Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
γ‐Hydroxybutyrate binds to the synaptic site recognizing succinate monocarboxylate: A new hypothesis on astrocyte–neuron interaction via the protonation of succinate

Succinate (SUC), a citrate (CIT) cycle intermediate, and carbenoxolone (CBX), a gap junction inhibitor, were shown to displace [3H]γ‐hydroxybutyrate ([3H]GHB), which is specifically bound to sites present in synaptic membrane subcellular fractions of the rat forebrain and the human nucleus accumbens. Elaboration on previous work revealed that acidic pH‐induced specific binding of [3H]SUC occurs, and it has been shown to have a biphasic displacement profile distinguishing high‐affinity (Ki,SUC = 9.1 ± 1.7 μM) and low‐affinity (Ki,SUC = 15 ± 7 mM) binding. Both high‐ and low‐ affinity sites were characterized by the binding of GHB (Ki,GHB = 3.9 ± 0.5 μM and Ki,GHB = 5.0 ± 2.0 mM) and lactate (LAC; Ki,LAC = 3.9 ± 0.5 μM and Ki,LAC = 7.7 ± 0.9 mM). Ligands, including the hemiester ethyl‐hemi‐SUC, and the gap junction inhibitors flufenamate, CBX, and the GHB binding site‐selective NCS‐382 interacted with the high‐affinity site (in μM: Ki,EHS = 17 ± 5, Ki,FFA = 24 ± 13, Ki,CBX = 28 ± 9, Ki,NCS‐382 = 0.8 ± 0.1 μM). Binding of the Na+,K+‐ATPase inhibitor ouabain, the proton‐coupled monocarboxylate transporter (MCT)‐specific α‐cyano‐hydroxycinnamic acid (CHC), and CIT characterized the low‐affinity SUC binding site (in mM: Ki,ouabain = 0.13 ± 0.05, Ki,CHC = 0.32 ± 0.07, Ki,CIT = 0.79 ± 0.20). All tested compounds inhibited [3H]SUC binding in the human nucleus accumbens and had Ki values similar to those observed in the rat forebrain. The binding process can clearly be recognized as different from synaptic and mitochondrial uptake or astrocytic release of SUC, GHB, and/or CIT by its unique GHB selectivity. The transient decrease of extracellular SUC observed during epileptiform activity suggested that the function of the synaptic target recognizing protonated succinate monocarboxylate may vary under different (patho)physiological conditions. Furthermore, we put forward a hypothesis on the synaptic activity‐regulated signaling between astrocytes and neurons via SUC protonation. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
THE EMPATHIC COMPANION: A CHARACTER-BASED INTERFACE THAT ADDRESSES USERS' AFFECTIVE STATES

ABSTRACT In this paper, we report on our efforts in developing affective character-based interfaces, i.e., interfaces that recognize and measure affective information of the user and address user affect by employing embodied characters. In particular, we describe the Empathic Companion, an animated interface agent that accompanies the user in the setting of a virtual job interview. This interface application takes physiological data (skin conductance and electromyography) of a user in realtime, interprets them as emotions, and addresses the user's affective states in the form of empathic feedback. The Empathic Companion is conceived as an educational agent that supports job seekers preparing for a job interview. We also present results from an exploratory study that aims to evaluate the impact of the Empathic Companion by measuring users' skin conductance and heart rate. While an overall positive effect of the Empathic Companion could not be shown, the outcome of the experiment suggests that empathic feedback has a positive effect on the interviewee's stress level while hearing the interviewer question.
The Acoustic and Peceptual Effects of Series and Parallel Processing

Temporal envelope (TE) cues provide a great deal of speech information. This paper explores how spectral subtraction and dynamic-range compression gain modifications affect TE fluctuations for parallel and series configurations. In parallel processing, algorithms compute gains based on the same input signal, and the gains in dB are summed. In series processing, output from the first algorithm forms the input to the second algorithm. Acoustic measurements show that the parallel arrangement produces more gain fluctuations, introducing more changes to the TE than the series configurations. Intelligibility tests for normal-hearing (NH) and hearing-impaired (HI) listeners show (1) parallel processing gives significantly poorer speech understanding than an unprocessed (UNP) signal and the series arrangement and (2) series processing and UNP yield similar results. Speech quality tests show that UNP is preferred to both parallel and series arrangements, although spectral subtraction is the most preferred. No significant differences exist in sound quality between the series and parallel arrangements, or between the NH group and the HI group. These results indicate that gain modifications affect intelligibility and sound quality differently. Listeners appear to have a higher tolerance for gain modifications with regard to intelligibility, while judgments for sound quality appear to be more affected by smaller amounts of gain modification.
A time‐lapse and quantitative modelling analysis of neural stem cell motion in the absence of directional cues and in electric fields

Neural stem cell (NSC) migration is an important component of their developmental function and therapeutic potential. Understanding their mode of migration and their response to guidance cues can contribute to improved therapies for CNS repair, in which appropriate homing to sites of injury is essential. Using time‐lapse imaging, we have analyzed the NSC mode of migration in vitro, both in the absence of directional cues and in the presence of applied electric fields (EFs), previously shown to constitute a strong directional signal for these cells. Without EFs, NSCs displayed an amoeboid motion, characterized by small lamellipodial‐like protrusions with changing orientations, leading to highly tortuous migration. In EFs, tortuosity diminished as electrotaxis toward the cathode occurred. EFs suppressed the formation of protrusions oriented toward the anode, suggesting that restriction of protrusions with opposing orientation could underlie the change from tortuous motion to directed migration. Treatment with LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol‐3‐OH kinase (Pi3K) inhibitor, reduced the cathodal bias of protrusions in EFs and the frequency of changes in direction. We generated a model of NSC migration with only two key parameters, which could accurately reproduce experimental migration patterns, and we used it to show that both effects of LY294002 contribute to impair electrotaxis, although decreased protrusion bias is the most important. Our results show that control of protrusion orientation by EFs is an important component of the electrotactic response. A simple modelling approach might be useful in understanding how diverse pharmacological treatments or genetic deletions affect different kinds of directional cell migration. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does an Estimate of Environmental Size Precede Size Scaling on a Form-Comparison Task?

In a number of studies reaction time has been found to increase with increases in size ratio on a same – different form-comparison task. Bennett and Warren (2002, Perception & Psychophysics 64 462–477) teased apart environmental and retinal size ratios by showing the forms along a (simulated) texture hallway, viewed monocularly, on a simultaneous form-comparison task; roughly equal effects of environmental and retinal size ratios were found. The current study enhanced scene-size information by showing the forms in simulated stereo and by adding texture to the forms themselves; special care was also taken to perceptually isolate the stimuli. In two experiments, with different kinds of forms, strong effects of environmental size ratio were found; no effect of retinal size ratio (same trials) was observed in either experiment. The results support the hypothesis that the (same-trial) form-size codings reflect ‘all told’ estimates of environmental size, and place constraints on modeling the functional architecture of the visual system.
On Technical Security Issues in Cloud Computing

The Cloud Computing concept offers dynamically scalable resources provisioned as a service over the Internet. Economic benefits are the main driver for the Cloud, since it promises the reduction of capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx). In order for this to become reality, however, there are still some challenges to be solved. Amongst these are security and trust issues, since the user's data has to be released to the Cloud and thus leaves the protection-sphere of the data owner. Most of the discussions on this topics are mainly driven by arguments related to organizational means. This paper focuses on technical security issues arising from the usage of Cloud services and especially by the underlying technologies used to build these cross-domain Internet-connected collaborations.
The therapeutic ratio of R-albuterol is comparable with that of RS-albuterol in asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that R-albuterol produces bronchodilation that is comparable with that of racemic albuterol (RS-albuterol) on a 4:1 dose-for-dose basis but systemic side effects on a 2:1 basis, implying better therapeutic ratio for R-albuterol. OBJECTIVE We sought to carefully compare the bronchodilating and systemic effects of R- and RS-albuterol by using a crossover study design. METHODS Twenty asthmatic patients (15.1%-28.7% FEV(1) reversibility) were given R-albuterol (6.25-1600 microg), S-albuterol (6.25-1600 microg), RS-albuterol (12.5-3200 microg), or placebo in a crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion. Cumulative doses were given with a Mefar dosimeter, and FEV(1), heart rate, and plasma K(+) levels were measured 20 minutes after each dose. RESULTS Both R- and RS-albuterol produced dose-related improvement in FEV(1) and, at higher doses, increased heart rate and decreased plasma K(+) levels. Neither placebo nor S-albuterol had any significant effect. Individual estimates of the potency ratio for R-albuterol/RS-albuterol were calculated and summarized across all subjects. The geometric mean potency ratio for effects on FEV(1) was 1.9 (95% CI, 1.3-2.8), on HR of 1.9 (95% CI, 1.3-2.9), and on K(+) level of 1.7 (95% CI, 1.3-2.1). CONCLUSION All pharmacologic effects of RS-albuterol reside with the R-enantiomer, and S-albuterol is clinically inactive. The R-albuterol/RS-albuterol potency ratios for local (FEV(1)) and systemic effects (heart rate and K(+)) are similar, suggesting a comparable therapeutic ratio for R-albuterol and RS-albuterol in asthmatic subjects.
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Folding of Two Model Peptides Investigated by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The folding of an R-helix and a ‚-hairpin was studied by 862 molecular dynamics simulations with an implicit solvation model that allowed sampling of a total of 4 Is. The average effective energy is rather flat for conformations having less than about 50% of the folded state contacts formed, except for the R-helix at very high temperatures. For both peptides there is a smooth decrease of the effective energy close to the folded state. The free energy landscape shows that the helix-coil transition is not first order, while the ‚-hairpin has one or two minima, depending on the temperature. At low temperature (T < 1.1Tm) there is an increase in the folding rate with increasing temperature as expected from an activation energy limited process. At higher temperatures the rate decreases for both peptides which is consistent with an activation entropy dominated process. The unfolding rate, by contrast, shows an Arrhenius-like behavior; i.e., it increases monotonously with temperature. The ‚-hairpin peptide folds about 30 times slower than the R-helix peptide at 300 K. Multiple folding pathways are present for the R-helix, whereas the ‚-hairpin initiates folding mainly at the ‚-turn.
Disruption of microfilament organization and deregulation of disk membrane morphogenesis by cytochalasin D in rod and cone photoreceptors

Morphogenesis of photoreceptor outer segment disks appears to occur by an evagination of the ciliary plasma membrane (Steinberg et al., J Comp Neurol 190: 501–519, 80). We tested if polymerized actin (F‐actin) was necessary for the regulation of this postulated process by incubating Xenopus eyecups with 5 or 25 μM cytochalasin D for 6–28 hours. During the second hour, the incubation medium contained 3H‐leucine. Both concentrations of cytochalasin resulted in: (1) dissolution of the rhodamine‐phalloidin labeling pattern of photoreceptors, and (2) collapse of the calycal processes (which are normally filled with actin filaments) and disappearance of the inner segment microfilaments. In addition, the few most basal rod and cone outer segment disks appeared several times their normal diameter. These oversized disks had incorporated 3H‐leucine and extended along the margin of the outer or inner segment. The nature of the overgrown disks is consistent only with a morphogenetic process involving evaginations of the ciliary plasma membrane. Deregulation by cytochalasin D was manifest by excessive growth of a few nascent disks rather than normal growth of many. Therefore, the normal network of actin filaments is apparently not necessary for continued evagination of the membrane, but it does seem to be an essential part of the mechanism that initiates the evagination of the ciliary plasma membrane and\or the mechanism that controls how far nascent disks grow.
Ultrasonic assessment and finite element modelling of thermo-mechanical damage in mortar

Experiments were conducted to evaluate degradation of mechanical properties in mortar specimens subjected to thermal and mechanical loading. Ultrasonic pulse velocity was used to assess changes in the microestructure of the specimens due to thermal and mechanical loads applied separately. Both longitudinal and transverse waves were used. At first the specimens were tested in the undamaged stage, and then they were also tested after their exposure to a non-uniform thermal load only, finally, mechanical loading was applied until peak load. A finite element model was used in the dynamic simulation of pulses propagation. Results showed that mortar mix with a larger proportion of coarser aggregates is more sensitive to mechanical loading after exposure to heat than mortar with lesser and smaller aggregate contents. Mortar mix design with less and finer aggregate did not show a reduction in the pulse velocity as intense as the mortar with more coarse aggregate, which indicates a less severe diffuse microcracking.
Prosthetic knee stability during the push-off phase of walking-experimental findings

Most of the energy needed for ambulation is generated during the double support phase of walking. Knee flexion during push-off is crucial to maintain the walking velocity. Since users of an above-knee prosthesis have to stabilize the knee with the hip muscles, and regular knee mechanisms are not stable during flexion, this may cost a large effort. This paper deals with experimental findings of walking with different types of knees. The results indicate that for walking with a more stable knee, the symmetry increases and the net hip moments of force, required to stabilize the knee, reduce. The mechanical work however, performed at the hip joint at the prosthetic side, remains about equal.
Effects of Glucomannan on the Sacculus Rotundus and Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes in New Zealand Rabbits during Aflatoxicosis

This study was aimed to determine the effects of the glucomannan added to aflatoxin- (AF-) contaminated diet on the sacculus rotundus and peripheral blood lymphocytes of New Zealand rabbits by histological and enzyme histochemical methods. Twenty-four adult rabbits of both sexes were divided into four equal groups, namely, as control, glucomannan 0.2 g/day, AF 125 μg/kg/day, and glucomannan combined with AF. The animals in all groups were treated for 12 weeks by the above-mentioned diet. When compared to control, AF-treatment caused significant decrease in alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase- (ANAE-) positive peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) percentages. The addition of the glucomannan to AFcontaining diet recovered the adverse effects of AF on sacculus rotundus and increased the ANAE-positive PBL counts. These results suggested that glucomannan was effective against the negative effects of AF in rabbits.
Infrequent near death experiences in severe brain injury survivors - A quantitative and qualitative study

Background: Near death experiences (NDE) are receiving increasing attention by the scientific community because not only do they provide a glimpse of the complexity of the mind-brain interactions in ‘near-death’ circumstances but also because they have significant and long lasting effects on various psychological aspects of the survivors. The over-all incidence-reports of NDEs in literature have varied widely from a modest Figure of 10% to around 35%, even up to an incredible Figure of 72% in persons who have faced close brush with death. Somewhat similar to this range of difference in incidences are the differences prevalent in the opinions that theorists and researchers harbor around the world for explaining this phenomena. None the less, objective evidences have supported physiological theories the most. A wide range of physiological processes have been targeted for explaining NDEs. These include cerebral anoxia, chemical alterations like hypercapnia, presence of endorphins, ketamine, and serotonin, or abnormal activity of the temporal lobe or the limbic system. In spite of the fact that the physiological theories of NDEs have revolved around the derangements in brain, no study till date has taken up the task of evaluating the experiences of near-death in patients where specific injury has been to brain. Most of them have evaluated NDEs in cardiac-arrest patients. Post-traumatic coma is one such state regarding which the literature seriously lacks any information related to NDEs. Patients recollecting any memory of their post-traumatic coma are valuable assets for NDE researchers and needs special attention. Materials and Methods: Our present study was aimed at collecting this valuable information from survivors of severe head injury after a prolonged coma. The study was conducted in the head injury department of Guangdong 999 Brain hospital, Guangzhou, China. Patients included in the study were the ones Recovered from the posttraumatic coma following a severe head injury. A total of 86 patients were chosen. Near death experience scale (NDES) score of 7 or more was used as the criteria of screening NDE experiences. After identifying such individuals, the Prakash-modification of the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to interview and record the data for qualitative analysis. Results: We found that contrary to earlier incidence reports, NDEs in post head injury patients were markedly low. Only 3 out of 86 of the patients recruited had a clear and confident experience of NDE. We conducted a qualitative study to explore further into these experiences. IPA of these 3 patients revealed four master themes: 1. Unique light visions 2. Intense feelings of astonishment, pleasure, and fear 3. The sense of helplessness 4. Supernatural but rationality of experience. Conclusion: NDE is uncommon in head-injury cases as compared to other near-death conditions. But the persons experiencing it have immense impacts on their belief systems and emotions. This experience should be further explored by studies of larger samples.
Quasi-Deformations of 𝔰𝔩2(𝔽) Using Twisted Derivations

In this article we apply a method devised in Hartwig, Larsson, and Silvestrov (2006) and Larsson and Silvestrov (2005a) to the simple 3-dimensional Lie algebra 𝔰𝔩2(𝔽). One of the main points of this deformation method is that the deformed algebra comes endowed with a canonical twisted Jacobi identity. We show in the present article that when our deformation scheme is applied to 𝔰𝔩2(𝔽) we can, by choosing parameters suitably, deform 𝔰𝔩2(𝔽) into the Heisenberg Lie algebra and some other 3-dimensional Lie algebras in addition to more exotic types of algebras, this being in stark contrast to the classical deformation schemes where 𝔰𝔩2(𝔽) is rigid.
Idiopathic scoliosis: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study.

STUDY DESIGN Various neurophysiological parameters of the motor system were investigated in 43 female patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis (IS) and 31 sex and age matched controls using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). OBJECTIVE To investigate whether asymmetries in excitatory and inhibitory brain processes, as studied by TMS, are a causative factor in IS. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Previous studies associated IS with pathological asymmetries of the cerebral cortex and the brain stem at the level of the corticospinal tracts. METHODS Forty-three female patients with right IS and 31 normal female subjects entered the study. Various TMS parameters, including the study of ipsilateral pyramidal tract, were studied. Electrophysiological data were correlated with clinical data, the degrees of the scoliotic curve and the Perdriolle and Nash & Moe indexes. RESULTS In upper limbs, detailed testing failed to reveal any statistically significant differences between the patient and the control group. In lower limbs, side-to-side differences of central motor conduction time (CMCT) and facilitated cortical-to-muscle latencies were increased in the scoliotic patients (p<0.05). This finding correlated significantly with Nash & Moe and Perdriolle indexes (Spearman's r=0.406 and 0.575, respectively, p<0.05). Following the Bonferroni adjustment, however, differences in CMCT SSDs were not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION The present TMS data do not support the concept of a generalized brain asymmetry in IS. In lower limbs, a trend towards increased asymmetries in side-to-side differences of CMCT and cortical latencies was detected probably representing subclinical involvement of the corticospinal tracts secondary to mechanical compression. Finally, it is concluded that non-decussation of the pyramidal tracts is not involved in the pathogenesis of IS.
Mixed RL-Huffman encoding for power reduction and data compression in scan test

This paper mixes two encoding techniques to reduce test data volume, test pattern delivery time and power dissipation in scan test applications. This is achieved by using the Run-Length (RL) encoding followed by Huffman encoding. This combination is especially effective when the ratio of don't cares in a test set is high which is a common case in today's large SoCs. Our analytical analysis and the experimental results on ISCAS89 benchmarks confirm that achieving 32 to 85% compression ratio and 55 to 93% power reduction is possible for scan testable SoCs.