Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE SENSORY BASIS OF SEXUAL SELECTION FOR COMPLEX CALLS IN THE TÚNGARA FROG, PHYSALAEMUS PUSTULOSUS (SEXUAL SELECTION FOR SENSORY EXPLOITATION)

Male túngara frogs (Physalaemus pustulosus) vocalize to attract females, and enhance the attractiveness of their simple, whine‐only call by adding chucks to produce complex calls. Complex calls contain more total energy and are of longer duration. By virtue of the greater frequency range of the chuck, complex calls also simultaneously stimulate both the amphibian papilla and the basilar papilla of the frog's inner ear. Female phonotaxis experiments using synthetic stimuli demonstrate that an increase in the call's acoustic energy is not sufficient to account for the enhanced attractiveness of the complex call. However, the stimulation of either or both of the female's sound‐sensitive inner‐ear organs is sufficient to elicit her preference. We suggest that the female's sensory system generates selection that equally favors at least three evolutionary alternatives for enhancing call attractiveness and that historical constraints imposed by the male's morphology determined which of the alternatives was more likely to evolve. These data are consistent with our hypothesis of sensory exploitation, which states that selection favors those traits that elicit greater stimulation from the female's sensory system and which emphasizes the nonadaptive nature of female preference.
European Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Infants – 2010 Update

Despite recent advances in the perinatal management of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), controversies still exist. We report the updated recommendations of a European panel of expert neonatologists who had developed consensus guidelines after critical examination of the most up-to-date evidence in 2007. These updated guidelines are based upon published evidence up to the end of 2009. Strong evidence exists for the role of a single course of antenatal steroids in RDS prevention, but the potential benefit and long-term safety of repeated courses are unclear. Many practices involved in preterm neonatal stabilisation at birth are not evidence-based, including oxygen administration and positive pressure lung inflation, and they may at times be harmful. Surfactant replacement therapy is crucial in the management of RDS, but the best preparation, optimal dose and timing of administration at different gestations is not always clear. Respiratory support in the form of mechanical ventilation may also be lifesaving, but can cause lung injury, and protocols should be directed at avoiding mechanical ventilation where possible by using nasal continuous positive airways pressure or nasal ventilation. For babies with RDS to have best outcomes, it is essential that they have optimal supportive care, including maintenance of a normal body temperature, proper fluid management, good nutritional support, management of the ductus arteriosus and support of the circulation to maintain adequate tissue perfusion.
Effect of rate and level of lowered finger surface temperature on manual performance.

Abstract : Thirty-two subjects were tested on six manual tasks when the right forefinger surface temperature was either not lowered, for the control condition, or lowered to temperatures of 65, 55, and 48 F after 5 or 50 minutes of cooling. Performance on all tasks decreased with lowered surface temperature. The level of finger surface temperature associated with impaired performance and the extent of the performance decrements associated with additional cooling varied across tasks and cooling rate. The differential effects of local cooling on manual performance across tasks and cooling rates were analyzed in terms of the differential susceptibility of hand function to parameters of cold exposure and the selective requirements across aspects of manual performance for unimpaired functioning of the hands and arms.
GaAs MMIC variable gain optical receiver having an external open loop Automatic Gain control circuit

This work describes a 50MHz to 1050MHz fiber optic receiver design. This receiver is designed to be used in the CATV distribution network FTTX application. The MMIC portion is made of GaAs PHEMT, it consists of two amplification push pull stages separated by a voltage controlled variable attenuator stage. Responsivity of 27dBA/W with a gain variation of up to 20dB has been achieved. The circuit consumes less than 2Watts, the area is 3 mm2 and has packaged in a low cost 28 pin leedless package.
PRÓPOLIS NO CONTROLE DA MASTITE BOVINA

O consumidor em diferentes paises exige cada vez mais alimentos naturais e de melhor qualidade. A mastite caracteriza-se pelo aumento da contagem de celulas somaticas, diminuicao de caseina, lactose e gordura, gerando prejuizos para atividade. A propolis nao acarreta prejuizos ao animal, sendo inocua quando adicionada a dieta humana. Dessa forma, objetivou-se verificar as atividades terapeuticas da propolis no controle de mastite bovina. Foram utilizadas 72 femeas Holandesas, provenientes de rebanho comercial, cuja mastite foi identificada pelo Teste de Tamis, California Mastite Teste, contagem de celulas somaticas e exame microbiologico do leite. Realizou-se quatro tratamentos, sendo Grupo EAP1: 10mL de extrato alcoolico de propolis a 30%, via oral, durante sete dias consecutivos; Grupo EAP2: alem do procedimento descrito para Grupo EAP1, utilizou-se o EAP na imersao dos tetos antes e apos a ordenha; Grupo CA: utilizou-se alcool de cereais na imersao dos tetos antes e apos a ordenha; e Grupo CT: os animais controle-testemunha foram submetidos aos procedimentos rotineiramente empregados pela propriedade. Os resultados foram analisados por tecnica de variância nao parametrica para modelo de medidas repetidas em grupos independentes complementada por comparacoes multiplas. Observou-se diminuicao na contagem de celulas somaticas em todos os grupos avaliados. As atividades biologicas da propolis propiciam grandes perspectivas, entretanto, para as condicoes avaliadas, nao foi possivel observar diferenca entre os tratamentos. A alta diversidade em sua composicao quimica, alem da complexidade dos multiplos mecanismos sinergicos envolvidos em suas atividades biologicas, exige adicionais ensaios clinicos a fim de se determinar a terapeutica capaz de demonstrar seus beneficios “ in vivo”.
Evidence for primary genetic determination of heart rate regulation: chromosomal mapping of a genetic locus in the rat.

BACKGROUND We investigated whether an accelerated heart rate (HR), observed in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP(HD)), is a primary, genetically determined trait and whether it contributes to blood pressure (BP) regulation in this model of polygenic hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS We measured BP and HR in SHRSP(HD) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), as well as in F2 hybrids bred from crossing the two strains, at baseline and after 12 days of dietary NaCl loading. Random marker genome screening and cosegregation analysis were performed on F2 hybrids derived from SHRSP(HD)/WKY-0(HD) (n=115) and SHRSP(HD)/WKY-1(HD) (n=139) crosses (WKY-0(HD) and WKY-1(HD) are two congenic WKY strains). HR in SHRSP(HD) was significantly higher than in WKY-0(HD) both at baseline (404+/-30 versus 375+/-46 bpm; P=.0034) and after NaCl (437+/-23 versus 364+/-40 bpm; P=10(-9)). BP in F2 hybrids showed no significant correlation with HR either at baseline or after NaCl loading. HR after NaCl loading but not at baseline was significantly linked in a recessive fashion to a locus on chromosome 3: in animals homozygous for the SHRSP(HD) allele, HR was 414+/-49 compared with 383+/-44 bpm in heterozygotes and WKY homozygotes (F(210,1)=19.7, P=1.4x10(-5), lod score=5.9). The putative BP-relevant gene at this locus, termed HR-SP1, showed no evidence of linkage to any of the BP parameters measured. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that a genetic locus on rat chromosome 3, HR-SP1, contributes directly to the regulation of HR in SHRSP(HD) but exhibits no effect on BP. Thus, in addition to its modulation by reflex-mediated neurohumoral mechanisms, HR is also under the direct influence of primary genetic factors.
Cirrhosis Does Not Affect the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Clopidogrel

Clopidogrel, a new platelet ADP receptor antagonist used for the prevention of vascular ischemic events, is converted to an active metabolite via the cytochrome P450 system. Patients with cirrhosis may not metabolize drugs normally and may, in addition, have a number of defects in the coagulationsystem. To assess the effect of cirrhosis on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of clopidogrel, the authors performed an open‐label, parallel‐group study of 12 patients with Child‐Pugh Class A or B cirrhosis and 12 matched controls. All 24 subjects received clopidogrel 75 mg PO QD for 10 days. Pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel and the major metabolite SR 26334 were analyzed on Days 1 and 10; pharmacodynamics were assessed by the inhibition of ADP‐induced platelet aggregation and by bleeding time prolongation factor. Pharmacokinetic analysis of clopidogrel was limited due to low plasma concentrations arising from rapid hydrolysis to SR26334. The Cmax at SS for clopidogrel was higher in cirrhotics than in normals. However, exposures to the metabolite SR 26334, as measured by AUC(tau), were comparable. At Day 10, there was not a statistically significant difference in mean inhibition of platelet aggregation (49.2% ± 38.6% in cirrhotics vs. 66.7% ± 7.5% in normals) or in bleeding time prolongation factor (1.64 ± 0.49 in cirrhotics vs. 1.54 ± 0.87 in normals) between groups. No significant adverse events, including bleeding events, were reported. In conclusion, there were no significant differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of clopidogrel in this group of subjects with cirrhosis and matched normals. Therefore, no dos age adjustment of clopidogrel is required in patients with Child‐Pugh Class A or B cirrhosis.
Assessment of cognitive functions and quality of life in patients scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a pilot study

Corresponding author: Katarzyna Olszewska MD, PhD, 2 Department of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, University Hospital, 17 Kopernika St, 31-501 Krakow, Poland, phone: +48 12 424 71 81, e-mail: katarzyna.olszewska5@wp.pl Received: 25.06. 2017, accepted: 31.08. 2017. Assessment of cognitive functions and quality of life in patients scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a pilot study
MiR-125b Inhibits Tumor Growth and Promotes Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer Cells by Targeting Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Catalytic Subunit Delta

Backgroud: microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in cancer-related processes. The miRNA-125b (miR-125b) has been identified as miRNA over-expressed in a wide variety of cancers. However, the role of miR-125b in the context of cervical carcinoma remains unknown. Methods: In this study, the effect of miR-125b on the proliferation and apoptosis of human cervical cells was analyzed by MTT assay and Flow cytometry analysis. we identified phosphoinositide 3-kinase catalytic subunit delta (PIK3CD) as a novel miR-125b target. Results: overexpression of miR- 125b in HeLa cervical cancer cells decreased cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and down-regulated expression of PIK3CD. To identify the mechanisms responsible, we investigated the PI3K/Akt pathway and found that PI3K, phospho-Akt, and phospho-mTOR were all down-regulated, while Bid was up-regulated in miR-125b-overexpressing subclones. In vivo, over expression of miR-125b in HeLa cells markedly reduced their ability to form tumors. Conclusion: these results suggest that miR-125b suppresses tumor growth activity by targeting the PI3K/ Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, and may provide a target for effective therapies.
Numb PTB Domain Binds a Novel PDZ Protein , LNX 9181

Numb is a phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domaincontaining protein implicated in the control of cell fate decisions during development. A modified two-hybrid screen in yeast was used to identify Numb PTB domaininteracting proteins important for Numb function. Here we report the identification of a novel protein, LNX, which interacts specifically with the Numb PTB domain. Two differentially expressed LNX messages encode overlapping proteins with predicted molecular masses of 80 kDa (LNX) and 70 kDa (LNX-b). LNX and LNX-b contain unique amino-terminal sequences and share four PDZ domains. The unique amino-terminal region of LNX includes a RING finger domain. The Numb PTB domain binding region of LNX was mapped to the sequence motif LDNPAY, found in both protein isoforms. Mutational analysis of LNX and peptide competition experiments showed that phosphorylation of the tyrosine residue within this motif was not required for binding to the Numb PTB domain. Finally, we also provide evidence that tyrosine phosphorylation of the LDNPAY sequence motif in LNX could generate a binding site for the phosphorylation-dependent binding of other PTB domain-containing proteins such as SHC. We speculate that LNX may be important for clustering PTB-containing proteins with functionally related transmembrane proteins in specific membrane compartments.
Cytologic criteria for the brush diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma

The cytologic diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma often is difficult, and the role of gastric brushing in the detection of gastric malignancy is controversial. The purpose of this study was to identify the key cytologic criteria that are most useful for establishing a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in gastric brushing specimens.
Judging Borrowers by the Company They Keep: Friendship Networks and Information Asymmetry in Online Peer-to-Peer Lending

We study the online market for peer-to-peer P2P lending, in which individuals bid on unsecured microloans sought by other individual borrowers. Using a large sample of consummated and failed listings from the largest online P2P lending marketplace, Prosper.com, we find that the online friendships of borrowers act as signals of credit quality. Friendships increase the probability of successful funding, lower interest rates on funded loans, and are associated with lower ex post default rates. The economic effects of friendships show a striking gradation based on the roles and identities of the friends. We discuss the implications of our findings for the disintermediation of financial markets and the design of decentralized electronic markets. This paper was accepted by Sandra Slaughter, information systems.
Malaria vaccine: Immunization of mice with a synthetic T cell helper epitope alone leads to protective immunity

The immunogenicity of the non‐repetitive sequences of the Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite (CS) protein was studied using synthetic peptides. Two CS sequences (residues 20‐39 and 57‐70) exhibiting T cell helper activity were identified. Immunization of BALB/c mice with a branched peptide containing either the 20‐39 or the 57‐70 sequence and two repeats (B epitope) in a linear sequence induced high titers of anti‐repeat and anti‐sporozoite antibodies. Mice immunized with the T‐B construct (high antibody titers) or with the 57‐70 epitope alone (no serum anti‐repeat or anti‐peptide antibodies) were protected to a similar degree after challenge with infective sporozoites. No protection was obtained in mice immunized with the 20‐39 epitope. These results indicate that BALB/c mice can be protected either by effector T cells or by high levels of anti‐repeat antibodies. Thus, in the same strain, a double mechanism of protection can be obtained by a synthetic peptide vaccine.
Aquarius: The Instrument and Initial Results

Aquarius was launched on June 10, 2011 aboard the Aquarius/SAC-D observatory and the instrument has been operating continuously since the initial turned-on was completed on August 25. The initial observed antenna temperatures were close to predicted and the first salinity map was released in September. In order to map the ocean salinity field, Aquarius includes several special features such as the inclusion of a scatterometer to provide a roughness correction, measurement of the third Stokes parameter to correct for Faraday rotation, and fast sampling to mitigate the effects of RFI. This paper provides an overview of the instrument and an example of initial results. Details are covered in subsequent papers in the session on Aquarius. Keywords-Microwave Remote Sensing; Microwave radiometry; ocean salinity
β2‐glycoprotein I protects J774A.1 macrophages and human coronary artery smooth muscle cells against apoptosis

β2‐Glycoprotein I (β2‐GPI) is a plasma glycoprotein with multifactorial relevance to clinical consequences. It was previously indicated that β2‐GPI can selectively bind to apoptotic cells. This study was designed to determine the role of β2‐GPI in apoptosis. Using an immunohistochemical study, we observed that β2‐GPI was co‐localized with the apoptotic macrophages and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of human coronary arteries. The contribution of β2‐GPI to apoptotic death was then investigated in vascular cells. Two nitric oxide (NO) donors, S‐nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and S‐nitroso‐N‐acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) were used in this study to trigger apoptosis in J774A.1 macrophages and human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC). Cell viability was significantly improved in β2‐GPI‐treated cells. It was also possible to detect a remarkable inhibitory effect by β2‐GPI on the NO‐induced apoptosis by preventing nuclear shrinkage. Furthermore, the NO‐induced apoptosis was associated with increase in caspase‐3 activity and in the protein levels of caspase‐3, c‐Fos, and c‐Jun. However, all these apoptosis‐related events were inhibited in vascular cells treated with 200 μg/ml β2‐GPI. This is the first study to show that β2‐GPI may be important in the prevention of apoptosis in vascular cells. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine, homocysteine and renal function – is there a relation?

Abstract The adverse effect of hyperhomocysteinemia on the vascular wall can be partially explained by increasing plasma concentration of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a potent inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. The aim of the study was to compare ADMA and homocysteine levels in three groups of subjects: blood donors with normal homocysteine concentration (group A), patients with hyperhomocysteinemia and normal kidney function (group B) and hemodialysis patients who are known to be hyperhomocysteinemic (group C). Concentrations of homocysteine (enzymatic method), ADMA (enzyme-linked immunoassay) and creatinine (Jaffe method) in EDTA plasma were measured. Plasma ADMA levels were significantly higher in both groups with hyperhomocysteinemia (1.60±0.56μmol/L in group B, 1.81±0.57μmol/L in group C) when compared with those in blood donors (0.82±0.29μmol/L, p<0.001 in both cases). Significant positive correlations were found between concentrations of ADMA and homocysteine (r=0.42, p<0.0001), ADMA and creatinine (r=0.39 p<0.001), homocysteine and creatinine (r=0.69, p<0.0001), age and homocysteine (r=0.47, p<0.001), age and ADMA (r=0.57, p<0.001) and age and creatinine (r=0.37, p<0.001). Increased ADMA concentrations in hyperhomocysteinemic patients were confirmed, but multiple linear regression analysis showed that this significant correlation is only apparent due the dependence of both parameters on age.
Innovating RFID for Future Applications: A Capacitive Coupled Antenna Design for UHF RFID Application

The developed antenna design is not an improvement of the AK5 tag but rather a new approach that changes the application of the tag from a near-field to a far-field product. The approximate 400% increase in area with this new far-field antenna may not allow operation with previously defined near-field applications, but it does extend the application spectrum and allows the use of the same RFID chip infrastructure.
Study on design methodology of power-assisted luggage cart with rotational arms for stair climbing

Power-assisted luggage carts that are capable of climbing stairs using actuated rotational arms with unactuated wheels at the ends of the arms are proposed. A unified optimum design, including the number of arms, is analyzed and discussed from the perspective of motion smoothness and assist capability. With the appropriate selection of the number of arms and dimensional design of the arm length and wheel radius, the motion fluctuation can be reduced to less than 40 mm on stairs with normal going and riser dimensions. It was found that the mechanical work by the operator could be reduced to one fourth using the proposed mechanism with rotating arms by an actuator.
Independent predictors of isolated clinic (`white-coat') hypertension

Background Hypertension guidelines recommend 24 h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring in hypertensive subjects with suspected isolated clinic hypertension (ICH). However, the pre-test probability of ICH based on the distribution of its independent predictors has not yet been estimated in hypertensive subjects with mildly elevated blood pressure. Objective To ascertain the independent predictors of ICH in mildly hypertensive subjects. Methods In the setting of the HARVEST-PIUMA collaboration, we studied 1564 subjects with hypertension stage I. At entry, all subjects were untreated and all underwent ABP monitoring and echocardiography. Diabetes, hypertension grade > I, renal failure or previous cardiovascular morbid events were exclusion criteria. Clinic BP was 143/92 mmHg (SD 9/5) and 24 h ABP was 128/81 mmHg (SD 10/8). Results Prevalence of ICH (daytime ABP < 130 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic) was 10.4%. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, sex (P = 0.002), smoking (P = 0.038) and clinic diastolic BP (P = 0.0002) were the sole independent predictors of ICH according to the following equation:Y = 2.6438 + 0.5128 × sex (0 = men; 1 = women) + 0.4543 × current smoking (0 = yes; 1 = no) − 0.0531 × clinic diastolic BP (mmHg) and P (probability of ICH) = exp(Y)/[1 + (exp(Y)]. Left ventricular (LV) mass at echocardiography was a further independent predictor (P = 0.002) of ICH according to the following equation:Y = 3.4343 + 0.4603 × sex + 0.5989 × current smoking − 0.0482 × clinic diastolic BP − 0.0312 × LV mass [g/height (m)2.7]. LV mass was greater (P < 0.01) in the group with ambulatory hypertension [42.3 g/height (m)2.7] than in that with ICH [39.2 g/height (m)2.7] and not dissimilar between the ICH group and a control group of 370 healthy normotensive subjects [38.1 g/height (m)2.7]. Conclusions In untreated subjects with stage I hypertension, ICH is most frequent among women, non-smokers and subjects with low clinic BP and smaller LV mass. These findings allow identification of subjects with indication to ABP monitoring because of suspected ICH.