Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voltage Distributions in Extracellular Brain Recordings.

Extracellular recordings of brain voltage signals have many uses, including the identification of spikes and the characterization of brain states via analysis of local field potential (LFP) or EEG recordings. Though the factors underlying the generation of these signals are time-varying and complex, their analysis may be facilitated by an understanding of their statistical properties. To this end, we analyzed the voltage distributions of high-pass extracellular recordings from a variety of structures, including cortex, thalamus and hippocampus, in monkeys, cats and rodents. We additionally investigated LFP signals in these recordings as well as human EEG signals obtained during different sleep stages. In all cases, the distributions were accurately described by a Gaussian within ± 1.5 standard deviations from zero. Outside these limits, voltages tended to be distributed exponentially, i.e. they fell off linearly on log-linear frequency plots, with variable heights and slopes. A possible explanation for this is that sporadically and independently occurring events with individual Gaussian size distributions can sum to produce approximately exponential distributions. For the high-pass recordings, a second explanation results from a model of the noisy behaviour of ion channels which produce action potentials via Hodgkin-Huxley kinetics. The distributions produced by this model, relative to the averaged potential, were also Gaussian with approximately exponential flanks. The model also predicted time-varying noise distributions during action potentials, which were observed in the extracellular spike signals. These findings suggest a principled method for detecting spikes in high-pass recordings and transient events in LFP and EEG signals.
Simultaneous HPLC estimation of omeprazole and domperidone from tablets

The present work describes a simple reverse phase HPLC method for the determination of omeprazole and domperidone from tablet formulations. The determination was carried out on a Hypersil, ODS, C-18 (150×4.6 mm, 5 micron) column using a mobile phase of methanol:0.1 M ammonium acetate (pH 4.9) (60:40). The flow rate and runtime were 1 ml/min and 10 min, respectively. The eluent was monitored at 280 nm. The method was reproducible, with good resolution between omeprazole and domperidone. The detector response was found to be linear in the concentration range of 10-60 µg/ml for omeprazole and 5-30 µg/ml for domperidone.
Indole-3-acetic acid is a physiological inhibitor of TORC1 in yeast

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is the most common, naturally occurring phytohormone that regulates cell division, differentiation, and senescence in plants. The capacity to synthesize IAA is also widespread among plant-associated bacterial and fungal species, which may use IAA as an effector molecule to define their relationships with plants or to coordinate their physiological behavior through cell-cell communication. Fungi, including many species that do not entertain a plant-associated life style, are also able to synthesize IAA, but the physiological role of IAA in these fungi has largely remained enigmatic. Interestingly, in this context, growth of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is sensitive to extracellular IAA. Here, we use a combination of various genetic approaches including chemical-genetic profiling, SAturated Transposon Analysis in Yeast (SATAY), and genetic epistasis analyses to identify the mode-of-action by which IAA inhibits growth in yeast. Surprisingly, these analyses pinpointed the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1), a central regulator of eukaryotic cell growth, as the major growth-limiting target of IAA. Our biochemical analyses further demonstrate that IAA inhibits TORC1 both in vivo and in vitro. Intriguingly, we also show that yeast cells are able to synthesize IAA and specifically accumulate IAA upon entry into stationary phase. Our data therefore suggest that IAA contributes to proper entry of yeast cells into a quiescent state by acting as a metabolic inhibitor of TORC1.
Care of the Patient With Acute Ischemic Stroke (Prehospital and Acute Phase of Care): Update to the 2009 Comprehensive Nursing Care Scientific Statement: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

The year 2020 was the year of the nurse, celebrating nurse scholarship, innovation, and leadership by promoting scientific nursing research, improving nursing practice, advancing nursing education, and providing leadership to influence health policy. As architects of stroke care, neuroscience nurses play a vital role in collaborating and coordinating care between multiple health professionals. Nurses improve accessibility and equity through telestroke, emergency medical services, and mobile stroke units and are integral to implementing education strategies by advocating and ensuring that patients and caregivers receive stroke education while safely transitioning through the health care system and to home. Stroke care is increasingly complex in the new reperfusion era, requiring nurses to participate in continuing education while attaining levels of competency in both the acute and recovery care process. Advanced practice nurses are taking the lead in many organizations, serving as prehospital providers on mobile stroke units, participating as members of the stroke response team, and directing stroke care protocols in the emergency department. This scientific statement is an update to the 2009 "Comprehensive Overview of Nursing and Interdisciplinary Care of the Acute Ischemic Stroke Patient. " The aim is to provide a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence on nursing care in the prehospital and hyperacute emergency hospital setting, arming nurses with the necessary tools to provide evidenced-based high-quality care.
Coalescence in Surfactant-Stabilized Double Emulsions

In this paper, we investigate the two mechanisms that are responsible for the release of a chemical substance from water-in-oil-in-water double emulsions. (i) One is due to the coalescence of the thin liquid film separating the internal droplets and the oil globule surface. (ii) The other mechanism occurs without film rupturing, that is, by diffusion and/or permeation of the chemical substance across the oil phase. The thin liquid film that forms between the internal droplets and the globule surface is composed of two mixed monolayers covered by hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfactant molecules. Following the well-known Bancroft rule, such inverted films possess a long-range stability with respect to coalescence when essentially covered by hydrophobic surfactant. In that limit, the release is governed by diffusion and/or permeation. However, the film becomes very unstable when a strong proportion of hydrophilic surfactant is adsorbed and the release is then controlled by coalescence. We show that the trans.
Dielectric Properties of Potato Puree in Microwave Frequency Range as Influenced by Concentration and Temperature

Dielectric properties of potato flour-water dispersions (slurry) were measured in the frequency range of 500–2500 MHz by the open-ended coaxial probe method using a network analyzer as a function of concentration (10–25% w/w) and temperature (20–75oC). Both commercial and laboratory prepared samples of potato flours were used. Results indicated that the dielectric constant (ϵ′) decreased with temperature and frequency while increased with concentration. The loss factor (ϵ″) increased with frequency and concentration; however, temperature showed mixed effect. Both ϵ′ and ϵ″ data in conventionally used microwave frequencies (915 and 2450 MHz) were studied as function of concentration and temperature for two sample types using a response surface methodology and found to follow 2nd order polynomial models. Temperature and concentration contributed significantly on dielectric spectra of potato slurry and the sample source had some effect. A change in ϵ′ and ϵ″ above 70oC could be attributed by starch gelatinization. Penetration depth (Dp) decreased with an increase in frequency and non-systematic with temperature. Addition of salt substantially reduced Dp of potato slurry.
EZH2 inhibition decreases neuroblastoma proliferation and in vivo tumor growth

Investigation of the mechanisms responsible for aggressive neuroblastoma and its poor prognosis is critical to identify novel therapeutic targets and improve survival. Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) is known to play a key role in supporting the malignant phenotype in several cancer types and knockdown of EZH2 has been shown to decrease tumorigenesis in neuroblastoma cells. We hypothesized that the EZH2 inhibitor, GSK343, would affect cell proliferation and viability in human neuroblastoma. We utilized four long-term passage neuroblastoma cell lines and two patient-derived xenolines (PDX) to investigate the effects of the EZH2 inhibitor, GSK343, on viability, motility, stemness and in vivo tumor growth. Immunoblotting confirmed target knockdown. Treatment with GSK343 led to significantly decreased neuroblastoma cell viability, migration and invasion, and stemness. GSK343 treatment of mice bearing SK-N-BE(2) neuroblastoma tumors resulted in a significant decrease in tumor growth compared to vehicle-treated animals. GSK343 decreased viability, and motility in long-term passage neuroblastoma cell lines and decreased stemness in neuroblastoma PDX cells. These data demonstrate that further investigation into the mechanisms responsible for the anti-tumor effects seen with EZH2 inhibitors in neuroblastoma cells is warranted.
Nanoprecipitation and nanoformulation of polymers: from history to powerful possibilities beyond poly(lactic acid)

Nanoprecipitation is a facile, mild, and low energy input process for the preparation of polymeric nanoparticles. Basic requirements, as well as common techniques for the self-assembly of non-charged and non-amphiphilic macromolecules into defined nanoparticles are described. At present, the primary focus of polymer nanoprecipitation research lays on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and its copolymer poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). This contribution thus emphasises on polymers beyond PLA systems, such as common industrial- or tailored lab-made polymers, and their ability to form well-defined, functional nanoparticles for a variety of applications now and in the past two centuries. Moreover, in combination with high-throughput devices such as microfluidics, pipetting robots, inkjet printers, and automated analytical instrumentation, the abilities of nanoprecipitation may broaden tremendously with significant effects on new applications.
Biological mechanisms of growth performance and meat quality in porcine muscle tissue

Abstract Growth performance and meat quality are important traits for pig production. The aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying growth performance and meat quality, and to identify novel target molecules for predicting the growth performance and meat quality. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Diannan small ears pigs (DSP) and Landrace pigs (LP) were assessed by RNA-sequencing analyzing technology. A total of 339 DEGs were obtained between DSP and LP. 146 DEGs were upregulated in LP compared with DSP and 193 DEGs were upregulated in DSP compared with LP. The DEGs were significantly enriched in 26 GO and 3 KEGG pathways. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network with 201 nodes and 382 edges was constructed and 5 modules were extracted from the entire network. The identified upregulated expression of genes involved in glycolysis and myogenesis as well as extracellular matrix may be associated with fast body and muscle deposition rates in LP. Increased expression of genes involved in PPAR signaling pathway and fatty acid metabolism as well as oxidative phosphate processes could be related to the intramuscular fat deposition and meat quality in DSP. The present study may provide an improved understanding of the growth performance and meat quality.
Translational remodeling by RNA‐binding proteins and noncoding RNAs

Responsible for generating the proteome that controls phenotype, translation is the ultimate convergence point for myriad upstream signals that influence gene expression. System‐wide adaptive translational reprogramming has recently emerged as a pillar of cellular adaptation. As classic regulators of mRNA stability and translation efficiency, foundational studies established the concept of collaboration and competition between RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) on individual mRNAs. Fresh conceptual innovations now highlight stress‐activated, evolutionarily conserved RBP networks and ncRNAs that increase the translation efficiency of populations of transcripts encoding proteins that participate in a common cellular process. The discovery of post‐transcriptional functions for long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) was particularly intriguing given their cell‐type‐specificity and historical definition as nuclear‐functioning epigenetic regulators. The convergence of RBPs, lncRNAs, and microRNAs on functionally related mRNAs to enable adaptive protein synthesis is a newer biological paradigm that highlights their role as “translatome (protein output) remodelers” and reinvigorates the paradigm of “RNA operons. ” Together, these concepts modernize our understanding of cellular stress adaptation and strategies for therapeutic development.
Association of Intensity of Anti-Pseudomonal Antibiotic Therapy With Risk of Treatment-Emergent Organisms in Cystic Fibrosis Children with Newly Acquired Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.

BACKGROUND While Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) eradication regimens have contributed to a decline in Pa prevalence in people with cystic fibrosis (CF), this antibiotic exposure might increase the risk of acquisition of drug-resistant organisms. This study evaluated the association between antipseudomonal antibiotic exposure intensity and acquisition risk of drug-resistant organisms among children with CF and new Pa infection. METHODS We utilized data from the Early Pseudomonas Infection Control Clinical Trial (EPIC CT), a randomized controlled trial comparing Pa eradication strategies in children with CF and new Pa. The exposure was the number of weeks of oral or inhaled antipseudomonal antibiotics, or ever vs. never treatment with intravenous antipseudomonal antibiotics, during the 18 months of EPIC CT participation. The primary outcomes were risks of acquisition of several respiratory organisms during five years of follow up after EPIC CT estimated using Cox proportional hazards models separately for each specific organism. RESULTS Among 249 participants, there was no increased acquisition risk of any organism associated with greater inhaled antibiotic exposure. With each additional week of oral antibiotics, there was an increased hazard of Achromobacter xylosoxidans acquisition (HR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.02-1.50; p=0.03). Treatment with intravenous antibiotics was associated with an increased hazard of acquisition of multidrug-resistant Pa (HR=2.47; 95% CI 1.28-4.78; p=0.01) and MRSA (HR=1.57; 95% CI 1.03-2.40); p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS Results from this study illustrate the importance of making careful antibiotic choices to balance the benefits of antibiotics in people with CF while minimizing the risk of acquisition of drug-resistant organisms.
BODY FAT AFFECTS CALORIMETRICALLY MEASURED BODY HEAT STORAGE ONLY DURING COLD STRESS

INTRODUCTION The thermal insulation of the body has multiple "in-series" components including the skin, the subcutaneous fat and the underlying tissues. It is well accepted that both the subcutaneous fat (1) and the constricted non-fatty tissues (2) provide significant thermal protection against body cooling during cold exposures. Gygax et al. (3) reponed, however, that no relationship could be found between the change in body heat storage and the subcutaneous fat thickness of the subjects during exposure near thermal neutrality in ail: The objective of the present study was to investigate for a large range of air temperatures (from 12 to 35°C) the contribution of body fat to the changes in body heat storage measured by direct calorimetry.
Synthesis and characterization of a novel -D-B-A-B- block copolymer system for potential light harvesting applications

Supra-molecular and nano-structured electro-active polymers are potentially useful for developing variety inexpensive and flexible shaped opto-electronic devices. In the case of organic photovoltaic materials or devices, for instance, photo induced electrons and holes need to be separated and transported in organic acceptor (A) and donor (D) phases respectively. In this paper, preliminary results of synthesis and characterizations of a coupled block copolymers containing a conjugated donor block (RO-PPV), a conjugated acceptor block (SF-PPV), and some of their electronic/optical properties are presented. While the donor block film has a strong PL emission at around 570 nm, and acceptor block film has a strong PL emission at around 590 nm, the PL emissions of final -D-B-A-B- block copolymer films were quenched by over 99%. Experimental results demonstrated an effective photo induced electron transfer and charge separation due to the interfaces of donor and acceptor blocks. The system is very promising for variety light harvesting applications, including “plastic” photovoltaic devices.
Effects of Biological and Fungicidal Environmental Protection on Chemical Composition of Tomato and Red Pepper Fruits

The experimental materials comprised the fruits of tomato cv. Robin F1 and red pepper cv. Mira harvested from plants sprayed three times with the growth regulator Asahi SL, the biostimulator Biochikol 020 PC, the biocontrol agent Polyversum, and the fungicide Bravo 500 SC. Control plants were sprayed with sterile water. Total fruit yield, average fruit weight, and the concentrations of total extract, pectin, reducing sugars, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds were determined. Biological and fungicidal control contributed to an increase in the yield and average weight of tomato and pepper fruit. The protective treatments had no effect on the content of extract and reducing sugars in tomato and red pepper fruit. The applied biological and fungicidal control agents were negatively correlated with the concentrations of carotenoids and phenolic compounds in tomato fruit, and positively with the pectin content of tomato and red pepper fruit.
Electrostatics and Self Contact in an Elastic Rod Approximation for DNA

DNA is a life-sustaining molecule that enables the storage and retrieval of genetic information. In its role during essential cellular processes, this long flexible molecule is significantly bent and twisted. Previously, we developed an elasto-dynamic rod approximation to study DNA deformed into a loop by a gene regulatory protein (lac repressor) and predicted the energetics and topology of the loops. Although adequate for DNA looping, our model neglected electrostatic interactions which are essential when considering processes that result in highly super-coiled DNA including plectonemes. Herein we extend the rod approximation to account for electrostatic interactions and present strategies that improve computational efficiency. Our calculations for the stability for a circularly bent rod and for an initially straight rod compare favorably to existing equilibrium models. With this new capability, we are now well-positioned to study the dynamics of transcription and other dynamic processes that result in DNA supercoiling.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Drug-loaded emulsion electrospun nanofibers: characterization, drug release and in vitro biocompatibility

Emulsion electrospinning is a flexible and promising technique for encapsulating various drugs into nanofibers. In this work, nanofibrous scaffolds were produced by emulsion electrospinning of either metformin hydrochloride (MH) or metoprolol tartrate (MPT) with poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) or poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) (PHBV). The influence of preparation processes and emulsion compositions (polymer/drug/surfactant Span 80) towards the drug release behaviour of the scaffolds, together with their morphology, surface and thermal properties were evaluated. In vitro release studies indicated that the emulsion electrospun nanofibers significantly alleviated the burst release and produced a sustained release of drugs compared to the blended electrospun nanofibers. Between the two polymers studied, PCL demonstrated a better drug delivery carrier compared to PHBV, and MPT incorporated nanofibers showed less burst release than the others. The emulsion electrospun nanofibers were evaluated for their cytotoxicity using human mesenchymal stem cells and the cytotoxicity results showed that the emulsion electrospun MPT/PCL scaffold favoured cell growth compared to other tested scaffolds. Our study shows that emulsion electrospinning could be a better technique than normal blend electrospinning, especially in modulating the drug release properties by regulating the oil phase and water phase of the emulsions to obtain the desired drug release for the drug delivery systems. And PCL may be a better drug delivery carrier than PHBV.
Human Leukocyte Antigen Class II associations in late‐onset Myasthenia Gravis

Genetic factors predisposing to late‐onset myasthenia gravis (LOMG) have not been clearly defined yet. However, genome‐wide association studies identified Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Class II alleles as a hotspot in this disease subtype. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlations of HLA Class II alleles with clinical data and titin antibodies in this patient subgroup.
The computational neurology of movement under active inference

Abstract We propose a computational neurology of movement based on the convergence of theoretical neurobiology and clinical neurology. A significant development in the former is the idea that we can frame brain function as a process of (active) inference, in which the nervous system makes predictions about its sensory data. These predictions depend upon an implicit predictive (generative) model used by the brain. This means neural dynamics can be framed as generating actions to ensure sensations are consistent with these predictions—and adjusting predictions when they are not. We illustrate the significance of this formulation for clinical neurology by simulating a clinical examination of the motor system using an upper limb coordination task. Specifically, we show how tendon reflexes emerge naturally under the right kind of generative model. Through simulated perturbations, pertaining to prior probabilities of this model’s variables, we illustrate the emergence of hyperreflexia and pendular reflexes, reminiscent of neurological lesions in the corticospinal tract and cerebellum. We then turn to the computational lesions causing hypokinesia and deficits of coordination. This in silico lesion-deficit analysis provides an opportunity to revisit classic neurological dichotomies (e.g. pyramidal versus extrapyramidal systems) from the perspective of modern approaches to theoretical neurobiology—and our understanding of the neurocomputational architecture of movement control based on first principles.
Gas-Assisted Focused Ion Beam Etching of Indium–Tin Oxide Film

Gas-assisted focused ion beam etching is a very useful extension of the focused ion beam technique. In this study, gas-assisted focused ion beam etching is performed on indium–tin oxide (ITO) films using the halide gases xenon difluoride and iodine. The results from this study show that higher etching rates of ITO films may be obtained using xenon difluoride gas at a short beam dwelling time and a negative beam overlap percentage. They also show that gas-assisted focused ion beam etching has several advantages over physical sputtering in focused ion beam milling: increase in etching rate, minimization of redeposition on sidewalls, and minimization of ion implantation in samples.