyclic delay diversity (CDD) to a SCCP system so that the possible performance improvement by using a BI-GDFE detector can be enhanced. The asymptotic performance of the proposed system is analyzed using random matrix results. We propose a scheme to determine the optimal delay parameter for CDD. Computer simulations have shown that by incorporating CDD into the transmitter and using a BI-GDFE receiver, the BER performance of the system can approach the MFB within several iterations for high SNR region.
Fatigue and daytime sleepiness scale in myotonic dystrophy type 1

Introduction: Fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness are frequent complaints in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) that often overlap. We aimed to construct a combined fatigue and daytime sleepiness rating scale for DM1 using the Rasch measurement model. Methods: Questionnaires, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Daytime Sleepiness Scale, were completed by 354 patients. Data were subjected to Rasch analyses and tested for required measurement issues such as appropriate response categories, absence of item bias, local independence, and unidimensionality. Results: The initial 22 items did not meet Rasch model expectations. After rescoring and removing misfitting items, the final 12‐item scale showed good model fit and unidimensionality. High internal consistency (person separation index = 0.80) and validity were demonstrated. Conclusions: The Rasch‐built Fatigue and Daytime Sleepiness Scale, developed specifically for DM1 patients, provides interval measures on a single continuum. Its use is suggested for future clinical trials and therapeutic follow‐up. Muscle Nerve, 2013
Achieving Rationality in Decision Making A perspective of purchasing with inter-organisational relationships

The thesis is to provide how decisions are made in an organisation relating to practice of purchasing with a qualitative research approach. Organisational decisions have impacts on networks, such impacts are also discussed. Decision making has its limitations relates to bounded rationality, organisations achieve rationality due to some extent for the reason that they have implemented code of conducts and also by gathering data. Decisions made by an organisation can have impacts on business relationships whether formal or informal, however there will be no impacts on organisational network if such relationships do not exist between partner organisations.
Regulation of intracellular pH in pyramidal neurones from the rat hippocampus by Na(+)‐dependent Cl(‐)‐HCO3‐ exchange.

1. We have measured intracellular pH (pHi) in freshly isolated pyramidal neurones from the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus using the fluorescent indicator 2',7'‐bis(carboxy‐ethyl)‐5‐(and‐6)‐carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). 2. The neurones selected by our isolation procedure, when studied in the nominal absence of CO2‐HCO3‐, had a mean steady‐state pHi of 6.81 +/‐ 0.02 (n = 163). The recovery of pHi from acid loads was very slow. The rate of recovery from acid loads was reduced by Na+ removal, but only very slightly inhibited by 1 mM amiloride. 3. The addition of 5% CO2‐25 mM HCO3‐ caused steady‐state pHi to increase from 6.74 +/‐ 0.05 to 7.03 +/‐ 0.03 (n = 28). In the presence of 5% CO2‐25 mM HCO3‐, the rate of pHi recovery from acid loads was much faster than in its absence. 4. The HCO(3‐)‐induced alkalinization was reversible, and did not occur in the absence of extracellular Na+ or in the presence of DIDS (4,4'‐diisothiocyanatostilbene‐ 2,2'‐disulphonic acid). 5. In the absence of external Cl‐, successive exposures to CO2‐HCO3‐ elicited alkalinizations that were progressively reduced in rate and amplitude. This effect, presumably due to gradual depletion of internal Cl‐, was rapidly reversed by returning Cl‐ to the external medium. 6. We conclude that the major acid‐extrusion mechanism in pyramidal CA1 neurones is the Na(+)‐dependent Cl(‐)‐HCO3‐ exchanger. The Na(+)‐dependent mechanism that operates in the nominal absence of HCO3‐ is far less active.
Evaluating Impacts of School-Based Extension Garden Programs from a Child's Perspective

Minority children and adolescents living in rural areas, below poverty guidelines, are less likely to engage in healthy food choices or a healthy lifestyle, and this contributes to obesity issues. Providing children with the skills and knowledge to lead healthy lives is a way to combat this epidemic. Focus groups were conducted at three Extension school-based gardens to determine participants' perspectives on the impacts of participation. It was determined that Extension school-based gardens provide children with the opportunity to engage in learning about healthy eating and food production, while engaging in activity outside of the classroom.