Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constitutive properties, not molecular adaptations, mediate extraocular muscle sparing in dystrophic mdx mice

Extraocular muscle (EOM) is spared in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Here, we tested putative EOM sparing mechanisms predicted from existing dystrophinopathy models. Data show that mdx mouse EOM contains dystrophin‐glycoprotein complex (DGC)‐competent and DGC‐deficient myofibers distributed in a fiber type‐specific pattern. Up‐regulation of a dystrophin homologue, utrophin, mediates selective DGC retention. Counter to the DGC mechanical hypothesis, an intact DGC is not a precondition for EOM sarcolemmal integrity, and active adaptation at the level of calcium homeostasis is not mechanistic in protection. A partial, fiber type‐specific retention of antiischemic nitric oxide to vascular smooth muscle signaling is not a factor in EOM sparing, because mice deficient in dystrophin and α‐syntrophin, which localizes neuronal nitric oxide synthase to the sarcolemma, have normal EOMs. Moreover, an alternative transmembrane protein, α7β1 integrin, does not appear to substitute for the DGC in EOM. Finally, genomewide expression profiling showed that EOM does not actively adapt to dystrophinopathy but identified candidate genes for the constitutive protection of mdx EOM. Taken together, data emphasize the conditional nature of dystrophinopathy and the potential importance of nonmechanical DGC roles and support the hypothesis that broad, constitutive structural cell signaling, and/or biochemical differences between EOM and other skeletal muscles are determinants of differential disease responsiveness.
Intrinsic Photoconductive Switches Based on Semi-Insulator 4H-SiC

A high-purity semi-insulator 4H-SiC intrinsic photoconductive switch is presented. The photoconductive semiconductor switch device is fabricated as lateral structures with the electric contact on the same side. The effect of the SiO2 passivation layer has been investigated on the breakdown voltage. The minimum ON-state resistance is 16 Ω, and the breakdown voltage is 11 kV. A new phenomenon that two steps exist on the rising edge of the photocurrent is observed, and a model of resistor and capacitor in parallel is built to explain it.
Synchronizing region approach to identical LTI system state synchronization distributed control

This paper surveys some recent results in identical system state synchronization. Design methods are given for distributed synchronization control of continuous and discrete-time multi-agent systems on directed communication graphs. The graph properties complicate the design of synchronization controllers due to an interplay between the eigenvalues of the graph Laplacian matrix and the required stabilizing gains. Methods given herein are based on computation of the local control gains using Riccati design. Conditions are given for synchronization relying on relation of the graph Laplacian eigenvalues to a region in the complex plane that depends on agent dynamics and Riccati solutions. Distributed observers for agents networked on a directed graph are also investigated. Cooperative observer design guaranteeing convergence of estimates of all agents to their actual states is proposed. It is shown that the discrete-time synchronizing region is inherently bounded, so that the conditions for observer convergence and state synchronization are stricter than results for their continuous-time counterparts. If outputs only are available for control the distributed static output-feedback (OPFB) control can be used. The synchronizing region for static OPFB control is exposed and found to be conical, different than the infinite right-half plane synchronizing region for distributed state-feedback. Furthermore, the multi-agent system synchronization with control signal delays is presented. Agents are assumed to have the same control delay. Delay-dependent synchronizing region is defined and methods are given guaranteeing its estimates.
Potentiation of the action of adenosine on cerebral cortical neurones by the tricyclic antidepressants

1 The effects of four tricyclic antidepressants, nortriptyline, iprindole, chlorimipramine and desipramine on adenosine‐evoked depressions of the firings of rat cerebral cortical neurones has been studied. 2 When applied iontophoretically, all four substances enhanced the depressant actions of iontophoretically applied adenosine but did not affect the depressant actions of the uptake‐resistant analogue, adenosine 5′‐N‐ethylcarboxamide (NECA). 3 Nortriptyline and iprindole administered intravenously (1 mg kg−1) enhanced the depressant actions of iontophoretically applied adenosine. 4 When applied by larger iontophoretic currents, all four antidepressants inhibited the firing of cerebral cortical neurones. Chlorimipramine‐ and desimipramine‐elicited depressions were antagonized by intravenously administered caffeine, an adenosine antagonist. 5 Earlier studies showed the tricyclic antidepressants inhibit the uptake of adenosine by rat brain cerebral cortical synaptosomes. The present results demonstrate that four antidepressants are able to potentiate the action of adenosine and that this occurs when these compounds are given in behaviourally meaningful doses. The specificity of the potentiation is demonstrated by the failure of these compounds to potentiate the depressant actions of an uptake‐resistant analogue of adenosine, NECA. 6 Antagonism of the inhibitory effects of the antidepressants on neuronal firings by caffeine, indicates that these compounds can enhance the extracellular levels of endogenously released adenosine sufficiently to depress cell firing.
Alcohol addiction: evaluation of alcohol abstinence after a year of psycho‐medical‐social treatment

The aim of this study was to evaluate alcohol abstinence in alcoholics and their family relationships after a year of treatment. The 100 alcoholics recruited were divided into two groups: ALC, where treatment consisted of clinical control and meetings of with the family consulting together with their relatives at the Centre for Study and Treatment of Alcoholism and CAT, where treatment consisted of clinical control and weekly attendance together with their relatives at Alcoholics‐in‐Treatment‐Clubs (CAT). The clinical condition of the sample was assessed by laboratory data. The subjects were given an MQ‐Quant questionnaire, based on an artificial neural network (ANN) model, which analyses the communicative fatigue of their interactions. The same examination was applied after 1 year excluding patients relapsed and their relatives. Psycho‐medical‐social treatment by the attendance of alcoholics and their families into a Multifamily Community induces alcohol abstinence of about 79%. This percentage is greater than psycho‐medical treatment carried out in the Centre of Alcoholism for ALC group (50%). We observed a significant difference between the communicative fatigue of the ALC group compared to the CAT group.
A New Approach in the Study of the Molecular and Cellular Events Implicated in Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia

Summary Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a relatively common complication of heparin therapy, results of platelet activation, via the receptor for the Fc domain of IgG (FcγRIIa), by heparin-dependentantibodies, commonly directed against the heparin-platelet factor 4 (H-PF4) antigenic complex. Our strategy was to use whole blood allowing the study of leukocyte-platelet interactions. Experiments were performed with blood from healthy donors incubated with HIT patients’ plasma and different concentrations of heparin. We showed that 75% of the HIT patients’ plasma induced the formation of leukocyteplatelet-aggregates in a heparin-dependent-manner. The formation of leukocyteplatelet-aggregates induced by HIT plasma in the presence of heparin was (i) independent of the healthy blood donor FcγRIIa polymorphism, (ii) correlated with the levels of anti H-PF4 IgG antibodies contained in the patients’ plasma, and to a lesser extent to anti H-PF4 IgM antibodies, and (iii) was mediated by P-selectin. This report opens new prospects in the study of the molecular and cellular events implicated in HIT.
The therapeutic potential of gut hormone peptide YY3-36 in the treatment of obesity

Many peptides are synthesised and released from the gastrointestinal tract. Although their roles in the regulation of gastrointestinal function have been known for some time, it has become increasingly evident that they also influence eating behaviour. Peptide YY (PYY) is released postprandially from gastrointestinal L-cells with glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and oxynto-modulin. Following peripheral administration of PYY3-36, the circulating form of PYY, to mouse, rat or human there is marked inhibition of food intake. Obese subjects have lower basal fasting PYY levels and have a smaller postprandial rise. However, obesity does not appear to be associated with resistance to PYY (as it is with leptin) and exogenous infusion of PYY3-36 results in a reduction in food intake by 30% in an obese group and 31% in a lean group at a buffet meal. Overall PYY significantly reduced 24-h caloric intake in both obese (16.5%) and lean groups (23.5%). Obesity is the current major cause of premature death in the UK, killing almost 1000 people a week. Worldwide its prevalence is accelerating. The administration of the naturally occurring gut hormone may offer a long-term therapeutic approach to weight control. Here, the therapeutic potential of PYY is considered.
Using web and mobile technology to motivate pro-environmental action after a nature-based tourism experience

Nature-based tourism provides an ideal context for motivating pro-environmental action, as it draws travellers interested in the natural world and showcases unique, and often threatened, environments. This study examines efforts to motivate environmentally related behaviour in tourists' everyday lives using a technology-based intervention following an elephant seal viewing tour at California's Año Nuevo State Park. A total of 362 visitors completed pre-tour and post-tour surveys, with 94 visitors completing a final survey three months after the tour. We found that, although the intervention had little influence on conservation action overall, it was effective for a social media-related action. Post-tour conservation actions were significantly affected by emotional connection to wildlife during the tour and repeat visitation to either the same or another state park. We found that visitors' connectedness to nature increased during the three-hour tour, but returned to pre-visit levels three months later. Practical implications include that parks should encourage repeat visits, suggest an assortment of other experiences that support connecting to nature, and link their conservation messaging to visitors' close, personal, and emotional experiences with fauna. We suggest that one simple, yet effective, way to do this is through maintaining the visitor–park experience through a social media community.
Normative data for the lower extremity functional scale (LEFS)

Background and purpose — The lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) is a well-known and validated instrument for measurement of lower extremity function. The LEFS was developed in a group of patients with various musculoskeletal disorders, and no reference data for the healthy population are available. Here we provide normative data for the LEFS. Methods — Healthy visitors and staff at 4 hospitals were requested to participate. A minimum of 250 volunteers had to be included at each hospital. Participants were excluded if they had undergone lower extremity surgery within 1 year of filling out the questionnaire, or were scheduled for lower extremity surgery. Normative values for the LEFS for the population as a whole were calculated. Furthermore, the influence of sex, age, type of employment, socioeconomic status, and history of lower extremity surgery on the LEFS were investigated. Results — 1,014 individuals fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The median score for the LEFS for the whole population was 77 (out of a maximum of 80). Men and women had similar median scores (78 and 76, respectively), and younger individuals had better scores. Participants who were unfit for work had worse scores. There were no statistically significant correlations between socioeconomic status and type of employment on the one hand and LEFS score on the other. A history of lower extremity surgery was associated with a lower LEFS score. Interpretation — High scores were observed for the LEFS throughout the whole population, although they did decrease with age. Men had a slightly higher score than women. There was no statistically significant correlation between socioeconomic status and LEFS score, but people who were unfit for work had a significantly worse LEFS score.
[Effect of phenolic compounds of virgin olive oil on LDL oxidation resistance].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Several epidemiological and experimental studies have associated the intake of antioxidants, which are abundant in the Mediterranean diet, with a low incidence of cardiovascular disease. One possible mechanism of this action is the oxidative protection in low density lipoproteins (LDL). The aim of our study was to compare the antioxidative activity of diverse phenolic compounds present in virgin olive oil on these lipoproteins. SUBJECTS AND METHOD LDL was isolated from blood plasma of healthy volunteers by sequential ultracentrifugation. This was followed by oxidation with CuC12 in the presence of different concentrations of phenolic compounds and virgin olive oil extract. Production of conjugated dienes was determined by the continuous monitoring of increased absorbency at 234 nm as an indicator of LDL oxidation. RESULTS Virgin olive oil extract prolonged the latency phase and significantly lowered the progression rate (p < 0.05) at low concentrations (2 g/ml). This antioxidative effect was also observed with low concentrations (2 M) of caffeic acid and oleuropein (p < 0.05). However, it was necessary to increase the concentration of flavone up to 50 times to observe a similar effect (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Both virgin olive oil extract enriched in phenolic compounds and phenolic compounds present in olive oil (caffeic acid and oleuropein) are potent antioxidants at very low concentrations. Thus, the beneficial effects of a Mediterranean diet may be partly due to the protective action of these compounds.
A 3.13nJ/sample energy-efficient speech extraction processor for robust speech recognition in mobile head-mounted display systems

An energy-efficient speech extraction (SE) processor is proposed for the robust speech recognition in the head-mounted display (HMD) systems. Speech extraction is essential for robust speech recognition in noisy environment. For the low-latency speech extraction, FastSE is proposed to overcome 50x larger complex cICA-based selection process which results in <;2ms SE latency. Moreover, a reinforced-FastSE (RFSE) scheme is proposed to achieve 97.2% accuracy with small on-chip memory size of only 33kB for the low-power HMD applications. Also, Reconfigurable matrix operation accelerator (RMAT) is implemented for energy-efficient acceleration of dominant matrix operation on SE. As a result, the proposed SE processor achieves 1.3x lower latency with 4.24x smaller memory compared to the state-of-the-art work, so that speech recognition in noisy environment becomes possible for mobile HMD applications.
(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate induces apoptosis, via caspase activation, in osteoclasts differentiated from RAW 264.7 cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Alveolar bone resorption is a characteristic feature of periodontal diseases and involves removal of both the mineral and the organic constituents of the bone matrix, a process mainly carried out by multinucleated osteoclast cells. (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate, the main constituent of green tea polyphenols, has been reported to induce the apoptotic cell death of osteoclasts and to modulate caspase activation in various tumor cells. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate on osteoclast survival and examined if (-)-epigallocatechin gallate mediates osteoclast apoptosis via caspase activation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate on osteoclast survival was examined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining in osteoclasts differentiated from RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, we evaluated the apoptosis of osteoclasts by (-)-epigallocatechin gallate using a DNA-fragmentation assay. Involvement of caspase in (-)-epigallocatechin gallate-mediated osteoclast apoptosis was evaluated by treatment with a general caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK. Moreover, the effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate on the activation of caspase-3 was assessed by a colorimetric activity assay and western blotting. RESULTS (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate significantly inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the survival of osteoclasts differentiated from RAW 264.7 cells and induced the apoptosis of osteoclasts. Treatment with (-)-epigallocatechin gallate resulted in DNA fragmentation and induced the activation of caspase-3 in RAW 264.7 cell-derived osteoclasts. Additional treatment with Z-VAD-FMK suppressed these effects of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate. CONCLUSION From these findings, we could suggest that (-)-epigallocatechin gallate might prevent alveolar bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclast survival through the caspase-mediated apoptosis.
Dignity and the factors that influence it according to nursing home residents: a qualitative interview study.

AIM To gain insight in the way nursing home residents experience personal dignity and the factors that preserve or undermine it. BACKGROUND Nursing home residents are exposed to diverse factors which may be associated with the loss of personal dignity. To help them maintain their dignity, it is important to investigate this concept from the residents' perspective. DESIGN A qualitative descriptive study. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted between May 2010-June 2011 with 30 recently admitted residents of the general medical wards of four nursing homes in The Netherlands. RESULTS Illness-related conditions were the starting point of a process which could affect personal dignity, by threatening aspects of one's individual self and social world. Living in a nursing home was not a reason in itself to feel less self-worth, but rather seen as a consequence of functional incapacity. Nevertheless, many residents felt discarded by society and not taken seriously, simply because of their age or illness. Waiting for help, being dictated to by nurses and not receiving enough attention could undermine personal dignity, whereas aspects of good professional care (e.g. being treated with respect), a supportive social network and adequate coping capacities could protect it. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to the general view in society that living in a nursing home always undermines one's dignity, good professional care and a supportive social network can preserve dignity as well. To support residents in their challenge of maintaining dignity, nursing home staff, relatives and society should pay more attention to the way they treat them.
Changes in Serum Levels of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Nerve Growth Factor‐Beta in Schizophrenic Patients Before and After Treatment

Schizophrenia is one of the most debilitating diseases among psychiatric disorders. Recent studies suggest the existence of effective immunological changes in the pathophysiology of this disease. The purpose of the current study was to determine the changes in serum levels of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Nerve Growth Factor‐beta (NGF) in schizophrenic patients before treatment and 40 days after treatment. In this case‐control study, serum levels of BDNF and NGF were measured by ELISA in 26 patients with schizophrenia and 26 healthy controls. All patients were treated with clozapine or risperidone for 40 days. A positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) questionnaire has been used to recognize the severity of the disease and to assess the response to treatment. Neurotrophin concentrations were compared before and after the treatment and with control groups using paired t‐test and ANOVA test. BDNF and NGF levels in the case group were more than levels after treatment, but these differences were significant only for NGF. Concentrations in both neurotrophins were higher than the control group. The statistically significant difference was observed between changes in the NGF levels in the case and the control group, while no significant difference was seen in changes of BDNF. The main conclusion to be drawn from this study was that the increase in BDNF and particularly NGF may have an important role in causing schizophrenia. And possibly drugs clozapine and risperidone help to treat the disease by reducing the concentration of Neurotrophins.
Voluntary Disclosure of Corporate Venture Capital Investments

In this paper, we investigate drivers of corporate venture capital investment announcements. Consistent with voluntary information disclosure theories, we find that a public announcement is less likely to be made when the start-up firm is in the seed stage but more likely when the parent company is large, active in concentrated markets and in non-high-tech industries; spends heavily on internal RD has low leverage ratio; and faces more information asymmetry problems. In addition, corporate venture capital programs managed externally disclose more often than internal programs. We find that parent companies facing more severe asymmetric information problems enjoy the highest abnormal returns in response to announcements. This study contributes to the literature on voluntary information disclosure in that it evidences that larger corporations use disclosure of some of their investments in innovative startups strategically as a way to convey valuable information to the market.
Bitcoin – is it a Bubble? Evidence from Unit Root Tests

Bitcoin is a decentralised cryptographic virtual currency scheme based on a peer-to-peer network that has attracted substantial number of users in recent years. In this paper, we investigate reasons behind its success and explosive behaviour in its exchange rates in 2013-14. We debate whether bitcoin is a currency or commodity. By employing Perron (1997) unit root tests, we investigate whether shocks in Bitcoin-USD exchange rate have a permanent effect or a transitory effect and try to locate the date of structural break. We attempt to find an evidence for existence of speculative bubble in bitcoin exchange markets. This paper introduces sequential unit root tests into analysis of bubble in Bitcoin exchange rates which were recently developed by Phillips et al. (2011a, b). We find strong evidence of explosive behaviour in bitcoin exchange rates.