Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two types of Ca2+ currents are found in bovine chromaffin cells: facilitation is due to the recruitment of one type.

1. Whole‐cell Ca2+ currents in cultured bovine chromaffin cells were studied using patch‐clamp electrophysiology. With Ba2+ or Ca2+ as the current carriers, two separate components of whole‐cell current could be distinguished by biophysical and pharmacological criteria. These components of Ca2+ current were different from T‐ or N‐type Ca2+ channels previously described, as they were not inactivated at a holding potential of ‐60 mV. 2. Depolarization of the cells past ‐20 mV in 10 mM‐Ba2+ activated a single component of Ca2+ current, called the 'standard’ current. This current showed no detectable voltage‐dependent inactivation, but did show marked current‐dependent inactivation as steady‐state inactivation (H‐infinity) plots obtained in the presence of Ba2+ were quite different from those obtained from Ca2+. 3. In most chromaffin cells large pre‐depolarizations or repetitive depolarizations in the physiological range activated a second component of Ca2+ current called ‘facilitation’. Facilitation was observed with either Ca2+ or Ba2+ as the charge carrier. Recruiting facilitation increased whole‐cell currents by an average of 60%. 4. Pre‐pulses to +120 mV lasting 200 ms completely activated facilitation. Pre‐pulses longer than 800 ms started to inactivate facilitation, while pre‐pulses longer than 2500 ms completely inactivated this component of Ca2+ current. Because only outward currents were recorded at +120 mV, it is likely that facilitation inactivated in a voltage‐dependent manner. 5. When the extracellular Ba2+ concentration was increased in the range from 2 to 90 mM activation of both facilitation and standard Ca2+ currents shifted in the depolarizing direction. In 2 mM‐Ba2+ facilitation activated at potentials 10 mV more negative than the standard component, while in 90 mM‐Ba2+, facilitation activated at a potential about 10 mV more depolarized than the standard component. Thus, the voltage sensor for the facilitation Ca2+ current appeared to sense more surface charge than did the standard Ca2+ current. 6. Tail currents measured at ‐20 and ‐30 mV in the absence of facilitation (without pre‐pulses) showed one time constant for current deactivation. Tail currents measured with both facilitation and standard currents activated showed a significantly slower deactivation rate than that seen with the standard current alone. 7. The dihydropyridine antagonist nisoldipine (1 microM) completely suppressed the facilitation Ca2+ current even when cells were held at negative holding potentials (‐80 mV). In contrast, the standard current was unaffected by 1 microM‐nisoldipine, even at depolarized holding potentials (‐20 mV). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Neuroelectrical source imaging of mu rhythm control for BCI applications

In the last decade, the possibility to noninvasively estimate cortical activity has been highlighted by the application of the techniques known as high resolution EEG. These techniques include a subject's multi-compartment head model (scalp, skull, dura mater, cortex) constructed from individual magnetic resonance images, multi-dipole source model, and regularized linear inverse source estimates of cortical current density. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that the use of cortical activity estimated from noninvasive EEG recordings of motor imagery is useful in the context of a brain computer interface as compared with others scalp spatial filters usually used on-line
Parallel FDTD electromagnetic effects simulation using on-demand cloud HPC resources

In this paper we report computational benchmarks and scaling results of finite difference time domain solutions of Maxwell's equations for high intensity RF interactions with aircraft using both a local high performance computational cluster and a cluster created out of on-demand commercial systems available from the Amazon Elastic Computer Cloud. We observe good scaling and comparable performance to local HPC clusters. This result implies strong potential for using cloud resources for FDTD problems of interest to electromagnetic effects teams.
Economy-wide implications of biofuel production in Zambia

ABSTRACT Potential biofuel demand in South Africa is estimated to increase to 1550 million litres by 2025 due to mandatory blending rates. Land and water constraints, however, limit the ability for domestic production. Zambia, due to its abundance in land, suitable climate, supportive set of bioenergy incentives and close geographical location to South Africa, has the potential to meet this increase in demand. Using a dynamic recursive computable general equilibrium model, we estimate the macro- and socio-economic impacts of bioethanol production in Zambia from three potential crops: sugarcane, cassava and sweet sorghum. The results show that the development of a single product bioethanol industry has the potential to increase economic growth without negatively affecting overall food security. Further expansion of the industry to multiple products results in larger gains to growth and welfare.
Delivering a medical school elective with massive open online course (MOOC) technology

Introduction: The educational technology of massive open online courses (MOOCs) has been successfully applied in a wide variety of disciplines and are an intense focus of educational research at this time. Educators are now looking to MOOC technology as a means to improve professional medical education, but very little is known about how medical MOOCs compare with traditional content delivery. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the course evaluations for the Medicine as a Business elective by fourth-year medical students at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU-SOM) for the 2012–2015 academic years was conducted. This course was delivered by small group flipped classroom discussions for 2012–2014 and delivered via MOOC technology in 2015. Learner ratings were compared between the two course delivery methods using routinely collected course evaluations. Results: Course enrollment has ranged from 6–19 students per year in the 2012–2015 academic years. Student evaluations of the course are favorable in the areas of effective teaching, accurate course objectives, meeting personal learning objectives, recommending the course to other students, and overall when rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The majority of all student ratings (76–95%) of this elective course are for the highest possible choice (Strongly agree or Excellent) for any criteria, regardless if the course was delivered via a traditional or MOOC format. Statistical analysis of these ratings suggests that the Effective Teacher and Overall Evaluations did not statistically differ between the two delivery formats. Discussion: Student ratings of this elective course were highly similar when delivered in a flipped classroom format or by using MOOC technology. The primary advantage of this new course format is flexibility of time and place for learners, allowing them to complete the course objectives when convenient for them. The course evaluations suggest this is a change that is acceptable to the target audience. Conclusions: This study suggests that learner evaluations of a fourth-year medical school elective course do not significantly differ when delivered by flipped classroom group discussions or via MOOC technology in a very small single center observational study. Further investigation is required to determine if this delivery method is an acceptable and effective means of teaching in the medical school environment.
Deamidation: Differentiation of aspartyl from isoaspartyl products in peptides by electron capture dissociation

Deamidation of asparaginyl and isomerization of aspartyl residues in proteins proceed through a succinimide intermediate producing a mixture of aspartyl and isoaspartyl residues. Isoaspartic acid is an isomer of aspartic acid with the Cβ incorporated into the backbone, thus increasing the length of the protein backbone by one methylene unit. This post‐translation modification is suspected to contribute to the aging of proteins and to protein folding disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, so that differentiating the two isomers becomes important. This manuscript reports that distinguishing aspartyl from isoaspartyl residues in peptides has been accomplished by electron capture dissociation (ECD) using a Fourier transform mass spectrometer (FTMS). Model peptides with aspartyl residues and their isoaspartyl analogs were examined and unique peaks corresponding to cn•+58 and zℓ−n‐57 fragment ions (n, position of Asp; ℓ, total number of amino acids in the peptide) were found only in the spectra of the peptides with isoaspartyl residues. The proposed fragmentation mechanism involves cleavage of the Cα—Cβ backbone bond, therefore splitting the isoaspartyl residue between the two fragments. Also, a complementary feature observed specific to aspartyl residues was the neutral loss of the aspartic acid side chain from the charge reduced species. CAD spectra of the peptides from the same instrument demonstrated the improved method because previously published CAD methods rely on the comparison to the spectra of standards with aspartyl residues. The potential use of the top‐down approach to detect and resolve products from the deamidation of asparaginyl and isomerization of aspartyl residues is discussed.
Testing the Null Hypothesis of no Cointegration against Seasonal Fractional Cointegration

In this article we propose a procedure for testing the null hypothesis of no cointegration against the alternative of seasonal fractional cointegration. It is a twostep procedure based on the univariate tests of Robinson (1994). Finite-sample critical values are computed, and the power properties of the tests are examined. The tests are also extended to allow seasonally fractionally cointegrated alternatives at each of the seasonal frequencies separately. An empirical application, illustrating the use of the tests, is also carried out at the end of the article. Mathematics Subject Classification: 62P20; 91B70
SH2 domain-mediated activation of phospholipase Cgamma is not required to initiate Ca2+ release at fertilization of mouse eggs.

The initiation of Ca2+ release at fertilization of mammalian eggs requires inositol trisphosphate (Miyazaki et al., 1992, Science 257, 251-255), indicating that an enzyme of the phospholipase C family is probably activated. Because Ca2+ release at fertilization in echinoderm eggs is initiated by SH2 domain-mediated activation of phospholipase Cgamma (Carroll et al., 1997, J. Cell Biol. 138, 1303-1311), we examined the possible role of PLCgamma in initiating Ca2+ release at fertilization in mouse eggs. Both PLCgamma isoforms, PLCgamma1 and PLCgamma2, are present in mouse eggs and sperm, and stimulation of these enzymes in the egg by way of an exogenously expressed PDGF receptor causes Ca2+ release. Recombinant SH2 domains of PLCgamma1 and PLCgamma2 inhibit PLCgamma1 and PLCgamma2 activation by the PDGF receptor, completely preventing Ca2+ release in response to PDGF when injected at an approximately 20- to 40-fold excess over the concentrations of endogenous proteins. However, even at an approximately 100- to 400-fold excess over endogenous protein levels, PLCgamma1 and PLCgamma2 SH2 domains do not inhibit Ca2+ release at fertilization. These findings indicate that Ca2+ release at fertilization of mouse eggs does not require SH2-domain-mediated activation of PLCgamma. However, activation of PLCgamma in the egg by an alternative pathway, or introduction of activated PLCgamma from the sperm, may be important.
Barrel Cortical Neuron Integrates Triple Associated Signals for Their Memory Through Receiving Epigenetic‐Mediated New Synapse Innervations

Abstract Associative learning is common way for information acquisition. Associative memory is essential to logical reasoning and associative thinking. The storages of multiple associated signals in individual neurons facilitate their integration, expand memory volume, and strengthen cognition ability. Associative memory cells that encode multiple signals have been reported, however, the mechanisms underlying their recruitment and working principle remain to be addressed. We have examined the recruitment of associative memory cells that integrate and store triple sensory signals as well as the potential mechanism of their recruitment. Paired mouse whisker, olfaction, and tail stimulations lead to odorant‐induced motion and tail‐induced whisker motion. In mice of expressing this cross‐modal response, their barrel cortical neurons become to encode odor and tail signals alongside whisker signal. These barrel cortical neurons receive new synapse innervations from piriform and S1‐tail cortical neurons. The emergence of cross‐modal responses as well as the recruitments of new synapse innervations and associative memory cells in the barrel cortex need miRNA‐324 and miRNA‐133a, which downregulate Ttbk1 and Tet3. The co‐activations of sensory cortices recruit their mutual synapse innervations and associative memory cells that integrate and store multiple associated signals through epigenetic‐mediated process.
A Sparse and Low-Rank Optimization Framework for Network Topology Control in Dense Fog-RAN

In this paper, we propose a sparse and low-rank optimization approach for network topology control in the partially connected fog radio access network (Fog-RAN). In this model, the sparsity of the modeling matrix represents the number of non-connected interference links, while the rank of the matrix models the achievable symmetric degrees-of-freedom (DoF) allocations. This model helps find the network topologies with the maximum number of allowed connected interference links. However, the sparse and low-rank optimization problem turns out to be highly intractable due to the non-convex sparsity objective and non- convex fixed-rank rank constraint. To address the coupled challenges in the objective and constraint, we propose a smoothed Riemannian optimization framework by exploiting the quotient manifold geometry of fixed-rank matrices, followed by a smoothed sparsity inducing surrogate. The proposed Rie- mannian algorithm has much lower computational cost compared with state-of-art matrix factorization parameterized methods. Simulation results further demonstrate the appealing sparsity and low-rankness tradeoff in the proposed model, thereby guiding the network deployment in dense Fog-RAN.
Selective radiosensitization of 9L glioma in the brain transduced with double suicide fusion gene.

PURPOSE Suicide gene therapy has proved to be successful in enhancing the therapeutic index by sensitizing genetically modified tumor cells to prodrugs. Two of the most widely studied suicide genes, herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase and Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase, have proved effective at selectively eliminating malignant tumor cells. We previously demonstrated that transduced 9L glioma cells expressing E. coli cytosine deaminase and herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase concomitantly as a fusion protein exhibited greater levels of targeted cytotoxicity and radiosensitization than could be achieved by single suicide gene therapy. The present in vivo studies were carried out to determine whether double suicide gene therapy would enhance the tumor control rate of orthotopically implanted malignant glioma growing in the brain when coupled with radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rat 9L gliosarcoma cells were transfected with retroviral vectors containing an E. coli cytosine deaminase and herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase fusion gene and maintained in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. The antitumor response of 9L E. coli cytosine deaminase and herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase tumors growing in the brain of Fischer rats was evaluated with small tumors (6-day-old tumors) versus large tumors (14-day-old tumors) against single versus double prodrug treatments. In the large brain tumors, the therapeutic efficacy of the combined single and double prodrugs coupled with radiotherapy was evaluated. RESULTS Double suicide gene therapy using two prodrugs, 5-fluorocytosine (500 mg/kg) and ganciclovir (30 mg/kg), was effective in achieving long-term tumor control (50% survival) against early-stage brain tumors (6 days after implantation) but was only marginally effective against advanced stage tumors (14 days old). However, when these prodrugs were combined with radiotherapy and double suicide gene therapy against advanced-stage tumors, more than 70% of the animals were cured, whereas radiotherapy alone (20 Gy) failed to achieve any cure at all. Combined radiotherapy and single prodrug therapy showed a moderate increase in the animal survival rate (17% and 40% for 5-fluorocytosine and ganciclovir, respectively) but was inferior to the combination therapy of radiation and double prodrugs. CONCLUSION The present in vivo results indicate that double suicide gene therapy combined with radiotherapy may represent a new, effective approach to achieve a high tumor cure rate without producing any excessive normal tissue damage.
Psychometric evaluation of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) in female survivors of sexual assault

ABSTRACT The authors of this study evaluated the factor structure, internal consistency, and concurrent and discriminant validity of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI; Foa et al. 1999) in a sample of 107 female survivors of sexual assault with a mean age of 29.1 years (SD = 7.7). All participants were recruited between July 2010 and December 2014 from a care center for sexual assault victims in Madrid, Spain. Results supported the three-factor structure of the PTCI: (1) negative cognition about self, (2) negative cognition about the world, and (3) self-blame. The negative cognitions about self and the world subscales showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.92 and 0.82, respectively), as well as good concurrent and discriminant validity. Nevertheless, the subscale measuring self-blame showed poor internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.75) and discriminant validity. The PTCI presents sound psychometric characteristics and has the potential to contribute to women’s sexual posttrauma assessment.
Postoperative Infections in Cytoreductive Surgery With Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Intraoperative Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a common evolution of many abdominal and pelvic malignancies. Over the last decade novel therapeutic approaches have emerged combining cytoreductive surgery with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Aim of our study was to assess frequency, sites, and organisms of postoperative infections in this surgery and to evaluate associated risk factors and clinical outcome.
Physiologic responses to incremental and self-paced exercise in COPD: a comparison of three tests.

OBJECTIVES To investigate cardiorespiratory and dyspnea responses to incremental and self-paced exercise tests in patients with COPD. DESIGN A prospective within-subject design was used. PATIENTS Twenty stable subjects (15 men), with a mean (+/- SD) age of 64.0 +/- 7.5 years and moderate-to-severe COPD (ie, mean FEV(1), 0.8 +/- 0.3 L and 28.9 +/- 7.9% predicted) were studied. METHODS Each subject completed a 6-min walk test (6MWT), an incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT), and a cycle ergometer test (CET), within a 2-week period. The tests were performed at least 24 h apart. Standardized encouragement was utilized in each test with the aim of maximizing performance. Heart rate (HR) and dyspnea were measured each minute throughout the tests, and pulse oximetric saturation (Spo(2)) was measured before and immediately after each test. The distances walked in the 6MWT and ISWT were compared to peak oxygen uptake (Vo(2)) values from the CET. RESULTS HR increased linearly with increasing workload during the CET and ISWT, but increased alinearly with a disproportionate increase early in the 6MWT. In contrast, dyspnea scores increased linearly during the 6MWT, but increased alinearly with a disproportionate increase late during the CET and ISWT. Peak HR and dyspnea were not significantly different between tests. Spo(2) was significantly lower at the end of both walking tests compared to that at the end of the CET (p < 0.001). The distance walked in both the ISWT and 6MWT were related to peak Vo(2) values on the CET (for both tests, r = 0.73; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The patterns of response in HR and dyspnea seen during the 6MWT suggest that patients with COPD titrate exertion against dyspnea to achieve a peak tolerable intensity. This strategy is not possible in an externally paced ISWT or CET. However, it is a limited strategy, with performance converging at higher workloads. Similar peak exercise responses were achieved in the 6MWT, ISWT, and CET. Greater oxygen desaturation was observed during the field walking tests, suggesting that both the ISWT and 6MWT are more sensitive than the CET in detecting exercise-induced hypoxemia and in assessing ambulatory oxygen therapy needs.
Three-phase inverter using microcontroller for speed control application on induction motor

This paper presents a PWM-controlled three-phase inverter designed for controlling the speed of a three phase induction motor. Inverter has very important role as a power conditioning on the electric power system and industrial field. The speed of the induction motor can be controlled by changing the voltage frequency input of the induction motor. The three phase inverter is implemented by using a Power MOSFET and the PWM signal is generated by a Microcontroller. The inverter performace is measured by simulation and experimental test. Inverter circuit is simulated using PSpice software to investigate the inverter behavior and performance. The testing is conducted using two induction motors with different rpm specification. The testing result shows that the Microcontroller can control well the motor speed in no-load mode with various speed references.
Heart rate detection from single-foot plantar bioimpedance measurements in a weighing scale

Electronic bathroom scales are an easy-to-use, affordable mean to measure physiological parameters in addition to body weight. They have been proposed to obtain the ballistocardiogram (BCG) and derive from it the heart rate, cardiac output and systolic blood pressure. Therefore, weighing scales may suit intermittent monitoring in e-health and patient screening. Scales intended for bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) have also been proposed to estimate the heart rate by amplifying the pulsatile impedance component superimposed on the basal impedance. However, electronic weighing scales cannot easily obtain the BCG from people that have a single leg neither are bioimpedance measurements between both feet recommended for people wearing a pacemaker or other electronic implants, neither for pregnant women. We propose a method to detect the heart rate (HR) from bioimpedance measured in a single foot while standing on an bathroom weighting scale intended for BIA. The electrodes built in the weighing scale are used to apply a 50 kHz voltage between the outer electrode pair and to measure the drop in voltage across the inner electrode pair. The agreement with the HR simultaneously obtained from the ECG is excellent. We have also compared the drop in voltage across the waist and the thorax with that obtained when measuring bioimpedance between both feet to compare the possible risk of the proposed method to that of existing BIA scales.