Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of spontaneous opening of muscarinic K+ channels in rabbit atrium.

1. Intracellular mechanism(s) for controlling the opening of muscarinic K+ channels in the absence of an applied muscarinic agonist were studied in rabbit atrium by applying the patch clamp technique to isolated single myocytes. 2. In the cell‐attached patch configuration, currents due to the activity of both the muscarinic K+ channel and the inward rectifying K+ channel were recorded. However, while the inward rectifying K+ channel currents were observed in only ten patches of 211 examined, spontaneous opening (i.e. in the absence of a muscarinic agonist) of the muscarinic K+ channel currents was observed in all patches examined in these atrial cells. 3. The single‐channel currents due to spontaneous opening of muscarinic K+ channels were identified on the basis of their very similar conductance and gating properties to the unitary events which have been recorded when 0.5 microM‐acetylcholine is included in the pipette and 10 microM‐GTP is present in the internal side of the patch membrane. 4. Although the spontaneous opening of the muscarinic K+ channels disappeared soon after excision of the patch membrane, this type of channel activity reappeared following application of ATP and MgCl2 to the internal side of the torn‐off patch, as expected from previous publications. 5. The K+ channel activity induced by the ATP and Mg2+ (measured as the product of the number of channels, N, times the probability of opening, Po) was strongly dependent upon concentration of free Mg2+; it was half‐maximal at 2.2 x 10(‐4) M [Mg2+]i. However, after the muscarinic K+ channels had been activated by 100 microM‐guanosine 5'‐O‐3‐thiotriphosphate (GTP gamma S) together with ATP and Mg2+, an increase in the Mg2+ concentration from 5.5 x 10(‐5) to 2 x 10(‐3) M failed to enhance this channel activity. 6. Pertussis toxin, which is known to uncouple muscarinic receptors from associated G‐proteins (G(i) or G(o)), failed to inhibit the ATP‐ and Mg(2+)‐induced activation of this K+ channel in the absence agonists. 7. In experiments made to test whether the Mg(2+)‐ATP requirement results from an obligatory phosphorylation reaction, ATP was replaced with adenylyl‐imidodiphosphate (AMP‐PNP), an analogue of ATP which is resistant to hydrolysis. This K+ channel activity was not present when ATP was replaced with AMP‐PNP. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Multibeam SIW Slotted Waveguide Antenna System Fed by a Compact Dual-Layer Rotman Lens

A multibeam antenna system fed by a compact Rotman lens is presented in multilayer substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology. The lens is implemented in two layers using a new transition based on several star-shaped coupling slots and an SIW integrated reflector. Compared to standard rectangular coupling slots, this transition is broadband and maximizes power transfer between the two layers of the lens regardless the position of the beam port along the focal arc of the Rotman lens. The radiating part is an array of 15 slotted waveguides. These waveguides are centrally fed to enhance their bandwidth and reduce the “long line effect. ” To validate the proposed concepts, an antenna system has been prototyped at 24.15 GHz. The designed transition leads to a physical size reduction of about 50% for the Rotman lens, and more than 33% for the antenna footprint compared to standard single-layer implementations. The experimental results demonstrate a scanning range of ±33° and a 4% bandwidth for VSWR <; 2; the isolation between input ports is better than -10 dB.
Experimental aerogenic Burkholderia mallei (glanders) infection in the BALB/c mouse.

The object of this study was to develop and characterize experimental Burkholderia mallei aerosol infection in BALB/c mice. Sixty-five mice were infected with 5000 [approx. 2.5 median lethal doses (MLD)] B. mallei strain ATCC 23344(T) bacteria by the aerosol route. Bacterial counts within lung, liver, spleen, brain, kidney and blood over 14 days were determined and histopathological and immunocytochemical profiles were assessed. Mortality due to B. mallei infection occurred between days 4 and 10 post-infection. Bacterial numbers were consistently higher in the lungs than in other tissues, reaching a maximum of approximately 1.0 x 10(6) c.f. u. ml(-1) at 5 days post-infection. Bacterial counts in liver and spleen tissue remained approximately equal, reaching a maximum of approximately 1.0 x 10(4) c.f. u. ml(-1) at day 4 post-infection. By day 14 post-infection, bacterial counts were in the range 1.0 x 10(3)-1.0 x 10(4) c.f. u. ml(-1) for all tissues. Infection of the lungs by B. mallei resulted in foci of acute inflammation and necrosis. As infection progressed, the inflammatory process became subacute or chronic; this was associated with the development of extensive consolidation. Lesions in liver and spleen tissue were typical of those that might be expected in bacteraemia or bacterial toxaemia. These results suggest that the BALB/c mouse is susceptible to B. mallei when delivered by the aerosol route and that this represents a model system of acute human glanders that is suitable for research into the pathogenesis of and vaccines against this disease.
Simple and accurate decision tree based on fuzzy stop criteria approach

Classification is an important task in data mining and machine learning while the decision tree is treated as one of the main algorithms considered in this area. Although decision tree make a comprehensible model but suffer disadvantage of complexity. In this paper, we proposed a novel decision tree based on fuzzy stop criteria (DTFSC) with the aim of simplifying tree and retaining their accuracy. For this reason, we used depth and standard error to achieve tradeoff between complexity and accuracy. Experimental results show that DTFSC outperforms its traditional counterpart (C4.5) in term of accuracy and complexity.
Cost of anxiety disorders in Europe

Anxiety disorders, as defined by current diagnostic classification systems (DSM-IV, APA and ICD-10), comprise a wide range of phenotypically quite different conditions. The spectrum of anxiety disorders ranges from panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) to various types of phobic disorders (social phobia, agoraphobia, specific phobia subtypes, etc.) and might even include conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because of the lack of cost data, the latter two conditions are not considered here in this overview. For historical reasons it should be noted that panic disorder and GAD closely resemble what has been labelled in the past anxiety neurosis , whereas phobias were lumped together in the past under the term phobic neuroses . Despite the seemingly striking differences in symptomatology and impairment, their natural course and severity, anxiety disorders all share the same core diagnostic features: namely the core role of anxiety reactions and avoidance behaviour in the development and/or the expression of the illness. With the exception of panic disorder and GAD, they also share with a few notable exceptions an early onset – mostly before age of 16 – and a considerable degree of persistence over the patient’s lifetime (Wittchen et al., 2001). Family genetic studies also demonstrate that anxiety disorders run in families , although the mechanisms of this familiar aggregation remain poorly understood. According to most more recent epidemiological studies, anxiety disorders overall were almost always confirmed to be among the most prevalent mental disorders, with a lifetime cumulative incidence risk of 11% to over 20%, depending on the range of anxiety disorders covered, with females revealing approximately twice the prevalence of males (Wittchen et al., 2001). The incidence for anxiety disorders in general is characterized by steep increases between ages 6 to about 16. After this age considerable incidence rates are noteworthy for panic disorder, agoraphobia and particularly for GAD. Epidemiological studies have also demonstrated some sequential and simultaneous comorbidity between various anxiety disorders and a substantial degree of continuity of childhood expression of anxiety disorders (such as separation anxiety disorder, or overanxious disorders) to various forms of adolescent and adult anxiety and affective disorders. In fact there is growing recognition for the suggestion that anxiety disorders are also a potent risk constellation for depressive disorders (Bittner et al., 2004). The latter two issues of comorbidity and continuity are essential for understanding the considerable degree of lasting impairments and disabilities associated with these disorders that persist from childhood to late adulthood in the majority of cases.
73.6 Gy and beyond: hyperfractionated, accelerated radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE To assess results with twice-daily high-dose radiotherapy (RT) for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 1991 and 1998, 94 patients with unresectable NSCLC were prescribed > or = 73.6 Gy via accelerated fractionation. Fifty were on a phase II protocol (P group); 44 were similarly treated off-protocol (NP group). The clinical target volume received 45 Gy at 1.25 Gy bid (6-hour interval). The gross target volume received 1.6 Gy bid to 73.6 to 80 Gy over 4.5 to 5 weeks using a concurrent boost technique. Overall survival (OS) and local progression-free survival (LPFS) were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Median follow-up durations for surviving P and NP patients were 67 and 16 months, respectively. RESULTS Total doses received were > or = 72 Gy in 97% of patients. The median OS by stage was 34, 13, and 12 months for stages I/II, IIIa, and IIIb, respectively. LPFS was significantly longer for patients with T1 lesions (median, 43 months) versus T2-4 (median, 7 to 10 months; P =.01). Results were similar in the P and NP groups. Acute grade > or = 3 toxicity included esophagus (14 patients; 15%), lung (three patients; 3% [one grade 5]), and skin (four patients; 4%). Grade > or = 3 late toxicity in 86 assessable patients included esophagus (three patients; 3%), lung (15 patients; 17% [three grade 5]), skin (five patients; 6%), heart (two patients; 2%), and nerve (one patient; 1%). CONCLUSION This regimen yielded favorable survival results, particularly for T1 lesions. Acute grade > or = 3 toxicity seems greater than for conventional RT, though most patients recovered. Late grade > or = 3 pulmonary toxicity occurred in 17%. Because of continued locoregional recurrences, we are currently using doses > or = 86 Gy.
Informal Caregivers' Experiences of Caring of Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Qualitative Study

Background: Approximately one-third of people suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) need long-term care by their families, however, we know little of their experiences. Exploring these experiences can be a guideline to improve the quality of care for MS patients. The goal of this study is to explore informal caregivers' experiences regarding care of MS patients.Materials and Methods: A qualitative content analysis method was used to conduct this study in 2014. The study participants were 23 informal caregivers of MS patients who were chosen by purposeful sampling from the MS association of Iran. Data was analyzed by content analysis.Results: The analysis resulted in the emergence of six themes and seventeen subthemes. The main themes were being plagued, mental health damage, being captive among obstacles, perception of the affected family, being an emotional supporter, and need to maintain the functional independence of the patient. Conclusions: The findings represent the mean of long-term care by informal caregivers of MS patients, as well as the needs and challenges of this relationship. The findings can serve to create a framework for developing nursing care processes and planning educational sessions and support programs for MS patients and their informal caregivers.
Blocking ovarian cancer progression by targeting tumor microenvironmental leukocytes

Current therapies for metastatic ovarian carcinoma are based on surgical debulking followed by chemotherapy. After more than three decades implementing treatments that selectively target the tumor cell, the 5-year survival rate for metastatic ovarian cancer patients is still lower than 30%. Novel strategies are therefore urgently needed to complement classical treatments for this malignancy. Recently, leukocytes in the ovarian cancer microenvironment such as regulatory T cells and immature pro-angiogenic/tolerogenic myeloid cells have been demonstrated to play a fundamental role in tumor progression. This review focuses on our recent understanding of the potential of eliminating and/or modulating the phenotype of these leukocytes in vivo and in situ as a novel intervention to complement standard ovarian cancer treatments. The significant effects of targeting these crucial microenvironmental players on cancer vascularization, local tumor growth, distal metastatic spreading and spontaneous anti-tumor immune responses are discussed.
Study of High Performance GeSn Photodetectors with Cutoff Wavelength Up to 3.7 μm for Low-Cost Infrared Imaging

The GeSn photodetectors with Sn compositions up to 22.3% were systematically investigated. The maximum cutoff wavelength of 3.7 μm at 300 K and the peak specific detectivity of 9.5×10<sup>9</sup> cm.Hz<sup>1/2</sup>W<sup>−1</sup> at 77 K were achieved with 22.3% and 11.4% Sn devices, respectively. Moreover, the infrared images were captured using Ge<inf>0.89</inf>Sn<inf>0.11</inf> photoconductor at 77 K. © 2019 The Author(s)
Increased peripheral vascular resistance in male patients with traumatic lower limb amputation: one piece of the cardiovascular risk puzzle

AimThe increased morbidity and mortality in traumatic lower limb amputees can be explained by the development of risk factors, among which high blood pressure plays an important role. However, the possible mechanisms underlying increased blood pressure levels observed in this population remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to test the hypothesis that peripheral vascular resistance is increased at rest in patients with traumatic lower limb amputation. Patients and methodsIn a cross-sectional study, eight patients with traumatic unilateral lower limb amputation (amputee group) and eight healthy individuals without amputation (control group) were included. Resting blood pressure, heart rate, and forearm blood flow were recorded simultaneously and thus, forearm vascular resistance was calculated. ResultsThe amputee group showed higher systolic (126±2 vs. 118±5 mmHg, P<0.01), diastolic (78±2 vs. 63±3 mmHg, P<0.01), mean blood pressure (94±2 vs. 81±3 mmHg, P<0.01), and heart rate (74±5 vs. 65±8 bpm, P=0.02) compared with the control group. Despite the similar forearm blood flow response between groups, patients with traumatic lower limb amputation presented increased peripheral vascular resistance at rest compared with the control group (31.3±3.8 vs. 25.7±6.5 U, P=0.05). ConclusionPatients with traumatic amputation present increased peripheral vascular resistance. Our findings clarify one possible mechanism underlying the higher blood pressure levels observed in this population.
Achieving High Availability in Heterogeneous Cellular Networks via Spectrum Aggregation

The exponential growth in data traffic and dramatic capacity demand in fifth generation (5G) have inspired the move from traditional single-tier cellular networks toward heterogeneous cellular networks (HCNs). To face the coming trend in 5G, the high availability requirement in new applications needs to be satisfied to achieve low latency service. Usually, these applications require an availability of six nines or even higher. In this paper, we present a tractable multitier multiband availability model for spectrum aggregation-based HCNs. We first derive a closed-form expression for the availability of spectrum aggregation-based HCNs using the signal-to-interference-plus-noise model. By doing so, we formulate two optimization problems, one is to maximize the average availability, and the other one is to minimize the average power consumption. These two optimization problems are both nonconvex problems, which are challenging to solve. To cope with them, we propose to apply genetic algorithm for the joint user equipment (UE) association, subcarrier assignment, and power allocation problem. Our results show that the average availability in spectrum aggregation-based HCNs improves with decreasing number of UEs, as well as increasing power budget ratio. We also show that increasing the maximum number of aggregated subcarriers decreases the average power consumption, but cannot guarantee the substantial improvement of average availability.
The contribution of human foods to honey bee diets in a mid-sized metropolis

Concern for honey bee health has implicated both urbanization and nutritional stress as factors contributing to honey bee declines. The expansion of urban areas has resulted in reduced foraging habitat for bees, while at the same time introducing new food sources, such as foods unintentionally provided by humans as litter or in waste containers. While human foods play an important role in the diets of other urban animals, the extent to which honey bees feed on these resources has not been well characterized. Here, we compared the amount of human foods in honey bee diets across a rural-urban gradient in North Carolina, USA, using stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C). Human-produced sugars—primarily sugarcane and corn syrup—have a characteristic isotope signature that can be used to quantify the relative amount of human foods in animal diets. We predicted that urban bees would have an increase in δ13C if they were feeding on human-produced sugars, but we found no change in δ13C between urban and rural colonies. Instead, we found an increase in δ13C in managed bees in both habitats, which is indicative of supplemental sugar feeding by beekeepers. Rather than switching to human food sources, urban bees seem to be feeding on urban flowers or insect-produced honeydew. This suggests an important role for urban flowers and green spaces in maintaining healthy pollinator populations in cities.
Leptospirosis versus hantavirus infections in the Netherlands and in Belgium, 2000 to 2014.

J Clement (jan.clement@uzleuven.be)1, M Van Esbroeck2, K Lagrou3, J Verschueren2, N P Sunil-Chandra4, M Van Ranst1 1. National Reference Centre for Hantaviruses, Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium 2. National Reference Laboratory for Leptospirosis, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium 3. Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Catholic University Leuven, and Clinical Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium 4. Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri-Lanka
The influence of gender and age on hamstring muscle length in healthy adults.

STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional descriptive study. OBJECTIVES To examine the factors of gender and age, stratified by 10-year increments, on hamstring muscle length (HML) as measured by passive straight-leg raise (PSLR) and popliteal angle (PA). BACKGROUND Differences in HML between men and women have not been examined for a large group of healthy adults over a wide range of ages. The usefulness of these data is to provide some typical values of HML for future reference. METHODS AND MEASURES Two hundred fourteen adults (108 women, 106 men; age range, 20-79 years) with no known history of hip or knee joint disease and no history of recent hamstring strain participated in the study. PSLR (trunk-thigh angle) and PA (thigh-leg angle) were estimated with a goniometer. A 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the effects of 2 independent variables (gender and age) on 2 dependent variables (PSLR and PA). Statistical significance was established at alpha<. 05. RESULTS HML differed significantly (P<.001) between genders for both methods of measurement, with females demonstrating greater flexibility than their male counterparts. The difference between genders was 8 degrees for PSLR and 11 degrees for PA. HML was not influenced by age. CONCLUSIONS This study provides physical therapists with typical values of HML in healthy men and women.
Importance Sampling for Fair Policy Selection

We consider the problem of off-policy policy selection in reinforcement learning: using historical data generated from running one policy to compare two or more policies. We show that approaches based on importance sampling can be unfair---they can select the worse of two policies more often than not. We then give an example that shows importance sampling is systematically unfair in a practically relevant setting; namely, we show that it unreasonably favors shorter trajectory lengths. We then present sufficient conditions to theoretically guarantee fairness. Finally, we provide a practical importance sampling-based estimator to help mitigate the unfairness due to varying trajectory lengths.
Harvesting epithelial keratinocyte sheets from temperature‐responsive dishes preserves basement membrane proteins and improves cell survival in a skin defect model

Cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) therapy has been used in clinical applications since the 1980s. However, there are some issues related to this treatment that still remain unsolved. Enzymatic treatment is typically used in the collection of epithelial keratinocyte sheets, but it tends to break the adhesion and basement membrane proteins. It is thought that the loss of proteins after enzymatic treatment is responsible for the poor survival of transplanted cell sheets. Our laboratory has developed a temperature‐responsive culture dish that does not require enzymatic treatment to harvest the cells. In this study, we compare morphological and survival results from rat epithelial keratinocyte cell sheets harvested by temperature‐reducing treatment (TT sheets) against cell sheets harvested by enzymatic (dispase) treatment (DT sheets). TT sheets preserve keratin structure in better conditions and express higher levels of collagen IV and laminin 5 than DT sheets. In order to evaluate cell sheet survival after transplantation, we created an in vivo transplant model. Keratinocyte sheets obtained from GFP‐positive animals were transplanted into athymic rats. The survival rate 7 days after transplantation of TT sheet was higher than that of DT sheets. Collagen IV and Laminin 5 expression was observed in the TT sheet transplantation group. These results indicate that the remaining basement membrane proteins are important for initial attachment and cell survival. We believe that the cell sheet harvesting method using temperature‐responsive culture dishes provides superior cell survival and can solve one of the roadblocks in CEA therapy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.