Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Involvement of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines, Mediators of Inflammation, and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Prostaglandin F2α-Induced Luteolysis in Bovine Corpus Luteum1

Abstract The process of luteolysis requires very subtly modulated coordination of different factors and regulation systems. Immune cells and cytokines were shown to be relevant for bovine luteolysis. The aim of this study was to investigate the detailed pattern of mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), TNF receptor type 1 (TNF-R1), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and interferon γ (IFNγ), and of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) during prostaglandin (PG) F2α-induced luteolysis in the bovine corpus luteum (CL). In addition, the mRNA expression for the LH-receptor (LH-R) and the steroidogenic enzyme P450scc was determined. Cows in the midluteal phase (Days 8–12) were injected with the PGF2α analogue cloprostenol, and CL were collected by transvaginal ovariectomy before and 2, 4, 12, 48, and 64 h after PGF2α injection. Conventional and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR (LightCycler) using SYBR Green I detection were employed to determine the mRNA expression for the investigated factors. All cytokines were significantly up-regulated during induced luteolysis. LH-R and P450scc mRNA were down-regulated (P < 0.05) during structural luteolysis (after 12 h), and P450scc in addition at 2 h after PGF2α (P < 0.05). FGF-2 expression increased (P < 0.001) during functional luteolysis (until 12 h after PGF2α) and diminished thereafter. The mRNA expression for iNOS decreased (P < 0.05) after induction of luteolysis. In conclusion, cytokines may be involved not only in structural but also in functional luteolysis and the deprivation of luteal survival factors, leading to a situation where apoptosis can occur. FGF-2 may participate in the suppression of cytokine-induced iNOS mRNA expression and in the prevention of an inflammatory reaction in the surrounding tissues.
The Processing Of Hard-To-Detect Semantic Anomalies: An ERP Investigation

Failure to detect semantic anomalies such as, “Where should the survivors of a plane crash be buried? ” is taken as evidence for shallow processing in language comprehension (Barton & Sanford, 1994), however the cognitive mechanisms involved are not well understood. What makes these anomalies so interesting is that they present a challenge to models of language processing which assume that processes underlying lexical retrieval and integration are completed immediately and fully (Sanford & Sturt, 2002). Instead, non-detection of these anomalies suggests that readers do not carry out an exhaustive lexico-semantic analysis of all words in a sentence, yet still manage to construct a coherent representation of the message. Given that shallow processing is ubiquitous in language the dynamic properties which determine when and why we process to a particular depth must be fully delineated (Bohan & Sanford, 2008; Ferreira et al., 2002; Ferreira & Patson 2007; Sanford 2002; Sanford & Sturt 2002).
Expression of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Related Factors in the Retinas of Diabetic Rats

Recent reports show that ER stress plays an important role in diabetic retinopathy (DR), but ER stress is a complicated process involving a network of signaling pathways and hundreds of factors, What factors involved in DR are not yet understood. We selected 89 ER stress factors from more than 200, A rat diabetes model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The expression of 89 ER stress-related factors was found in the retinas of diabetic rats, at both 1- and 3-months after development of diabetes, by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction arrays. There were significant changes in expression levels of 13 and 12 ER stress-related factors in the diabetic rat retinas in the first and third month after the development of diabetes, Based on the array results, homocysteine- inducible, endoplasmic reticulum stress-inducible, ubiquitin-like domain member 1(HERP), and synoviolin(HRD1) were studied further by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses showed that the expression of HERP was reduced in the retinas of diabetic rats in first and third month. The expression of Hrd1 did not change significantly in the retinas of diabetic rats in the first month but was reduced in the third month.
Optimizing Question-Answering Systems Using Genetic Algorithms

In this paper, we consider the challenge of optimizing the behaviour of a question-answering system that can adapt its sequence of processing steps to meet the information needs of a user. One problem is that the sheer number of possible processing sequences the system could use makes it impossible to conduct a complete search for the optimal sequence. Instead, we have developed a genetic algorithm to explore the space of possible sequences. Our results show that this approach gives the system the adaptability we desire while still performing better than a human-optimized system.
Incorporation of ARMA models into flow forecasting by artificial neural networks

A frequently encountered problem during the application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to various water resource problems is the limitation of the data sets required for the training stage of ANNs. This prevents ANNs from learning input and output data sets within different ranges, thus decreasing the prediction capability during the testing stage. In this article the well known ARMA models are used to generate synthetic series, and these series are incorporated into the training data sets of ANNs. The method is applied to the monthly mean river flow data of a station in the East Mediterranean region of Turkey. The forecasting accuracy of the future monthly flows carries significance because a water reservoir is planned for the downstream of this station. Because the available data record length is limited studies should be carried out to extend the training data set of ANNs. It is seen that the extension of input and output data sets in the training stage improves the accuracy of forecasting using ANNs. The introduction of periodicity components in the input layer also increases the forecasting accuracy of ANNs. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An integrated power aware system for robotic-based lunar exploration

An integrated system for a power-aware robotic-centric exploratory lunar mission is the subject of this article. The robots communicate with a base station with a flexible protocol that can automatically change its attributes from multi to single hopping strategies according to the QoS of the entire network. The base station is responsible for the tracking of the robots and their re-charging. The robots' recharging is achieved via an optical-to-electrical energy procedure where a laser beam charges the photovoltaic cells attached at each robot. The experimental studies on a swarm of robots reveal the intricacies involved in a typical robotic-centric lunar exploration mission.
Manufacturing Reliability of LTCC Millimeter-Wave Passive Components

The manufacturing reliability of low-temperature co-fired ceramic circuits up to millimeter-wave frequencies and the associated tolerances are studied. The printing accuracy and software tools are initially verified. In the main part of this study, representative circuit elements are analyzed, i.e., a planar bandpass filter, buried filter, and vertical low-pass network, which take advantage of fine line printing and high-permittivity inclusions. The passive structures are investigated for deviations in the magnitude and phase of their scattering parameters, also analyzing temperature effects. A dispersion characteristic is introduced to the simulations in order to achieve the best match with measurements. All samples show very little manufacturing variations up to 67 GHz and a high reproducibility from run to run.
Multi-cameras visual servoing to perform a coordinated task using a dual arm robot

This paper deals with the problem of coordinating a dual arm robot equipped with several cameras. Our goal is to propose a vision-based control strategy allowing to realize a real cooperation of the two arms. The idea is to sequence different vision based tasks built from visual features describing the relative pose between the cap and the pen. Simulation results validate our approach.
Pathophysiology of Coronary Collaterals#

While the existence of structural adaptation of coronary anastomoses is undisputed, the potential of coronary collaterals to be capable of functional adaptation has been questioned. For many years, collateral vessels were thought to be rigid tubes allowing only limited blood flow governed by the pressure gradient across them. This concept was consistent with the notion that although collaterals could provide adequate blood flow to maintain resting levels, they would be unable to increase blood flow sufficiently in situations of increased myocardial oxygen demand. However, more recent studies have demonstrated the capability of the collateral circulation to deliver sufficient blood flow even during exertion or pharmacologic stress. Moreover, it has been shown that increases in collateral flow could be attributed directly to collateral vasomotion. This review summarizes the pathophysiology of the coronary collateral circulation, ie the functional adapation of coronary collaterals to acute alterations in the coronary circulation.
The Effects of Ivermectin on Brugia malayi Females In Vitro: A Transcriptomic Approach

Background Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are disabling and disfiguring neglected tropical diseases of major importance in developing countries. Ivermectin is the drug of choice for mass drug administration programs for the control of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis in areas where the diseases are co-endemic. Although ivermectin paralyzes somatic and pharyngeal muscles in many nematodes, these actions are poorly characterized in adult filariae. We hypothesize that paralysis of pharyngeal pumping by ivermectin in filariae could result in deprivation of essential nutrients, especially iron, inducing a wide range of responses evidenced by altered gene expression, changes in metabolic pathways, and altered developmental states in embryos. Previous studies have shown that ivermectin treatment significantly reduces microfilariae release from females within four days of exposure in vivo, while not markedly affecting adult worms. However, the mechanisms responsible for reduced production of microfilariae are poorly understood. Methodology/Principal Findings We analyzed transcriptomic profiles from Brugia malayi adult females, an important model for other filariae, using RNAseq technology after exposure in culture to ivermectin at various concentrations (100 nM, 300 nM and 1 μM) and time points (24, 48, 72 h, and 5 days). Our analysis revealed drug-related changes in expression of genes involved in meiosis, as well as oxidative phosphorylation, which were significantly down-regulated as early as 24 h post-exposure. RNA interference phenotypes of the orthologs of these down-regulated genes in C. elegans include “maternal sterile”, “embryonic lethal”, “larval arrest”, “larval lethal” and “sick”. Conclusion/Significance These changes provide insight into the mechanisms involved in ivermectin-induced reduction in microfilaria output and impaired fertility, embryogenesis, and larval development.
RFID Mat Sensors in Group Home

We have been developing an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) mat system to assist caregivers in a group home. In Japan, a group home offers home-based care and service for elderly persons suffering from dementia is gaining popularity. Even though the small community of the home is suitable for family-like care, the low numbers of caregivers increases the burden especially during night time. To supplement the lack of attention, we introduce the RFID antenna sheet sensors and RFID tags embedded in slippers of the elderly persons to provide location-aware services. The system can assist the caregivers to monitor the activities of the persons with dementia by specifying whether the person passed through the sheet on the corridor. Moreover, the system not only helps the caregivers to understand the persons with dementia by reviewing their activities but also keeps them informed about the person's ongoing activities.
On the Unity of 'Number' in Semantics and Morphology

This paper advances the case that linguistics requires a unified theory of number, serviceable to both semantics and morphology, by proving that the morphological concept of augmentation and the semantic concept of cumulation are near logical equivalents. From this emerge an inventory of number features incorporating the categories ‘paucal’ and ‘unit augmented’, a typology of number systems crosslinguistically, and indication of other areas of likely convergence between semantic and morphological research.
Enhanced Exopolysaccharide Production by Metabolic Engineering of Streptococcus thermophilus

ABSTRACT It is possible that the low levels of production of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) by lactic acid bacteria could be improved by altering the levels of enzymes in the central metabolism that influence the production of precursor nucleotide sugars. To test this hypothesis, we identified and cloned the galU gene, which codes for UDP glucose pyrophosphorylase (GalU) in Streptococcus thermophilus LY03. Homologous overexpression of the gene led to a 10-fold increase in GalU activity but did not have any effect on the EPS yield when lactose was the carbon source. However, when galU was overexpressed in combination with pgmA, which encodes phosphoglucomutase (PGM), the EPS yield increased from 0.17 to 0.31 g/mol of carbon from lactose. A galactose-fermenting LY03 mutant (Gal+) with increased activities of the Leloir enzymes was also found to have a higher EPS yield (0.24 g/mol of carbon) than the parent strain. The EPS yield was further improved to 0.27 g/mol of carbon by overexpressing galU in this strain. However, the highest EPS yield, 0.36 g/mol of carbon, was obtained when pgmA was knocked out in the Gal+ strain. Measurements of the levels of intracellular metabolites in the cultures revealed that the Gal+ strains had considerably higher glucose 1-phosphate levels than the other strains, and the strain lacking PGM activity had threefold-higher levels of glucose 1-phosphate than the other Gal+ strains. These results show that it is possible to increase EPS production by altering the levels of enzymes in the central carbohydrate metabolism.
Serogroup-specific epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae: associations with age, sex, and geography in 7,000 episodes of invasive disease.

A study sample of 7,010 episodes of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae disease was obtained by combining 13 existing datasets. Disease episodes due to each of 12 pneumococcal serogroups (1, 3-9, 14, 18, 19, and 23) were then compared with episodes in a constant internal control group to describe serogroup-specific variations in disease frequency by age, sex, and geographic origin. The results are presented as odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) derived by logistic regression, with adjustment for the major confounders, including dataset of origin. Variation in the male:female ratios between serogroups is small, suggesting that capsular characteristics are an unlikely explanation for the male preference of S. pneumoniae. Serogroups associated with higher nasopharyngeal prevalence (e.g., 19 and 24) are relatively more common in Europe and North American, while the invasive serotypes 1 and 5 are much more common in South America. The custom of reporting serogroup frequencies in two age groups, children and adults, conceals much of the variation in the age distributions across the whole span of life. The reduction of risk associated with serogroups 6, 14, 18, 19, and 23 beyond childhood follows different gradients, being most abrupt in serogroups 14 and most gradual in serogroup 18. The relative risk of disease with serotype 1 declines steadily throughout life, while with serotypes 3 and 8 it increases over middle age. Serogroups 7 and 23 are found unusually frequently in the third decade of life. Because of the wide differences in the epidemiology of individual serogroups of S. pneumoniae, it is questionable whether pneumococcal infection should continue to be classified as a single disease entity.
Evaluation of an alcohol expectancy typology : group differences in psychosocial functioning and developmental history in a treatment sample of adolescents

OF THE THESIS EVALUATION OF AN ALCOHOL EXPECTANCY TYPOLOGY: GROUP DIFFERENCES IN PSYCHOSOCIAL FUNCTIONING AND DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY IN A TREATMENT SAMPLE OF ADOLESCENTS by Sabrina E. Des Rosiers Florida International University, 2006 Miami, Florida Professor Jonathan G. Tubman, Major Professor The goals of the present study were (a) to identify distinct and meaningful groups of adolescents on the basis of their self-reported alcohol expectancies and, (b) to document multivariate group differences between alcohol expectancy clusters and specific adjustment outcomes. Six distinct homogenous subgroups were identified via Cluster Analysis. Subsequent validation analyses involving between-cluster comparisons of psychosocial adjustment outcomes identified significant group differences. Clusters with stronger endorsement of positive alcohol expectancies were more likely to receive a lifetime diagnosis of conduct disorder, engage in negative social interactions, have higher ratings of perceived stress, and reckless behaviors. Between-cluster differences were also identified for age, school grade, family structure and ethnicity. The results of this study supported the merit of using a person-centered analytic strategy to describe heterogeneity in patterns of alcohol expectancies and their relations with specific adjustment outcomes among high-risk samples of adolescents.
Spectral-Spatial Hyperspectral Image Classification Using Extended Multi Attribute Profiles and Guided Bilateral Filter

The combination of spectral and spatial information for classification of hyper spectral image is an effective way in improving classification accuracy. In the paper, we proposed a new spectral-spatial method for textural feature extraction based on morphological attribute profiles and guided bilateral filter. Firstly, we obtained multi-level characters through the cascade of many attribute profiles to present the spatial and spectral information of remote sensing image. Then, bilateral filter preserved the edges of features with guide of the segmentation image generated by entropy rate super pixel algorithm. Finally, a pixel-wise classifier, e.g., Support vector machine and sparse representation, is used for classification based on the features. Experiments of two benchmark hyper spectral data sets showed better performance of the proposed method than other state-of-the-art methods.
Association among independent and dependent factors of host in volunteer computing

These days, many scientific projects such as: SETI@home and Distributed.net are using computers which are connected to internet from the entire world in order to run their jobs. This large distributed system is a Volunteer Computing (VC) that includes volunteer hosts. An important attribute of volunteer hosts is the volatile behavior that means often they are not available because of the autonomy nature of owners. The volatile behavior of hosts is significant and effective issue on fault tolerance of the system. Therefore, characterization factors of volatile hosts have influence on reliability of jobs schedulers and improve fault tolerance of the VC system. This paper considered on characterization host's factors in concept of association between dependent and independent factors of hosts. We assumed that CPU interval availability and frequency number of CPU availability are dependent factors, also time zone, location, RAM size and numbers of processors are independent factors. In other words, the main hypothesis is that there is an association between dependent and independent factors. To proof this hypothesis, we used real trace data of volunteers which are taken from SETI@home project. We found that time zone and location have dependency, also processor's number have correlation with CPU interval availability while frequency number of CPU availability has correlation with RAM size.
The effect of ApoE e4 on blood pressure in patients with and without depression

Introduction Depression is considered an independent risk factor for hypertension, particularly for people with recurrent episodes or a long history of depression. Another risk factor for cardiovascular disease is the Apolipoprotein E e4 allele (ApoE e4). The aim of this study was to examine how ApoE e4 was related to blood pressure (BP) in patients with depression and a control group. Methods A total of 78 patients, 49 with depression and 29 without, all recruited from the same hospital, underwent ApoE e genotyping (24 had at least one ApoE e4 allele) and examination of BP. Results In the depression group, but not in the control group, both systolic and diastolic BP were significantly higher in patients with ApoE e4 than in those without. The effect of ApoE e4 on BP differed significantly between the two groups. Conclusion Our findings showed that the effect of ApoE e4 on BP differed between the patients with depression and the control group. In patients with depression, ApoE e4 was associated with an increase in BP. We suggest that patients with depression and ApoE e4-positive status are particularly prone to develop BP elevation.
An energy efficient hybrid co-operative spectrum sensing technique for CRSN

Cognitive Radio Sensor Networks (CRSN) demands energy efficient and a cost effective co-operative spectrum sensing techniques which performs well in fading and shadowing environment with optimum values of sensing parameters at low computational complexities. A cluster-based co-operative network architecture, an appropriate choice for effective operation of dynamic spectrum management in CRSN is considered with hybrid spectrum sensing capability. A new energy efficient hybrid co-operative spectrum sensing technique which associates energy and Eigen value based detectors is proposed to improve the sensing efficiency and sensing reliability to enhance the performance of CRSN. All CRSN nodes are equipped with simple energy detectors and the additional task of detection using Eigen value based detectors is being assigned to a detection center. The Data fusion center is responsible for the decision making rules with an eye on the requirements of low energy consumption and low computational complexity of CRSN. Simulation results clarifies the choice for Eigen value based spectrum sensing scheme and makes a comparison between the proposed hybrid scheme and a cyclostationary based hybrid scheme.
Using Wikipedia as a Reference for Extracting Semantic Information from a Text

In this paper we present an algorithm that, using Wikipedia as a reference, extracts semantic information from an arbitrary text. Our algorithm refines a procedure proposed by others, which mines all the text contained in the whole Wikipedia. Our refinement, based on a clustering approach, exploits the semantic information contained in certain types of Wikipedia hyperlinks, and also introduces an analysis based on multi-words. Our algorithm outperforms current methods in that the output contains many less false positives. We were also able to understand which (structural) part of the texts provides most of the semantic information extracted by the algorithm.