Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delayed inhibition creates amplitude tuning of mouse inferior collicular neurons

Nonmonotonic intensity response neurons referred as amplitude-tuned neurons are considered to be created by high-threshold inhibition in auditory system. Very limited information, however, is available on how the inhibition works for amplitude-tuned neurons. We studied the temporal response properties of these neurons with or without iontophoresis of bicuculline (&ggr;-aminobutyric acid A antagonist). In most neurons, the firing durations gradually reduced with the increasing amplitudes beyond the best amplitudes. Bicuculline application selectively blocked the inhibition of the sustained responses to high amplitudes and abolished the nonmonotonic intensity response properties. Our results suggest that a temporally delayed inhibition, whose latency reduced related to excitation with the increasing amplitude, is responsible for the creation of about 71% amplitude-tuned neurons in mouse inferior colliculus.
All-artery multigraft coronary artery bypass grafting with only internal thoracic arteries possible and safe: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND The internal thoracic artery (ITA) bypass to the left anterior descending coronary artery is of proven benefit in multigraft coronary artery bypass. Total ITA grafts, if reoperation is averted by avoiding saphenous vein grafts (SVGs), are attractive. The safety of the total ITA graft operation (all-ITA) is a concern. METHODS A randomized trial of multiple-ITA bypass graftings with the use of bilateral sequential ITA without SVGs was performed. Control patients received 1 ITA plus SVG. Inclusion criteria were those used in the Coronary Artery Surgery Study, extended to age 76 years, and any angina class, except emergent. One hundred sixty-two patients were randomized (81 patients per group) from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 1994. RESULTS Baseline traits were similar as were cross-clamp times, pump times, and number of arteries bypassed (average, 4.3 arteries). Patients who received multiple ITA grafts had no myocardial infarctions, per reference laboratory. One patient died, and 2 patients returned for bleeding. The ITA-SVG group had similar results. The all-ITA group experienced successful completion in 93% of cases. Complications did not differ from control patients. CONCLUSIONS Early and 5-year outcomes were not different between the all-ITA group and the ITA with SVGs group. We believe experienced surgeons can safely extend the ITA to multibypass coronary artery bypass without use of SVG to achieve an all-ITA operation.
Antitrinitrophenyl (TNP) Plaque Assay. Primary Response of Balb/c Mice to Soluble and Particulate Immunogen 1

Summary A technique was developed for the detection of individual cells producing anti-TNP antibody by the hemolytic plaque technique. Conjugation of TNP directly to the erythrocyte surface by use of TNBS resulted in a stable reagent that permitted a study of the antihapten response to TNP-KLH. It was possible to induce a primary anti-TNP response with soluble TNP-KLH but the response was greater when the immunogen was made particulate by coating it onto bentonite. Both primary and secondary responding cells (those brought out by antiglobulin serum) were inhibited by TNP-BSA added to the plating medium but at an equivalent concentration of hapten only the secondary cells were completely inhibited. This was interpreted to indicate the higher binding affinity of secondary antibody. Author's note. As we were in process of submitting this manuscript, we became aware of an abstract which indicated that responses of similar magnitude to those reported here with TNP could be obtained in Balb/c mice to DNP using a DNP-BSA-SRBC plaquing reagent. [H. Yamada and A. Yamada, Federation Proc. 28, 428, (1969)]. We wish to express our appreciation to Dr. B. Merchant and B. Mackler for helpful advice at the inception of this project and to W. W. Bullock for valuable discussion. We also appreciate the excellent assistance of L. P. Elwell.
Performance regulation and tracking via lookahead simulation: Preliminary results and validation

This paper presents an approach to target tracking that is based on a variable-gain integrator and the Newton- Raphson method for finding zeros of a function. Its underscoring idea is the determination of the feedback law by measurements of the system's output and estimation of its future state via lookahead simulation. The resulting feedback law is generally nonlinear. We first apply the proposed approach to tracking a constant reference by the output of nonlinear memoryless plants. Then we extend it in a number of directions, including the tracking of time-varying reference signals by dynamic, possibly unstable systems. The approach is new hence its analysis is preliminary, and theoretical results are derived for nonlinear memoryless plants and linear dynamic plants. However, the setting for the controller does not require the plant-system to be either linear or stable, and this is verified by simulation of an inverted pendulum tracking a time-varying signal. We also demonstrate results of laboratory experiments of controlling a platoon of mobile robots.
Influences of Resource Limitations and Transmission Costs on Epidemic Simulations and Critical Thresholds in Scale-Free Networks

Critical thresholds represent one of the most important diffusion indicators of epidemic outbreaks. However, we believe that recent studies have overemphasized ways that the power-law connectivity distribution features of social networks affect epidemic dynamics and critical thresholds. As a result, two important factors have been overlooked: resource limitations and transmission costs associated with social interactions and daily contact. Here we present our results from the simultaneous application of mean-field theory and an agent-based network simulation approach for analyzing the effects of resources and costs on epidemic dynamics and critical thresholds. Our main findings are: (a) a significant critical threshold does exist when resources and costs are taken into consideration, and it has a lower bound whenever contagion events occur in scale-free networks; (b) when transmission costs increase or individual resources decrease, critical contagion thresholds in scale-free networks grow linearly and steady density curves shrink linearly; (c) regardless of whether the resources of individuals obey delta, uniform, or normal distributions, they have the same critical thresholds and epidemic dynamics as long as the average value of usable resources remains the same across different scale-free networks; and (d) the spread of epidemics in scale-free networks remains controllable as long as resources are properly restricted and intervention strategy investments are significantly increased.
Long-term Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Regenerative Approach for Treating Peri-implantitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate long-term outcomes of regenerative procedures for treating peri-implantitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Electronic searches of five databases and hand searches of journals were performed to identify human trials that had treated more than 10 periimplantitis lesions using a regenerative approach with a follow-up period of at least 36 months. To meet the inclusion criteria, studies had to report at least one of the following parameters: radiographic bone fill (RBF), probing depth (PD) reduction, clinical attachment level gain, bleeding on probing reduction, and mucosal level gain. The pooled weighted mean and the 95% confidence interval (CI) of each variable were estimated. RESULTS The searches yielded 1,412 records, and after evaluating titles, abstracts, and full texts, 5 case series and 1 controlled trial were included for quantitative data synthesis. Meta-analysis of the studies for the amount of RBF revealed a weighted mean of 2.41 mm (range, 1.46 to 3.30 mm) with 95% CI. For PD reduction, the weighted mean was 3.06 mm (range, 1.24 to 5.21 mm). CONCLUSION There is limited evidence in the literature reporting long-term results of the regenerative approach for treating peri-implantitis. Within the limits of this meta-analysis, regenerative treatment of peri-implantitis resulted in a mean radiographic defect fill of 2.41 mm after a minimum healing time of 36 months. However, this finding must be interpreted with caution, since it is difficult to discern between grafting material and newly formed bone.
Binding and Internalization of Lipopolysaccharide by Cla-1, a Human Orthologue of Rodent Scavenger Receptor B1*

Scavenger receptor, class B, type I (SR-BI) mediates selective uptake of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesteryl ester. SR-BI recognizes HDL, low density lipoprotein (LDL), exchangeable apolipoproteins, and protein-free lipid vesicles containing negatively charged phospholipids. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are highly glycosylated anionic phospholipids contributing to septic shock. Despite significant structural similarities between anionic phospholipids and LPS, the role of SR-BI in LPS uptake is unknown. Cla-1, the human SR-BI orthologue, was determined to be a LPS-binding protein and endocytic receptor mediating the binding and internalization of lipoprotein-free, monomerized LPS. LPS strongly competed with HDL, lipidfree apoA-I and apoA-II for HDL binding to the mouse RAW cells. Stably transfected HeLa cells expressing Cla-1-bound LPS with a Kd of about 16 μg/ml, and had a 3–4-fold increase in binding capacity and LPS uptake. Bodipy-labeled LPS uptake was found to initially accumulate in the plasma membrane and subsequently in a perinuclear region identified predominantly as the Golgi complex. Bodipy-LPS and Alexa-apoA-I had staining that colocalized on the cell surface and intracellularly indicating similar transport mechanisms. When associated with HDL, LPS uptake was increased in Cla-1 overexpressing HeLa cells by 5–10-fold. Cla-1-associated 3H-LPS uptake exceeded 125I-apolipoprotein uptake by 5-fold indicating a selective LPS uptake. Upon interacting with Cla-1 overexpressing HeLa cells, the complex (Bodipy-LPS/Alexa 488 apolipoprotein-labeled HDL) bound and was internalized as a holoparticle. Intracellularly, LPS and apolipoproteins were sorted to different intracellular compartments. With LPS-associated HDL, intracellular LPS co-localized predominantly with transferrin, indicating delivery to an endocytic recycling compartment. Our study reveals a close similarity between Cla-1-mediated selective LPS uptake and the recently described selective lipid sorting by rodent SR-BI. In summary, Cla-1 was found to bind and internalize monomerized and HDL-associated LPS, indicating that Cla-1 may play important role in septic shock by affecting LPS cellular uptake and clearance.
Sex-Based Differences in Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) Chick Growth Rates and Diet

Sexually size-dimorphic species must show some difference between the sexes in growth rate and/or length of growing period. Such differences in growth parameters can cause the sexes to be impacted by environmental variability in different ways, and understanding these differences allows a better understanding of patterns in productivity between individuals and populations. We investigated differences in growth rate and diet between male and female Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) chicks during two breeding seasons at Cape Crozier, Ross Island, Antarctica. Adélie Penguins are a slightly dimorphic species, with adult males averaging larger than adult females in mass (~11%) as well as bill (~8%) and flipper length (~3%). We measured mass and length of flipper, bill, tibiotarsus, and foot at 5-day intervals for 45 male and 40 female individually-marked chicks. Chick sex was molecularly determined from feathers. We used linear mixed effects models to estimate daily growth rate as a function of chick sex, while controlling for hatching order, brood size, year, and potential variation in breeding quality between pairs of parents. Accounting for season and hatching order, male chicks gained mass an average of 15.6 g d-1 faster than females. Similarly, growth in bill length was faster for males, and the calculated bill size difference at fledging was similar to that observed in adults. There was no evidence for sex-based differences in growth of other morphological features. Adélie diet at Ross Island is composed almost entirely of two species—one krill (Euphausia crystallorophias) and one fish (Pleuragramma antarctica), with fish having a higher caloric value. Using isotopic analyses of feather samples, we also determined that male chicks were fed a higher proportion of fish than female chicks. The related differences in provisioning and growth rates of male and female offspring provides a greater understanding of the ways in which ecological factors may impact the two sexes differently.
Strengths use and deficit correction in organizations: development and validation of a questionnaire

Although the positive psychology tradition emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach regarding individual strengths and weaknesses, there is no valid instrument to measure these phenomena in organizations. The purpose of the present studies is to develop and validate an instrument that measures four dimensions, namely perceived organizational support (POS) for strengths use, POS for deficit correction, strengths use behaviour, and deficit correction behaviour. In study 1 and 2, the Strengths Use and Deficit COrrection (SUDCO) questionnaire was developed and tested for its factor structure, reliability, and convergent and criterion validity in two samples of South African employees (N = 338 and N = 361, respectively). In study 3, the convergent and criterion validity of the SUDCO were examined in a sample of Dutch engineers (N = 133). Results indicated that the intended dimensions of strengths use and deficit correction can be measured reliably with 24 items and showed convergent validity. Moreover, POS for strengths use and strengths use behaviour correlated positively with self- and manager-ratings of job performance, supporting the criterion validity of these scales. As expected, POS for deficit correction and deficit correction behaviour were unrelated to the performance ratings.
Food prices and the efficiency of public intervention : the case of the public distribution system in India

As public intervention is a pervasive influence on food prices, this paper asks whether and how the inefficiency of state institutions matters to food prices. In the context of the wheat subsidy scheme in India, the paper models the implications of quality differences between public and private grain supply. As both are procured at similar prices, the lower quality of public grain marks the inefficiency of government operations. The paper proposes and empirically validates a method to test for demand switches that occur as a result of quality preference. As a result, a reduction in food subsidies increases food prices and hurts the poor even when they are not major recipients of the subsidy. This seeming paradox is contingent on the inefficiency of public interventions. Thus, the outcome will be different if the reduction in food subsidy were to be accompanied by reforms in the associated state agencies.  2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. JEL classification: H42; Q18
Families' and physicians' predictions of dialysis patients' preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments in Japan.

BACKGROUND Substituted judgment traditionally has been used often for patient care in Japan regardless of the patient's competency. It has been believed that patient preferences are understood intuitively by family and caregivers. However, there are no data to support this assumption. METHODS A questionnaire survey was administered to 450 dialysis patients in 15 hospitals to determine their preferences for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and dialysis therapy under various circumstances. Simultaneously, we asked family members and physicians of these patients about patient preferences to evaluate their ability to predict what their patients would want. The accuracy of families' and physicians' judgments was assessed by means of kappa coefficient. RESULTS Three hundred ninety-eight pairs, consisting of a patient, 1 of his or her family members, and the physician in charge, participated from 15 hospitals in Japan, with a response rate of 88%. Sixty-eight percent of family members correctly predicted patients' current preferences for CPR, 67% predicted patients' preferences for dialysis when they were severely demented, and 69% predicted patients' preferences for dialysis when they had terminal cancer. Corresponding figures for physicians were 60%, 68%, and 66%. When using kappa coefficient analysis, those results indicated that neither family members nor physicians more accurately predicted their patients' wishes about life-sustaining treatments than expected by chance alone. (All kappa coefficients <0.4.) CONCLUSION Our study suggests that patients who want to spend their end-of-life period as they want should leave better advance directives.
Effect of Food on Acetaminophen Absorption in Young and Elderly Subjects

Abstract: Twenty‐four healthy volunteers aged 22 to 78 years received 650‐mg doses of acetaminophen (AAP) on five separate occasions. The modes of administration were: intravenous AAP by 5‐minute infusion; oral AAP as two 325‐mg tablets in the fasting state; oral AAP 650 mg as an elixir preparation in the fasting state; tablets with food; and elixir with food. Plasma concentrations of AAP were determined by high‐pressure liquid chromatography for up to 12 hours after the dose. In both the young and the elderly groups, the four oral modes of administration were significantly different with respect to peak plasma concentration (P < 0.001), time to peak plasma concentration (P < 0.001), and systemic availability (P < 0.01). Although food slowed the rate of absorption of both oral preparations, no significant difference in peak acetaminophen plasma concentration or time of peak concentration was observed as a function of age. Absolute systemic availability of elixir and tablets in the fasting state tended to be lower in the elderly subjects (P < 0.05). However, when either preparation was coadministered with food, there were no differences between the two age groups. Thus, age as such does not appear to be a critical determinant in the design of oral acetaminophen dosage schedules.
Cocaine-Related Health Emergencies in Europe: A Review of Sources of Information, Trends and Implications for Service Development

Background: Cocaine-related health consequences are difficult to observe. Data on drug users in health-emergency settings may be a useful source of information on consequences that are not visible via other information sources. Methods: Thirty European countries submit an annual national report on the drug situation to the EMCDDA. All reports for the period 2007–2010 were analyzed, with particular attention given to auditing cocaine-related mentions. Analysis was also performed in order to identify sources and case definitions, assess coverage, audit cases and, where possible, to identify long-term trends. Results: Considerable heterogeneity existed between countries in their approach to recording drug-related emergencies, with only Spain and the Netherlands having established formal indicators. The highest annual numbers of cocaine-related episodes were reported by the UK (3,502), Spain (2,845) and the Netherlands (1,211). A considerable (2- to 3-fold) increase in the numbers of cocaine-related episodes has been reported since the end of the 1990s in these countries; these increases peaked in Spain and England around 2007/08. Conclusions: The analysis reported here suggests the need to develop more standardized approaches to monitoring drug-related emergencies. It points to the potential value of developing effective referral links between the emergency and specialized drug services working with cocaine users.
Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus Infection and Genotype Characterization among Women in Orodara, Western Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Cervical cancer usually occurs several years after persistent infection with oncogenic or high-risk human papillomavirus. The objective of this study was to determine carriage of 14 genotypes of high-risk human papillomavirus among women at Orodara and then characterize the genotypes found in these women. MATERIALS AND METHODS From June to July 2015, 120 women from the general population were recruited in the health district of Orodara. They voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Endocervical samples were taken from these women prior to screening for precancerous lesions by visual inspection with acetic acid and lugol's iodine. Identification of high-risk human papillomavirus genotype was done using real-time PCR. RESULTS High-risk human papillomavirus prevalence was 38.3% and the most common genotypes were HPV 52 (25.4%), HPV 33 (20.6%) and HPV 59 (11.1%). The HPV 66 was also identified with a prevalence of 9.5%. CONCLUSION The HPV 16 and HPV 18 which are frequently associated with cancer worldwide were not found among the most frequent oncogenic HPV in women in Orodara.
Evaluation of the Response to the Fukushima Accident

Abstract The cause for the severity of the Fukushima nuclear accident is explained, and the radiological consequences are assessed. Moreover, the non-radiological effects are critically evaluated and failures in onsite and offsite emergency response highlighted. In conclusion, disregarding the principle of justification, the evacuation of residents and hospital patients was implemented too rigorously, resulting in unnecessary fatalities due to the protective action.
The Contribution of Endogenous and Exogenous Factors to Male Alopecia: A Study of Identical Twins

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential contribution of environmental factors and testosterone on male alopecia. Methods: Ninety-two identical male twins were recruited from 2009 to 2011. A comprehensive questionnaire was completed followed by the acquisition of sputum samples for testosterone analysis and standardized digital photography. Frontal, temporal, and vertex hair loss was assessed from these photographs. Hair loss was then correlated with survey responses and testosterone levels between twin pairs. Two independent, blinded observers also rated the photographs for hair thinning. Results: Increased smoking duration (p < 0.001) and the presence of dandruff (p = 0.028) were significantly associated with increased frontal hair loss. Increased exercise duration (p = 0.002), consumption of more than four alcoholic drinks per week (p = 0.042), and increased money spent on hair loss products (p = 0.050) were all associated with increased temporal hair loss. Daily hat use (p = 0.050), higher body mass index (p = 0.012), and higher testosterone levels (p = 0.040) were associated with decreased temporal hair loss. Factors that were significantly associated with increased vertex hair loss included abstinence from alcohol consumption (p = 0.030), consumption of more than four alcoholic drinks per week (p = 0.004), increased smoking duration (p = 0.047), increased exercise duration (p = 0.050), and increased stress duration (p = 0.010). Lower body mass index, more children, increased caffeine consumption, history of skin disease, and abstinence from alcohol were significantly associated with increased hair thinning scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study offers substantial evidence that exogenous factors may have a clinically significant impact on hair loss. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.