Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lithotripsy pulse measurement errors due to nonideal hydrophone and amplifier frequency responses

When using miniature ultrasonic hydrophones to probe the focal region of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy devices, the frequency response of the measurement hydrophone and any associated amplifier must be broad enough to minimize pulse distortion. To study the potential effects of the bandwidth-limited behavior, a mathematical model was used. Several parameters of a simulated lithotripsy pulse were compared before and after being filtered by hydrophone and amplifier response functions. Errors were computed for the peak positive and negative pressures, risetime, pulse duration, and pulse intensity integral as functions of hydrophone and amplifier bandwidths. Although most of the energy in a shock wave pulse lies at frequencies below a few megahertz, it is found that significant errors can occur unless measurement bandwidths are much wider. <<ETX>>
Backup Expression of the PhaP2 Phasin Compensates for phaP1 Deletion in Herbaspirillum seropedicae, Maintaining Fitness and PHB Accumulation

Phasins are important proteins controlling poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules formation, their number into the cell and stability. The genome sequencing of the endophytic and diazotrophic bacterium Herbaspirillum seropedicae SmR1 revealed two homologous phasin genes. To verify the role of the phasins on PHB accumulation in the parental strain H. seropedicae SmR1, isogenic strains defective in the expression of phaP1, phaP2 or both genes were obtained by gene deletion and characterized in this work. Despite of the high sequence similarity between PhaP1 and PhaP2, PhaP1 is the major phasin in H. seropedicae, since its deletion reduced PHB accumulation by ≈50% in comparison to the parental and ΔphaP2. Upon deletion of phaP1, the expression of phaP2 was sixfold enhanced in the ΔphaP1 strain. The responsive backup expression of phaP2 partially rescued the ΔphaP1 mutant, maintaining about 50% of the parental PHB level. The double mutant ΔphaP1. 2 did not accumulate PHB in any growth stage and showed a severe reduction of growth when glucose was the carbon source, a clear demonstration of negative impact in the fitness. The co-occurrence of phaP1 and phaP2 homologous in bacteria relatives of H. seropedicae, including other endophytes, indicates that the mechanism of phasin compensation by phaP2 expression may be operating in other organisms, showing that PHB metabolism is a key factor to adaptation and efficiency of endophytic bacteria.
Acute Bronchial Asthma: I. Concomitant Depression and Excitement, and Varied Antecedent Patterns in 406 Attacks

&NA; Four hundred and six asthmatic attacks occurred in 9 patients with severe, chronic bronchial asthma who had been studied intensively in psychiatric or (in two instances) psychoanalytic interviews. Feelings and fantasies concomitant with asthma tended to be dominated by absorption in the physical illness. At times this appeared to serve as a protection against obvious psychological problems. In somewhat more than half of the episodes other emotional concomitants appeared after asthma had become established. The vast majority of these were depressive‐‐a sense of sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness, at times accompanied by ideas of a dangerous or poisonous inner substance. Contrasting with these, in somewhat less than half of the attacks there were prodromal emotionaxl manifestations which preceded and led directly into acute asthma. The principal prodromal feature was excitement, usually with an angry or anxious coloring, occasionally elated and erotic, resembling a miniature hypomania. We suggest that in asthma an initial phase of drive arousal and excitement is followed by a later phase of drive restraint and inhibition. Antecedent changes in the environment occurring in the 48 hours prior to an attack varied widely. Eight categories could be discerned, the two most prominent being loss of a person and closeness to a person. Most of the categories could be divided into one of two groups: events which seemed to lead to frustration of powerful impulses and those which seemed to stimulate erotized or dangerous wishes. We postulate that both types of event, although neither is of itself specific for asthma, might activate a respiratory apparatus having both intake and expulsion functions, which has become vulnerable to psychological as well as physiological stress.
In vivo gene transfer of nitric oxide synthase enhances vasomotor function in carotid arteries from normal and cholesterol-Fed rabbits.

BACKGROUND The vascular endothelium is anatomically intact but functionally abnormal in preatherosclerotic states, and an early deficit in the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) or related molecules has been described in both humans and animal models. We hypothesized that the targeted gene transfer of NO synthase (NOS) isoforms might ameliorate or reverse the deficit. METHODS AND RESULTS We constructed a recombinant adenovirus, Ad.nNOS, that expresses the neuronal isoform of NOS (nNOS) and used it for in vivo endovascular gene transfer to carotid arteries (CA) from normal and cholesterol-fed rabbits. Vessels were harvested 3 days after gene transfer. In CA from normal rabbits, Ad.nNOS generated high levels of functional nNOS protein predominantly in endothelial cells and increased vascular NOS activity by 3.4-fold relative to sham-infected control CA. Ad.nNOS gene transfer also significantly enhanced endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation to acetylcholine; at 3 micromol/L acetylcholine, Ad.nNOS-treated arteries showed an 86+/-4% reduction in precontracted tension, whereas control CA showed a 47+/-6% reduction in tension. Contraction in response to phenylephrine and relaxation in response to nitroprusside were unaffected in both control and Ad.nNOS-treated CA. To determine the effect of Ad.nNOS in atherosclerotic arteries, 10 male New Zealand White rabbits maintained on a 1% cholesterol diet for 10 to 12 weeks underwent gene transfer according to the same protocol used in normal rabbits. Ad.nNOS-treated arteries showed a 2-fold increase in NADPH-diaphorase staining intensity relative to sham-infected and Ad. betaGal-treated arteries. The CA from cholesterol-fed rabbits showed impaired acetylcholine-induced relaxation, but this abnormality was almost entirely corrected by Ad.nNOS gene transfer. CONCLUSIONS In vivo adenovirus-mediated endovascular delivery of nNOS markedly enhances vascular NOS activity and can favorably influence endothelial physiology in the intact and atherosclerotic vessel wall.
Effect of dibutyltin on ATP levels in human natural killer cells

This study investigates the role that decreased ATP levels may play in dibutyltin (DBT)‐induced decreases in the tumor‐cell‐lysing (lytic) function of natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells are a subset of lymphocytes capable of killing tumor cells, virally infected cells, and antibody coated cells. DBT is used as stabilizer in PVC plastics and has also been used as a deworming product in poultry. NK cells were exposed to various concentrations of DBT for 1 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 6 days before determining ATP levels and lytic function. ATP levels and lytic function were also determined in NK cells that were exposed to DBT for 1 h followed by 24 h, 48 h, and 6 days in DBT‐free media. The results indicated that exposure of NK cells to 10 μM DBT for 1 h did not cause any significant decrease in NK cell ATP levels but did cause a very significant loss in lytic function. NK cells exposed to 500 nM DBT for 24 h showed significant loss of lytic function but showed no decrease in ATP levels. However, 48 h and 6 days exposures to those concentrations of DBT that caused decreases in tumor lysing function also caused significant decreases in ATP levels. Exposures of NK cells to varying DBT concentrations for 1 h followed by 24 h, 48 h, and 6 days in DBT free media produced effects on lytic function and ATP levels that were similar to those seen with continuous DBT exposures. The results indicate that DBT exposures decrease ATP levels in NK cells but that tumor lysing function can be reduced independent of any decreases in ATP levels. Additionally the results show that the effects of a range of DBT concentrations on ATP levels and tumor lysing function are irreversible. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 117–123, 2007.
THE ROLE OF PEER REJECTION IN ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION

Adolescence is a period of major risk for depression, which is associated with negative personal, social, and educational outcomes. Yet, in comparison to adult models of depression, very little is known about the specific psychosocial stressors that contribute to adolescent depression, and whether these can be targeted by interventions. In this review, we consider the role of peer rejection. First, we present a comprehensive review of studies using innovative experimental paradigms to understand the role of peer rejection in adolescent depression. We show how reciprocal relationships between peer rejection and depressive symptoms across adolescence powerfully shape and maintain maladaptive trajectories. Second, we consider how cognitive biases and their neurobiological substrates may explain why some adolescents are more vulnerable to the effects of, and perhaps exposure to, peer rejection compared to others. Finally, we draw attention to emerging cognitive and functional magnetic resonance imaging‐based neurofeedback training, which by modifying aspects of information processing may promote more adaptive responses to peer rejection. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying adolescent depression may not only alleviate symptoms during a period of substantial developmental challenges, but may also reduce the burden of the disorder across the lifespan.
Neuroprotective Effect of Resveratrol Against Methamphetamine-Induced Dopaminergic Apoptotic Cell Death in a Cell Culture Model of Neurotoxicity

A growing body of evidence suggests that oxidative stress-mediated cell death signaling mechanisms may exert neurotoxic effects of methamphetamine (MA)-induced dopaminergic neuronal loss. However, the means by which oxidative stress induced by MA causes neurodegeneration remains unclear. In recent years, resveratrol has garnered considerable attention owing to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and neuroprotective properties. In the present study, we sought to investigate the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol against apoptotic cell death in a mesencephalic dopaminergic neuronal cell culture model of MA neurotoxicity. MA treatment in the N27 dopaminergic neuronal cell model produced a time-dependent activation of the apoptotic cascade involving caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation. We found that the caspase-3 activation preceded DNA fragmentation. Notably, treatment with resveratrol almost completely attenuated MA-induced caspase-3 activity, but only partially reduced apoptotic cell death. We conclude that the neuroprotective effect of resveratrol is at least in part mediated by suppression of caspase-3 dependent cell death pathways. Collectively, our results demonstrate that resveratrol can attenuate MA-induced apoptotic cell death and suggest that resveratrol or its analogs may have therapeutic benefits in mitigating MA-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration.
Cutaneous protothecosis: two new cases in China and literature review

Protothecosis is a rare infection caused by Prototheca spp. , which are achlorophyllous algae found in trees, various aquatic sources such as lakes and rivers, sewage treatment plants, soil, and household garbage. They can infect both humans and animals. Human protothecosis is rare, and most cases are found in immunocompromised patients. In mainland China, only four cases caused by Prototheca spp. have been reported. In general, clinical manifestations of reported cases can be classified into three clinical forms: cutaneous (66%); olecranon bursitis (15%); and disseminated or systemic infections (19%). Currently, Prototheca zopfii, P. wickerhamii, P. stagnora, P. ulmea, and P. blaschkeae are classified to the genus. Among these, only the former two have been reported to cause infections in humans, with P. wickerhamii being most common. In this article, two cases of cutaneous protothecosis caused by P. wickerhamii will be presented. Both patients responded well to treatment with intravenous voriconazole (VRC), although one died later from other complications.
Boundaries of participation in care home settings: Use of the Swedish token jaså by a person with dementia

ABSTRACT This article is a conversation analytic study of how one elderly person with dementia and her interlocutors interact in a care home setting. Participation is studied in the form of responsive action of the person with dementia, focusing on the Swedish response token ‘jaså,’ which has not previously been analysed in detail. The central claim is that even though the sequential placement of the response token indicates interactional competence, other factors reveal limited competence and communication impairment. First, the person with dementia’s use of gaze is reduced, and she seems to rely on the auditory but not on the visual channel. Second, the interlocutors do not in all situations treat her as a ratified participant in spite of her attempts to contribute to the interaction. This study contributes both to the study of participation in the context of communication impairment and to the study of response tokens in Swedish.
Transthoracic impedance study with large self-adhesive electrodes in two conventional positions for defibrillation

External defibrillation requires the application of high voltage electrical impulses via large external electrodes, placed on selected locations on the thorax surface. The position of the electrodes is one of the major determinants of the transthoracic impedance (TTI) which influences the intracardiac current flow during electric shock and defibrillation success. The variety of factors which influence TTI measurements raised our interest to investigate the range of TTI values and the temporal TTI variance during long-term application of defibrillation self-adhesive electrodes in two conventional positions on the patient's chest—position 1 (sub-clavicular/sub-axillar position) and position 2 (antero-posterior position). The prospective study included 86 randomly selected volunteers (39 male and 49 female, 67 patients with normal skin, 13 patients with dry skin and 6 patients with greasy skin, 16 patients with chest pilosity and 70 patients without chest pilosity). The TTI was measured according to the interelectrode voltage drop obtained by passage of a low-amplitude high-frequency current (32 kHz) between the two self-adhesive electrodes (active area about 92 cm2). For each patient, the TTI values were measured within 10 s, 1 min and 5 min after sticking the electrodes to the skin surface, independently for the two tested electrode positions. We found that the expected TTI range is between 58 Ω and 152 Ω for position 1 and between 55 Ω and 149 Ω for position 2. Although the two TTI ranges are comparable, we measured significantly higher TTI mean of about (107.2 ± 22.3) Ω for position 1 compared to (96.6 ± 19.2) Ω for position 2 (p = 0.001). This fact suggested that the antero-posterior position of the electrodes is favourable for defibrillation. Within the investigated time interval of 5 min, we observed a significant TTI reduction with about 6.9% (7.4 Ω/107.2 Ω) for position 1 and about 5.3% (5.1 Ω/96.6 Ω) for position 2. We suppose that the long-term application of self-adhesive electrodes would lead to improvement of the physical conditions for conduction of the defibrillation current and to diminution of energy loss in the electrode–skin contact impedance. We found that gender is important when position 1 is used because women have significantly higher TTI (111 ± 20.3) Ω compared to the TTI of men (102.6 ± 24) Ω (p = 0.0442). Although we found some specifics of the electrode–skin contact layer, we can conclude that because of the insignificant differences in TTI, the operator of the defibrillator paddles does not need to take into consideration the skin type and pilosity of the patients. Analysis of the correlations between TTI and the individual patient characteristics (chest size, weight, height, age) showed that these patient characteristics are unreliable factors for prediction of the TTI values and optimal defibrillation pulse parameters and energy.
The impact of induced anxiety on response inhibition

Anxiety has wide reaching effects on cognition; evidenced most prominently by the “difficulties concentrating” seen in anxiety disorders, and by adaptive harm-avoidant behaviors adopted under threatening circumstances. Despite having critical implications for daily-living, the precise impact of anxiety on cognition is as yet poorly quantified. Here we attempt to clarify the impact of anxiety on sustained attention and response inhibition via a translational anxiety induction in healthy individuals (N = 22). Specifically, in a within-subjects design, participants completed the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) in which subjects withhold responses to infrequent no-go stimuli under threat of unpredictable electrical shock (anxious) and safe (non-anxious) conditions. Different studies have argued that this task measures either (1) attention lapses due to off-task thinking or (2) response inhibition; two cognitive functions which are likely impacted by anxiety. We show that threat of shock significantly reduces errors of commission on the no-go trials relative to the safe condition whilst having no effect on go trials or overall reaction time (RT). We suggest that this is because threat of shock during SART promotes response inhibition. In particular we argue that, by virtue of frequency, subjects acquire a habitual bias toward a go response which impairs no-go performance and that threat of shock improves the ability to withhold these prepotent responses. This improved response inhibition likely falls within the range of adaptive cognitive functions which promote cautious harm avoidance under threatening conditions, although a range of alternative explanations for this effect is discussed.
Nonalcoholic red wine extract and quercetin inhibit LDL oxidation without affecting plasma antioxidant vitamin and carotenoid concentrations.

BACKGROUND Antioxidant enrichment of LDL can increase its resistance to oxidation and hence reduce its atherogenicity. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether in vivo supplementation with nonalcoholic red wine extract and quercetin can increase the oxidative resistance of LDL, and also whether the supplementation has any effect on other antioxidative micronutrients present in the blood. METHODS Twenty-one male subjects were supplemented with a placebo drink for 2 weeks and randomized into two groups. One group (n = 11) received the red wine extract (1 g/day, equivalent to 375 mL of red wine) and the other group (n = 10) quercetin (30 mg/day) for 2 weeks, followed by a 5-week washout period. RESULTS In the red wine extract-supplemented group, ex vivo copper-initiated oxidation of LDL (lag phase, mean +/- SD) was 40 +/- 11 min at the baseline, and increased significantly to 47 +/- 6 min [P <0.05 compared with placebo (38 +/- 4 min) and the washout values (40 +/- 5 min)]. In the quercetin-supplemented group, the lag phase was 44 +/- 11 and 40 +/- 5 min for the baseline and placebo, respectively, and increased significantly to 51 +/- 7 min [P <0.05 compared with placebo and washout (41 +/- 9 min)] after supplementation. Plasma lipids (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol) did not change during the study period. Supplementation with red wine extract or quercetin had no effect on plasma vitamin C and E, retinol, and carotenoid concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol-free red wine extract and one of its components, quercetin, can inhibit LDL oxidation after in vivo supplementation; such "inhibition" is unrelated to changes in antioxidant vitamin and carotenoid concentrations.
Comparison of the Success Rate and Complications of Blind Liver Biopsy and Ultrasound-Guided Liver Biopsy

Background: Liver biopsy is the gold standard method for the assessment of liver fibrosis and diagnosis of different liver diseases. The most common method of liver biopsy is transdermal biopsy, which can be performed under the guidance of ultrasound (US) or blindly. The present study aimed at comparing the success rate and complications of these two methods in patients undergoing liver biopsy. Materials and Methods: This interventional study was performed on 102 patients, who were candidates for liver biopsy without any contraindications. The patients were randomly divided in two groups of US-guided biopsy and blind biopsy. The patients’ demographics, indications for biopsy, and complications were collected in a checklist. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and independent sample t-test in SPSS version 16. Results: Among 102 participants, 51 patients (25 males and 26 females), with the mean age of 39.69 ± 12.93 years, underwent US-guided biopsy, while 51 patients (29 males and 26 female), with the mean age of 39.65 ± 13.73 years, underwent blind biopsy. Liver biopsy was successful in 88.2 of the patients in both groups. The most common complication was reduced hemoglobin level, which was not significantly different between the groups. Other complications, such as need for blood transfusion, platelet transfusion, or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) injection, were not observed. There was no significant difference in terms of complications between the groups. Conclusion: Since blind liver biopsy does not increase the rate of complications, application of this method is recommended for patients without any contraindications, leading to a reduction in the cost of diagnosis and treatment. © 2019 Iranian Association of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. All rights reserved.
The Marketing Mix Revisited: Towards the 21st Century Marketing

The paper assesses the current standing of the 4Ps Marketing Mix framework as the dominant marketing management paradigm and identifies market developments, environmental changes, and trends, as well as changing academic attitudes likely to affect the future of the Mix as theoretical concept and also the favourite management tool of marketing practitioners. It reviews the criticism on the 4P's emanating from five "traditional" marketing areas - Consumer Marketing, Relationship Marketing, Services Marketing, Retail Marketing, Industrial Marketing - and the emerging field of Electronic Marketing. The paper identifies two main limitations of the Marketing Mix as management tool, common in all examined domains, namely the model's internal orientation and lack of personalisation. It also identifies several area-specific limitations and underlines the need for further research on the issue. The weaknesses identified in the study seem to support the frequently expressed suggestion that marketing scholars should focus their efforts in formulating the conceptual foundations and marketing methodologies that better address the needs of today's and tomorrow's marketer.