Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sex differences in the neurokinin B system in the human infundibular nucleus.

CONTEXT The recent report that loss-of-function mutations in either the gene encoding neurokinin B (NKB) or its receptor (NK3R) produce gonadotropin deficiencies in humans strongly points to NKB as a key regulator of GnRH release. OBJECTIVES We used NKB immunohistochemistry on postmortem human brain tissue to determine: 1) whether the human NKB system in the infundibular nucleus (INF) is sexually dimorphic; 2) at what stage in development the infundibular NKB system would diverge between men and women; 3) whether this putative structural difference is reversed in male-to-female (MtF) transsexual people; and 4) whether menopause is accompanied by changes in infundibular NKB immunoreactivity. METHODS NKB immunohistochemical staining was performed on postmortem hypothalamus material of both sexes from the infant/pubertal period into the elderly period and from MtF transsexuals. RESULTS Quantitative analysis demonstrated that the human NKB system exhibits a robust female-dominant sexual dimorphism in the INF. During the first years after birth, both sexes displayed a moderate and equivalent level of NKB immunoreactivity in the INF. The adult features emerged progressively around puberty until adulthood, where the female-dominant sex difference appeared and continued into old age. In MtF transsexuals, a female-typical NKB immunoreactivity was observed. Finally, in postmenopausal women, there was a significant increase in NKB immunoreactivity compared to premenopausal women. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that certain sex differences do not emerge until adulthood when activated by sex steroid hormones and the likely involvement of the human infundibular NKB system in the negative and positive feedback of estrogen on GnRH secretion.
Elongation factors EF Tu and EF G interact at related sites on ribosomes.

The binding of elongation factor EF G to ribosomes inhibits the subsequent reaction of the ribosomes with the ternary complex aminoacyl-tRNA.EF Tu.GTP. Both the hydrolysis of GTP and the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to ribosomes are nearly abolished by the previous binding of factor EF G to ribosomes in the presence of either fusidic acid plus either GTP or a nonhydrolyzable analog of GTP. The results suggest that each elongation factor binds to the same region on the ribosome. The GTPase activities of both factors EF G and EF Tu may be activated by interaction at the same ribosomal site, as has been previously suggested by others.
Evaluation of an HIV and STD Prevention Program for Adolescents in Juvenile Rehabilitation Centers

The aim of this study was to evaluate a sexual and STD/AIDS prevention program tailored for adolescents with social adaptation difficulties in juvenile rehabilitation facilities. The impact of the intervention on the psychosocial determinants of condom use were assessed, using a pretest post-test quasi-experimental design. A total of 296 adolescents participated in the program (experimental group) while 240 adolescents did not receive the intervention (control group). The program led to positive outcomes among participants with respect to several of the main psychosocial determinants of condom use for sexual intercourse with a new partner. The results suggest that interventions that draw upon a combination of theoretical knowledge and consideration of the specific characteristics of the milieu could be efficient in promoting safer sexual practices among adolescents in juvenile rehabilitation centers.
Monomodal metaphors and metonymies in the sports newspaper

Following our comprehensive study of conceptual metaphor occurrences in the Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola (ALMEIDA, 2013) and the research on multimodal metaphor (Forceville, 2008, 2009, 2012), the present paper aims to analyse multimodal metaphors, depicting Cristiano Ronaldo on the covers of this very same newspaper. We wish to uncover conceptual affinities or differences between monomodal and multimodal metaphors as far as their source domains are concerned, namely those of WAR and RELIGION (ALMEIDA, 2013). Upon confronting monomodal and multimodal metaphors, we have unveiled that source domains of multimodal metaphors appear to be more restrictive in comparison to the vast panoply of source domains in monomodal metaphors (ALMEIDA, 2013).
The clearance concept with special reference to determination of glomerular filtration rate in patients with fluid retention

In subjects without fluid retention, the total plasma clearance of a renal filtration indicator (inulin, 99mTc‐DTPA, 51Cr‐EDTA) is close to the urinary plasma clearance. Conversely, in patients with fluid retention (oedema, pleural effusions, ascites), there is a substantial discrepancy between the total plasma clearance and the urinary plasma clearance. This is owing to delayed indicator distribution to smaller or larger parts of the interstitial space, which in patients with ascites may simulate a peritoneal dialysator. In patients with fluid retention, urinary plasma clearance should be assessed to obtain a correct measurement of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In theory, total plasma clearance with late samples (24‐h, 48‐h) may be applied in patients with fluid retention, but validation hereof has not been performed. Until such studies are completed, it is recommended that patients with fluid retention have their GFR measured by a urinary plasma clearance technique with controlled quantitative urinary sampling within a few hours after indicator injection.
Micromechanics of isolated sickle cell hemoglobin fibers: bending moduli and persistence lengths.

Pathogenesis in sickle cell disease depends on polymerization of deoxyhemoglobin S into rod-like fibers, forming gels that rigidify red cells and obstruct the systemic microvasculature. Fiber structure, polymerization kinetics and equilibria are well characterized and intimately related to pathogenesis. However, data on gel rheology, the immediate cause of obstruction, are limited, and models for structure and rheology are lacking. The basis of gel rheology, micromechanics of individual fibers, has never been examined. Here, we isolate fibers by selective depolymerization of gels produced under photolytic deliganding of CO hemoglobin S. Using differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, we measure spontaneous, thermal fluctuations in fiber shape to obtain bending moduli (kappa) and persistence lengths (lambda(p)). Some fibers being too stiff to decompose shape accurately into Fourier modes, we measure deviations of fiber midpoints from mean positions. Serial deviations, sufficiently separated to be independent, exhibit Gaussian distributions and provide mean-squared fluctuation amplitudes from which kappa and lambda(p) can be calculated. Lambda(p) ranges from 0.24 to 13 mm for the most flexible and stiffest fibers, respectively. This large range reflects formation of fiber bundles. If the most flexible are single fibers, then lambda(p) =13 mm represents a bundle of seven single fibers. Preliminary data on the bending variations of frozen, hydrated single fibers of HbS obtained by electron microscopy indicate that the value 0.24 mm is consistent with the persistence length of single fibers. Young's modulus is 0.10 GPa, less than for structural proteins but much larger than for extensible proteins. We consider how these results, used with models for cross-linking, may apply to macroscopic rheology of hemoglobin S gels. This new technique, combining isolation of hemoglobin S fibers and measurement of micromechanical properties based on thermal fluctuations and midpoint deviations, can be used to study fibers of mutants, hemoglobin A/S, and mixtures and hybrids of hemoglobin S.
Association of the HOTAIR rs4759314 polymorphism with cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE To explore the association between HOTAIR rs4759314 and cancer risk. METHODS A comprehensive online search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and CNKI databases to identify relevant studies. The case-control studies related to HOTAIR rs4759314 polymorphism and cancer risk were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The retrieval time was until November 2015. After extracting the basic data information and performing an evaluation of the quality of the literature, the meta-analysis was performed using STATA 12.0 software, by calculating the odds ratio (OD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI), and further subgroup analysis, literature publication bias testing, and sensitivity analysis. RESULTS The studies included a total of 5025 patients with cancer and 5657 controls. The results found no significant association between the HOTAIR rs4759314 polymorphism and cancer risk in a Chinese population (G vs A, OR=1.06, 95% CI :0.87-1.30 ; GG/GA vs AA, OR=1.07, 95% CI: 0.87-1.32; GG vs GA/AA, OR=0.75, 95% CI:0.39-1.43; GA vs AA, OR=1.08, 95% CI: 0.88-1.33; GG vs AA, OR=0.76, 95% CI:0.39-1.45) (all p<0.05). However, A allelic gene was associated with lower risk of gastric cancer, while G allelic gene may act as a genetic susceptibility factor for gastric cancer in Chinese population. CONCLUSION No significant association was noted between the HOTAIR rs4759314 polymorphism and cancer risk in a Chinese population.
Marijuana Use and Later Problems: When Frequency of Recent Use Explains Age of Initiation Effects (and When It Does Not)

Tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana are among the most commonly used drugs during adolescence. Initiation of marijuana use typically peaks at age 15, with risk of initiation continuing throughout adolescence. The goal of the current study was to prospectively examine the influence of age of marijuana initiation on four outcomes: physical health, mental health, illicit drug use other than marijuana, and marijuana-use related consequences at age 18. We controlled for several important predictors of adolescent drug use and its associated consequences, including demographics, social bonding variables, personality variables, and recent use of marijuana. Baseline survey data were collected in 1984 at grade 7 and follow up surveys were conducted at grades 8, 9, 10, and 12 (N = 2079). This initiates-only sample was 47% female, 66% White, 11% African American, 13% Hispanic, 5% Asian, and 5% other race or ethnicity. Findings indicated that age of initiation predicted marijuana consequences and other illicit drug use after controlling for demographic, social, and behavioral factors. However, once frequency of recent marijuana use was included in the models, age of initiation was only associated with other illicit drug use. Both primary and secondary prevention are needed to curb marijuana use and its associated harms.
A Toolbox of Recombinant Lipases for Industrial Applications

Abstract: We created a toolbox of recombinant, microbial lipases, which allows us in combination with a lipase database to choose among the overexpressed lipases the most appropriate for a specific application and to improve it further via mutagenesis. By systematic comparison of geometry and properties of the scissile fatty acid binding site of five representative lipases of each family of structurally homologous lipases, three subgroups can be defined. Hence, efficient expression systems for the functional production of large amounts of microbial lipases, representing different lipase subgroups, were developed. In particular, recombinant lipases from Bacillus thermocatenulatus and Pseudomonas cepacia were functionally overexpressed in E. coli. The lipase genes from Geotrichum candidum CMICC 335426 and Rhizopus oryzae were overexpressed in Pichia pastoris. Due to an unusual codon usage that prevents heterologous expression, the LIP1 gene (1647 nt) of Candida rugosa was completely synthesized and overexpressed in Pichia pastoris.
Alterations of cyclosporin A metabolism induced by mycophenolate mofetil

Unexpectedly lower CsA 2‐h levels were found in patients who received additional immunosuppression by MMF in our center. The aim of this study is to prove whether there are differences in CsA metabolization when MMF is added to treatment. In 33 children who received an immunosuppression of prednisolone and CsA as well as in 15 children who were treated with additional MMF, C2 and C0 were taken. In 11 children, full AUC of CsA were obtained. C2 levelsdiffered significantly (p < 0.05) between patients treated with (617 ± 230 ng/mL) and without MMF (750 ± 271 ng/mL) but with similar CsA dosages. C2 correlated better with the AUC than CsA levels at other time points with r = 0.95. The equation AUC = 139 + 6.17 × C2 was calculated to match best in a C2‐limited sampling strategy. This formula proved to be safer than equations that had been published before. According to our findings, we suspect that MMF alters the CsA metabolism. When MMF is used in pediatric transplant recipients, either target values of CsA have to be changed or patients may require higher doses of CsA.
Self- and best-friend assessments of personality vulnerability and defenses in the prediction of depression

The associations are explored between personality vulnerability and the use of defense mechanisms in the prediction of depression. A nonclinical community sample of 187 respondents and their same-sex best friends reported on participants’ personality vulnerability factors (Self-criticism, Dependency and Efficacy), defense mechanisms (Mature, Immature and Emotion-avoiding), and depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale: CES-D; Radloff, 1977). It was found that Mature defenses were associated only with Efficacy. Extensive use of Immature and Emotion-avoiding defenses was associated with vulnerability to depression. Furthermore, Immature defenses interacted with personality vulnerabilities. Specifically, highly self-critical participants who reported low levels of Immature defense were less depressed than were participants high on both Self-criticism and Immature defense. High Immature defense scores mediated the effect of Dependency on depression. Finally, more severe vulnerability was found when targets both rated themselves and were rated by their best friends as higher on Dependency and/or on Emotion-avoiding defenses. The implications of these findings for the study of the role of defense mechanisms in personality configurations and their susceptibility to depression, as well as for the use of multisource assessment strategies in the study of personality, are discussed. Finally, the practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of defense mechanisms in the association between personality factors and depression. Using both self- and
Cytotoxicity of Vibrio vulnificus Cytolysin on Rat Peritoneal Mast Cells

Histamine has been thought to be a permeability enhancing factor in Vibrio vulnificus infection. The injection of living bacteria or purified V. vulnificus cytolysin (VVC) can cause lethality in mice by inducing hemoconcentration and increased vascular permeability. In the present study, we tried to identify whether histamine release causes the increased vascular permeability that is responsible for the lethal effect of VVC. Treatment of rat peritoneal mast cells with high concentrations of VVC caused the release of whole cellular histamine and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). At concentrations less than 10 HU/ml, histamine and LDH were not released whereas preloaded 2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose was rapidly effluxed with the concomitant decrease in cellular ATP. VVC‐treated mast cells were refractory to the stimulation of histamine secretion by Compound 48/80 but remained fully responsive to Ca2+ plus GTP‐γ‐S. These results indicate that histamine can be released from mast cells only when the concentration of VVC is high enough to cause the lysis of cells. At low concentrations, VVC does not induce the release of stored histamine from damaged cells. The intravenous injection of 80 HU purified VVC to rats, which can produce the calculated blood concentration of about 3 HU/ml, caused a marked increase in pulmonary vascular permeability, hemoconcentration and death. However, no increase in blood histamine level was detected. This level of VVC in rat blood was enough to cause severe hemoconcentration and lethality but might not be enough to cause cytolysis of the mast cells and resulting histamine release.
Evaluation of online hardware video stabilization on a moving platform

Recording a video sequence with a camera during movement often produces blurred results. This is mainly due to motion blur which is caused by rapid movement of objects in the scene or the camera during recording. By correcting for changes in the orientation of the camera, caused by e.g. uneven terrain, it is possible to minimize the motion blur and thus, produce a stabilized video. In order to do this, data gathered from a gyroscope and the camera itself can be used to measure the orientation of the camera. The raw data needs to be processed, synchronized and filtered to produce a robust estimate of the orientation. This estimate can then be used as input to some automatic control system in order to correct for changes in the orientation This thesis focuses on examining the possibility of such a stabilization. The actual stabilization is left for future work. An evaluation of the hardware as well as the implemented methods are done with emphasis on speed, which is crucial in real time computing.
Dynamic optimal investment in Markov-modulated L evy markets with risk of default and general utility function

Dynamic optimal portfolio selection is studied for an investor operating in a Markov-modulated L evy market facing a risk of default (or bancruptcy)in a xed nite time with a terminal utility function of general form. This setting is a quite coprehensive generalisation to previous particular results in literature. The intuitive recursive algorithm suggested shows outstanding convengence rates and computation eciency to problems otherwise unsolvable unless using alternative numerical methods such as viscosity or minimax solutions.
Poly (glycerol sebacate) elastomer supports osteogenic phenotype for bone engineering applications

For bone engineering, the optimal scaffolding material and composition has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS), an elastomer known primarily for its soft tissue regeneration ability, as a suitable substrate to support osteo-precursor cell attachment and function. We synthesized PGS in the form of sheets where MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded in three different densities of 25 000, 50 000 and 100 000 cells mm−3 and we investigated the cells/scaffold constructs for their cellular proliferation, matrix deposition, maturation, mineralization and their mechanical compression strength at 24 h and two and four weeks. MC3T3-E1 cells proliferated, synthesized a collagenous matrix and expressed osteogenic markers Runx2, bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin according to their initial seeding density on PGS. We conclude that PGS can support the osteoblastic phenotype in vitro and is a promising osteoconductive substrate for bone regeneration research and for future clinical translation.
The non-monetary Sharing Economy: An Example of Trust and Risk on Couchsurfing

Sharing economy platforms drive new consumption habits in the hospitality industry by attracting individuals through modern technologies and innovative business models. In this study, we examine the relationship between trust, perceived risk, and the consumers’ intention to request an accommodation on the non-monetary hospitality platform Couchsurfing. We further separate intermediary and corresponding users from each other to investigate the influence of the two-sided market mechanisms on the consumers’ intention. Based on a survey of 248 consumers, we propose a research model and perform structural equation modeling. Our results indicate that the influence of trust on the consumers’ intention is fully mediated by perceived risk. Further, our results show that perceived risk of the intermediary and the corresponding users influences the consumers’ intentions, despite the sharing service being free-ofcharge. This study contributes to the sharing economy literature by demonstrating the important role of perceived risk on non-monetary sharing economy platforms.
Cognitive Functions in Carotid Artery Disease before Endarterectomy

Restorative effects of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) on cognitive functioning in patients with severe atherosclerotic disease presuppose the existence of cognitive deficits prior to the intervention. Thorough examination of this premise received only minor attention. The present study assessed symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with severe unilateral or bilateral stenosis of the carotid arteries one day before CEA. Healthy volunteers with similar demographic characteristics served as control subjects. Patients overall showed decreased functioning on tests of attention, verbal and visual memory, verbal fluency, and psychomotor speed and executive functioning, even after correction for the effects of mood. Simple motor skills and visuospatial functioning were not affected. Patients grouped according to presence and type of previous clinical symptoms and severity of contralateral stenosis only slightly differed from each other. The findings leave open the potential of improving cognitive function after CEA. We thank the staff of the Department of Vascular Surgery from the St. Antonius Hospital for help in the arrangement of meetings with patients, and Nicole Dreessen, Christi-Anne van Hattum, Cindy de Graag, Lindsey Ossewaarde, Greet Huisman, Roeland van der Zouwen, and Ingrid Verkerk for their help in data collection.
Memory Hierarchy Design for Next Generation Scalable Many-core Platforms

Performance and energy consumption in modern computing platforms is largely dominated by the memory hierarchy. The increasing computational power in the multiprocessors and accelerators, and the emergence of the data-intensive workloads (e.g. large-scale graph traversal and scientific algorithms) requiring fast transfer of large volumes of data, are two main trends which intensify this problem by putting even higher pressure on the memory hierarchy. This increasing gap between computation speed and data transfer speed is commonly referred as the “memory wall” problem. With the emergence of heterogeneous Three Dimensional (3D) Integration based on through-silicon-vias (TSV), this situation has started to recover in the past years. On one hand, it is now possible to improve memory access bandwidth and/or latency by either stacking memories directly on top of processors or through abstracted memory interfaces such as Micron’s Hybrid Memory Cube (HMC). On the other hand, near memory computation has become worthy of revisiting due to the cost-effective integration of logic and memory in 3D stacks. These two directions bring about several interesting opportunities including performance improvement, energy and cost reduction, product miniaturization, and modular design for improved time to market. In this research, we study the effectiveness of the 3D integration technology and the optimization opportunities which it can provide in the different layers of the memory hierarchy in cluster-based many-core platforms ranging from intra-cluster L1 to inter-cluster L2 scratchpad memories (SPMs), as well as the main memory. In addition, by moving a part of the computation to where data resides, in the 3D-stacked memory context, we demonstrate further energy and performance improvement opportunities.