Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuronal Mechanisms Underlying the Laryngeal Adductor Reflex

Objectives: Electromyographic studies of the laryngeal adductor reflex, glottal closure occurring in response to laryngeal stimulation, have demonstrated an early ipsilateral response (R1) and a late bilateral response (R2). To better define the physiologic properties of these responses, we recorded responses from expiratory laryngeal motoneurons (ELMs) in rats during stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN). Methods: Single unit extracellular recordings were obtained from 5 ELMs, identified by their antidromic responses to recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulation and postinspiratory firing pattern, in 4 Sprague-Dawley rats. Results: Unilateral stimulation of the SLN (at 20 Hz) stopped both phrenic nerve inspiratory activity and ELM postinspiratory activity. However, the ELMs displayed robust tonic firing, consisting of non-respiratory burst activity and single action potentials. The single action potentials were identified as short-latency ones (5 to 10 ms) activated by ipsilateral SLN stimulation, with an occurrence rate of 90%, and long-latency ones (20 to 50 ms) activated by bilateral SLN stimulation, with occurrence rates of 47% on the ipsilateral side and 58% on the contralateral side. Conclusions: The R1 response appears to be the result of the short-latency action potentials, orthodromically activated by ipsilateral stimulation of the SLN. The R2 response is likely to be a result of the long-latency action potentials that can be recorded from ELMs on both sides.
Thermophysical Properties of Lignocellulose: A Cell-Scale Study Down to 41K

Thermal energy transport is of great importance in lignocellulose pyrolysis for biofuels. The thermophysical properties of lignocellulose significantly affect the overall properties of bio-composites and the related thermal transport. In this work, cell-scale lignocellulose (mono-layer plant cells) is prepared to characterize their thermal properties from room temperature down to ∼40 K. The thermal conductivities of cell-scale lignocellulose along different directions show a little anisotropy due to the cell structure anisotropy. It is found that with temperature going down, the volumetric specific heat of the lignocellulose shows a slower decreasing trend against temperature than microcrystalline cellulose, and its value is always higher than that of microcrystalline cellulose. The thermal conductivity of lignocellulose decreases with temperature from 243 K to 317 K due to increasing phonon-phonon scatterings. From 41 K to 243 K, the thermal conductivity rises with temperature and its change mainly depends on the heat capacity's change.
Influence of Sex on Basal and Dickkopf-1 Regulated Gene Expression in the Bovine Morula

Sex affects function of the developing mammalian embryo as early as the preimplantation period. There were two goals of the current objective. The first was to determine the degree and nature of differences in gene expression between female and male embryos in the cow at the morula stage of development. The second objective was to determine whether DKK1, a molecule known to alter differentiation of the blastocyst, would affect gene expression differently for female and male morulae. In Experiment 1, female and male embryos were treated with DKK1 at Day 5 after insemination. Morulae were harvested 24 h after treatment, pooled in groups of 20 for microarray analysis and RNA subjected to analysis of gene expression by microarray hybridization. There were 662 differentially expressed genes between females and males and 128 of these genes had a fold change ≥ 1.5 between the two sexes. Of the genes upregulated in females, 49.5% were located in the X chromosome. Functional analysis predicted that cell survival was greater in female embryos. Experiment 2 involved a similar design except that transcripts for 12 genes previously reported to be affected by sex, DKK1 or the interaction were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Expression of all genes tested that were affected by sex in experiment 1 was affected in a similar manner in Experiment 2. In contrast, effects of DKK1 on gene expression were largely not repeatable in Experiment 2. The exception was for the Hippo signaling gene AMOT, which was inhibited by DKK1. In Experiment 3, embryos produced by fertilization with unsorted sperm were treated with DKK1 at Day 5 and abundance of transcripts for CDX2, GATA6, and NANOG determined at Days 5, 6 and 7 after insemination. There was no effect of DKK1 on expression of any of the three genes. In conclusion, female and male bovine embryos have a different pattern of gene expression as early as the morula stage, and this is due to a large extent to expression of genes in the X chromosomes in females. Differential gene expression between female and male embryos is likely the basis for increased resistance to cell death signals in female embryos and disparity in responses of female and male embryos to changes in the maternal environment.
Implementation of Full Adaptive Technique to Optimal Coordination of Overcurrent Relays

This paper proposes a full adaptive technique for setting all overcurrent (OC) relays in HV substations. This technique can be used online and there is no need to employ a telecommunication infrastructure. It is based on an appropriate equivalent circuit of the power grid in the substation, online estimation of the equivalent circuit parameters, and application of the equivalent circuit to estimate the required short-circuit currents. This full adaptive technique is used in setting the OC relays of a typical 230/20-kV substation connected to a sample 9-bus grid. Significant advantages of the proposed technique over the usual setting method are shown by comparing the corresponding results. Furthermore, the technique is improved to resolve problems due to penetration of distributed generation. Developing this adaptive setting technique is a step toward introducing self-adjustment OC relays.
Where are we heading with fluid responsiveness research?

Purpose of review Fluid responsiveness prediction is not always possible with well established dynamic approaches such as passive leg raising or pulse pressure variation in the ICU. The purpose of the present review is to summarize emerging alternative techniques for fluid responsiveness prediction in adult critically ill patients and discuss their methodology and applicability. In addition, the future role of fluid responsiveness prediction in the ICU is discussed. Recent findings Several new dynamic techniques have been investigated and they all contribute to the applicability of fluid responsiveness techniques. Although increasing the applicability, most of the emerging techniques still rely on ventilator setting changes in patients that are fully or almost fully adapted to the ventilator or require reliable flow monitoring, which prevents broad applicability. Yet, the mini/micro fluid challenges and the use of extrasystolic preload changes have the potential of being more applicable but all reviewed methods need further validation and methodological refinement. Summary Emerging techniques are encouraging for broader applicability of fluid responsiveness prediction. Still, the clinical impact of correctly predicting fluid responsiveness remains to be investigated in the critically ill and the research community should have a clear aim of moving toward that type of studies.
Neural network modelling of non-linear hydrological relationships

Abstract. Two recent studies have suggested that neural network modelling offers no worthwhile improvements in comparison to the application of weighted linear transfer functions for capturing the non-linear nature of hydrological relationships. The potential of an artificial neural network to perform simple non-linear hydrological transformations under controlled conditions is examined in this paper. Eight neural network models were developed: four full or partial emulations of a recognised non-linear hydrological rainfall-runoff model; four solutions developed on an identical set of inputs and a calculated runoff coefficient output. The use of different input combinations enabled the competencies of solutions developed on a reduced number of parameters to be assessed. The selected hydrological model had a limited number of inputs and contained no temporal component. The modelling process was based on a set of random inputs that had a uniform distribution and spanned a modest range of possibilities. The initial cloning operations permitted a direct comparison to be performed with the equation-based relationship. It also provided more general information about the power of a neural network to replicate mathematical equations and model modest non-linear relationships. The second group of experiments explored a different relationship that is of hydrological interest; the target surface contained a stronger set of non-linear properties and was more challenging. Linear modelling comparisons were performed against traditional least squares multiple linear regression solutions developed on identical datasets. The reported results demonstrate that neural networks are capable of modelling non-linear hydrological processes and are therefore appropriate tools for hydrological modelling.
Biochemical characterization of a gamma interferon-inducible cytokine (IP-10)

An IFN-gamma-inducible protein, IP-10, has previously been described to belong to a gene family of chemotactic and mitogenic proteins, associated with inflammation and proliferation. Biochemical characterization of this predicted protein has been pursued through the development of polyclonal monospecific antisera to recombinant protein and synthetic peptides. These reagents establish that the IP-10 protein is secreted from a variety of cells (endothelial, monocyte, fibroblast, and keratinocyte) in response to IFN-gamma. Posttranslational processing occurs in the biosynthesis of this protein, resulting in a 6- 7-kD species, which may reflect COOH-terminal cleavage. Pulse-chase studies indicate that this processing is a rapid event in the primary cell lines studied, completed in the 30-min labeling period. A model is presented for the processing and secondary structure of this protein. In an accompanying study, Kaplan, et al. using these antisera, demonstrate that the IP-10 protein is associated, in vivo, with a delayed-type hypersensitivity response.
Targeting the Metabolic Plasticity of Multiple Myeloma with FDA-Approved Ritonavir and Metformin

Purpose: We have previously demonstrated that ritonavir targeting of glycolysis is growth inhibitory and cytotoxic in a subset of multiple myeloma cells. In this study, our objective was to investigate the metabolic basis of resistance to ritonavir and to determine the utility of cotreatment with the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor metformin to target compensatory metabolism. Experimental Design: We determined combination indices for ritonavir and metformin, impact on myeloma cell lines, patient samples, and myeloma xenograft growth. Additional evaluation in breast, melanoma, and ovarian cancer cell lines was also performed. Signaling connected to suppression of the prosurvival BCL-2 family member MCL-1 was evaluated in multiple myeloma cell lines and tumor lysates. Reliance on oxidative metabolism was determined by evaluation of oxygen consumption, and dependence on glutamine was assessed by estimation of viability upon metabolite withdrawal in the context of specific metabolic perturbations. Results: Ritonavir-treated multiple myeloma cells exhibited increased reliance on glutamine metabolism. Ritonavir sensitized multiple myeloma cells to metformin, effectively eliciting cytotoxicity both in vitro and in an in vivo xenograft model of multiple myeloma and in breast, ovarian, and melanoma cancer cell lines. Ritonavir and metformin effectively suppressed AKT and mTORC1 phosphorylation and prosurvival BCL-2 family member MCL-1 expression in multiple myeloma cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: FDA-approved ritonavir and metformin effectively target multiple myeloma cell metabolism to elicit cytotoxicity in multiple myeloma. Our studies warrant further investigation into repurposing ritonavir and metformin to target the metabolic plasticity of myeloma to more broadly target myeloma heterogeneity and prevent the reemergence of chemoresistant aggressive multiple myeloma. Clin Cancer Res; 21(5); 1161–71. ©2014 AACR.
Risk Factors for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Prospective Population Study: The HUNT Study in Norway

Background and Purpose— The morbidity and mortality of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are high, and established risk factors are scarce. We prospectively assessed the association of blood pressure, smoking, and body mass with the risk of aneurysmal SAH. Methods— All residents ≥20 years were invited to the Nord-Trøndelag Health (HUNT) Study (1984 to 1986) and 74 977 (88.1%) attended. The study included standardized measurements of blood pressure, body weight and height, and self-administered questionnaires. Participants who later had aneurysmal SAH (n=132) were identified, and hazard ratios (HRs), adjusted for age and sex, were estimated using Cox regression analysis. Results— The crude annual incidence of aneurysmal SAH was 9.9 per 100 000 people; the incidence was almost twice as high in women as in men (12.9 versus 6.8, P=0.001). Systolic blood pressure was positively associated with risk (P for trend=0.001). Compared with the reference (<130 mm Hg), the adjusted HR in people with systolic blood pressure of 130 to 139 mm Hg was 2.3 (95% CI, 1.4 to 3.8) and for systolic blood pressure >170 mm Hg, the HR was 3.3 (95% CI, 1.7 to 6.3). Diastolic pressure showed similar positive associations. Compared with never smokers, former (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.4 to 5.1) and current (HR, 6.1; 95% CI, 3.6 to 10.4) smokers had substantially higher risk. Compared with normal weight (body mass index, 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2), overweight people were at lower risk (HR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4 to 1.0). Conclusions— Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were strong predictors of aneurysmal SAH, and there was a substantially increased risk associated with smoking. However, high body mass was associated with reduced risk of aneurysmal SAH.
Lessons from a Rare Familial Dementia: Amyloid and Beyond

Here we review the similarities between a rare inherited disorder, familial British dementia (FBD), and the most common of all late-life neurological conditions, Alzheimer's diseases (AD). We describe the symptoms, pathology and genetics of FBD, the biology of the BRI2 protein and mouse models of FBD and familial Danish dementia. In particular, we focus on the evolving recognition of the importance of protein oligomers and aberrant processing of the amyloid β-protein precursor (APP) - themes that are common to both FBD and AD. The initial discovery that FBD is phenotypically similar to AD, but associated with the deposition of an amyloid peptide (ABri) distinct from the amyloid β-protein (Aβ) led many to assume that amyloid production alone is sufficient to initiate disease and that ABri is the molecular equivalent of Aβ. Parallel with work on Aβ, studies of ABri producing animal models and in vitro ABri toxicity experiments caused a revision of the amyloid hypothesis and a focus on soluble oligomers of Aβ and ABri. Contemporaneous other studies suggested that loss of the ABri precursor protein (BRI2) may underlie the cognitive deficits in FBD. In this regard it is important to note that BRI2 has been shown to interact with and regulate the processing of APP, and that mutant BRI2 leads to altered cleavage of APP. A synthesis of these results suggests that a “two-hit mechanism” better explains FBD than earlier toxic gain of function and toxic loss of function models. The lessons learned from the study of FBD imply that the molecular pathology of AD is also likely to involve both aberrant aggregation (in AD, Aβ) and altered APP processing. With regard to FBD, we propose that the C-terminal 11 amino acid of FBD-BRI2 interfere with both the normal function of BRI2 and promotes the production of cystine cross-linked toxic ABri oligomers. In this scenario, loss of BRI2 function leads to altered APP processing in as yet underappreciated ways. Given the similarities between FBD and AD it seems likely that study of the structure of ABri oligomers and FBD-induced changes in APP metabolites will further our understanding of AD.
A Viscoplastic Theory for Anisotropic Materials

The purpose of this work is the development of a unified, cyclic, viscoplastic model for anisotropic materials. The first part of the paper presents the foundations of the model in the framework of thermodynamics with internal variables. The second part considers the particular case of cubic symmetry, and addresses the cyclic behavior of a nickel-base single-crystal superalloy, CMSX-2, at high temperature (950 C).
On TRACS: Dealing with a Deck of Double-Sided Cards

TRACS (Tool for Research on Adaptive Cognitive Strategies) is a new suite of card games played with a special deck, where the back of each card is a clue to the front of the card. This design simulates the clue/truth structure of real world domains like medicine and warfare, where truths (fronts of cards) must be diagnosed from clues (backs of cards) in order to make decisions (cards to choose, chips to bet, etc.). Here I present the cards and rules of TRACS. I also discuss how the games have been used for computational investigations of memory limits and Bayesian inference. The methods for these studies include human experiments and agent simulations, both of which are facilitated by the unique features of TRACS. The products of TRACS research include a computational model of memory limits and a decision support system for Bayesian inference.
Cosmological constraints on neutrino plus axion hot dark matter: update after WMAP-5

We update our previous constraints on two-component hot dark matter (axions and neutrinos), including the recent WMAP five-year data release. Marginalizing over provides ma<1.02 eV (95% C.L.) for the axion mass. In the absence of axions we find eV (95% C.L.).
Dissociative Identity Disorder Associated with Mania and Change in Handedness

Objective: To investigate the overlap between dissociative and bipolar disorders with reference to their neurophysiological foundations. Background: Case reports of anomalous lateralization and shifts in handedness associated with both affective and dissociative conditions have intermittently surfaced in the literature. The two disorders are, however, usually considered to be distinct psychopathological entities. Method: A case of co-occurring bipolar disorder and dissociative identity disorder (DID) is presented. Results: The "switch" in personality coincided with manic or hypomanic symptoms and was associated with a change in handedness. Conclusions: A parallel between the "personality" shifts that characterize DID and the mood fluctuations that underlie bipolar disorder is drawn, suggesting some nosological overlap between the two disorders. The possibility that these two psychiatric conditions share a similar neurophysiological architecture is also raised.
Nitrogen metabolism in the African lungfish (Protopterus dolloi) aestivating in a mucus cocoon on land

SUMMARY This study aimed to elucidate the strategies adopted by the African slender lungfish, Protopterus dolloi, to ameliorate the toxicity of ammonia during short (6 days) or long (40 days) periods of aestivation in a layer of dried mucus in open air in the laboratory. Despite decreases in rates of ammonia and urea excretion, the ammonia content in the muscle, liver, brain and gut of P. dolloi remained unchanged after 6 days of aestivation compared with the control fasted for 6 days. For specimens aestivated for 40 days, the ammonia contents in the muscle, liver and gut were significantly lower than those of the control fasted for 40 days, which suggests a decrease in the rate of ammonia production. In addition, there were significant increases in contents of alanine, aspartate and glutamate in the muscle, which suggests decreases in their catabolism. During the first 6 days and the last 34 days of aestivation, the rate of ammonia production was reduced to 26% and 28%, respectively, of the control rate (6.83 μmol day–1 g–1 on day 0). During the first 6 days and the next 34 days of aestivation, the averaged urea synthesis rate was 2.39-fold and 3.8-fold, respectively, greater than the value of 0.25 μmol day–1 g–1 for the day 0 control kept in water. No induction of activities of the ornithine-urea cycle (OUC) enzymes was observed in specimens aestivated for 6 days, because the suppression of ammonia production led to a light demand on the OUC capacity. For specimens aestivated for 40 days, the activities of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase, ornithine transcarbamylase and argininosuccinate synthetase + lyase were significantly greater than those of the control fasted for 40 days. This is in agreement with the observation that the rate of urea synthesis in the last 34 days was greater than that in the first 6 days of aestivation. P. dolloi aestivated in a thin layer of dried mucus in open air with high O2 tension throughout the 40 days of aestivation, which could be the reason why it was able to sustain a high rate of urea synthesis despite this being an energy-intensive process. Our results indicate that a reduction in ammonia production and decreases in hepatic arginine and cranial tryptophan contents are important facets of aestivation in P. dolloi.
Subspace Properties of Randomized Network Coding

Randomized network coding has network nodes randomly combine and exchange linear combinations of the source packets. A header appended to the packet, called coding vector, specifies the exact linear combination that each packet carries. The main contribution of this work is to investigate properties of the subspaces spanned by the collected coding vectors in each network node. We use these properties to exhibit the relationship between the network topology and the subspaces collected at the nodes. This allows us to passively infer the network topology for a general class of graphs.