Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diurnal variation in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and beta-endorphin release in pituitary portal plasma during the rat estrous cycle.

In this study, we investigated the pattern of both LHRH and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) secretion from the median eminence of cyclic female rats during the estrous cycle by collecting pituitary portal blood for hormone measurements by RIA. On diestrus, proestrus, or estrus (0900 h or 1300 h), rats were hypophysectomized (in order to prevent contamination of portal beta-EP with pituitary beta-EP) and were given a 50-60-min resting period of postsurgical recovery prior to blood sampling. Between 1000 h and 1800 h of the same day, pituitary portal blood samples were collected at 10-min intervals from these animals under Saffan anesthesia. Hormone RIA data revealed that LHRH and beta-EP levels in the portal plasma ranged from 25 to 600 pg/ml and from 0.6 to 4.6 ng/ml, respectively, whereas no discernible amounts of these hormones were detected in the peripheral plasma. Analysis further revealed that secretion of both LHRH and beta-EP showed a diurnal rhythmicity and that both neuropeptides were secreted in a pulsatile manner on each day of the cycle, with most dramatic changes seen in female rats on proestrus. In proestrus rats, portal plasma levels of beta-EP were highest during 1000-1500 h and lower around 1600-1800 h. In contrast, morning and early afternoon values of LHRH were obviously higher in rats on proestrus than in animals on other days of the cycle, and an even greater rise in portal plasma levels of LHRH occurred in late afternoon on proestrus, when beta-EP values were lowest. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Role of nitric oxide in the brain during lipopolysaccharide‐evoked systemic inflammation

Although the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is a well‐established source of nitric oxide (NO•) during inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS), little is known about the involvement of constitutive isoforms of NOS (cNOS) in the inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to compare the responses of the expression and activity of iNOS and the two cNOS isoforms, neuronal and endothelial (nNOS and eNOS, respectively), in the brain to systemic inflammation and their roles in the cascade of events leading to degeneration and apoptosis. A systemic inflammatory response in C57BL/6 mice was induced by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide [LPS; 1 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)]. The relative roles of the NOS isoforms were evaluated after injection of NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine (NNLA; 30 mg/kg b.w.), which preferentially inhibits cNOS, or 1400W (5 mg/kg b.w.), an inhibitor of iNOS. Biochemical and morphological alterations were analyzed up to 48 hr after administration of LPS. Systemic LPS administration evoked significant ultrastructural alterations in brain capillary vessels, neuropils, and intracellular organelles of neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. Apoptotic/autophagic processes occurred in many neurons of the substantia nigra (SN), which coincided with exclusive enhancement of iNOS expression and activity in this brain region. Moreover, inhibitors of both iNOS and cNOS prevented LPS‐evoked release of apoptosis‐inducing factor (AIF) from SN mitochondria. Collectively, the results indicate that synthesis of NO• by both the inducible and constitutive NOS isoforms contribute to the activation of apoptotic pathways in the brain during systemic inflammation. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of different cooking methods on health-promoting compounds of broccoli

The effects of five domestic cooking methods, including steaming, microwaving, boiling, stir-frying, and stir-frying followed by boiling (stir-frying/boiling), on the nutrients and health-promoting compounds of broccoli were investigated. The results show that all cooking treatments, except steaming, caused significant losses of chlorophyll and vitamin C and significant decreases of total soluble proteins and soluble sugars. Total aliphatic and indole glucosinolates were significantly modified by all cooking treatments but not by steaming. In general, the steaming led to the lowest loss of total glucosinolates, while stir-frying and stir-frying/boiling presented the highest loss. Stir-frying and stir-frying/boiling, the two most popular methods for most homemade dishes in China, cause great losses of chlorophyll, soluble protein, soluble sugar, vitamin C, and glucosinolates, but the steaming method appears the best in retention of the nutrients in cooking broccoli.
The Yersinia Yop Virulon: LcrV Is Required for Extrusion of the Translocators YopB and YopD

ABSTRACT LcrV, an essential piece of the Yop virulon, is encoded by the large lcrGVsycDyopBD operon. In spite of repeated efforts, the role of LcrV in the Yop virulon remains elusive. In an attempt to clarify this, we engineered a complete deletion of lcrV in the pYV plasmid of Yersinia enterocolitica E40 and characterized the phenotype of the mutant. Complementation experiments showed that the mutation was not polar with regard to yopBand yopD. Nevertheless the mutation abolished secretion of YopB and YopD, while secretion of the other Yops was unaffected or even increased. Northern blot analysis showed that transcription ofyopD was not affected. YopD could be detected inside the bacteria, showing that the lack of its secretion was not due to a lack of translation or to proteolysis. This indicated that LcrV is specifically involved in the process of release of YopB and YopD. We then investigated the possible interactions between LcrV and YopB or YopD. We constructed a glutathione S-transferase–LcrV hybrid protein, and we observed that either YopB or YopD could be copurified with it. The same approach showed that LcrV also interacts with LcrG but not with the chaperone SycD. Using deletants oflcrV, we then identified a definite LcrG-binding domain in the C terminus of LcrV.
Impedance Observer for a Li-Ion Battery Using Kalman Filter

Most methods for state-of-charge or state-of-health prognostics are impedance based. Impedance models must be as simple as possible to be implemented on embedded applications but as accurate as possible to represent the main electrochemical phenomena. The parameters of such models can be identified using impedance spectroscopy. However, the electrochemical features change in relation to numerous parameters, such as temperature or aging, which involves updating the model of the battery online. This paper deals with the use of an extended Kalman filter (EKF) for the observation of the parameters of a Li-ion battery lumped model. First, this paper will focus on the electrical model that can be used to represent the main electrochemical phenomena in the battery. Then, mathematical considerations about the EKF are reminded to be applied to the observation of the impedance parameters of the battery. This method has been validated on an urban driving cycle of a hybrid electric vehicle.
Analysis of Training Loads in Elite Under 18 Australian Rule Football Players

Abstract Cust, EE, Elsworthy, N, and Robertson, S. Analysis of training loads in elite under 18 Australian rule football players. J Strength Cond Res 32(9): 2521–2528, 2017—Differences in training loads (TLs) between under 18 (U18) Australian rules football (AF) state academy–selected and state academy–nonselected players were investigated. Players were categorized relating to their highest representative level: state academy–selected (n = 9) and TAC cup–level players (n = 38). Data were obtained from an online training–monitoring tool implemented to collect player training and match information across a 20-week period during the regular season. Parameters modeled included AF skills, strength, and other sport training sessions. Descriptive statistics (mean ± SD) and between-group comparisons (Cohen's d) were computed. A J48 decision tree modeled which TL variables could predict selection level. Pooled data showed 60% of weekly training duration consisted of AF training sessions. Similar AF TL were reported between state academy and TAC cup players (1,578 ± 1,264 arbitrary units (AU) vs. 1,368 ± 872 AU; d = 0.05). Although higher TLs were reported for state-selected players comparative with TAC cup in total training (d = 0.20), core stability (d = 0.36), flexibility (d = 0.44), on-feet conditioning (d = 0.26), and off-feet conditioning (d = 0.26). Decision tree analysis showed core stability duration and flexibility TL, the most influential parameters in classifying group selection (97.7% accuracy TAC cup level; 35.8% accuracy state academy level). Insights of U18 AF players' weekly training structures, loads, and characteristics of higher achieving players are provided. This study supports the application of training diaries and session rating of perceived exertion for TL monitoring in junior athletes.
The voltage dependence of Ih in human myelinated axons

Key points • Pacemaking in cardiac and neuronal cells is primarily controlled by the interaction between different voltage gated ion channels, and in particular the hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic‐nucleotide gated (HCN) family of channels. • HCN channels are activated by membrane hyperpolarization and play a key role in the determination of resting membrane potential. • We provide evidence suggesting that differences in (i) the modulation and expression of HCN channels, (ii) the expression of slow K+ channels; and (iii) the resultant changes in resting membrane potential are the major determinants of the functional differences between human motor and sensory axons. • Contrary to current wisdom, this study supports the view that the greater persistent Na+ current observed in sensory axons is not due to greater expression of persistent Na+ channels but instead to the relatively depolarized membrane potential driving greater resting activation.
Candelilla-shellac : An alternative formulation for coating apples

An experimental candelilla-shellac formulation for coating apples ( Malus ×do- mestica Borkh.) was developed and compared with commercial shellac-based and car- nauba-shellac-based coatings on 'Gala' and 'Delicious' apples by determining effects on quality attributes, respiration, and internal atmospheres. Fruit were stored at 5 °C for 7 days followed by storage at 21 °C for 14 days. Gloss of 'Delicious' apples coated with candelilla-shellac formulations containing 7% to 34% shellac increased with increasing shellac concentrations. 'Gala' and 'Delicious' apples coated with a candelilla formulation containing 34% shellac maintained quality similar to those coated with commercial carnauba-shellac-based coatings, as indicated by gloss, firmness, internal CO 2, O2 and ethanol levels, steady-state respiration rate, weight loss, and flavor. By comparison, shellac-coated fruit maintained the highest gloss throughout the experimental period. Shellac-coated apples were also firmer, contained more ethanol, and received higher flavor scores than did apples receiving other coating treatments. Gloss of all coated fruit decreased with time, although shellac-coated fruit lost less gloss over the 21-day storage period. Analysis of gloss, firmness, fruit respiration, ethanol, weight loss, and flavor demonstrate that the candelilla formulation containing 34% shellac is competitive with current commercial carnauba-based apple-coating products.
Integration of Central and Eastern European Countries: Increasing EU Heterogeneity?

The paper assesses the heterogeneity of an enlarged European Union and discusses the role and contribution of CEECs on the development of this heterogeneity over time. The two central research questions are: What are the factors that distinguish between successful and less successful CEE countries in terms of the EU enlargement? How was heterogeneity in the EU developed in the last decade? Using cluster analysis methods allow the focusing on heterogeneity in the five selected dimensions of interest: Institutions and Governance; Single Market and Openness; Macroeconomic Policies; Symmetry and Convergence; and Competitiveness. We can find that the specific macroeconomic policies followed by CEE countries during the transformation period were less decisive for a successful transition than the level of (non-elite) political stability, the quality of institutional framework, the maturity and compatibility of informal institutions and the initial level of economic development. We also can find substantial convergence in terms of economic indicators in the EU in the period considered but none or a very slow convergence in terms of institutional indicators. The negative consequences of such heterogeneity were strengthened by the crisis. As a consequence the tensions caused by these different speeds of convergence in different fields challenge the long-term sustainability of EMU, and the consequences of this situation should be more intensively discussed in the EU. We also argue that the experience of transition of CEE countries holds valuable lessons for the currently discussed reforms of the southern periphery of Europe. Similarly to the CEECs before their entrance to the EU, the periphery countries need to find a direction to head for in the next 10-15 years. Budgetary savings are inevitable; nevertheless positive long-term visions should be formulated as well.
Comprehensive modeling and analysis of Variable Speed Wind Turbine using Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator

Various types of converter-inverter topologies have been used in recent times for wind farms. This paper presents some new converter-inverter methods applied in a wind farm consisting of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG). Conventional 3-level converter-inverter responses have been compared with comparatively newer flying capacitor model and improved Z-source converter models. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed control topology. In order to extract maximum power, and hence regulate the voltage and frequency under varying wind conditions, converter-inverter sets are associated with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) System. Simulations have been done by using the engineering software PSCAD/EMTDC. Real wind speed data have been considered for this study.
Effect of Waveguide Inhomogeneity in a χ(2)-Based Pulsed Optical Parametric Amplifier

The effect of waveguide inhomogeneity in transmitted pulses of a χ(2)-based optical parametric amplifier is investigated. Periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) channel waveguides are used to achieve optical parametric amplification (OPA) via cascaded second harmonic generation and difference frequency generation (cSHG/DFG) process at telecommunication bandwidth. To access high input power, a Q-switched laser of low duty cycle was used for the fundamental source. The ns-pulsed fundamental generates the pump for the DFG (OPA) process via SHG. The signal amplification and the wavelength converted idler generation are achieved via DFG process between the SH and the signal. It is shown that inhomogeneity of the waveguide leads to change in the relative phase between interacting waves along the waveguide. Consequently, transmitted pulses are disturbed for an inhomogeneous waveguide. Experimental and theoretical results of transmitted pulses from a homogeneous and an inhomogeneous PPLN channel waveguides are presented. In the homogeneous channel guide with Gaussian-shaped transmitted pulses, more than 20 dB of parametric gain was achieved in an 88-mm-long waveguide when ∼1.7 W of coupled fundamental peak power is launched to the waveguide.
Extension of the magnetically mixed Newmark-Leapfrog finite-difference time-domain method to Debye dispersive media

In this paper, the magnetically mixed Newmark-Leapfrog finite-difference time-domain (MNL-FDTD) method is extended into a Debye model of dielectric dispersion. A frequency-dependent MNL-FDTD scheme is formulated which is based on the recursive convolution formulation in time domain. The resultant scheme has a relaxed stability condition even in the time domain analysis of thin dielectric structures with the Debye model. The input impedance and radiation pattern of a typical antenna with dielectric losses are assessed by the presented scheme. It is verified in comparison with Yee's FDTD.
A review on pharmacology and toxicology of Elephantopus scaber Linn.

Elephantopus scaber Linn. , family Asteraceae, is a small herb found in the Neotropics, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. The parts of this plant have been used traditionally for the treatment of number of diseases in many countries. The plant has been extensively screened for anticancer activity. Sesquiterpene lactones such as deoxyelephantopin, isodeoxyelephantopin, scabertopin and isoscabertopin. have been found to be prominent anticancer constituents. Many other biological activities such as antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiasthamatic, antiplatelet and wound healing ability have been reported in various research articles. This review has been envisaged with an intention to provide the scientific information about the pharmacological and toxicological profile of E. scaber.
Impact of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase status of biopsy specimens on efficacy of irinotecan plus cisplatin, S-1, or 5-FU as first-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer patients in JCOG9912.

4535 Background: JCOG9912 (randomized phase III trial) showed a significant non-inferiority of S-1 to 5-FU (P<0.001); however, either S-1 or irinotecan plus cisplatin (IP) failed to show superiority to 5-FU (P=0.034 and 0.055, respectively) in overall survival. Excision repair cross-complementing group 1 (ERCC1), thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) are reportedly related to outcome of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients (pts) treated with IP or 5-FU. Efficacy analyses are performed to evaluate the status of ERCC1, TS, DPD and 5 biomarkers related to anticancer drug sensitivity in first-line pts treated with IP, S-1, or 5-FU monotherapy under controlled conditions. METHODS Blocks from endoscopic biopsy specimens of primary lesions before chemotherapy were available from 365 of 704 pts in JCOG9912. Using laser-captured microdissection and real-time RT-PCR, we analyzed mRNA expression of ERCC1, TS, DPD in paraffin-embedded specimens. Expression levels of each gene were categorized into low and high values at each median. RESULTS The subjects with available tissue for analysis were representative of all randomized pts; 232 samples were assessable for TS, 168 for DPD, and 235 for ERCC1. There were no statistical differences in patient numbers between 3 arms. Pts with high TS showed worse progression-free survival (PFS) compared with those with low TS (hazard ratio (HR):1.26 [95%CI: 0.97-1.63]) in all pts; there was no difference in PFS between DPD and ERCC1 expression level. IP showed better PFS than S-1 in low DPD (HR: 0.57 [95%CI: 0.32-1.01]) but not in high DPD (HR: 1.24 [95%CI: 0.76-2.04]); there was no clear difference in PFS between pts treated with IP and S-1 regardless of TS and ERCC1 expression status. S-1 showed almost consistently better PFS than 5-FU regardless of mRNA expression status. CONCLUSIONS This large analysis showed the prognostic value of TS status in AGC pts and the predictive value of DPD status for IP and S-1 as first-line treatment. Studies of DPD as a predictive marker for IP activity in AGC are warranted in future personalized phase III. [Table: see text].
Learning Discriminative Alpha-Beta-divergence for Positive Definite Matrices (Extended Version)

Symmetric positive definite (SPD) matrices are useful for capturing second-order statistics of visual data. To compare two SPD matrices, several measures are available, such as the affine-invariant Riemannian metric, Jeffreys divergence, Jensen-Bregman logdet divergence, etc.; however, their behaviors may be application dependent, raising the need of manual selection to achieve the best possible performance. Further and as a result of their overwhelming complexity for large-scale problems, computing pairwise similarities by clever embedding of SPD matrices is often preferred to direct use of the aforementioned measures. In this paper, we propose a discriminative metric learning framework, Information Divergence and Dictionary Learning (IDDL), that not only learns application specific measures on SPD matrices automatically, but also embeds them as vectors using a learned dictionary. To learn the similarity measures (which could potentially be distinct for every dictionary atom), we use the recently introduced alpha-beta-logdet divergence, which is known to unify the measures listed above. We propose a novel IDDL objective, that learns the parameters of the divergence and the dictionary atoms jointly in a discriminative setup and is solved efficiently using Riemannian optimization. We showcase extensive experiments on eight computer vision datasets, demonstrating state-of-the-art performances.
An end-to-end caching protocol for web services

Web services have become an extremely popular technology for application integration due to its platform independent nature. However the use of web services has been limited in some areas mainly because of poor performance. Most web service usage scenarios fall into a client server architectural pattern, where a server component serves multiple clients. Caching is considered to be a well-known performance boosting approach in these types of applications. Even though web services have many similarities with the web, it is not easy to apply the same caching strategies used in the web in the context of web services. One key reason for this is that the request XML messages do not reveal enough information about the service semantics. The intention of this research is to implement an end-to-end caching protocol for web services, similar to HTTP caching. The proposed scheme consists of two caches - at the server and at each client. A set of SOAP headers similar to cache control HTTP headers will be used for managing this caching mechanism.
Evaluation of Ecological Vulnerability in Chelgard Mountainous Landscape

Although complexity and vulnerability assessment of mountain landscapes is increasingly taken into consideration, less attention is paid to ecophronesis-based solutions so as to reduce the fragile ecosystem vulnerability. The main propose of this study is to provide an insight of mountain complex landscape vulnerability and propose ecophronesis-based solutions in strategic planning framework for reduction of vulnerability. The study has been carried out by following five steps in Chelgard Mountain landscapes (center of Iran): First, it determines the evaluation framework on basis of rapid literature review. Second, the vulnerability is assessed, using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), in accordance with experts’ opinion. In the third step, the results provide a zoning map of vulnerability. Afterwards, the study suggests a strategic plan to manage the area environmentally and, finally, the solutions are proposed, based on ecophronesis, in order to not only solve the plight but also reduce the vulnerability. Results from the vulnerability assessment indicate that anthropogenic stressors intensify the vulnerability. While local ecological wisdom is shaped over time in the area, its application faces challenges as a result of rapid and immense socio-economic changes. It seems that sustainability of mountain ecosystem needs to regenerate social structures on basis of socio-ecological capital. Main characteristics of these adopted social structures include their balance with the ecosystem and adoption with new lifestyles.
How to prescribe antihistamines for chronic idiopathic urticaria: desloratadine daily vs PRN and quality of life

Background: Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) impairs quality of life (QoL). Currently, no consensus exists regarding how second‐generation H1‐antihistamines (proven to control CIU symptoms) should be taken long‐term: as daily treatment or only when symptoms return (PRN). We sought to determine which regimen improves or better maintains QoL in CIU: desloratadine (DL) daily or PRN.