Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Species of Intromugil (Digenea: Haploporidae) and Redescription of Intromugil mugilicolus

Abstract: Intromugil alachuaensis n. sp. is described based on specimens collected from the flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) from the Santa Fe River in Florida. The new species is the fourth recognized species in the genus and the second from North America, with the other 2 being confined to South America. Intromugil mugilicolus from Louisiana and Mississippi is redescribed based on the holotype and newly collected material that was not flattened prior to fixation. Two generic features not previously reported are apparent in the new material from I. mugilicolus and I. alachuaensis n. sp. : an armed oral sucker and a series of sacs containing glandular material arranged in symmetrical rows in the hermaphroditic duct. Intromugil alachuaensis differs from I. mugilicolus by having an oral sucker longer than wide, body spines smaller and lanceolate rather than longer and hastate, and smaller vitelline follicles. Intromugil alachuaensis n. sp. differs from Intromugil simonei by having a large elongated pharynx rather than a smaller subspherical one, a proportionately larger and longer oral sucker, and a longer prepharynx (greater than 1 pharyngeal length). Intromugil alachuaensis n. sp. differs from Intromugil annakohnae by having a longer than wide pharynx, a relatively large oral sucker, less extensive vitellarium, and smaller body spines. Comparison of more than 2,400 base-pair-long sequences of nuclear rDNA (partial 18S, complete ITS1, complete 5.8S, complete ITS2, and partial 28S) from I. mugilicolus and I. alachuaensis n. sp. reveals 110 pairwise differences, including gaps, thus supporting our proposal of a new species. These represent the first published sequences from species in this genus.
Impact of Forestry Practices on Fitness Correlates and Population Productivity in an Open‐Nesting Bird Species

Abstract: In the boreal forests of Fennoscandia, over 99% of forest area has been altered by forestry practices, which has created forest with age structures and stand characteristics that differ from primary forest stands. Although many researchers have investigated how forestry affects species abundance, few have assessed how forestry practices affect fitness correlates of species living in altered habitats, and this has negatively affected management efforts. We experimentally addressed the effect of standard forestry practices on fitness correlates of an open‐nesting, long‐lived bird species typical to boreal forests of Eurasia, the Siberian Jay (Perisoreus infaustus). We used a before‐after comparison of reproductive data on the level of territories and found that standard forestry practices had a strong negative effect on the breeding success of jays. Both partial thinning of territories and partial clearcutting of territories reduced future breeding success by a factor of 0.35. Forestry practices reduced territory occupancy. Thus, over the 15 years of the study, productivity of the affected population declined over 50% as a result of territory abandonment and reduced breeding success. Results of previous studies on Siberian Jays suggest that the strong effect of forest thinning on fitness is explained by the fact that most common predators of nests and adults are visually oriented and thus thinning makes prey and nests more visible to predators. The consequences of thinning we observed are likely to apply to a wide range of species that rely on understory to provide visual protection from predators. Thus, our results are important for the development of effective conservation management protocols and for the refinement of thinning practices.
Location awareness enables autonomous commissioning in wireless sensor networks

For large-scale wireless networks, the deployment of new systems can be a costly and tedious task. In this article we show how this effort can be reduced by automating the configuration of new wireless devices, based on their location. This technique is useful in e.g. home automation systems where a light switch needs to be paired with the light fixtures. To show how our system works, we have implemented a demonstrator application based on Bluetooth Low Energy. We assume that each room contains a beacon node that holds the settings for that room. Based on the RSSI in the BLE advertisements of those node, a new node can detect in which room it is deployed and update its own settings accordingly. A node can do this correctly in 96% of the case. To improve the reliability, a node can ask the user to confirm its position, whenever there is doubt. This happens in 12% of the cases, resulting in 100% correct localizations.
Fcgamma receptor expression levels on monocytes are elevated in rheumatoid arthritis patients with high erythrocyte sedimentation rate who do not use anti-rheumatic drugs.

OBJECTIVES Levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fc receptors (FcgammaRs) affect the activity and function of monocytes/macrophages when binding IgG-containing immune complexes. Hence, the expression level of FcgammaRs on monocytic cells may influence inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study the expression levels of FcgammaRI, IIa and IIIa on peripheral blood monocytes of RA patients were compared with those of healthy controls and related to patient and disease characteristics and the use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). In addition, FcgammaR expression levels were determined on RA synovial fluid macrophages and compared with those in RA peripheral blood. METHODS Mononuclear cells from peripheral blood and synovial fluid were isolated and FcgammaR expression levels on CD14-positive cells were analysed by flow cytometry. The effects of patient and disease characteristics and the use of DMARDs were assessed. RESULTS A high expression level of FcgammaRIIa and high percentages of FcgammaRIIIa-expressing monocytes were found in RA patients with a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate. DMARD-naive early RA patients had higher FcgammaRIIa expression levels but a similar amount of FcgammaRIIIa-positive monocytes compared with RA patients using DMARDs. In synovial fluid, FcgammaRIIa expression levels were lower than in RA peripheral blood, whereas the percentage of FcgammaRIIIa-positive monocytic cells was higher in synovial fluid than in peripheral blood. CONCLUSIONS These data point to the involvement of FcgammaRs, specifically FcgammaRIIa and IIIa, in the immune response of RA and suggest that FcgammaR expression levels are susceptible to modulation by DMARD therapy.
Dexmedetomidine and meperidine prevent postanaesthetic shivering

Background and objective: This placebo‐controlled study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine compared with meperidine and placebo in preventing postanaesthetic shivering. Methods: We studied 120 patients (ASA I‐II) scheduled for elective abdominal or orthopaedic surgery of about 1‐3 h duration. Forty patients in each group randomly received 1 μg kg−1 of dexmedetomidine, 0.5 mg kg−1 of meperidine or saline 0.9% as placebo, intravenously (i.v.). Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and central body temperature were measured. Extubation, awakening and orientation times, shivering, pain, recovery and sedation scores were recorded. Results: Postanaesthetic shivering was seen in 22 patients in the placebo group, four patients in the meperidine group and six patients in the dexmedetomidine group. Sedation scores were significantly higher in the dexmedetomidine group compared with meperidine and placebo groups. Both dexmedetomidine and meperidine caused a significantly prolonged extubation and awakening time compared with placebo. Also, dexmedetomidine caused a significantly prolonged orientation time compared with other two groups. Conclusion: Intraoperative intravenously administration of dexmedetomidine 1 μg kg−1 reduces postanaesthetic shivering as does meperidine 0.5 mg kg−1 in patients after major surgery.
Specific Increase in Potency via Structure-Based Design of a TCR

Adoptive immunotherapy with Ag-specific T lymphocytes is a powerful strategy for cancer treatment. However, most tumor Ags are nonreactive “self” proteins, which presents an immunotherapy design challenge. Recent studies have shown that tumor-specific TCRs can be transduced into normal PBLs, which persist after transfer in ∼30% of patients and effectively destroy tumor cells in vivo. Although encouraging, the limited clinical responses underscore the need for enrichment of T cells with desirable antitumor capabilities prior to patient transfer. In this study, we used structure-based design to predict point mutations of a TCR (DMF5) that enhance its binding affinity for an agonist tumor Ag–MHC (peptide–MHC [pMHC]), Mart-1 (27L)-HLA-A2, which elicits full T cell activation to trigger immune responses. We analyzed the effects of selected TCR point mutations on T cell activation potency and analyzed cross-reactivity with related Ags. Our results showed that the mutated TCRs had improved T cell activation potency while retaining a high degree of specificity. Such affinity-optimized TCRs have demonstrated to be very specific for Mart-1 (27L), the epitope for which they were structurally designed. Although of somewhat limited clinical relevance, these studies open the possibility for future structural-based studies that could potentially be used in adoptive immunotherapy to treat melanoma while avoiding adverse autoimmunity-derived effects.
Design of Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access Enhanced Backscatter Communication

Backscatter communication (BackCom), which allows a backscatter node (BN) to communicate with the reader by modulating and reflecting the incident continuous wave from the reader, is considered a promising solution to power the future Internet-of-Things. In this paper, we consider a single BackCom system, where multiple BNs are served by a reader. We propose using the power-domain non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), i.e., multiplexing the BNs in different regions or with different backscattered power levels, to enhance the spectrum efficiency of the BackCom system. To better exploit power-domain NOMA, we propose setting the reflection coefficients for multiplexed BNs to be different. Based on this considered model, we develop the reflection coefficient selection criteria. To illustrate the enhanced system with the proposed criteria, we analyze the performance of the BackCom system in terms of the average number of bits that can be successfully decoded by the reader for the two-node pairing case and the average number of successful BNs for the general multiplexing case. Our results show that NOMA achieves the much better performance gain in the BackCom system as compared to its performance gain in the conventional system, which highlights the importance of applying NOMA to the BackCom system.
Genome‐wide expression and copy number analysis identifies driver genes in gingivobuccal cancers

The molecular mechanisms contributing to the development and progression of gingivobuccal complex (GBC) cancers—a sub‐site of oral cancer, comprising the buccal mucosa, the gingivobuccal sulcus, the lower gingival region, and the retromolar trigone–remain poorly understood. Identifying the GBC cancer‐related gene expression signature and the driver genes residing on the altered chromosomal regions is critical for understanding the molecular basis of its pathogenesis. Genome‐wide expression profiling of 27 GBC cancers with known chromosomal alterations was performed to reveal differentially expressed genes. Putative driver genes were identified by integrating copy number and gene expression data. A total of 315 genes were found differentially expressed (P ≤ 0.05, logFC > 2.0) of which 11 genes were validated by real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐PCR (qRT‐PCR) in tumors (n = 57) and normal GBC tissues (n = 18). Overexpression of LY6K, in chromosome band 8q24.3, was validated by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. We found that 78.5% (2,417/3,079) of the genes located in regions of recurrent chromosomal alterations show copy number dependent expression indicating that copy number alteration has a direct effect on global gene expression. The integrative analysis revealed BIRC3 in 11q22.2 as a candidate driver gene associated with poor clinical outcome. Our study identified previously unreported differentially expressed genes in a homogeneous subtype of oral cancer and the candidate driver genes that may contribute to the development and progression of the disease. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Joint channel estimation and equalization for MIMO-SCFDE systems over doubly selective channels

This paper considers a novel joint channel estimation and equalization (JCEE) algorithm for multiple-input-multiple-output single-carrier frequency-domain-equalization (MIMO-SCFDE) system over doubly selective channels for the first time. Given that the doubly selective channels can no longer support the assumption that the channel frequency-domain response remains invariant for the duration of one block, most of the channel estimation methods cannot be applied directly in it. And the lack of the information interaction between channel estimation and channel equalization degrades the overall performance. We put forward a noise-eliminated minimum-mean-square-error channel estimation (MMSE-CE) algorithm for the initialization, which is then utilized for iterative processing using the ordered successive interference cancellation (OSIC) technique. Analysis and simulation results validate the improved performance of the proposed JCEE algorithm for MIMO-SCFDE systems over doubly selective channels.
Differential Trafficking and Desensitization of Human ETA and ETB Receptors Expressed in HEK 293 Cells

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a vasoconstrictor peptide that acts on ETA and ETB receptors on smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Because vascular SMCs can express both receptors, it is difficult to study the localization and properties of each subtype. Therefore, we investigated the localization and function of ETA and ETB receptors transfected into HEK 293 cells. Immunocytochemistry was used to examine colocalization of ET receptors with the plasma membrane marker, pan cadherin. In cells transfected with ETA receptors, 83 ± 2% of these receptors colocalized with pan cadherin. In ETB receptor–transfected cells, 54 ± 2% of the receptor colocalized with pan cadherin. When ETA and ETB receptors were cotransfected, 97 ± 1% of ETB receptors colocalized with ETA receptors and 84 ± 2% of ETB receptors colocalized with pan cadherin. ET-1 and sarafotoxin 6c (S6c, ETB receptor agonist) increased [Ca2+]i in cells transfected with ETA or ETB receptors; 100 nM of ET-1 and S6c caused maximal responses. When stimulated with ET-1, ETB receptors desensitized faster (t1/2 = 21 ± 1 sec) than ETA receptors (t1/2 = 48 ± 1 sec). S6c-induced increases in [Ca2+]i desensitized in cells expressing ETB receptors only (t1/2 = 17 ± 1 s). Desensitization was eliminated in cells cotransfected with ET receptors. We conclude that ETA receptors localize to the cell membrane, whereas ETB receptors are in the membrane and intracellular compartments. Coexpressed ET receptors are in the membrane. ETB receptors desensitize faster than ETA receptors, but receptor coexpression eliminates desensitization. Finally, ETA and ETB receptors interact to change receptor trafficking which may modify ET receptor function in vascular SMCs coexpressing these receptors.
Balloon folding affects the symmetry of stent deployment: experimental and computational evidence

The level of restenosis following coronary artery stenting may be related to the deployed stent geometry. This study investigated the influence of two balloon folding patterns ('C' and 'S' shaped) on stent deployment. In vitro stent expansion showed 'S' shape folding produced more uniform expansion than 'C' shape folding. A numerical contact model (NCM) was developed to study the detail of load transfer between balloon and stent. Finite element analysis of the Palmaz-Schatz 204C stent provided a composite non-linear material model for the NCM. Agreement between the predicted final stent geometry and experimental results was strongly dependent on the frictional coefficient between the stent and balloon. We conclude that non-uniform contact may contribute to the asymmetry of deployed stents reported clinically.
SPAMM, cine phase contrast imaging and fast spin-echo T2-weighted imaging in the study of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow.

AIM To compare the qualitative assessment of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow using a SPAMM (spatial modulation of magnetization) technique with cine phase contrast images (cine PC) and fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted images. MATERIALS AND METHODS SPAMM, PC and T2-weighted sequences were performed on 22 occasions in 19 patients. Eleven of the studies were performed following a neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomy (NTV), and in these cases, the success of the NTV was determined by clinical follow-up. Two observers used consensus to grade the presence of CSF flow at nine different sites for each study. RESULTS At 14 of the 178 matched sites, which could be assessed by both SPAMM and cine PC, SPAMM CSF flow grade was higher than that of cine PC. At a further 14/178 matched sites, the cine PC grade was higher than that of SPAMM. There was definite CSF flow at 113/182 (62%) of all the cine PC sites assessed, and 110/181 (61%) of all SPAMM sites assessed whilst 108/198 (54%) of FSE T2-weighted image sites demonstrated flow voids. Cine PC grades were higher than SPAMM at the cerebral aqueduct (P < 0.05, Wilcoxon sign rank test). Definite CSF flow within the anterior third ventricle was present in 4/5 (SPAMM) and 3/5 (cine PC) successful NTVs, 0/2 (SPAMM and cine PC) unsuccessful NTVs and 1/10 (SPAMM and cine PC) patients without NTV. CONCLUSION SPAMM provides a comparable assessment of intracranial CSF flow to that of cine phase contrast imaging at all CSF sites except the cerebral aqueduct.
Apathy in Parkinson's Disease: More Than Just Executive Dysfunction

Abstract Apathy is a frequent syndrome in Parkinson's disease (PD) usually associated with depression, cognitive impairment (CI), and dementia. Whereas executive dysfunction seems to play a major causative role in the development of apathy in PD, recent findings pointed for the possible participation of other underlying mechanisms in the development of clinically meaningful symptoms of apathy. By means of neuropsychological testing focused over global cognitive functioning, set-shifting, decision making, and cognitive effort, we compared to a control group, a carefully selected sample of PD patients presenting apathy as the only neuropsychiatric symptom and without clinically relevant signs of cognitive impairment. In addition to the previously reported executive dysfunction, apathetic patients also exhibited significant difficulties in tasks assessing for cortical functioning, such as naming and clock drawing. Moreover, apathetic patients performed significantly better on a decision-making task, although any of these differences appeared linked to a lack of effort when performing the tasks. On the basis of our findings, we discuss the possible implication of added mechanisms rather than just executive dysfunction in the development of apathy in PD. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–12.)
Multiple Active Myofascial Trigger Points Reproduce the Overall Spontaneous Pain Pattern in Women With Fibromyalgia and Are Related to Widespread Mechanical Hypersensitivity

ObjectivesTo determine whether the local and referred pain from active myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) reproduce the overall spontaneous fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) pain pattern and whether widespread pressure hypersensitivity is related to the presence of widespread active MTrPs in FMS. MethodsForty-four women with FMS (mean age: 47±8 y) and 50 comparable healthy women (age: 48±7 y) participated in the study. MTrPs in the temporalis, masseter, upper trapezius, splenius capitis, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital, levator scapulae, scalene, pectoralis major, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum communis, gluteus maximus, piriformis, vastus medialis, and tibialis anterior muscles were explored. Pressure pain thresholds over 18 tender points specified in the 1990 American College of Rheumatology for FMS were also assessed by an assessor blinded to the condition of the participants. ResultsThe mean±SD number of MTrPs for each woman with FMS was 11±3, of which 10±2 were active MTrPs and the remaining 1±1 were latent. Healthy controls only had latent MTrPs (mean±SD: 2±1). The combination of the referred pain patterns from active MTrPs fully reproduced the overall spontaneous clinical pain area in patients with FMS. Patients with FMS had significant lower PPT compared with controls (P<0.001). Within FMS, a significant positive correlation was found between the number of active MTrPs and spontaneous pain intensity (rs=0.455; P=0.002). ConclusionsThe local and referred pain elicited from widespread active MTrPs fully reproduced the overall spontaneous clinical pain area in patients with FMS. Widespread mechanical pain hypersensitivity was related to a greater number of active MTrPs. This study suggests that nociceptive inputs from active MTrPs may contribute to central sensitization in FMS.
Stereoselective degradation of metalaxyl and its enantiomers in rat and rabbit hepatic microsomes in vitro

The stereoselective degradations of racemate metalaxyl (rac-MX) and its single enantiomers in rat and rabbit hepatic microsomes were assayed by a chiral high-performance liquid chromatography method. The t1/2 of (+)-S-MX in rat liver microsomes was between 7–8 min tested by rac-MX and the individual (+)-S-enantiomer, respectively, and that for (−)-R-MX was 15–16 min. In contrast, t1/2 in rabbit liver microsomes was much longer and showed great difference when using racemate and single enantiomer, which was similar to the results of in vivo study. The enantioselectivity in rat hepatic microsomes was more evident and the degradations of MX enantiomers in rat and rabbit hepatic microsomes were Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent. Michaelis constant (Km) and intrinsic metabolic clearance (CLint) of (+)-S-MX were larger than that of (−)-R-MX and there was no chiral inversion from (+)-S-MX to (−)-R-MX or vice versa in both rat and rabbit hepatic microsomes.
Optimal configuration of wireless cooperative networks

The use of multiple antennas at the transmitter or receiver is an affective way to counter the adverse effects of fading in wireless channels. Cooperative networks provide spatial diversity, which is especially advantageous when having more than one antenna at network terminals is not practical or cost-effective. The practical implementation of cooperative systems requires a suitable algorithm for the selection of relay terminals. In this paper, we present a methodology for configuration of cooperative networks for minimizing the overall system error rate or utilizing the minimum number of relay stations to achieve a particular error rate performance.