Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Marriage, motherhood and psychiatric morbidity in New Zealand

Synopsis The prevalence of psychiatric disorder, as assessed by both the GHQ-28 and the short PSE, is described for a random community sample of New Zealand women. In contrast to previous studies, married and widowed women and mothers showed lower rates than the never married and childless women. A plausible explanation is provided by available analysis of New Zealand gender roles. Such an explanation would reconfirm the importance of socio-cultural factors in community psychiatric disorder.
A Joint Prosodic Origin of Language and Music

Vocal theories of the origin of language rarely make a case for the precursor functions that underlay the evolution of speech. The vocal expression of emotion is unquestionably the best candidate for such a precursor, although most evolutionary models of both language and speech ignore emotion and prosody altogether. I present here a model for a joint prosodic precursor of language and music in which ritualized group-level vocalizations served as the ancestral state. This precursor combined not only affective and intonational aspects of prosody, but also holistic and combinatorial mechanisms of phrase generation. From this common stage, there was a bifurcation to form language and music as separate, though homologous, specializations. This separation of language and music was accompanied by their (re)unification in songs with words.
Sustained Efficacy and Safety of Pimecrolimus Cream 1% when Used Long‐term (up to 26 Weeks) to Treat Children with Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory condition affecting up to 20% of children. Here, we report the long‐term extension study of previously published pivotal phase III studies with pimecrolimus cream 1%. Two identical, 26‐week studies (6‐week, double‐blind, followed by 20‐week, open‐label phases) were conducted in children aged 2 to 17 years with atopic dermatitis. Pooled efficacy and safety analyses were performed. At day 43, 34.8% pimecrolimus‐treated patients versus 18.4% in the vehicle group (p < 0.001) were clear/almost clear (Investigators’ Global Assessment 0/1) of disease, with significant differences (p < 0.05) between treatment groups for all double‐blind visits in all parameters. Pimecrolimus was significantly more effective (based on the Eczema Area and Severity Index) in treating the face and neck versus the rest of the body (p < 0.0001) and versus vehicle (p < 0.0001) in the double‐blind phase. Disease control was sustained in the pimecrolimus group throughout the whole study. Patients treated with vehicle during the double‐blind phase experienced rapid, marked improvement when switched to pimecrolimus in the open‐label phase. The incidence of adverse events was low and comparable between treatment groups. In conclusion, pimecrolimus cream 1% is effective and well tolerated in the long‐term control of children with mild to moderately severe atopic dermatitis.
Primary DNA Damage Assessed With the Comet Assay and Comparison to the Absorbed Dose of Diagnostic X-rays in Children

The aim of this work is to assess DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of children prior to and following airway X-ray examinations of the chest using the alkaline comet assay and to compare data with the measured absorbed dose. Twenty children with pulmonary diseases, between the ages of 5 and 14 years, are assessed. Absorbed dose measurements are conducted for posterior–anterior projection on the forehead, thyroid gland, gonads, chest, and back. Doses are measured using thermoluminescent and radiophotoluminescent dosimetry systems. Differences between tail lengths, tail intensity, and tail moments as well as for the long-tailed nuclei before and after exposures are statistically significant and are dependent on the individual. The results demonstrate the usefulness of the comet assay as a measure of X-ray damage to lymphocytes in a clinical setting. Doses measured with both dosimeters show satisfactory agreement (0.01 mSv) and are suitable for dosimetric measurements in X-ray diagnostics.
Intralesional Delivery of Dendritic Cells Engineered to Express T-bet Promotes Protective Type 1 Immunity and the Normalization of the Tumor Microenvironment

T-bet (Tbx21), a T-box transcription factor, has been previously identified as a master regulator of type 1 T cell polarization. We have also recently shown that the genetic engineering of human dendritic cells (DCs) to express human T-bet cDNA yields type 1-polarizing APCs in vitro (1). In the present study, murine CD11c+ DCs were transduced with a recombinant adenovirus encoding full-length murine T-bets (DC.mTbets) and analyzed for their immunomodulatory functions in vitro and in vivo. Within the range of markers analyzed, DC.mTbets exhibited a control DC phenotype and were indistinguishable from control DCs in their ability to promote allogenic T cell proliferation in MLR in vitro. However, DC.mTbets were superior to control DCs in promoting Th1 and Tc1 responses in vitro via a mechanism requiring DC–T cell interaction or the close proximity of these two cell types and that can only partially be explained by the action of DC-elaborated IL-12p70. When injected into day 7 s.c. CMS4 sarcoma lesions growing in syngenic BALB/c mice, DC.mTbets dramatically slowed tumor progression (versus control DCs) and extended overall survival via a mechanism dependent on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and, to a lesser extent, asialoGM1+ NK cells. DC.mTbet-based therapy also promoted superior tumor-specific Tc1 responses in the spleens and tumor-draining lymph nodes of treated animals, and within the tumor microenvironment it inhibited the accumulation of CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells and normalized CD31+ vascular structures. These findings support the potential translational utility of DC.Tbets as a therapeutic modality in the cancer setting.
Isolation and Characterization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae DPP1 Gene Encoding Diacylglycerol Pyrophosphate Phosphatase*

Diacylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP) is involved in a putative novel lipid signaling pathway. DGPP phosphatase (DGPP phosphohydrolase) is a membrane-associated 34-kDa enzyme fromSaccharomyces cerevisiae which catalyzes the dephosphorylation of DGPP to yield phosphatidate (PA) and then catalyzes the dephosphorylation of PA to yield diacylglycerol. Amino acid sequence information derived from DGPP phosphatase was used to identify and isolate the DPP1(diacylglycerol pyrophosphatephosphatase) gene encoding the enzyme. Multicopy plasmids containing the DPP1 gene directed a 10-fold overexpression of DGPP phosphatase activity in S. cerevisiae. The heterologous expression of the S. cerevisiae DPP1 gene in Sf-9 insect cells resulted in a 500-fold overexpression of DGPP phosphatase activity over that expressed in wild-type S. cerevisiae. DGPP phosphatase possesses a Mg2+-independent PA phosphatase activity, and its expression correlated with the overexpression of DGPP phosphatase activity in S. cerevisiae and in insect cells. DGPP phosphatase was predicted to be an integral membrane protein with six transmembrane-spanning domains. The enzyme contains a novel phosphatase sequence motif found in a superfamily of phosphatases. Adpp1Δ mutant was constructed by deletion of the chromosomal copy of the DPP1 gene. The dpp1Δ mutant was viable and did not exhibit any obvious growth defects. The mutant was devoid of DGPP phosphatase activity and accumulated (4-fold) DGPP. Analysis of the mutant showed that the DPP1 gene was not responsible for all of the Mg2+-independent PA phosphatase activity in S. cerevisiae.
Commentary on breast-feeding and infant formulas, including proposed standards for formulas.

This statement proposes recommendations toward increasing the practice of breast feeding. Specific recommendations made for standards of infant formulas as to calorie, protein, fat, vitamin, and mineral levels apply to both milk-based and milk-substitute infant formulas. Such formulas, when used in place of breast-feeding, must supply most or all of the nutrients infants require during the first weeks or months of life. The minimum levels of nutrients per 100 kcal recommended for formulas provide good growth and development in healthy, full-term infants; distinct hazards may be encountered at levels below these. However, no significant advantage is to be gained by providing levels in excess of these minima in normal infants. Recommendations for maximum levels are made only where quantities in excess lead to toxicity; generally, levels near the minima recommended are most desirable because they are the most likely to reflect the composition of human milk, and the least likely to result in any undesirable nutrient to nutrient interaction. The recommendations also can be used as reference standards for formulas for special dietary uses of "medical" formulas. The Committee recommends that "medical" formulas be classified by FDA into a special group under the paragraph dealing with infant formulas.
Electronic Tuning of Misaligned Coils in Wireless Power Transfer Systems

The misalignment and displacement of inductively coupled coils in a wireless power transfer system (WPT) can degrade the power efficiency and limit the amount of power that can be transferred. Coil misalignment leads the primary coil driver to operate in an untuned state which causes nonoptimum switching operation and results in an increase in switching losses. This paper presents a novel method to electronically tune a Class-E inverter used as a primary coil driver in an inductive WPT system to minimize the detrimental effects of misalignment between the inductively coupled coils which may occur during operation. The tuning method uses current-controlled inductors (saturable reactors) and a variable switching frequency to achieve optimum switching conditions regardless of the misalignment. Mathematical analysis is performed on a Class-E inverter based on an improved model of a resonant inductive link. Experimental results are presented to confirm the analysis approach and the suitability of the proposed tuning method.
Analysis of Requirements for a Cyber Physical Production System in the Automotive Industry

This paper reports on a Systems Analysis task for specifying the business requirements of a leading automotive industry manufacturer for augmenting their production system with cyber physical components to address two problems that they are currently facing with inbound logistics and production interruptions both of which could result in substantial financial losses. Requirements were captured, documented and reasoned about using a systematic approach that was facilitated by a conceptual modeling framework, consisting of 4 modeling views, for iteratively representing information gathered from domain experts and for validating the requirements
Dual‐specificity phosphatase 26 (DUSP26) stimulates Aβ42 generation by promoting amyloid precursor protein axonal transport during hypoxia

Amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is generated through the sequential cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β‐ and γ‐secretases. Hypoxia is a known risk factor for AD and stimulates Aβ generation by γ‐secretase; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we showed that dual‐specificity phosphatase 26 (DUSP26) regulates Aβ generation through changes in subcellular localization of the γ‐secretase complex and its substrate C99 under hypoxic conditions. DUSP26 was identified as a novel γ‐secretase regulator from a genome‐wide functional screen using a cDNA expression library. The phosphatase activity of DUSP26 was required for the increase in Aβ42 generation through γ‐secretase, but this regulation did not affect the amount of the γ‐secretase complex. Interestingly, DUSP26 induced the accumulation of C99 in the axons by stimulating anterograde transport of C99‐positive vesicles. Additionally, DUSP26 induced c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) activation for APP processing and axonal transport of C99. Under hypoxic conditions, DUSP26 expression levels were elevated together with JNK activation, and treatment with JNK inhibitor SP600125, or the DUSP26 inhibitor NSC‐87877, reduced hypoxia‐induced Aβ generation by diminishing vesicle trafficking of C99 to the axons. Finally, we observed enhanced DUSP26 expression and JNK activation in the hippocampus of AD patients. Our results suggest that DUSP26 mediates hypoxia‐induced Aβ generation through JNK activation, revealing a new regulator of γ‐secretase‐mediated APP processing under hypoxic conditions.
A Variable-Order hp – Adaptive Pseudospectral Method for Solving Optimal Control Problems

An hp–adaptive pseudospectral method is presented for solving optimal control problems. This method adjusts both the mesh spacing and the degree of the polynomial on each mesh interval until a specified error tolerance is satisfied. In regions of relatively high curvature, convergence is achieved by refining the mesh, while in regions of relatively low curvature, convergence is achieved by increasing the degree of the polynomial. Using four examples, the hp–adaptive pseudospectral scheme is shown to be more efficient than either a pure p– or a pure h– method.
Biotransformation of cyclosporin in primary rat, porcine and human liver cell co-cultures

The purpose of this study was to investigate the species-specific cyclosporin biotransformation in primary rat, human, and porcine liver cell cultures, and to investigate the suitability of a modified sandwich culture technique with non-purified liver cell co-cultures for drug metabolism studies. A sandwich culture was found to enhance hepatocellular metabolic activity and improve cellular morphology and ultrastructure. The cyclosporin metabolites AM9 and AM1 were formed in porcine and human liver cell sandwich co-cultures at levels corresponding to the respective in vivo situations. In contrast, metabolite profiles in rat hepatocytes were at variance with the in vivo situation. However, for all cell types, the overall metabolic activity was positively influenced by sandwich co-culture. The initial levels of albumin synthesis were higher in sandwich cultures than in those without matrix overlay. It is hypothesized that the sandwich culture system provides an improved microenvironment and is, therefore, an advantageous tool for in vitro studies of drug metabolism.
Adaptive Generalized Predictive Control of Active Queue Management in TCP Networks

This paper develops methodology and technique for the design, analysis, and implementation of an adaptive generalized predictive controller (AGPC) for active queue management in TCP networks. The TCP/AQM dynamic is modeled experimentally as a second-order system with a time delay where its parameters are estimated using the standard gradient algorithm. Based on this model, an AGPC is designed to gain the set-point tracking and robustness. AGPC, as a queue-based control mechanism, responds quickly to traffic changes, thus allowing for high utilization and small loss. We illustrate our results using ns-2 simulations and demonstrate the practical impact of adaptive model reference control on managing queue utilization and delay
Angiotensin-(1–7) Protects From Experimental Acute Lung Injury

Objectives:Recently, recombinant angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 was shown to protect mice from acute lung injury, an effect attributed to reduced bioavailability of angiotensin II. Since angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 metabolizes angiotensin II to angiotensin-(1–7), we hypothesized that this effect is alternatively mediated by angiotensin-(1–7) and activation of its receptor(s). Design:To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of intravenously infused angiotensin-(1–7) in three experimental models of acute lung injury. Setting:Animal research laboratory. Subjects:Male Sprague-Dawley rats, Balb/c mice, and C57Bl6/J mice. Interventions:Angiotensin-(1–7) was administered with ventilator- or acid aspiration–induced lung injury in mice or 30 minutes after oleic acid infusion in rats. In vitro, the effect of angiotensin-(1–7) on transendothelial electrical resistance of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells was analyzed. Measurements and Main Results:Infusion of angiotensin-(1–7) starting 30 minutes after oleic acid administration protected rats from acute lung injury as evident by reduced lung edema, myeloperoxidase activity, histological lung injury score, and pulmonary vascular resistance while systemic arterial pressure was stabilized. Such effects were largely reproduced by the nonpeptidic angiotensin-(1–7) analog AVE0991. Infusion of angiotensin-(1–7) was equally protective in murine models of ventilator- or acid aspiration–induced lung injury. In the oleic acid model, the two distinct angiotensin-(1–7) receptor blockers A779 and D-Pro7-angiotensin-(1–7) reversed the normalizing effects of angiotensin-(1–7) on systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics, but only D-Pro7-angiotensin-(1–7) blocked the protection from lung edema and protein leak, whereas A779 restored the infiltration of neutrophils. Rats were also protected from acute lung injury by the AT1 antagonist irbesartan; however, this effect was again blocked by A779 and D-Pro7-angiotensin-(1–7). In vitro, angiotensin-(1–7) protected pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells from thrombin-induced barrier failure, yet D-Pro7-angiotensin-(1–7) or NO synthase inhibition blocked this effect. Conclusions:Angiotensin-(1–7) or its analogs attenuate the key features of acute lung injury and may present a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of this disease.
A Device to Measure Tensile Forces in the Deep Fascia of the Human Abdominal Wall

In order to decrease the incidence of the development of ventral hernias along incision sites after midline abdominal laparotomies, it is critical that a relationship be established between tensile forces applied along the deep fascia and safety of closure. To quantify the tensile forces in the deep fascia, a pair of hemostats with articulating arms and beds and specially designed micro-hooks for attachment, were equipped with two strain gauges. The device was then successfully tested on swine cadavers at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical School. It is expected that future testing of the device will result in data that will ultimately allow doctors to select the optimal method for patient care.
Endoscopically Monitored Percutaneous Dilational Tracheotomy in a Residency Program

Objectives/Hypothesis Endoscopically guided percutaneous dilational tracheotomy (PDT) has become a well‐established alternative to the more traditional open tracheotomy, yet its use by otolaryngologists is limited. As airway management specialists, otolaryngologists should be familiar with a wide range of definitive procedures, including PDT. Few otolaryngology programs teach the technique. The objective of the present study was to determine the complication rate and outcome of PDT after its introduction in a residency teaching program. We also wished to evaluate whether the time savings reported by experienced surgeons could be repeated in our setting.
Insulin Signaling in Mouse Oocytes1

Abstract Continuous exposure of follicles/oocytes to elevated levels of insulin compromises embryonic developmental competence, although the underlying cellular mechanisms are unknown. The objectives of the present study were to determine whether mouse oocytes have insulin receptors and a functional insulin signaling cascade, and whether insulin exposure during oocyte growth or maturation influences meiotic progression and chromatin remodeling. Immunoblot and immunocytochemical analyses of germinal vesicle-intact (GVI) oocytes demonstrated the presence of insulin receptor-β. Insulin receptor expression in oocytes was increased by gonadotropin stimulation, and remained elevated throughout meiotic maturation. Fully grown GVI oocytes contained 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDPK1), thymoma viral proto-oncogene 1 (AKT1), and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3). In vitro maturation of GVI oocytes in 5 μg/ml insulin had no influence on meiotic progression or the incidence of normal metaphase II (MII) chromosome condensation. Treatment of oocytes during maturation had no effect on GSK3A/B protein expression or phosphorylation of S21/9. However, the culturing of preantral follicles for 10 days with 5 μg/ml insulin increased the phosphorylation of oocyte GSK3B, indicating GSK3 inactivation. The rates of development to metaphase I (MI) were similar for oocytes obtained from insulin-treated follicles and controls, whereas the incidence of abnormal MI chromatin condensation was significantly higher in oocytes obtained from follicles cultured with insulin compared to those cultured without insulin. These results demonstrate that oocytes contain a functional insulin signaling pathway, and that insulin exposure during oocyte growth results in chromatin remodeling aberrations. These findings begin to elucidate the mechanisms by which chronic elevated insulin influences oocyte meiosis, chromatin remodeling, and embryonic developmental competence.
Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm NSGA-II for Variables Selection in Multivariate Calibration Problems

This paper proposes a multiobjective formulation for variable selection in multivariate calibration problems in order to improve the generalization ability of the calibration model. The authors applied this proposed formulation in the multiobjective genetic algorithm NSGA-II. The formulation consists in two conflicting objectives: minimize the prediction error and minimize the number of selected variables for multiple linear regression. These objectives are conflicting because, when the number of variables is reduced the prediction error increases. As study of case is used the wheat data set obtained by NIR spectrometry with the objective for determining a variable subgroup with information about protein concentration. The results of traditional techniques of multivariate calibration as the partial least square and successive projection algorithm for multiple linear regression are presented for comparisons. The obtained results showed that the proposed approach obtained better results when compared with a mono-objective evolutionary algorithm and with traditional techniques of multivariate calibration.
Early muscular and metabolic adaptations to prolonged exercise training in humans.

A short-term training program involving 2 h of daily exercise at 59% of peak O2 uptake (VO2max) repeated for 10-12 consecutive days was employed to determine the significance of adaptations in energy metabolic potential on alterations in energy metabolism and substrate utilization in working muscle. The initial VO2max determined before training on the eight male subjects was 53.0 +/- 2.0 (SE) ml.kg-1.min-1. Analysis of samples obtained by needle biopsy from the vastus lateralis muscle before exercise (0 min) and at 15, 60, and 99 min of exercise indicated that on the average training resulted (P less than 0.05) in a 6.5% higher concentration of creatine phosphate, a 9.9% lower concentration of creatine, and a 39% lower concentration of lactate. Training had no effect on ATP concentration. These adaptations were also accompanied by a reduction in the utilization in glycogen such that by the end of exercise glycogen concentration was 47.1% higher in the trained muscle. Analysis of the maximal activities of representative enzymes of different metabolic pathways and segments indicated no change in potential in the citric acid cycle (succinate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase), beta-oxidation (3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase), glucose phosphorylation (hexokinase), or potential for glycogenolysis (phosphorylase) and glycolysis (pyruvate kinase, phosphofructokinase, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase). With the exception of increases in the capillary-to-fiber area ratio in type IIa fibers, no change was found in any fiber type (types I, IIa, and IIb) for area, number of capillaries, capillary-to-fiber area ratio, or oxidative potential with training. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)