Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stress and the menstrual cycle: short- and long-term response to a five-day endotoxin challenge during the luteal phase in the rhesus monkey.

Previously, we reported that in the rhesus monkey a 5-day inflammatory-like stress during the early-mid follicular phase acutely stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and exerts effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, delays folliculogenesis and in some animals decreases luteal function in the post-treatment cycle. Because the endocrine environment at the time of the stress may influence the response to the stress, we now investigate the acute and long-term responses to a similar stress challenge during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, at a time of progesterone dominance. Nine monkeys with normal cycles were injected with endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS, 150 microg i.v.) twice a day for 5 days starting on days 4-8 after the LH peak. Blood samples were taken at hour 3 and hour 8 after each morning LPS injection to monitor the acute gonadotropin and cortisol responses. To verify cyclicity, menses were checked every day, and daily blood samples were taken for estradiol and progesterone measurement. Two control cycles, the LPS treatment cycle, and two post-treatment cycles were documented. Endotoxin activated the adrenal axis: mean (+/-SE) cortisol secretion was significantly increased at hour 3 after the first morning LPS injection (74.1 +/- 4.9 vs. 24.1 +/- 1.8 microg/dL in the control; P < 0.05) and remained elevated at hour 8. This response decreased progressively with time: on day 5 of LPS treatment, the cortisol level was still significantly higher than control at hour 3 (38.5 +/- 5.0 microg/dL; P < 0.05) but had returned to the control concentration by hour 8 (days 3-5 of LPS). Mean integrated progesterone through the luteal phase of the LPS treatment cycle was significantly decreased (33.5 +/- 3.3 ng/ml vs. 48.9 +/- 3.7 and 54.0 +/- 4.9 in the two control cycles; P < 0.05), but luteal phase length remained unchanged. When compared with control levels on the same day of the luteal phase, about one third of LH and FSH values were lower than one SD below mean control levels. LPS administration had no effect on the two post-treatment cycles, except that integrated luteal progesterone in 3 out of 9 monkeys was still reduced in post-treatment cycle 1. There were no differences in follicular phase length and preovulatory estradiol peaks between control cycles and post-treatment cycles. When compared with our previous study, the results illustrate specific responses to stress at different phases of the menstrual cycle and support the notion that a moderate short-term inflammatory-like stress episode has the potential to subtly alter critical aspects of cyclicity.
Research on the influence of track periodic short-wave irregularity on low-speed maglev train

The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of track short wavelength irregularity on low-speed maglev train. First of all, the source of short-wave irregularity is discussed and the model of suspension module for the maglev train is built. Then, for the purpose of research, the train is simulated as a rigid car with 5 independent bogies which each consists two separated suspension modules. In order to find the optimal length and sensitive length of the irregularity wave for the suspension system, the suspension gap and cabin acceleration fluctuation is discussed based on the outputs of the train which is stimulated by different length of short-wave irregularities. For the further analysis, the system performance is discussed with the change of controller parameters and structure of levitation module. The numerical simulation results show that the optimal length is beneficial to the performance of maglev train and is insensitive to the variation of the controller parameters. The conclusions can be taken into consideration for the track manufacture and guideway construction for maglev train.
Influence of the atrioventricular delay optimization on the intra left ventricular delay in cardiac resynchronization therapy

Background: Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) leads to a reduction of left-ventricular dyssynchrony and an acute and sustained hemodynamic improvement in patients with chronic heart failure. Furthermore, an optimized AV-delay leads to an improved myocardial performance in pacemaker patients. The focus of this study is to investigate the acute effect of an optimized AVdelay on parameters of dyssynchrony in CRT patients. Method: 11 chronic heart failure patients with CRT who were on stable medication were included in this study. The optimal AV-delay was defined according to the method of Ismer (mitral inflow and trans-oesophageal lead). Dyssynchrony was assessed echocardiographically at three different settings: AVDOPT; AVDOPT-50 ms and AVDOPT+50 ms. Echocardiographic assessment included 2Dand M-mode echo for the assessment of volumes and hemodynamic parameters (CI, SV) and LVEF and tissue Doppler echo (strain, strain rate, Tissue Synchronisation Imaging (TSI) and myocardial velocities in the basal segments) Results: The AVDOPT in the VDD mode (atrially triggered) was 105.5 ± 38.1 ms and the AVDOPT in the DDD mode (atrially paced) was 186.9 ± 52.9 ms. Intra-individually, the highest LVEF was measured at AVDOPT. The LVEF at AVDOPT was significantly higher than in the AVDOPT-50setting (p = 0.03). However, none of the parameters of dyssynchrony changed significantly in the three settings. Conclusion: An optimized AV delay in CRT patients acutely leads to an improved systolic left ventricular ejection fraction without improving dyssynchrony. Background Asynchronous myocardial contraction in heart failure is associated with poor prognosis. Recent studies have shown an acute and sustained hemodynamic improvement after biventricular pacing (BVP), reversal of LVremodelling, an increased quality of life, a reduction of symptoms of heart failure, and an improvement of exercise tolerance [1-7]. Published: 26 January 2006 Cardiovascular Ultrasound 2006, 4:5 doi:10.1186/1476-7120-4-5 Received: 23 December 2005 Accepted: 26 January 2006 This article is available from: http://www.cardiovascularultrasound. com/content/4/1/5 © 2006 Melzer et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Aspectos biomecânicos do exercício agachamento profundo relacionados à articulação do joelho

Introducao: A execucao do agachamento profundo consiste em realizar a flexao do joelho em ângulos maiores que 90° ate que a coxa se encontre com o triceps sural. Sua execucao esta ligada de forma direta com a funcionalidade de movimentos cotidianos, pois usamos o agachamento constantemente em nossas atividades diarias. Cinco articulacoes estao envolvidas na realizacao desse exercicio: ombro, coluna vertebral (lombar), quadril, joelho e tornozelo. Objetivo: Analisar o exercicio agachamento profundo, observando a biomecânica do movimento em relacao as articulacoes do complexo do joelho. Metodos: Realizou-se uma revisao bibliografica, por meio da base de dados Pub Med, Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), e Google Academico, alem da utilizacao de livros. Verificou-se que as cargas atuantes nas articulacoes que compoe o complexo do joelho durante a realizacao do agachamento profundo sao as forcas translacionais entre a tibia e os ligamentos cruzados anterior e posterior, a compressao patelofemoral, a forca de compressao tibiofemoral e a forca de tensao do tendao do quadriceps. Alem disso, foram analisadas as acoes musculares que ocorrem durante a realizacao do agachamento profundo e o potencial lesivo devido a sua execucao. Conclusao: Embora apresente um potencial lesivo, em especial para individuos que apresentam acometimentos na articulacao do joelho ou que estao em processo de reabilitacao, o agachamento profundo pode ser executado normalmente por pessoas que apresentam uma articulacao do joelho saudavel e nao comprometida.
The path-tracking controller based on dynamic model with slip for one four-wheeled OMR

Purpose – This paper aims to propose a suitable motion control method for omni‐directional mobile robots (OMRs). In RoboCup competition, the robot moves in a dynamic and oppositional environment, which occurs with high acceleration and deceleration motion frequently, especially for our OMR that slipping is almost inherently encountered in motion. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to present one improved dynamical model with slip, and then to propose one suitable path‐tracking controller based on it, which gives more accurate control result.Design/methodology/approach – A dynamic modeling method for OMRs based on the theory of vehicle dynamics is proposed. By analyzing the wheel contact friction forces both in the wheel hub rolling direction and in the roller rolling direction, an amendatory dynamics model is presented. This model is introduced into the computed‐torque‐like‐controller (CTLC) system to solve the path‐tracking problem.Findings – An amendatory dynamics model with slip is analyzed and in.
Positive impact of hormone replacement therapy on the fibrinolytic system: a long‐term randomized controlled study in healthy postmenopausal women

Summary. Background: The mechanisms by which postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may influence risk of cardiovascular disease are still unclear. Impaired fibrinolytic function is associated with an enhanced risk of cardiovascular disease and therefore the effect of HRT on fibrinolysis may be of importance. Objectives: To investigate the prolonged effect of HRT on the fibrinolytic system and to determine whether two common polymorphisms in the plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) and tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA) genes modulate this effect. Methods: Healthy postmenopausal women (n = 248) were randomized to HRT (n = 122) or no substitution (n = 126) 5 years prior to investigation. Results: Significantly higher values of t‐PA activity and lower values of PAI‐1 activity and PAI‐1 antigen were found in the HRT group compared with the control group. This effect was independent of smoking and without influence from the two common polymorphisms PAI‐1 −675(4G/5G) and t‐PA intron8ins311. Furthermore, no difference between opposed estrogen (with norethisterone acetate as the gestagen component) and unopposed estrogen therapy was found. Both an intention‐to‐treat and a per‐protocol analysis were performed and similar results were obtained. Conclusions: Long‐term treatment with HRT in healthy postmenopausal women was found to be associated with a beneficial fibrinolytic profile. This effect was found independent of smoking status, opposed and unopposed estrogen therapy had equal effect, and no influence of the two common polymorphisms PAI‐1–675(4G/5G) and t‐PA intron8ins311 was found. This effect of HRT on fibrinolytic capacity may be one of the beneficial effects of HRT in relation to cardiovascular diseases.
The efficacy and safety of epidural-based analgesia in a case series of patients undergoing lung transplantation.

OBJECTIVE Successful pain management after lung transplantation is critical to ensure adequate respiratory effort and graft expansion. The authors investigated whether thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) provided adequate pain control after lung transplantation without added morbidity. DESIGN Retrospective review. SETTING University teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS One hundred twenty-three patients who presented to this institution for lung transplantation from January 2008 to June 2013. INTERVENTIONS Patient demographics, postoperative pain scores, and epidural-related complications were abstracted from the institutional electronic database. The authors used the previously validated Quality of Recovery (QoR) score and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) as measures of recovery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Of the 123 patients who underwent lung transplantation in this time frame, 119 patients had thoracic epidurals placed for postoperative analgesia. The mean age was 49.4 years (range, 18-73), and 60 (50.4%) were male. The most common indications for transplant were pulmonary fibrosis (33.6%), cystic fibrosis (26.1%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (20.2%). The median length of stay in the intensive care unit and duration of mechanical ventilation were 21 and 1.2 days, respectively. Eight (6.7%) patients experienced postoperative pulmonary compromise (eg, pneumonia, prolonged intubation). No serious complications were associated with TEA placement. On days 1, 3, and 7 after TEA placement, the mean QoR was 7.6, 9.4, and 9.7, and the mean VAS was 2.5, 2.1, and 2.0, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In this case series, the authors observed excellent analgesia and no serious complications associated with TEA. Therefore, an epidural-centric approach to pain control after lung transplantation should be considered in appropriate patients.
Razvoj aplikacije za spodbujanje učenja igranja kitare

Ucenje kitare zahteva trud, ki ga mnogi niso pripravljeni vložiti. Ceprav bi se radi naucili igranja kitare, jih odvrne vsa potrebna vadba, ki jo predvidevajo klasicne metode ucenja. Ucenje kitare torej zahteva zadostno raven motiviranosti. V diplomski nalogi predstavimo alternativen nacin ucenja kitare. Namesto klasicnih pristopov se kitarist zacetnik uci skozi igro. Elementi s podrocja igrifikacije, kot so tockovanje in razlicni nivoji, kitarista spodbujajo in mu visajo motivacijo za nadaljnje ucenje. Kitarista se med igranjem snema, s pomocjo frekvencne analize pa se njegovo igranje analizira in oceni. V diplomski nalogi predstavimo razvoj take aplikacije. Namenjena je tistim, ki bi se radi naucili igranja kitare, pa morda za to nimajo dovolj motivacije oz. potrpežljivosti.
Identifying Reefs of Hope and Hopeful Actions: Contextualizing Environmental, Ecological, and Social Parameters to Respond Effectively to Climate Change

Abstract: Priorities for conservation, management, and associated activities will differ based on the interplay between nearness of ecosystems to full recovery from a disturbance (pristineness), susceptibility to climate change (environmental susceptibility [ES]), and capacity of human communities to cope with and adapt to change (social adaptive capacity [AC]). We studied 24 human communities and adjacent coral reef ecosystems in 5 countries of the southwestern Indian Ocean. We used ecological measures of abundance and diversity of fishes and corals, estimated reef pristineness, and conducted socioeconomic household surveys to determine the AC of communities adjacent to selected coral reefs. We also used Web‐based oceanographic and coral mortality data to predict each site's ES to climate warming. Coral reefs of Mauritius and eastern Madagascar had low ES and consequently were not predicted to be affected strongly by warm water, although these sites were differentiated by the AC of the human community. The higher AC in Mauritius may increase the chances for successful self‐initiated recovery and protective management of reefs of this island. In contrast, Madagascar may require donor support to build AC as a prerequisite to preservation efforts. The Seychelles and Kenya had high ES, but their levels of AC and disturbance differed. The high AC in the Seychelles could be used to develop alternatives to dependence on coral reef resources and reduce the effects of climate change. Pristineness weighted toward measures of fish recovery was greatest for Kenya's marine protected areas; however, most protected areas in the region were far from pristine. Conservation priorities and actions with realistic chances for success require knowledge of where socioecological systems lie among the 3 axes of environment, ecology, and society.
Glycosylated Chicken ZP2 Accumulates in the Egg Coat of Immature Oocytes and Remains Localized to the Germinal Disc Region of Mature Eggs1

ABSTRACT Vertebrate eggs are surrounded by an egg coat, which is a specific extracellular egg matrix consisting of several glycoproteins with a conserved zona pellucida (ZP) domain. Two mammalian egg coat subunits, ZP2 and ZP3, have been suggested to act as sperm receptors. In bird eggs, however, ZP2 has never been identified in the egg coat of mature oocytes and ovulated eggs. Here we report that chicken ZP2 is expressed in immature small follicles and remains as an egg-coat component locally in the germinal disc region of mature eggs. RT-PCR analysis indicated marked expression of the ZP2 and ZP4 genes in the granulosa cells of immature white follicles, whereas the ZP3 and ZPD genes showed marked expression in the cells of maturing yellow follicles. ZP2 was identified in the egg coat isolated from immature follicles as a heavily N-glycosylated glycoprotein of ∼200 kDa, which was enzymatically converted to a 70-kDa deglycosylated form. Immunoblotting and immunohistological analyses showed that ZP2 was localized around the germinal disc region of mature follicles. ZP2 was accumulated in the egg coat of immature white follicles at the earlier stages of oocyte development and became a minor component in the egg coat of maturing yellow follicles, except for the germinal disc region. Localization of ZP2 in the germinal disc region of mature eggs, where sperm bind to the egg coat at high density, suggests some role for ZP2 in the preferential binding and penetration of sperm in the germinal disc region of bird eggs.
EFFECT OF CENTELLA ASIATICA LEAVES EXTRACT ON HIPPOCAMPAL CA3 NEURONS: A MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY IN MICE

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Hemamalini, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Medical College, Mysore-570015, Karmataka, India. Phone number: +918762357259, Fax number: +91 821-2548345, 2493819 E-Mail: shettyhemamalini@gmail.com Introduction: Centella asiatica is a perennial herbaceous creeper, growing in moist soil. It has anti-thrombotic, antibacterial and antiinflammatory properties. In Ayurvedic medicine, Centella asiatica is used extensively as brain tonic to enhance the neural function, learning and memory. In the present study, the neuroprotective role of Centella asiatica (CeA) leaves extract on hippocampal CA3 neurons against stress induced neurodegeneration in mice was investigated. Materials and Methods: Three months old albino mice were divided into four groups and treated as follows: (i) Normal control (NC) remained without any treatment, (ii) Saline control (SC) treated with saline, (iii) Stressed group (S) stressed in a wire mesh restrainer for 6 hours/day for 6 weeks, (iv) Stress + CeA treated group (S+CeA) stressed and treated orally with CeA leaves extract throughout the stress period (n=6 in all groups). At the end of the experimental period, mice in all groups were anesthetised, perfused transcardially with 50ml of saline followed by 100ml of 10% formalin. Brain was removed and processed for paraffin sections, sections were stained with cresyl violet stain. Number of neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region was counted in ten randomly selected fields (1000 μ2 area each). Results: Neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region, S group was found to be shrunken, irregular in shape with pyknotic nuclei compared to NC and SC groups. However such neurodegenerative changes were not seen in S+CeA group. Number of neurons in S group was significantly less compared to control groups and S+CeA group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Oral intubation of Centella asiatica leaves extract can protect the hippocampal CA3 neurons from degeneration in stressed mice.
DISEASES OF BONE

Morphometric methods are commonly used in the diagnosis of diseases of bone. These may be divided into static and dynamic measurements. Static measurements include: (i) the proportion of trabecular surface which is resting, resorbing or covered by osteoid (by a perimeter intersect technique); (ii) the thickness of osteoid seams; and (iii) the proportion of the section occupied by mineralized bone, osteoid, woven bone, lamellar bone or fibrous tissue (by a point-counting technique or by computerized image analysis). Dynamic studies may be performed using a tetracycline labelling method. When a single dose of tetracycline is administered, it becomes incorporated at the mineralization front; this can be visualized as a single line in undecalcified sections examined under ultraviolet light. By giving two doses of tetracycline at a known interval and measuring the distance between the two lines of incorporation, it is possible to measure the mean rate of mineralization.
C-WEP―Rich Annotated Collection of Writing Errors by Professionals

This paper presents C-WEP, the Collection of Writing Errors by Professionals Writers of German. It currently consists of 245 sentences with grammatical errors. All sentences are taken from published texts. All authors are professional writers with high skill levels with respect to German, the genres, and the topics. The purpose of this collection is to provide seeds for more sophisticated writing support tools as only a very small proportion of those errors can be detected by state-of-the-art checkers. C-WEP is annotated on various levels and freely available.
The Effect of Bracing on Patellofemoral Joint Stress during Free and Fast Walking

Background Although several studies have demonstrated decreases in patellofemoral pain (PFP) with the application of bracing, the mechanism by which bracing reduces symptoms has not been elucidated. Hypothesis Individuals who responded favorably to bracing will exhibit decreased patellofemoral stress during level walking. Study Design Repeated measures, cross-sectional. Methods Fifteen subjects with a diagnosis of PFP completed two phases of data collection: 1) MRI assessment of patellofemoral contact area and 2) gait analysis. Data were obtained under braced and nonbraced conditions. Variables obtained from both data collection sessions were used as input variables into a mathematical model to quantify patellofemoral stress. Results Subjects reported a 56% reduction in pain following bracing. Bracing significantly reduced peak stress during free and fast walking (17% and 27%, respectively). The decrease in stress was the result of increased contact area as patellofemoral joint reaction forces were increased following bracing. Conclusion Bracing resulted in a larger increase in patellofemoral contact area than the increase in joint reaction force, resulting in a decrease in joint stress. Clinical Relevance The results of this study suggest a possible mechanism by which bracing may be effective in reducing PFP and provides experimental support for the use of this treatment method.
The Aggression Questionnaire

_____ 1. Once in a while, I can’t control the urge to strike another person. _____ 2. Given enough provocation, I may hit another person. _____ 3. If someone hits me, I hot back. _____ 4. I get into fights a little more than the average person. _____ 5. If I have to resort to violence to protect my rights, I will. _____ 6. There are people who pushed me so far that we came to blows. _____ 7. I can think of no good reason for ever hitting a person. * _____ 8. I have threatened people I know. _____ 9. I have become so mad that I have broken things.