Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validating fin tissue as a non-lethal proxy to liver and muscle tissue for stable isotope analysis of yellow perch (Perca flavescens)

ABSTRACT Stable isotope ecology typically involves sacrificing the animal to obtain tissues. However, with threatened species or in long-term longitudinal studies, non-lethal sampling techniques should be used. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine if caudal fin tissue could be used as a non-lethal proxy to liver and muscle for stable isotope analysis, and (2) assess the effects of ethanol preservation on δ15N and δ13C in fin tissue of juvenile yellow perch Perca flavescens. The δ13C of caudal fin was not significantly different from liver (t23 = −0.58; p = 0.57), and was more correlated with δ15N in liver (r2 = 0.78) than muscle (r2 = 0.56). Ethanol preservation enriched 15N and 13C for caudal fins, but by using our developed regression models, these changes in δ15N and δ13C can now be corrected. Overall, caudal fin tissue is a more reliable proxy to liver than muscle for δ15N and δ13C in yellow perch.
Analgesic action of i.v. morphine-6-glucuronide in healthy volunteers.

The pharmacodynamics of morphine-6-glucuronide (M-6-G) i.v. were assessed in 12 healthy male volunteers in an open study. After a single bolus dose of M-6-G 5 mg i.v. , we measured antinociceptive effects, using electrical and cold pain tests, and plasma concentrations of M-6-G, morphine-3-glucuronide (M-3-G) and morphine. Pain intensities during electrical stimulation (at 30, 60 and 90 min after injection) and ice water immersion (at 60 min) decreased significantly (P < 0.005) compared with baseline. Mean plasma peak concentrations of M-6-G were 139.3 (SD 38.9) ng ml-1, measured at 15 min. Our data demonstrate that M-6-G has significant analgesic activity.
MicroRNA-17–92 Cluster in Exosomes Enhance Neuroplasticity and Functional Recovery After Stroke in Rats

Background and Purpose— Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) harvested exosomes are hypothesized as the major paracrine effectors of MSCs. In vitro, the miR-17–92 cluster promotes oligodendrogenesis, neurogenesis, and axonal outgrowth. We, therefore, investigated whether the miR-17–92 cluster–enriched exosomes harvested from MSCs transfected with an miR-17–92 cluster plasmid enhance neurological recovery compared with control MSC-derived exosomes. Methods— Rats subjected to 2 hours of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion were intravenously administered miR-17–92 cluster–enriched exosomes, control MSC exosomes, or liposomes and were euthanized 28 days post–middle cerebral artery occlusion. Histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and Golgi–Cox staining were used to assess dendritic, axonal, synaptic, and myelin remodeling. Expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog and activation of its downstream proteins, protein kinase B, mechanistic target of rapamycin, and glycogen synthase kinase 3&bgr; in the peri-infarct region were measured by means of Western blots. Results— Compared with the liposome treatment, both exosome treatment groups exhibited significant improvement of functional recovery, but miR-17–92 cluster–enriched exosome treatment had significantly more robust effects on improvement of neurological function and enhancements of oligodendrogenesis, neurogenesis, and neurite remodeling/neuronal dendrite plasticity in the ischemic boundary zone (IBZ) than the control MSC exosome treatment. Moreover, miR-17–92 cluster–enriched exosome treatment substantially inhibited phosphatase and tensin homolog, a validated miR-17–92 cluster target gene, and subsequently increased the phosphorylation of phosphatase and tensin homolog downstream proteins, protein kinase B, mechanistic target of rapamycin, and glycogen synthase kinase 3&bgr; compared with control MSC exosome treatment. Conclusions— Our data suggest that treatment of stroke with tailored exosomes enriched with the miR-17–92 cluster increases neural plasticity and functional recovery after stroke, possibly via targeting phosphatase and tensin homolog to activate the PI3K/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin/glycogen synthase kinase 3&bgr; signaling pathway.
Pseudorandom Sets in Grassmann Graph Have Near-Perfect Expansion

We prove that pseudorandom sets in the Grassmann graph have near-perfect expansion. This completes the last missing piece of the proof of the 2-to-2-Games Conjecture (albeit with imperfect completeness). The Grassmann graph has induced subgraphs that are themselves isomorphic to Grassmann graphs of lower orders. A set of vertices is called pseudorandom if its density within all such subgraphs (of constant order) is at most slightly higher than its density in the entire graph. We prove that pseudorandom sets have almost no edges within them. Namely, their edge-expansion is very close to 1.
Whole body precooling attenuates the extracellular HSP72, IL-6 and IL-10 responses after an acute bout of running in the heat

ABSTRACT The impact of whole-body precooling on the extracellular heat shock protein 72 (eHSP72) and cytokine responses to running in the heat is undefined. The aim of this study was to determine whether precooling would attenuate post-exercise eHSP72 and cytokine responses. Eight male recreational runners completed two 90-minute bouts of running at 65% O2max in 32 ± 0.9°C and 47 ± 6 % relative humidity (RH) preceded by either 60-minutes of precooling in 20.3 ± 0.3°C water (COOL) or 60 min rest in an air-conditioned laboratory (20.2 ± 1.7°C, 60 ± 3% RH; CON). eHSP72, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 IL-1ra were determined before and immediately after exercise. The elevation in post-exercise eHSP72 was attenuated after COOL (+0.04 ± 0.10 ng.mL−1) compared to CON (+ 0.29 ± 0.26 ng.mL−1;P < 0.001). No changes in TNF-α were observed at any stage. COOL reduced the absolute post-exercise change in IL-6 (P = 0.011) and IL-10 (P = 0.03) compared to CON. IL-1ra followed this trend (P = 0.063). A precooling-induced attenuation of eHSP72 and proinflammatory cytokines may aid recovery during multi-day sporting events, but could be counterproductive if a training response or adaptation to environmental stress is a desired outcome.
Muscle Strength is Impaired in Men but not in Women Living with HIV Taking Antiretroviral Therapy

Background There is evidence that HIV antiretroviral therapy adverse effects may be sex-dependent, but data examining these sex differences in muscle strength is scarce. Our aim was to compare dynamic and isokinetic parameters of muscle strength between HIV-infected men and women to HIV-uninfected subjects. Methods In this cross-sectional study, muscle strength was evaluated in 44 HIV-infected (20 men, 24 women) and 25 age-, race- and body mass index-matched HIV-uninfected subjects (11 men, 14 women). We assessed knee flexion and extension efforts in isokinetic dynamometer at angular velocities of 60° and 180°/s, and 1 repetition maximum test (1RM) for bench press, leg press and arm curl exercises, respectively. Lean body mass (LBM) was measured using bioelectrical impedance. Results HIV-infected men had significantly less dynamic muscle strength for 1RM total (262.5 versus 357.2 kg), bench press (48.6 versus 60.3 kg), leg press (182.7 versus 261 kg) and arm curl (31.2 versus 36.5 kg) compared to HIV-uninfected men (P≤0.05); no differences were found among women. Men had lower values for peak torque in extension and flexion movements at 60°/s and 180°/s, while HIV-infected women presented higher peak torque in extension movement at 60°/s compared to controls. No differences were found in LBM. Moreover, isokinetic evaluation demonstrated that HIV-infected subjects showed greater acceleration and deceleration time in some variables, compared to controls, related to difficulty in activating motor units. Conclusions HIV infection is associated with impaired dynamic and isokinetic strength in men compared to HIV-uninfected controls, but not in women.
Tri-Polarized 12-Antenna MIMO Array for Future 5G Smartphone Applications

A tri-polarized 12-antenna array working in the 3.5-GHz band (3.4–3.6 GHz) for future 5G (the fifth generation mobile communication) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) operations in the smartphone is presented. In order to reduce the mutual couplings and simplify the design process, orthogonal polarization technique is utilized. By combining a quarter mode substrate integrated wave-guide antenna and two open-end slots, a compact 3-antenna tri-polarization block operating in the 3.5-GHz band is achieved within a small volume of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$17\times 17\times6$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mm<sup>3</sup>. Thanks to the orthogonal polarization features, the three antennas within the block are able to have good impedance matchings and low mutual couplings between antennas. By integrating four such tri-polarization blocks, a 12-antenna MIMO array is then designed for smartphone applications. It is also due to the tri-polarization feature, the proposed array could attain acceptable isolations and low correlations between antennas with only two additional decoupling structures. The proposed array is fabricated and tested, good antenna performances, such as return loss better than 10 dB, isolation higher than 12.5 dB, and antenna efficiencies higher than 50%, are obtained. The channel capacity of the 12-antenna array is calculated to be about 57 bps/Hz in a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$12\times12$ </tex-math></inline-formula> MIMO system with 20-dB signal-to-noise ratio, which indicates the proposed array using tri-polarization technique is a good choice for future 5G terminals.
Machine Learning in Medicine

Spurred by advances in processing power, memory, storage, and an unprecedented wealth of data, computers are being asked to tackle increasingly complex learning tasks, often with astonishing success. Computers have now mastered a popular variant of poker, learned the laws of physics from experimental data, and become experts in video games - tasks that would have been deemed impossible not too long ago. In parallel, the number of companies centered on applying complex data analysis to varying industries has exploded, and it is thus unsurprising that some analytic companies are turning attention to problems in health care. The purpose of this review is to explore what problems in medicine might benefit from such learning approaches and use examples from the literature to introduce basic concepts in machine learning. It is important to note that seemingly large enough medical data sets and adequate learning algorithms have been available for many decades, and yet, although there are thousands of papers applying machine learning algorithms to medical data, very few have contributed meaningfully to clinical care. This lack of impact stands in stark contrast to the enormous relevance of machine learning to many other industries. Thus, part of my effort will be to identify what obstacles there may be to changing the practice of medicine through statistical learning approaches, and discuss how these might be overcome.
Real-Time Robust Heart Rate Estimation From Wrist-Type PPG Signals Using Multiple Reference Adaptive Noise Cancellation

Heart rate (HR) monitoring using photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals recorded from wearers’ wrist greatly facilitates design of wearable devices and maximizes user experience. However, placing PPG sensors in wrist causes much stronger and complicated motion artifacts (MA) due to loose interface between sensors and skin. Therefore, developing robust HR estimation algorithms for wrist-type PPG signals has significant commercial values. In this paper, we propose a robust HR estimation algorithm for wrist-type PPG signals using multiple reference adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) technique—termed here as “MURAD. ” The main challenge of using ANC for MA reduction is to devise a qualified reference noise signal (RNS) to the adaptive filter. We propose a novel solution by using four RNSs, namely, the three-axis accelerometer data and the difference signal between the two PPG signals. For each RNS, we get a different version of the cleaned PPG signal. Then, a set of probable HR values is estimated using all of the cleaned PPG signals, and then, the value that is closest to the estimated HR of the previous time window is chosen to be the HR estimate of the current window. Then, some peak verification techniques are employed to ensure accurate HR estimations. The proposed technique gives lower average absolute error compared to state-of-the art methods. So, MURAD method provides a promising solution to the challenge of HR monitoring using PPG in wearable devices during severe MA conditions.
Reduced Aph‐1b expression causes tissue‐ and substrate‐specific changes in γ‐secretase activity in rats with a complex phenotype

The γ‐secretase enzyme complex displays intramembrane catalytic activity toward many type I transmembrane proteins, including the Alzheimer‐linked amyloid‐β precursor protein (APP) and the neuregulin receptor ErbB4. Active γ‐secretase is a tetrameric protein complex consisting of presenilin‐1 (or ‐2), nicastrin, PEN‐2, and Aph‐1a (or ‐1b). We have recently discovered that pharmacogenetically bred apomorphine‐susceptible Wistar rats (APO‐SUS) have only one or two copies of the Aph‐1b gene (termed I/I and II/II rats, respectively), whereas their phenotypic counterparts (APO‐UNSUS) have three copies (III/III). As a result, APO‐SUS rats display reduced Aph‐1b expression and a complex phenotype reminiscent of neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we determined in the I/I and III/III rats the γ‐secretase cleavage activity toward the three APP superfamily members, p75 neurotrophin receptor, ErbB4, and neuregulin‐2, and found that the cleavage of only a subset of the substrates was changed. Furthermore, the observed differences were restricted to tissues that normally express relatively high Aph‐1b compared with Aph‐1a levels. Thus, we provide in vivo evidence that subtle alterations in γsecretase subunit composition may lead to a variety of affected (neuro)developmental signaling pathways and, consequently, a complex phenotype.
“I would love to have online support but I don't trust it”: Positive and negative views of technology from the perspective of those with eating disorders in Canada

This qualitative study aims to explore how individuals who are seeking help and support for eating disorders use various forms of technology. Fifteen participants, recruited from an Eating Disorder Program in a hospital setting and an eating disorder community support centre, voluntarily participated in focus groups and individual interviews in 2015. The authors used thematic analysis to code and analyse the qualitative data, and three themes were identified: safety, connection and technology development. This study identifies the need for technology use to be addressed and integrated into clinical services for eating disorders, as well as for safe and helpful technology tools to be developed for this population.
Indigenous beliefs and attitudes to AIDS precautions in a rural South African community: An empirical study

Background: It was recently hypothesized that indigenous belief systems might have a bearing on attitudes toward HIV/ AIDS prevention in Southern Africa (1). Purpose: This article comprises the first empirical test of the hypothesis.Methods: Participants (n = 407) lived in a remote rural area of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, and were divided into younger (18–24 years) and older (35–45 years) cohorts. All participants completed a questionnaire measuring Attitudes to AIDS Precautions, indigenous knowledge, indigenous beliefs about ancestral protection, and indigenous beliefs about illness.Results: Indigenous beliefs pertaining to health behavior emerged as multidimensional in both structure and effect. Among older participants, there were significant associations between indigenous belief measures and Attitudes to AIDS Precautions. In this group, a strong belief in ancestral protection was associated with more negative Attitudes to AIDS Precautions, whereas a strong belief in traditional explanations for illness was associated with more positive Attitudes to AIDS Precautions. The indigenous beliefs measures were not associated with Attitudes to AIDS Precautions among younger participants.Conclusions: The data lend modest support to the hypothesis that indigenous beliefs have a measurable association with attitudes to AIDS prevention, although these associations may be diminishing across generations. Further research, exploring a wider range of indigenous beliefs and focusing on actual precautionary behaviors rather than attitudes, seems merited.
Development of a Combined Radiation and Burn Injury Model

Combined radiation and burn injuries are likely to occur after nuclear events, such as a meltdown accident at a nuclear energy plant or a nuclear attack. Little is known about the mechanisms by which combined injuries result in higher mortality than by either insult alone, and few animal models exist for combined radiation and burn injury. Herein, the authors developed a murine model of radiation and scald burn injury. Mice were given a single dose of 0, 2, 4, 5, 6, or 9 Gray (Gy) alone, followed by a 15% TBSA scald burn. All mice receiving ≤4 Gy of radiation with burn survived combined injury. Higher doses of radiation (5, 6, and 9 Gy) followed by scald injury had a dose-dependent increase in mortality (34, 67, and 100%, respectively). Five Gy was determined to be the ideal dose to use in conjunction with burn injury for this model. There was a decrease in circulating white blood cells in burn, irradiated, and combined injury (5 Gy and burn) mice by 48 hours postinjury compared with sham (49.7, 11.6, and 57.3%, respectively). Circulating interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-&agr; were increased in combined injury at 48 hours postinjury compared with all other treatment groups. Prolonged overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines could contribute to subsequent organ damage. Decreased leukocytes might exacerbate immune impairment and susceptibility to infections. Future studies will determine whether there are long lasting consequences of this early proinflammatory response and extended decrease in leukocytes.
A Hyperelastic Description of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes at Moderate Strains and Temperatures

In this work, single wall carbon nan- otubes (SWNTs)are shown to obey a hyperelastic constitutive model at moderate strains and tem- peratures. We consider the finite temperature ef- fect via the local harmonic approach. The equi- libriumconfigurationswere obtainedby minimiz- ing the Helmholtz free energy of a representative atom in an atom-based cell model. We show that the strain energy can be fitted by two cubic poly- nomials,which consequentlyproduces for thelin- ear elasticity a linearly increasing tangent modu- lus below a critical strain and an almost linearly decreasing tangent modulus beyond the critical strain. To avoidthestraindependenttangentmod- ulus, we propose to use Ogden's hyperelasticity model to describe the mechanical behaviors of SWNTs. Our results indicate a constant μ for Ogden's hyperelastic model for moderately large strains forlarge tubes and below 900 o K. Thearm- chair tubes are shown to be much stronger and stiffer, but less ductile than the zigzag tubes. We also show that small tubes are more ductile but less stronger. Small tubes and high temperatures reveal more nonlinearity.
Systematic Design of THz Leaky-Wave Antennas Based on Homogenized Metasurfaces

In this paper, a systematic design of Fabry–Perot cavity antennas based on leaky waves is proposed in the THz range. The use of different topologies for the synthesis of homogenized metasurfaces shows that a specific fishnetlike unit cell is particularly suitable for the design of efficient THz radiating devices. Accurate full-wave simulations highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed geometries, thoroughly considering the bounds dictated by technological constraints and the homogenization limit as well. The radiative performance of different designs for achieving theoretical directivities ranging from 15 to 30 dB is evaluated with reliable analytical and numerical methods, and completely validated with full-wave simulations. The relevant results corroborate the proposed systematic design, consolidating the validity and the usefulness of the leaky-wave approach, well established at microwave frequencies, to the more challenging and still unexplored THz range.
Buckling of spherical shells revisited

A study is presented of the post-buckling behaviour and imperfection sensitivity of complete spherical shells subject to uniform external pressure. The study builds on and extends the major contribution to spherical shell buckling by Koiter in the 1960s. Numerical results are presented for the axisymmetric large deflection behaviour of perfect spheres followed by an extensive analysis of the role axisymmetric imperfections play in reducing the buckling pressure. Several types of middle surface imperfections are considered including dimple-shaped undulations and sinusoidal-shaped equatorial undulations. Buckling occurs either as the attainment of a maximum pressure in the axisymmetric state or as a non-axisymmetric bifurcation from the axisymmetric state. Several new findings emerge: the abrupt mode localization that occurs immediately after the onset of buckling, the existence of an apparent lower limit to the buckling pressure for realistically large imperfections, and comparable reductions of the buckling pressure for dimple and sinusoidal equatorial imperfections.
Influence of changing carbonate chemistry on morphology and weight of coccoliths formed by Emiliania huxleyi

Abstract. The coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi is a marine phytoplankton species capable of forming small calcium carbonate scales (coccoliths) which cover the organic part of the cell. Calcification rates of E. huxleyi are known to be sensitive to changes in seawater carbonate chemistry. It has, however, not yet been clearly determined how these changes are reflected in size and weight of individual coccoliths and which specific parameter(s) of the carbonate system drive morphological modifications. Here, we compare data on coccolith size, weight, and malformation from a set of five experiments with a large diversity of carbonate chemistry conditions. This diversity allows distinguishing the influence of individual carbonate chemistry parameters such as carbon dioxide (CO2), bicarbonate (HCO3−), carbonate ion (CO32−), and protons (H+) on the measured parameters. Measurements of fine-scale morphological structures reveal an increase of coccolith malformation with decreasing pH suggesting that H+ is the major factor causing malformations. Coccolith distal shield area varies from about 5 to 11 μm2. Changes in size seem to be mainly induced by varying [HCO3−] and [H+] although influence of [CO32−] cannot be entirely ruled out. Changes in coccolith weight were proportional to changes in size. Increasing CaCO3 production rates are reflected in an increase in coccolith weight and an increase of the number of coccoliths formed per unit time. The combined investigation of morphological features and coccolith production rates presented in this study may help to interpret data derived from sediment cores, where coccolith morphology is used to reconstruct calcification rates in the water column.