Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Split hand syndrome in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: different excitability changes in the thenar and hypothenar motor axons

Background In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscle wasting preferentially affects the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and first dorsal interosseous over the abductor digit minimi (ADM), and this is termed ‘split hand’. Previous axonal excitability studies have suggested increased nodal persistent sodium current and reduced potassium current in motor axons in ALS, but the extent of excitability changes in APB and ADM axons in ALS has never been compared. Objective To elucidate the peripheral axonal pathophysiology of split hand. Methods In both APB and ADM motor axons of 21 patients with ALS and 17 age-matched normal controls, threshold tracking was used to measure excitability indices such as strength-duration time constant (SDTC; a measure of persistent sodium current) and threshold electrotonus. Results In normal controls, SDTC was significantly longer for APB than ADM axons, suggesting that axonal excitability is physiologically higher in APB axons. Compared with normal controls, patients with ALS had longer SDTC and greater threshold changes in depolarising threshold electrotonus in both APB and ADM axons. Furthermore, the difference in extent of SDTC prolongation between normal subjects and patients with ALS was greater in APB than ADM axons. Conclusions APB axons have physiologically higher excitability than ADM axons, and, in ALS, the hyperexcitability is more prominent in APB axons. Although cortical mechanisms would also be involved, more prominent hyperexcitability of APB axons may contribute to development of split hand, and the altered axonal properties are possibly associated with motor neuronal death in ALS.
Sub-Nyquist Sampling Jamming Against ISAR With CS-Based HRRP Reconstruction

As recently demonstrated, compressive sensing (CS) is potential in exact recovery of an unknown sparse signal from very limited samples. In this paper, sub-Nyquist sampling jamming against inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging is presented, where the CS-based algorithm is applied to the high-resolution range profile (HRRP) reconstruction other than the Doppler profile reconstruction. The reconstruction of moving targets' HRRP through CS-based matched filtering algorithms shows that the sub-Nyquist sampled jamming signals, formed by the under-sampled radar signals in scatter-wave jamming configuration, provide a capability of deception jamming. The finally reconstructed ISAR images show that the deceptive false-target images retaining the real target information will be induced. Hence, the rational utilization of sub-Nyquist sampling jamming can generate vivid decoys in ISAR countermeasures. Experimental results of the scattering model of the Yak-42 plane are used to verify the correctness of the jamming idea.
[Auditory processing evaluation in children born preterm].

PURPOSE To verify the performance of children born preterm on auditory processing evaluation, and to correlate the data with behavioral hearing assessment carried out at 12 months of age, comparing the results to those of auditory processing evaluation of children born full-term. METHODS Participants were 30 children with ages between 4 and 7 years, who were divided into two groups: Group 1 (children born preterm), and Group 2 (children born full-term). The auditory processing results of Group 1 were correlated to data obtained from the behavioral auditory evaluation carried out at 12 months of age. The results were compared between groups. RESULTS Subjects in Group 1 presented at least one risk indicator for hearing loss at birth. In the behavioral auditory assessment carried out at 12 months of age, 38% of the children in Group 1 were at risk for central auditory processing deficits, and 93.75% presented auditory processing deficits on the evaluation. Significant differences were found between the groups for the temporal order test, the PSI test with ipsilateral competitive message, and the speech-in-noise test. The delay in sound localization ability was associated to temporal processing deficits. CONCLUSION Children born preterm have worse performance in auditory processing evaluation than children born full-term. Delay in sound localization at 12 months is associated to deficits on the physiological mechanism of temporal processing in the auditory processing evaluation carried out between 4 and 7 years.
Effect of Vitamin D and calcium supplementation on ischaemic stroke outcome: a randomised controlled open‐label trial

Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in stroke survivors. Observational studies have reported an association of low vitamin D levels with greater stroke severity, poststroke mortality and functional disability. Randomised clinical trials are lacking. We sought to assess the effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation in ischaemic stroke survivors with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency on disability/mortality outcomes.
Effect of hypothermia on the volume of rat glial cells

The cell volume of suspended C6 glioma cells and primary cultured rat astrocytes was measured at normothermia (37 °C), and at mild (32 °C) and moderate (27 °C) hypothermia by flow cytometry with electrical cell sizing. Under control conditions (37 °C), C6 glioma cells had a volume of 809 ± 29 μm3. Moderate hypothermia (27 °C) led to rapid cell swelling, with a maximum volume of 113.1 ± 1.3 % of control being achieved after 50 min. After rewarming to 37 °C, cell volume recovered very slowly and incompletely (to 107.2 ± 0.4 % of control). Less severe hypothermia (32 °C) led to a smaller increase in cell volume (108.7 ± 0.5 % of control). The maximal cell swelling response and the kinetics of swelling were similar in C6 glioma cells and primary cultured astrocytes. Hypothermia‐induced cell swelling was dependent on the presence of extracellular Na+ and was reduced by the Na+−H+ antiporter inhibitor EIPA. The underlying mechanisms of hypothermia‐induced cell swelling are an intracellular accumulation of Na+ by (1) differential effects of hypothermia on the membrane permeabilities of Na+ and K+ and (2) activation of the Na+−H+ antiporter by a shift of its activation curve to a more alkaline value.
Assigning time‐linked exposure status to controls in unmatched case‐control studies: alcohol use and nearly lethal suicide attempts

In case‐control studies, determination of alcohol consumption by cases immediately prior to the injury event is often conceptually straightforward. However, determination of consumption status by controls is difficult because they lack a reference point, especially when cases and controls are not individually matched. We describe a method of assigning alcohol consumption status to controls using a 24‐hour drinking history, the distribution in time of case events, and the random assignment of a specific time period to each control subject. This methodology offers a practical approach for determining alcohol consumption status among control subjects immediately prior to a case event, when controls lack a reference point and have not been individually matched to cases. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applications and Implications of Advances in Human Genetics: Perspectives from a Group of Black Americans

Objectives: We explored the opinions of 40 Black Americans regarding: (1) what they thought most Blacks and Whites believe about genetic causes for perceived race differences in human traits, and (2) the impact of genetic science on them, their families, and Black people. Methods: We conducted in-depth telephone interviews with 40 self-identified Black men and women. Transcripts of the interviews were recorded and examined for common themes. Results: The majority of our respondents felt that most Whites, unlike most Blacks, attribute differences between these groups to genetic factors. Many in our sample felt that genetic advances may provide benefits in the area of health care, but many also recognized potential harm. Conclusions: Our results provide a glimpse as to what some Blacks believe about genetic science in the context of racial issues.
A novel distributed control architecture for shared protection

The paper proposes a novel distributed control architecture for shared protection with reduced complete routing information, which aims to initiate a graceful compromise between the amount of link-state dissemination and the performance impairment due to the incompleteness of routing information. We first give explicit and comprehensive descriptions on a number of reported routing information dissemination scenarios for shared protection. A novel framework of link-state dissemination for facilitating shared protection, called reduced complete routing scenario, is introduced, in which the singular value decomposition (SVD) transformation is adopted to deal with the information reduction. We show, through simulation, that the proposed scheme can achieve a higher throughput and a better estimation in reconstruction of the spare provision matrix than the other schemes taking the same complexity of link-state dissemination.
The contents of adenine nucleotides, phosphagens and some glycolytic intermediates in resting muscles from vertebrates and invertebrates.

The lowest contents of ATP and the lowest ATP/AMP concentration ratios are observed in the molluscan muscles that have very low rates of energy expenditure during contraction. The highest contents of ATP are observed in the extremely aerobic insect flight muscle and the extremely anaerobic pectoral muscle of the pheasant and domestic fowl. In general, the lowest ATP/AMP concentration ratios are observed for muscle in which the variation in the rate of energy utilization is small (e.g. some molluscan muscles, heart muscle); the highest ratios are observed in muscles in which this variation is large (lobster abdominal muscle, pheasant pectoral muscle, some insect flight muscles). This finding is consistent with the proposed role of AMP and the adenylate kinase reaction in the regulation of glycolysis. However, in the flight muscle of the honey-bee the ATP/AMP ratio is very low, so that glycolysis may be regulated by factors other than the variation in AMP concentration. The variation in the contents of arginine phosphate in muscle from the invertebrates is much larger than the variation in creatine phosphate in muscle from the vertebrates. The contents of hexose monophosphates and pyruvate are, in general, higher in the muscles of vertebrates than in those of the invertebrates. The contents of phosphoenolpyruvate are similar in all the muscles investigated, except for the honey-bee in which it is about 4-10-fold higher. The mass-action ratios for the reactions catalysed by phosphoglucoisomerase and adenylate kinase are very similar to the equilibrium constants for these reactions. Further, the variation in the mass-action ratios between muscles is small. It is concluded that these enzymes catalyse reactions close to equilibrium. However, the mass-action ratios for the reactions catalysed by phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase are much smaller than the equilibrium constants. The variation in the ratios between different muscles is large. It is concluded that these enzymes catalyse nonequilibrium reactions. Since the variation in the mass-action ratios for the reactions catalysed by the phosphagen kinases (i.e. creatine and arginine phosphokinases) is small, it is suggested that these reactions are close to equilibrium.
The physicochemical equivalence of eight brands of amlodipine tablets in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist that is useful in the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris. In addition to the innovator brand of this molecule, several generic brands are marketed in Nigeria. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the physicochemical equivalence of eight brands of amlodipine tablets marketed in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS Physicochemical properties such as identity, weight uniformity, friability, hardness test, disintegration test, dissolution test and assay of active ingredients were performed using the methods described in the British and the United States Pharmacopoeia. Ultra-violet spectrophotometric and High performance liquid chromatographic methods were used for assay of the labelled amount of amlodipine in the products. RESULTS All the products passed weight uniformity and disintegration tests. Only one brand failed the friability test. Two brands had mean crushing strength less than 4 kg/cm²; while only 4 brands passed dissolution test by releasing >75% of the labelled amlodipine within 45 minutes. One brand failed both assay and dissolution tests by returning less than official specifications in the general monograph for conventional tablets. In all, four of the eight sample products analyzed passed all the tests. These can be said to be physicochemically equivalent and may be clinically interchangeable or substituted. CONCLUSION This study further highlights the concerns over the quality of drug products marketed in a developing country.
Dream recall frequency and sleep quality of patients with restless legs syndrome

The present study investigated the dream recall frequency and the pattern of influencing factors of patients with restless legs syndrome in comparison with healthy controls. The patients’ dream recall frequency did not differ from that of healthy controls. Dream recall, however, was negatively associated with the number of periodic leg movements with arousal (PLMAI). Subjective estimates of sleep quality or feeling of being refreshed in the morning, on the other hand, did not correlate with the PLMAI index. Whereas subjective sleep parameters were related to dream recall frequency in healthy controls, no substantial relationships were found in the patient group, except for the positive correlation between sleep latency and dream recall frequency. The results of the present study can not be interpreted as clear evidence for the arousal–retrieval model of dream recall; it seems plausible that other factors, e.g. the functional state of the brain, are of importance in explaining dream recall in this patient group.
The Cockcroft difference: an analysis of the impact of a nursing leadership development programme.

AIM Identifying impact areas of nursing leadership development programmes is needed to determine if there are measureable effects on participants. BACKGROUND These impact areas help to identify measures to substantiate the benefits of nursing leadership programmes for organization leaders making decisions about support and implementation of such opportunities for their emerging leaders. METHOD Using mixed qualitative/quantitative methods, the impact of a nursing leadership development programme, the Amy V. Cockcroft Fellowship, is examined to determine if there are measureable influences. RESULTS Themes of four areas of impact: improved conflict resolution/negotiation skills, communication skills, personal development and career action or change were identified through content analysis. CONCLUSIONS These themes provide the basis for creating measureable indicators for nursing organizations to use in determining the value of nursing leadership development programmes such as the Amy V. Cockcroft Fellowship. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Based on the findings established in this research article, nurse managers can focus on developing themselves and their peer groups through nursing leadership development programmes to prepare for leading in the present and future healthcare environment.
Financial deregulation, trade and co-movements among the GDP growth rates: Evidence from south asian countries

Since the 1980s, South Asian countries have been implementing financial market deregulation policies continuously. Although the process of deregulations has been slow, many countries in the region are heading toward a more integrated market despite current global turmoil. Financial market integration in South Asia could have synchronised economic activities of the countries in the region due to the impact of consolidation. This suggests that when the region's economies grow/contract, all countries could follow the same path or co-movement of growth rates is possible. When economic growth rates are similar for a region, it may be easier to formulate economic policies to achieve a common goal. As the political leadership of South Asia has agreed to work towards forming an economic block similar to that of the European Union and ASIAN, examining co-movement of growth rates could shed more lights on the issue of the success of market integration in the region. The objective of this study is to study market integration by analysing financial markets, trade and economic growth data to spot whether there is any co-movement of growth rates among South Asian countries due to financial market deregulation policies implemented so far. Findings show mix results.
Embryogenesis and early skeletogenesis in the antarctic bullhead notothen, Notothenia coriiceps

Background: Environmental temperature influences rates of embryonic development, but a detailed staging series for vertebrate embryos developing in the subzero cold of Antarctic waters is not yet available from fertilization to hatching. Given projected warming of the Southern Ocean, it is imperative to establish a baseline to evaluate potential effects of changing climate on fish developmental dynamics. Results: We studied the Bullhead notothen (Notothenia coriiceps), a notothenioid fish inhabiting waters between ‐1.9 and +2 °C. In vitro fertilization produced embryos that progressed through cleavage, epiboly, gastrulation, segmentation, organogenesis, and hatching. We compared morphogenesis spatially and temporally to Zebrafish and medaka. Experimental animals hatched after about 6 months to early larval stages. To help understand skeletogenesis, we analyzed late embryos for expression of sox9 and runx2, which regulate chondrogenesis, osteogenesis, and eye development. Results revealed that, despite their prolonged developmental time course, N. coriiceps embryos developed similarly to those of other teleosts with large yolk cells. Conclusions: Our studies set the stage for future molecular analyses of development in these extremophile fish. Results provide a foundation for understanding the impact of ocean warming on embryonic development and larval recruitment of notothenioid fish, which are key factors in the marine trophic system. Developmental Dynamics 245:1066–1080, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increased circulating Th17 frequencies and serum IL‐22 levels in patients with acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis

Background/Objective Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a diffuse pustular disorder that usually begins in intertriginous folds with widespread erythema. The causes in the majority of the cases are drugs. T cells and interleukin (IL)‐8 play roles in the development of AGEP, but the mechanism remains to be elucidated. We investigated the involvement of Th17 cells and their cytokine IL‐22 in the pathogenesis.
MALE DOMINANCE, FEMALE MATE CHOICE, AND INTERSEXUAL CONFLICT IN THE ROSE BITTERLING (RHODEUS OCELLATUS)

An intersexual conflict arises when males and females differ in their reproductive interests. Although experimental studies have shown that females often mate with dominant males, it may not always be in the interest of a female to do so. Here we investigated the impact of male dominance on female mate choice and offspring growth and survival in the rose bitterling (Rhodeus ocellatus), a freshwater fish with a resource-based mating system. Three experimental mating trials were conducted using males of known dominance rank, but with different levels of constraint on male behavior. Thus, females were able to choose among; (1) males that were isolated from each other; (2) males that could see and smell each other, but could not directly interact; (3) males that could interact fully. Using a combination of behavioral observation and parentage analyses it was shown that female preferences did not correspond with male dominance and that male aggression and dominance constrained female mate choice, resulting in a potential intersexual conflict. The survival of offspring to independence was significantly correlated with female mate preferences, but not with male dominance. A lack of strong congruence in female preference for males suggested a role for parental haplotype compatibility in mate choice.
Metabolic requirements for neutrophil extracellular traps formation

As part of the innate immune response, neutrophils are at the forefront of defence against infection, resolution of inflammation and wound healing. They are the most abundant leucocytes in the peripheral blood, have a short lifespan and an estimated turnover of 1010 to 1011 cells per day. Neutrophils efficiently clear microbial infections by phagocytosis and by oxygen‐dependent and oxygen‐independent mechanisms. In 2004, a new neutrophil anti‐microbial mechanism was described, the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) composed of DNA, histones and anti‐microbial peptides. Several microorganisms, bacterial products, as well as pharmacological stimuli such as PMA, were shown to induce NETs. Neutrophils contain relatively few mitochondria, and derive most of their energy from glycolysis. In this scenario we aimed to analyse some of the metabolic requirements for NET formation. Here it is shown that NETs formation is strictly dependent on glucose and to a lesser extent on glutamine, that Glut‐1, glucose uptake, and glycolysis rate increase upon PMA stimulation, and that NET formation is inhibited by the glycolysis inhibitor, 2‐deoxy‐glucose, and to a lesser extent by the ATP synthase inhibitor oligomycin. Moreover, when neutrophils were exposed to PMA in glucose‐free medium for 3 hr, they lost their characteristic polymorphic nuclei but did not release NETs. However, if glucose (but not pyruvate) was added at this time, NET release took place within minutes, suggesting that NET formation could be metabolically divided into two phases; the first, independent from exogenous glucose (chromatin decondensation) and, the second (NET release), strictly dependent on exogenous glucose and glycolysis.
Dimensions of hostility in japanese undergraduate students

Japanese undergraduate students (N = 512) completed the Japanese versions of 4 hostility questionnaires: Aggression Questionnaire (Ando et al., 1999); State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (Suzuki & Haruki, 1994); Müller Anger Coping Questionnaire (Otake et al., 2000); and Cynicism Questionnaire (Izawa & Nomura, 2004). Dimensions of hostility, determined by factor analysis for the 12 subscales of the 4 questionnaires, revealed a 4-factor solution: Expressive Hostility, Inhibitive Hostility, Assertiveness, and Hostile Cognition. Prior studies with Western participants had suggested a 2-factor solution of Expression and Experience dimensions of hostility. However, our results forcing a 2-factor solution showed a different pattern: The first factor included Expressive Hostility and Hostile Cognition, and the second factor included Inhibitive Hostility. These results indicate that the dimensions of hostility in Japanese students differed from those in American and European participants. This may be related to characteristics of Japanese society that emphasize cooperative behavior and not expressing angry emotions.