Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prominence of hyperarousal symptoms explains variability of sleep disruption in posttraumatic stress disorder.

OBJECTIVE Disrupted sleep is a central feature of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The precise nature of that disruption is not agreed upon, however, and there is no explanation for why sleep disruptions are detected in some PTSD-diagnosed individuals but not in others. We tested the novel proposition that PTSD-diagnosed individuals with prominent hyperarousal symptoms will have more disrupted sleep than those without such symptoms. METHOD We assigned each of 57 female volunteers to 1 of 4 groups: PTSD + Hyperarousal (PTSD + HYP; n = 14), PTSD - Hyperarousal (n = 13), depression (n = 14), or healthy control (n = 16). Each experienced 1 night of polysomnographic recording in a sleep laboratory. RESULTS General linear modeling confirmed that group status (i.e., being in the PTSD + HYP group rather than the other groups) predicted disrupted sleep quality most strongly. PTSD patients with prominent hyperarousal symptoms, relative to those without such symptoms, experienced reduced sleep efficiency, spent more time awake after sleep onset, and self-reported poorer sleep quality. CONCLUSION These preliminary findings, although requiring replication in larger samples, suggest an important association between hyperarousal symptoms and sleep quality in PTSD, and may help explain why some PTSD-diagnosed individuals experience markedly disrupted sleep whereas others do not. (PsycINFO Database Record
Heterologous gene expression in a membrane-protein-specific system.

We have constructed an expression system for heterologous proteins which uses the molecular machinery responsible for the high level production of bacteriorhodopsin in Halobacterium salinarum. Cloning vectors were assembled that fused sequences of the bacterio-opsin gene (bop) to coding sequences of heterologous genes and generated DNA fragments with cloning sites that permitted transfer of fused genes into H. salinarum expression vectors. Gene fusions include: (i) carboxyl-terminal-tagged bacterio-opsin; (ii) a carboxyl-terminal fusion with the catalytic subunit of the Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamylase; (iii) the human muscarinic receptor, subtype M1; (iv) the human serotonin receptor, type 5HT2c; and (v) the yeast alpha mating factor receptor, Ste2. Characterization of the expression of these fusions revealed that the bop gene coding region contains previously undescribed molecular determinants which are critical for high level expression. For example, introduction of immunogenic and purification tag sequences into the C-terminal coding region significantly decreased bop gene mRNA and protein accumulation. The bacteriorhodopsin-aspartate transcarbamylase fusion protein was expressed at 7 mg per liter of culture, demonstrating that E. coli codon usage bias did not limit the system's potential for high level expression. The work presented describes initial efforts in the development of a novel heterologous protein expression system, which may have unique advantages for producing multiple milligram quantities of membrane-associated proteins.
Two forms of parathyroid hormone‐like adenylate cyclase‐stimulating protein derived from tumors associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy

Tumors associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) contain parathyroid hormone‐like adenylate cyclase‐stimulating proteins (hACSPs). We previously purified a 17,000 MW hACSP from an HHM‐associated breast carcinoma. This report describes the characterization of hACSPs from three additional HHM‐associated tumors: two typical HHM‐associated tumors (squamous carcinomas) and a third unusual tumor type (pheochromocytoma).
Calcium Influx Through AMPA Receptors and Through Calcium Channels Is Regulated by Protein Kinase C in Cultured Retina Amacrine‐Like Cells

Abstract: The functional modulation of the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptors by protein kinase C (PKC) was investigated in cultures enriched in retinal amacrine‐like cells. The kainate‐evoked [Ca2+]i increase is due to Ca2+ entry through open AMPA receptor channels, because it was blocked by the active isomer of a 2,3‐benzodiazepine (LY 303070), an AMPA receptor antagonist. The AMPA receptor response to kainate was potentiated by phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate, which specifically stimulates PKC, and it was decreased by bisindolylmaleimide I, a selective inhibitor of PKC, as well as by PKC down‐regulation. The results indicate not only that the AMPA receptor activation has a PKC requirement, but also that PKC amplifies maximal receptor activation by 100 µM kainate. The effect of PKC activation or inhibition on voltage‐gated Ca2+‐channel activity was also investigated. Activation of PKC caused inhibition of Ca2+ channels, and the same effect was produced by inhibition of PKC, whereas the inactive analogue of the phorbol ester did not affect channel activity. Our results show an important role for PKC in regulating the function of both AMPA receptors and Ca2+ channels in cultured retina cells.
Prediction of structural damages of road pavement using GPR

A new methodology has been proposed to extract the hydraulic permittivity fields in sub-asphalt structural layers and soils from the moisture maps observed with GPR. It is effective at diagnosing the presence of clay or cohesive soil that compromises the bearing capacity of sub-base and induces damage on the road. The numerical algorithm has been yet discussed in the 11th International Conference on Ground Penetrating Radar [5]. Here some experimental confirms have been presented.
RARβ2 expression is induced by the down‐regulation of microRNA 133a during caudal spinal cord regeneration in the adult newt

Background: Adult urodele amphibians represent unique model organisms to study spinal cord regeneration. Trauma to the spinal cord induces an ependymal response, activating multipotent neural stem cells that contribute to the redifferentiation of both glia and neurons in the regenerate. The molecular events underlying this ependymal response are not completely understood, but likely involve coordinated global changes in gene expression. MicroRNAs and retinoid signaling are postulated to orchestrate these patterns of gene expression in response to trauma. Our objectives were to determine the roles played by some miRNAs as potential regulators of retinoid signaling in this process. Results: We found that the expression levels of miRNAs 133a, 203, and 124a are dysregulated during the first 21 days post amputation (dpa). Interestingly, these miRNAs are expressed primarily within the ependymoglia. We have shown in vitro that a miR‐133a mimic targets the 3' UTR of the newt RARβ2 transcript. Importantly, upregulation of this mimic in vivo led to a significant decline in RARβ2 protein at 14 dpa and inhibited regeneration. Conclusions: These data are the first to link miRNAs and retinoid signaling during spinal cord regeneration and provide support for miR‐133a as an upstream regulator of RARβ2 expression in this process. Developmental Dynamics 243:1581–1590, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transmitter Centric Scheduling in Multi-Cell MIMO Uplink System

This paper considers the multi-user MIMO collaborative spatial multiplexing uplink scheduling scheme in multi-cell time-division duplexing system. An transmitter centric (TC) beamforming and scheduling scheme has been proposed to reduce the inter-cell interference opportunistically. Most previous works in the area of mimo beamforming and scheduling are aiming at improve the signal to interference plus noise power ratio at receiver directly. These receiver centric (RC) schemes requires interference covariance at receiver. However, in multi-user system, the uplink interference at base station (BS) is fluctuant and can't be acquired for scheduling due to the dynamics of the scheduled user set in other cells. It makes the uplink scheduling problem challenging. Our proposed TC scheme considers the pollution which is defined as the sum power of user signal arriving at other BSs. User selects the transmit beamforming vector with highest signal to pollution plus noise ratio (SPR) and informs its home BS. To enhance the signal and suppress the pollution, a scheduling criterion is derived based on SPR metric with awareness of intra-cell interference. The proposed scheduling scheme is compared with conventional RC and single-user TC spatial multiplexing in the scenarios with various antenna configurations, BS and user numbers. The simulation result shows that our proposed TC scheme can better reduce the pollution and significantly improve the system capacity.
Changes in the management of benign liver tumours: an analysis of 285 patients.

OBJECTIVES Benign liver tumours (BLTs) are common and their management remains controversial. This study assesses the safety of a selective management approach. METHODS Patients with BLT were identified from an institutional database. Patients with simple cysts or an incidental BLT in the setting of metastasis or concomitant malignancy were excluded. RESULTS A total of 285 patients presenting during the period from January 1992 to December 2009 with haemangioma (53.0%), focal nodular hyperplasia (23.9%), adenoma (10.2%) or indeterminate/other lesions (13.0%) were evaluated. Of these, 117 patients (41.1%) underwent immediate resection and 168 patients (58.9%) were followed with serial imaging (median follow-up: 30 months). During observation, eight patients (4.8%) underwent resection for tumour growth, inability to exclude malignancy or symptoms; no patients demonstrated malignant transformation or tumour-related complications. During the study period, the number of BLTs evaluated and the proportion of patients observed increased from 129 BLTs of which 36.4% were observed in 1992-2002 to 156 BLTs of which 71.2% were observed in 2003-2009 (P < 0.001). Diagnostic uncertainty led to resection in 29.5% of patients during the earlier period, but in only 13.4% during the more recent 7 years (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Asymptomatic BLTs without concern for malignancy or adenoma can be safely observed with minimal risk for misdiagnosis. Patients selected for observation rarely require resection or develop tumour-related complications.
CD40 Ligand Trimer Enhances the Response of CD8+ T Cells to Mycobacterium tuberculosis 1

We investigated the effect of recombinant CD40 ligand trimer (CD40LT) on the functional capacity of peripheral blood CD8+ T cells from healthy tuberculin reactors that were cultured with Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected autologous monocytes. CD40LT enhanced the capacity of M. tuberculosis-responsive CD8+ T cells to produce IFN-γ by increasing the number of IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells and the amount of IFN-γ produced per cell. CD40LT-induced IFN-γ production was dependent on production of IL-12 and IL-18, but did not require IL-15. CD40LT up-regulated expression of the transcription factors phosphorylated CREB and c-Jun, both of which have been previously shown to stimulate IFN-γ mRNA transcription by binding to the IFN-γ promoter. CD40LT also enhanced the capacity of CD8+ T cells to lyse M. tuberculosis-infected monocytes, and increased CTL activity was associated with higher expression of perforin and granulysin, but not of Fas ligand. We conclude that CD40LT can enhance CD8+ T cell effector function in response to M. tuberculosis.
Risk of Clozapine-Associated Agranulocytosis and Mandatory White Blood Cell Monitoring

Objective: To provide information for physicians and patients on which to base a decision as to whether to stop mandatory blood testing. Data Sources: Articles on drug-induced blood dyscrasias were identified by searches of MEDLINE (1966—September 2005) and review of their bibliographies. Novartis was asked to provide additional data on clozapine, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, and suicidality. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Data on the chance of clozapine-induced leukopenia and agranulocytosis were combined with data about possible fatality and compared with the risks associated with other medications and with life in general. Data Synthesis: The chance of clozapine-induced leukopenia or agranulocytosis decreases exponentially over time. In the US, the chance in the second 6 months of treatment is 0.70/1000 patient-years and, after the first year, 0.39/1000 patient-years. The case fatality rate of clozapine-induced agranulocytosis is estimated as 4.2–16%, depending on whether a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is used. Nevertheless, treatment with clozapine reduces overall mortality, probably because it reduces suicidality. Conclusions: After at least 6 months' treatment with clozapine, the mortality involved in stopping white blood cell monitoring is about the same as the mortality associated with other medications, such as mianserin or phenylbutazone, and with life in general (traffic or occupational accident). If the patient has been well informed and wishes to stop the monitoring, it is a medically justifiable option to do so and is preferable to stopping treatment with clozapine since this drug reduces overall mortality.
Differentiation of Glucose Transport in Human Brain Gray and White Matter

Localized 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been applied to determine human brain gray matter and white matter glucose transport kinetics by measuring the steady-state glucose concentration under normoglycemia and two levels of hyperglycemia. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic measurements were simultaneously performed on three 12-mL volumes, containing predominantly gray or white matter. The exact volume compositions were determined from quantitative T1 relaxation magnetic resonance images. The absolute brain glucose concentration as a function of the plasma glucose level was fitted with two kinetic transport models, based on standard (irreversible) or reversible Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The steady-state brain glucose levels were similar for cerebral gray and white matter, although the white matter levels were consistently 15% to 20% higher. The ratio of the maximum glucose transport rate, Vmax, to the cerebral metabolic utilization rate of glucose, CMRGlc, was 3.2 ± 0.10 and 3.9 ± 0.15 for gray matter and white matter using the standard transport model and 1.8 ± 0.10 and 2.2 ± 0.12 for gray matter and white matter using the reversible transport model. The Michaelis-Menten constant Km was 6.2 ± 0.85 and 7.3 ± 1.1 mmol/L for gray matter and white matter in the standard model and 1.1 ± 0.66 and 1.7 ± 0.88 mmol/L in the reversible model. Taking into account the threefold lower rate of CMRGlc in white matter, this finding suggests that blood–brain barrier glucose transport activity is lower by a similar amount in white matter. The regulation of glucose transport activity at the blood–brain barrier may be an important mechanism for maintaining glucose homeostasis throughout the cerebral cortex.
Investigation of short channel effects in Bulk MOSFET and SOI FinFET at 20nm node technology

The need to control the short channel effects in transistor that occurs in nanometer regime has caused the invention of multi gate transistors over planar bulk transistors in order to improve the performance. In this research paper the 3D model of SOI FinFET and Bulk MOSFET at 20nm node technology is designed and their transfer characteristics, drain characteristics and short channel effects are reported. The OFF state leakage current, DIBL, and threshold voltage of SOI FinFET and bulk MOSFET has been calculated. The simulation is performed using TCAD simulator. The simulation results has shown that the OFF state leakage current is less in FinFET as compared to bulk MOSFET and the Ion in SOI FinFET is higher than that of bulk MOSFET. The DIBL of bulk MOSFET is found to be 2.57 times more than that of SOI FINFET, so SOI FinFET has shown reduction in short channel effects as compared to bulk MOSFET at 20nm gate length. GIDL is also examined in both devices. The drain current of SOI FinFET at Vgs= 0.1V is observed higher than that of bulk MOSFET.
The role of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the perception of insincere speech in first-episode psychosis

Objectives. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of comorbid obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) on the perception of insincere speech (e.g., sarcasm and white lies) in patients with first-episode psychosis. Design and method. Participants were 65 patients with nonaffective first-episode psychosis (FEP) and 47 healthy controls. The patient group was divided into two subgroups, those with (FEP+; n= 38) and those without OCS (FEP–; n = 27). The ability to process sarcasm and lie was assessed with the Perception of Social Inference Test (PESIT). Severity of psychotic symptoms and OCS was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), respectively. Results. Deficits in the perception of sarcasm and lie were confirmed in patients with nonaffective first-episode psychosis compared to healthy controls. In patients, comorbidity with OCS was associated with worse performance on certain aspects of insincere speech (i.e., lie) compared to FEP– patients. Y-BOCS scores correlated significantly with the perception of lying. The cognitive factor of the PANSS predicted accuracy on the perception of sincere speech, paradoxical sarcasm, and white lies, while the presence of OCS predicted accuracy on the perception of sincere speech and white lies. Conclusions. Our finding of impaired counterfactual information processing in patients with first-episode psychosis suggests that these deficits are already present at illness onset. Presence of OCS appears to have additional deleterious effects on the successful interpretation of intentional lying, further supporting that these patients are characterized by more extensive cognitive impairment.
Fractional Vegetation Cover Estimation of Different Vegetation Types in the Qaidam Basin

The estimation of fractional vegetation cover (FVC) by using remote sensing images has become feasible. Based on Landsat8-OLI images and field data obtained from an unmanned aerial vehicle, we established an empirical model (EM) and a pixel decomposition model (PDM) of FVC in the desert vegetation region, steppe vegetation region, meadow vegetation region and mixed vegetation region (the three vegetation region types) of the Qaidam Basin, and the inversion accuracies of the models were compared. The results show the following: (1) Vegetation classification inversion (VCI) provides a promising approach for FVC estimation. The accuracy of FVC by VCI was obviously better than that achieved using vegetation mixed inversion (VMI); (2) Differences were observed in the FVC estimation between VCI and VMI by the EM in areas with relatively high-density vegetation cover (FVC > 60%). The FVC in some parts of steppe region in the basin was slightly overestimated by VMI of the EM; 3) VCI estimated by the PDM resulted in lower inversion values for extremely low-density vegetation cover (FVC ≤ 10%) and higher inversion values for high-density vegetation cover (FVC > 80%). The FVC inversion was underestimated by the PDM in steppe and meadow regions with FVC > 15% in the basin. The application of VCI in different models can provide new ideas for the sustainable study of vegetation in arid regions.
Effect of a Single Dose of Diazepam on Balance Measures in Older People

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the effect of a single dose of diazepam on a spectrum of balance measures in healthy older subjects. The measures include static (postural sway), dynamic (anterior tibialis muscle activation latency), and a complex self‐initiated task of balance (functional reach) in addition to neuropsychological tests of attention.
Effect of grapefruit juice on Sandimmun Neoral absorption among stable renal allograft recipients.

BACKGROUND The oral formulation of cyclosporin A (CsA)-Sandimmun-has a highly variable absorption. The development of a CsA microemulsion-Sandimmun Neoral-resulted in increased bioavailability, and decreased variability of absorption. The first oral formulation (Sandimmun) interacted with numerous other drugs and grapefruit juice. Several of these interactions might be explained by decreased pre-systemic metabolism by a cytochrome-enzyme (e.g. CYP3A4) located in the enteral mucosa, and/or via the P-glycoprotein-mediated decreased transport of CsA back from enterocytes into the gut lumen. The purpose of this pharmacokinetic study was to investigate the interaction between Sandimmun Neoral and grapefruit juice. METHOD Eight stable renal transplant recipients were studied during two 8-h sessions in a randomized cross-over design with 4 weeks interval. Following an overnight fast the patients ingested their habitual morning dose of Neoral either with water or with grapefruit juice. During the 8-h study period 10 blood samples were taken for determination of CsA concentration. These results formed the basis for calculation of area under curve (AUC), and half-life (t(1/2)). Maximum concentration (C(max)) and time until C(max) (t(max)) were obtained from the concentration-time profile. RESULTS The median AUC increased by 38% (12-194%) (P<0.05) following co-administration of Neoral with grapefruit juice. There were no significant changes in C(max), t(max), and t((1/2)). CONCLUSION Co-administration of Sandimmun Neoral with grapefruit juice resulted in an increased bioavailability of CsA, indicating unchanged pre-systemic enterocyte first-pass metabolism as compared to Sandimmun. There was no impact of an oral grapefruit juice load on systemic clearance of CsA. It seems prudent to advise renal allograft recipients treated with Sandimmun Neoral not to ingest their medication with grapefruit juice.
Room Acoustics Measurement System Design using Simulation

Room acoustics is currently achieved more based on acoustic expertise than on engineering design. Among the reasons for this situation are the limitations due to acoustic measurements system design and the unsolved difficulties in solving inverse acoustic room problem given acoustic requirements. This paper investigates means for improving room acoustic measurement system design and for validating simulation approaches for room acoustics design
Voice onset time of voiceless bilabial and velar stops in 3-year-old bilingual children and their age-matched monolingual peers

This study investigates aspects of voice onset time (VOT) of voiceless bilabial and velar stops in monolingual and bilingual children. VOT poses a special challenge for bilingual Spanish- and English-speaking children because although this VOT distinction exists in both languages, the values differ for the same contrast across Spanish and English. Twenty-four 3-year-olds participated in this study (8 bilingual Spanish–English, 8 monolingual Spanish and 8 monolingual English). The VOT productions of /p/ and /k/ in syllable-initial stressed singleton position were compared across participants. Non-parametric statistical analyses were performed to examine differences (1) between monolinguals and bilinguals and (2) between English and Spanish. The main findings of the study were that monolingual and bilingual children generally differed on VOT in English, but not in Spanish. No statistically significant differences were found between the Spanish and the English VOT of the bilingual children, but the VOT values did differ significantly for monolingual Spanish- versus monolingual English-speaking participants. Our findings were interpreted in terms of Flege’s Speech Learning Model, finding possible evidence for equivalence classification.