Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Replacement of Fetal Calf Serum with Synthetic Serum Substitute in the In Vitro Maturation Medium: Effects on Maturation, Fertilization and Subsequent Development of Cattle Oocytes In Vitro

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using synthetic serum substitute (SSS) instead of fetal calf serum (FCS) in maturation medium to stimulate in vitro maturation (IVM), fertilization (IVF) and subsequent development of bovine oocytes. Ovaries were obtained from a local slaughterhouse. Selected oocytes were matured in tissue culture medium 199 (M-199) supplemented with 2 mM glutamine + 0.25 mM Na-pyruvate + 0.5 µg/ml of FSH + 5 µg/ml of LH + 25 µg/ml of gentamycin and 10% FCS or 10% SSS (FCS and SSS groups, respectively) for 22 h. Matured oocytes were fertilized in vitro using frozen bull sperm. Fertilization day was taken as day 0 in the present study. Forty-eight h after IVF, the numbers of 2-4-cell stage embryos were recorded and they were transferred into CR1aa culture medium for in vitro culture until day 8. In addition, blastocyst numbers were recorded on day 8. A total of 255 and 250 oocytes were used for the FCS and SSS groups, respectively. The cleavage rate of the FCS group (73.7%; 188/255) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that of the SSS group (30.0%; 75/250). While the blastocyst formation rate of the FCS group was 16.1% (41/255), no blastocyst development was observed in the SSS group. The difference between the groups in terms of blastocyst formation was also significant (P < 0.001). These results show that serum supplementation of the IVM medium is necessary to obtain a higher cleavage rate and development rate to the blastocyst stage of immature bovine oocytes recovered from ovaries obtained from slaughterhouses. In conclusion, further studies are required to replace FCS with SSS in the maturation medium, and supplementation with growth factors might improve cleavage and development rates in maturation medium supplemented with SSS.
Is there an association between depressive symptoms and coronary artery disease in the Polish adult population?

BACKGROUND Evidence-based medicine has confirmed the role of psychosocial factors in the pathogenesis of many diseases, both cardiovascular (CVD) and metabolic. On the other hand, CVD patients often suffer from concomitant diseases. Depression was found to be an independent predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD) in many populations. AIM To evaluate the association between depressive symptoms (DS) and CAD in the Polish adult population. METHODS A random sample of the Polish population (6392 men and 7153 women), aged 20-74 years, was examined in 2003-2005 for the presence of DS using the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS In the examined population, CAD was found in 12.1% of men and 11.0% of women. Persons with CAD were older, more often finished their education at the level of primary school and lived in large communes, and more often had obesity, hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia compared to those without CAD. DS were found twice more often in persons with CAD compared to those without CAD, both in men and women. Subjects with DS were twice more likely to have CAD (men: odds ratio [OR] 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.78-2.56; women: OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.70-2.43) and arrhythmia (women), and 1.5-fold more likely to report myocardial infarction and arrhythmia. CONCLUSIONS A significant association between DS and CAD, myocardial infarction and arrhythmia independent of CVD risk factors was found in the Polish adult population.
Sonic hedgehog patterning in chick neural plate is antagonized by a Wnt3‐like signal

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) patterns the dorsal‐ventral axis of the neural tube by promoting the differentiation of ventral neural cell types while suppressing dorsal neural fates. Other signals impinge upon the Shh response, biasing the differentiation of a cell. Three dorsally expressed transforming Wnts, of which the most broadly expressed is Wnt3, may be among the signals that influence the Shh response. We demonstrate that activation of Wnt signaling results in an inhibition of the Shh response in neural tissue. Additionally, we show that the expression pattern of chick Wnt3 is consistent with a role in neural patterning. These results indicate that differentiating neural tube cells, besides integrating signals from Hedgehogs and BMPs, may also incorporate a Wnt response to make cell fate decisions. Developmental Dynamics 229:510–519, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methyl (Z)-2-chloro-3-(2-methoxycarbonylphenyl)prop-2-enoate

In the title compound, C12H11ClO4, the propenoate C=C bond is in the Z configuration. The propenoate C=O and C=C groups are essentially coplanar [C=C—C=O torsion angle = 172.4 (3)°] with the O atom synperiplanar to the Cl atom. However, the π systems of the aromatic ring and chloropropenoate substituent are not coplanar; the corresponding dihedral angle is 51.5 (1)°. The noncoplanarity is likely due to steric interactions between the propenoate H atom and the ortho-methoxycarbonyl group on the aromatic ring. Even in the observed noncoplanar conformation, the ortho C=O to H distance (2.40 Å) is less than the sum of the van der Waals radii of O and H (2.65 Å).
Null microsatellite alleles due to nucleotide sequence variation in the grey‐sided vole Clethrionomys rufocanus

Y . ISHIBASHI,* T. SAITOH,$ S. ABE *+ and M. C. YOSHIDA *t * Chromosome Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, North 10, West 8, Kita-Ku, Sapporo 060, Japan, t Laboratory of Cytogenetics, Graduate School of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido Unioersity, North 20, West 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060, Japan, and Wildlifi Management Laboratory, Hokkaido Research Centre, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Hitsujigaoka 7 , Toyohira-ku, Sapporo 062, Japan
The power of the yeast two-hybrid system in the identification of novel drug targets: building and modulating PPP1 interactomes

Since the description of the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) method, it has become more and more evident that it is the most commonly used method to identify protein–protein interactions (PPIs). The improvements in the original Y2H methodology in parallel with the idea that PPIs are promising drug targets, offer an excellent opportunity to apply the principles of this molecular biology technique to the pharmaceutical field. Additionally, the theoretical developments in the networks field make PPI networks very useful frameworks that facilitate many discoveries in biomedicine. This review highlights the relevance of Y2H in the determination of PPIs, specifically phosphoprotein phosphatase 1 interactions, and its possible outcomes in pharmaceutical research.
Ultra low power energy harvester using hybrid input for wireless communication devices - A review

Energy limitations are commonly considered as an essential constraint of wireless and mobile devices. Mobile phone needs to be charged frequently which is a time consuming process. Energy harvesting has appeared as a favorable technology to solve the problem of energy constraints in mobile phone. This work proposes a new architecture of Ultra Low Power Hybrid Energy Harvester (ULP HEH) that can be employed in wireless communication devices. The proposed architecture is utilizing three hybrid sources which are: Thermoelectric Generator (TEG), Radio Frequency (RF) and Vibration. TEG is depending on the variance of temperature between the surrounding environment and the heat resulting from the power losses in the device. Vibration is related to the vibrating sources like motor or shaking the device. Radio Frequency signals are on purpose radiated by broadcasting station antennas and cellular phone antennas. Having three hybrid sources will help to overcome the limitations of single source harvester. The ULP HEH will be firstly designed and then modeled to be simulated later by using PSPICE software and finally established in 0.13 μm CMOS technology. Verilog coding under Mentor Graphics will be used for coding the established ULP HEH and then for real time implementation it will be downloaded to Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The expected result from this harvester is to achieve 4.2 V as an output voltage, which all new mobile phones are made to be compatible with, from input range of 20 mV500 mV with high efficiency and reliability.
THE TRIANGLE TECHNIQUE: A New Evidence-Based Educational Tool for Pediatric Medication Calculations

Many nursing student verbalize an aversion to mathematical concepts and experience math anxiety whenever a mathematical problem is confronted. Since nurses confront mathematical problems on a daily basis, they must learn to feel comfortable with their ability to perform these calculations correctly. The Triangle Technique, a new educational tool available to nurse educators, incorporates evidence-based concepts within a graphic model using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles to demonstrate pediatric medication calculations of normal therapeutic ranges. The theoretical framework for the technique is presented, as is a pilot study examining the efficacy of the educational tool. Statistically significant results obtained by Pearson's product-moment correlation indicate that students are better able to calculate accurate pediatric therapeutic dosage ranges after participation in the educational intervention of learning the Triangle Technique.
Self reported function and disability in late life: a comparison between recurrent fallers and non-fallers

Purpose. To compare self-reported function and disability between fallers and non-fallers. Method. Self-reported late life function and disability (LLFDI) were evaluated among 100 elderly persons who live independently in the community in a cross sectional study. The function component evaluates difficulty in performing physical activities in upper and lower extremity and the disability component evaluates limitations in life activities and frequency in taking part in life tasks. Falls, cognitive function, berg balance test (BBS), and timed up and go (TUG) were also evaluated. Results. Eighteen subjects reported one fall (F), 11 fell twice or more (RF) and 71 did not report retrospective fall (NF). There were significant differences in overall function of LLFDI between RF and NF (56.8 ± 5.7 vs. 63.7 ± 11.4, P = 0.04), mainly due to decreased basic lower extremity function scores (66.2 ± 8.6 vs. 75.3 ± 13.5, P = 0.03); no significant differences were found in disability component scores. RF subjects showed high to moderate correlations between overall function of LLFDI, BBS and TUG (r = 0.77, P = 0.006 and r = −0.62, P = 0.04, respectively), moderate correlation between disability limitation and BBS (r = 0.60, P = 0.05) but weaker with TUG (r = −0.38, P = 0.28). Both BBS and TUG were not correlated with disability frequency (r = −0.18, P = 0.61 and r = 0.14, P = 0.68, respectively) in RF. RF demonstrated high correlation between overall function and disability limitation (r = 0.76, P = 0.007) and low with disability frequency (r = 0.39, P = 0.23). Conclusions. Balance function, self-reported function and disability limitation are strongly associated in RF but not related to the disability frequency, suggesting that the frequency of performing life tasks was not influenced only by functional capabilities.
Why Does a Method that Fails Continue to be Used? The Answer

It has been claimed that hundreds of researchers use nested clade phylogeographic analysis (NCPA) based on what the method promises rather than requiring objective validation of the method. The supposed failure of NCPA is based upon the argument that validating it by using positive controls ignored type I error, and that computer simulations have shown a high type I error. The first argument is factually incorrect: the previously published validation analysis fully accounted for both type I and type II errors. The simulations that indicate a 75% type I error rate have serious flaws and only evaluate outdated versions of NCPA. These outdated type I error rates fall precipitously when the 2003 version of single-locus NCPA is used or when the 2002 multilocus version of NCPA is used. It is shown that the tree-wise type I errors in single-locus NCPA can be corrected to the desired nominal level by a simple statistical procedure, and that multilocus NCPA reconstructs a simulated scenario used to discredit NCPA with 100% accuracy. Hence, NCPA is a not a failed method at all, but rather has been validated both by actual data and by simulated data in a manner that satisfies the published criteria given by its critics. The critics have come to different conclusions because they have focused on the pre-2002 versions of NCPA and have failed to take into account the extensive developments in NCPA since 2002. Hence, researchers can choose to use NCPA based upon objective critical validation that shows that NCPA delivers what it promises.
Machine Comprehension Using Multi-Perspective Context Matching and Co-Attention

Several deep-learning models have been proposed for the Stanford Question Answering Dataset (SQuAD). We explore the effectiveness of different layers of these proposed models, and attempt to reproduce their results. Our most successful results stem from a combination of Multi-Perspective Matching models, as well as Coattention Networks. We build an ensemble of these models with different layer configurations and hyper-parameters to achieve a final F1 / EM scores of 69.075 / 57.957 on the test dataset.
Track compliance does not affect sprinting performance

Abstract The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that sprint performance (time over a given distance) would be affected by track compliance, with better performances on the more compliant surface. Ten sprinters participated in the study. The athletes performed maximal sprints (60 m) on three different track configurations (hard, 5500 kN · m−1; soft, 2200 kN · m−1; spring, 550 kN · m−1). A 60-m single-lane running surface was constructed. Plywood boards (1.2 cm thick) were placed on a 60 × 0.6 m wooden chipboard frame serving as the base surface. All participants ran two times on each track configuration in a randomized order. The athletes' kinematics were recorded using the Vicon 624 system with 12 cameras operating at 250 Hz. Four Kistler force plates (1250 Hz) were used to record ground reaction forces. Sprint performance (time over 60 m) was unaffected by the different track compliances (P = 0.57). In addition, there was no effect of track (P > 0.05) on the sprinting kinematics and kinetics of the ankle or knee joint. The hypothesis that sprint performance is affected by track compliance can be rejected because the sprinters recorded similar performances while sprinting over 60 m on all three track configurations. We conclude that: (1) the possible deformation of the track while sprinting is minor enough not to cause a specific adjustment in the leg mechanics affecting the effectiveness of the stretch – shortening cycle of the sprinters; and (2) the energy exchange between sprinters and tracks has only a marginal effect on sprint performance due to its small magnitude. More research on tracks with lower stiffness is required.
A Critical Role of the Adenosine A2A Receptor in Extrastriatal Neurons in Modulating Psychomotor Activity as Revealed by Opposite Phenotypes of Striatum and Forebrain A2A Receptor Knock-Outs

The function of striatal adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) is well recognized because of their high expression levels and the documented antagonistic interaction between A2ARs and dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum. However, the role of extrastriatal A2ARs in modulating psychomotor activity is largely unexplored because of the low level of expression and lack of tools to distinguish A2ARs in intrinsic striatal versus nonstriatal neurons. Here, we provided direct evidence for the critical role of A2ARs in extrastriatal neurons in modulating psychomotor behavior using newly developed striatum-specific A2AR knock-out (st-A2AR KO) mice in comparison with forebrain-specific A2AR KO (fb-A2AR KO) mice. In contrast to fb-A2AR KO (deleting A2ARs in the neurons of striatum as well as cerebral cortex and hippocampus), st-A2AR KO mice exhibited Cre-mediated selective deletion of the A2AR gene, mRNA, and proteins in the neurons (but not astrocytes and microglial cells) of the striatum only. Strikingly, cocaine- and phencyclidine-induced psychomotor activities were enhanced in st-A2AR KO but attenuated in fb-A2AR KO mice. Furthermore, selective inactivation of the A2ARs in extrastriatal cells by administering the A2AR antagonist KW6002 into st-A2AR KO mice attenuated cocaine effects, whereas KW6002 administration into wild-type mice enhanced cocaine effects. These results identify a critical role of A2ARs in extrastriatal neurons in providing a prominent excitatory effect on psychomotor activity. These results indicate that A2ARs in striatal and extrastriatal neurons exert an opposing modulation of psychostimulant effects and provide the first direct demonstration of a predominant facilitatory role of extrastriatal A2ARs.
[Clinical trial on treatment of Parkinson's disease of Gan-Shen yin deficiency type by recipe for nourishing Gan-Shen].

OBJECTIVE To observe the curative effect of the recipe for nourishing Gan-Shen on Parkinson's disease (PD) of Gan-Shen yin deficiency type. METHODS One hundred and twenty-one PD patients were ran-domly assigned by blocking design to the control group and the treated group in the ratio of 1:1. All were treated according to the international medication guiding principle for PD treatment, but the treated group was ad-ministered with the recipe for nourishing Gan-Shen additionally. The treatment course lasted for 12 consecutive months, and the end point was the end of the 12th month. The unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UP-DRS) score, TCM primary and secondary symptom scores were evaluated before treatment, every 3 months of treatment and at the end point. The average daily levodopa dose and the Hoehn & Yahr grading were assessed before treatment and at the end point. RESULTS After treatment, UPDRS score in both groups showed an ascending trend at a slower rate in the treated groups than in the control group. At the 9th and 12th month of medication, a significant difference was found in UPDRS score between the two groups (P < 0.05), and the TCM symptom score was obviously lower in the treated group than in the control group (P < 0.05). At the end point of the trial, the average daily levodopa dose used was lower in the treated group than in the control group (P < 0.05) and there was no significant difference in the Hoehn & Yahr score between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION The recipe for norishing Gan-Shen can slow the ascending trend of UPDRS score in the PD patients, improve the symptoms of Gan-Shen yin deficiency, and decrease the daily levodopa dose used, showing a curative effect on PD of Gan-Shen yin deficiency type.
Testing Finite-State Machines: State Identification and Verification

We study the complexity of two fundamental problems in the testing of finite-state machines. 1) Distinguishing sequences (state identification). We show that it is PSPACE-complete to determine whether a finite-state machine has a preset distinguishing sequence. There are machines that have distinguishing sequences, but only of exponential length. We give a polynomial time algorithm that determines whether a finite-state machine has an adaptive distinguishing sequence. (The previous classical algorithms take exponential time.) Furthermore, if there is an adaptive distinguishing sequence, then we give an efficient algorithm that constructs such a sequence of length at most n(n/spl minus/1)/2 (which is the best possible), where n is the number of states. 2) Unique input output sequences (state verification). It is PSPACE-complete to determine whether a state of a machine has a unique input output sequence. There are machines whose states have unique input output sequences but only of exponential length. >
Network‐coding‐based multisource multirelay LDPC‐coded cooperative MIMO

This paper investigates a network‐coding‐based multisource multirelay low‐density parity‐check coded cooperative multiple‐input multiple‐output scheme, where multiple receiving antennas are applied in the destination. Each relay cooperates with multiple sources via network coding. A joint iterative decoding is effectively carried out in the destination. The decoding algorithm agrees with the introduced equivalent joint Tanner graph that can be used to fully characterise low‐density parity‐check codes employed by the sources and relays. The outage probability of the network‐coding‐based coded cooperative multiple‐input multiple‐output scheme over Rayleigh fading channels is analysed, when maximal‐ratio combining is adopted in the destination. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations show that the investigated scheme can well combine cooperation diversity, multireceive diversity and channel coding gains, and clearly outperforms the coded noncooperation scheme under the same conditions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ionizing irradiation-induced radical stress stalls live meiotic chromosome movements by altering the actin cytoskeleton

Significance Sexual reproduction depends on breaking, pairing, and repairing the parental chromosomes by homologous recombination. Homologs are separated in the meiosis I division whose prophase sees extraordinary chromosome mobility in the presence of physiological dsDNA breaks (DSBs). Ionizing radiation (IR) induces unscheduled DSBs and radicals. The G2 and meiotic prophase of yeast is particularly resistant to IR with efficient cell killing requiring doses of up to 1,000 Gy. This investigation discloses that low-dose X irradiation stalls meiotic chromosome mobility via IR-induced oxidative damage to the actin cytoskeleton, while IR-induced DSBs persist in the presence of antioxidants. Altogether, the data disclose a unique low-dose radiation response in yeast that may protect IR-damaged meiotic chromosomes from unwanted interactions. Meiosis generates haploid cells or spores for sexual reproduction. As a prelude to haploidization, homologous chromosomes pair and recombine to undergo segregation during the first meiotic division. During the entire meiotic prophase of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, chromosomes perform rapid movements that are suspected to contribute to the regulation of recombination. Here, we investigated the impact of ionizing radiation (IR) on movements of GFP–tagged bivalents in live pachytene cells. We find that exposure of sporulating cultures with >40 Gy (4-krad) X-rays stalls pachytene chromosome movements. This identifies a previously undescribed acute radiation response in yeast meiosis, which contrasts with its reported radioresistance of up to 1,000 Gy in survival assays. A modified 3′-end labeling assay disclosed IR-induced dsDNA breaks (DSBs) in pachytene cells at a linear dose relationship of one IR-induced DSB per cell per 5 Gy. Dihydroethidium staining revealed formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in irradiated cells. Immobility of fuzzy-appearing irradiated bivalents was rescued by addition of radical scavengers. Hydrogen peroxide-induced ROS did reduce bivalent mobility similar to 40 Gy X IR, while they failed to induce DSBs. IR- and H2O2-induced ROS were found to decompose actin cables that are driving meiotic chromosome mobility, an effect that could be rescued by antioxidant treatment. Hence, it appears that the meiotic actin cytoskeleton is a radical-sensitive system that inhibits bivalent movements in response to IR- and oxidant-induced ROS. This may be important to prevent motility-driven unfavorable chromosome interactions when meiotic recombination has to proceed in genotoxic environments.