Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mice Lacking Brain/Kidney Phosphate-Activated Glutaminase Have Impaired Glutamatergic Synaptic Transmission, Altered Breathing, Disorganized Goal-Directed Behavior and Die Shortly after Birth

Neurotransmitter glutamate has been thought to derive mainly from glutamine via the action of glutaminase type 1 (GLS1). To address the importance of this pathway in glutamatergic transmission, we knocked out GLS1 in mice. The insertion of a STOP cassette by homologous recombination produced a null allele that blocked transcription, encoded no immunoreactive protein, and abolished GLS1 enzymatic activity. Null mutants were slightly smaller, were deficient in goal-directed behavior, hypoventilated, and died in the first postnatal day. No gross or microscopic defects were detected in peripheral organs or in the CNS. In cultured neurons from the null mutants, miniature EPSC amplitude and duration were normal; however, the amplitude of evoked EPSCs decayed more rapidly with sustained 10 Hz stimulation, consistent with an observed reduction in depolarization-evoked glutamate release. Because of this activity-dependent impairment in glutamatergic transmission, we surmised that respiratory networks, which require temporal summation of synaptic input, would be particularly affected. We found that the amplitude of inspirations was decreased in vivo, chemosensitivity to CO2 was severely altered, and the frequency of pacemaker activity recorded in the respiratory generator in the pre-Bötzinger complex, a glutamatergic brainstem network that can be isolated in vitro, was increased. Our results show that although alternate pathways to GLS1 glutamate synthesis support baseline glutamatergic transmission, the GLS1 pathway is essential for maintaining the function of active synapses, and thus the mutation is associated with impaired respiratory function, abnormal goal-directed behavior, and neonatal demise.
Rapid Volume Expansion in Patients with Interstitial Lung Diseases

Rapid administration of intravascular volume expanders is often necessary during anesthesia. Significant controversy still exists on the relative values of different volume expanders. Fifteen hypoxemic patients (Pa02 <70 torr on room air) were studied preoperatively. They were randomized into three groups. One group received 1.5 ml/kg of 25% salt-poor human albumin, a second group, 7 ml/kg of fresh frozen plasma; a third group, 7 ml/kg of 0.9% NaCI in water (normal saline). The infusions were given intravenously and completed in 20 minutes. Changes in hemodynamic pressures and flows, blood chemistries, and oxygen uptake and transport variables were studied. It was concluded that fresh frozen plasma afforded the greatest increase in cardiac output and oxygen availability with the least increase in left ventricular stroke work. Colloid osmotic pressure was more significantly increased by fresh frozen plasma than by salt-poor human albumin. Normal saline caused both a decrease in oxygen availability and colloid osmotic pressure. Pulmonary venous admixture increased to some extent in all patients receiving fresh frozen plasma or normal saline. In three patients, this increase was very marked and accompanied by severe arterial hypoxemia.
Alvarado score as an admission criterion for suspected appendicitis in adults.

BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is a common surgical problem. AIM OF THE STUDY To assess Alvarado score as an admission criterion for adult patients with suspected appendicitis in order to decrease unnecessary admissions to surgical wards. PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective study of consecutive patients attending the Emergency Department (ED) of Riyadh Medical Complex with suspected appendicitis. The patients were managed according to the algorithm of the study protocol and discharged after clinical improvement either from ED or from the ward. They were followed by telephone 2-3 days later. Alvarado score was obtained in the ED in all patients. RESULTS The study included 211 patients, 60 patients were observed in ED and discharged, 151 patients were admitted and 137 of them were operated with a negative rate of 12.5%. The remaining 14 patients were observed and discharged. No patients with a score of 4 or less had appendicitis. CONCLUSION Though the diagnosis of acute appendicitis remains mainly clinical, Alvarado score can be recommended as a helpful tool for the admission criteria and further management in order to reduce unnecessary admissions and to reduce the morbidity and mortality of acute appendicitis.
Children and 'smart' technologies: can children's experiences be interpreted and coded?

This paper has a focus on young children and their emerging new technologies. It examines children's drawings as an evaluation tool for capturing their experiences of different novel interfaces. A recent evaluation study with children and two follow-up expert coding sessions were used to demonstrate how drawings could be used and coded and how the intercoder reliability could be improved. Usability and User Experience (UX) factors: Fun (F), Goal Fit (GF) and Tangible Magic (TM) were included in the coding scheme and they were the factors that have been looked at in the coding sessions. Our studies show the thoroughness and ease-of-use of the drawing method. The method was effective and reliable in conveying the user experience form the drawings. It also shows some of the limitation of the method: e.g. resource intensive and open to evaluator's interpretation. From the result of the study, a number of the drawings conveyed information pertaining to user experiences: F, GF and TM, and the method was particularly reliable at capturing fun. The result also led to the correlation found on the GF and TM.
Vascular effects following homozygous disruption of p47(phox) : An essential component of NADPH oxidase.

BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that the vessel wall contains an oxidase similar, if not identical, to phagocytic NADPH oxidase. We tested the contribution of this specific oxidase to the progression of atherosclerosis and the regulation of blood pressure. METHODS AND RESULTS An examination of aortic rings from wild-type mice and mice with homozygous targeted disruptions in p47(phox) revealed that p47(phox) knockout mice had a reduction in vascular superoxide production. However, analyses of apoE -/- p47(phox)+/+ and apoE -/- p47(phox) -/- strains of mice demonstrated no significant differences in atherosclerotic lesion sizes. Similarly, analyses of wild-type and p47(phox) knockout mice revealed no differences in either basal blood pressure or the rise in blood pressure seen after the pharmacological inhibition of nitric oxide synthase. CONCLUSIONS NADPH oxidase contributes to basal vascular superoxide production. However, the absence of a functional oxidase does not significantly affect the progression of atherosclerosis in the standard mouse apoE -/- model, nor does it significantly influence basal blood pressure.
Dynamic grooming, is it really dynamic?

The aim of dynamic grooming solutions is the efficient use of optical and IP resources in a layered network, that supports dynamically arriving connection or flow requests. Although in the last decade several algorithms were proposed and studied, none of them were analyzed from an important point of view: are they really dynamic? In our paper we introduce some metrics that help to observe the changes of the resource usage in a network with dynamic grooming. Several previously introduced algorithm were taken under the scope and our simulation results show, that they work in really dynamic way only in the very low load case. We also compared their performance with solutions, where the IP topology is static and an adaptive routing is applied to route the user traffic.
A network meta-analysis to compare simeprevir with boceprevir and telaprevir in combination with peginterferon-α and ribavirin in patients infected with genotype 1 Hepatitis C virus

Abstract Objective: To conduct a network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess the relative efficacy and safety of simeprevir, a second generation oral protease inhibitor (PI), compared to telaprevir and boceprevir in combination with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin (PR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: A systematic literature review and NMA of randomized controlled trials involving anti-virals added to PR were conducted. Electronic database searches and hand searches were conducted to identify relevant publications. Outcomes of interest included sustained virologic response (SVR), incidence of adverse events (AEs), and discontinuation due to AEs. Networks were based on treatment-, dose-, and duration-specific nodes. Sub-group analyses were conducted to investigate heterogeneity, based on Metavir scores, sub-genotypes 1a/1b, and prior response. Results: A total of 15 publications were considered for the base case of the meta-analysis. Simeprevir was associated with higher SVR rates than PR alone. Compared to telaprevir and boceprevir, SVR rates tended to be higher for simeprevir, with odds ratios ranging from 1.27 [0.81–2.00] to 2.61 [1.44–4.74] in treatment-naïve and from 1.04 [0.78–1.38] to 1.74 [0.84–3.61] in treatment-experienced patients, respectively. In terms of safety, the risks of anemia and discontinuations due to AEs were lower for simeprevir compared to PR alone, telaprevir, and boceprevir. The risk of rash was lower for simeprevir compared to telaprevir, and similar compared to PR alone and boceprevir. Conclusion: This NMA in genotype 1 HCV patients suggests a similar or better efficacy and tolerability profile for simeprevir compared to telaprevir and boceprevir.
An agent‐based model for domestic water management in Valladolid metropolitan area

In this work we demonstrate that the combination of agent‐based modeling and simulation constitutes a useful methodological approach to dealing with the complexity derived from multiple factors with influence in the domestic water management in emergent metropolitan areas. In particular, we adapt and integrate different social submodels, models of urban dynamics, water consumption, and technological and opinion diffusion, in an agent‐based model that is, in turn, linked with a geographic information system. The result is a computational environment that enables simulating and comparing various water demand scenarios. We have parameterized our general model for the metropolitan area of Valladolid (Spain). The model shows the influence of urban dynamics (e.g., intrapopulation movements, residence typology, and changes in the territorial model) and other socio‐geographic effects (technological and opinion dynamics) in domestic water demand. The conclusions drawn in this way would have been difficult to obtain using other approaches, such as conventional forecasting methods, given the need to integrate different socioeconomic and geographic aspects in one single model. We illustrate that the described methodology can complement conventional approaches, providing descriptive and formal additional insights into domestic water demand management problems.
Spatial and temporal distribution of slip for the 1992 Landers, California, earthquake

We have determined a source rupture model for the 1992 Landers earthquake (MW 7.2) compatible with multiple data sets, spanning a frequency range from zero to 0.5 Hz. Geodetic survey displacements, near-field and regional strong motions, broadband teleseismic waveforms, and surface offset measurements have been used explicitly to constrain both the spatial and temporal slip variations along the model fault surface. Our fault parameterization involves a variable-slip, multiple-segment, finite-fault model which treats the diverse data sets in a self-consistent manner, allowing them to be inverted both independently and in unison. The high-quality data available for the Landers earthquake provide an unprecedented opportunity for direct comparison of rupture models determined from independent data sets that sample both a wide frequency range and a diverse spatial station orientation with respect to the earthquake slip and radiation pattern. In all models, consistent features include the following: (1) similar overall dislocation patterns and amplitudes with seismic moments of 7 to 8 × 1026 dyne-cm (seismic potency of 2.3 to 2.7 km3); (2) very heterogeneous, unilateral strike slip distributed over a fault length of 65 km and over a width of at least 15 km, though slip is limited to shallower regions in some areas; (3) a total rupture duration of 24 sec and an average rupture velocity of 2.7 km/sec; and (4) substantial variations of slip with depth relative to measured surface offsets. The extended rupture length and duration of the Landers earthquake also allowed imaging of the propagating rupture front with better resolution than for those of prior shorter-duration, strike-slip events. Our imaging allows visualization of the rupture evolution, including local differences in slip durations and variations in rupture velocity. Rupture velocity decreases markedly at shallow depths, as well as near regions of slip transfer from one fault segment to the next, as rupture propagates northwestward along the multiply segmented fault length. The rupture front slows as it reaches the northern limit of the Johnson Valley/Landers faults where slip is transferred to the southern Homestead Valley fault; an abrupt acceleration is apparent following the transfer. This process is repeated, and is more pronounced, as slip is again passed from the northern Homestead Valley fault to the Emerson fault. Although the largest surface offsets were observed at the northern end of the rupture, our modeling indicates that substantial rupture was also relatively shallow (less than 10 km) in this region.
The mechanisms of coronary restenosis: insights from experimental models

Since its introduction into clinical practice, more than 20 years ago, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has proven to be an effective, minimally invasive alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). During this time there have been great improvements in the design of balloon catheters, operative procedures and adjuvant drug therapy, and this has resulted in low rates of primary failure and short‐term complications. However, the potential benefits of angioplasty are diminished by the high rate of recurrent disease. Up to 40% of patients undergoing angioplasty develop clinically significant restenosis within a year of the procedure. Although the deployment of endovascular stents at the time of angioplasty improves the short‐term outcome, ‘in‐stent’ stenosis remains an enduring problem. In order to gain an insight into the mechanisms of restenosis, several experimental models of angioplasty have been developed. These have been used together with the tools provided by recent advances in molecular biology and catheter design to investigate restenosis in detail. It is now possible to deliver highly specific molecular antagonists, such as antisense gene sequences, to the site of injury. The knowledge provided by these studies may ultimately lead to novel forms of intervention. The present review is a synopsis of our current understanding of the pathological mechanisms of restenosis.
Lifetime prevalence and concordance risk of cluster headache in the Swedish twin population

Objective: To examine the lifetime prevalence and the concordance risk of cluster headache (CH) in a twin sample representative of the Swedish general population. Methods: The authors assessed CH as defined by the second edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders in 31,750 registered twins born from 1935 to 1958. Structured lay screening interviews were followed by neurologist interviews of possible cases. Co-twins of affected index twins were follow-up interviewed regardless of their screening outcome. Results: A total of 250 screening-positives (0.8%) were found, of which 218 (88%) were follow-up interviewed. Forty-five (21%) had the CH diagnosis verified. Among screen-negatives, hospitalization records pointed at two more verified cases and index twins at one more verified case. A total of 48 CH cases provided a crude lifetime prevalence of 151 per 100,000 (95% CI: 108, 194). The male-to-female sex ratio corresponded to 4.8 (95% CI: 2.3, 9.9). The crude lifetime prevalence of CH was higher in the twins born from 1945 to 1958 than in the twins born from 1935 to 1944 (190 vs 90/100,000). CH recurred in 2 of 12 co-twins of monozygous index twins (including 1 nonparticipant twin), whereas all co-twins of 25 dizygous index twins proved to be unaffected. Conclusion: As many as 1 per 500 of the general population are affected by cluster headache. Twin concordance seems low, but genetic factors may play a role for familial clustering.
A Novel Dvs Algorithm for Distributed Fusion Sensor System

Distributed fusion sensor system will enable the reliable monitoring and control of a variety of applications for remote environment monitoring. The sensors have to be designed in a highly integrated fashion, optimizing across all levels of system abstraction, with the goal of minimizing energy dissipation. Crucial to long system lifetimes for these micro sensors are algorithms and protocols that provide the option of trading quality for energy savings. Dynamic Voltage Scaling (DVS) has been a key technique in exploiting the hardware characteristics of processors to reduce energy dissipation by lowering the supply voltage and operating frequency. In this paper a novel DVS algorithm is presented, which achieves dynamic voltage scaling on the sensor node’s processor enables energy saving and been demonstrated using a commercial processor, a digitally adjustable DC-DC regulator and a power aware operating system. The simulations results show that up to 60% less energy is consumed with DVS than with a fixed supply voltage.
Analyzing security and energy tradeoffs in autonomic capacity management

Capacity management of a hosting infrastructure has traditionally focused only on performance goals. However, the quality of service provided to the hosted applications, and ultimately the revenues achieved by the provider, depend also on other aspects, such as security and energy constraints. This paper extends our self-adaptive SLA-driven capacity management solution to capture, in an unified framework, key performance and cost tradeoffs that arise when operating under security attacks and energy constraints. A number of scenarios and strategies based on dynamic SLA contracts are designed to help uncover, via simulation experiments, the main tradeoffs, considering both the providerpsilas interests (i.e., revenues) and the customerpsilas interests (i.e., legitimate throughput, response time distribution and costs). Finally, we also assess the cost-effectiveness of our framework under highly variable application service times.
Alginate and Algal-Based Beads for the Sorption of Metal Cations: Cu(II) and Pb(II)

Alginate and algal-biomass (Laminaria digitata) beads were prepared by homogeneous Ca ionotropic gelation. In addition, glutaraldehyde-crosslinked poly (ethyleneimine) (PEI) was incorporated into algal beads. The three sorbents were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX): the sorption occurs in the whole mass of the sorbents. Sorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of pH, sorption isotherms, and uptake kinetics. A special attention was paid to the effect of drying (air-drying vs. freeze-drying) on the mass transfer properties. For alginate, freeze drying is required for maintaining the porosity of the hydrogel, while for algal-based sorbents the swelling of the material minimizes the impact of the drying procedure. The maximum sorption capacities observed from experiments were 415, 296 and 218 mg Pb g−1 and 112, 77 and 67 mg Cu g−1 for alginate, algal and algal/PEI beads respectively. Though the sorption capacities of algal-beads decreased slightly (compared to alginate beads), the greener and cheaper one-pot synthesis of algal beads makes this sorbent more competitive for environmental applications. PEI in algal beads decreases the sorption properties in the case of the sorption of metal cations under selected experimental conditions.
Cytoprotective Effect of Biofield Energy Treated Test Item against tert-butyl Hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-Induced Cell Damage in HepG2 Cell-line

Emerging data indicate that the mortality rate is rising due to liver disorders day-by-day in the developed countries. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of the Biofield Energy (The Trivedi Effect®) Treated test item (DMEM) in HepG2 cell-line. The test item was divided into two parts. One part of the test item received Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Alice Branton and was labeled as the Biofield Energy Treated DMEM and the other part defined as untreated DMEM, where no Biofield Treatment was provided. Cell viability of the test items using MTT assay showed 113% and 129.9% viable cells in the untreated DMEM and Biofield Energy Treated DMEM groups, respectively suggested that the test items were nontoxic and safe in nature. The Biofield Energy Treated DMEM showed significant (p≤0.001) protection of cells by 15% against oxidative stress induced by t-BHP, while untreated DMEM group showed 0.4% protection. The level of IL-8 was significantly (p≤0.01) reduced by 32.15% in the Biofield Energy Treated DMEM group compared to the untreated DMEM group. Moreover, the level of ALT enzyme activity was significantly (p≤0.01) reduced by 53.2% in the Biofield Energy Treated DMEM group compared to the untreated DMEM group. Cholesterol level was significantly (p≤0.001) reduced by 37.35% in the Biofield Energy Treated DMEM group compared to the untreated DMEM group. Besides, the Biofield Energy Treated DMEM group showed 43.13% increased the level of albumin compared to the untreated DMEM group. Altogether, results suggested that Biofield Treatment significantly improved liver function. Thus, Consciousness Energy Healing (The Trivedi Effect®) Treatment could be utilized as a hepatoprotectant against several hepatic disorders such as Gilbert’s disease, cirrhosis, steatosis, alcohol abuse, hemochromatosis, Budd-Chiari syndrome, Wilson’s disease, cholangiocarcinoma, etc.
Using stochastic language models (SLM) to map lexical, syntactic, and phonological information processing in the brain

Language comprehension involves the simultaneous processing of information at the phonological, syntactic, and lexical level. We track these three distinct streams of information in the brain by using stochastic measures derived from computational language models to detect neural correlates of phoneme, part-of-speech, and word processing in an fMRI experiment. Probabilistic language models have proven to be useful tools for studying how language is processed as a sequence of symbols unfolding in time. Conditional probabilities between sequences of words are at the basis of probabilistic measures such as surprisal and perplexity which have been successfully used as predictors of several behavioural and neural correlates of sentence processing. Here we computed perplexity from sequences of words and their parts of speech, and their phonemic transcriptions. Brain activity time-locked to each word is regressed on the three model-derived measures. We observe that the brain keeps track of the statistical structure of lexical, syntactic and phonological information in distinct areas.