Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of ischemia by Pco2 before adenosine triphosphate declines in skeletal muscle

ObjectiveIschemia is a serious problem in clinical medicine, and effective methods are needed to detect ischemia before the injury becomes irreversible. In experimental studies on several organs, Pco2 was found to increase rapidly after the onset of supply-dependent anaerobic metabolism. A shortcoming of these studies was that Pco2 was not correlated with tissue concentrations of lactate and the energy status in the cell. Thus, in this study we have measured tissue concentrations of lactate, phosphocreatine, and adenosine triphosphate. We hypothesized that during ischemic conditions, Pco2 reflects lactate generation in the cell and not exhausted energy stores per se. If this is the case, Pco2 can be used to detect ischemia before the energy stores are depleted. Consequently, therapy can be instituted at a time when the organ is salvageable. DesignProspective laboratory study. SettingUniversity research laboratory. SubjectsSeven pigs. InterventionsIn a porcine model, gluteal skeletal muscles with no-flow ischemia were examined. Pco2 was measured both in situ and in vitro at increasing periods of time. Concomitantly, tissue lactate, adenosine triphosphate, and phosphocreatine were analyzed. Measurements and Main ResultsTissue surface CO2 tension (PtCO2) increased rapidly after onset of ischemia. From a baseline of 63 ± 3 torr (8.4 ± 1.2 kPa) under aerobic conditions, it increased to 157 ± 6 torr (21 ± 2.2 kPa) after 30 mins of ischemia and 386 ± 9 torr (51.5 ± 3 kPa) at 120 mins. The rapid increase of PtCO2 correlated well with increasing values of lactate (r2 > .9) in the tissue. Adenosine triphosphate was essentially unchanged for 45 mins after onset of ischemia, after which it declined. Phosphocreatine decreased earlier than adenosine triphosphate in accordance with the notion that high-energy phosphate groups are transferred from phosphocreatine to adenosine triphosphate. ConclusionIn this porcine model of skeletal muscle ischemia, PtCO2 correlates well with tissue lactate and increases long before the energy stores of phosphocreatine and most notably adenosine triphosphate are severely reduced. Thus, PtCO2 could be monitored to detect and treat earlier stages of ischemia.
Contactless Characterization of Coplanar Stripline Discontinuities by RCS Measurement

This paper presents a contactless approach to characterize coplanar stripline discontinuities based on a radar cross section measurement method. With this approach, the values of the equivalent lumped element models are determined for two discontinuities often encountered in practice: open circuit and short circuit. The discontinuities are incorporated into two different very simple resonators. But contrarily to what is usually done, here the resonators are considered as radar resonant targets and are illuminated by a plane wave. The incremental electrical length due to the discontinuities causes a shift of the resonance frequency, which is used for the extraction of the parameters. The values obtained from full-wave simulations are compared to measurements and to other data available from previous studies.
Global Spillover E(cid:27)ects of US Uncertainty ∗

We study the spillover e(cid:27)ects of (cid:29)uctuations in US uncertainty. Using monthly panel data from (cid:28)fteen major emerging market economies (EMEs), we show that an unanticipated rise in US stock market uncertainty has negative e(cid:27)ects on their stock prices and exchange rate, increases long-term interest rate spreads, and leads to capital out(cid:29)ows. These negative (cid:28)nancial e(cid:27)ects transmit to the real economy as a drop in output, a rise in consumer prices, and a rise in net exports from these countries. The negative e(cid:27)ects on output, exchange rates, and stock prices are weaker, but the e(cid:27)ects on capital (cid:29)ows and trade (cid:29)ows stronger, for South American countries compared to other EMEs. We present a small open economy (SOE) model that can account for our empirical (cid:28)ndings. A negative external shock that increases the interest rate spread faced by the SOE produces responses of macroeconomic and (cid:28)nancial variables that are consistent with our estimated responses. The model can also account for the heterogeneity in responses across countries depending on the endogenous response of the monetary policy instrument to the increase in interest rate spread.
Does asymmetric information drive UK dividends propensity

Purpose - This paper aims to extend and contribute to prior UK research on the association between information asymmetry and dividends propensity. It seeks to investigate the impact of the number of analysts following firms, a proxy for information asymmetry, on dividends propensity. Design/methodology/approach - Using a 282 UK FTSE-All Share non-financial/non-utilities firms with fiscal year ends on 2007, the paper uses a multiple regression model to investigate the association between dividends and analysts following. Findings - The paper finds that after controlling for firm-specific characteristics, there is a significant negative association between the number of analysts following firms and dividend propensity. The finding suggests that higher coverage of financial analysts for UK firms reduces levels of information asymmetry between managers and shareholders, which results in lower dividend propensity. These findings are consistent with agency theory and pecking order theory, but inconsistent with signalling theory. Originality/value - The paper contributes to prior research related to the drivers of dividend propensity by being the first UK study to examine the association between dividend propensity and information asymmetry.
Analysis of the development and progression of carbon monoxide poisoning–related acute kidney injury according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria

Abstract Context: Acute kidney injury (AKI) can occur after carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication; however, limited data are available. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the development and progression of AKI in patients with acute CO poisoning. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a prospective registry of CO poisoning between January 2010 and December 2015. AKI was defined and classified according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between AKI and adverse outcomes, defined as neurological deficits at discharge or 28-day mortality. Results: A total of 661 patients were evaluated. According to KDIGO criteria, 114 patients (17.2%) had AKI (initial: stage 1, 70.2%; stage 2, 26.3%; stage 3, 3.5%) on admission and 119 (18.0%) finally developed AKI during their hospital stay (maximum: stage 1, 68.9%; stage 2, 23.5%; stage 3, 7.6%). Almost all patients (99.2%) were diagnosed as having their highest KDIGO stage within three days (median, one day). AKI development was associated with adverse outcomes (odds ratio (OR) 17.53, 95% confidence interval 45.00–77.14). Both initial and maximum AKI stages demonstrated a stepwise increase of adjusted OR for adverse outcomes. AKI stage progression occurred in 8.4% of patients with AKI and was an independent factor for adverse outcomes. Conclusion: CO poisoning- related AKI occurred in 18% and was mostly detected within one day after CO intoxication. The development and progression of AKI had a strong association with adverse outcomes and deserve further prospective investigation.
Connective tissue growth factor expression and Smad signaling during mouse heart development and myocardial infarction

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is reported to be a target gene of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in vitro. Its physiological role in angiogenesis and skeletogenesis during mouse development has been described recently. Here, we have mapped expression of CTGF mRNA during mouse heart development, postnatal adult life, and after experimental myocardial infarction. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between CTGF and the BMP/TGFβ signaling pathway in particular during heart development in mutant mice. Postnatally, CTGF expression in the heart became restricted to the atrium. Strikingly, 1 week after myocardial infarction, when myocytes have disappeared from the infarct zone, CTGF and TGFβ expression as well as activated forms of TGFβ but not BMP, Smad effector proteins are colocalized exclusively in the fibroblasts of the scar tissue, suggesting possible cooperation between CTGF and TGFβ during the pathological fibrotic response. Developmental Dynamics 231:542–550, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methylmercury increases intracellular concentrations of Ca++ and heavy metals in NG108-15 cells.

To determine if methylmercury (MeHg) increased [Ca++]i in intact neuron-like cells, we initiated studies using fluorescence microscopy of single NG108-15 cells preloaded with fura-2. Whereas at 0.5 microM, MeHg had no effect on the ratio of fura-2 fluorescence at 340/380 nm, at 2 and 5 microM it produced a biphasic increase in this ratio. The initial phase increase was sustained; its time to onset was concentration-dependent whereas its maximum increase was not. This phase likely consists of both intra- and extracellular components inasmuch as removal of extracellular Ca++ reduced but did not eliminate the increase. Continued exposure to MeHg resulted in a further pronounced increase in fluorescence ratio, but only in the presence of extracellular Ca++. The time to onset of this second phase was also concentration-dependent. In Ca(++)-containing, but not Ca(++)-deficient medium, the second phase increase in fluorescence ratio was followed by loss of fura-2 from the cells. Both 2 and 5 microM, but not 0.5 microM MeHg, depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential (psi m) as measured by loss of preloaded rhodamine 123 from the mitochondria. The latency of this effect was concentration-dependent, but the maximum amplitude was not. Removal of extracellular Ca++ had no effect on the initial changes in rhodamine 123 fluorescence produced by MeHg, but did retard subsequent loss of dye from the cells. The onset as well as peak amplitude of the initial MeHg-induced increase in fura-2 fluorescence ratio occurred before changes in psi m. In the absence of MeHg, depolarization of psi m by the combination of sodium azide and oligomycin failed to elicit a significant increase in [Ca++]i, but did reduce the initial increase in fura-2 fluorescence ratio produced by 2 microM MeHg independent of extracellular Ca++. MeHg increased fura-2 fluorescence measured at the Ca(++)-insensitive excitation wavelength of 360 nm. This effect did not coincide with alterations in rhodamine 123 fluorescence and was inhibited by the cell-permeant heavy metal chelator N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine, but not the cell-impermeant chelator diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. This suggests that the initial phase, extracellular Ca(++)-independent changes in fura-2 fluorescence were due to increases in the intracellular concentration of endogenous cations other than Ca++. Thus, MeHg altered fura-2 fluorescence in these cells in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. The initial effect involved alterations in intracellular cation buffering as well as increased permeability of the plasma membrane to Ca++. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Relationship Between Increased Serum Resistin Level and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease

Resistin, which is derived from the gene of RSTN, belongs to a family of cysteine-rich secretory proteins called resistin-like molecules (RELMs). Increased serum resistin levels are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and the risk of cardiovascular death. Patients (n = 214) with an initial diagnosis of stable angina pectoris, unstable angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation and referred to catheter laboratory for coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. We aimed to investigate the relationship between increased serum resistin level and CAD. The severity of CAD was calculated by the Gensini scoring system. In conclusion, we established a significant correlation between serum resistin levels and CAD (P = .010). Also, serum resistin levels correlated with the Gensini score that represents the severity of CAD angiographically (P = .010).
Alterations in Nitric Oxide and Cytokine Production with Airway Inflammation in the Absence of IL-101

IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that suppresses NO synthase (NOS) and production of NO; its lack may promote NO production and alterations in cytokines modulated by NO with allergic airway inflammation (AI), such as IL-18 and IL-4. Therefore, we induced AI in IL-10 knockout (−/−) and IL-10-sufficient C57BL/6 (C57) mice with inhaled OVA and measured airway NO production, as exhaled NO (ENO) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid nitrite levels. ENO and nitrite levels were elevated significantly in naive IL-10−/− mice as compared with C57 mice. With AI, ENO and nitrite levels increased in C57 mice and decreased in IL-10−/− mice. IL-18 production fell with both AI and addition of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-d,l-penicillamine (a NO donor) but was not significantly increased by chemical NOS inhibition by l-N5-(1-iminoethyl)-ornithine. IL-4 AI was increased significantly (up to 10-fold greater) in the absence of IL-10 but was reduced significantly with chemical inhibition of NOS. Airway responsiveness was lower in IL-10−/− mice and was associated with alteration in production of NO and IL-4. Thus, IL-4 production was increased, and likely decreased NO production, in a way not predicted by the absence of IL-10. Inhibition of IL-4 production, with inhibition of NOS in the absence of IL-10, demonstrated the importance of a NO and IL-4 feedback mechanism regulating this interaction.
Detecting Focal Regions using Superpixels

We introduce a new method that can automatically determine regions of focus within an image. The focus is determined by generating Content-Driven Superpixels and subsequently exploiting consistency properties of scale-space. These superpixels can be analysed to produce the focal image regions. In our new analysis, Light-Field Photography provides an efficient method to test our algorithm in a controlled manner. An image taken with a light-field camera can be viewed from different perspectives and focal planes, and so by manually modifying the focal plane we can determine if the extracted focal areas are correctly extracted. We show improved results of our new approach compared with some prior techniques and demonstrate the advantages that our new approach can accrue.
Nonlinear viscosity of human wrist.

Nonlinear viscous properties of stretch and unloading reflexes in the human wrist were examined using constant-velocity ramp stretches and releases in the range between 5 and 500 mm/s. Subjects were asked to oppose an initial flexor preload and were instructed not to intervene voluntarily when the changes in position were applied. Electromyographic (EMG) activity and net force exerted by the wrist were measured. Although subjects were instructed not to intervene to the applied stretches, even well-practiced subjects sometimes showed unintended triggered reactions, which character could be assisting or resisting. A trial comparison method was used to detect and eliminate responses contaminated by unintended reactions. Ramp stretches further loaded the preloaded flexor muscles. Responses of EMG and force increased steeply initially but after about 1-cm displacement, the slope of these responses decreased to a lower value and remained constant during the remainder of the 5-cm ramp. For higher stretch velocities, the magnitudes and slopes of the responses of EMG and force increased but less than proportionally with ramp velocity. Except for the initial transient, EMG in the loaded flexor muscles and force responses could be described by a product relationship between a linear position-related term and a low fractional power of velocity, after a correction was made for delays in the reflex arc. Mean value of the exponent in the power function of velocity was 0.3 for EMG and 0.17 for force. For higher preloads, incremental responses of force to constant-velocity stretches, plotted as a function of wrist position, shifted to higher values and the slope of increase of force with position became somewhat steeper. This upward shift of the force trace reflects a change of apparent threshold of the stretch reflex. Ramp releases shortened and unloaded the preloaded flexor muscles and stretched the initially inactive extensor muscles. Flexor EMG activity declined progressively with a time course that was independent of velocity. Extensor EMG response depended on preload. At high preloads, there was no activity except for some bursting at the highest velocities. At low preloads, EMG activity was initially absent but started part way through the ramp. The increase of activity was somewhat greater for higher ramp velocities. Force responses to shortening ramps depended on preload. At high preloads, force responses superimposed at all of the low velocities but fell to slightly lower forces at the higher velocities. At low preloads, force traces again superimposed for low velocities and at high velocities only during the initial part of the response. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Evidence for -Gz Adaptation Observed with Wearable Biosensors During High Performance Jet Flight.

INTRODUCTION Few studies have evaluated physiological responses to high acceleration forces during actual flight and to our knowledge no normative data has been acquired by technologies such as wearable biosensors during high performance jet aircraft operations. METHODS In-flight physiological data from an FDA cleared portable triaxial accelerometer and bio-sensor were observed from five active duty F-18 pilots of the Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels). Of the five pilots, three were formation pilots who flew lower G profiles and two were solo pilots who flew higher G profiles. Physiological parameters monitored were heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, caloric expenditure, and duration of exposure to levels of acceleration. RESULTS Evaluated were 25 practice demonstration flights; 9 flights were excluded secondary to incomplete or inaccurate physiological data. We observed no significant bradycardia during a total of 189 maneuvers which met inclusion criteria for push-pull events (PPE) or isolated -Gz exposures. Further analysis of 73 PPE revealed an overall significant rise in HR following the PPE, where mean heart rate was 106 (95% CI, 100:112) at the beginning of the push and 129 (95% CI, 123:135) following the pull. DISCUSSION A majority of the flights monitored provided reliable physiological data. Initial data suggests, contrary to currently held aeromedical doctrine, maneuvers such as the "push-pull" do not evoke vasovagal based bradycardic responses in aerobatic pilots. Possible explanations for these findings are sympathetic nervous system activation through adaptation and/or sustained isometric resistance from control inputs, both of which are areas of future research for our team.Rice GM, Snider D, Moore JL, Lavan JT, Folga R, VanBrunt TB. Evidence for -Gz adaptation observed with wearable biosensors during high performance jet flight. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(12):996-1003.
Using profiles of person—thing orientation to examine the underrepresentation of women in engineering in three cultural contexts

Personal interests are a key element in encouraging careers in engineering. Evidence suggests that a lack of interest may contributeto the underrepresentation of women in engineering. The purpose of the current research was to examine differential orientations topeople and things among college students and their relations to academic majors and career choices across cultures; to explore theeffects of sex differences among these orientations and the relation to major and career choices; and to examine the predictivevalidity of the instrument used to measure these orientations across cultural contexts. Data were collected from 511 engineering andnon-engineering university students in Greece, Turkey and the United States regarding their current and prospective majors, theirintention to pursue careers in various fields, their endorsement of gender role, and their differential orientations to mastery ofobjects or interpersonal interaction. Thing orientation was a predictor of the interest in engineering majors and careers in all threecultural contexts. When only engineering majors were considered, thing orientation was a stronger predictor of interest for womenthan for men, suggesting that women may need special focused motivation to pursue a career that is not in accordance withtraditional gender roles. The manipulation of messages about engineering to describe it as being both person and thing focusedmay make it more attractive to women.
Noncarbapenemase OXA-48 Variants (OXA-163 and OXA-405) Falsely Detected as Carbapenemases by the β Carba Test

OXA-163 and OXA-405 have been described by Poirel et al. ([1][1]) and Dortet et al. ([2][2], [3][3]), respectively, as “the first class D β-lactamase compromising both extended-spectrum cephalosporin and carbapenem activities” and as having “clavulanic acid-inhibited activity toward expanded-
A Telephone-Only Motivational Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Rural Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Both urban and rural adults are likely to be inactive, but rural adults have less access to exercise classes or facilities to increase physical activity. Objectives: To evaluate whether a telephone-only motivational interviewing (MI) intervention would increase daily physical activity of rural adults. Methods: This randomized controlled trial enrolled 86 physically inactive adults living in rural communities (mean age = 58 years, range = 30-81 years) who stated that they were ready to increase physical activity during the next 6 months. Participants were assigned randomly to MI intervention (n = 43) or control (n = 43) groups. The MI group participants received a pedometer and monthly MI telephone calls over 6 months from a counselor. Control group participants received an equal number of telephone calls without MI content. Physical activity was measured by self-report using the Community Healthy Activities Model Program For Seniors Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Adults. Data were collected by mailed surveys and analyzed using analysis of variance. Results: Seventy-two participants completed the study (35 in the intervention group and 37 in the control group). The telephone-only MI intervention increased self-efficacy for exercise (p = .019) but did not increase levels of physical activity (p = .572) compared with controls. Discussion: The intervention increased self-efficacy for exercise but did not increase physical activity, possibly due to seasonal effects, the control condition, or the length of the MI intervention. Even so, future studies are warranted because telephone-only MI has potential as a practical, relatively inexpensive method to provide health counseling to rural adults in a broad geographic area. This study produced an effect size on physical activity that will be useful to guide future studies.