Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The passive membrane properties and excitatory junction potentials of the guinea pig deferens.

1. Electrotonic potentials were recorded from the superficial smooth muscle cells of the guinea‐pig vas deferens using the method of Abe & Tomita (1968), in response to low‐amplitude, long‐duration (greater than or equal to 2 sec) pulses. 2. Averaging techniques were used to increase the signal/noise ratio, and the intracellularly recorded electrotonic potentials were corrected for extracellular voltage drop across the bath series resistance. 3. Since the length of tissue in the stimulating and recording compartments affects the time course of electrotonic potentials (see Appendix and Bywater & Redman, 1978) the passive membrane properties were measured with known amounts of tissue in these two compartments. 4. The length constant (lambda) was 0.86 mm and the membrane time constant (tau m) 270 msec. 5. Excitatory junction potentials (e.j.p.s) were recorded and averaged in response to field stimulation of intact branches of the hypogastric nerve. The mean time constant of the exponential decay phase of the e.j.p. (288 msec) was similar to the membrane time constant (tau m = 270 msec). 6. As the e.j.p.s showed little change in amplitude or time constant of decay when recorded up to several millimetres from the stimulating electrode it was assumed that the tissue was isopotential during the e.j.p., and an estimate was made of the time course of the underlying junctional current. 7. The estimated time course of the junctional current during an e.j.p. was similar to the observed time course of a spontaneous junction potential (s.e.j.p.). 8. As the time course of the junctional current during an s.e.j.p.is similar to the time course of the potential change it is likely that the factors which determine the time current underlying the s.e.j.p. also determine the time course of the e.j.p. current.
On the mean-squared error of variance estimators for computer simulations

Given an output process generated by a steady-state simulation, we give expressions for the mean-squared error (MSE) of several well-known estimators of the associated variance parameter. The variance estimators are based on the method of nonoverlapping batch means and on the method of standardized time series applied to overlapping batch means. Under certain conditions, the resulting expressions are used to minimize the MSE with respect to the batch size, where the optimal batch size is expressed as a function of the simulation run length and certain moment properties of the output process. The ultimate objective is to exploit these results to construct new variance estimators with improved accuracy and efficiency, and to provide useful guidelines on setting the batch size in practice.
The Generic Frame Protocol

The Generic Frame Protocol (GFP) is an application program interface for accessing knowledge bases stored in frame knowledge representation systems (FRSs). GFP provides a uniform model of FRSs based on a common conceptualization of frames, slots, facets, and inheritance. GFP consists of a set of Common Lisp functions that provide a generic interface to underlying FRSs. This interface isolates an application from many of the idiosyncrasies of specific FRS software and enables the development of generic tools (e.g., graphical browsers, frame editors) that operate on many FRSs. To date, GFP has been used as an interface to LOOM, Ontolingua, THEO, and SIPE-2.
Phenotypic spectrum of the SMAD3-related aneurysms–osteoarthritis syndrome

Background Aneurysms–osteoarthritis syndrome (AOS) is a new autosomal dominant syndromic form of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections characterised by the presence of arterial aneurysms and tortuosity, mild craniofacial, skeletal and cutaneous anomalies, and early-onset osteoarthritis. AOS is caused by mutations in the SMAD3 gene. Methods A cohort of 393 patients with aneurysms without mutation in FBN1, TGFBR1 and TGFBR2 was screened for mutations in SMAD3. The patients originated from The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and USA. The clinical phenotype in a total of 45 patients from eight different AOS families with eight different SMAD3 mutations is described. In all patients with a SMAD3 mutation, clinical records were reviewed and extensive genetic, cardiovascular and orthopaedic examinations were performed. Results Five novel SMAD3 mutations (one nonsense, two missense and two frame-shift mutations) were identified in five new AOS families. A follow-up description of the three families with a SMAD3 mutation previously described by the authors was included. In the majority of patients, early-onset joint abnormalities, including osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dissecans, were the initial symptom for which medical advice was sought. Cardiovascular abnormalities were present in almost 90% of patients, and involved mainly aortic aneurysms and dissections. Aneurysms and tortuosity were found in the aorta and other arteries throughout the body, including intracranial arteries. Of the patients who first presented with joint abnormalities, 20% died suddenly from aortic dissection. The presence of mild craniofacial abnormalities including hypertelorism and abnormal uvula may aid the recognition of this syndrome. Conclusion The authors provide further insight into the phenotype of AOS with SMAD3 mutations, and present recommendations for a clinical work-up.
A Sub-μW fully programmable CMOS DPS for uncooled infrared fast imaging

This paper presents a new low-power and fully programmable digital CMOS active pixel sensor for uncooled and fast IR imagers. The proposed self-biased topology includes built-in input capacitance compensation, mixed integration, A/D conversion and a purely digital I/O interface, all at pixel level. Furthermore, full FPN compensation is also supplied by digital tuning of the individual offset and gain of each DPS during read-out at no speed costs. Two circuit implementations for IR PbSe sensors have been integrated in standard 0.35 mum CMOS 2-polySi 4-metal technology, and exhaustive experimental data is presented from electrical tests.
Genetic Diversity of Nostoc Symbionts Endophytically Associated with Two Bryophyte Species

ABSTRACT The diversity of the endophytic Nostoc symbionts of two thalloid bryophytes, the hornwort Anthoceros fusiformis and the liverwort Blasia pusilla, was examined using the tRNALeu (UAA) intron sequence as a marker. The results confirmed that many different Nostocstrains are involved in both associations under natural conditions in the field. The level of Nostoc diversity within individual bryophyte thalli varied, but single DNA fragments were consistently amplified from individual symbiotic colonies. Some Nostocstrains were widespread and were detected from thalli collected from different field sites and different years. These findings indicate a moderate level of spatial and temporal continuity in bryophyte-Nostoc symbioses.
Effects of different montages of transcranial direct current stimulation on the risk of falls and lower limb function after stroke

Abstract Background: Stroke is associated with high rates of falling and severe impairment of lower limb in patients who survive. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of different montages of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on reducing falls and on lower limb function after acute stroke. Methods: Sixty participants with acute stroke were randomly allocated into four groups with different electrode’s setups: anodal, cathodal, bilateral and sham tDCS. Each patient received 10 stimulation sessions (five consecutive days for two weeks). Four Square Step Test, Occurrence of Falling Index, Overall Stability Index, Falls Efficacy Scale – International, Berg Balance Scale, Six-minute walk test and Sit to Stand Test were measured at baseline, post-treatment, and at one- and three-month follow-up. Results: At baseline, no differences between the groups in terms of clinical and demographic characteristics were found. However, after treatment and during follow up, all the groups that received active stimulation showed greater reduction in the risk of falls and improved performance of the lower limb’s motor skills when compared to the sham group. No significant differences were found between the three types of active montages in relation to the risk of falling. In relation to lower limb function, bilateral stimulation provided a higher improvement when compared to anodal and cathodal tDCS. Conclusions: This is the first trial with different setups of tDCS on acute stroke patients. tDCS presents as an effective treatment strategy in reducing the risk of falls and improving lower limb function after a stroke. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT 02422173).
New Onset of Constipation during Long-Term Physical Inactivity: A Proof-of-Concept Study on the Immobility-Induced Bowel Changes

Background The pathophysiological mechanisms underlining constipation are incompletely understood, but prolonged bed rest is commonly considered a relevant determinant. Aims Our primary aim was to study the effect of long-term physical inactivity on determining a new onset of constipation. Secondary aim were the evaluation of changes in stool frequency, bowel function and symptoms induced by this prolonged physical inactivity. Methods Ten healthy men underwent a 7-day run-in followed by 35-day study of experimentally-controlled bed rest. The study was sponsored by the Italian Space Agency. The onset of constipation was evaluated according to Rome III criteria for functional constipation. Abdominal bloating, flatulence, pain and urgency were assessed by a 100mm Visual Analog Scales and bowel function by adjectival scales (Bristol Stool Form Scale, ease of passage of stool and sense of incomplete evacuation). Daily measurements of bowel movements was summarized on a weekly score. Pre and post bed rest Quality of Life (SF-36), general health (Goldberg’s General Health) and depression mood (Zung scale) questionnaires were administered. Results New onset of functional constipation fulfilling Rome III criteria was found in 60% (6/10) of participants (p=0.03). The score of flatulence significantly increased whilst the stool frequency significantly decreased during the week-by-week comparisons period (repeated-measures ANOVA, p=0.02 and p=0.001, respectively). Stool consistency and bowel symptoms were not influenced by prolonged physical inactivity. In addition, no significant changes were observed in general health, in mood state and in quality of life at the end of bed rest Conclusions Our results provide evidence that prolonged physical inactivity is relevant etiology in functional constipation in healthy individuals. The common clinical suggestion of early mobilization in bedridden patients is supported as well.
Fish age and size distributions and species composition in a large, hydropeaking Prairie River

Fluctuations in river flows result from diverse natural and/or anthropogenic causes. Hydropeaking, an important anthropogenic flow alteration, results from the rapid increase or decrease of water releases from reservoirs at hydroelectric power stations to meet variable demand for electrical power, thereby altering the flow regime of the river downstream of the hydroelectric power station. Hydropeaking causes short‐term, artificial fluctuations in flow on an hourly, daily, and/or weekly basis. The frequent and regular occurrences of these high and low flow events are fundamentally different from natural flood and drought events and may affect fish fauna. We compared the fish species composition and fish age and size distributions in the Saskatchewan River (Saskatchewan, Canada) downstream of a hydropeaking facility with results from an unaffected Reference Site situated upstream of the reservoir. Lower fish diversity was observed in the 2 downstream sites (Sites 1 and 2, number of species = 11 and 9, respectively) closest to Generating Station in comparison to Site 3 (n = 15) situated further downstream and the upstream reference site (n = 13). There was no difference in the age–length relationship of any of the fish species above and below the Generating Station suggesting that fish grew at the same rates. However, lower numbers of small‐bodied and juvenile fish were caught downstream of the Generating Station suggesting the possibility of increased mortality, decreased habitat suitability, or altered behaviour of small fish downstream of the dam. These data illustrate potential impacts of hydropeaking power stations and has management implications.
Adaptively Directional Wireless Power Transfer for Large-Scale Sensor Networks

Wireless power transfer (WPT) prolongs the lifetime of wireless sensor network by providing sustainable power supply to the distributed sensor nodes (SNs) via electromagnetic waves. To improve the energy transfer efficiency in a large WPT system, this paper proposes an adaptively directional WPT (AD-WPT) scheme, where the power beacons (PBs) adapt the energy beamforming strategy to SNs' locations by concentrating the transmit power on the nearby SNs within the efficient charging radius. With the aid of stochastic geometry, we derive the expressions of the distribution metrics of the aggregate received power at a typical SN. To design the charging radius for the optimal AD-WPT operation, we exploit the tradeoff between the power intensity of the energy beams and the number of SNs to be charged. Depending on different SN task requirements, the optimal AD-WPT can maximize the average received power or the active probability of the SNs, respectively. It is shown that both the maximum average received power and the maximum sensor active probability increase with the increased deployment density and transmit power of the PBs, and decrease with the increased density of the SNs and the energy beamwidth. Finally, we show that the optimal AD-WPT can significantly improve the energy transfer efficiency compared with the traditional omnidirectional WPT.
Concomitant chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin followed by consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate treatment results and toxicities in patients who received concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by consolidation with docetaxel and cisplatin in locally advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Ninety three patients were included in this retrospective study. The patients received 66 Gy radiotherapy and weekly 20 mg/m2 docetaxel and 20 mg/m2 cisplatin chemotherapy concomitantly. One month later than the end of CRT, consolidation chemotherapy with four cycles of docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 were administered at each 21 days. RESULTS: Median age of the patients was 57 (range, 30-74). Following concomitant CRT, 14 patients (15%) showed complete and 50 patients (54%) showed partial response (total response rate was 69%). The median follow-up was 13 months (range: 2-51 months). The median overall survival was 18 months (95% confidential interval [CI]: 13.8-22.1 months); local control was 15 months (95% CI: 9.3-20.6 months); progression-free survival was 9 months (95% CI: 6.5-11.4 months). Esophagitis in eight (9%) patients, neutropenia in seven (8%) patients and pneumonitis in eight (9%) patients developed as grade III-IV toxicity due to concomitant CRT. CONCLUSION: Concomitant CRT with docetaxel and cisplatin followed by docetaxel and cisplatin consolidation chemotherapy might be considered as a feasible, and well tolerated treatment modality with high response rates despite the fact that it has not a survival advantage in patients with locally advanced unresectable NSCLC.
Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity and the Exaggerated Natriuresis of the Spontaneous Hypertensive Rat

SUMMARY To eraluate the role of altered efferent renal sympathetic nerve actirity in the exaggerated natriuresis of the spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR), we measured efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity in anesthetized ageand sex-matched SHR and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) control rats during control and intravenous saline volume expansion. Mean arterial pressure was 40-60 mm Hg higher in SHR than in WKY. During volume expansion, the increment in urinary flow rate (17.5 ± 3.1 vs 42.8 ± 8.0 /J/100 g/min) and sodium excretion (8.1 ± 1.5 vs 15.2 ± 2 3 M Eq/min) were greater in SHR than in WKY. During control, efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity was 12.2 ± 0.4 Hz in WKY and 12.0 ± 0.5 Hz in SHR and fell equally during volume expansion to 5.0 ± 0.6 Hz in WKY and to 4.0 ± 0.8 Hz in SHR. Thus, these studies demonstrate that the exaggerated natriuresis of SHR as compared to WKY cannot be attributed to differences in reflex withdrawal of renal sympathetic nerve activity.
Evaluation of a microwave-heating anaerobic digester treating municipal secondary sludge

This work experimentally determined the effect of microwave irradiation on the anaerobic digestion of municipal secondary sludge in semi-continuous mesophilic digesters at hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 15, 10 and 5 days when microwaves were used as a heating source. A microwave-heating anaerobic digester (MHAD) was compared with a water-heating reactor (control). Biogas production increased in both digesters as the HRT decreased except for the control with a HRT of 5 days. Improvement in removal efficiency of volatile solid and biogas production of the MHAD relative to the control increased as the HRT decreased. The results show that the MHAD was more effective than the control in increasing mesophilic anaerobic biodegradability and biogas production treating secondary sludge.
L-lysine transport through the basolateral surface of oxyntic glands and plasma membrane of parietal cells isolated from rabbit stomach.

L-lysine uptake was measured in isolated oxyntic glands of rabbit stomach in both Na(+)-containing (1.29 +/- 0.29 nmol.mg-1.(20s)-1) and choline-containing (0.93 +/- 0.15 nmol.mg-1.(20s)-1) medium. Time curves and concentration dependence curves showed higher uptake values in the presence of extracellular Na+. The carrier-mediated uptake of L-lysine fit the Michaelis-Menten equation for one saturable component (Kt = 1.42 mM, Jmax = 0.16 nmol.mg-1.s-1) when sodium was replaced by choline in the medium. Two components are apparent when the kinetic analysis was performed in the presence of Na+: component 1 showed lower affinity (Kt = 4.0 mM) than component 2 (Kt = 0.53 mM). The transport constants for the Na(+)-independent component and for the Na(+)-dependent component 2 (i.e. the high affinity component) are in the range described for system y+ in other cells. L-lysine uptake in the choline-containing medium was inhibited only by cationic amino acids and histidine. In the presence of Na+, both cationic and some neutral (His, Cys, Ala, Leu, Phe) amino acids inhibited L-lysine uptake. These overall results and the ratio of Ki obtained for cationic and neutral amino acids suggest that at the basolateral side of the oxyntic glands cationic amino acids transport is mediated by the system y+ and, probably, an ASC like system. The pH-insensitivity of L-lysine uptake (in the range 6.5 to 8) supports this hypothesis. Results obtained in isolated parietal cells suggest that L-lysine uptake would be primarily mediated by a transporter which resembles the selectivity of system b(o),+.
Audio-visual prosody of social attitudes in vietnamese: building and evaluating a tones balanced corpus

This paper presents the building and a first evaluation of a tones balanced Audio-Visual corpus of social affect in Vietnamese language. This under-resourced tonal language has specific glottalization and co-articulation phenomena, for which interactions with attitudes prosody are a very interesting issue. A well-controlled recording methodology was designed to build a large representative audio-visual corpus for 16 attitudes, and one speaker. A perception experiment was carried out to evaluate a speaker’s perceived performances and to study the role and integration of the audio, visual, and audio-visual information in the listener’s perception of the speaker’s attitudes. The results reveal characteristics of Vietnamese prosodic attitudes and allow us to investigate such social affect in Vietnamese language.
Reduction of TIP30 correlates with poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients and its restoration drastically inhibits tumor growth and metastasis

Gastric cancer is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. Identification of precise prognostic marker and effective therapeutic target is important in the treatment of gastric cancer. TIP30, a newly identified tumor suppressor, appears to be involved in multiple functions including tumorigenic suppression, apoptosis induction and diminishing angiogenic properties. Here, the level of TIP30 expression was determined in gastric cancer, and the impact of its alteration on cancer biology and clinical outcome was investigated. We found that TIP30 protein was absent or reduced in gastric cancer cell lines. There was also a loss or substantial decrease of TIP30 expression in 106 cases of gastric tumors as compared with that in normal gastric mucosa (p < 0.05), which was significantly associated with inferior survival duration. In a Cox proportional hazards model, TIP30 expression independently predicted better survival (p < 0.05). We also restored TIP30 protein expression in human gastric cancer‐derived cells AGS and MKN28 lacking endogenous TIP30 protein to study the effects of TIP30 expression on cell proliferation, cell kinetics, tumorigenicity and metastasis in BALB/c nude mice and found that adenoviral‐mediated restoration of TIP30 expression led to downregulation of cyclin D1, Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xl, but to upregulation of p27, Bax, p53, caspase 3 and 9 expression, cell cycle G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis in vitro, and dramatic attenuation of tumor growth and abrogation of metastasis in animal models. Taken together, the present work revealed a novel function of TIP30, which can possibly be used as an independent prognostic factor and a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Practice of Contemporary Dance Promotes Stochastic Postural Control in Aging

As society ages and the frequency of falls increases, counteracting gait and posture decline is a challenging issue for countries of the developed world. Previous studies have shown that exercise and hazard management help to improve balance and/or decrease the risks for falling in normal aging. Motor activity based on motor-skill learning, particularly dance, can also benefit balance and decreases falls with age. Recent studies have suggested that older dancers have better balance, posture, or gait than non-dancers. Additionally, clinical or laboratory measures have shown improvements in some aspects of balance after dance interventions in elderly trainees. This study examined the impact of contemporary dance (CD) and of fall prevention (FP) programs on postural control of older adults. Posturography of quiet upright stance was performed in 41 participants aged 59–86 years before and after 4.4-month training in either CD or FP once a week. Though classical statistic scores failed to show any effect, dynamic analyses of the center-of-pressure displacements revealed significant changes after training. Specifically, practice of CD enhanced the critical time interval in diffusion analysis, and reduced recurrence and mathematical stability in recurrence quantification analysis, whereas practice of FP induced or tended to induce the reverse patterns. Such effects were obtained only in the eyes open condition. We suggest that CD training based on motor improvisation favored stochastic posture inducing plasticity in motor control, while FP training based on more stereotyped behaviors did not.