Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ca(2+)‐activated and voltage‐gated K+ currents in smooth muscle cells isolated from human mesenteric arteries.

1. Smooth muscle cells were enzymatically isolated from arteries dissected from mesenteric fat removed from patients undergoing routine surgery. The whole‐cell patch clamp technique was used to characterize the potassium (K+) currents and passive electrical properties of these cells, using high‐K(+)‐containing pipette solutions with either 0.2 mM EGTA or 10 mM EGTA and 10 mM BAPTA. 2. Cell capacitance, which is proportional to membrane surface area, was normally distributed around a value of 46 pF, and independent of artery size between 0.4 and 3.6 mm. The mean membrane potential measured under current clamp was ‐44.1 +/‐ 1.9 mV (n = 52). 3. Cells dialysed with 0.2 mM EGTA in order to weakly buffer intracellular Ca2+ demonstrated a noisy outward current with an apparent threshold near ‐30 mV, upon which were superimposed spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs). In the presence, but not the absence, of extracellular Ca2+, this current was potentiated if the holding potential was depolarized into the voltage range between ‐40 and +50 mV. This potentiation had a bell‐shaped potential dependency which reflected the activation of voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels in these cells. 4. The noisy current was blocked by externally applied tetraethylammonium (the dissociation constant, Kd = 0.85 mM), as were STOCs. This current was also reduced by about 40% by 8 nM charybdotoxin, and was transiently potentiated by 10 mM caffeine. The characteristics of this current therefore suggested that it was carried by large‐conductance Ca(2+)‐activated K+ channels. 5. Dialysis of human mesenteric arterial cells with 10 mM EGTA and 10 mM BATPA was not able to completely suppress the Ca(2+)‐activated current, and reduced by approximately 50% the amplitude of the outward current recorded at positive potentials. 6. Depolarization of strongly Ca(2+)‐buffered cells in the presence of 30 mM TEA to block Ca(2+)‐activated K+ channels revealed a residual outward current which had both transient and sustained components. These were blocked by 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP) with a similar efficiency (Kd was 1.04 and 1.16 mM at +60 mV for transient and sustained current, respectively), but the voltage ranges over which they inactivated, and their rates of recovery from inactivation, were significantly different. 7. The transient and sustained currents had different sensitivities to external Ca2+ and Cd2+ ions. Ca2+ (5 mM) significantly reduced the amplitude and shifted the voltage dependency of inactivation of the transient but not the sustained component of the outward current. Cd2+ (0.2 mM) reduced the transient current by about 30% without affecting the sustained component amplitude. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
State-Dependent Enhancement of Subthreshold A-Type Potassium Current by 4-Aminopyridine in Tuberomammillary Nucleus Neurons

A-type potassium current (I A) both activates and inactivates at subthreshold voltages. We asked whether there is steady-state I A at subthreshold voltages, using dissociated mouse tuberomammillary nucleus neurons, pacemaking neurons with large I A currents in which subthreshold I A might regulate firing frequency. With slow depolarizing voltage ramps (20 mV/s), there was no discernible component of steady-state outward current in the range of −70 to −40 mV. However, faster ramps of 50–100 mV/s, similar to the rate of spontaneous depolarization during pacemaking, did evoke subthreshold outward currents. Ramp-evoked current at subthreshold voltages was unaffected by 10 mm tetraethylammonium and likely represents I A, because its voltage dependence overlaps that of I A activation (midpoint near −44 mV) and inactivation (midpoint near −85 mV). However, although 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) inhibited peak I A activated by step depolarizations as expected (IC50, ∼1 mm), ramp-evoked current was instead dramatically enhanced (current at −40 mV evoked by 50 mV/s ramp enhanced >15-fold by 10 mm 4-AP). In cell-attached recordings of spontaneous pacemaking, 10 mm 4-AP slowed rather than speeded firing, consistent with enhancement of subthreshold I A. Also consistent with such enhancement, 4-AP also greatly increased the latency to first spike after long hyperpolarizations. The striking enhancement of I A during depolarizing ramps can be explained by a model in which 4-AP binds tightly to closed channels but must unbind before channels can inactivate. Thus, the state dependence of 4-AP binding to the channels underlying I A can result in effects on firing patterns opposite to those expected from simple block of I A.
Bone density in postmenopausal women: high impact vs low impact exercise.

This 1 year study examined the effect of high impact and low impact activities on bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar vertebrae (L2-L4) in healthy, sedentary, early postmenopausal women. Fifteen subjects whose postmenopausal status was verified by the blood levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol were chosen. These subjects were tested on the following variables: BMD via dual photon absorptiometry, heart rate response to the Balke treadmill test, percent fat via skinfolds, and a 3-d dietary analysis. Subjects were matched and then assigned randomly to one of three groups: (a) a control nonexercising group, (b) a low impact exercise group, and (c) a high impact exercise group. The control nonexercising group experienced a significant linear decrease in BMD during the study (F = 12.63, P = 0.002). Both the low and high impact exercise groups maintained BMD during the study (F = 0.04, P = 0.85; F = 1.08, P = 0.31, respectively). The difference in BMD between the low impact and the high impact exercise groups was not significant (F = 0.36, P = 0.55). In conclusion, 20 min of moderate intensity low impact or high impact exercise 3 d.wk-1 for 1 yr is effective in maintaining BMD in early postmenopausal women.
Schedule Nervousness in Production Operations of an Airline Catering Company: The Challenge of an Effective Demand Response Program

Demand Response (DR), also known as electric load-shifting program, is a different way of shaping energy demand with the goal to reduce electricity costs for an organization. Extensive prior research studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the action of DR through the use of operations research methodology e.g. efficient production scheduling. In the real world, schedulers typically issue an optimally planned operations schedule that takes into account the demands for manpower, machinery and even electricity profiles. However, due to the occurrence of schedule nervousness, the operations schedules are inevitably suboptimally executed. In order to restore the optimal state, schedulers could alternatively issue a rescheduling plan and thereby it is imperative that planners identify the existence of the nervousness. This paper attempts to identify the schedule nervousness and its impact on the DR program at shop-floor scheduling in the production operations of an airline catering company. The study findings, which have proved the existence of scheduling nervousness in this industry and its impact over DR program, are expected to contribute to future research on the development of more efficient demand response plans as well as rescheduling plans by integrating the pattern of schedule nervousness found in this work. Keywords—schedule nervousness; production operations; demand response program; airline catering industry
Effect of gentamicin-containing sponges on the healing of colonic anastomoses in a rat model of peritonitis.

OBJECTIVE To study the influence of gentamicin-containing sponges on the healing of colonic anastomoses in a rat model of peritonitis. DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. SETTING University hospital, Belgium. MATERIALS 40 male Wistar rats. INTERVENTIONS Peritonitis was caused by implantation of a gelatin capsule containing faeces and barium sulphate. The rats then had a colonic anastomosis. They were divided into 4 groups (n = 10 in each). The control group (no additional treatment); a second group in which a plain collagen sponge was wrapped around the anastomosis; a third group in which a gentamicin-containing collagen sponge was wrapped around the anastomosis; the last group in which the animals were given an intramuscular dose of gentamicin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Operative mortality, weight loss and anastomotic bursting pressure four days after the anastomosis. RESULTS Seven rats died before necropsy but none in the last group. Peritonitis developed in all rats Weight loss was significantly higher in the plain collagen group. Bursting pressures were similar in the control and two gentamicin groups. In the plain collagen group all the anastomoses but one had broken down. CONCLUSION There was no difference in bursting pressure between rats treated with gentamicin sponges or systemically, and controls. Healing was severely compromised when a plain collagen sponge was used.
Isolation and characterization of Salmonella typhimurium glyoxylate shunt mutants

Growth of Salmonella typhimurium on acetate as a sole carbon source requires expression of the glyoxylate shunt; however, the genes for the glyoxylate shunt enzymes have not been previously identified in S. typhimurium. In this study, we isolated transposon insertions in the genes for the two unique enzymes of this pathway, aceA (isocitrate lyase) and aceB (malate synthase). The aceA and aceB genes were located at 89.5 min on the S. typhimurium genetic map. Genetic linkage to nearby loci indicated that the relative gene order is purDJ metA aceB aceA. Transposon insertions in aceB were polar on aceA, suggesting that the genes form an operon transcribed from aceB to aceA. Transcriptional regulation of the aceBA operon was studied by constructing mini-Mu d(lac Kan) operon fusions. Analysis of these fusions indicated that expression of the aceBA operon is regulated at the level of transcription; the aceBA genes were induced when acetate was present and repressing carbon sources were absent. Although glucose represses expression of the aceBA operon, repression does not seem to be mediated solely by cyclic AMP-cyclic AMP receptor protein complex. Mutants with altered regulation of the aceBA operon were isolated.
Molecular Determination of H Antigens of Salmonella by Use of a Microsphere-Based Liquid Array

ABSTRACT Serotyping of Salmonella has been an invaluable subtyping method for epidemiologic studies for more than 70 years. The technical difficulties of serotyping, primarily in antiserum production and quality control, can be overcome with modern molecular methods. We developed a DNA-based assay targeting the genes encoding the flagellar antigens (fliC and fljB) of the Kauffmann-White serotyping scheme. Fifteen H antigens (H:a, -b, -c, -d, -d/j, -e,h, -i, -k, -r, -y, -z, -z10, -z29, -z35, and -z6), 5 complex major antigens (H:G, -EN, -Z4, -1, and -L) and 16 complex secondary antigens (H:2, -5, -6, -7, -f, -m/g,m, -m/m,t, -p, -s, -t/m,t, -v, -x, -z15, -z24, -z28, and -z51) were targeted in the assay. DNA probes targeting these antigens were designed and evaluated on 500 isolates tested in parallel with traditional serotyping methods. The assay correctly identified 461 (92.2%) isolates based on the 36 antigens detected in the assay. Among the isolates considered correctly identified, 47 (9.4%) were partially serotyped because probes corresponding to some antigens in the strains were not in the assay, and 13 (2.6%) were monophasic or nonmotile strains that possessed flagellar antigen genes that were not expressed but were detected in the assay. The 39 (7.8%) strains that were not correctly identified possessed an antigen that should have been detected by the assay but was not. Apparent false-negative results may be attributed to allelic divergence. The molecular assay provided results that paralleled traditional methods with a much greater throughput, while maintaining the integrity of the Kauffmann-White serotyping scheme, thus providing backwards-compatible epidemiologic data. This assay should greatly enhance the ability of clinical and public health laboratories to serotype Salmonella.
Color local binary patterns: compact descriptors for texture classification

Abstract. Texture description is a challenging problem with color images. Despite some attempts to include colors in local binary patterns (LBPs), no proposal has emerged as a color counterpart of grayscale LBPs. This is because colors are defined by vectors that are not naturally ordered and several ways exist to compare them. We propose an LBP extension that takes the vector information of color into account due to a color order. As several color orders are available and the selection of the most suitable one is difficult, we combine two of them in a texture descriptor called “mixed color order LBPs. ” This small-size feature provides good performance on several benchmark databases for two classification problems with regard to larger-size LBP-based features of color textures.
Characterization of the hepatitis C virus E2 epitope defined by the broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody AP33

The mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb) AP33, recognizing a 12 amino acid linear epitope in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 glycoprotein, potently neutralizes retroviral pseudoparticles (HCVpp) carrying genetically diverse HCV envelope glycoproteins. Consequently, this antibody and its epitope are highly relevant to vaccine design and immunotherapeutic development. The rational design of immunogens capable of inducing antibodies that target the AP33 epitope will benefit from a better understanding of this region. We have used complementary approaches, which include random peptide phage display mapping and alanine scanning mutagenesis, to identify residues in the HCV E2 protein critical for MAb AP33 binding. Four residues crucial for MAb binding were identified, which are highly conserved in HCV E2 sequences. Three residues within E2 were shown to be critical for binding to the rat MAb 3/11, which previously was shown to recognize the same 12 amino acid E2 epitope as MAb AP33 antibody, although only two of these were shared with MAb AP33. MAb AP33 bound to a panel of functional E2 proteins representative of genotypes 1‐6 with higher affinity than MAb 3/11. Similarly, MAb AP33 was consistently more efficient at neutralizing infectivity by diverse HCVpp than MAb 3/11. Importantly, MAb AP33 was also able to neutralize the cell culture infectious HCV clone JFH‐1. In conclusion, these data identify important protective determinants and will greatly assist the development of vaccine candidates based on the AP33 epitope. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;43:492–601.)
Challenges to generating evidence-informed policy and the role of systematic reviews and (perceived) conflicts of interest

Abstract Background: Multiple efforts to generate evidence-informed policy have attempted to teach policymakers how to understand and apply scientific research findings in their decision-making. These efforts have had limited success, because policymakers generally do not understand scientific methods. Objective: We piloted efforts to teach policy intermediaries – specifically consumer advocacy groups – how to understand and apply health research, anticipating that they might offer such evidence to policymakers in more accessible forms. Design: Four workshops focusing on research design and methods were conducted with consumer advocacy groups in 2010. We coded and analyzed participant responses regarding their confidence in interpreting research findings and assessments of research credibility, and the extent to which their knowledge about research findings changed after completing the workshops. Results: Our findings suggest that although participants expressed strong interest in understanding scientific research, their ability to develop confidence about scientific research methods was limited. However, like policymakers, consumer advocacy group members intuited that financial conflicts of interest could compromise scientific findings, although they initially underestimated their effects on research results. After training, consumer advocates also saw the value of using systematic reviews rather than individual studies. Discussion and Conclusions: Our findings suggest that although advocates may not feel confident in their understanding of scientific research, they found it easier to understand the value of systematic reviews and the risks of conflicts of interest than other statistical concepts and terminology. Focusing on making these types of information available may offer a useful way for policymakers and consumer advocates to interpret the validity of policy-relevant scientific research.
Montclair State University Digital Montclair State University Digital Commons Commons A novel surveillance approach for disaster mental health A novel surveillance approach for disaster mental health

Background Disasters have substantial consequences for population mental health. Social media data present an opportunity for mental health surveillance after disasters to help identify areas of mental health needs. We aimed to 1) identify specific basic emotions from Twitter for the greater New York City area during Hurricane Sandy, which made landfall on October 29, 2012, and to 2) detect and map spatial temporal clusters representing excess risk of these emotions. study detect and map of these emotions. could be mapped in space and time as a step towards anticipating acute stress in the population and identifying community mental health need rapidly and efficiently in the aftermath of disaster. More studies are needed to better control for bias, identify associations with reliable and valid instruments measuring mental health, and to explore computational methods for continued model-fitting, causal relationships, and ongoing evaluation. Our study may be a starting point also for more fully elaborated models that can either prospectively detect mental health risk using real-time social media data or detect excess risk of emotional reactions in areas that lack efficient infrastructure during and after disasters. As such, social media data may be used for mental health surveillance after large scale disasters to help identify areas of mental health needs and to guide us in our knowledge where we may most effectively intervene to reduce the mental health consequences of disasters.
The Role of Australian Mosquito Species in the Transmission of Endemic and Exotic West Nile Virus Strains

Recent epidemic activity and its introduction into the Western Hemisphere have drawn attention to West Nile virus (WNV) as an international public health problem. Of particular concern has been the ability for the virus to cause outbreaks of disease in highly populated urban centers. Incrimination of Australian mosquito species is an essential component in determining the receptivity of Australia to the introduction and/or establishment of an exotic strain of WNV and can guide potential management strategies. Based on vector competence experiments and ecological studies, we suggest candidate Australian mosquito species that would most likely be involved in urban transmission of WNV, along with consideration of the endemic WNV subtype, Kunjin. We then examine the interaction of entomological factors with virological and vertebrate host factors, as well as likely mode of introduction, which may influence the potential for exotic WNV to become established and be maintained in urban transmission cycles in Australia.
Countermeasures against Power Analysis Attacks for the NTRU Public Key Cryptosystem

The NTRU cryptosystem is a public key system based on lattice problems. While its theoretical security has been well studied, little effort has been made to analyze its security against implementation attacks including power analysis attacks. In this paper, we show that a typical software implementation of NTRU is vulnerable to the simple power analysis and the correlation power analysis including a second-order power attack. We also present novel countermeasures to prevent these attacks, and perform experiments to estimate the performance overheads of our countermeasures. According to our experimental results, the overheads in required memory and execution time are only 8.17% and 9.56%, respectively, over a Tmote Sky equipped with an MSP430 processor.
The Knowledge-Capital Model of FDI: A Time Varying Coefficients Approach

The present article reexamines some of the issues regarding the Knowledge-Capital Model that encompasses both horizontal and vertical Foreign Direct Investment. The empirical support for this model is however mixed. This article proposes a new way of estimating coefficients by allowing them to vary over time. The estimation results obtained using data from 30 OECD countries for the period from 1982 to 2003 confirm that these coefficients cannot be considered as constant over time and that the vertical component of the Knowledge-Capital Model is relevant.
CMOS OpAmp Resisting to Large Electromagnetic Interferences

A CMOS operational amplifier with high immunity to electromagnetic interferences is presented. It is based on an easy modification of the differential pair with active current load. The proposed input stage can be fabricated in standard CMOS technologies, and it neither requires extra mask levels, such as triple well, nor external components. Analysis and results are provided for very large interferences, which arise from the input pin.
Prevalence of utero-tubal infertility

Summary Tubal factor infertility is the commonest cause of infertility seen in gynaecological clinics in Nigeria. This, to a large extent, is a preventable cause of infertility. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of utero-tubal factors in the causation of infertility. This is a prospective descriptive study of infertile women seen at the gynaecological clinic of the Federal Medical Centre Gombe from June 1999 to May 2002. A total of 229 infertile women were studied. The prevalence of primary and secondary infertility was 37.1% and 62.9%, respectively. Tubal factor was the cause in 67.2% and cervical factors contributed to 19.2%. The women were aged 17–44, with a mean of 28.6 ± 5 years. There were four (1.7%) teenagers and eight (3.5%) women were aged 40 years or above. The majority, 55% (126), were in their third decade, with those aged 20–34 years constituting 86% (197) of patients. The high prevalence of tubal factor infertility in our environment is unacceptable. Primary prevention of reproductive tract infections and syndromic management of STD will go a long way in reducing the high prevalence of tubal factor infertility.
Can intra‐operative GH measurement in acromegalic subjects predict completeness of surgery?

Results of trans‐sphenoidal pituitary surgery, in terms of long‐term cure, vary considerably between centres. Additional techniques, which can assist the neurosurgeon in deciding whether surgery is complete or not, might therefore be important. One such potential tool is the intra‐operative measurement of GH and calculating the plasma half‐life from the plasma samples obtained after the presumed complete resection of the adenoma.