Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ca2+ efflux mechanisms following depolarization evoked calcium transients in cultured rat sensory neurones.

1. We have used a combination of microfluorimetry and patch‐clamp techniques to investigate cytoplasmic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) buffering in response to physiological Ca2+ loads in neurones cultured from the dorsal root ganglia of the rat. 2. In cells loaded with Indo‐1 AM and using high resistance microelectrodes to initiate and record action potentials, single action potentials were associated with a measurable rise in [Ca2+]i. Short trains of action potentials evoked [Ca2+]i transients with monoexponential recovery rates with time constants of around 5 s. 3. Similar Ca2+ buffering properties were seen in cells perfused with patch‐clamp pipettes in the whole‐cell recording mode suggesting that the slow (seconds) Ca2+ buffering properties were not seriously perturbed by the recording technique. 4. In cells held under voltage clamp, reversal of the Na(+)‐Ca2+ exchanger driving force had a small but significant effect on the rate of Ca2+ removal. 5. Increasing extracellular pH or adding vanadate (200 microM) to the internal solution dramatically slowed the rate of recovery. Addition of calmidazolium to the pipette solution also produced a significant but much less dramatic slowing of Ca2+ efflux. 6. The results demonstrate that the activity of a plasmalemmal Ca(2+)‐ATPase is important for the removal of somatic Ca2+ loads of a similar amplitude to those generated by the firing of a few action potentials.
Impact of a clinical guidelines program for breast and colon cancer in a French cancer center.

CONTEXT Between 1993 and 1994, the 80 physicians in the French comprehensive cancer center, Léon Bérard, developed and implemented a Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) project based on an analysis of the literature and a consensus of intrainstitutional experts. OBJECTIVE The aims of this project are to assist community-based oncologists in their decision making and to minimize inappropriate variation in practices. A study was designed to assess the impact of CPGs on management of breast and colon cancer. DESIGN A "before-after" study, using institutional computerized records of patients with breast or colon cancer. SETTING Records for 100 women with localized breast cancer were randomly selected from those available in 1993 and 1995, and those for all patients newly referred with colon cancer in 1993 and 1995 (77 and 81 patients, respectively). Medical decisions on these records were analyzed to assess their compliance with the CPGs. (A systematic search of the literature was performed to determine the scientific evidence for noncompliant decisions.) RESULTS Of 375 available medical decisions, 350 were assessable. The compliance rate with CPGs for breast cancer was significantly higher in 1995 compared with 1993, 54% (54/99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 44%-64%) vs 19% (18/95; 95% CI, 11%-27%) (P<.001). The compliance rate for colon cancer was also significantly higher in 1995 than in 1993, 70% (62/88; 95% CI, 60%-80%) vs 50% (34/ 68; 95% CI, 38%-62%) (P=.009). In 1993, 42% (40/95; 95% CI, 32%-52%) of medical decisions for breast cancer and in 1995, 68% (67/99; 95% CI, 59%-77%) conformed with the CPGs or were judged to be based on "scientific evidence. " In 1993, 71% (48/68; 95% CI, 60%-81%) of medical decisions for colon cancer, and in 1995 81% (71/88; 95% CI, 73%-89%) conformed with the CPGs or were judged to be based on scientific evidence. CONCLUSIONS Compliance rates were significantly higher in 1995 for both cancers. The development and implementation of CPGs for cancer management seem to result in significant changes in medical practice, although a causal relationship between changes and CPGs is not demonstrated in this study.
Interactive medical image segmentation with seed precomputation system: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

Although interactive segmentation helps lower the degree of human intervention, further upgrade to increase the efficiency and intuitiveness of interactive segmentation method remains requisite. Invariably, newly acquired medical images are not segmented instantly by radiologists due to heavy work load. Therefore, improvement can be made by capitalizing on the time interval between image acquisition and image segmentation. We proposed to pre-generate non-cartilage seeds during this time interval so the labeling process can be simplified. This enhanced interactive segmentation decreases processing time required by a radiologist without compromising the quality of original segmentation quality. Future works should focus on developing automatic pre-generation of different types of cartilage labels.
Effects of airway obstruction on albuterol-mediated variations in the resistive and elastic properties of the respiratory system of patients with asthma.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of airway obstruction on albuterol-mediated variations in the resistive and elastic properties of the respiratory system of adult patients with asthma. METHODS This study comprised 24 healthy controls and 69 patients with asthma, all of whom were nonsmokers. The patients were divided into three groups according to the severity of airway obstruction (mild, moderate or severe). Each of the three groups was divided into two subgroups according to the bronchodilator response (BR): positive (BR+) or negative (BR(-)). Airway obstruction was determined by means of spirometry, and the resistive and elastic properties were determined by means of the forced oscillation technique. These measurements were conducted before and after albuterol use (300 microg). RESULTS The resistance at the intercept (R(0)) presented greater reductions in the groups with higher obstruction. This reduction was more evident in the BR+ subgroups than in the BR(-) subgroups (p < 0.02 and p < 0.03, respectively). There was a significant difference between the control group and the BR+ subgroup with severe obstruction (p < 0.002). The reductions in dynamic elastance (Edyn) were significantly greater in proportion to the degree of obstruction, in the BR(-) subgroups (p < 0.03), and in the BR+ subgroups (p < 0.003). The reductions in Edyn were significantly greater in the BR- subgroup with moderate obstruction (p < 0.008) and in the BR+ subgroup with severe obstruction (p < 0.0005) than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS In patients with asthma, increased airway obstruction results in greater reductions in R(0) and Edyn after albuterol use. These reductions are greater among BR+ patients than among BR(-) patients.
Aid, democracy, and instability from trade

This study revisits the effect of aid on the quality of institutions and examines the effects of a major source of instability, namely terms-of-trade instability, on the quality of democracy. We take advantage of previous empirical findings which explain the role of aid in mitigating the adverse effects of external shocks, and argue that in the long term, aggregate aid flows can potentially dampen the effects of terms-of-trade instability on the quality of democracy. An empirical investigation with data from 71 developing countries (including 28 African states) over the period 1980-2003 provides supportive results.
The Institute for Integrating Statistics in Decision Sciences Technical Report TR-2017-4 Advances in Bayesian Games and Decisions in Reliability

Starting in the late 80’s Bayesian methods have gained increasing attention in the reliability literature. The focus of most of the earlier Bayesian work in reliability involved statistical inference and thus the main focus was on modeling and analysis. Advances in Bayesian computing after the 90’s have significantly contributed not only to the use of Bayesian inference but also to the implementation of Bayesian decision-theoretic approaches in reliability problems. In this review paper we present an overview of Bayesian methods to solve decision problems in reliability some of which involve two or more decision makers with conflicting objectives. We consider problems in areas such as design, life testing, preventive maintenance, reliability certification, warranty policies and others. In doing so, we present key aspects of the decision problems, give a brief review of earlier methods and finally discuss recent advances in Bayesian approaches to solve them.
Advances in addressing technical challenges of point-of-care diagnostics in resource-limited settings

ABSTRACT The striking prevalence of HIV, TB and malaria, as well as outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, such as influenza A (H7N9), Ebola and MERS, poses great challenges for patient care in resource-limited settings (RLS). However, advanced diagnostic technologies cannot be implemented in RLS largely due to economic constraints. Simple and inexpensive point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, which rely less on environmental context and operator training, have thus been extensively studied to achieve early diagnosis and treatment monitoring in non-laboratory settings. Despite great input from material science, biomedical engineering and nanotechnology for developing POC diagnostics, significant technical challenges are yet to be overcome. Summarized here are the technical challenges associated with POC diagnostics from a RLS perspective and the latest advances in addressing these challenges are reviewed.
On the Far-Field Calculations Using AWE and the Method of Moments

In this paper, the problem of wideband radar cross section (RCS) calculations with asymptotic waveform evaluation (AWE) accelerated method of moments is considered. The traditional formulation, with RCS obtained independently for each frequency, based on Pade approximation of the current distribution is compared to the formulation where rational functions are used to directly approximate far fields. It is shown that an additional approximation used in the second attitude, may reduce the resulting bandwidth of the model.
Nonlinear estimation of the lateral displacement using tissue incompressibility

Using the incompressibility property of soft tissue, high quality lateral displacement distributions can be reconstructed from accurate axial displacement measurements and noisy lateral displacement estimates. Previous methods appropriate for small deformations have been extended for high magnitude deformations requiring a nonlinear model. Problems arising in incompressibility processing for large deformations are considered. Applications of nonlinear incompressibility methods to ultrasonic measurements on gel-based, tissue equivalent phantoms are given. Lateral displacement images reconstructed with nonlinear methods are compared to those reconstructed with linear methods for both small and large deformations.
Novel Protein Modification by Kynurenine in Human Lenses*

It is known that human lenses increase in color and fluorescence with age, but the molecular basis for this is not well understood. We demonstrate here that proteins isolated from human lenses contain significant levels of the UV filter kynurenine covalently bound to histidine and lysine residues. Identification was confirmed by synthesis of the kynurenine amino acid adducts and comparison of the chromatographic retention times and mass spectra of these authentic standards with those of corresponding adducts isolated from human lenses following acid hydrolysis. Using calf lens proteins as a model, covalent binding of kynurenine to lens proteins has been shown to proceed via side chain deamination in a manner analogous to that observed for the related UV filter, 3-hydroxykynurenineO-β-d-glucoside. Levels of histidylkynurenine and lysylkynurenine were low in human lenses in subjects younger than 30, but thereafter increased in concentration with the age of the individual. Post-translational modification of lens proteins by tryptophan metabolites therefore appears to be responsible, at least in part, for the age-dependent increase in coloration and fluorescence of the human lens, and this process may also be important in other tissues in which up-regulation of tryptophan catabolism occurs.
Pulmonary Hypertension in Preterm Infants With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Background and Objectives With the increasing survival of preterm infants, pulmonary hypertension (PH) related to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has become an important complication. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and outcome of PH in preterm infants with BPD and to identify the risk factors for PH. Subjects and Methods We reviewed the records of 116 preterm infants with BPD cared for at a single tertiary center between 2004 and 2008. Results Twenty-nine (25%) infants had PH >2 months after birth. PH occurred initially at a median age of 65 days (range, 7-232 days). Severe BPD, a birth weight <800 g, long-term ventilator care and oxygen supplementation, a high ventilator setting, infection, and a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were related to PH based on univariate analysis (p<0.05). The infants who had longer oxygen supplementation were significantly more likely to have PH (odds ratio, 18.5; 95% confidence interval, 4.1-84.6; p<0.001). PH was improved in 76% of infants after a median of 85 days (range, 20-765 days). Four infants (14%) died. The death of 3 infants was attributed to PH. Conclusion BPD was frequently complicated by PH. Although PH resolved in the majority of infants, PH in preterm infants with BPD can be fatal. Regular screening for PH and adequate management are required.
Convergence, best- practice and Europeanization: a valuable way to rethink EU-Russian relations?

In the aftermath of 1989, the EU has engaged in the promotion of an unprecedented process of policy export. This Paper will first of all introduce the notion of Normative Power, showing that the Union’s capacity of action cannot be considered only in traditional terms and that an important expression of its “actorness” in the field of international relations can be captured in terms of rule influence.
Mental health and the experience of Mental health and the experience of Mental health and the experience of

Abstract Abstract Abstract The incidence of housing problems involving rights is linked closely to long-term illness/disability and broader social exclusion. In this paper we draw on data from the English and Welsh Civil and Social Justice Survey to explore the extent to which housing rights problems and mental illness co-occur, and the causal connections between them. After controlling for a range of social and demographic predictors, we find significant associations between housing rights problems and mental illness. We also find that housing rights problems are often reported to lead to stress related illness. We argue that effective co-ordination of mental health and housing rights advice services is likely to improve both health and justice outcomes.
TRIM5α Does Not Affect Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVmac251 Replication in Vaccinated or Unvaccinated Indian Rhesus Macaques following Intrarectal Challenge Exposure

ABSTRACT TRIM5α is a natural resistance factor that binds retroviral capsid proteins and restricts virus replication. The B30.2/SPRY domain of TRIM5α is polymorphic in rhesus macaques, and some alleles are associated with reduced simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) SIVmac251 and SIVsmE543 replication in vivo. We determined the distribution of TRIM5α alleles by PCR and sequence analysis of the B30.2/SPRY domain in a cohort of 82 macaques. Thirty-nine of these macaques were mock vaccinated, 43 were vaccinated with either DNA-SIV/ALVAC-SIV/gp120, ALVAC-SIV/gp120, or gp120 alone, and all were exposed intrarectally to SIVmac251 at one of three doses. We assessed whether the TRIM5α genotype of the macaques affected the replication of challenge virus by studying the number of SIV variants transmitted, the number of exposures required, the SIVmac251 viral level in plasma and tissue, and the CD4+ T-cell counts. Our results demonstrated that TRIM5α alleles, previously identified as restrictive for SIVmac251 replication in vivo following intravenous exposure, did not affect SIVmac251 replication following mucosal exposure, regardless of prior vaccination, challenge dose, or the presence of the protective major histocompatibility complex alleles (MamuA01+, MamuB08+, or MamuB017+). The TRIM5α genotype had no apparent effect on the number of transmitted variants or the number of challenge exposures necessary to infect the animals. DNA sequencing of the SIVmac251 Gag gene of the two stocks used in our study revealed SIVmac239-like sequences that are predicted to be resistant to TRIM5α restriction. Thus, the TRIM5α genotype does not confound results of mucosal infection of rhesus macaques with SIVmac251.
DNA fragmentation is not the primary event in glucocorticoid‐induced thymocyte death in vivo

Thymocyte death has been recognized as one of the best models for studying apoptosis. Our recent study, however, indicated that most thymocytes die without DNA fragmentation and become terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end‐labeling‐positive (TUNEL+) only after being phagocytosed by macrophages. In this study, we used histological techniques using the TUNEL method, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy as well as flow cytometry to examine in vivo the effect of glucocorticoid (GC), a well‐known agent for inducing thymocyte apoptosis in vitro, on thymocyte death to determine whether or not DNA fragmentation was the first event of GC‐induced thymocyte death. At 2 h and 4 h after GC injection, a large number of cortical thymocytes were TUNEL+. Most TUNEL+ cells were aggregated to form clusters. Double staining of the section showed that the TUNEL+ thymocytes were phagocytosed by acid phosphatase+ and Mac‐2+ macrophages. An ultrastructural study indicated that a far greater number of small pyknotic thymocytes were present in the cortex of the GC‐treated thymus than were observed in the control thymus, that all those pyknotic thymocytes were TUNEL−, and moreover, that at the electron microscopic level, TUNEL+ cells were all phagocytosed by macrophages. Flow cytometric analysis did not detect a single TUNEL+ thymocyte even 4 h after the GC treatment, suggesting that virtually no free dead thymocytes were present after DNA fragmentation. These results indicate that, consistent with our previous findings with normal thymocyte death and B cell death in the germinal centers, DNA fragmentation is not involved in the cell death process of the GC‐induced rapid thymocyte death in vivo.
November Effect: An Example of Calender Anomaly in Indian Stock Market

This study investigates the month-of-the-year effect in Indian stock in recent years using monthly data on Indian market index and some other sectoral indices. It accounts for the time-varying volatility of the Indian stock market, at both the market and sectoral level, using the GARCH model and GARCH-M model. This study looks for the presence of calendar anomaly with asymmetric market reactions using TARCH model. It confirms the presence of a significant "November effect" at both the levels that cannot be explained by the time varying volatility of stock return. A similar trend also persists at the sectoral level. Presence of such seasonal anomaly in the form of a "November effect" could have significant bearing for the policy makers as well as for individual investors for designing profitable trading strategies. The study attempts further to account for such seasonality in stock return in Indian context.
Colonize, evade, flourish

Helicobacter pylori is an adapted gastric pathogen that colonizes the human stomach, causing severe gastritis and gastric cancer. A hallmark of infection is the ability of this organism to evade detection by the human immune system. H. pylori has evolved a number of features to achieve this, many of which involve glyco-conjugates including the lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan layer, glycoproteins, and glucosylated cholesterol. These major bacterial components possess unique features from those of other gram-negative organisms, including differences in structure, assembly, and modification. These defining characteristics of H. pylori glycobiology help the pathogen establish a long-lived infection by providing camouflage, modulating the host immune response, and promoting virulence mechanisms. In this way, glyco-conjugates are essential for H. pylori pathogenicity and survival, allowing it to carve out a niche in the formidable environment of the human stomach.
Flow cytometric differentiation of avian leukocytes and analysis of their intracellular cytokine expression

A flow cytometric method for the identification of chicken blood leukocyte subpopulations and thrombocytes was developed. An anti-chicken CD45 phycoerythrin-labelled antibody was used to separate leukocytes from red blood cell nuclei. Leukocytes and thrombocytes were identified using a combination of their CD45-positivity and their typical side scatter properties. The identity of the CD45-positive cells was confirmed by sorting the subpopulations and subsequent light microscopic evaluation. In these differentiated cell populations, intracellular expression analysis of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 was subsequently optimized on whole blood after in vitro stimulation with lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli strain O127:B8.
The Role of Trade Strategies for Economic Development

In the 1950s, South Korea (henceforth Korea) and Turkey started out from different levels of economic development. Although there were some unique similarities between the two countries, it was obvious that initially Turkey was more of an advanced country than Korea in economic terms. Table 1 provides basic data on the growth and transformation of the Korean and Turkish economy for the 1955 to 1998 period. By 1955, with about the same population (around twenty million), Turkish per capita income was three times than that of Korea. Both countries had the same economic structure, and agriculture was playing a dominating role within the economy. Turkish exports were fifteen times those of Korea, and the Turkish savings rate was much higher than Korea. Moreover, Korea is land scarce and Turkey is land-abundant with more generous resource endowment, both in terms of land per person in agriculture, and in terms of other natural resources. 1 During the 1950s, Turkey was one of the most auspicious countries among others, whereas Korea was occupied and exploited by Japan from 1910 until 1945. The country was divided and heavily destroyed during the Korean War in 1953. Since then, the situation has changed in a radical way and Korean per capita income was more than two times higher than that of Turkey (see Table 1) by 1998. The share of Turkish export in gross national product (GNP) was almost 50 percent below Korea’s. The Korean economy could have realized the structural change from the agricultural sector to an industrial one faster than Turkey.