Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potentiation of Quantal Secretion by Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐1 at Developing Motoneurons in Xenopus Cell Culture

Although evidence suggests that insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) plays an important role in the development and growth of the nervous system, the effect of IGF‐1 in the regulation of neurotransmitter release in the peripheral nervous system remains unknown. Here we show that acute application of IGF‐1, a factor widely expressed in developing myocytes, dose‐dependently enhances the spontaneous acetylcholine (ACh) secretion at developing neuromuscular synapses in Xenopus cell culture using whole‐cell patch clamp recording. We studied the role of endogenously released IGF‐1 by examining the effect of IGF‐1 antibody on the frequency of spontaneous synaptic currents (SSCs) at high‐activity synapses, and found SSC frequency was markedly reduced at these high‐activity synapses. The IGF‐1‐induced synaptic potentiation was not abolished when Ca2+ was eliminated from the culture medium or there was bath‐application of the pharmacological Ca2+ channel inhibitor Cd2+, indicating that Ca2+ influxes through voltage‐activated Ca2+ channels are not required. Application of membrane‐permeable inhibitors of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) or ryanodine receptors effectively occluded the increase of SSC frequency elicited by IGF‐I. Treating cells with the phosphoinositide‐3 kinase (PI3‐K) inhibitors wortmannin or LY294002, and with phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ) inhibitor U73122, but not the inhibitor of mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase PD98059, abolished IGF‐1‐induced synaptic potentiation. Taken collectively, these results suggest that endogenously released IGF‐1 from myocytes elicits Ca2+ release from IP3‐ and/or ryanodine‐sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores of the presynaptic nerve terminal. This is done via PI3‐K and PLCγ signalling cascades, leading to an enhancement of spontaneous transmitter release.
Implementation and integration of prehospital ECGs into systems of care for acute coronary syndrome: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Interdisciplinary Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research, Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee, Council on Cardiovascular Nursi

Clinical case: A 58-year-old woman called 9-1-1 with acute onset of chest pain that had persisted for 30 minutes. She had a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus but no previous history of myocardial infarction or heart failure. Her medications included aspirin, atorvastatin, lisinopril, and metoprolol. Paramedics were dispatched, and a prehospital ECG demonstrated 3- to 4-mm ST-segment elevation in leads I, aVL, and V2 through V6 (Figure 1). Her examination revealed a regular pulse of 90 bpm, a blood pressure of 100/60 mm Hg, clear lungs, and normal heart sounds with no murmurs. Paramedics interpreted the prehospital ECG and activated the catheterization laboratory en route to the hospital. On hospital arrival, the patient was transported directly to the catheterization laboratory. Coronary angiography demonstrated an occluded proximal left anterior descending artery, which was successfully treated with balloon angioplasty and a stent. The pertinent time intervals were as follows: paramedic dispatch to balloon time, 56 minutes; paramedic arrival at the scene to balloon time, 46 minutes; hospital door to balloon time, 23 minutes. Her biomarkers revealed a peak troponin T of 2.42 ng/mL and a peak creatine kinase muscle-brain isoenzyme of 26.8 ng/mL. An echocardiogram demonstrated normal left ventricular ejection fraction of 55%, with mild anterior hypokinesis, and the patient was discharged on hospital day 3. Figure 1. Prehospital ECG. American Heart Association national guidelines,1–3 as well as other consensus and scientific statements,4–11 recommend that emergency medical services (EMS) acquire and use prehospital ECGs to evaluate patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome. Despite these recommendations, prehospital ECGs are used in fewer than 10% of patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI),12,13 and this rate has not substantially changed since the mid-1990s. Furthermore, even when a prehospital ECG is acquired, the information is often not …
Sensorless control for permanent magnet generators associated with a wind turbine emulator test-rig

This paper presents a robust sensorless control scheme to control a permanent magnet generator associated with a wind turbine emulator test-rig. A Sliding mode controller was used for speed tracking regardless the wind speed profile used in the emulator. Two sensorless estimation algorithms, Sliding mode observer and extended Kalman filter, were implemented to calculate the rotor position and speed. This sensorless control is perfectly suited for high performance and low cost small scale wind turbines. Simulation and experimental verification on the emulator test-rig are given. Also, a discrete time observer was demonstrated to estimate the wind torque.
A Study on Evaluation of Automobile Driver Fatigue Performance

China, with its rapid expansion of road construction and increase in the number of vehicles, road traffic accidents are becoming a serious public health problem. Driving fatigued was significantly related to traffic accidents in which the driver’s behavior contributed to the accident. This paper describes prototype driver fatigue evaluating performance by setting up various parameters that typically characterize fatigue level of the driver. This model was validated that the driver with fatigue states need longer time to reduce the decisive, sensitive and real-time competence under the protean road condition, and correlation analysis to exact parameters of drivers' reaction time.
On the Choice of Royalty Rule to Cover Fixed Costs in Input Joint Ventures

Abstract In a model where two competing downstream firms establish an input joint venture (JV), we analyze how different royalty rules for covering fixed costs affect channel profits. Under running royalties, the downstream firms’ perceived marginal costs are above the true marginal costs since fixed costs are incorporated. We find that tougher competition between the JV partners may actually increase channel profit under such a scheme. However, lump-sum royalties are preferable if the competitive pressure is weak.
More Than Just a Punctuation Mark: How Boys and Young Men Learn About Menstruation

Parents, peers, schools, and the media are the primary contexts for educating young people about sexuality. Yet girls receive more sex education than boys, particularly in terms of menstruation. Lack of attention to how and what boys learn about menstruation has consequences for their private understanding about the biology of reproduction and also for social and cultural ideologies of gendered relationships. In this qualitative study, 23 written narratives from male undergraduates (aged 18-24 years) were analyzed using grounded theory methodology to explore how young men perceive their past and present learning about this uniquely female experience. Findings suggest that most boys first learned about menstruation in their families, primarily through their sisters’ menarche; menstruation is experienced—in boyhood at least—as a gender wedge; and most men described a developmental process of moving from a childish attitude of menstruation as “gross” to seeing themselves as maturing through the experience of an intimate relationship.
Obatoclax Inhibits Alphavirus Membrane Fusion by Neutralizing the Acidic Environment of Endocytic Compartments

ABSTRACT As new pathogenic viruses continue to emerge, it is paramount to have intervention strategies that target a common denominator in these pathogens. The fusion of viral and cellular membranes during viral entry is one such process that is used by many pathogenic viruses, including chikungunya virus, West Nile virus, and influenza virus. Obatoclax, a small-molecule antagonist of the Bcl-2 family of proteins, was previously determined to have activity against influenza A virus and also Sindbis virus. Here, we report it to be active against alphaviruses, like chikungunya virus (50% effective concentration [EC50] = 0.03 μM) and Semliki Forest virus (SFV; EC50 = 0.11 μM). Obatoclax inhibited viral entry processes in an SFV temperature-sensitive mutant entry assay. A neutral red retention assay revealed that obatoclax induces the rapid neutralization of the acidic environment of endolysosomal vesicles and thereby most likely inhibits viral fusion. Characterization of escape mutants revealed that the L369I mutation in the SFV E1 fusion protein was sufficient to confer partial resistance against obatoclax. Other inhibitors that target the Bcl-2 family of antiapoptotic proteins inhibited neither viral entry nor endolysosomal acidification, suggesting that the antiviral mechanism of obatoclax does not depend on its anticancer targets. Obatoclax inhibited the growth of flaviviruses, like Zika virus, West Nile virus, and yellow fever virus, which require low pH for fusion, but not that of pH-independent picornaviruses, like coxsackievirus A9, echovirus 6, and echovirus 7. In conclusion, obatoclax is a novel inhibitor of endosomal acidification that prevents viral fusion and that could be pursued as a potential broad-spectrum antiviral candidate.
Estilos parentais e desenvolvimento de habilidades sociais na adolescência

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parenting styles and development of social skills during adolescence. A total of 193 high school students (ages 14-17) from two public schools in Porto Alegre answered a questionnaire to evaluate perception of performance in ten social skills, as well as, two scales (Responsiveness and Demandingness) allowing to classify parental attitudes in four types: authoritarian, authoritative, indulgent and negligent. Generally, the results indicate that the adolescents have the necessary social skills for the investigated situations. The skills for which they presented more difficulties were the following: beginning interpersonal relationship; asking for change on someone else's behavior and expressing feelings. Significant differences on the presence of social skills among the adolescents who identified their parents according to different parenting styles were not found. However, significant differences on variables related to social skills, as anxiety and aggressiveness, were noticed among these groups.
Aging Well at Home: Evaluation of a Neighborhood-based Pilot Project to “Put Connection Back into Community”

There is growing interest, in the United States and globally, to transform communities to become more aging friendly. However, the majority of emerging initiatives lack a formal evaluation component, limiting our understanding of their effectiveness and the ability to replicate them. This study is an evaluation of a pilot project, the Aging Well at Home (AWAH) Program, which aimed to “put connection back into community” to support the psychological well-being of urban seniors who were aging in place. We examined AWAH's effect on stress, loneliness, and depression through interviews with 33 seniors at enrollment and at 9 months later. Findings revealed a significant decline in participants’ perceived stress (p < .001); however, AWAH was less successful in lessening loneliness (p < .09) and was not associated with any change in depression (p > .33). In self-assessments, the majority of participants reported a greater sense of self-efficacy and social connection as a result of AWAH participation. The study offers preliminary evidence of the utility of a neighborhood approach to improving older adults’ quality of life.
Solder joints reliability of leaded surface mounted components-a requirement for new quality insurance procedures

The objective of this work is to analyze stresses induced in the solder joint and to minimize the risk of crack initiation at the solder-joint level. Thermomechanical analysis of solder joints and thermomechanical simulation have helped the authors to optimize the process, to give recommendations for solder-joint inspection, and to put in place new quality insurance procedures that take into account the thermomechanical parameters of components and mounting processes. Experimental results support these first simulation results. Recommendations and proposals for new quality insurance procedures are presented. <<ETX>>
Reducing Human Apolipoprotein E Levels Attenuates Age-Dependent Aβ Accumulation in Mutant Human Amyloid Precursor Protein Transgenic Mice

Apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Brain amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation depends on age and apoE isoforms (apoE4 > apoE3) both in humans and in transgenic mouse models. Brain apoE levels are also isoform dependent, but in the opposite direction (apoE4 < apoE3). Thus, one prevailing hypothesis is to increase brain apoE expression to reduce Aβ levels. To test this hypothesis, we generated mutant human amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice expressing one or two copies of the human APOE3 or APOE4 gene that was knocked in and flanked by LoxP sites. We report that reducing apoE3 or apoE4 expression by 50% in 6-month-old mice results in efficient Aβ clearance and does not increase Aβ accumulation. However, 12-month-old mice with one copy of the human APOE gene had significantly reduced Aβ levels and plaque loads compared with mice with two copies, regardless of which human apoE isoform was expressed, suggesting a gene dose-dependent effect of apoE on Aβ accumulation in aged mice. Additionally, 12-month-old mice expressing one or two copies of the human APOE4 gene had significantly higher levels of Aβ accumulation and plaque loads than age-matched mice expressing one or two copies of the human APOE3 gene, suggesting an isoform-dependent effect of apoE on Aβ accumulation in aged mice. Moreover, Cre-mediated APOE4 gene excision in hippocampal astrocytes significantly reduced insoluble Aβ in adult mice. Thus, reducing, rather than increasing, apoE expression is an attractive approach to lowering brain Aβ levels.
Differentiation of primitive human multipotent hematopoietic progenitors into single lineage clonogenic progenitors is accompanied by alterations in their interaction with fibronectin

We have previously demonstrated that primitive progenitors from human bone marrow termed long term bone marrow culture initiating cells (LTBMC-IC) adhere avidly to irradiated bone marrow stroma, while more mature clonogenic progenitors fail to do so. In this study we examine the interaction between these progenitors and components of the bone marrow stroma. (a) We demonstrate that both primitive LTBMC-IC and more mature clonogenic progenitors adhere to intact fibronectin. (b) Primitive LTBMC-IC and multi-lineage CFU-MIX progenitors adhere to the 33/66 kD COOH-terminal heparin-binding cell-adhesion promoting fragment of fibronectin, but adhere significantly less to its 75 kD RGDS- dependent cell-binding fragment. In contrast, more differentiated single-lineage progenitors adhere equally well to the 33/66 kD RGDS independent and the 75 kD RGDS-dependent cell-adhesion fragments of fibronectin. (c) Both primitive LTBMC-IC and clonogenic progenitors adhere to the three known cell-attachment sites in the 33/66 kD cell- adhesion promoting fragment, FN-C/H I, FN-C/H II and CS1. However, LTBMC-IC and CFU-MIX progenitors adhere significantly better to FN-C/H II than to the flanking FN-C/H I and CS1 cell-attachment sites. In contrast, single-lineage progenitors adhere equally well to all three cell attachment sites in the 33/66 kD cell-adhesion promoting fragment. (d) Finally, adhesion of primitive LTBMC-IC to intact irradiated stroma can be inhibited partially by peptide FN-C/H II and almost completely by a combination of FN-C/H II and peptide FN-C/H I and CS1. This study demonstrates that adhesive interactions between primitive hematopoietic progenitors and the extracellular matrix component fibronectin can occur. Specific changes in adhesion to the 33/66 kD cell-adhesion promoting fragment and the 75 kD RGDS-dependent cell-adhesion fragment of fibronectin are associated with differentiation of primitive multi- lineage progenitors into committed single-lineage progenitors. Such differences in adhesive interaction with fibronectin may allow hematopoietic progenitors at various stages of differentiation to interact with specific supportive loci of the bone marrow microenvironment. Finally, the ability to block adhesion of LTBMC-IC to intact irradiated stroma with peptides FN-C/H II, FN-C/H I and CS1 suggests that receptors responsible for this interaction may be important in the homing of primitive progenitors to the bone marrow.
Les systèmes de traçabilité dans la filière vitivinicole : quelle opportunité pour les coopératives?

Cette recherche se situe dans le domaine vitivinicole ou une cave cooperative constitue un reseau de TPE entre les producteurs adherents. Sous la pression du marche, des pouvoirs publics et de l’offre technologique, ces cooperatives mettent en place des systemes de tracabilite pour assurer la qualite et la securite des produits, mais aussi pour piloter leurs activites internes. Les systemes de tracabilite qui sont developpes presentent alors une particularite : celle de creer une tracabilite au niveau de la cooperative et une tracabilite au niveau de la filiere. Compte tenu de l’heterogeneite des acteurs et des technologies, cet article se fonde sur la theorie de l’acteur-reseau en tant que cadre d’analyse de la convergence a construire dans ces processus d’innovation. Une etude en France aupres de six caves cooperatives vitivinicoles montre alors les deux niveaux ou s’organisent l’enrolement des acteurs et la resolution des controverses. Entre les viticulteurs et les caves, la controverse « en amont » a porte sur le pilotage des activites et s’est soldee par une rationalisation au profit des caves. Entre les caves et la distribution, la controverse « en aval » porte sur le controle de qualite du produit et continue a se developper.
Long term outcomes of severe combined immunodeficiency: therapy implications

ABSTRACT Introduction: Newborn screening has led to a better understanding of the prevalence of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) overall and in terms of specific genotypes. Survival has improved following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) with the best outcomes seen following use of a matched sibling donor. However, questions remain regarding the optimal alternative donor source, appropriate use of conditioning and the impact of these decisions on immune reconstitution and other late morbidities. Areas covered: The currently available literature reporting late effects after HCT for SCID and use of alternative therapies including enzyme replacement, alternative donors and gene therapy are reviewed. A literature search was performed on Pubmed and ClinicalTrials.gov using key words ‘Severe Combined Immunodeficiency’, ‘SCID’, ‘hematopoietic stem cell transplant’, ‘conditioning’, ‘gene therapy’, ‘SCID newborn screening’, ‘TREC’ and ‘late effects’. Expert commentary: Newborn screening has dramatically changed the clinical presentation of newborn SCID. While the majority of patients with SCID survive HCT, data regarding late effects in these patients is limited and additional studies focused on genotype specific late effects are needed. Prospective studies aimed at minimizing the use of alkylating agents and reducing late effects beyond survival are needed. Gene therapy is being developed and will likely become a more commonly used treatment that will require separate consideration of survival and late effects.
Brainwave-controlled applications with the Emotiv EPOC using support vector machine

Electroencephalography (EEG) which is the electrical signal recorded by the sensors attached on the human scalp to detect brain activities has been the emerging trends in digital signal processing. As compared to processing other types of digital data such as speech or audio signals, EEG signal processing is more challenging. However, EEG signals have practically found a wide range of important applications. In this paper, we propose a design of a brain-computer interface (BCI) using EEG's P300 component to a control application. First, we use the Emotiv EPOC headset to capture the raw EEG signals. Then, we adopt a classification algorithm by invoking support vector machine along with the selected extracted features to classify the two-class EEG trials (with and without P300 component). The algorithm is developed to help people express their selection of one among four commands. The experimental results are provided evaluate the classification accuracy.
Conceptual design and simulation for a double-rotor switched reluctance motor using parallel series windings

In this paper, an interchangeable parallel-series winding approach is used to realize a compact machine-housing proposed for the double-rotor motor, based on switched reluctance principle. First, theoretical analyses are elaborated for the concept of the design, combining with the magnetic circuit analysis and given a demonstration by using this approach. Second, the basic mathematical model for the motor is introduced and by using finite element method (FEM), the magnetic field distribution of the motor is acquired and collect torque data, followed by the coupling effects analysis that shows the decoupled magnetic circuits for the two rotors. Finally, to simulate the real working condition, the multi-physical domain simulation is carried out, and high and low speeding operations are obtained. It suggested that the motor is capable of realizing high and low speeds for continuously variable transmission and is expected to be employed by electric vehicles (EVs) and Electric Vessel in the future.
Conserved domains and structure prediction of human cytomegalovirus UL27 protein

Background The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) nuclear UL27 protein (pUL27) could be involved at the stage of nuclear egress. Maribavir is a new anti-HCMV drug that targets nuclear egress through direct inhibition of the HCMV serine–threonine kinase, UL97 protein (pUL97). Because maribavir- resistance-related mutations are observed in both proteins, pUL27 is thought to interfere with pUL97 activity; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Methods As there is no available crystal structure for pUL27 or any known structures of its homologous proteins, we attempted to identify pUL27 functional domains by sequence analysis, identification of conserved domains, structure prediction and matching with previously known maribavir resistance mutations. Results The UL27 sequence analysis of 20 HCMV wild-type strains and 8 ganciclovir-resistant HCMV strains allowed us to describe four conserved domains, to localize the putative phosphorylation sites and to identify protein–protein interface domains, suggesting that pUL27 could interact with either pUL97 or itself. Conclusions Although the function of pUL27 is still unknown in the HCMV replication cycle, our approach identified target domains that appeared to be essential to the function of pUL27. This work provides a better understanding on the relative importance of each pUL27 mutation and could form the basis of later comparison analyses, when a three-dimensional structure of a pUL27 homologue will be available.
Anticancer drug screening test with LDH in nude mouse bearing bone and soft part sarcoma

With the use of human LDH as a marker, growth and remission of four human osteosarcomas (KOS‐1, KOS‐2, KOS‐3, OST) and a malignant fibrous histiocytoma (KMF) transplanted into nude mice were monitored during chemotherapies (Adriamycin [doxorubicin], cisplatin, mitomycin C, cyclophosphamide and vincristine). Four osteosarcomas were effectively treated with Adriamycin and cisplatin, and KMF was treated with Adriamycin, cisplatin, and mitomycin C. Changes in human LDH levels paralleled changes in tumor size and these could be used to predict the death of the animals due to tumor (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the enzyme increased transiently after administration of the effective drugs.