Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endocrine correlates of partner preference behavior in rams.

We studied a unique group of rams that would not mate with estrous ewes during extensive testing for sexual behavior. The same rams courted males in preference to females in 30-min sexual preference tests and were classified as male-oriented (n = 6). We compared the following endocrine profiles: systemic steroid concentrations, the capacity of the testes to biosynthesize 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and testosterone from 3H-progesterone in vitro, and the levels of brain aromatase activity (AA) in male-oriented rams vs. rams that were proven breeders and designated as female-oriented (n = 7). After the last behavioral test, sera were collected, and males in each experimental group were killed. Brains and testes were obtained for subsequent determinations of AA and measurements of steroidogenic enzyme activity. All dissections and subsequent assays were performed without knowledge of experimental group assignments. Serum concentration of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androstenedione, estrone (E1), and estradiol-17 beta (E2) were determined by RIA. AA was quantified by a 3H2O assay validated for neural tissue of the ram. We studied frontal, parietal and cingulate cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, olfactory bulb, septum, amygdala, infundibulum-median eminence, and preoptic area (POA). Serum T, E1, and E2 concentrations of female-oriented subjects were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those in male-oriented subjects (SEM: 1559 +/- 228, 46 +/- 2, and 15 +/- 3 pg/ml vs. 874 +/- 196, 40 +/- 2, and 8 +/- 1 pg/ml serum, respectively). DHT and androstenedione concentrations in the systemic circulation did not differ between groups. Likewise, biosynthesis of labeled T and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone from 3H-progesterone by testicular homogenates in vitro was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in female-oriented than in male-oriented subjects (28.8 +/- 8.1 vs. 12.1 +/- 2.3 mumol.h-1.mg protein-1 for T and 416.9 +/- 100.8 vs. 186.3 +/- 30.7 mumol.h-1.mg protein-1 for 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone). The highest level of AA was found in the POA, which was significantly greater in female-oriented than in male-oriented rams (472 +/- 34 vs. 296 +/- 24 fmol 3H2O.h-1.mg protein-1, p < 0.05). AA in other brain areas did not differ between experimental groups. Our data suggest that the testes of the male-oriented ram have reduced capacity for T production. In other species, T controls in situ estrogen formation not only by providing substrate for aromatization but also by up-regulating P450arom mRNA in the POA. Because the POA is part of a neural circuitry that mediates male sexual behavior in many species, we hypothesize that the capacity for aromatization influences sexual orientation of these rams.
Freehand real-time MRI-guided lumbar spinal injection procedures at 1.5 T: feasibility, accuracy, and safety.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that freehand real-time MRI-guided lumbar spinal injection procedures are feasible, accurate, and safe when performed with a clinical open-bore 1.5-T MRI system. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was made of spinal injection procedures performed over an 18-month period. Forty-nine procedures were performed on 37 patients (23 women, 14 men; mean age, 36 years; range, 18-48 years). A rapid FLASH 2D MRI sequence (TR/TE, 9.3/3.5; slice thickness, 5 mm; acquisition time, 1 second) was used for real-time needle placement with freehand technique. Data assessed were type of procedure, qualitative and quantitative image quality, dimensions of needle artifact, rate of successful drug delivery, rate of vascular uptake, time requirements, and occurrence of complications. RESULTS Among the 49 procedures, 22 (45%) were nerve root injections, 18 (37%) were facet joint injections, and nine (18%) were epidural injections. The quality of real-time FLASH 2D MR images was sufficient in all cases. Contrast-to-noise ratios were sufficiently high for good delineation of relevant structures. The needle artifact made was remarkably constant with an average overestimation of length of 1.0 +/- 0.2 [SD] mm. Drug delivery was successful in all selective nerve root injections and epidural injections. The rate of successful drug delivery was 89% (16 of 18) for facet joint injections. No complete intravascular injections occurred. The mean table time was 36 minutes (range, 23-75 minutes). The mean real-time MRI time was 38 seconds (range, 12-185 seconds). No major complications occurred. CONCLUSION We accept the hypothesis that freehand real-time MRI-guided lumbar spinal injection procedures are feasible, accurate, and safe when performed with a clinical open-bore 1.5-T MRI system. We note that real-time MRI guidance has the additional advantage of a complete absence of patient and operator exposure to ionizing radiation.
Augmented myocardial methionine-enkephalin in a murine model of cardiac angiotensin II-overexpression

Introduction. The endogenous opioid system has been reported to interact with both the cardiac sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems in exerting a local regulatory action on the heart.The goal of this investigation was to examine how cardiac levels of enkephalin production are altered in the development of normotensive primary hypertrophy due to elevated intra-cardiac angiotensin II (Ang II) production. Methods. Atrial and ventricular methionine-enkephalin (ME) levels were measured by quantitative radioimmunoassay in 14 and 28-week-old male transgenic mice (TG1306/1R) and control mice.The TG1306/1R exhibit cardiac specific Ang II overexpression and cardiac hypertrophy, but not hypertension. Results. TG1306/1R mice had significantly higher heart/body weight ratios H (15—20%) than control littermates at both 14 (p=0.02) and 28 weeks (p=0.04). Relative to controls, ME content was significantly elevated (approximately twofold) in atria and ventricles in the older 28-week TG1306/1R mice only. A significant inverse correlation between heart size and ME level was observed for 28-week TG1306/1R only. Conclusions. We have provided evidence that a marked elevation of myocardial enkephalin level is observed in the established (but not early) phase of cardiac hypertrophy associated with cardiac-specific Ang II-overexpression.This study identifies a potentially important relationship between two endogenous peptidergic signalling systems involved in the regulation of growth and function of the hypertrophic heart.
A novel follicle-cell-dependent dominant female sterile allele, StarKojak, alters receptor tyrosine kinase signaling in Drosophila.

We describe a new dominant allele, StarKojak, that alters receptor tyrosine kinase signaling in the follicle cells and in the eyes in Drosophila. We isolated StarKojak in a screen for follicle-cell-dependent dominant female sterile mutations. We show that StarKojak and revertants of StarKojak do not complement Star loss-of-function mutations. We propose that StarKojak is a novel type of allele of Star that has both dominant gain-of-function phenotypes early in development and dominant loss-of-function phenotypes later in development. Star encodes a putative transmembrane protein that has previously been shown to be a critical component of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathway. Early in oogenesis, Star mRNA expression is higher in StarKojak egg chambers than in wild-type egg chambers, consistent with its gain-of-function phenotype. Later in oogenesis, Star mRNA expression is lower in StarKojak follicle cells than in wild-type follicle cells, consistent with its loss-of-function phenotype. By genetically analyzing StarKojak and its revertants, we present evidence that Star is involved in anterior-posterior axis formation both in the female germline cells and in the somatic follicle cells. We also demonstrate that at least part of the dominant female sterile phenotype of StarKojak is restricted to the posterior-pole follicle cells. We propose that Star functions by processing pro-Gurken to mature Gurken, which is thereby released in the region between the oocyte and the follicle cells and binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor in the follicle cells.
Physics-Based Modeling of Hole Inversion-Layer Mobility in Strained-SiGe-on-Insulator

The hole inversion-layer mobility of strained-SiGe homo- and heterostructure-on-insulator in ultrathin-body MOSFETs is modeled by a microscopic approach. The subband structure of the quasi-2-D hole gas is calculated by solving the 6times6koarrldrpoarr Schrodinger equation self-consistently with the electrostatic potential. The model includes four important scattering mechanisms: optical phonon scattering, acoustic phonon scattering, alloy scattering, and surface-roughness scattering. The model parameters are calibrated by matching the measured low-field mobility of two particularly selected long-channel pMOSFET cases. The calibrated model reproduces available channel-mobility measurements for many different strained-SiGe-on-insulator structures. For the silicon-on-insulator MOS structures with unstrained-Si channels, the silicon-thickness dependence resulting from our model for the low-field channel mobility agrees with previous publications.
Big Data: A Framework For Research

Big Data is not the first and most definitely not the last new term that the IT industry is going to coin in order to drive interest and investment in new technology. Moreover, with these new terms, an opportunity is afforded for the research community to objectively understand the impact (or lack thereof) on organizations and decision makers. This paper provides a high-level framework to guide researchers in the area of Big Data through a conceptualization of the Information Supply Chain. The Information Supply Chain can be used as a scoping device for researchers in positioning their work but also as a tool to enable stronger objectivity and prevent an automatic resistance or acceptance of the new term/trend.
High-efficiency high-level modulator for use in dynamic envelope tracking CDMA RF power amplifiers

There is an inherent tradeoff between linearity and efficiency in modern microwave power amplifiers using spectrally efficient modulation techniques. This paper discusses an envelope modulation technique to improve efficiency while preserving linearity when modulating the supply voltage to the PA. Based on the SEPIC (Single-Ended Primary Inductance Converter) switchmode topology with coupled inductors, a continuous current mode (CCM) converter is used as a high-level class-S supply modulator to track the carrier envelope of a CDMA transmit signal. This results in a considerable improvement in PA efficiency while preserving linearity and modulation accuracy. Modulation frequencies up to 1.25 MHz are reproduced with about 80% efficiency. A SPICE compatible switched average converter model is described with an expression for an average current mode (ACM) control duty cycle generator. Simulated and measured data are presented for the case of a LDMOS class-AB RF amplifier with a SEPIC class-S modulated supply under IS-95 CDMA signal drive conditions.
A QoS Driven Approach for Probability Evaluation of Web Service Compositions

Service oriented systems are becoming a major area in software engineering due to promise of low time and cost of development efforts. However, in order to enable full benefit of service oriented architecture, some technical aspects of service-level agreements, also known as Quality of Service (QoS) are important to be evaluated in formal way. Currently evaluation of web service QoS is done mainly as underlying part of a corresponding composition model and many models consider only limited number of QoS attributes. In this paper we present an approach for evaluation of composite web-services, based on analysis of how they meet their QoS, which is applicable at multiple levels of service composition as well as for wide range of QoS attributes. Our approach is based on probability theory and is illustrated with a case-study.
Frontiers of DC circuit breakers in HVDC and MVDC systems

The development of power electronics is driving high voltage (HV) and medium voltage (MV) applications based on dc technologies for power transmission and distribution, renewable energy integration, and ship and railway systems. DC circuit breakers (DCCBs) are needed to protect and improve the performance of dc or hybrid ac/dc systems during severe fault and/or abnormal operating conditions. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of DCCBs for both HV and MV DC systems. The mechanisms and requirements of DCCBs are summarized. Various DCCB topologies and their merits and demerits are presented and critically reviewed. Future trends and requirements for DCCBs are described. This work is intended to provide a useful point of reference for this technology and to contribute to its future development.
A Fast Malicious User Detection Scheme Based on POMDP for Cooperative Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radio networks

: Cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) can improve spectrum sensing accuracy, but it can be injured due to potential attacks from malicious cognitive radio user who reports false sensing results to the fusion center (FC). Many researchers focus on reducing the effect of malicious users on the accuracy of spectrum sensing. A promising method to detect malicious users is to determine their abnormal spectrum sensing behavior. In this paper, we provide a novel malicious users detection scheme for cognitive radio (CR) based on the truth rate of each CU, which is deﬁned as the correlation level between the Markov property of the CU’s reported sensing information and the states of the PU signal. The truth rate may distinguish an honest user from a malicious user by giving an honest CU a high trust rate and giving a malicious user a low one. In the malicious user detection process, a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) is applied to consider the effect of the current action (that action is to classify a CU as an honest or a malicious user) on the reward in future time slot (that reward is achieved by classifying a CU as an honest or a malicious user). By taking advantage of POMDP, the proposed scheme may detect the presence of malicious users in a shorter required time.
Determinant Factors of Physical Performance and Specific Throwing in Handball Players of Different Ages

Abstract Ortega-Becerra, M, Pareja-Blanco, F, Jiménez-Reyes, P, Cuadrado-Peñafiel, V, and González-Badillo, JJ. Determinant factors of physical performance and specific throwing in handball players of different ages. J Strength Cond Res 32(6): 1778–1786, 2018—This study aimed to analyze various fitness qualities in handball players of different ages and to determine the relationships between these parameters and throwing velocity. A total of 44 handball players participated, pooled by age groups: professional (ELITE, n = 13); under-18 (U18, n = 16); under-16 (U16, n = 15). The following tests were completed: 20-m running sprints; countermovement jumps (CMJs); jump squat to determine the load that elicited ∼20 cm jump height (JSLOAD-20 cm); a progressive loading test in full squat and bench press to determine the load that elicited ∼1 m·s−1 (SQ-V1-LOAD and BP-V1-LOAD); and handball throwing (jump throw and 3-step throw). ELITE showed greater performance in almost all sprint distances, CMJ, JSLOAD-20 cm, and bench press strength than U18 and U16. The differences between U18 and U16 were unclear for these variables. ELITE also showed greater (p < 0.001) performance for squat strength and throwing than U18 and U16, and U18 attained greater performance (p ⩽ 0.05) for these variables than U16. Throwing performance correlated (p ⩽ 0.05) with sprint times (r = −0.31; −0.51) and jump ability (CMJ: r = 0.39; 0.56 and JSLOAD-20 cm: r = 0.57; 0.60). Muscle strength was also associated (p < 0.001) with both types of throw (SQ-V1-LOAD: r = 0.66; 0.76; and BP-V1-LOAD: r = 0.33; 0.70). These results indicate that handball throwing velocity is strongly associated with lower-limb strength, although upper-limb strength, jumping and sprint capacities also play a relevant role in throwing performance, suggesting the need for coaches to include proper strength programs to improve handball players' throwing velocity.
Hypothesis Testing Identification: A New Method for Bad Data Analysis in Power System State Estimation

The anomalous data identification procedures existing today in power system state estimation become problematic-if not totally unefficient-under stringent conditions, such as multiple and interacting bad data. The identification method presented in this paper attempts to alleviate these difficulties. It consists in :(i) computing measurement error estimates and using them as the random variables of concern;(ii) making decisions on the basis of a hypothesis testing which takes into account their statistical properties. Two identification techniques are then derived and further investigated and assessed by means of a realistic illustrative example. Conceptually novel, the identification methodology is thus shown to lead to practical procedures which are efficient, reliable and workable under all theoretically feasible conditions.
CD34+‐enriched peripheral blood progenitor cells from unrelated donors for allografting of adult patients: high risk of graft failure, infection and relapse despite donor lymphocyte add‐back

Summary. Fifty‐one adults with haematological malignancies were transplanted with CD34+‐selected peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) from unrelated donors. The conditioning protocol contained total body irradiation (n = 17) or combinations of busulphan and other alkylating agents (n = 34). Antithymocyte globulin was infused in all patients. The median number of CD3+ T cells infused with the graft after purification with the Isolex 300® system in the first cohort of 18 patients was 2·1 × 105/kg. Prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) containing 1 × 105 CD3+ T cells was performed on d 21 in the following 33 patients who had received PBPC purified by the CliniMACS® system. Early graft failure occurred in 8/51 patients (16%). After a median follow‐up of 31 months (range 8–60), the probability of disease‐free survival (DFS) was 36% for the whole group. Reasons for death were opportunistic infections (n = 15), graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD, n = 7) and relapse (n = 4). Pre‐transplant factors with significant impact on DFS were cytomegalovirus status and risk category of underlying disease. The occurrence of graft failure or GvHD was associated with poor outcome. Recipients of CD34+‐selected PBPC from unrelated donors are at high risk of infectious complications, relapse and graft failure which cannot be prevented by early reinfusion of unmodified donor lymphocytes.
Some Properties of the Visual Imagery System Investigated through Backward Spelling

Kosslyn (1973) and Kosslyn, Ball and Reiser (in press) have claimed that a quasi perceptual “scanning” process operates on visual images. Lea (1975) has suggested that this process should be redescribed in terms of iteration through an underlying list structure. It is known that images are subject to capacity limitations. This restriction of processing capacity suggests a model of imagery in which only information displayed in the image may be scanned, while iteration operates between such successive information displays. Three experiments on backward spelling from images support this view. Words of greater length involve more iteration problems. In Experiment I, backward spelling took longer than forward spelling for 8-letter but not for 4-letter words. Experiment II provides evidence for a directional scanning process, using a Brooksian interference technique. Experiment III demonstrates that the structure of the internal representation affects the manner in which it is iterated and that subjects can modify their iteration strategies.
The preS1 protein of hepatitis B virus is acylated at its amino terminus with myristic acid

The preS/S coding region of hepatitis B virus encodes two polypeptides (preS1 and preS2) that are larger in size but less abundant than the major viral surface antigen (S) protein. Unlike the preS2 and S proteins, the preS1 protein is preferentially localized on circulating virus particles but is not efficiently secreted from mammalian cells in culture. To search for differences in protein processing that might relate to these properties, we determined whether any of the hepatitis B virus surface proteins are acylated with long-chain fatty acids. Transfected COS cells expressing all three proteins were incubated with 3H-palmitate or 3H-myristate, and the cell extracts were examined by immunoprecipitation. While none of these proteins was labeled with 3H-palmitate, the preS1 protein but not the preS2 or S protein incorporated 3H-myristate via a hydroxylamine-resistant amide linkage. Comparison of the N-terminal amino acid sequences of hepadnaviral preS1 proteins with those of known myristylated proteins suggests that this unusual modification may be a common feature of all hepadnaviral preS1 proteins.
Spectrum analysis of Chinese vowels formant in patients with tongue carcinoma underwent hemiglossectomy.

OBJECTIVES Tongue is the most important phonatory organ in stomatognathic system. Radical resection of tongue squamous cell carcinoma can cause tongue defect and result in serious oral dysfunction, especially in phonetic function. This study aims to reveal the influence of tongue cancer, tongue defect and tongue reconstructions to phonetic function of tongue cancer patients. STUDY DESIGN Formant spectrum analysis of Chinese vowels was performed by linear predictive coding (LPC) in tongue squamous cell carcinoma patients (before surgery and 3 months, 9 months and 2 years after surgery) and normal people. Patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma were divided into reconstruction group and non-reconstruction group. In reconstruction group, patients underwent tongue reconstruction with radial forearm free flap (RFFF) and lateral arm free flap (LAFF), respectively. RESULTS 45 patients and 40 normal people were included. Differences were statistically significant between patients and normal persons, between patients before surgery and after surgery, between non-reconstruction group and construction group 2 years after operation. No statistical significance was found between patients underwent tongue reconstruction with RFFF or LAFF 2 years after operation. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that tongue cancer and tongue defect after radical resections affected phonetic function of patients. Tongue reconstruction with free flaps could restore phonetic function to some extent. The efficiency of tongue reconstruction with RFFF and LAFF respectively were similar.
Increasing breast and cervical cancer screening among women with disabilities.

IN 1999, AN ESTIMATED 175,000 NEW CASES of breast cancer and 12,800 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed in American women, and an estimated 48,500 women will lose their lives to these diseases.1 A disproportionate number of these deaths will occur among women of minority and low-income groups.2 Mortality due to breast and cervical cancer could be significantly reduced by making early detection and treatment services available to all women at risk.2,3 There are 26 million women living with disabilities in the United States.4 Women with disabilities are among the most disadvantaged groups in our society and are just as likely to be at risk for breast and cervical cancer as women in general,5 yet little information is available about the prevention of breast and cervical cancer among this underserved population of women.