Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Verbal Working Memory Deficit in Parkinson’s Disease Subjects

The aim of the present work was to evaluate verbal working memory in patients affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD). In particular, tests that explore the functionality of the Articulatory Loop and of the Central Executive during verbal tasks were given. PD patients displayed normal phonological similarity, word length and word frequency effects in a Word span task, thus demonstrating adequate retention capacity of the phonological store, normal functioning of the articulatory rehearsal mechanism and a normal contribution of lexical-semantic knowledge to verbal immediate recall. In the Brown-Peterson task, PD patients showed abnormal performance decay on the letter recall task when articulatory rehearsal was inhibited by a serial subtraction concurrent task. These data provide evidence for normal functioning of the Articulatory Loop in PD patients. However, when the verbal recall task is more attention demanding, PD patients show deficient performance levels, presumably due to depleted processing resources by the Central Executive.
A Necessary and Sufficient Condition for Robust Stability of LTI Discrete-Time Systems using Sum-of-Squares Matrix Polynomials

This paper deals with the robust stability of discrete-time systems with convex polytopic uncertainties. First, it is proved that the parameter-dependent Lyapunov function can be assumed to be a polynomial with a specific bound on its degree. Then, it is shown that the robust stability of any system is equivalent to the existence of two matrix polynomials with some bounds on their degrees, where these two polynomials and also the corresponding Lyapunov matrix polynomial satisfy a specific relation. Furthermore, a method is presented to convert the problem of existence of such polynomials to a set of linear matrix inequalities and equalities, which is referred to as semidefinite programming (SDP), and can be solved by using a number of available softwares. One of the capabilities of the proposed method is that the bounds obtained for the degrees of the related polynomials can be replaced by any smaller numbers in order to simplify the computations, at the cost of a potentially conservative result. Moreover, in the case when it is desired to accurately solve the robust stability problem while the degrees of the related polynomials are large, a computationally efficient method is proposed to convert the problem to the SDP with a reduced number of variables. The efficacy of this work is demonstrated in two numerical examples
Analysis of Dispersive Power-Ground Structures Using the Time-Domain Contour Integral Method

The incorporation of dispersive behavior of power-ground structures in the time-domain contour integral method is investigated. It is shown that material dispersion can be accounted for with the help of a numerical method for the inverse Laplace transform. The proposed technique is very versatile and allows for the incorporation of the general (causal) dielectric-relaxation model. In this paper, conduction-loss and Debije's dielectric-relaxation models are closely studied. Numerical examples are validated using the feature selective validation analysis.
Calcium clamp in isolated neurones of the snail Helix pomatia.

1. Intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in isolated non‐identified Helix pomatia neurones has been clamped at different physiologically significant levels by a feedback system between the fluorescent signal of fura‐2 probe loaded into the cell and ionophoretic injection of Ca2+ ions through a CaCl2‐loaded microelectrode. The membrane potential of the neurone has also been clamped using a conventional two‐microelectrode method. 2. Special measurements have shown that the transport indices of injecting microelectrodes filled with 50 mM CaCl2 are quite variable (0.11 +/‐ 0.06, mean +/‐ S.D.). However, for each electrode the transport indices remained stable during several injection trials into a solution drop having the size of a neurone. The spread of calcium ions from the tip of the microelectrode across the cytosol of the neurone terminated within 2‐4 s. The spatial difference in [Ca2+]i at this time did not exceed 10%. 3. Clamping of [Ca2+]i at a new increased level was accompanied by a transient of the Ca(2+)‐injecting current. To increase [Ca2+]i by 0.1 microM, the amount of calcium ions injected during this stage had to be 36 +/‐ 20 microM Ca2+ per cell volume. Obviously, this transient represents the filling of a fast cytosolic buffer which has to be saturated to reach a new increased level of [Ca2+]i. It was followed by a steady component of Ca(2+)‐injecting current, which was quite low (corresponding to injection of 0.39 +/‐ 0.20 microM s‐1 for a 0.1 microM change of [Ca2+]i). This may represent the functioning of Ca(2+)‐eliminating systems and corresponds to a similar amount of Ca2+ extruded from the cytoplasm. 4. Changes in the injection current also developed when Ca2+ influx through the membrane was triggered by the activation of voltage‐gated calcium channels. The amount of Ca2+ entering the cell during the first seconds of depolarization to‐‐15 mV was equal to 0.59 +/‐ 0.31 microM s‐1 per cell volume. 5. No activation of Ca(2+)‐dependent potassium current was observed during the changes in [Ca2+]i to levels exceeding the basal one by several times. Obviously, to activate this current, a much stronger increase in [Ca2+]i is needed in the immediate vicinity of the corresponding channels.
Cluster arousal analysis in chronic pain‐disturbed sleep

SUMMARY A new cluster arousal analysis system was developed to quantify microdisturbances in the sleep architecture. The system was evaluated in 10 healthy volunteers and the sleep of 23 outpatients with chronic low back pain was investigated before and after a special rehabilitative training. The comparison of sleep parameters before and after the treatment showed a significant reduction of the cluster disturbed sleep (CDS), whereas sleep efficiency and the number of stage shifts remained unchanged. The reduction of the CDS correlated with a reduction of depression scale. This cluster arousal analysis appears to be a sensitive tool for evaluating alterations in the sleep microstructure.
A SPATIAL UNIT LEVEL MODEL FOR SMALL AREA ESTIMATION

• This paper approaches the problem of small area estimation in the framework of spatially correlated data. We propose a class of estimators allowing the integration of sample information of a spatial nature. Those estimators are based on linear models with spatially correlated small area effects where the neighbourhood structure is a function of the distance between small areas. Within a Monte Carlo simulation study we analyze the merits of the proposed estimators in comparison to several traditional estimators. We conclude that the proposed estimators can compete in precision with competitive estimators, while allowing significant reductions in bias. Their merits are particularly conspicuous when analyzing their conditional properties.
Simple and systematic modeling procedure of capacitors based on frequency response

Some capacitor types, such as tantalum capacitors, cannot be well modeled by means of the commonly used R-L-C network, so other equivalent circuits are required when an accurate model is needed. This paper proposes a simple and systematic modeling procedure of capacitors. A canonical passive network (minimum number of elements) is synthesized from the frequency response of the capacitor. The validation is done through experimental measurements on a tantalum capacitor qualified for space applications and data from a manufacturer online catalog for a variety of capacitor types.
Pattern fed objects: a new approach for textured image segmentation

Pattern Fed Objects (PAFOs) are software objects devoted to image segmentation according to texture homogeneity. They live in the two-dimensional world of images with the goals of surviving and proliferating as microorganisms. A PAFO is made of a chromosome in which texture parameter values that reflect the PAFO's relish for learned textures are coded. During its youth a PAFO is fed with different textures belonging to a coherent set, and is taught to recognize the characteristic parameters of this set. To segment an image having an unknown zone distribution, various PAFOs are spread over the image and allowed to compete. Each PAFO springs up on regions of the image as far as the underlying texture is an acceptable regimen. Some generations later, segmentation is achieved. The basic concepts of the proposed method are detailed. Our first results dealing with artificial textured images are shown and discussed. <<ETX>>
The porcine ovarian follicle. II. Electron microscopic study of surface features of granulosa cells at different stages of development.

Surface features of granulosa cells from porcine ovarian follicles were studied at different stages of development by electron microscopy. The presence ofnumerous microvilli on the luminal surface granulosa cells of large follicles and their absence on granulosa cells from small and medium follicles were observed. Microfilaments within the microvilli were also observed. A possible relationship between these structural features and the appearance of trophic hormone receptors is discussed.
Optic Neuritis Associated or Not with TNF Antagonists in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Acute optic neuritis [ON] is an inflammatory condition affecting the optic nerve. Clinicians should suspect optic neuritis in cases of painful and rapidly progressive loss of central visual field. This condition may be associated with a multitude of diseases, and mostly with multiple sclerosis [MS] where it may present as an initial symptom. The literature reports that optic neuritis and MS occur in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] before and after the era of anti-tumour necrosis factor-α [TNFα] drugs. At the present moment, there is little consensus for managing this complication, currently treated with corticosteroids and discontinuation of the causative agents. METHODS We collected cases through a retrospective multicentre European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation CONFER [COllaborative Network For Exceptionally Rare case reports] project. We also performed a comprehensive retrospective search of the available literature on this topic. RESULTS We report herein 12 new cases of ON, including 10 under anti-TNF therapy, collected through the CONFER project. We also compare characteristics of ON associated or not with anti-TNFα agents. CONCLUSIONS The exceptional and current observation of distant family history of MS in 17% of our patients who developed ON, despite the small number and the lack of a control arm, might be an important signal that should be taken into account in our therapeutic strategies in the future.
Management of guttate and generalized psoriasis vulgaris: prospective randomized study.

AIM To assess the efficacy of betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% cream plus ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation with and without additional penicillin therapy in the treatment of guttate psoriasis, and to compare the efficacies of oral psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy and systemic retinoids therapy for treatment of generalized psoriasis. METHODS Sixty patients with guttate (n = 20) and generalized psoriasis vulgaris (n = 40) of various intensity and duration treated at the Department of Dermatology, Medical School in Skopje, from February 2000 to January 2002, were included in this prospective, open-label, randomized, parallel group study. The clinical features of the patients were quantified according to the mean psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) values. Student s t-test for paired samples and two independent samples were used in statistical analysis. RESULTS The final PASI values were not significantly different for the patients receiving different treatments of guttate psoriasis or generalized psoriasis. The initial PASI values for guttate psoriasis patients treated with betamethasone dipropionate plus UVB with and without penicillin treatment (5.7 +/- 2.1 and 5.9 +/- 2.5, respectively) declined to 0.5 +/- 0.8 and 1.0 +/- 0.9, respectively, after the therapy. The initial PASI values in generalized psoriasis patients receiving PUVA dropped from 24.1 +/- 3.6 to 1.7 +/- 1.5 by the end of the therapy. Finally, pre-treatment PASI values in patients with generalized psoriasis receiving retinoids decreased from 24.6 +/- 3.5 to 0.9 +/- 1.1 after treatment. However, patients receiving systemic retinoids for generalized psoriasis had statistically higher incidence of side effects than patients receiving PUVA therapy (t = 6.458, df = 38, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Penicillin should be applied in addition to local corticosteroids with UVB in the treatment of guttate psoriasis, since the disease may be triggered by a streptococcal infection. In cases of generalized psoriasis vulgaris, PUVA therapy caused fewer side effects than did systemic retinoids.
Nonlinear vehicle dynamics control for EV with 4 in-wheel motors

In this paper, a motion follow controller for a 4-wheel-drive electric vehicle based on one track non-linear vehicle model and variable structure control (VSC) theory was designed. Combining the controller with optimal control allocation algorithm which takes into account of longitudinal/lateral force couple characteristic for tire under critical situation, we designed the vehicle stability control system. By using veDYNA, the double lane change simulation was carried out to verify the validity of control method. The results of simulation show the proposed control method could stabilize vehicle well under critical situation. The reference model plays an important role at stabilizing vehicle attitude, but inevitably alters the steering characteristic, which brings certain conservative. Actual control allocation could match the general requirement well by taking into account of tire force characteristic.
Autocatalytic formation of a covalent link between tryptophan 41 and the heme in ascorbate peroxidase.

Electronic spectroscopy, HPLC analyses, and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF and MS/MS) have been used to show that a covalent link from the heme to the distal Trp41 can occur on exposure of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) to H2O2 under noncatalytic conditions. Parallel analyses with the W41A variant and with APX reconstituted with deuteroheme clearly indicate that the covalent link does not form in the absence of either Trp41 or the heme vinyl groups. The presence of substrate also precludes formation of the link. Formation of a protein radical at Trp41 is implicated, in a reaction mechanism that is analogous to that proposed [Ghiladi, R. A. , et al. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 15093-15105] for formation of a covalent Trp-Tyr-Met link in the closely related catalase peroxidase (KatG) enzymes. Collectively, the data suggest that radical formation at the distal tryptophan position is not an exclusive feature of the KatG enzymes and may be used more widely across other members of the class I heme peroxidase family.
Prolonged endotoxemia enhances the renal injuries induced by gentamicin in rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of chronic endotoxemia in the nephrotoxicity of gentamicin (GM). Saline or Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered to conscious rats by continuous intravenous perfusion (1 mg/kg per day for 7 days) from a subcutaneously implanted osmotic pump. Twenty-four hours after surgery (day zero), treatment with saline or GM (15 mg/kg; intraperitoneally, twice a day) was started for 5 days. Levels of LPS in plasma measured by Limulus amoebocyte lysate activity decreased significantly from days 1 through 8. At days 5 and 8, the cortical concentrations of GM were higher in the LPS-perfused and GM-treated group (LPS plus GM) than they were in the saline-perfused and GM-treated group (saline plus GM) (P less than 0.05). Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine remained at normal levels throughout the experiment. A significant increase of cortical tubular cell regeneration was observed in the LPS plus GM animals as compared with regeneration observed in the other groups (saline plus saline, LPS plus saline, and saline plus GM), as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. Moreover, histopathological nephrotoxicity scores showed a synergistic toxic effect between LPS and GM. These results demonstrate that chronic perfusion of low doses of LPS potentiates the nephrotoxicity of GM.
Histological reconstruction of dental development and age at death in a juvenile gibbon (Hylobates lar).

Although research on dental development in great apes and modern humans has provided comparative models for life history, growth and development in hominin evolution, almost nothing is known about dental development in their sister group, the hylobatids. Hylobatids are of interest because they differ in important life history variables from other catarrhines of similar body mass, and can help to provide more general models for the factors underlying patterns of dental development. This study uses histological techniques to reconstruct developmental sequence, crown formation times, root extension rates, daily rates of enamel and dentine formation, and age at death in a single specimen of Hylobates lar. Thin sections were prepared of permanent mandibular teeth and analyzed by polarized light microscopy. Age at death was determined to be 2.88 yrs calibrated from a pattern of accentuated growth increments. At this age, permanent teeth in occlusion include I1, I2, and M1. Developing permanent teeth include C1, P3, P4, and M2. P3 lags behind P4 in development, and there is no indication of M3 present in the crypt. Differences between the gibbon specimen and great apes include greater prenatal development of M1, accelerated incisor development relative to molars and prenatal development of I1, no overlap between M2 and M3 crown development, shorter crown formation times, and slower root extension rates of 4-5 micron daily in the molars. Root extension rates are higher in the incisors. The periodicity of growth increments is four days, more similar to macaques than to other hominoids. Daily formation rates for enamel of 1.2-4.9 micron and dentine of 1.7-4.9 micron are similar to those reported for other catarrhines.
How Do Nonlinear Unit Root Tests Perform with Non Normal Errors?

This article examines how popular nonlinear unit root tests perform in the presence of non normal errors. Non normal errors normally do not pose a problem in the usual linear unit root tests since the least squares estimator will still be the most efficient under certain ideal conditions regardless of normal or non normal errors. Whether similar results will carry over to nonlinear unit root tests with non normal errors is a question that merits examination. We find that in contrast to the linear tests, the presence of non normal errors in nonlinear unit root tests will lead to a significant loss of power.
Nuclear‐cytoplasmic transport of EGFR involves receptor endocytosis, importin β1 and CRM1

Many receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) can be detected in the cell nucleus, such as EGFR, HER‐2, HER‐3, HER‐4, and fibroblast growth factor receptor. EGFR, HER‐2 and HER‐4 contain transactivational activity and function as transcription co‐factors to activate gene promoters. High EGFR in tumor nuclei correlates with increased tumor proliferation and poor survival in cancer patients. However, the mechanism by which cell‐surface EGFR translocates into the cell nucleus remains largely unknown. Here, we found that EGFR co‐localizes and interacts with importins α1/β1, carriers that are critical for macromolecules nuclear import. EGFR variant mutated at the nuclear localization signal (NLS) is defective in associating with importins and in entering the nuclei indicating that EGFR's NLS is critical for EGFR/importins interaction and EGFR nuclear import. Moreover, disruption of receptor internalization process using chemicals and forced expression of dominant‐negative Dynamin II mutant suppressed nuclear entry of EGFR. Additional evidences suggest an involvement of endosomal sorting machinery in EGFR nuclear translocalization. Finally, we found that nuclear export of EGFR may involve CRM1 exportin as we detected EGFR/CRM1 interaction and markedly increased nuclear EGFR following exposure to leptomycin B, a CRM1 inhibitor. Collectively, these data suggest the importance of receptor endocytosis, endosomal sorting machinery, interaction with importins α1/β1, and exportin CRM1 in EGFR nuclear‐cytoplasmic trafficking. Together, our work sheds light into the nature and regulation of the nuclear EGFR pathway and provides a plausible mechanism by which cells shuttle cell‐surface EGFR and potentially other RTKs through the nuclear pore complex and into the nuclear compartment. J. Cell. Biochem. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pharmacokinetics of 14C-delmopinol in the healthy male volunteer.

1. The absorption and excretion of delmopinol, an inhibitor of plaque formation and gingivitis, were studied in healthy male volunteers. Each subject received a single dose of a 10-ml aqueous solution of 14C-delmopinol at 2 mg/ml as a 1-min mouth rinse (the intended route of administration; n=6) or as an oral dose (n=6). 2. After mouth rinsing, 72% of the dose was expectorated. The retained portion of the dose was rapidly absorbed and eliminated. Of the dose, 25% was recovered in the urine. Renal excretion was predominant also after oral administration with 92% of the dose excreted in the urine. The total recovery of 14C-activity after 6 days was 99% (rinsing) and 95% (oral) with the bulk, 20% (rinsing) and 80% (oral), of the dose excreted already within 8 h. 3. Peak plasma levels of 14C-labelled compounds were attained at 1.5 h after rinsing and 0.5 h after oral administration; total concentrations were approximately 200 and 3000nmol/l, respectively. For parent delmopinol, peak plasma levels of 49 nmol/l (rinsing) and 8 nmol/l (oral) occurred after 1.5 and 1.3 h, respectively. After rinsing, the concentration of delmopinol declined with a half-life of 2.4 h. The plasma level of 14C-labelled compounds declined multiphasically. In the terminal elimination phase (after 72 h) remaining radioactivity, < 2% of dose (rinse) and < 5% of dose (oral), decreased with a half-life of approximately 130 and 160 h, respectively. 4. Results indicate a very low bioavailability (1-3%) due to extensive first-pass metabolism of delmopinol after oral administration. A high plasma clearance (> 60 l/h) and a large volume of distribution (> 200 l) were also indicated. 5. The results of rapid and almost complete recovery in the urine support that delmopinol can safely be used in the treatment of patients with plaque or gingivitis.