Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantum-noise reduction using a cavity with a movable mirror.

Because of radiation pressure, an optical cavity with harmonically bound mirrors has an intensity-dependent length and behaves as an effective Kerr medium. We determine the quantum fluctuations of the field reflected by such a cavity, taking into account the input field fluctuations and the mirror Brownian motion. In the regions of parameter space close to bistability turning points, we obtain a significant quantum-noise reduction effect.
Psoralea corylifolia extract induces vasodilation in rat arteries through both endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanisms involving inhibition of TRPC3 channel activity and elaboration of prostaglandin

Abstract Context: Fructus Psoralea, Psoralea corylifolia L. (Leguminosae), has been widely used in traditional medicines for the treatment of dermatitis, leukoderma, asthma and osteoporosis. Objectives: In this study, we sought to study mechanisms underlying the vasoactive properties of Psoralea corylifolia extract (PCE) and its active ingredients. Materials and methods: To study mechanisms underlying the vasoactive properties of PCE prepared by extracting dried seeds of Psoralea corylifolia with 70% ethanol, isometric tension recordings of rat aortic rings and the ionic currents through TRPC3 (transient receptor potential canonical 3) channels were measured with the cumulative concentration (10–600 μg/mL) of PCE or its constituents. Results: Cumulative treatment with PCE caused the relaxation of pre-contracted aortic rings in the presence and absence of endothelium with EC50 values of 61.27 ± 3.11 and 211.13 ± 18.74 μg/mL, respectively. Pretreatment with inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, guanylate cyclase, or cyclooxygenase and pyrazole 3, a selective TRPC3 channel blocker, significantly decreased PCE-induced vasorelaxation (p < 0.01). The PCE constituents, bakuchiol, isobavachalcone, isopsoralen and psoralen, inhibited hTRPC3 currents (inhibited by 40.6 ± 2.7, 27.1 ± 7.9, 35.1 ± 4.8 and 47.4 ± 3.9%, respectively). Furthermore, these constituents significantly relaxed pre-contracted aortic rings (EC50 128.9, 4.5, 32.1 and 114.9 μg/mL, respectively). Discussion and conclusions: Taken together, our data indicate that the vasodilatory actions of PCE are dependent on endothelial NO/cGMP and also involved in prostaglandin production. PCE and its active constituents, bakuchiol, isobavachalcone, isopsoralen and psoralen, caused dose-dependent inhibition of TRPC3 channels, indicating that those ingredients attenuate Phe-induced vasoconstriction.
Genus-Specific Identification of Enterococci by PCR Method

Cupakova ·. , M. Pospi‰ilova, I. Kolaakova, R. Karpi‰kova: Genus-Specific Identification of Enterococci by PCR Method. Acta Vet Brno 2005, 74: 633-637. The aim of this study was to verify the application of polymerase chain reaction method focused on the detection of genus-specific tuf-gene for the rapid identification of enterococci. The reaction was as duplex-PCR, when, apart from the detection of genus-specific tuf-gene (amplification product of 112 bp), the internal control for 16S rRNA gene (amplification product of 241 bp) was also inserted. Detection of tuf-gene was positive in Enterococcus spp. isolates from the collections of microorganisms (8 species) and in 283 field isolates from foods and food raw materials, drinking water and various kind of waste water, previously identified by phenotypic methods as enterococci of different species. PCR product of 112 bp was missing in 16 non-enterococci strains and in 14 field isolates thereafter identified as lactococci. The above PCR method can be recommended for the rapid identification of enterococci in the routine use. Enterococcus spp. , polymerase chain reaction, tuf-gene
Transvaginal sonography and serum hCG in monitoring of presumed ectopic pregnancies selected for expectant management

We studied sonographic findings and levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in 71 patients with a presumed ectopic pregnancy, recruited for conservative management, to find out whether these parameters may be useful in monitoring treatment. Patients were selected on the basis of decreasing hCG levels, minimal symptoms and an adnexal mass, suggestive of ectopic pregnancy, of ≤ 5 cm at transvaginal sonography. In 49 (69%) patients the ectopic pregnancy resolved spontaneously: the adnexal mass resolved significantly more slowly than did hCG levels. In 22 (31%) of the cases laparoscopy was required after an average of 9 days, because of worsening clinical symptoms. The initial size of the ectopic pregnancy did not significantly differ between the two groups, but it increased constantly in the laparoscopy group. The number of patients with free pelvic fluid also increased significantly in the laparoscopy group, whereas blood flow patterns at admission and during follow‐up did not differ between the two groups. A decrease in ectopic pregnancy size at day 7 had a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 100% in predicting spontaneous resolution. Transvaginal sonography monitoring appears useful in recognizing the ectopic pregnancies most likely to resolve spontaneously without complications. Copyright © 1995 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Efficacy and safety of desloratadine in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND The evidence base for the use of H1-antihistamines in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis is considerably smaller than it is in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that desloratadine, a new, nonsedating selective H1-antihistamine, would be efficacious and safe in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. METHODS In a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study, 676 patients with symptomatic perennial allergic rhinitis were randomly assigned to 4 weeks of treatment with either 5 mg of desloratadine once daily or placebo. Efficacy was assessed by using a morning-evening instantaneous total symptom score (TSS), which was composed of scores for 4 individual nasal symptoms (rhinorrhea, itching, sneezing, and postnasal drip) and 3 individual nonnasal symptoms (itching eyes, watering eyes, and itching of the ears or palate). Secondary outcome measures included a morning-evening reflective TSS, total nasal and nonnasal symptoms scores, and individual symptom scores. Safety evaluations, including 12-lead electrocardiograms, were performed. RESULTS Six hundred thirty-four patients completed the study. Desloratadine consistently diminished perennial allergic rhinitis symptoms, reducing the morning-evening instantaneous TSS (P =.005), the morning-evening reflective TSS (P =.007), the morning-evening reflective total nonnasal score (P =.023), and the individual nasal symptom scores for rhinorrhea, nasal itching, sneezing, and postnasal drip/drainage (P =.05 to P =.013) during weeks 1 through 4. Improvement in symptoms was observed after the first dose. Dropouts, and the type and frequency of adverse events (headache, viral infection, pharyngitis, and upper respiratory tract infection), were similar in both treatment groups. No clinically significant changes in QTc intervals were observed. CONCLUSIONS Desloratadine rapidly and safely reduced the symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis, and its efficacy did not diminish during 4 weeks of treatment.
Tooth and Gingival Display in the Anterior Region at Rest and during Smiling of different Age Groups: A Comparative Study

Objective: To investigate the effect of age on the degree of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth and associated gingival display when the lips are at rest and during smiling among a group of Jordanian population. Methods: A total of 127 subjects (74 females and 53 males) were included in this study. Subjects had all natural anterior teeth present with no caries, restorations, extreme occlusal wear, extrusion, obvious deformities, or tooth mobility. Crown length, displayed portions of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth and associated gingiva at rest and during smiling were measured using a “Fowler Electronic Digital Calliper”, which had a resolution of 0.01mm. The measurements were taken by two independent Dental Clinicians and they were repeated 3 times and the mean value was calculated for further analysis. SPSS (V 11) software was used to analyse the data. Statistical analyses were performed by Student’s t-test and ANOVA. Level of significance was set to 0.05. Results: At rest and during smiling; maxillary tooth display decreased, and mandibular tooth display increased with increasing age, but the differences between age groups were not significant, with the exception of the display maxillary central incisor that reduced significantly as age increased (P<0.001). Gingival display during smiling followed a similar pattern and did not present any statistically significant differences between different age groups in the anterior region. However, maxillary gingival display was the highest below the age of 20; and above the age of 60 for the mandibular gingival display, but statistically significant differences were not recorded between age groups. Conclusion: Differences in tooth display in relation to aging should be considered when providing esthetic prosthodontic treatment that involves replacement of anterior teeth.
Phytoestrogen “ Genistein ” : Its Extraction and Isolation from Soybean Seeds

Phytoestrogens, structurally or functionally mimic of mammalian estrogens, are phenolic non-steroidal plant derived compounds. On the basis of their hormonal activity, they can bind to estrogen receptors and show potential benefits for human health. There are three main classes of phytoestrogens isoflavones, lignans and coumestans out of which Isoflavones are most studied group of phytoestrogens and predominantly found in legumes such as soybeans. The soy isoflavones, genistein have most potent estrogenic activity. Estrogen level begin to decline with a woman’s age and resulting in the end of menstrual cycle which results in menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, urogenital atrophy, incontinence, insomnia, heart problems and osteoporosis. Depending on their concentration and other factors, genistein can act like weak estrogens by binding to the estrogen receptor on cell membranes and as estrogen antagonists by preventing estrogens from binding to the receptors. Genistein come into focus of interest due to their positive effects in prevention of hormone dependent cancer, cardiovascular diseases by improving plasma lipid concentrations, osteoporosis and cognitive decline. In this study, our main focus is on the extraction and isolation of isoflavones-genistein from soybean seeds and optimization of extraction parameters to give a high yield of genistein. HPLC analysis revealed that the product thus obtained contained a high content of genistein.
Particle swarm optimization on designing anticipatory iterative learning controller for positioning accuracy

This paper applies a particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique using hybrid terms. This technique is used to adjust the learning gain of the anticipatory iterative learning control (AILC). This research proposes the hybrid PSO cognitive and social components on the updating velocity terms. The optimized AILC's gain facilitates the improvement of the learning process and positioning accuracy. Simulations were conducted, and the results were compared with the fixed gain of ILC, fixed gain of AILC and three lead time of AILC by using PSO method. The learnable error signals through a bandwidth-tuning mechanism adaptively and successfully shaped the new input trajectory. The simulation results validate the effectiveness of the new PSO-AILC for precision accuracy for a one-axis linear motor.
Cytokines Induce Upregulation of Vascular P2Y2 Receptors and Increased Mitogenic Responses to UTP and ATP

P2Y2 receptors, which mediate contractile and mitogenic effects of extracellular nucleotides in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), are upregulated in the synthetic phenotype of VSMCs and in the neointima after balloon angioplasty, suggesting a role in the development of atherosclerosis. Because released cytokines in atherosclerotic lesions mediate multiple effects on gene transcription in VSMCs, we speculated that cytokines could be involved in the regulation of P2Y2 receptor expression. Using a competitive reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, we detected that interleukin (IL)-1&bgr; induced a time- and dose-dependent upregulation of P2Y2 receptor mRNA, which was dramatically enhanced when combined with interferon-&ggr; or tumor necrosis factor-&agr;. Lipopolysaccharide also significantly increased the expression of P2Y2 receptor mRNA. The upregulation of P2Y2 receptor mRNA was paralleled at the functional level because IL-1&bgr; significantly increased the UTP-stimulated DNA synthesis and the release of intracellular Ca2+. Actinomycin D completely blocked the upregulation of P2Y2 receptor mRNA expression by IL-1&bgr;, indicating de novo mRNA synthesis. There was no cAMP accumulation in the cells stimulated with IL-1&bgr;. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin and the protein kinase C inhibitor RO-31-8220 inhibited IL-1&bgr;–induced upregulation of P2Y2 receptor mRNA expression, whereas rapamycin and PD098059 had no effects. Furthermore, neither P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor SB20358 alone nor its combination with PD098059 blocked the effect of IL-1&bgr; on the expression of P2Y2 receptor mRNA. Our results demonstrate that inflammatory mediators upregulate vascular P2Y2 receptors at the transcriptional and at the functional level through protein kinase C and cyclooxygenase but not cAMP, extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1 and 2, or P38-dependent pathways. This may result in increased growth-stimulatory or contractile effects of extracellular UTP and ATP, which may be of importance in the development of vascular disease.
DTI correlates of distinct cognitive impairments in Parkinson's disease

The spectrum of cognitive symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) can span various domains, including executive function, language, attention, memory, and visuospatial skills. These symptoms may be attributable to the degradation of projection fibers associated with the underlying neurodegenerative process. The primary purpose of this study is to find microstructural correlates of impairments across these cognitive domains in PD using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Sixteen patients with PD with comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation and DTI data were retrospectively studied. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were assessed using regions‐of‐interest (ROI) analysis and confirmed with a voxel‐based approach. Executive function directly correlated with FA and inversely correlated with MD in mostly frontal white matter tracts, especially the anterior limb of the internal capsule and genu of the corpus callosum. Likewise, language and attentional performance demonstrated correlations with DTI parameters in the frontal regions, but the attention domain additionally recruited regions widespread throughout the brain, with the most significant correlation identified in cingulate gyrus (cingulum). Lastly, memory impairment mainly involved MD alterations within the fornix. No significant correlations were found between visuospatial skills and DTI measures. Despite some overlap, unique patterns of white matter diffusivity underlie impairments in distinct cognitive domains in patients with PD. DTI combined with neurocognitive tests may be a valuable biomarker for identifying cognitive impairments in PD. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1325–1333, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A wavelet video coder using entropy-constrained trellis coded quantization

A new wavelet video coder is proposed which uses entropy-constrained trellis-coded quantization to quantize the inter-frame prediction errors of the decomposed subband data. The video sequence is first spatially decomposed into several subbands and motion compensated in the frequency domain. A simple switching mechanism is used to decide between inter-frame and intra-frame coding on a macro-block basis. Symmetric codebooks have been designed for the quantizers assuming that the subband signals are approximated by a generalized Gaussian source. The output rate is controlled by a feedback quantization control mechanism, leading to a fixed-rate system. Simulation results reported for the "Miss America" sequence, indicate that the proposed codec has a very good rate-distortion performance.
Toward a Structural Understanding of Coup Risk

Although coup risk plays an important role in theories of war, revolution, and democratization, scholars have not developed a rigorous conceptualization and valid measure of the concept. We develop a structural understanding of coup risk as distinct from proximate causes of coups as well as coup-proofing strategies that regimes implement to avert coups. Theoretical insights into factors that predispose regimes toward coup vulnerability provide the groundwork for an improved measure based on strength of civil society, legitimacy, and past coups. Cross-national statistical analyses are used to significantly improve on previous coupincidence models and highlight deficiencies of the common approach to measuring coup risk. The structural conceptualization of coup risk enhances understanding of broader civil-military dynamics, in particular the well-known distinction between motives and opportunities for launching coups. This distinction is shown to be insensitive to an important observational equivalence: that coups may be rare in both high-and low-risk cases.
Oral health knowledge, attitude, and practice in 12-year-old schoolchildren in Iran

Objective: The knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) studies play an important role in promotion of oral health. The aim of this study was to assess oral health KAP in 12-year-old schoolchildren in Iran. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study on 1554 students aged 12 years from the rural and urban areas of five provinces, KAP of subjects was assessed using a culturally adapted questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Chi-squared test, t-test, correlation coefficient, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression. Statistical significance was set atP < 0.05. Results: In general, the scores of students in knowledge, attitude, and practice were 74.1 ± 21.1%, 72.6 ± 21.1%, and 51.8 ± 12%, respectively. Urban students had significantly higher scores in KAP (P = 0.0001). Female students got higher scores in all the three dimensions, but the difference was significant only in brushing practice (P = 0.006). Students in Tehran (the capital city) had significantly higher scores in all fields (P = 0.0001). Parents' education and mothers' job had a significant relationship with KAP of children. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that 12-year-old schoolchildren in Iran had good knowledge and positive attitude. But oral health practice was not satisfactory.
On the p-Laplacian and ∞-Laplacian on Graphs with Applications in Image and Data Processing

In this paper we introduce a new family of partial difference operators on graphs and study equations involving these operators. This family covers local variational $p$-Laplacian, $\infty$-Laplacian, nonlocal $p$-Laplacian and $\infty$-Laplacian, $p$-Laplacian with gradient terms, and gradient operators used in morphology based on the partial differential equation. We analyze a corresponding parabolic equation involving these operators which enables us to interpolate adaptively between $p$-Laplacian diffusion-based filtering and morphological filtering, i.e., erosion and dilation. Then, we consider the elliptic partial difference equation with its corresponding Dirichlet problem and we prove the existence and uniqueness of respective solutions. For $p=\infty$, we investigate the connection with Tug-of-War games. Finally, we demonstrate the adaptability of this new formulation for different tasks in image and point cloud processing, such as filtering, segmentation, clustering, and inpainting.
Genetics of Feed Efficiency in Angus Cattle 1

Summary Heritabilities of feed efficiency traits and genetic correlations with other economically important traits were estimated in Angus steers from a designed progeny test. Heritabilities for feed intake, feed conversion, and residual feed intake were 0.44, 0.15, and 0.50, respectively. Genetic correlations of residual feed intake with carcass marbling score and 12 to 13 th rib carcass fat thickness were
Coupling of Action-Perception Brain Networks during Musical Pulse Processing: Evidence from Region-of-Interest-Based Independent Component Analysis

Our sense of rhythm relies on orchestrated activity of several cerebral and cerebellar structures. Although functional connectivity studies have advanced our understanding of rhythm perception, this phenomenon has not been sufficiently studied as a function of musical training and beyond the General Linear Model (GLM) approach. Here, we studied pulse clarity processing during naturalistic music listening using a data-driven approach (independent component analysis; ICA). Participants' (18 musicians and 18 controls) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) responses were acquired while listening to music. A targeted region of interest (ROI) related to pulse clarity processing was defined, comprising auditory, somatomotor, basal ganglia, and cerebellar areas. The ICA decomposition was performed under different model orders, i.e., under a varying number of assumed independent sources, to avoid relying on prior model order assumptions. The components best predicted by a measure of the pulse clarity of the music, extracted computationally from the musical stimulus, were identified. Their corresponding spatial maps uncovered a network of auditory (perception) and motor (action) areas in an excitatory-inhibitory relationship at lower model orders, while mainly constrained to the auditory areas at higher model orders. Results revealed (a) a strengthened functional integration of action-perception networks associated with pulse clarity perception hidden from GLM analyses, and (b) group differences between musicians and non-musicians in pulse clarity processing, suggesting lifelong musical training as an important factor that may influence beat processing.
Mean remaining life span: a new clinically relevant parameter to assess the quality of transfused red blood cells

The quality of transfused red blood cells (RBCs) to treat anemia depends on its potential for oxygen delivery, governed by two properties: 1) initial posttransfusion recovery and 2) life span of initially surviving RBCs. The latter property is poorly evaluated by the traditional mean potential life span (MPL) or mean cell age (MA), because these parameters do not evaluate how long transfused RBCs remain in circulation. Furthermore, evaluation of MPL is based on two problematic assumptions regarding transfused RBCs: 1) they were produced at a constant steady‐state rate and 2) they have similar storage life spans.
Detection of Most Popular Routes and Effective Time Segments Using Trajectory Distributions

There have been some innovative research studies for detecting the Most Popular Route (MRP) using GPS devices in order to support tourists who travel in an unfamiliar area. The MPR is a route on which many moving objects move the most among the entire possible routes. Current MRP detection methods do not take into account the time of trajectory measurement, however, road conditions vary depending on a time zone. Therefore, the detected MRP may not be an appropriate route that was defined outside of the certain time zone. The aim of this study is to propose a new method to detect the MRP which is capable of considering a time zone of trajectory measurement. In addition to the new method, "Popularity Measure" is proposed in order to verify the suitability of the detected MRP. The detected MRP using the existing and proposed method are evaluated by compared from a viewpoint of this popularity measures.