Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impairment of Cerebrovascular Reactivity in Long-Term Type 1 Diabetes

The early preclinical detection of cerebrovascular complications in individuals with diabetes is one of the goals of care described in the St. Vincent Declaration. In accordance with this goal, the aim of the present work was to investigate whether altered cerebral microvascular function in patients suffering from type 1 diabetes can be detected with a transcranial Doppler probe after the administration of acetazolamide. A total of 72 type 1 diabetic patients and 40 healthy control subjects entered the study. Patients were divided into two groups: those with long-term diabetes (disease duration of >10 years, n = 37) and those with short-term diabetes (disease duration of ≤10 years, n = 35). Mean blood-flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCAV) was measured at rest and at 5, 10, 15, and 20 min after intravenous administration of 1 g acetazolamide with a transcranial Doppler probe and expressed as the percentage change from the pretest measurement. The percentage increase in MCAV (cerebrovascular reactivity) was calculated at each time point and compared between the groups. Cerebrovascular reserve capacity (CRC), expressed as the maximal percentage increase of the MCAV, was compared between the groups. Additionally, a reproducibility study of CRC was performed in 10 patients, using intra-class correlations. Cerebrovascular reactivity in the long-term diabetes group was lower (means ± SD: 5 min, 23.4 ± 15.4%; 10 min, 28.8 ± 17.0%; 15 min, 30.0 ± 15.6%; 20 min, 24.2 ± 17.8%) than that of the control subjects (5 min, 43.5 ± 23.9%; 10 min, 55.3 ± 24.0%; 15 min, 56.7 ± 23.8%; 20 min, 54.8 ± 25.9%) and the short-term diabetic patients (5 min, 43.6 ± 25.9%; 10 min, 52.2 ± 27.7%; 15 min, 55.3 ± 32.2%; 20 min, 45.8 ± 35.8%). CRC was lower in the long-term diabetes group than in the control group or the short-term diabetes group. Impairment of cerebrovascular reactivity was associated with retino- and nephropathy and increased levels of fibrinogen. In contrast, CRC was independent from actual glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, von Willebrand factor antigen, and α-2 macroglobulin levels. Transcranial Doppler measurements of the changes in MCAV after stimulation with acetazolamide can detect altered cerebral microvascular function in patients with diabetes. Cerebrovascular reactivity and reserve capacity are reduced in patients with long-term diabetes. Further prospective studies should delineate the clinical significance of our results.
Millisecond Precision Spike Timing Shapes Tactile Perception

In primates, the sense of touch has traditionally been considered to be a spatial modality, drawing an analogy to the visual system. In this view, stimuli are encoded in spatial patterns of activity over the sheet of receptors embedded in the skin. We propose that the spatial processing mode is complemented by a temporal one. Indeed, the transduction and processing of complex, high-frequency skin vibrations have been shown to play an important role in tactile texture perception, and the frequency composition of vibrations shapes the evoked percept. Mechanoreceptive afferents innervating the glabrous skin exhibit temporal patterning in their responses, but the importance and behavioral relevance of spike timing, particularly for naturalistic stimuli, remains to be elucidated. Based on neurophysiological recordings from Rhesus macaques, we show that spike timing conveys information about the frequency composition of skin vibrations, both for individual afferents and for afferent populations, and that the temporal fidelity varies across afferent class. Furthermore, the perception of skin vibrations, measured in human subjects, is better predicted when spike timing is taken into account, and the resolution that predicts perception best matches the optimal resolution of the respective afferent classes. In light of these results, the peripheral representation of complex skin vibrations draws a powerful analogy with the auditory and vibrissal systems.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme I/D and &agr;-Adducin Gly460Trp Polymorphisms: From Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Activity to Cardiovascular Outcome

The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D and the &agr;-adducin (ADD1) Gly460Trp polymorphisms are associated with cardiovascular risk factors. In a prospective population study and in cell models, we investigated the combined effects of these 2 polymorphisms. We randomly recruited 1287 white subjects (women: 50.0%; mean age: 55.9 years). We obtained outcomes from registries and repeat examinations (median 3). Over 9.0 years (median), 178 fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular events occurred. In ADD1 Trp allele carriers, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios associated with ACE DD versus I were 1.72 (P=0.007) for total mortality, 2.35 (P=0.02) for cardiovascular mortality, 2.02 (P=0.005) for all cardiovascular events, and 2.59 (P=0.03) for heart failure. In contrast, these hazard ratios did not reach significance in ADD1 GlyGly homozygotes (0.08≤P≤0.90). The positive predictive value and attributable risk associated with ACE DD homozygosity combined with mutated ADD1 were 36.2% and 10.3%, respectively. To clarify our epidemiological observations, we investigated the effects of mutated human ADD1 on the membrane-bound ACE activity in fibroblasts from 51 volunteers and in transfected human embryonic kidney cells (31 experiments). In fibroblasts (5.10 versus 3.63 nanomoles of generated hippuric acid per milligram of protein per minute; P=0.0021) and human embryonic kidney cells (1.086 versus 0.081 nmol/mg per minute; P=0.017), the membrane-bound ACE activity increased in the presence but not absence of the ADD1 Trp allele. In conclusion, the combination of ACE DD homozygosity and mutated ADD1 worsened cardiovascular prognosis to a similar extent as classic risk factors, possibly because of increased membrane-bound ACE activity in subjects carrying the ADD1 Trp allele.
Dependence of the Exchange Bias and Coercivity of [Pd/Ferromagnet]$_N$/FeMn Multilayers on the Stack Number$N$

The dependencies of the stack number N on perpendicular exchange-biasing (H<sub>ex</sub>) and coercivity H<sub>c</sub>) in [Pd/Co]<sub>N</sub> and [Pd/Co (or CoFe)]<sub>N</sub>/FeMn multilayers were investigated. With the help of the careful designs of layer structures, a series of samples whose surface anisotropies have the linear function N was prepared with constant bulk anisotropies. From the experimental data obtained, it was found that H<sub>ex</sub> does not depend on the surface anisotropy, while H<sub>c</sub> shows a strong dependence. Therefore, it is possible to tailor wide ranges of H<sub>c </sub> (300-600 Oe) without varying H<sub>ex</sub>(~200 Oe) through the single control parameter stack number N
The distribution of γ‐adrenoceptors and P2 purinoceptors in mesenteric arteries and veins of the guinea‐pig

1 Membrane potential changes and contractions were recorded from mesenteric arteries and veins of the guinea‐pig, during perivascular nerve stimulation or application of noradrenaline or adenosine triphosphate (ATP). 2 After α‐adrenoceptor blockade, noradrenaline activated low affinity adrenoceptors (γ‐adrenoceptors) causing depolarization and arterial contraction only in the presence of an inhibitor of catecholamine uptake. 3 Noradrenaline did not cause depolarization or contraction of the vein after α‐adrenoceptor blockade even after catecholamine uptake was blocked. 4 Adenosine triphosphate caused depolarization and contraction of both arteries and veins. These responses were abolished by α‐,β‐,methylene adenosine triphosphate (Me‐ATP). 5 Me‐ATP abolished rapid excitatory junction potentials (e.j.ps) caused by perivascular nerve stimulation of arteries but had no effect on arterial responses mediated by γ‐adrenoceptors. 6 In veins, perivascular nerve stimulation evoked slow e.j.ps which persisted in the presence of Me‐ATP but were abolished after blockade of α‐adrenoceptors. 7 The observations indicate that P2 purinoceptors are present on both mesenteric artery and vein whilst γ‐adrenoceptors are localized near the neuromuscular junction of the artery. However γ‐adrenoceptors do not appear to be directly involved in the generation of arterial e.j.ps.
Nonword repetition: the relative contributions of phonological short-term memory and phonological representations in children with language and reading impairment.

PURPOSE This study investigates the relative contributions of phonological short-term memory and phonological representations to nonword repetition (NWR). This was evaluated in children with specific language impairment (SLI) and/or reading impairment (RI); it was also studied from a developmental perspective by comparing 2 groups of typically developing (TD) children who differed in age. METHOD NWR, digit span, vocabulary, and word and nonword discrimination were tested in 2 groups of TD children: one group matched on chronological age (CA TD group: n = 41, mean age = 7;8 [months;years]), and one language age-matched control group (LA TD group: n = 16, mean age = 5;8). Also, 10 children with SLI, 14 children with RI, and 23 children with SLI and RI (hereafter, SLI + RI) participated and were matched to the age of the CA TD group. RESULTS For the TD children, NWR was predicted by discrimination, digit span, and age. The interaction between discrimination ability and age was also significant. Children with SLI + RI were significantly impaired on NWR compared with all other groups. A regression analysis, including the CA TD group and the children with SLI and/or RI, showed that digit span, discrimination ability, and group (SLI + RI) contributed significantly to NWR. CONCLUSIONS Phonological short-term memory and phonological representations both significantly contribute to NWR. The predictive strength of the quality of phonological representations changes during development.
Social Comparison Processes in Autobiographies of Adult Cancer Survivors

Cancer survivors often compare their situations to other survivors’ situations. However, types of social comparison processes used and resulting outcomes are not clearly delineated. This study explores usage and consequences of three social comparison styles (downward, upward and parallel) of adult cancer survivors in free narratives, using content analysis of 30 autobiographical books by survivors ranging in age from 30-70 (M = 54, SD = 10.04); 43 percent prostate cancer, 17 percent breast cancer and 40 percent other cancers. Overall, cancer survivors used more parallel comparisons than directional comparisons, followed by upward comparisons. Each type of comparison was associated with different kinds of positive and negative consequences.
Mapping the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) to EQ-5D Utility Scores

Abstract Purpose: To develop a mapping algorithm for the estimation of EQ-5D-based utility scores from observed 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) scores, a disease-specific, patient-reported outcome measure used in several retinal disorders to evaluate vision-specific functioning. Methods: The dataset comprised 951 paired EQ-5D/NEI VFQ-25 observations from 344 patients in RESTORE, a 12-month, randomized, double-blind trial in individuals with visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema. EQ-5D index scores (utilities) were calculated based on the UK tariff. We evaluated 11 models using predictor sets based on the NEI VFQ-25 subscales to estimate utility as a function of NEI VFQ-25 score, based on four modeling techniques. Model performance was assessed by 10-fold cross-validation comparing root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and correlation with EQ-5D score (Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients). Results: Mapping results were similar across all techniques and predictor sets. The reverse two-part generalized estimating equation model used fewest predictors and had the best predictive performance (RMSE 0.200, MAE 0.140). Predicted and original EQ-5D values were not strongly correlated (squared Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.34). Conclusions: Although mapping disease-specific instruments to EQ-5D utilities is a preferred method by some reimbursement bodies, finding an appropriate mapping equation is not straightforward. In this study, mapping NEI VFQ-25 scores to EQ-5D utilities provided low predictive power, independent of the modeling methodology applied, suggesting an inability of the EQ-5D to discriminate vision-related activities, and highlighting that mapping exercises may lead to inaccurate utility values that do not represent patients’ preferences.
Possible role for TRPV1 in neomycin‐induced inhibition of visceral hypersensitivity in rat

Abstract Transient receptor ion channel 1 (TRPV1) is a nociceptor involved in visceral hypersensitivity. Aminoglycosides like neomycin are not only potent antibiotics but in vitro data suggest that neomycin also acts as a TRPV1‐antagonist and alleviates somatic pain responses. To what extent neomycin reduces visceral hypersensitivity remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether neomycin can inhibit in vivo TRPV1‐dependent hypersensitivity responses in two rat models of visceral pain. In the first model rats were pretreated with intraperitoneal (i.p.) capsazepine, the selective TRPV1 antagonist SB‐705498, neomycin or vehicle alone and 30 min later instilled with intracolonic TRPV1‐activating capsaicin. Likewise, rats were pretreated with 10 days oral neomycin and then subjected to intracolonic capsaicin. The visceromotor response (VMR) to distension was measured before and after capsaicin application. In addition, the VMR to distension was measured in adult maternal separated rats before and after acute stress. Before the 2nd distension protocol these rats were treated with i.p. neomycin, amoxycillin or vehicle alone. Our results showed that capsaicin administration induced an enhanced VMR to distension that was prevented by i.p. capsazepine, SB‐705498 and neomycin. Oral neomycin treatment changed bacterial faecal content but could not inhibit capsaicin induced visceral hypersensitivity. In maternal separated rats acute stress induced an enhanced response to distension that was reversed by i.p. neomycin, but not amoxycillin. These data indicate that (i.p.) neomycin can inhibit visceral hypersensitivity to distension in a nonbactericidal manner and suggest that TRPV1‐modulation may be involved.
Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Regulates Cdk5 Activity in Primary Sensory Neurons*

Background: Cdk5 participates in the regulation of nociceptive signaling and peripheral inflammation increase its activity. Results: TGF-β1, an immunoregulatory cytokine that plays a key role during inflammation, can increase Cdk5 activity. Conclusion: There is active cross-talk between TGF-β and Cdk5 signaling pathways that affects pain. Significance: Understanding the cross-talk between inflammation and pain signaling is important for developing novel therapies to treat pain associated with chronic inflammatory diseases. In addition to many important roles for Cdk5 in brain development and synaptic function, we reported previously that Cdk5 regulates inflammatory pain signaling, partly through phosphorylation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), an important Na+/Ca2+ channel expressed in primary nociceptive afferent nerves. Because TGF-β regulates inflammatory processes and its receptor is expressed in TRPV1-positive afferents, we studied the cross-talk between these two pathways in sensory neurons during experimental peripheral inflammation. We demonstrate that TGF-β1 increases transcription and protein levels of the Cdk5 co-activator p35 through ERK1/2, resulting in an increase in Cdk5 activity in rat B104 neuroblastoma cells. Additionally, TGF-β1 enhances the capsaicin-induced Ca2+ influx in cultured primary neurons from dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Importantly, Cdk5 activity was reduced in the trigeminal ganglia and DRG of 14-day-old TGF-β1 knock-out mice, resulting in reduced Cdk5-dependent phosphorylation of TRPV1. The decreased Cdk5 activity is associated with attenuated thermal hyperalgesia in TGF-β1 receptor conditional knock-out mice, where TGF-β signaling is significantly reduced in trigeminal ganglia and DRG. Collectively, our results indicate that active cross-talk between the TGF-β and Cdk5 pathways contributes to inflammatory pain signaling.
Low priority main reason not to participate in a colorectal cancer screening program with a faecal occult blood test.

BACKGROUND Compared with screening programs for breast and cervical cancer, reported participation rates for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening are low. The effectiveness of a screening program is strongly influenced by the participation rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the main reasons not to participate in a population-based, invitational CRC screening program. METHODS In the Dutch study program for CRC screening, a random selection of 20 623 persons were invited received a faecal occult blood test. Of the non-participants, 500 were randomly selected and contacted for a standardized telephone interview from November 2006 to May 2007 to document the main reason not to participate. RESULTS In total, 312 (62%) non-participants could be included for analysis. Most frequently, reported reasons for non-participation were time-related or priority-related (36%), including 'did not notice test in mailbox' (13%) and 'forgot' (8%). Other reasons were health-related issues, such as 'severe illness' (9%), or emotional reasons, such as 'family circumstances' (7%). CONCLUSIONS The majority of the reported reasons not to participate reflect low priority for screening. Adding extra instructions and information, and addressing specific concerns through additional interventions should be considered to improve individual decision-making about participation in future CRC population-based screening programs.
Oil Hikes, Drugs and Bribes: Do Oil Prices Matter for Crime Rate in Russia?

In this article we test the hypothesis about the impact of oil prices shocks on the unemployment and crime rate on the example of oil-exporting country. According to the hypothesis, there exist a dependence of the labor market on oil revenue. A negative oil price shock should lead to a decrease in the employment rate, which in turn should lead to a rise in illegal forms of behavior. Illegal behavior is measured as an average of registered crimes (bribery and drug dealing). Based on data for 1990-2017 we study a case of Russia, using vector error correction model for detecting short- and long-term effects. Results show that oil prices and unemployment affect crime rate in the long-run in a case of oil-exporting country. Yet, in the short-run both negative oil shocks and a rise in unemployment rate lead to a statistically significant increase in bribery and drug dealing. A 1% decrease in oil price will lead to a 1,14% rise in bribery and drug dealing and a 1% increase in the unemployment rate leads to a 2,72% increase in drug dealing and bribery.
Improved online torque-sharing-function based low ripple torque control of Switched Reluctance Motor Drives

The major disadvantage of Switched Reluctance Motors (SRMs) is their high torque ripples which limits their suitability to high performance Adjustable Speed Motor Drive (ASMD) applications. Various Instantaneous Torque Control (ITC) schemes have been developed to mitigate the SRM torque ripples. Among them, Torque Sharing Function (TSF) is a popular torque control method. Various conventional offline TSFs and an online TSF based torque control method which reduces the torque ripples and improves the torque-speed performance of conventional TSFs have been developed. However, there are some limitations in the performance improvement of online TSF compared to conventional TSFs. At the same time, the conventional TSF can be optimized to minimize some of its evaluation criteria. Thus, in this paper, conventional TSF is optimized and the TSF optimizing parameters are applied to its corresponding online TSF and a modified current control algorithm is used in the control scheme of the optimized online TSF for improving the torque ripple reduction and torque-speed performance of online TSF. Simulations have been performed on a 280 W, 1500 rpm, three-phase 12/8 SRM drive system for implementation, optimization and performance improvement of the online TSF based torque control scheme.
Cadmium binding in the blood plasma of two marine bivalves

Cadmium tansport in the plasma of Mytilus edulis L. displays attributes similar to those previously described for Mercenaria mercenaria (L.). The majority of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn is partitioned in the plasma rather than the hemocytes in both species, although differences in Fe and Mn are apparent. Mussels however contain twice the number of circulating hemocytes (2.1 ± 0.8% of whole blood weight; n = 75 vs 1.2 ± 0.3%; n = 70 for the quahog) and approximately three times more plasma protein than the quahog. Titration experiments using ion‐specific electrode (ISE) measurements and equilibrium dialysis (ED) experiments indicate that both species have a low‐affinity, high‐capacity system for the internal transport of Cd. At low blood Cd concentrations (<8.9 μM) and short dialysis times (24 h), approximately 90% of the Cd in mussel plasma is bound to plasma proteins. At higher Cd concentrations and at longer dialysis times, the percentage of free Cd increases substantially. The Cd affinity was slightly lower in mussel plasma compared to the quahog (log10K = 2.6–3.9/M vs 3.7–4.3/M), and mussel plasma CL values were appreciably lower (0.16–1.11 mmol/g protein) than those for the quahog (1.97–2.26 mmol/g protein). Both ISE and ED experiments on quahog plasma yielded similar estimates of K and CL.
Applicability of Stockwell transform in diagnosing impulse faults of a transformer

Lightning impulse test is one of the mandatory tests that every transformer has to undergo after assembly. This is done for assessing the condition of insulation of its windings. In the case of any fault, the neutral current and/or tank current contain(s) typical signatures depending on the nature and location of the fault. Since these current signals are non-stationary in nature hence each of these faults can be classified from such a transformation technique that has the time-frequency localization property. This paper investigates the performance of Stockwell Transform, popularly known as S-transform, for identification of insulation failures of a transformer winding during impulse test. The present study is restricted only to identify failure of winding insulation due to some defects that are already present in the winding and have not been developed due to the application or during the propagation of impulse voltage applied during the test. The results presented in this paper are for simulated models of a 3 MVA and a 5 MVA transformer. From the results, the prospect of S-transform in identifying the nature and the location of winding faults in distribution transformers is reflected.