Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-contact respiratory rate measurement validation for hospitalized patients

This paper presents the first clinical results for validating the accuracy of respiratory rate obtained for hospitalized patients using a non-contact, low power 2.4 GHz Doppler radar system. Twenty-four patients were measured in this study. The respiratory rate accuracy was benchmarked against the respiratory rate obtained using Welch Allyn Propaq Encore model 242, the Embla Embletta system with Universal XactTrace respiratory effort sensor and Somnologica for Embletta software, and by counting chest excursions. The 95% limits of agreement between the Doppler radar and reference measurements fall within +/-5 breaths per minute.
Nerve Growth Factor of Cultured Medium Extracted From Human Degenerative Nucleus Pulposus Promotes Sensory Nerve Growth and Induces Substance P In Vitro

Study Design. We investigated the mechanism of discogenic low back pain using an in vitro model. Objective. To evaluate the axonal growth and induction of a painful neuropeptide, substance P (SP), using rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and degenerated human disc cells in vitro. Summary of Background Data. Degeneration of the lumbar intervertebral disc is a cause of low back pain. The pathologic mechanism is thought to be sensory nerve ingrowth into the inner layers of the degenerated intervertebral disc; however, the precise patho-mechanism has not been clarified. Methods. The nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) of human intervertebral discs were harvested from patients with discogenic low back pain. Extracted medium from human degenerative intervertebral discs was cultured with neurons of rat DRGs. We evaluated the promotion of axonal growth and SP induction of DRG neurons in extracted medium from the NP and AF using immunocytochemistry. Results. The average length of growing axons in the NP and AF was significantly longer than that in the control (P < 0.005). That in the NP was significantly longer than that in the AF. The average length of growing axons in the NP was significantly shortened after anti-nerve growth factor (NGF)&bgr; treatment (P < 0.005); however, that in the AF was not (P > 0.05). The percentage of SP-immunoreactive cells with growing axons was significantly higher only in the NP group compared with the control and AF groups (P < 0.005), and anti-NGF&bgr; treatment decreased the expression of SP in the NP group (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Extracted medium from the NP and AF promoted axonal growth. Furthermore, NGF from the NP promoted axonal growth and induced SP. These in vitro results may suggest that NGF from the NP promotes the growth of sensory nerve fibers innervating the degenerated intervertebral disc and may induce SP related with pain transmission.
Human Hepatitis B Viral e Antigen Interacts with Cellular Interleukin-1 Receptor Accessory Protein and Triggers Interleukin-1 Response*

Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV e antigen (HBeAg), a secreted protein and not required for viral replication, is thought to play an immunoregulatory role during viral infection. However, the functional involvement of HBeAg in host immune response has not been fully elucidated. We report in this study that HBeAg can bind to interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP). Interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays an important role in inflammation and regulation of immune response, and membrane form of IL-1RAcP (mIL-1RAcP) is an essential component of trimeric IL-1/IL-1 receptor/mIL-1RAcP complex. We show that glutathione S-transferase- or polyhistidine-tagged recombinant HBeAg can interact with endogenous mIL-1RAcP in vitro. Purified (His)6-HBeAg added in the culture medium can interact with overexpressed FLAG-tagged mIL-1RAcP in vivo. Indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy show that HBeAg colocalizes with mIL-1RAcP on the cell surface. Furthermore, HBeAg is able to induce the interaction of IL-1 receptor I (IL-1RI) with mIL-1RAcP and trigger the recruitment of adaptor protein myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) to the IL-1RI/mIL-1RAcP complex. Assembly and activation of IL-1RI/mIL-1RAcP signaling complex by HBeAg can activate downstream NF-κB pathway through IκB degradation, induce NF-κB-dependent luciferase expression, and induce the expression of IL-1-responsive genes. Silencing of IL-1RAcP by small interfering RNA dramatically abolishes HBeAg-mediated NF-κB activation. These results demonstrate that HBeAg can trigger host IL-1 response by binding to mIL-1RAcP. The interaction of HBeAg with mIL-1RAcP may play an important role in modulating host immune response in acute and chronic HBV infection.
Establishing the transcriptional programme for blood: the SCL stem cell enhancer is regulated by a multiprotein complex containing Ets and GATA factors

Stem cells are a central feature of metazoan biology. Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) represent the best‐characterized example of this phenomenon, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for their formation remain obscure. The stem cell leukaemia (SCL) gene encodes a basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factor with an essential role in specifying HSCs. Here we have addressed the transcriptional hierarchy responsible for HSC formation by characterizing an SCL 3′ enhancer that targets expression to HSCs and endothelium and their bipotential precursors, the haemangioblast. We have identified three critical motifs, which are essential for enhancer function and bind GATA‐2, Fli‐1 and Elf‐1 in vivo. Our results suggest that these transcription factors are key components of an enhanceosome responsible for activating SCL transcription and establishing the transcriptional programme required for HSC formation.
Cytostatic factor: an activity that puts the cell cycle on hold

Fertilization is the fundamental process in which two gametes - sperm and oocyte - fuse to generate a zygote that will form a new multicellular organism. In most vertebrates, oocytes await fertilization while arrested at metaphase of meiosis II. This resting state can be stable for many hours and depends on a cytoplasmic activity termed cytostatic factor (CSF). Recently, members of the novel Emi/Erp family of proteins have been put forward as important components of CSF. These proteins inhibit the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), which acts at the very core of the cell cycle regulatory machinery. Initially, Xenopus early mitotic inhibitor 1 (Emi1) was proposed to be a component of CSF, but newer work suggests that a structural relative, Emi-related protein 1 (Erp1/Emi2), is essential for maintenance of CSF arrest in Xenopus. Most importantly, studies on Erp1/Emi2 regulation have led to a detailed molecular understanding of the Ca2+-mediated release from CSF arrest that occurs upon fertilization.
Body temperature related factors diminishing the drive to exercise.

The effects of slightly below-normal body temperatures (delta Tcore-0.5 to 1 degree C) on exercise performance were examined in four series of studies employing a standardized precooling maneuver. In both the precooling tests and the control tests the subjects exercised on a cycle ergometer at an ambient temperature of 18 degrees C with the following results. In series 1, the subjects were exercising at a heart rate of 120 beats X min-1. Work rate and oxygen pulse were significantly increased, and sweat rate was less elevated in precooling tests than in controls. In series 2, in 12 well-trained rowers subjected to an incremental performance test, maximum work rate, peak VO2, time to exhaustion, and total work were not reduced in precooling tests. Eight well-trained rowers in series 3 were requested to work as hard as possible for 1 h. The mean work rate, VO2, and oxygen pulse were increased in the precooling tests by 6.8, 9.6, and 5.6%, respectively, whereas the sweat rate was 20% lower. In series 4 after a 16-min period of easy exercise (phase 1) the subjects exercised at a work rate corresponding to 80% VO2max up to exhaustion. Endurance time at this work rate was increased in precooling tests by 12% (18.5 vs. 20.8 min, p = 0.035). Heart rate was lower throughout the exercise period in precooling tests. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
CANCER CACHEXIA AND GLUCONEOGENESIS

Cachexia has long been recognized as a leading cause of death in cancer. ’ Though this condition has been thought by some to be the result of a progressively inadequate dietary intake, it is obviously not so simple; many patients present initially with significant weight loss as their first and only symptom in the face of a completely adequate dietary intake. This suggests a specific mechanism apparently peculiar to the cancerous condition by which weight loss and body debilitation can proceed. Such a thermodynamic mechanism for the production of cancer cachexia has been described by this author.2 It was shown that in cancer patients significant and progressive energy loss from host (i.e., noncancerous) tissues could occur by virtue of the establishment of a systemic energy-losing cycle dependent on an interplay of tumor glycolysis and host gluconeogenesis.
Nocturnal home hemodialysis improves baroreflex effectiveness index of end-stage renal disease patients

Background In patients with end-stage renal disease receiving conventional hemodialysis, both the frequency with which brief rises or falls in systolic blood pressure initiate concordant changes in pulse interval (arterial baroreflex effectiveness index), and the gain of reflex heart rate responses to these stimuli (arterial baroreflex sensitivity) are diminished. In chronic renal failure, low baroreflex effectiveness index and baroreflex sensitivity are associated with increased rates of all-cause mortality and sudden death, respectively. Conversion to home nocturnal hemodialysis augments baroreflex sensitivity but its effects on baroreflex effectiveness index have not been reported. Methods In 20 consecutive hypertensive conventional hemodialysis patients training to transition to nocturnal hemodialysis (age 41 ± 2 years; mean ± standard error), baroreflex effectiveness index, baroreflex sensitivity (sequence method) and total arterial compliance (stroke volume/pulse pressure) were determined during quiet rest before and 2 months after conversion. Results With nocturnal hemodialysis, dialysis frequency doubled, the dose per session increased by 70% and antihypertensive medications were withdrawn (from 2.5 ± 0.3 to 0.2 ± 0.1 drugs/patient, P < 0.01) because systolic blood pressure fell (from 139 ± 5 to 119 ± 4 mmHg, P < 0.05). Baroreflex effectiveness index increased from (0.33 ± 0.03 to 0.42 ± 0.03, P = 0.01). Baroreflex sensitivity increased from 5.60 ± 0.88 to 8.48 ± 1.60 ms/mmHg (P < 0.05). Changes in total arterial compliance correlated with changes in baroreflex sensitivity (r = 0.63, P = 0.004) but not baroreflex effectiveness index (r = 0.05, P = 0.95), suggesting independent mechanisms for their attenuation and recovery in end-stage renal disease. Conclusion Nocturnal hemodialysis increases baroreflex effectiveness index in addition to baroreflex sensitivity. The hypothesis that such changes might reduce cardiovascular event rates in this high-risk population merits prospective evaluation. More frequent engagement of the arterial baroreflex after conversion to nocturnal hemodialysis may improve short-term cardiovascular regulation.
Experimental Methodology in Political Science

Experiments offer a useful methodological tool to examine issues of importance to political scientists. The historical and cultural differences between experiments in behavioral economics and social psychology are discussed. Issues of central concern to experimentalists are covered, including impact versus control, mundane versus experimental realism, internal versus external validity, deception, and laboratory versus field experiments. Advantages and disadvantages of experimentation are summarized.
SIMULTANEOUS UTERINE LEIOMYOMA AND ENDOMETRIAL HYPERPLASIA IN A WHITE-NOSED MONKEY ( CERCOPITHECUS NICTITANS )

This paper describes histopathological and immunocytochemical features of a combined uterine leyomioma and a non atypical complex endometrial hyperplasia in a white-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans). Immunocytochemically, uterine leiomyoma was α-actin positive, and negative for desmin. By the other hand, endometrial hyperplasia showed strong immunoreaction against ciclin D1, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), oestrogen receptor, isoform A of progesterone receptor and slight p53 immunoreaction. This is the first immunocytochemical description of an endometrial hyperplasia in a white-nosed monkey. This lesional spectrum, similar to those described in human pathology, suggests similar pathogenic mechanisms.
Ensuring Content Integrity for Untrusted Peer-to-Peer Content Distribution Networks

Many existing peer-to-peer content distribution networks (CDNs) such as Na Kika, CoralCDN, and CoDeeN are deployed on PlanetLab, a relatively trusted environment. But scaling them beyond this trusted boundary requires protecting against content corruption by untrusted replicas. This paper presents Repeat and Compare, a system for ensuring content integrity in untrusted peer-to-peer CDNs even when replicas dynamically generate content. Repeat and Compare detects misbehaving replicas through attestation records and sampled repeated execution. Attestation records, which are included in responses, cryptographically bind replicas to their code, inputs, and dynamically generated output. Clients then forward a fraction of these records to randomly selected replicas acting as verifiers. Verifiers, in turn, reliably identify misbehaving replicas by locally repeating response generation and comparing their results with the attestation records. We have implemented our system on top of Na Kika. We quantify its detection guarantees through probabilistic analysis and show through simulations that a small sample of forwarded records is sufficient to effectively and promptly cleanse a CDN, even if large fractions of replicas or verifiers are misbehaving.
Manipulating objects with gliders in cellular automata

Micro-scale manipulation of objects is a growing requirement in specialised industries, especially those related to assembly of fragile micro-components. Widely implemented techniques in robotics and automation do not always cope with the delicate nature of the process. To improve the micro-scale manipulators we consider both hardware and software issues, and focus on designing massive-parallel embedded controllers for non-trivial actuating surfaces. This paper offers an initial insight on cellular automata (CA) gliders control of a smart surface. A brief presentation of the prototype hardware will be given along with a justification on the selection of manipulated objects. The formulation of the excitable CA lattice is presented and experimental data is analysed. The results support the capabilities of a fully distributed CA controlled massive parallel manipulation architecture.
Design and Implementation of GSM and GPS Based Vehicle Accident Detection System

In this Project, wireless black box using MEMS accelerometer and GPS tracking system is developed for accidental monitoring. The method consists of cooperative components of an accelerometer, GPS device, mic rocontroller unit and GSM module. In the occurrence of accident, this wireless device will send mobile phone short massage indicating the position of vehicle by GPS system to family member, emergency medical service (EMS) and nearest hospital. The threshol d algorithm and the speed of motorcycle are used to determine fall or accident in real - time. The method is compact and easy to install under rider place. An accelerometer can be used in a car alarm application. Dangerous driving can be noticed with an acce lerometer. It can be used as crash recorder of the vehicle movements before, during and after a crash. Among signals from an accelerometer, a severe accident can be recognized. In second application on an uncertain situation many of vehicle that has center locking system, Such as door looking system face many problem due to automatic looking system. At that situation there is no way to open the lock. Our project will present a suitable solution for this situation. This can be completed by using wireless or GSM Technology.
Reading the unique DNA methylation landscape of the brain: Non-CpG methylation, hydroxymethylation, and MeCP2

DNA methylation at CpG dinucleotides is an important epigenetic regulator common to virtually all mammalian cell types, but recent evidence indicates that during early postnatal development neuronal genomes also accumulate uniquely high levels of two alternative forms of methylation, non-CpG methylation and hydroxymethylation. Here we discuss the distinct landscape of DNA methylation in neurons, how it is established, and how it might affect the binding and function of protein readers of DNA methylation. We review studies of one critical reader of DNA methylation in the brain, the Rett syndrome protein methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), and discuss how differential binding affinity of MeCP2 for non-CpG and hydroxymethylation may affect the function of this methyl-binding protein in the nervous system.
Constructions: A Construction Grammar Approach to Argument Structure

Acknowledgments 1: Introduction 2: The Interaction between Verbs and Constructions 3: Relations among Constructions 4: On Linking 5: Partial Productivity 6: The English Ditransitive Construction 7: The English Caused-Motion Construction 8: The English Resultative Construction 9: The Way Construction 10: Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index
A high-output impedance, wide swing bulk-driven current source with dynamic biasing

In this paper, a high-output impedance, wide output swing bulk-driven current source with dynamic biasing is proposed. To increase the output impedance, a bulk-driven gain-boosted cascode feedback amplifier is used. Two dynamic biasing circuits are introduced: one is used to adaptively bias the gate of the current source output transistor while the other is used to supplement current into the output node when the output voltage is low. In addition, the dynamic biasing circuits help to boost the output impedance further. Simulation results show that under 0.6 V supply voltage, the minimum output voltage is below 100 mV and the output impedance is over 200 MΩ.
How physician affective communication skills are related to patient characteristics and outcomes

Empathy is a central element of patient centered-care and therefore believed to improve patient outcomes. Empathy consists of multiple components (cognitive, affective, and behavioral), which play together in an interaction between the physician and a patient. Physician and patient characteristics affect empathy in the specific interaction. Empirical results on the effects of empathy on patient outcomes are ambiguous and incomparable, because studies mostly measure only one component of empathy in relation to patient outcomes or physician and patient characteristics. Study 1 addresses the research question whether different components of empathy are related patient outcomes and patient characteristics. To do we videotaped general practitioners with a maximum of 5 of their patients in their medical practices. We assessed different physician empathic components (cognitive, affective, and behavioral) using different measures for each component as well patient outcomes (satisfaction, trust) and characteristics (general health status) through self-evaluation. Results indicate that different components of empathy are related differently to patient outcomes and that using different measures influences our study results. Patient characteristics are related to all empathic components. Self-awareness, as the physician’s skill to be aware of one’s own emotional experience, is believed to be a beneficial antecedent of empathy and therefore an important affective physician communication skill. However, research on the relationship between selfawareness and empathy is extremely scarce. Study 2 investigates the relationship between self-awareness and empathic behavior when considering patient communication style. Simulated patients served as targets for medical students whose task was to lead a medical consultation with the simulated patients. We manipulated patient communication style as either demanding or neutral to see whether physician self-awareness was related to empathy depending on patient communication style. Physician self-awareness and empathy (cognitive, affective, and behavioral) was assessed using medical student’s self-evaluations. Results indicate that self-awareness was significantly related to behavioral empathy, however, not clearly in the direction we expected. Global results are integrated in existing theories of physician patient communication. Based on the empirical results conceptual and methodological issues of empathy are discussed.
Developing Health Information Systems in Developing Countries: The Flexible Standards Strategy

The development of appropriate integrated and scalable information systems in the health sector in developing countries has been difficult to achieve, and is likely to remain elusive in the face of continued fragmented funding of health programs, particularly related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In this article, we propose a strategy for developing information infrastructures in general and in particular for the health care sector in developing countries. We use complexity science to explain the challenges that need to be addressed, in particular the need for standards that can adapt to a changing health care environment, and propose the concept of flexible standards as a key element in a sustainable infrastructure development strategy. Drawing on case material from a number of developing countries, a case is built around the use of flexible standards as attractors, arguing that if they are well defined and simple, they will be able to adapt to the frequent changes that are experienced in the complex health environment. A number of paradoxes are highlighted as useful strategies, integrated independence being one that encourages experimentation and heterogeneity to develop and share innovative solutions while still conforming to simple standards. The article provides theoretical concepts to support standardization processes in complex systems, and to suggest an approach to implement health standards in developing country settings that is sensitive to the local context, allows change to occur through small steps, and provides a mechanism for scaling information systems.
nonsense-mediated decay of splicing regulators by alternative splicing and Ultraconserved elements are associated with homeostatic control data

data Supplementary http://www.genesdev. org/cgi/content/full/21/6/708/DC1 "Supplemental Research Data" References http://www.genesdev. org/cgi/content/full/21/6/708#References This article cites 56 articles, 25 of which can be accessed free at: service Email alerting click here top right corner of the article or Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article sign up in the box at the
Psoriatic arthritis: complexities, comorbidities and implications for the clinic

ABSTRACT Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease that affects peripheral joints, entheses and axial sites in addition to both skin and nails. There is considerable evidence to support the assertion that PsA is actually a multisystem disease. Contrary to earlier beliefs, PsA is not only common but also a potentially deforming and disabling disease. In addition to the characteristic extra-articular features, such as uveitis and inflammatory bowel disease, patients with PsA may also suffer from co-existing diseases, referred to as comorbidities. The presence of both extra-articular manifestations and comorbidities may have consequences for the treatment, prognosis and outcome of the disease, which frequently go unrecognized or undertreated. The following review article describes the complexities and comorbidities of PsA as well as their implications for the clinic.