Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stress and lack of social support as risk factors for small‐for‐gestational‐age birth

Aim: To determine the contributions of social support and perceived stress to the risk of small‐for‐gestational‐age birth. Methods: The investigation was a case‐control study of mothers of infants born at 37 or more completed weeks of gestation. Cases weighed less than the sex‐specific 10th percentile for gestational age at birth (small for gestational age (SGA), n= 836), and controls (appropriate for gestational age (AGA), n= 870) comprised a random selection of heavier babies. Results: In univariate analyses measures of informal social support, but not perceived stress or formal social support, were associated with SGA birth. It was found that Asian mothers are less likely to receive support from families and friends. After adjustment for ethnicity, informal social support was not associated with SGA.
Printed transition for SIW horn antennas — Analytical model

A printed transition is proposed to overcome problems limiting the performances of SIW horn antennas when built in thin substrates (thickness <; λ0/10). An analytical model to analyze its behavior is given along with design guidelines. The development of a possible transmission line model is also presented. This transition is associated with a H-plane sectoral SIW horn antenna to both show the validity of the proposed model and the significant improvements it can bring in terms of matching, bandwidth and radiation.
Enhanced hepatic insulin signaling in the livers of high altitude native rats under basal conditions and in the livers of low altitude native rats under insulin stimulation: a mechanistic study

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the role of the liver in lowering fasting blood glucose levels (FBG) in rats native to high (HA) and low altitude (LA) areas. As compared with LA natives, besides the improved insulin and glucose tolerance, HA native rats had lower FBG, at least mediated by inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis and activation of glycogen synthesis. An effect that is mediated by the enhancement of hepatic insulin signaling mediated by the decreased phosphorylation of TSC induced inhibition of mTOR function. Such effect was independent of activation of AMPK nor stabilization of HIF1α, but most probably due to oxidative stress induced REDD1 expression. However, under insulin stimulation, and in spite of the less activated mTOR function in HA native rats, LA native rats had higher glycogen content and reduced levels of gluconeogenic enzymes with a more enhanced insulin signaling, mainly due to higher levels of p-IRS1 (tyr612).
Task-oriented progressive resistance strength training improves muscle strength and functional performance in individuals with stroke

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of task-oriented progressive resistance strength training on lower extremity strength and functional performance in chronic stroke subjects. Design: Single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Setting: Medical centre and district hospital. Subjects: Forty-eight subjects at least one year post stroke. Interventions: Participants randomly allocated to two groups, control (n-/24) and experimental (n-/24). Subjects in the control group did not receive any rehabilitation training. Subjects in the experimental group were put on a four-week task-oriented progressive resistance strength training. Main measures: Lower extremity muscle strength, gait velocity, cadence, stride length, six-minute walk test, step test, and timed up and go test. Results: Muscle strength significantly improved in the experimental group for strong side muscle groups (ranged from 23.9% to 36.5%) and paretic side muscle groups (ranged from 10.1% to 77.9%). In the control group muscle strength changes ranged from 6.7% gain to 11.2% decline. The experimental group showed significant improvement in all selected measures of functional performance except for the step test. In the control group, the number of repetitions of the step test significantly decreased (-20.3%) with no change in other functional tests. There was a significant difference between groups for muscle strength and all functional measures. The strength gain was significantly associated with gain in the functional tests. Conclusions: The task-oriented progressive resistance strength training programme could improve lower extremity muscle strength in individuals with chronic stroke and could carry over into improvement in functional abilities.
Soluble 80‐kd fragment of cell‐CAM 120/80 disrupts cell‐cell adhesion

Calcium‐dependent cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) mediate intercellular adhesion in epithelial cells and in preimplantation mammalian embryos. One of these molecules, cell‐CAM 120/80, is found on cells as a 120‐kd membrane glycoprotein and as a soluble 80‐kd species in conditioned culture medium [Damsky et al: Cell 34:455, 1983]. We have purified to homogeneity the soluble 80‐kd fragment of cell‐CAM 120/80 by using monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography. We have shown that the purified molecule can disrupt cell‐cell adhesion in cultured epithelial cells, thus indicating that it is directly involved in the adhesive process. In addition, we have further characterized both the 120‐kd cell‐associated molecule and its 80‐kd fragment, including N‐terminal sequence analysis.
Proteome reference map for the plant growth‐promoting bacterium Pseudomonas putida UW4

A proteome reference map containing 326 2‐D gel spots representing 275 different proteins was constructed for the plant growth‐promoting bacterium Pseudomonas putida UW4. Protein identifications were obtained using Q‐TOF MS/MS spectra matching to homologous proteins from other Pseudomonas strains and confirmed by PMF analysis. This data set is accessible at http://world‐2dpage.expasy. org/repository/ and will aid in further characterization of Pseudomonas strains and interactions of plant growth‐promoting bacterium with the plant rhizosphere environment.
Red-Shifted Aequorin-Based Bioluminescent Reporters for in Vivo Imaging of Ca2+ Signaling

Real-time visualization of calcium (Ca2+) dynamics in the whole animal will enable important advances in understanding the complexities of cellular function. The genetically encoded bioluminescent Ca2+ reporter green fluorescent protein–aequorin (GA) allows noninvasive detection of intracellular Ca2+ signaling in freely moving mice. However, the emission spectrum of GA is not optimal for detection of activity from deep tissues in the whole animal. To overcome this limitation, two new reporter genes were constructed by fusing the yellow fluorescent protein (Venus) and the monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP1) to aequorin. Transfer of aequorin chemiluminescence energy to Venus (VA) is highly efficient and produces a 58 nm red shift in the peak emission spectrum of aequorin. This substantially improves photon transmission through tissue, such as the skin and thoracic cage. Although the Ca2+-induced bioluminescence spectrum of mRFP1-aequorin (RA) is similar to that of aequorin, there is also a small peak above 600 nm corresponding to the peak emission of mRFP1. Small amounts of energy transfer between aequorin and mRFP1 yield an emission spectrum with the highest percentage of total light above 600 nm compared with GA and VA. Accordingly, RA is also detected with higher sensitivity from brain areas. VA and RA will therefore improve optical access to Ca2+ signaling events in deeper tissues, such as the heart and brain, and offer insight for engineering new hybrid molecules.
The Walsh Functions Based Method for Reactive Power Measurement

In this paper a Walsh function based method is proposed for Reactive Power (RP) measurement. As the main advantage, the Walsh function based algorithm provides a convenient calculating process and simplifies the multiplication procedure in order to obtain reactive component from entire instant power signal. The advantages of the proposed method for the measuring of the reactive power have been verified by experimental studies. One of these advantages is that in contrast to the known existing methods which involve time delay or shifting of the input signal, the proposed method does not require the time delay of the current signal to the pi/2 with respect to the voltage signal. To test the validity and effectiveness of the suggested method for evaluation of the active and the reactive components of the electrical power a simulation tool have been developed using "Matlab".
Finding the neck–trunk boundary in snakes: Anteroposterior dissociation of myological characteristics in snakes and its implications for their neck and trunk body regionalization

The neck and trunk regionalization of the presacral musculoskeletal system in snakes and other limb‐reduced squamates was assessed based on observations on craniovertebral and body wall muscles. It was confirmed that myological features characterizing the neck in quadrupedal squamates (i.e., squamates with well‐developed limbs) are retained in all examined snakes, contradicting the complete lack of the neck in snakes hypothesized in previous studies. However, the posterior‐most origins of the craniovertebral muscles and the anterior‐most bony attachments of the body wall muscles that are located at around the neck–trunk boundary in quadrupedal squamates were found to be dissociated anteroposteriorly in snakes. Together with results of a recent study that the anterior expression boundaries of Hox genes coinciding with the neck–trunk boundary in quadrupedal amniotes were dissociated anteroposteriorly in a colubrid snake, these observations support the hypothesis that structures usually associated with the neck–trunk boundary in quadrupedal squamates are displaced relative to one another in snakes. Whereas certain craniovertebral muscles are elongated in some snakes, results of optimization on an ophidian cladogram show that the most recent common ancestor of extant snakes would have had the longest craniovertebral muscle, M. rectus capitis anterior, that is elongated only by several segments compared with that of quadrupedal squamates. Therefore, even such a posteriorly displaced “cervical” characteristic plesiomorphically lies fairly anteriorly in the greatly elongated precloacal region of snakes, suggesting that the trunk, not the neck, would have contributed most to the elongation of the snake precloacal region. A similar dissociation of structures usually associated with the neck–trunk boundary in quadrupedal squamates is observed in limb‐reduced squamates, suggesting that these forms and snakes may share a developmental mechanism producing modifications in the anterior–posterior patterning associated with body elongation. J. Morphol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An integrative approach to determine the best behavioral and biological markers of methylphenidate.

AIMS To distinguish the most sensitive markers of methylphenidate (MPH) effects on behavior and underlying biology using an integrated cognitive and brain function test battery. METHODS A randomized placebo-controlled trial with 32 healthy adult males. Subjects were tested on MPH doses across 18 sessions with subjective mood, objective behavioral and biological endpoints. From a computerized battery of tests, behavioral measures were cognitive performance scores, while biological measures of brain function included electroencephalographs (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs) with complementary measures of autonomic arousal. Using mixed modeling analyses; we determined which measures were most affected by MPH dose and correlation analyses determined the associations among them. RESULTS MPH dose had the most pronounced effect on cognitive performance (sustained attention/vigilance), baseline autonomic arousal (heart rate, blood pressure) and baseline brain activity (EEG theta power). The faster reaction time, reduced errors, increased autonomic arousal and reductions in theta showed strong to moderate inter-correlations. MPH least affected subjective mood measures and early sensory ERP components. DISCUSSION These findings suggest that MPH increases cortical and autonomic arousal, facilitating vigilance. The combination of behavioral and biological measures may provide an objective set of markers of MPH response. INTEGRATIVE SIGNIFICANCE This approach has provided additional insight into the mechanism of the stimulant medication, MPH, which would not be achieved by using such measures in isolation.
The Effect of Differing Ambient Oxygen Tensions on Wound Infection

Wound infections were studied in rabbits using two standard inocula (approximately equal to 10-4 and approximately equal to 10-6) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa injected into subcutaneous wound dead space made by implantation of standard wire mesh cylinders. The inoculation was done on the fourth day after implantation of the cylinders in animals kept from the day of implantation in atmospheres of 12%, 21%, or 45% oxygen content. Samples of wound fluid (0.2 ml) were removed for quantitative culture just before inoculation and 3, 7, 14, and 21 days later. No positive cultures resulted from samples taken before inoculation. One uninoculated wound served as a control in each animal. None of these control wounds became infected. Culture counts were significantly highest in the anoxic group and lowest in the hyperoxic group. Established infections were significantly lowest in the hyperoxics and highest in the hypoxics. The percent of wounds showing a significant culture count showed a similar trend. The mechanisms of this effect is not known, but a possible mechanism lies in the relative inability of leucocytes to kill this bacterium under hypoxic conditions.
Robot visual servoing by direct image feedback

This paper analyzes the robot hand-eye coordination from the view point of integration of vision and control. A new scheme of direct image feedback control is proposed. It compares the real time sampled image with the desired one and forms an error image. With this 2-D error image, The control action steers the gripper to move until the image error is eliminated. Considering the local minimum problems that arise with multimodal image error, we adopt fast simulated annealing for global searching.
A freeze‐fracture replication apparatus for biological specimens *

A freeze‐fracture apparatus of original design has been constructed which can be fitted onto a standard vacuum evaporator unit. In it, cell suspensions and organized tissue may be processed by inserting a sample into a cylindrical holder. By leaving a small part of the tissue protruding from the holder, pre‐selected and aligned portions of the specimen can subsequently be revealed by fracture under vacuum. After rapid freezing, the specimen remains firmly attached to the inner wall of the sample holder, preventing its possible loss during fracturing. A mechanism, in the form of a double‐sided converging wedge, which is operated from outside the vacuum chamber, is used to produce a fracture in the specimen. The device gently induces a fracture in the desired part of the tissue and lifts the protruding part of the specimen out of the way. In this way, reasonably flat fracture faces are produced for subsequent replication. As the fracturing mechanism comes into contact only with the outer edges of the specimen, damage and contamination liable to occur when the entire specimen is traversed by a blade, is avoided. In addition the specimen stage is surrounded by a cold metal shroud which acts as an efficient trap for contaminants. In this way, favourable vacuum conditions are produced in the vicinity of the specimen. Such effective enclosing of the specimen also facilitates controlled sublimation of the sample.
Protective Immunity to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Induced with a Capsid-Modified Adenovirus Expressing P. aeruginosa OprF

ABSTRACT This study focuses on the development of a new clinical vaccine candidate (AdOprF.RGD.Epi8) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa using an E1− E3− adenovirus (Ad) vector expressing OprF (AdOprF.RGD.Epi8) and modifications of the Ad genome providing two capsid changes: (i) modification of the Ad hexon gene to incorporate an immune-dominant OprF epitope (Epi8) into loop 1 of the hexon, enabling repeat administration to boost the anti-OprF immune response, and (ii) modification of the fiber gene to incorporate an integrin-binding RGD sequence to enhance gene delivery to antigen-presenting cells. Western analysis confirmed that AdOprF.RGD. Epi8 expresses OprF, contains Epi8 in the hexon protein, and enhances gene transfer to dendritic cells compared to AdOprF, a comparable Ad vector expressing OprF with an unmodified capsid. Intramuscular immunization of C57BL/6 mice with AdOprF.RGD. Epi8 resulted in the generation of anti-OprF antibodies at comparable levels to those induced following immunization with AdOprF, but immunization with AdOprF.RGD. Epi8 was associated with increased CD4 and CD8 gamma interferon T-cell responses against OprF as well as increased survival against lethal pulmonary challenge with agar-encapsulated P. aeruginosa. Importantly, repeat administration of AdOprF.RGD. Epi8 resulted in boosting of the humoral anti-OprF response as well as increased protection, whereas no boosting could be achieved with repeat administration of AdOprF. This suggests that the capsid-modified AdOprF.RGD. Epi8 vector is a more effective immunogen compared to a comparable wild-type Ad capsid, making it a good candidate for an anti-P. aeruginosa vaccine.
Human Decidual Natural Killer Cells Express the Receptor for and Respond to the Cytokine Interleukin 151

Abstract The natural killer (NK) cells that are present in the uterine mucosa (decidua) during early pregnancy have a distinctive phenotype, CD56bright CD16−. These cells have previously been shown to proliferate and be activated by interleukin (IL)-2. However, IL-2 is absent from the decidua and placenta, and we have therefore investigated whether IL-15 is present in the uterus and can act on decidual NK cells. Both IL-15 mRNA and protein were found in a variety of cells but particularly in decidual macrophages. IL-15 induced a proliferative response in decidual NK cells that was blocked by anti-IL-15 and was augmented by stem cell factor. The cytolytic activity of decidual NK cells against K562 was augmented. Interestingly, in contrast to IL-2, although activation with IL-15 resulted in some killing of JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells, normal trophoblast cells remained resistant to lysis. These findings suggest that IL-15 is a candidate cytokine responsible for NK cell proliferation in vivo in the progesterone-dominated secretory endometrium and early decidua.
Econometric analysis on economies of scale: An application to rice and shrimp production in Thailand

Shrimp production in Thailand has historically been undertaken in the saline and brackish waters of coastal mangroves. In recent years rising demand and prices for shrimp and falling productivity of mangrove areas have motivated an expansion of shrimp production into the fresh-water margins of river estuaries that were previously used for rice cultivation. Generalised additive models, which offer a comprehensive approach to regression analysis, are mainly used for empirical analysis, and model development and specification for rice and shrimp production in this study. This paper presents a brief introduction to generalised additive models, discusses how they are applied to develop cost functions to satisfy the restriction of production theory, and describes a comparative economic analysis of shrimp and rice production. A final result was found that rice production is characterised by constant returns to scale, and shrimp production by increasing returns to scale. On this basis it was concluded that shrimp production will continue to expand in the fresh-water areas, displacing rice production and exacerbating environmental problems.
Expression of competence genes in Bacillus subtilis

A set of competence (com) mutants of Bacillus subtilis was constructed by using Tn917lacZ as a mutagen. In about half of the mutants, the promoterless lacZ element on the transposon was placed under control of putative com promoters. Expression of the mutant com genes was studied by using the beta-galactosidase tag. Two of the mutant genes (those represented by com-124 and com-138) were expressed early in the growth cycle in all of the media tested and were not dependent on the spo0A or spo0H product for expression. The remaining mutants, which represented a minimum of four additional genes, expressed beta-galactosidase in stationary phase during the period in which competence developed. We conclude that expression of com genes is probably regulated transcriptionally and in a growth stage-specific manner. Expression of these genes was also dependent on growth in competence medium and, like competence development, required the presence of glucose and was dependent on the spo0H products. The dependence on the spo0A gene product was partially bypassed by the abrB703 mutation. These effects were qualitatively equivalent to those on competence development. The latter was dependent on spo0A and spo0H, and the spo0A dependency was partially suppressed by abrB703. Several of the mutants were still capable of resolution into light and heavy buoyant density cell fractions when grown in competence medium. All of these expressed beta-galactosidase to a greater extent in the light fraction, showing that expression of these com genes was cell type specific. Development of competence was not markedly affected by mutations in spo0B, spo0E, spo0F, spo0J, or sigB, the structural gene of sigma 37.
Effect of Chronic Ethanol Feeding on Hepatic Collagen in the Monkey

The effect of chronic ethanol feeding was determined on parameters of hepatic collagen metabolism in the monkey. Four monkeys of the species Macaca radiata received a nutritionally adequate diet containing 50% of the calories as ethanol, while four others were pair‐fed a diet in which ethanol was isocalorically substituted by carbohydrate. Liver biopsies were obtained at 3, 12, and 24 months, and the animals were killed between 40 and 48 months after initiation of the diets. The ethanol‐fed animals developed various degrees of fatty infiltration, but no necrosis, inflammation, or fibrosis. The amount and distribution of collagen Types I, III, and IV demonstrated by immuno‐histochemical techniques was not altered after ethanol feeding. No changes were found in hepatic protein‐bound hydroxyproline or in collagen prolyl hydroxylase activity at the various time intervals. Liver free proline and the incorporation of labeled proline into protein‐bound hydroxyproline by liver slices were not altered after 40 to 48 months of ethanol feeding. This study shows that prolonged feeding of ethanol together with an adequate diet results in fatty infiltration but not deposition or alteration of hepatic collagen metabolism.
A graphene sheet exfoliated with microwave irradiation and interlinked by carbon nanotubes for high-performance transparent flexible electrodes

High quality graphene was obtained though microwave irradiated expansion following a solution process. This method is facile, inexpensive, and produces usable results. Ultrathin, uniform graphene films were fabricated at room temperature by a vacuum filtration method. Combining carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as bridges between graphene flakes allowed the fabrication of high-performance conductive films for flexible applications, with conductivities and optical properties comparable to commercial ITO: 181 Ω sq − 1 at 82.2% transmittance after chemical treatment and doping. With future work, this versatile material could well provide an appropriate transparent electrode for flexible optical electronics.