Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous electrical activity and associated changes in calcium concentration in guinea‐pig gastric smooth muscle

Spontaneous electrical activity and internal Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were measured simultaneously using conventional microelectrodes and fura‐2 fluorescence, respectively, in isolated circular smooth muscle bundles of the guinea‐pig gastric antrum. The smooth muscle bundles generated periodic slow potentials with accompanying spike potentials and associated transient increases in [Ca2+]i (Ca2+‐transients). Nifedipine abolished the spike potentials but not the slow potentials, and reduced the amplitude of associated Ca2+‐transients. Caffeine, in the absence or presence of ryanodine, reduced resting [Ca2+]i levels and abolished the slow potentials and associated Ca2+‐transients. Depolarization elevated and hyperpolarization reduced resting [Ca2+]i levels with associated changes in the frequency of slow potentials. The amplitude of Ca2+‐transients changed in a bell‐shaped manner with the membrane potential change. Slow potentials and associated Ca2+‐transients were abolished if [Ca2+]i levels were reduced by BAPTA‐AM or if the internal Ca2+ pump was inhibited by cyclopiazonic acid. 2‐Aminoethoxy‐diphenylborate (2‐APB), a known inhibitor of inositol trisphosphate (IP3)‐mediated Ca2+ release, also blocked slow potentials and Ca2+‐transients. Carbonyl cyanide m‐chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP), a mitochondrial protonophore, depolarized the membrane, elevated [Ca2+]i levels and abolished slow potentials and Ca2+‐transients. Inhibition of mitochondrial ATP‐sensitive K+ channels by glybenclamide and 5‐hydroxydecanoic acid (5‐HAD) abolished slow potentials and Ca2+‐transients, without altering the smooth muscle [Ca2+]i. It is concluded that in antrum circular muscles, the frequency of slow potentials is correlated with the level of [Ca2+]i. The slow potential is coupled to release of Ca2+ from an internal store, possibly through the activation of IP3 receptors; this may be initiated by the activation of ATP‐sensitive K+ channels in mitochondria following Ca2+ handling by mitochondria.
The effects of social relationships and acceptance on disturbed eating attitudes in elite adolescent female athletes: the mediating role of physical self-perceptions.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of social relationships (i.e., coach, friends, and parents) and acceptance (i.e., peers) on disturbed eating attitudes (DEAs) in elite adolescent female athletes, through the mediating role of physical self-perception (i.e., perceived physical appearance and perceived physical ability). METHOD The sample comprised 227 elite adolescent female athletes (M(age) = 15.75; SD(age) = 3.00) engaged in various esthetic sports. The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling method and mediation analysis. RESULTS They showed that peer acceptance and quality of parent-athlete relationships have a significant negative influence on DEA in elite adolescent female athletes. Moreover, the quality of relationship with the coach and sport friend has a significant positive influence on DEA in female athletes through the mediating role of perceived physical ability. DISCUSSION The quality of relationship with parents and peer acceptance would be a protective factor regarding DEA, whereas the quality of relationships with coach and friend in sport would be risk factors for the development of DEA in adolescent female athletes through the mediating role of perceived physical ability. Recommendations for future use of, and research on, activities are outlined. The effects of social relationships and acceptance on DEA in elite adolescent female athletes: the mediating role of physical self-perceptions.
Effect of a single prepubertal injection of testosterone propionate on adult bisexual behavior of male hamsters castrated at birth.

Twenty-nine male hamsters were castrated at birth (Day 1). Two groups were treated with oil or 500 µg of testosterone propionate (TP) on Day 1 and a third group was treated with 500 µg of TP on Day 15. Nine males and 9 females were gonadectomized in adulthood to serve as controls. All neonatal castrates were tested as adults for masculine mating behavior with receptive females and for feminine mating behavior with stimulus males. Tests were conducted over a 2-month period under 4 sequential conditions in which the neonatal castrates received: 1) no exogenous steroids, 2) 10 µg of estradiol benzoate (EB) and . 4 mg of progesterone (P), 36 and 6 hr, respectively, before testing, 3) no exogenous steroids, and 4) 200 µg of TP a day for 29 days prior to testing. When treated with EB and P the neonatal castrates which received oil on Day 1 or TP on Day 15 showed feminine behavior (lordosis) equal in most respects to that of control females. After the TP treatment in the fourth condition the same groups mounted e.
Cardiovascular Responses to Progressive Cycle Exercise in Healthy Children and Adults

The aim of this study was to compare resting, relative submaximal (at the same percentage of maximal oxygen uptake) and maximal cardiovascular responses to progressive cycle exercise in pre-pubertal children and young adults with similar aerobic aptitude. Fourteen healthy children (7 girls and 7 boys) with a mean age of 10.8 yr and 16 healthy young adults (8 women and 8 men) with a mean age of 22.4 yr underwent a progressive cycle test until exhaustion with estimation of stroke volume and cardiac output by Doppler echocardiography. Submaximal responses were evaluated at similar exercise intensities (around 40, 60 and 80 % of maximal oxygen uptake). Mean submaximal and maximal oxygen uptake were not significantly different between the children and the adults. As expected, the adults demonstrated larger absolute values of stroke volume and cardiac output at all levels of intensity but when related to body surface area, the differences disappeared. The relationships between cardiac output and oxygen uptake calculated from comparable submaximal intensities were similar (slopes and intercepts) in the children and the adults. According to these results, it seems that the lower cardiovascular responses to exercise in children may be attributed to their smaller heart size.
Differential cortical activity for precision and whole‐hand visually guided grasping in humans

Effective grasping involves the remarkable ability to implement multiple grasp configurations such as precision grip (PG; opposition between the index finger and thumb) and whole‐hand grasp (WHG), depending on the properties of the object grasped (e.g. size, shape and weight). In the monkey brain, different groups of cells in the anterior–lateral bank of the intraparietal sulcus (area AIP) are differentially active for various hand configurations during grasping of differently shaped objects. Visually guided grasping studies in humans suggest the anterior intraparietal sulcus (aIPS) as the homologue of macaque area AIP, but leave unresolved the question of whether activity in human aIPS reflects the relationship between object size and grasp configuration, as in macaques. To address this issue, a human fMRI study was conducted in which objects were grasped with the right hand while object size was varied. The results indicated that the left aIPS was active when the subjects naturally adopted a PG to grasp the small object but showed a much weaker response when subjects naturally adopted a WHG to grasp the large object. The primary motor cortex and somatosensory cortices were active for both PG and WHG. Our results suggest that, in humans, the aIPS is centrally involved in determining the type of grasp.
Antitumor activity of ZD6126, a novel vascular-targeting agent, is enhanced when combined with ZD1839, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and potentiates the effects of radiation in a human non-small cell lung cancer xenograft model.

OBJECTIVE Targeting the tumor vasculature may offer an alternative or complementary therapeutic approach to targeting growth factor signaling in lung cancer. The aim of these studies was to evaluate the antitumor effects in vivo of the combination of ZD6126, a tumor-selective vascular-targeting agent; ZD1839 (gefitinib, Iressa), an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor; and ionizing radiation in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer xenograft model. METHODS Athymic nude mice with established flank A549 human non-small cell lung cancer xenograft model xenografts were treated with fractionated radiation therapy, ZD6126, ZD1839, or combinations of each treatment. ZD6126 (150 mg/kg) was given i.p. the day after each course of radiation. Animals treated with ZD1839 received 100 mg/kg per dose per animal, 5 or 7 days/wk for 2 weeks. Immunohistochemistry was done to evaluate the effects on tumor growth using an anti-Ki67 monoclonal antibody. Effects on tumor-induced vascularization were quantified using an anti-factor VIII-related antigen monoclonal antibody. RESULTS ZD6126 attenuated the growth of human A549 flank xenografts compared with untreated animals. Marked antitumor effects were observed when animals were treated with a combination of ZD6126 and fractionated radiation therapy with protracted tumor regression. ZD6126 + ZD1839 resulted in a greater tumor growth delay than either agent alone. Similar additive effects were seen with ZD1839 + fractionated radiation. Finally, the addition of ZD6126 to ZD1839 and radiation therapy seemed to further improve tumor growth control, with a significant tumor growth delay compared with animals treated with single agent or with double combinations. Immunohistochemistry showed that ZD1839 induced a marked reduction in A549 tumor cell proliferation. Both ZD1839 and ZD6126 treatment substantially reduced tumor-induced angiogenesis. ZD6126 caused marked vessel destruction through loss of endothelial cells and thrombosis, substantially increasing the level of necrosis seen when combined with radiation therapy. The combination of radiation therapy, ZD6126, and ZD1839 induced the greatest effects on tumor growth and angiogenesis. CONCLUSION This first report shows that a selective vascular-targeting agent (ZD6126) + an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor agent (ZD1839) and radiation have additive in vivo effects in a human cancer model. Targeting the tumor vasculature offers an excellent strategy to enhance radiation cytotoxicity. Polytargeted therapy with agents that interfere with both growth factor and angiogenic signaling warrants further investigation.
Defluorination of Organofluorine Sulfur Compounds by Pseudomonas Sp. Strain D2

Little is known of the potential for biodegradation of fluorinated sulfonates. To evaluate this potential, the following model compounds were selected: difluoromethane sulfonate (DFMS), trifluoromethane sulfonate (TFMS), 2,2,2-trifluoroethane sulfonate (TES), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctane sulfonate (H-PFOS). A laboratory isolate designated Pseudomonas sp. strain D2 completely defluorinated DFMS under aerobic, sulfur-limiting conditions in a defined mineral medium. Strain D2 utilized DFMS as the sole source of sulfur, but not as a source of carbon or energy. DFMS utilization was inhibited by other forms of sulfur, and noncompetitive inhibition kinetics were observed, with Ki values of 3−4 μM for sulfate, sulfite, methane sulfonate, and cystine. Strain D2 was subsequently used to evaluate degradation of other fluorinated sulfonates. Growth and defluorination were only observed for those compounds containing hydrogen (TES and H-PFOS). TFMS and PFOS were not degraded. TES .
A nuclear gene encoding the beta subunit of the mitochondrial ATP synthase in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.

The beta subunit of the mitochondrial ATP synthase in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia is encoded by two nuclear genes, atp2‐1 and atp2‐2, which are both expressed. The complete nucleotide sequence of atp2‐1 has been determined. It contains eight introns ranging from 88 to 1453 bp. The last intron contains a putative insertion element (Inp), of 812 bp bordered by 35‐bp inverted repeats which share an 11‐bp homology with Agrobacterium tumefaciens T‐DNA borders. Sequences homologous to Inp are present in multiple copies in the N. plumbaginifolia and the N. tabacum genome but not in more distant species. The atp2‐1 encoded polypeptide is highly homologous to beta subunits from other ATP synthases but it contains an extension at the N terminus which is probably involved in mitochondrial targeting. A sequence homology between exon 4 of atp2‐1 and exon 1 of the human ras genes suggests a common ancestral origin for these exons.
Grammars and Programming Languages: To Further Narrow the Gap

Symbolic parser/grammar combinations can be viewed as programming systems for natural language processing applications. From this perspective, they can be compared with conventional programming systems, and seen to require more effort in the important development activities of testing and debugging. This paper describes tools associated with the RH (Retro-Hybrid) parser that facilitate these activities and are, to varying extents, more broadly applicable. The paper also suggests a new approach to improving parser efficiency using constrained inputs, based in part on one of the RH debugging tools.
Nucleus basalis stimulation facilitates thalamocortical synaptic transmission in the rat auditory cortex

Nucleus basalis (NB) neurons are a primary source of neocortical acetylcholine (ACh) and likely contribute to mechanisms of neocortical activation. However, the functions of neocortical activation and its cholinergic component remain unclear. To identify functional consequences of NB activity, we have studied the effects of NB stimulation on thalamocortical transmission. Here we report that tetanic NB stimulation facilitated field potentials, single neuron discharges, and monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) elicited in middle to deep cortical layers of the rat auditory cortex following stimulation of the auditory thalamus (medial geniculate, MG). NB stimulation produced a twofold increase in the slope and amplitude of the evoked short‐latency (onset 3.0 ± 0.13 ms, peak 6.3 ± 0.21 ms), negative‐polarity cortical field potential and increased the probability and synchrony of MG‐evoked unit discharges, without altering the preceding fiber volley. Intracortical application of atropine blocked the NB‐mediated facilitation of field potentials, indicating action of ACh at cortical muscarinic receptors. Intracellular recordings revealed that the short‐latency cortical field potential coincided with a short‐latency EPSP (onset 3.3 ± 0.20 ms, peak 5.6 ± 0.47 ms). NB stimulation decreased the onset and peak latencies of the EPSP by about 20% and increased its amplitude by 26%. NB stimulation also produced slow membrane depolarization and sometimes reduced a long‐lasting IPSP that followed the EPSP. The combined effects of NB stimulation served to increase cortical excitability and facilitate the ability of the EPSP to elicit action potentials. Taken together, these data indicate that NB cholinergic neurons can modify neocortical functions by facilitating thalamocortical synaptic transmission. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Well-Defined PDMAEA Stars via Cu(0)-Mediated Reversible Deactivation Radical Polymerization

The Cu(0)-mediated reversible deactivation radical polymerization of N,N′-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate in DMSO and IPA at ambient temperature using Cu(0) wire is investigated. Tetra- and octafunctional initiators were utilized to facilitate the synthesis of well-defined PDMAEA star homo and block copolymers with a range of molecular weights (Mn ∼ 5000–41 000 g mol–1). Both solvents demonstrated to be excellent media for the controlled polymerization of DMAEA, yielding narrow molecular weight distributions (Đ ∼ 1.1) when the reactions were ceased at ∼40% conversion. Interestingly, at high conversions (typically >55%) high and low molecular weight shoulders were evident by SEC when DMSO and IPA were used, respectively, suggesting a large extent of termination and/or side reactions at prolonged reaction times. Nevertheless, high end group fidelity could be maintained when immediate precipitation of the polymers (at lower conversion) was performed, yielding low dispersed P(DMAEA-b-MA) star block copolymers (Đ .
Simple Life Review for Terminally Ill Cancer Patients with Low Cognitive Function

Objective: The aims of the study were to develop a Simple Life Review Interview as psychotherapy for terminally ill cancer patients with slight cognitive impairment, and to examine the feasibility and effects of this approach on spiritual well-being and quality of life. Methods: The participants were 5 terminally ill cancer patients in a palliative care unit. They completed questionnaires for the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual (FACIT-Sp) scale, Good Death Inventory (Hope, Burden, Human Relationship, Respect as an Individual), and Distress and Impact Thermometer. Results: The Simple Life Review Interview consisted of viewing a DVD and reviewing the patient's life using questions that are applicable to terminally ill cancer patients with slight cognitive impairment. Overall, the FACIT-Sp score and the scores for Hope, Human Relationship, and Respect as an Individual on the Good Death Inventory increased, while the Burden score and the Distress and Impact Thermometer score decreased. However, there were some exceptions to these results. Conclusion: The Simple Life Review is feasible for terminally ill cancer patients with some cognitive impairments, and might be effective for improving spiritual well-being, Good Death, and psychological distress in these patients.
Ion Density in the Stratosphere

Stratospheric ion density is one of the important parameters for understanding the electrical state of the region and is sensitive to the presence of aerosols. A preliminary effort is made to study the behaviour of ion density and its variation. Small ions consisting of aggregates of a few molecules determine the stratospheric electrical parameters such as mobility, ion density, conductivity etc. The small ion density is controlled by the ionizing mechanisms for the production of ions and electrons and the loss processes for these charged particles. Ion production in stratosphere is chiefly due to galactic cosmic rays, and the loss processes due to recombination and attachment. Free electrons do not exist at stratospheric heights. The primary positive ion and the electrons are converted into complex clusters of positive and negative ions. The equilibrium ion density is governed by the equation of continuity for the production and loss of these ions. A simplified model approach is adopted to study the effect of aerosols on the equilibrium ion density.
Low RCS Target Detection: A Review

Detection of low observable targets is one of the interesting research areas in radar signal processing. In this paper, various target detection techniques are reviewed for the detection of targets with high and low range resolution. Radar detects not only static but also moving targets, which can be accomplished by different techniques. The object to be detected gets measurements from clutter and unwanted echoes that interfere with the detection process of targets. The detection algorithms are meant to classify the target originated and clutter measurements. Some of the efficient methods of target detection are reviewed and analysedhere.
Vascular niche for adult hippocampal neurogenesis

The thin lamina between the hippocampal hilus and granule cell layer, or subgranule zone (SGZ), is an area of active proliferation within the adult hippocampus known to generate new neurons throughout adult life. Although the neuronal fate of many dividing cells is well documented, little information is available about the phenotypes of cells in S‐phase or how the dividing cells might interact with neighboring cells in the process of neurogenesis. Here, we make the unexpected observation that dividing cells are found in dense clusters associated with the vasculature and roughly 37% of all dividing cells are immunoreactive for endothelial markers. Most of the newborn endothelial cells disappear over several weeks, suggesting that neurogenesis is intimately associated with a process of active vascular recruitment and subsequent remodeling. The present data provide the first evidence that adult neurogenesis occurs within an angiogenic niche. This environment may provide a novel interface where mesenchyme‐derived cells and circulating factors influence plasticity in the adult central nervous system. J. Comp. Neurol. 425:479–494, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
NO• Binds Human Cystathionine β-Synthase Quickly and Tightly*

Background: The H2S-generating human enzyme cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) is inhibited by NO• and CO. Results: NO• binds to the ferrous heme in human CBS much more quickly than CO and much more tightly than currently thought. Conclusion: Results support the physiological role of NO• in CBS regulation. Significance: CBS may integrate the cross-talk among NO•, CO, and H2S, major modulators in human (patho)physiology. The hexa-coordinate heme in the H2S-generating human enzyme cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) acts as a redox-sensitive regulator that impairs CBS activity upon binding of NO• or CO at the reduced iron. Despite the proposed physiological relevance of this inhibitory mechanism, unlike CO, NO• was reported to bind at the CBS heme with very low affinity (Kd = 30–281 μm). This discrepancy was herein reconciled by investigating the NO• reactivity of recombinant human CBS by static and stopped-flow UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. We found that NO• binds tightly to the ferrous CBS heme, with an apparent Kd ≤0.23 μm. In line with this result, at 25 °C, NO• binds quickly to CBS (kon ∼ 8 × 103 m−1 s−1) and dissociates slowly from the enzyme (koff ∼ 0.003 s−1). The observed rate constants for NO• binding were found to be linearly dependent on [NO•] up to ∼ 800 μm NO•, and >100-fold higher than those measured for CO, indicating that the reaction is not limited by the slow dissociation of Cys-52 from the heme iron, as reported for CO. For the first time the heme of human CBS is reported to bind NO• quickly and tightly, providing a mechanistic basis for the in vivo regulation of the enzyme by NO•. The novel findings reported here shed new light on CBS regulation by NO• and its possible (patho)physiological relevance, enforcing the growing evidence for an interplay among the gasotransmitters NO•, CO, and H2S in cell signaling.
Image Resolution Enhancement using NSCT based Learning with LBP as Feature Model

--In this paper, we propose a new technique for feature preserving spatial resolution enhancement of an image captured at low spatial resolution. We use a training database containing low resolution (LR) images and their high resolution (HR) versions. In an image, different features like edges, corners, curves and junctions are important to convey its local geometry. We use Local Binary Pattern (LBP) operator to represent texture of an image. The missing high resolution details of the low resolution observation are learnt in form of Non-subsampled Contourlet Transform (NSCT) coefficients of the high resolution images in the training database. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique by conducting experiments on real world gray scale images. The results are compared with existing learning-based approaches. The proposed technique can be used in applications such as medical imaging, remote surveillance, wildlife sensor networks where the transmission bandwidth, the camera cost and the memory are main constraints.