Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anesthetic Potency (MAC) Is Independent of Forebrain Structures in the Rat

BackgroundThe ability of general anesthetics to suppress somatomotor responses to surgical incision and other noxious stimuli is of particular clinical relevance. When the blockade is due to inhaled agents, this effect can be quantified as the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), i.e., that concentration that blocks movement evoked by a noxious stimulus (ED50). MethodsTo identify the neural structures that subtend this somatomotor response, we anesthetized 14 rats with isoflurane in oxygen and performed bilateral parietal-temporal craniotomles. In each rat, MAC was repeatedly tested using tail-clamping and Dixon's up-down concentration technique. After determination of baseline MAC, seven rats underwent aspiration decerebration, after which MAC was repeatedly measured. ResultsIn the control group (N = 7), MAC (mean ± SD) remained constant at 1.30 ± 0.25% for more than 6 h. In the seven rats that underwent aspiration decerebration, baseline MAC was 1.26 ± 0.14%. These seven rats with histologically validated precollicular decerebration demonstrated no change in MAC relative to control rats, as much as 11 h after decerebration (P = 0.14). ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the anesthetic-induced unresponsiveness to noxious stimuli measured by MAC testing does not depend on cortical or forebrain structures in the rat.
Bounds for a joint distribution function with fixed sub-distribution functions: Application to competing risks.

This paper gives sharp bounds for the joint survival function G(t(1), t(2),. ,t(r)) identical with P(X(1) > t(1), X(2) > t(2),. ,X(r) > t(r)), and for the marginal survival functions S(j)(t) identical with P(X(j) > t), j = 1,2,. ,r, when the sub-survival functions S(j) (*)(t) identical with P(X(j) > t, X(j) = min(k=1,2),. ,(r)X(k)) are fixed. Theorem 1 gives the bounds for r = 2, and Theorem 2 gives the bounds for general r. Theorem 3 applies the result to the competing risks problem, and presents empirical bounds based on the observations. Finally, an example illustrates the bounds.
Commentary: Assessing FRET using spectral techniques

THE manuscript “Assessing FRET using spectral techniques” by Leavesley et al. (page XXX in this issue) addresses F€ orster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between organic molecules due to an interaction of optical transition dipole moments. Although occurring in nature for more than a billion of years, a theoretical description of this mechanism has only been given in 1948 (1). Since that time energy transfer spectroscopy has been used to probe molecular distances and mechanisms in the nanometre range (2–4), profiting from the fact that the energy transfer rate depends on the sixth power of molecular distance (kET r) and is, therefore, a very sensitive parameter. FRET experiments gained considerable importance, when in the 1990s green fluorescent protein [GFP, naturally occurring in the jellyfish Aequorea Victoria, (5)] and its mutants could be cloned and fused with almost any protein of a cell. So, nonradiative energy transfer from cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) to yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) or from GFP to red fluorescent protein was used to probe changes of molecular conformation, for example, upon binding of calcium (6), or interactions between adjacent molecules, for example, protein2protein interactions playing an important role in regulation of apoptosis (7) or in pathogenesis of M. Alzheimer and further neurodegenerative diseases (8,9). F€ orster energy transfer commonly arises, if a so-called donor molecule is excited by light and transfers its excitation energy to an adjacent acceptor molecule via dipole–dipole interaction. The latter commonly fluoresces at longer wavelength. Generally, two approaches are used to quantify this process:
Simulation of branched serial first‐order decay of atrazine and metabolites in adapted and nonadapted soils

In the present study a branched serial first‐order decay (BSFOD) model is presented and used to derive transformation rates describing the decay of a common herbicide, atrazine, and its metabolites observed in unsaturated soils adapted to previous atrazine applications and in soils with no history of atrazine applications. Calibration of BSFOD models for soils throughout the country can reduce the uncertainty, relative to that of traditional models, in predicting the fate and transport of pesticides and their metabolites and thus support improved agricultural management schemes for reducing threats to the environment. Results from application of the BSFOD model to better understand the degradation of atrazine supports two previously reported conclusions: atrazine (6‐chloro‐N‐ethyl‐N′‐(1‐methylethyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine) and its primary metabolites are less persistent in adapted soils than in nonadapted soils; and hydroxyatrazine was the dominant primary metabolite in most of the soils tested. In addition, a method to simulate BSFOD in a one‐dimensional solute‐transport unsaturated zone model is also presented. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:1973–1981. © 2011 SETAC
A Genetic Algorithm Approach for Optimizing Traffic Control Signals Considering Routing

Abstract: It is well known that coordinated, area‐wide traffic signal control provides great potential for improvements in delays, safety, and environmental measures. However, an aspect of this problem that is commonly neglected in practice is the potentially confounding effect of drivers re‐routing in response to changes in travel times on competing routes, brought about by the changes to the signal timings. This article considers the problem of optimizing signal green and cycle timings over an urban network, in such a way that the optimization anticipates the impact on traffic routing patterns. This is achieved by including a network equilibrium model as a constraint to the optimization. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) is devised for solving the resulting problem, using total travel time across the network as an illustrative fitness function, and with a widely used traffic simulation‐assignment model providing the equilibrium flows. The procedure is applied to a case study of the city of Chester in the UK, and the performance of the algorithms is analyzed with respect to the parameters of the GA method. The results show a better performance of the signal timing as optimized by the GA method as compared to a method that does not consider rerouting. This improvement is found to be more significant with a more congested network whereas under a relatively mild congestion situation the improvement is not very clear.
A fluxgate magnetometer for navigation and sensing: Noise character and digital filtering

Vector fluxgate magnetometers are an important category of geomagnetic sensors in aircrafts' navigation and sensing applications for compact form factor and low power consumption relative to their quantum counterparts. In this work, a navigation grade vector fluxgate magnetometer is developed with a traditional transformer based square-wave exciter. It is shown, by both experimental results and theoretical analysis, that the excitation distortion due to the capacitance and resistance internal to the transformer is a main interference source limiting the magnetometer's noise performance. For improvement, a digital filter is introduced in to process the noise. And still, all the calibrations are also managed by digital processing. The results show that: (1) the noise of the proposed magnetometer is 0.1nT(RMS) at 0.1-1Hz, and 0.347nT(RMS) at 0.1-20Hz; (2) the analogy circuit of the proposed fluxgate magnetometer has a power consumption of only 0.3w, and the total power consumption is 1.1W.
Characterization of the Precipitin Bands Detected in the Immunodiffusion Test for Paracoccidioidomycosis

In order to characterize the precipitin bands detected in the immunodiffusion test for paracoccidioidomycosis, a study was undertaken in 54 patients with the disease. On the basis of the pattern of known control sera, the three commonly observed lines of precipitate were designated as 1, 2, and 3 according to their location in the immunodiffusion plate. At time of diagnosis, 28 of the patients exhibited all three bands, 16 gave two bands, and 10 showed only one precipitin line. Over 50 of the sera with three bands had high complement fixation titers (above 1:512), whereas those with one band exhibited lower titers. A similar picture was obtained with the quantitative agar-gel techniques, where titers of 1:64 and above were more commonly observed in sera with three precipitin lines. Follow-up studies carried out in 18 patients revealed that band 3 disappeared first, followed by band 2, and, finally, by band 1. At the end of 2 to 3 years, 85.7% of the patients had lost band 3, 75% band 2, and only 27.7% band 1. Cross-reactions with histoplasmin were found in eight patients who gave the M precipitin line with this antigen. It was found that the latter band and our paracoccidioidin band 3 fused, producing lines of identity. Bands 1 and 2 were specific. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Lineage, Maturity, and Phenotype of Uterine Murine Dendritic Cells Throughout Gestation Indicate a Protective Role in Maintaining Pregnancy1

Abstract Dendritic cells (DCs) are known to play a major role in the induction, maintenance, and regulation of immune responses. Recently, DCs have been described to be present at the feto-maternal interface in human decidua. However, only limited information is available about DC presence, phenotype, and—more importantly—function throughout gestation. Thus, we analyzed local (uterine) and systemic (blood) DCs in a murine model. DBA/2J mated CBA/J females with vaginal plugs were separated and killed on Gestation Days (GDs) 1.5, 3.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 10.5, 13.5, 15.5, or 17.5. Frequency of uterine and blood CD11c+ DC, phenotype (coexpression of CD8α and major histocompatibility complex class II [MHC II] antigens), and presence of intracellular cytokines (interleukins 12 and 10) were determined by flow cytometry. The morphology of DC in the pregnant uterus was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. In uterus, the relative number of CD11c+ cells increased from GD 5.5, reaching a plateau on GD 9.5 until GD 17.5, while a transient peak of systemic CD11c+ cells was found on GD 8.5 and 10.5. The vast majority of uterine DCs were CD8α− and thus, belonged to the myeloid lineage. Interestingly, a significant peak of lymphoid DC was present on GD 1.5 and 5.5. Further, significantly more intracellular interleukin 10 than interleukin 12 was present in CD11c+ cells. Interestingly, mature DCs (MHC II+) were diminished from GD 5.5 to 8.5. Characterization of CD11c+ cell kinetics in uterus and blood reveals variation of phenotype during pregnancy, pointing toward an eminent immunoregulatory role of DCs throughout gestation at the feto-maternal interface.
Influence of vigabatrin on cognitive performances and behaviour in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy

Introduction – The aim of this research was to evaluate changes in cognitive performances, mood and quality of life in drug‐resistant epileptic patients, after the introduction of Vigabatrin (VGB) as additional treatment. Material and methods – A four‐step evaluation was carried out in two groups of 20 patients each, randomly assigned to VGB or placebo treatment. A battery of neuropsychological tests investigating attention, memory and adaptive abilities, associated with inventories concerning depression, quality of life and the concern of families upon patient behaviour, were utilised. For each subject, four evaluations were performed, two before and two after VGB/placebo administration. Results – No relevant side‐effects regarding cognition and behaviour were detected in the VGB group. The intra‐group comparison between pre‐ and post‐treatment phases showed a slight improvement in cognitive performances of VGB patients and a positive change in their overall psychological status. The inter‐group comparison confirmed the selective improvement occurring in the trend of a few neuropsychological test scores in the VGB group. Conclusion – Such results help to reject the hypothesis that the addition of VGB to the current antiepileptic treatment may affect cognitive performances and behaviour.
Right to Work Laws Do Matter

Recent economic literature has ascribed a benign influence to right to work (RTW) laws. The apparent consensus is that RTW laws do not reduce union membership, because organized labor must have already been weak at the time right to work laws were enacted. This time series observation (i.e., union membership is not significantly lower after RTW laws have been enacted than what it was before) has been misapplied to argue that right to work laws are not associated with economic differences between right to work states and union shop states. A closer look at this nonsequitur is in order. This paper contends that right to work laws do matter. The consensus to the contrary rests on a shakey econometric foundation. Proponents of the proposition that RTW laws are harmless have never subjected that hypothesis to empirical scrutiny. Instead, they have tested weak models of the "right to work laws do matter" hypothesis. By rebutting a characterature of a proposition they set out to refute, these analysts make their own hypothesis the null hypothesis. It is not hard to support a precept which is "proved" merely by showing that the probability that it is false is less than 95 percent. Such procedures generate impressive polemics; they do not further the interests of positive economics.
Overexpression of the DNA-binding domain of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibits rejoining of ionizing radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks

Purpose : To assess the influence of trans -dominant inhibition of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation on the rejoining kinetics of radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSB). Materials and methods : Stable transfectants of the SV40-transformed hamster cell line CO60 were used: COM3 cells contain a construct to overexpress the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP-1) DNA-binding domain (DBD) when induced by dexamethasone, as well as a construct for the constitutive overexpression of the human glucocorticoid receptor (Hg0). COR3 are control cells containing only the Hg0 plasmid. DSB induction and rejoining in X-irradiated cells was assessed by DNA pulsed-field electrophoresis. Results : DSB induction was identical in both cell lines and independent of the presence of dexamethasone. DSB rejoining kinetics was independent of dexamethasone in COR3 cells and identical to COM3 cells without dexamethasone. However, in COM3 cells treated with dexamethasone to induce PARP-1 DBD overexpression, the fast component of the rejoining kinetic was largely reduced, and residual fragmentation increased concomitant with the increased damage fraction in slow rejoining. Conclusions : The results indicate that inhibition of cellular PARP-1 does not affect the rate-limiting step of either fast or slow DSB rejoining. Rather, it appears that absence of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation due to dominant negative PARP-1 expression induces a shift from rapid to slow DSB rejoining and by this mechanism PARP inhibition may increase the risk of repair failures.
Labour militancy and private contracting: public hospital ancillary services

This paper attempts to show that regional variations in the strength of labour force militancy can be an important factor in mediating the regional development of privatization. By taking the private contracting of New Zealand public hospital ancillary services as a specific case study, it is seen that, in some cases, labour militancy can lead to the elimination of private contracting. While acknowledging the need for further research on this issue, some tentative conclusions are drawn on the relevance of labour militancy to the privatization of public service provision in other social contexts.
Job insecurity and the unemployment rate: Micro- and macro-level predictors of perceived job insecurity among Finnish employees 1984–2008

In this article several micro-level determinants and the unemployment rate as macro-level determinant of perceived job insecurity are studied among Finnish employees from 1984 to 2008. The main questions are: Is the unemployment rate a significant macro-level determinant in different times, what is the most relevant unit for measuring unemployment – region or industry –, and does the effect of the micro- and macro-level determinants vary over time? The findings suggest that industry-related characteristics are more important than regional characteristics in explaining job insecurity. Perceived job insecurity is explained by micro-level determinants as well as unemployment rate as macro-level determinant. The effects, however, vary over time: the meaning of industry-related characteristics decreases and the meaning of individual-level characteristics increases.
Micronutrients in brain function, and traumatic brain injury.

DOI:10.1097/MCO.0b013e328365a2ce Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a critical public health and socioeconomic problem worldwide. Almost, 1% of the population in the developed world experiences TBI annually [1]. During the past decade, the pathological consequences of TBI have received increased attention in the media with reports of progressive neurological dysfunction of military personnel who were exposed to explosive blasts to the head, and athletes (scholastic, intercollegiate and professional) exposed to single or repetitive concussions [2,3]. In addition, there is a growing incidence of TBI among older adults who incur contusional injuries from falls [4]. Despite improved first-line emergency medical care that contributes to improved survival rates of head trauma patients, substantial neurophysiological and behavioral deficits persist among all individuals who incur single or repetitive injuries to the head. Survivors of TBI have a significantly reduced life expectancy, with death occurring 2–3 times faster than the general population [5], and require prolonged care and rehabilitation with consequent physical, cognitive and psychological disorders that affect their independence, relationships and employment [6]. Current epidemiological estimates indicate that 5.3 million people in the USA and 7.7 million people in the European Union (EU) are living with TBI-related disability [4]. TBI results in primary and secondary injuries. Primary injuries are immediate, and the result of acceleration and deceleration forces at initial impact with physical damage that may include cranial contusions or fractures and hematomas. Secondary injury, however, is a delayed response following mechanical trauma to the brain. It comprises an insiduous cascade of neurochemical and neurometabolic events that lead to brain swelling and cellular apoptosis. The balance of these events determines the severity of injury and long-term disability [7]. Axonal stretch and disruption of neuronal cell membranes initiates this cascade that disrupts the regulation of ion channels and leads to an efflux of potassium and an influx of calcium in neurons. These ionic fluxes produce the widespread release of excitatory neurotransmitters that suppress neuronal
Reduction of Isoflurane Minimal Alveolar Concentration by Remifentanil

Background Remifentanil is a new micro‐specific opioid receptor agonist currently under investigation. The interaction between opioids and volatile anesthetics is complex. Defining this interaction provides a basis for more rational dosing schemes when such combinations are used for anesthesia and allows the anesthetic potency of remifentanil relative to other opioids to be determined. Methods Two centers enrolled a total of 220 patients. Patients were randomized to receive a target concentration of remifentanil via a computer‐assisted continuous infusion device of either 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 16.0, and 32.0 ng/ml initiated before the administration of isoflurane. Patients were also stratified by age groups 18–30, 31–55, and 56–65 yr. After induction of anesthesia with isoflurane the initial patient in each dose group was assigned an age‐adjusted isoflurane concentration. The isoflurane concentration for each subsequent patient was adjusted according to the up/down technique until a minimum of 12 patients were enrolled in each group. Arterial blood samples for remifentanil whole blood concentrations were obtained. The patient was observed for purposeful movement for up to 1 min after skin incision. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane (0 ng/ml remifentanil group) and MAC reduction of isoflurane by remifentanil were determined. Results The MAC of isoflurane alone was 1.3%. Remifentanil caused an exponential reduction in the MAC of isoflurane with 1.37 ng/ml remifentanil resulting in a 50% MAC reduction, 4 ng/ml remifentanil a 77% reduction and 32 ng/ml a 91% reduction of isoflurane MAC. Conclusion The MAC reduction of isoflurane by remifentanil is similar to that produced by other opioids. Although remifentanil was given at extremely high concentrations in the absence of isoflurane, it did not provide adequate anesthesia. A 50% isoflurane MAC reduction is produced by 1.37 ng/ml remifentanil whole blood concentration compared to previously published plasma concentrations of fentanyl of 1.67 ng/ml or sufentanil of 0.14 ng/ml.
Effect of apolipoprotein B polymorphism on body mass index, serum protein and lipid profiles in children of Guangxi, China

Background: Some studies have demonstrated that genetic variance of apolipoprotein B (APOB) plays an important role in lipid metabolism in childhood. However, little information exists about the distribution and effect of the APOB polymorphism among the population from Guangxi, where populations have developed through complex interaction among various ethnic groups over the centuries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms at the APOB XbaI, EcoRI and MspI restriction sites with body mass index (BMI), serum protein and lipid profiles in children of Guangxi. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from 200 healthy children from Guangxi. APOB XbaI, EcoRI and MspI genotypes were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. BMI was evaluated. Fasting serum levels of total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), globulin (Glo), lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) and apoB were measured. Results: Subjects with X+ allele exhibited significantly higher BMI, and serum levels of Lp(a), TC, TG, LDL-C and apoB than those with X− allele (p<0.05), whereas for TP and Alb the opposite were found (p<0.05). E − /E− carriers had significantly higher Lp(a), TC, HDL-C, and apoA1 concentrations than did E + /E− or E + /E+ (p<0.05), whereas for TP and Alb the opposite were found (p<0.05). Higher Lp(a), TC, HDL-C, and lower TP, Alb concentrations were observed in individuals with E− allele as compared to E+ allele (p<0.05). No significant differences in BMI, serum protein and lipid parameters were determined for the polymorphism study of the APOB MspI locus (p>0 0.05). Conclusions: APOB XbaI and EcoRI restriction sites may serve as potential genetic markers affecting BMI, serum protein and lipid profiles in children from Guangxi. Living habits and diet should be modified, according to the genetic polymorphism of APOB. In addition, because the groups of rare allele carriers of XbaI and MspI polymorphisms are very small, the significance of the statistical analysis may be weak.