Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Opioid inhibition of luteinizing hormone secretion in the postpartum lactating sow.

Twelve lactating sows were used at 22.4 +/- 0.8 days postpartum to determine whether endogenous opioid peptides (EOP) are involved in the suckling-induced inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Four sows each received either 1, 2, or 4 mg/kg body weight of naloxone (NAL), an opiate antagonist, in saline i.v. Blood was collected at 15-min intervals for 2 h before and 4 h after NAL treatment. All sows were then given 100 micrograms gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in saline i.v. , and blood samples were collected for an additional h. Pigs were weaned after blood sampling. At 40 h after weaning, sows were treated and blood samples collected as during suckling. Serum concentrations of LH after treatment with NAL were similar for all doses; therefore, the data were pooled across doses. During suckling, serum concentrations of LH were 0.41 +/- 0.04 ng/ml before NAL treatment, increased to 0.65 +/- 0.08 ng/ml at 30 min after NAL treatment, and remained elevated above pretreatment concentrations for 120 min (p less than 0.05). Naloxone failed to alter serum concentrations of LH after weaning. These data indicate that EOP may be involved in the suckling-induced suppression of LH secretion and that weaning may either decrease opioid inhibition of LH secretion or decrease pituitary LH responsiveness to endogenous GnRH released by NAL.
Do Prices Determine Vertical Integration?

A number of theories in organizational economics and industrial organization suggest that vertical integration, while costly, increases productivity. It follows from firms’ maximizing behavior that higher prices in the product market ought to induce more integration. Trade policy provides a source of exogenous price variation to assess this prediction: higher tariffs should lead to higher prices and therefore to more integration. We construct firm- level vertical integration indices for a large set of countries and industries and exploit variation in applied MFN tariffs to examine the impact of tariffs on firm boundaries. The empirical results provide strong support for the view that higher output prices generate more vertical integration. Our estimates of the average price elasticity of vertical integra- tion are in the range 0.4-2.
Exercise practices in individuals at clinical high risk of developing psychosis

Recent research suggests aerobic exercise has a positive impact on symptoms and cognition in psychosis. Because individuals with psychosis are at risk of weight gain and the resultant metabolic side‐effects, developing effective exercise programmes is of interest. Furthermore, this may be a useful intervention for those who are at risk of developing psychosis, that is, those at clinical high risk (CHR). The aim of this initial exploratory project was to examine the role of exercise in participants at CHR for psychosis.
A Survey of Attitudes and Practices Regarding the Use of Steroid Supplementation in Pediatric Sepsis

Objective Although corticosteroid (CS) supplementation for pediatric septic shock (PSS) is recommended by American College of Critical Care Medicine sepsis guidelines, most data are based on adult trials. Standardized protocols for stimulation testing for adrenal insufficiency (AI) and CS treatment in children have been reported, but the current state of CS use and protocols have not been evaluated in pediatric intensive care units in the United States. We surveyed a group of pediatric intensivists to assess current approaches. Design An electronic survey with 54 questions on attitudes and current use of CSs was distributed to 49 pediatric critical care and 49 pediatric endocrinology fellowship program directors. Main Results Twenty-one (43%) of 49 critical care recipients completed the survey. Eleven (52%) were from medical/surgical units and 10 (48%) were from medical/surgical/cardiac units, with a median of 24 beds and 1614 annual admissions. Thirteen (62%) of 21 recipients rated the importance of steroids in the management of PSS as greater than 4 or 5, with 1 being of no importance and 5 of critical importance. Nineteen (90%) of 21 recipients thought AI occurs “sometimes” or “often” in septic shock. Adrenocorticotropin stimulation testing was frequently used (19 of 21; 90%) but not in protocol. Eighteen (85%) of 21 recipients agreed that “some should” receive “steroids as it improves outcome” and 9% agreed that “most should…” Fourteen (66%) of 21 recipients reported that more than 50% of patients with vasopressor-refractory PSS receive CSs. Hydrocortisone was used in 21 (100%) of 21 recipients, but dosing and duration were variable. Concerns to limit/avoid CSs included hyperglycemia (38%), superinfections (81%), and critical illness myopathy (57%). Only 3 (14%) of 21 recipients reported that they used a CS protocol for PSS. Sixteen (76%) of 21 recipients were not comfortable drawing conclusions from adult studies for PSS. Nineteen (90%) of 21 recipients agreed that it would be important to perform a randomized trial for CS use in PSS. Conclusions Corticosteroids are used at most centers for treatment of PSS, but significant variation in attitudes and use exists. Most centers identify AI as frequent; most report variable use of stimulation testing and dosing of CSs. Few centers currently use a standard protocol for diagnosis and treatment. Interest in performing a randomized trial for CSs remains because in part of reluctance to accept adult trial data.
Survival Analysis in Clinical Trials: Past Developments and Future Directions

Summary. The field of survival analysis emerged in the 20th century and experienced tremendous growth during the latter half of the century. The developments in this field that have had the most profound impact on clinical trials are the Kaplan‐Meier (1958, Journal of the American Statistical Association53, 457–481) method for estimating the survival function, the log‐rank statistic (Mantel, 1966, Cancer Chemotherapy Report50, 163–170) for comparing two survival distributions, and the Cox (1972, Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series B34, 187–220) proportional hazards model for quantifying the effects of covariates on the survival time. The counting‐process martingale theory pioneered by Aalen (1975, Statistical inference for a family of counting processes, Ph.D. dissertation, University of California, Berkeley) provides a unified framework for studying the small‐ and large‐sample properties of survival analysis statistics. Significant progress has been achieved and further developments are expected in many other areas, including the accelerated failure time model, multivariate failure time data, interval‐censored data, dependent censoring, dynamic treatment regimes and causal inference, joint modeling of failure time and longitudinal data, and Baysian methods.
The Development and Applications of Wireless Streaming Media Technology

In this paper, it has introduced wireless streaming media monitoring technology advances, related technologies and modern communication technology applications in video surveillance and other monitoring sites where wired networks cannot reach. Based on current development status of automatic monitoring systems all over the world, this paper proposes specific measures for automatic monitoring system constructions after exploring its positioning and network characteristics.
Cost-Minimized 24 GHz Pulse Oscillator for Short-Range Automotive Radar Applications

This paper reports on the design of ultrawideband 24 GHz pulse oscillators developed for automotive radar applications. Due to system considerations (range resolution, dynamic range), such oscillator modules need to generate ultra-short coherent pulses. Measurement results of prototype oscillators demonstrate +5 dBm peak output power, less than 1 ns pulse width and excellent coherency. The oscillators were applied in a radar sensor and good performance was achieved.
Behaviourism: A Psychology Based on Reflex-action

The Behaviourist finds himself in rather a peculiar situation to-day. Denying mind, the philosophers will have nothing to do with him; denying consciousness and its sub-divisions (sensations, perceptions, images, and the like), the psychologist will have nothing to do with him. The further implication from all this, viz. that there is no unconscious, no sub-conscious, no conscious, leads the psychoanalyst to have nothing to do with him.
Pseudosynapsis and Decreased Stringency of Meiotic Repair Pathway Choice on the Hemizygous Sex Chromosome of Caenorhabditis elegans Males

During meiosis, accurate chromosome segregation relies on homology to mediate chromosome pairing, synapsis, and crossover recombination. Crossovers are dependent upon formation and repair of double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination (HR). In males of many species, sex chromosomes are largely hemizygous, yet DSBs are induced along nonhomologous regions. Here we analyzed the genetic requirements for meiotic DSB repair on the completely hemizygous X chromosome of Caenorhabditis elegans males. Our data reveal that the kinetics of DSB formation, chromosome pairing, and synapsis are tightly linked in the male germ line. Moreover, DSB induction on the X is concomitant with a brief period of pseudosynapsis that may allow X sister chromatids to masquerade as homologs. Consistent with this, neither meiotic kleisins nor the SMC-5/6 complex are essential for DSB repair on the X. Furthermore, early processing of X DSBs is dependent on the CtIP/Sae2 homolog COM-1, suggesting that as with paired chromosomes, HR is the preferred pathway. In contrast, the X chromosome is refractory to feedback mechanisms that ensure crossover formation on autosomes. Surprisingly, neither RAD-54 nor BRC-2 are essential for DSB repair on the X, suggesting that unlike autosomes, the X is competent for repair in the absence of HR. When both RAD-54 and the structure-specific nuclease XPF-1 are abrogated, X DSBs persist, suggesting that single-strand annealing is engaged in the absence of HR. Our findings indicate that alteration in sister chromatid interactions and flexibility in DSB repair pathway choice accommodate hemizygosity on sex chromosomes.
The evolution of collaborative practices in small-firm networks: a qualitative analysis of four Brazilian cases

Despite the relevance of cooperative strategies in a networked world, little attention has been paid to the management of Small-Firm Networks (SFNs) and to the types of practices they require. This paper focuses on understanding the collaborative practices related to strategy, structure, process and coordination that emerge from the evolutionary path of Brazilian SFNs. The research followed a qualitative approach, with analysis focused on the collaborative practices adopted by four SFNs and their evolution pattern between 2009 and 2014. The results show that SFNs are dynamic entities that change over time and either the originally established collaborative practices need to be adjusted or new ones must emerge. As a managerial implication, the paper advances the description of collaborative practices used by SFNs and contributes to the sparse literature on management of inter-organisational relationships by showing how this management necessarily differs from the predominant paradigm of hierarchical and bureaucratic management.
Vulnerability of the nigrostriatal system as detected by transcranial ultrasound

Objective: To assess the incidence of a hyperechogenic substantia nigra (SN) by transcranial sonography (TCS) in healthy people and to evaluate whether an enlarged hyperechogenic SN area is associated with functional impairment of the nigrostriatal system. Background and Methods: Until now, preclinical impairment of the nigrostriatal system could be identified only by functional neuroimaging techniques such as PET in selected groups of patients. TCS is a new, noninvasive ultrasound technique that has demonstrated an increased echogenicity of the SN in patients with PD, whereas in most healthy individuals, the SN is either barely detectable or undetectable by TCS. Results: Of 330 healthy volunteers, 8.6% exhibited an increased echogenicity of the SN. From these, 10 clinically healthy individuals with distinct unilateral or bilateral hyperechogenic signals in the SN region (SN area above 0.25 cm2) underwent comprehensive motor testing, neuropsychological assessment, MRI, and [18F]-dopa PET examination. With regard to motor functions, these individuals did not differ from 10 age- and sex-matched controls with a low echogenic SN and an area of echogenic signals below 0.2 cm2. Enlargement of hyperechogenic areas in the 10 healthy individuals was associated with a marked decrease in the accumulation of [18F]-dopa in the caudate nucleus and putamen. Conclusions: Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity appears to indicate a functional impairment of the nigrostriatal system. Transcranial sonography may be a suitable method of identifying persons at risk of nigrostriatal alterations, making possible the introduction of early neuroprotective therapy.
In vitro evaluation of Schima wallichii (DC.)Korth.fruit for potential antibacterial activity

Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth. is a large evergreen and well known tree of Sikkim Himalayan region. The bark of this plant is traditionally used as antipyretic, antiseptic, anthelmintic, wound healing agent. In the present study an attempt has taken to investigate for potential antibacterial activity by taking different extracts of fruits of Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth. against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 8530 and Bacillus liherfernis 10341) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli HD10; Salmonella paratyphi A2 and Vibrio cholera 64). Antibacterial activity of Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth. fruit extracts (benzene, acetone and aqueous) were assayed by the disc diffusion method. Among all the extracts, acetone extract was found most active against Escherichia coli HD10 and Bacillus liherfernis 10341 but this extract have no effect in case of Vibrio cholera 64. The MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations) of the extract was found 100 µg/ml for Escherichia coli HD10 and 150 µg/ml for Bacillus liherfernis 10341. The study promises an interesting future for designing a potentially active antibacterial agent from Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth. fruit.
Adaptive loss reduction charging strategy considering variation of internal impedance of lithium-ion polymer batteries in electric vehicle charging systems

This paper presents a charging strategy to minimize losses in a lithium-ion polymer battery for an electric vehicle. The proposed charging method which considers the variation of battery internal impedance according to state of charge and C-rate significantly reduces charging losses. Experiment results for a cell prove that the proposed charging method reduces loss by 41.9 % compared to a conventional constant-current charging. Moreover, a 3.3 kW prototype on-board charger is built to investigate the entire reduction of losses in an electric vehicle charging system which includes a 12 kWh battery pack considering capacity deviation. Additionally, the feasibility of the proposed charging strategy is examined according to the charger capacity, and it is shown that the effect is enhanced with increasing charger capacity. It is also revealed that the loss reduction due to the proposed strategy is equivalent to an improved efficiency of 3.35% on a 52.8 kW charger with an average efficiency of 94.49%.
The pathological basis of temporal lobe epilepsy in childhood

Objective: To characterize the pathologic findings of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in children undergoing temporal lobectomy for refractory seizures and to correlate these findings with clinical presentation. Methods: The authors reviewed the charts of all children who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy for refractory TLE from 1979 through 1999. A new neuropathologic analysis was performed blinded to clinical features and outcome. Results: Twenty-two children met inclusion criteria. Mean age at onset of epilepsy was 3 years, 7 months (range 1 month to 10 years). Mean age at surgery was 10 years, 11 months (range 1 to 18 years). All patients had complex partial seizures, 48% with secondary generalization. Most had daily seizures. Auras were reported in 45% of patients. Post-resection follow-up averaged 5 years, 2 months (range 2 to 19 years). Seizure-free status was achieved in 41% of patients, and 14% had residual auras only. The most frequent neuropathologic abnormalities were cortical dysplasia (CD) of the temporal neocortex (14 of 22) and mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) (12 of the 15 children with available hippocampal tissue). These two findings coexisted in seven children. MTS was associated with extra-hippocampal pathology in 8 of 12 (67%) of the cases. Conclusions: MTS occurs frequently in association with CD in this population of children. The high incidence of dual pathology could explain the early age of seizure onset and high seizure frequency rate observed. TLE in childhood may constitute a different entity than in adults, from both the clinical and neuropathologic perspectives.
Mapping WASH Sustainability Frameworks to Legitimacy Theory

In recent years there has been increasing attention to sustainability in the construction literature. This paper contributes to this work by mapping legitimacy theory to existing frameworks intended to define the sustainability of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects. Legitimacy has been shown to impact organizational continuity, which is similar to this paper’s definition of the social sustainability of infrastructure; namely, that it continues to be used and maintained by end users over time. Past work has built sets of indicators that are used to assess the sustainability of This paper describes some prominent and widely applied frameworks for sustainability in WASH. Specifically, the frameworks reviewed here are from or are based on publications from UN-Water, the World Health Organization, Water for People, Engineers Without Borders-USA, the Canadian International Development Agency, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Peace Corps, and the IRC Triple-S program. The components from this analysis are then mapped to the constructs of legitimacy theory. The frameworks are compared to previous results to see if the components of legitimacy known to be important in promoting sustainable infrastructure are present in sustainability frameworks. This will allow practitioners to fine tune sustainability frameworks using empirically proven research results. INTRODUCTION Next year, the 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MGD) will have passed. These goals, published by the United Nations, treat development issues from reducing extreme poverty to supplying clean drinking water to the global population (UN 2013). While great progress has been made (WHO 2012), it now seems inevitable that some of the targets—such as sanitation coverage—will not be met (WHO/UNICEF JMP 2010). As 2015 looms the development community is deciding what will come after the MGD. Clearly, abandoning hope on those goals that remain unmet is unacceptable, and even those goals that will be met cannot be said to be completed work. For example, the drinking water goal was to halve the number of people living without sustainable access to improved drinking water sources. Joyously, the world is on track to meet that goal. However, this still leaves almost 700 million people without access to clean drinking water and neglects regional, gendered, and socioeconomic disparities in terms of distribution of services (WHO/UNICEF JMP 2010). In addition, we must recognize that our metrics have primarily measured people gaining access without sufficient effort being spent to measure the sustainability of those systems. In other words, these estimates do not include the certainly significant number of systems that have fallen into disrepair. Additionally, even those systems that have continued to provide water are often not 514 Construction Research Congress 2014 ©ASCE 2014
IFN regulatory factor 1 restricts hepatitis E virus replication by activating STAT1 to induce antiviral IFN‐stimulated genes

IFN regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) is one of the most important IFN‐stimulated genes (ISGs) in cellular antiviral immunity. Although hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a leading cause of acute hepatitis worldwide, how ISGs counteract HEV infection is largely unknown. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of IRF1 on HEV replication. Multiple cell lines were used in 2 models that harbor HEV. In different HEV cell culture systems, IRF1 effectively inhibited HEV replication. IRF1 did not trigger IFN production, and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data analysis revealed that IRF1 bound to the promoter region of signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1). Functional assay confirmed that IRF1 could drive the transcription of STAT1, resulting in elevation of total and phosphorylated STAT1 proteins and further activating the transcription of a panel of downstream antiviral ISGs. By pharmacological inhibitors and RNAi‐mediated gene‐silencing approaches, we revealed that antiviral function of IRF1 is dependent on the JAK‐STAT cascade. Furthermore, induction of ISGs and the anti‐HEV effect of IRF1 overlapped that of IFNα, but was potentiated by ribavirin. We demonstrated that IRF1 effectively inhibits HEV replication through the activation of the JAK‐STAT pathway, and the subsequent transcription of antiviral ISGs, but independent of IFN production. —Xu, L. , Zhou, X. , Wang, W. , Wang, Y. , Yin, Y. , van der Laan, L. J. W. , Sprengers, D. , Metselaar, H. J., Peppelenbosch, M. P., Pan, Q. IFN regulatory factor 1 restricts hepatitis E virus replication by activating STAT1 to induce antiviral IFN‐stimulated genes. FASEB J. 30, 3352–3367 (2016). www.fasebj. org
Berberine: a potential phytochemical with multispectrum therapeutic activities

Importance of the field: The use of traditional medicines of natural origin is being encouraged for the treatment of chronic disorders, as synthetic drugs in such cases may cause unpredictable adverse effects. Berberine, a traditional plant alkaloid, is used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for its antimicrobial and antiprotozoal properties. Interestingly, current clinical research on berberine has revealed its various pharmacological properties and multi-spectrum therapeutic applications. Areas covered in this review: An extensive search in three electronic databases (Unbound Medline, PubMed and ScienceDirect) and internet search engines (Scirus and Google Scholar) were used to identify the clinical studies on berberine, without any time constraints. This review elaborates the recent studies which reveal that with time, the drug has evolved with superior therapeutic activities. In addition, this review will also attract the attention of formulation scientists towards the issues and challenges associated in its drug delivery and the probable approaches that may be explored to help patients reap the maximum benefit of this potentially useful drug. What the reader will gain: A relatively large number of studies discussed here have revealed the possible areas where this phytochemical constituent can exhibit its therapeutic activities in the treatment of chronic ailments or diseases including diabetes, cancer, depression, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Take home message: The potential of the drug remains to be harvested by designing a suitable formulation that could overcome its inherent low bioavailability.