Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lefty inhibits in vitro decidualization by regulating P57 and cyclin D1 expressions

Endometrial decidualization is highly important for successful construction and maintenance of embryo implantation and pregnancy. Lefty gene at different menstrual cycle phases has different expressions, indicating its regulatory significance. To study the mechanism of Lefty in decidualization, human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) were cultured and induced with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and 8‐bromoadenosine‐cAMP (8‐Br‐cAMP) in vitro as a research model. Our results showed that Lefty1 overexpression inhibited MPA‐ and 8‐Br‐cAMP‐induced hESC decidualization and significantly reduced the secretion of prolactin (PRL) and insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein 1 (IGFBP‐1). With the inhibition of Lefty1 expression, hESC decidualization induced by MPA and 8‐Br‐cAMP became more remarkable, and the secretions of PRL and IGFBP‐1 were higher too. Further tests indicated that during the process of decidualization, P57 expression increased, whereas cyclin D1 expression decreased. Although Lefty1 overexpression did not significantly change the expressions of P57 and cyclin D1, inhibition of Lefty1 expression resulted in more evident changes in P57 and cyclin D1 expressions. Meanwhile, cell cycle examination showed that Lefty1 overexpression reduced the cell cycle arrest at G1/S phase in the in vitro hESC decidualization model. Therefore, Lefty1 could regulate the cell cycle via modulating the expressions of P57 and cyclin D1 and then inhibit the decidualization in vitro. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Total hip arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis in younger patients: 2,557 replacements in the Finnish Arthroplasty Register followed for 0–24 years

Background The results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in young patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been reported in only a few studies. On a nationwide level, the outcome of THA in these patients is unknown. We evaluated the population-based survival of THA in patients under 55 years of age with RA and factors affecting the survival. Patients Between 1980 and 2003, 2,557 primary THAs performed for RA in patients less than 55 years of age were reported to the Finnish Arthroplasty Register. Results Proximally circumferentially porous-coated uncemented stems had a 15-year survival rate of 89% (95% CI 83–94) with aseptic loosening as endpoint. The risk of stem revision due to aseptic loosening was higher with cemented stems than with proximally porouscoated uncemented stems implanted during the same period (RR 2.4; p < 0.001). In contrast, Cox regression analysis showed that the risk of cup revision was significantly higher for all uncemented cup concepts than for all-polyethylene cemented cups with any cup revision as endpoint. There were no significant differences in survival between the THR concepts. Interpretations Uncemented proximally circumferentially porous-coated stems and cemented all-poly-ethylene cups are currently the implants of choice for young patients with RA.
Analysis of Passive Intermodulation Interference in GSM Mobile Communication Antennas

Passive intermodulation (PIM for short) problem in mobile communication is discussed. The PIM property of mobile communication antenna is analyzed by simplified power series method. PIM measurement on GMS mobile communication antenna is done to verify the nonlinear model. Comparison between experimental results and predicted one shows that the used theory is right and practical.
Hierarchy-associated semantic-rule inference framework for classifying indoor scenes

Abstract. Typically, the initial task of classifying indoor scenes is challenging, because the spatial layout and decoration of a scene can vary considerably. Recent efforts at classifying object relationships commonly depend on the results of scene annotation and predefined rules, making classification inflexible. Furthermore, annotation results are easily affected by external factors. Inspired by human cognition, a scene-classification framework was proposed using the empirically based annotation (EBA) and a match-over rule-based (MRB) inference system. The semantic hierarchy of images is exploited by EBA to construct rules empirically for MRB classification. The problem of scene classification is divided into low-level annotation and high-level inference from a macro perspective. Low-level annotation involves detecting the semantic hierarchy and annotating the scene with a deformable-parts model and a bag-of-visual-words model. In high-level inference, hierarchical rules are extracted to train the decision tree for classification. The categories of testing samples are generated from the parts to the whole. Compared with traditional classification strategies, the proposed semantic hierarchy and corresponding rules reduce the effect of a variable background and improve the classification performance. The proposed framework was evaluated on a popular indoor scene dataset, and the experimental results demonstrate its effectiveness.
Aerodynamic Performance of Fan-Flow Deflectors for Jet-Noise Reduction

This paper presents a computational study on the aerodynamic effectiveness of vane-type fan-flow deflectors used for reducing jet noise from a supersonic turbofan exhaust with bypass ratio of 2.7. The numerical code solved the three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations. A series of nozzle configurations using deflector vanes of variable number, airfoil section, azimuthal mounting, and angle of attack are investigated. The flowfield around the vanes, overall flow turning angle, reduction of turbulent kinetic energy, thrust loss, and blockage caused by the deflector vanes are examined and characterized. Vanes using symmetric or moderately cambered airfoils cause much smaller aerodynamic losses than vanes with highly cambered sections that induce shock phenomena. Significant reduction in the turbulent kinetic energy on the underside of the jet plume can be achieved with overall flowdeflection of about 1 deg and attendant specific thrust loss of 0.1%. This thrust loss is deemed small enough that a fixed-vane installation may be feasible for practical application.
An Amino-terminal Amphipathic α-Helix Mediates Membrane Association of the Hepatitis C Virus Nonstructural Protein 5A*

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A), a phosphoprotein of unknown function, is believed to be a component of a membrane-associated viral replication complex. The determinants for membrane association of NS5A, however, have not been defined. By double label immunofluorescence analyses, NS5A was found to be associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or an ER-derived modified compartment both when expressed alone or in the context of the entire HCV polyprotein. Systematic deletion and green fluorescent protein fusion analyses allowed us to map the membrane anchor to the amino-terminal 30 amino acid residues of NS5A. Membrane association occurred by a posttranslational mechanism and resulted in properties of an integral membrane protein. Circular dichroism structural studies of a synthetic peptide corresponding to the NS5A membrane anchor, designated NS5A(1–31), demonstrated the presence of an amphipathic α-helix that was found to be highly conserved among 280 HCV isolates of various genotypes. The detergent-binding properties of this helical peptide together with the nature and location of its amino acids suggest a mechanism of membrane insertion via the helix hydrophobic side, yielding a topology parallel to the lipid bilayer in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the ER membrane. These findings have important implications for the structural and functional organization of the HCV replication complex and may define novel targets for antiviral intervention.
Design and Implementation of Falling Star - A Non-Redudant Spatio-Multidimensional Logical Model for Document Stores

In the context of Spatial Big Data, some NoSQL spatial DBMSs have been developed to deal with the Spatiality, Velocity, Variety, and Volume of Spatial Big Data. In this context, some works recently study NoSQL logical Data Warehouse (DW) models. However, these proposals do not investigate storing and querying spatial data. Therefore, in this paper we, propose a new logical model for document Spatial DWs. Moreover, motivated by the expressivity, readability and interoperability offered by UML profile, we represent our model using a UML profile. Finally, we present an implementation in document Spatial DBMSs.
A novel method for modelling polarisation conversion

Multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) wireless systems, characterized by multiple antenna elements at the transmitter and receiver, have demonstrated the potential for increased capacity in rich multipath environments. However, the performance of a MIMO link is very much dependent on the radio channel characteristics and the antenna design at the base station and the mobile terminal. This paper presents a stochastic model which is developed for modelling the polarisation conversion in MIMO channels by using the Poincare method for representing polarisation states on a sphere.
Immunohistochemistry to identify Leishmania parasites in fixed tissues

The definitive diagnosis of leishmaniasis currently depends on the identification of characteristic amastigote morphology in tissue, or isolation of promastigotes by culture. Histapathological identification can be difficult, and is variably sensitive; culture is considered “the gold standard”, but is not uniformly diagnostic or available. In this study, we compared light microscopic immunohistochemistry (IHC) using a monoclonal anti‐Leishmania antibody (G2D10) to standard hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain in the diagnosis of Leishmania on skin. Sixty‐one archived specimens from patients suspected of being infected with Leishmania were used; 41 of these had leishmaniasis confirmed by culture. Although not statistically significant, both sensitivity and specificity were higher for IHC compared to H&E: 51% (95% CI: 35‐67%) compared to 42% (CI: 26‐58%; 2p=0.29) for sensitivity, and 100% (CI: 83‐100%) compared to 85% (CI: 62‐97%, 2p=0.25) for specificity, respectively. Furthermore, because organisms could be diagnosed by IHC at low power (X20‐40), this assay was more rapid than H&E, in which parasite morphology could best be identified at oil immersion power. The G2D10 antibody has broad Leishmania species recognition, and offers promise as a simple, rapid diagnostic screen for leishmaniasis. Further study is underway to better characterize this antibody.
Building brain machine interfaces: From rat to monkey

Brain machine interfaces (BMIs), offer a direct path for brain to communicate with outside world, mainly use central neural activities to control artificial external devices. These techniques to collect the brain signals could be distinguished as non-invasive or invasive BMIs according to the position of recoding electrodes. Compared with non-invasive BMIs, invasive BMIs have wide potential in assisting, augmenting or repairing more complex motor functions of human, especially in patients with severe body paralysis. This paper will review our lab's research work on invasive BMIs with subjects on rat and monkey. We built a synchronous recording and analyzing system for rat's neural activities and motor behavior. Rat could use its intention to control external one dimensional robotic lever in real time. Also, a remote control training system was designed to realize rat navigating through 3D obstacle route, as well as switching between “motion” and “motionlessness” at any point during the route. We further extended our work to develop the invasive BMI system on non-human primate. While the monkey was trained to perform a 2-D center-out task, plenty of neural activities in motor cortex were invasively recorded. We showed the preliminary decoding results of the 2D trajectory, and plan to utilize the decoded prediction to control an external device, such as robot hand.
Effects of Moderate and High Doses of Alcohol on Carotid Atherogenesis

The role of alcohol consumption on pathophysiology of atherosclerosis is not completely well established. Past studies were conducted with different methodological approaches, sometimes leading to opposing conclusions. The aim of this study was to determine the weight of alcohol intake on carotid atherosclerosis in a group of subjects asymptomatic for cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. They were examined by ultrasonographic assessment during the period 1993 through 1997. Common risk factors of atherosclerosis and drinking habit were assessed by a standardized questionnaire. In this survey we confirm the J-shaped relationship between atherosclerosis and alcohol consumption. The effect of alcohol intake is more evident if we consider the presence of multiple internal carotid stenosis, or those greater than 25%, as outcome variables. These effects are independent from the other risk factors included in logistic regression paradigms (age, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, family history of cardio-cerebrovascular disease, smoking and social status). Our study supported that a high level of alcohol intake plays a role as an independent factor in carotid atherogenesis.
Modeling of muscle forces in humans with and without temporomandibular joint disorders.

OBJECTIVES Subjects with/without temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD) were tested for differences in muscle forces. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo. Ninety-one subjects were classified in four groups based on the presence/absence (±) of chronic myofascial and/or TMJ pain (P) and bilateral disc displacement (DD). MATERIAL AND METHODS Validated numerical models employed an organizational objective and subjects' anatomy to calculate masticatory muscle forces during static biting. anova and Holm's step-down procedure post hoc tests assessed group differences. Theoretical geometries, representing the range of subjects' muscle orientations, were surveyed via numerical models to identify key combinations resulting in high muscle forces. Effect size (Cohen's d) and anova/post hoc tests assessed group differences in key muscle orientations. RESULTS +P-DD subjects had significantly higher muscle forces, especially for lateral pterygoid muscles, compared to the other groups (p<0.01) for bite forces that were directed posteromedially or posterolaterally on mandibular molars and posteriorly and slightly medially on mandibular incisors. Key muscle orientations for peak lateral pterygoid muscle forces were identified, and group comparisons showed mean orientation in +P-DD compared to other diagnostic groups was ≥5° more upright for masseter and ≥3° more posteriorly directed for temporalis muscles (all Cohen's d≥0.8). CONCLUSION Predicted lateral pterygoid muscle forces were significantly higher in +P-DD compared to other groups for specific biting conditions and were attributable, in part, to differences in masseter and temporalis muscle orientations.
Prenatal and Childhood Exposure to Phthalate Diesters and Thyroid Function in a 9-Year Follow-up Birth Cohort Study: Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study

Background: Phthalates are widely used in industry, personal care products, and medications. Recent studies have suggested that phthalate exposure alters thyroid hormones. However, longitudinal studies concerning the association between phthalate exposure and thyroid function in children are scant. Therefore, we examined the association between pre- and postnatal phthalate exposure and thyroid function in children born in 2000–2001. Methods: We studied 181 mother–child pairs in central Taiwan and followed-up the children from 2000 to 2009 at 2, 5, and 8 years old. We measured serum levels of thyroxine (T4), free T4, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone in children by using radioimmunoassay. We quantified seven phthalate metabolites, representing the five most commonly used phthalates, in maternal and child urine samples by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The metabolites were monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) derived from di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monobutyl phthalate (MBP), and monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP). We constructed a linear mixed model to examine these associations after adjustments for covariates. Results: The T4 levels were inversely associated with maternal urinary MEHHP (&bgr; = −0.028 [95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.051, −0.006]) and MEOHP (&bgr; = −0.027 [−0.050, −0.003]), with similar T3 levels being observed in boys, even when the children exposure levels were considered spontaneously. In the girls, the free T4 levels were inversely associated with levels of maternal urinary MEP (&bgr; = −0.042), maternal urinary MBzP (&bgr; = −0.050), and children’s urinary MEHP (&bgr; = −0.027). Conclusions: Early life phthalate exposure was associated with decreased thyroid hormone levels in young children.
Bow-tie shaped meander slot on-body antenna

In this paper a meander slot on-body antenna is proposed for the use of wireless body area network. In order to reduce the human body radiation, metallic foil has been used on the back of the antenna. To realize miniaturized antenna having large bandwidth, the bow-tie meander slot construction is combined in this paper. A hybrid-ring coupler is used to provide phase difference. Results show that the proposed antenna has 460MHz bandwidth on the central frequency of 17GHz.
Meta Captioning and Subtitling : Undervalued Language Learning Strategies

Audiovisual material enhanced with captions or interlingual subtitles is a particularly powerful pedagogical tool which can help improve the listening comprehension skills of second-language learners. Captioning facilitates language learning by helping students visualize what they hear, especially if the input is not too far beyond their linguistic ability. Subtitling can also increase language comprehension and leads to additional cognitive benefits, such as greater depth of processing. However, learners often need to be trained to develop active viewing strategies for an efficient use of captioned and subtitled material. Multimedia can offer an even wider range of strategies to learners, who can control access to either captions or subtitles.
Two-particle excitations in antiferromagnetic insulators.

The energy of one and two holes in a Hubbard antiferromagnet for nonzero exchange, J, in the Ising limit is calculated within the Brinkman-Rice approximation. Only the p- and d-symmetry states bind with an energy of order J. The implications for superconductivity and antiferromagnetism of doped Hubbard insulators is discussed.
The Number of a U3 Repeat Box Acting as an Enhancer in Long Terminal Repeats of Polytropic Replication-Competent Porcine Endogenous Retroviruses Dynamically Fluctuates during Serial Virus Passages in Human Cells

ABSTRACT The organization and transcriptional regulation of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) long terminal repeats (LTRs) are unknown. We have studied the activity of LTRs from replication-competent molecular clones by performing luciferase reporter assays. The LTRs differ in the presence and number of 39-bp repeats located in U3 that confer strong promoter activity in human, simian, canine, feline, and porcine cell lines, whereas for LTRs devoid of the repeats, the promoter strength was significantly reduced. As the activity of a heterologous simian virus 40 promoter and a homologous repeat-deficient LTR was elevated by four 39-bp repeats independently of its orientation and location, the repeat box complies with the definition of an enhancer. During serial virus passaging of molecular PERV clones on human 293 cells, proviral LTRs demonstrated adaptation of transcriptional activity by dynamic changes of the number of 39-bp repeats in the course of up to 12 passaging cycles.
Does Melatonin Have Therapeutic Use in Tinnitus?

Abstract Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, may be a promising treatment option for tinnitus. The primary functions of this hormone are believed to be the initiation and maintenance of sleep because its secretions coincide with circadian rhythms. Some investigators have noted that melatonin may alleviate subjective symptoms of tinnitus. Moreover, melatonin may have properties protective against ototoxic drugs such as amikacin, gentamicin, or cancer therapeutic agents that are dose dependent. In vitro, melatonin has demonstrated antioxidative properties and it has been postulated that these antioxidative properties contribute to the alleviation of tinnitus. Melatonin levels used to obtain these findings in vitro, however, are at supraphysiologic levels; therefore, it is more likely that the benefits from taking supplemental melatonin occur from minimal antioxidative properties, sleep enhancement, or other potential methods of action that are not yet understood. Melatonin offers minimal risk of toxicity with modest daily doses such as 1 to 3 mg, as well as a low cost and favorable adverse effect profile for older adults. In addition to potential benefits in the treatment of tinnitus, melatonin also may have beneficial neurogenerative properties. We recommend that melatonin be considered for use in patients with significant tinnitus.
Combining online and offline handwriting recognition

This work describes an online handwriting recognition system working in combination with an offline recognizer. The online input data is first transcribed by theonline recognizer, then converted into an offline bitmapand recognized by the offline system. The outputs ofthe two recognizers are then combined probabilisticallyresulting in a classifier out-performing both individualsystems. Experiments were performed over a databaseof single digits. The error rate of the online recognizeris reduced by 43% when the combination with the offlinesystem is applied.
The Role of Inhaled Insulin in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes continues to place a major burden on the health care system of the United States and worldwide. Type 2 diabetes involves two major defects: decreased insulin production from the pancreas and increased insulin resistance. Many patients with type 2 diabetes have decreased insulin production which requires exogenous insulin therapy in order to manage their disease. Despite this need, there is often a reluctance to initiate insulin therapy from both providers and patients. One reason for this reluctance may be a fear of needles or of administering injections. Delivering insulin through the lungs has been studied for decades, with the first inhaled insulin product coming to market in 2006. This product’s launch was considered unsuccessful, and the product was discontinued by the manufacturer the following year. A new inhaled insulin, Technosphere? insulin, was approved for use in type 1 and type 2 diabetes in 2014. This product was shown superior to placebo and non-inferior to a premixed bi-phasic subcutaneous insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes, and may offer an alternative to patients who are averse to giving subcutaneous injections.