Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Temperature on Dopamine Transporter Function and Intracellular Accumulation of Methamphetamine: Implications for Methamphetamine-Induced Dopaminergic Neurotoxicity

Hyperthermia exacerbates and hypothermia attenuates methamphetamine (METH)-induced dopamine (DA) neurotoxicity. The mechanisms underlying these temperature effects are unknown. Given the essential role of the DA transporter (DAT) in the expression of METH-induced DA neurotoxicity, we hypothesized that the effect of temperature on METH-induced DA neurotoxicity is mediated, at least in part, at the level of the DAT. To test this hypothesis, the effects of small, physiologically relevant temperature changes on DAT function were evaluated in two types of cultured neuronal cells: (1) a neuroblastoma cell line stably transfected with human DAT cDNA and (2) rat embryonic mesencephalic primary cells that naturally express the DAT. Temperatures for studies of DAT function were selected based on core temperature measurements in animals exposed to METH under usual ambient (22°C) and hypothermic (6°C) temperature conditions, where METH neurotoxicity was fully expressed and blocked, respectively. DAT function, determined by measuring accumulation of radiolabeled DA and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), was found to directly correlate with temperature, with higher levels of substrate uptake at 40°C, intermediate levels at 37°C, and lower levels at 34°C. DAT-mediated accumulation of METH also directly correlated with temperature, with greater accumulation at higher temperatures. These findings indicate that relatively small, physiologically relevant changes in temperature significantly alter DAT function and intracellular METH accumulation, and suggest that the effect of temperature on METH-induced DA neurotoxicity is mediated, at least in part, at the level of the DAT.
The Role of Exploratory Conditions in Bio-Inspired Tactile Sensing of Single Topogical Features

We investigate the mechanism of tactile transduction during active exploration of finely textured surfaces using a tactile sensor mimicking the human fingertip. We focus in particular on the role of exploratory conditions in shaping the subcutaneous mechanical signals. The sensor has been designed by integrating a linear array of MEMS micro-force sensors in an elastomer layer. We measure the response of the sensors to the passage of elementary topographical features at constant velocity and normal load, such as a small hole on a flat substrate. Each sensor’s response is found to strongly depend on its relative location with respect to the substrate/skin contact zone, a result which can be quantitatively understood within the scope of a linear model of tactile transduction. The modification of the response induced by varying other parameters, such as the thickness of the elastic layer and the confining load, are also correctly captured by this model. We further demonstrate that the knowledge of these characteristic responses allows one to dynamically evaluate the position of a small hole within the contact zone, based on the micro-force sensors signals, with a spatial resolution an order of magnitude better than the intrinsic resolution of individual sensors. Consequences of these observations on robotic tactile sensing are briefly discussed.
Mechanical testing of high-damping elastomer materials for determining design parameters of seismic isolation bearings

High-damping steel-laminated elastomeric bearings are one of the devices used for isolating large buildings and structures from earthquake damage. These load-bearing isolators are constructed from alternating layers of high-damping rubber and steel plates. In this paper the mechanical testing of small specimens of some elastomer compounds proposed for the isolation of advanced nuclear reactors is discussed. Variation of shear stiffness and damping with respect to shear strain level (5 % to 300 %), temperature ({minus}40{degrees}C to +50{degrees}C) and frequency (0.002Hz to 5Hz) are reported. Problems involved in obtaining reliable and repeatable results are also discussed.
An electrophysiological study of retinal function in the diabetic female rat.

PURPOSE To examine retinal function in female Long-Evans rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. METHODS Hyperglycemia was induced by IV injection of STZ, and ERG responses were recorded at 4-week intervals over 12 weeks. Oscillatory potentials (OPs) and responses to intermittent stimulation were analyzed with a custom computer program. The GABA-induced responses of individual rod bipolar cells were obtained from patch-clamp recordings, and immunohistochemistry was used to illustrate the retinal distribution of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and GABA(C) receptors. RESULTS Hyperglycemia developed in rats 2 to 3 days after injection of STZ. Compared with previous reports of the effects of diabetes in male rats, visual function abnormalities appeared to be milder in STZ-treated female rats. No significant differences were observed in the sensitivity or amplitude of the a- or b-wave components of the ERG between diabetic and control animals, and both animal groups exhibited a similar time course of neuronal dark adaptation. In contrast, diabetic animals showed significant differences in the pattern of OPs and in the amplitudes of their responses to flicker. The accumulation of GABA in the inner retina of diabetic rats, combined with the results of patch-clamp recordings from individual bipolar cells, revealed that the circuitry underlying the GABA signal of the proximal retina is affected by hyperglycemia. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that changes in the GABA-signaling pathway may be the underlying cellular mechanism for altered ERG responses in STZ-induced diabetes in rats. Recognition of these early neurosensory defects would enable a better understanding of the pathophysiological basis of diabetic retinopathy.
Healthcare Collaborative Network Based on Common KADS Methodology

The main work in the context of this paper is to propose a (semi) automatic Dynamic Virtual Organizations (DVO) framework for the healthcare domain. The foundation of this framework depends on utilizing several methodologies, and approaches. The process of DVO creation includes three main activities mapped to the Common KADS levels. Each one of these models plays its role towards the main objective which is DVO creation.
Accurate Large-Signal Modeling of AlGaN-GaN HEMT Including Trapping and Self-Heating Induced Dispersion

An accurate large-signal model for AlGaN-GaN HEMT is presented. This model is derived from a distributed small-signal model that efficiently describes the physics of the device. An improved drain current model accounts for trapping and self-heating effects is implemented. The model shows very good results for simulating the high-power operation of a 8times125mum gate width AlGaN-GaN HEMT even beyond the 1-dB gain compression point
Computation of electromagnetic field propagation characteristics of a dipole antenna submerged in sea-water

There is an increasing interest in utilizing underwater electromagnetic signals for communication purposes in marine environment. Difficulties encountered in implementing high bandwidth underwater data communication system arise from high propagation loss. This loss can be reduced considerably by using partial air path between submerged transmitters and receivers. With a view to analyzing propagation of electromagnetic (EM) waves through water-air interface, efficient computational techniques have been employed in this paper to investigate EM fields at a point in air generated by a submerged dipole antenna. Specifically, the method of Tang [1], who solves the Maxwell equations by decomposing the fields into transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic(TM) modes in a stratified media, have been utilized here. The electromagnetic field strengths are dependent on dipole moment, its placement in the stratified media, and electric and magnetic properties of the medium. A three-layer stratified media has been employed in this paper to model the environment consisting of atmosphere, sea-water, and sea floor. A concise description of the mathematical model describing the EM fields along with solution technique is presented in this paper. Parametric computational investigations are also presented to delineate effects of (i) multi-layer geometry, (ii) the electric and magnetic properties of the media, and (iii) orientation of dipole antenna, on EM fields at a specified observation point.
Inactivation of the Potassium Conductance and Related Phenomena Caused by Quaternary Ammonium Ion Injection in Squid Axons

Several analogues of the tetraethylammonium (TEA+) ion were injected into the giant axon of the squid, and the resultant changes in time course and magnitude of the potassium current (I K) were studied. For all the analogues used, three of the ethyl side chains of TEA+ were left unchanged, while the fourth chain was either lengthened or shortened. Increasing the length of this chain increased binding to the blocking site in the channel by a factor of roughly two for each added CH2 group. The effect on the rate of entry into the blocking site was relatively slight. Thus the concentration for half-suppression of g K decreased by about the same factor of two for each added CH2. All the analogues caused anomalous or ingoing rectification. The longest chain analogue used, pentyltriethylammonium ion, caused rapid inactivation of g K, and this inactivation had properties quite similar to g Na inactivation. The anomalous rectification and the g K inactivation caused by these compounds have the same basic mechanism.
Motion constraints from contact geometry: representation and analysis

A method to determine constraints on translational and rotational motion of planar and 3-D objects from their contact geometry is presented. Translations are represented by spatial vectors and rotations by axes in space. For each of these, a geometric realization (M/sub a/) of the space of motion parameters is created. Subspaces in M/sub a/ that represent the range of values of motion parameters that are disallowed due to the contact are identified. The geometric realization makes it easier to visualize results, provides a good measure of the extent of restraints between objects, reduces computations by eliminating redundant constraints, and simplifies computation of new constraints. The proposed representation can be used effectively to automate the evaluation of motion constraints. <<ETX>>
On the Impact of Occupation Exposure on Personal Computer Practices

—Measuring the level of security of general computer users is a difficult problem that has many variables. In this work, we seek to focus on a particular facet of general user security practices by analyzing the relationship between the occupation of such users and their personal computer security practices. In doing so, we hope to reveal the extent to which computer security practices are influenced by day-today occupations and activities. To accomplish this task we created and distributed a survey tailored towards laymen using a variety of social media channels to acquire a large enough respondent sample size to produce data worthy of statistical analysis. Then, we analyzed this data by comparing the security practices of users in certain occupations against general users. We also analyzed the relative risk of a user's security practices when exposed to certain occupations. This helped support our assessment of which occupations generally have users with superior computer security practices. Our results show that users in engineering, technology, and healthcare fields have statistically superior security practices regarding password policies and use of security mechanisms (e.g. firewalls and antivirus solutions). Using the data and observations from our analysis, we also provide general suggestions and recommendations for users to improve their computer security practices.
Beginning of utterance detection algorithm for low complexity ASR engines

In this paper, a novel method for beginning of utterance detection is proposed for low complexity ASR systems. Assuming MFCC calculations in the ASR front-end, the additional computational load due to the algorithm is negligible. The algorithm makes use of the delay between the MFCC calculation and decoding process, which is typical in front-ends with feature normalization. The main steps of the algorithm involve LDA projection of MFCC features, mean calculation over the projected features, simple implicit SNR estimation and weighting of the decision statistics according to the estimate. Our experimental results show that high performance is obtained down to fairly low SNR conditions as the beginning of utterance detection starts to fail in a safe way at about 5 dB SNR. These properties make the algorithm an attractive choice for low complexity ASR engines.
A Real-Time Variable Turn-Off Current Strategy for a PFC Converter With Voltage Spike Limitation and Efficiency Improvement

The voltage source driver (VSD) is widely used in a conventional gate drive circuit of the power factor correction (PFC) converter. However, the fixed drive current of the VSD circuit could not optimize the switching losses, and the turn-off voltage spike across the power switch is freewill. In this letter, a real-time variable turn-off current strategy of a power switch for the PFC converter is presented. The turn-off current can be modulated real timely with the input voltage varying periodically, and the voltage spike across power switch can be controlled under the peak value that set at the peak input voltage region. The operation principle, design considerations, and the analysis of turn-off switching losses with the proposed strategy are presented by a boost PFC converter in detail. Furthermore, a prototype of the boost PFC converter was built to verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. As a result, the turn-off voltage spike is well limited and the efficiency is effectively improved compared with the VSD. The proposed idea can be also further extended to any other PFC converters.
The Origin and Prevention of Pandemics

Abstract Despite the fact that most emerging diseases stem from the transmission of pathogenic agents from animals to humans, the factors that mediate this process are still ill defined. What is known, however, is that the interface between humans and animals is of paramount importance in the process. This review will discuss the importance of the human-animal interface to the disease emergence process. We also provide an overview of factors that are believed to contribute to the origin and global spread of emerging infectious diseases and offer suggestions that may serve as future prevention strategies, such as social mobilization, public health education, behavioral change, and communication strategies. Because there exists no comprehensive global surveillance system to monitor zoonotic disease emergence, the intervention measures discussed herein may prove effective temporary alternatives.
Up Close and Very Personal - A Proposed Conceptual Framework for Mobile Technology As a Participant

The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework for the integration and evaluation of mobile technology in educational settings. Research in the development of platforms and initiatives for and in education often display characteristics of either a pedagogical or technology focus. Only when the technology that supports a mobile learning event and the pedagogic considerations that underpin it, come together, does it produce a successful initiative. While both reflect a perspective, neither reveals it in isolation. By acknowledging this interdependent relationship in mobile learning and its incorporation into planning and evaluation, we are able to arrive at an understanding of the ensuing relationships between the individual, the community, the desired outcome and the mediating tool. In the development of this framework a case is made for considering the technology as a participating partner in learning events. This leads to new relationships that could influence the integration of technology. These relationships are dynamic and change as technology improves and new tools are introduced.
Fabrication of nanoporous silicon nitride and silicon oxide films of controlled size and porosity for combined electrochemical and waveguide measurements

We demonstrate a method for controlled etching of vertical nano-sized pores over macroscopic areas. The method employs particle lithography to define a pattern, for which the density can be varied in a wide range and the size of the pores can be varied independently. The particle pattern is transferred into a chrome mask on the substrate. We show how a thin nano-patterned mask is sufficient to etch sub-100 nm pores in dielectric materials at an aspect ratio of 20:1. This creates possibilities to reach optimal design parameters for porous waveguides for increased sensitivity and simultaneous electrochemical measurements. The feasibility of these applications is also demonstrated by applying the process to making functional plasmon-coupled waveguides with buried electrochemical electrodes.
A framework for the design of person following behaviors for social mobile robots

This paper presents an environment for design of interactive behaviors for social robots. Its structure consists of three levels which are: perception, decision and action. Their principles are briefly described and we detail more specifically implementation of people searching and monitoring in cluttered environments. We describe in particular the methods for people detection, state estimation and trajectory generation for interactive monitoring. We demonstrate experimentally that the designed reasoning system is able to regulate the robot behavior in complex situations. The robustness of the framework is evaluated experimentally for person following in his home space that may lead the system to lose the person detection because of occlusions and to use shortcuts.
Effects of Leptothrix discophora on the potential behavior of stainless steel

Biofilm formation and electrochemical behavior of stainless steel have been studied in well water, in tap water and in water taken from fire extinguishing system. Some of the waters have been modified by adding manganese ions as well as in some cases acetate and yeast extract as a nutrient. Manganese oxidizing bacteria Leptothrix discophora has been used in these studies. To eliminate crevices in the specimen holder and to simulate reasonably well the conditions in fire‐extinguishing systems where the water is stagnant most of the time, a tape test arrangement with very slow flowing rate has been used in most of these studies. Also specimens with heat tint areas produced by heating inductively a small section of the specimen under flowing argon shielding gas were used in these studies. The results of these tape tests show that manganese oxidizing bacteria are able to increase the potential of both the base material (stainless steel UNS S30400) and of specimens with heat tint areas in well water, in tap water and in water taken from fire extinguishing system. Manganese oxidizing bacteria are also able to increase the cathodic reaction and thus enhance the initiation of corrosion. However, the increase of potential is not alone enough to start the corrosion. In these tests corrosion was initiated only in the specimens with heat tint areas in one of the waters taken from fire extinguishing system. No corrosion was detected in the specimens exposed to the well water or to the tap water used in these tests.
Prenatal Phthalate Exposure and Childhood Growth and Blood Pressure: Evidence from the Spanish INMA-Sabadell Birth Cohort Study

Background Human evidence on the effects of early life phthalate exposure on obesity and cardiovascular disease risks, reported by experimental studies, is limited to a few cross-sectional studies. Objectives We evaluated the associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and childhood growth and blood pressure in a Spanish birth cohort study. Methods We assessed exposure using the average of two phthalate metabolite spot-urine concentrations collected from the mothers in the first and third pregnancy trimesters (creatinine-adjusted, n = 391). Study outcomes were the difference in age- and sex-specific z-scores for weight between birth and 6 months of age; and repeated age- and sex-specific z-scores for body mass index (BMI) at 1, 4, and 7 years; waist-to-height ratio at 4 and 7 years; and age- and height-specific z-scores for systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 4 and 7 years. Results The sum of five high-molecular-weight phthalate metabolites (ΣHMWPm) was associated with lower weight z-score difference between birth and 6 months (β per doubling of exposure = –0.41; 95% CI: –0.75, –0.06) and BMI z-scores at later ages in boys (β = –0.28; 95% CI: –0.60, 0.03) and with higher weight z-score difference (β = 0.24; 95% CI: –0.16, 0.65) and BMI z-scores in girls (β = 0.30; 95% CI: –0.04, 0.64) (p for sex interaction = 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). The sum of three low-molecular-weight phthalates (ΣLMWPm) was not significantly associated with any of the growth outcomes. ΣHMWPm and ΣLMWPm were associated with lower systolic blood pressure z-scores in girls but not in boys. Conclusions This study suggests that prenatal phthalate exposure may be associated with postnatal growth and blood pressure in a sex-specific manner. Inconsistencies with previous cross-sectional findings highlight the necessity for evaluating phthalate health effects in prospective studies. Citation Valvi D, Casas M, Romaguera D, Monfort N, Ventura R, Martinez D, Sunyer J, Vrijheid M. 2015. Prenatal phthalate exposure and childhood growth and blood pressure: evidence from the Spanish INMA-Sabadell birth cohort study. Environ Health Perspect 123:1022–1029; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1408887
Mechanical and Physical Properties of ASTM C33 Sand

Abstract : Determining the state of the ground is critical for Objective Force operations. Currently, no methods exist to remotely, and accurately, measure the near-surface soil properties (strength, density, compressibility, and texture) needed to define ground state. Analysis of low-velocity impact probe deceleration, obtained during penetration, is the most practical method to remotely determine ground state. Development of the physics describing the behavior of the impact requires in-depth knowledge of the physical properties of the relevant soil. This report provides an extensive suite of calibration and verification material properties for predicting the response of an ASTM C33 sand to low-velocity probe penetration. The experimental program determined the following physical properties for this sand: elastic behavior (shear and Young's moduli and Poisson's ratio), strength characteristics (friction angle, cohesion, compressibility, and triaxial strength), and construction parameters (maximum/minimum densities, optimum moisture content, and California bearing ratio).
Why To Research in Knowledge Management in Software Engineering Processes ?

Knowledge Management is a young discipline that nowadays it is important for software development organizations (SDO). For this reason, this paper presents a review about the form knowledge management has been included in several Software Process Reference Models. For this study, five software process reference models, broadly used in Latin-American countries, were analyzed. The findings of this study show that in all models there are elements of knowledge management processes, and there are two models with a process area named Knowledge Management. Nevertheless, the knowledge management aspects included in these models is grounded in statements from Earl’s systems and engineering schools. Likewise, in terms of Gold’s knowledge management capabilities, the technology, knowledge acquisition and knowledge conversion capabilities are broadly covered but elements for others capabilities are not included in these reference models.