Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is the cardiovascular response to electroconvulsive therapy due to the electricity or the subsequent convulsion?

We read with interest the article by Partridge et al. (1). The authors suggest "it is not the seizure per se that produces the cardiovascular response [tachycardia, hypertension] to electroconvulsive therapy but rather the electrical stimulus or a combination of the stimulus and the resulting seizure. " In support of this premise, the authors present a patient in whom transient hypertension and tachycardia developed in response to a subconvulsive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) stimulus and no hemodynamic response to a spontaneous generalized convulsion. A review of the pertinent literature, however, suggests contrary conclusions. First, subconvulsive stimuli have been reported to be associated with transient bradycardia or hypotension (2-4). In practice, a variety of responses to subconvulsive ECT stimuli can be observed, including transient hypertension, hypotension, tachycardia, bradycardia, or sinus pauses. This view is based on our experience with more than 100 patients receiving subconvulsive ECT stimuli in an effort to define their seizure threshold. Second, spontaneous modified generalized seizures typically increase heart rate and blood pressure (5). Next, Partridge and colleagues speculate that medication-induced convulsions may be associated with less cardiovascular risk, i.e., by avoiding the electrical stimulus. To the contrary, metrazol convulsive therapy produces significant hypertension and tachycardia (5). The authors' suggestion that isoflurane may be useful in treating depression has already been cast in doubt (6). Furthermore, the authors' recommendation that "if a patient responds to ECT with significant tachycardia or hypertension . then it is appropriate to pretreat with a cardioactive agent to blunt this . response" is debatable. Controlled studies should be carried out before making sweeping recommendations that go against established practice (7). In this regard, the specific recommendation of esmolol as a pretreatment to limit ECT-related hemodynamic changes without affecting ECT efficacy is also questionable. Others in this journal, for example, have shown that esmolol shortens seizure duration, an important contributor to ECT efficacy (8). We have previously shown that labetalol controls ECT-related hemodynamic changes without affecting seizure duration (9). In summary, the authors have presented insufficient evidence to support their conclusions that the ECT electrical stimulus, not the seizure, produces tachycardia and hypertension, or that alternative treatments (metrazol, isoflurane) would be safer or more effective. W. Vaughn McCall, MD Thomas E. Sibert, MD Richard D. Weiner, MD, PhD Department of Psychiatry Bowman Gray School of Medicine Medical Center Boulevard Winston-Salem, NC 27157
A pilot study of dental students' esthetic perceptions of computer-generated mild dental fluorosis compared to other conditions.

OBJECTIVES Few studies have considered people's opinions about the esthetics of dental fluorosis. Assessments of fluorosis esthetics can be confounded by differences in a number of clinical factors, including tooth shape, color, contour, and gingival status. This pilot study compared esthetic perceptions of mild fluorosis and other conditions using computer-generated images made from a base set of normal appearing teeth. METHODS Entering dental students (n = 61) completed questionnaires about four sets of paired photographs. Three sets consisted of fluorotic teeth (very mild to mild) versus other conditions (diastema, isolated enamel opacity, "normal"/control) and the other pair compared two presentations of mild fluorosis (generalized versus limited to incisal one-third). Six questions, both qualitative and quantitative, were asked about each pair of photographs. RESULTS Mild fluorosis was assessed less favorably than normal/control, midline diastema was less favorable than mild fluorosis, and mild fluorosis was less favorable than isolated opacity. CONCLUSIONS This approach allows fluorosis to be better compared with other oral conditions because the images are standardized. Additional research with this method is warranted, including more variations in conditions, more comparisons, and other study populations.
The metabolic costs of different types of contractile activity of the human adductor pollicis muscle.

1. The metabolic costs and physiological consequences of shortening contractions of a human muscle working in situ have been compared with those of the muscle maintaining a continuous isometric contraction and when performing repeated brief isometric contractions. 2. After a total of 10 s stimulation, the shortening and intermittent brief isometric protocols had very similar effects, causing a 30% loss of force and a threefold increase in the half‐time of relaxation. This was in contrast to the continuous isometric contraction protocol where there was less than 10% loss of force or slowing of relaxation. 3. The ATP cost over the first 5 s of the continuous isometric protocol was 27 mmol (l intracellular water)‐1 while for the shortening and repeated brief isometric protocols the costs were 48 and 46 mmol (l intracellular water)‐1, respectively. 4. The results show that shortening and repeated brief isometric contractions are considerably more energetically demanding, and hence more fatiguing, than sustained isometric contractions.
A deadlock-free fault-tolerant routing algorithm based on pseudo-receiving mechanism for Networks-on-Chip of CMP

As the size of CMOS technology scales down to nanometers domain, fault-tolerant is becoming a challenge for NoC. Turn model provides a simple and efficient systematic approach to the development of deadlock-free routing algorithms. In this paper, we propose a pseudo-receiving mechanism based on the support of local processor's cache to enable prohibited turn, and meanwhile make it keep deadlock-free. We present a fault-tolerant routing algorithm based on pseudo-receiving mechanism for 2D mesh. The routing algorithm is livelock-free in the cost of disable a few un-faulty links or nodes. The algorithm is applied to a single-cycle fixed output-buffered router. Experimental results show that, it achieves high performance even under high faulty rate.
The Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Pathway as a Potential Target for Cancer Chemoprevention

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key signaling node coordinating cell cycle progression and cell growth in response to genetic, epigenetic, and environmental conditions. Pathways involved in mTOR signaling are dysregulated in precancerous human tissues. These findings, together with the intriguing possibility that mTOR suppression may be associated with antitumor actions of caloric restriction, suggest that mTOR signaling may be an important target for chemopreventive drugs. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(7):1330–40)
Overview of mutation assays in transgenic mice for routine testing

There is scientific and regulatory interest in using mutation assays in transgenic mice in safety assessments for new chemicals and drugs. Currently these assays are in the process of being validated, and protocols for routine testing are being defined. Some of the issues and results to date with regard to assay validation include reproducibility of the assay results (they are qualitatively reproducible), relevance of the test system (the transgene closely approximates an endogenous mammalian gene as a mutational target for the limited number of compounds tested), and the predictivity of the assay for heritable effects (unknown at this time) or carcinogenicity (the assays show good positive predictivity for carcinogenicity; the negative predictivity of the assay requires further investigation). Definition of appropriate study protocols for routine testing requires that applicable statistical methods are available and that the experimental parameters that affect the detection of mutations are known. Progress made in identifying these parameters is discussed. A proposal is made for the custom design of routine safety studies, which is based on the anticipated use of each individual test agent. A working group has been formed to conduct some of the studies still required for validation of these assays. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of temperature on tuning of the auditory pathway in the cicada Tettigetta josei (Hemiptera, Tibicinidae)

SUMMARY The effects of temperature on hearing in the cicada Tettigetta josei were studied. The activity of the auditory nerve and the responses of auditory interneurons to stimuli of different frequencies and intensities were recorded at different temperatures ranging from 16°C to 29°C. Firstly, in order to investigate the temperature dependence of hearing processes, we analyzed its effects on auditory tuning, sensitivity, latency and Q10dB. Increasing temperature led to an upward shift of the characteristic hearing frequency, to an increase in sensitivity and to a decrease in the latency of the auditory response both in the auditory nerve recordings (periphery) and in some interneurons at the metathoracic–abdominal ganglionic complex (MAC). Characteristic frequency shifts were only observed at low frequency (3–8 kHz). No changes were seen in Q10dB. Different tuning mechanisms underlying frequency selectivity may explain the results observed. Secondly, we investigated the role of the mechanical sensory structures that participate in the transduction process. Laser vibrometry measurements revealed that the vibrations of the tympanum and tympanal apodeme are temperature independent in the biologically relevant range (18–35°C). Since the above mentioned effects of temperature are present in the auditory nerve recordings, the observed shifts in frequency tuning must be performed by mechanisms intrinsic to the receptor cells. Finally, the role of potassium channels in the response of the auditory system was investigated using a specific inhibitor of these channels, tetraethylammonium (TEA). TEA caused shifts on tuning and sensitivity of the summed response of the receptors similar to the effects of temperature. Thus, potassium channels are implicated in the tuning of the receptor cells.
Study on the history of the tendering and contracting system for public works and its future direction

The tendering and contracting system for public works has experienced many revisions aiming to prevent bid rigging and extremely low bidding starting in the Edo period when people created a way to give out a contract and going through the Meiji period up to the present date. This study first trace the history of the tendering and contracting system and then analyze the questionable points of the current system for pricing regulation, business and engineering evaluation and so on.Based on those discussions it suggests the future direction of relevant systems including the Public Account Law and the business and engineering evaluation system from the viewpoint of the owner's role of procuring good quality public works at a reasonable price in fair manner.As an interim measure it proposes establishing business and engineering evaluation system common to project owners within regions.
A Unified Model for the Design and Analysis of Spatially-Correlated Load-Aware HetNets

We develop a unified framework for the performance analysis of arbitrary-loaded downlink heterogeneous networks (HetNets) in which interfering sources are inherently spatially-correlated. Considering a randomly-deployed multi-tier cellular network comprised of a diverse set of large-and small-cells, we incorporate the notion of load-awareness and spatial-correlations in characterizing the activities of base stations (BSs) using binary decision variables. A stochastic geometry-based approach is accordingly employed to systematically develop a bounded expression of ergodic rate with different cellular association and load-balancing strategies. Employing the proposed unified framework hence allows for relaxation of several major limitations in the existing state-of-the-art models, in particular the always-transmitting-BSs, uncorrelated interferers, and Rayleigh fading assumptions. We elaborate on the usefulness of adopting this methodology by providing detailed analysis of the aggregate network interference generated by interdependent load-proportional sources over Nakagami-m fading interfering channels. The analytical formulations are validated through Monte-Carlo (MC) simulations for various scenarios and system settings of interest. We observe that the heavily-adopted fully-loaded model as well as the more recent interference-thinning-based approximations are significantly limited in capturing the actual performance curve. The proposed bounded load-aware model and MC trials reveal several important trends and design guidelines for the practical deployment of HetNets.
Bone resorption and formation on the periosteal envelope of the ilium: A histomorphometric study in healthy women

Continuation of net periosteal bone gain after cessation of longitudinal growth has been inferred from sequential radiographic morphometry. Accordingly, we performed histomorphometry of the periosteal surfaces of transilial bone biopsies from 57 healthy women aged 24–74 years, 29 premenopausal and 28 postmenopausal. Compared to the endocortical surface, the extents of eroded and osteoid surfaces were very similar, but the extents of osteoclast‐ and osteoblast‐covered surfaces were 80–90% smaller, and both wall thickness and osteoid thickness were about 30% lower. Double tetracycline labels were present in only 11 cases. The second (demethylchlortetracycline) label was almost four times as long as the first (oxytetracycline) label, a much greater difference than on the endocortical surface, so that the extent of mineralizing surface was based only on the second label. Even so, adjusted apposition rates and bone formation rates were only about 20% of the endocortical values, and unlike the endocortical surface, formation rates were not higher in the postmenopausal than in the premenopausal women. Resorption, reversal, and formation periods were each much longer than on the endocortical surface. There was no correlation between periosteal and endocortical values for any variable. At least 54% of total cement line length was scalloped, implying reversal of remodeling direction from resorption to formation, and at least 18% of total cement line length was smooth, implying temporary arrest of bone formation. Convincing evidence of modeling, related to growth or mechanical stimulation, was not observed. We conclude (1) periosteal bone turnover occurs by remodeling rather than modeling; it is much slower than endosteal turnover and extends less far from the surface, (2) periosteal bone formation is probably discontinuous with long periods of interruption, and (3) periosteal bone cell recruitment and activity appear to be relatively uninfluenced by the hormonal changes of aging and menopause; presumably local factors, possibly biomechanical, are more important.
Three Different Rearrangements in a Single Intron Truncate Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein-2 and Produce Sterol-resistant Phenotype in Three Cell Lines

The cholesterol analogue 25-hydroxycholesterol kills animal cells by blocking the proteolytic activation of two sterol-regulated transcription factors designated sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 and −2 (SREBP-1 and SREBP-2). These proteins, each 1150 amino acids in length, are embedded in the membranes of the nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum by virtue of hydrophobic COOH-terminal segments. In cholesterol-depleted cells the proteins are cleaved to release soluble NH2-terminal fragments of 480 amino acids that enter the nucleus and activate genes encoding the low density lipoprotein receptor and enzymes of cholesterol synthesis. 25-Hydroxycholesterol blocks this cleavage, and cells die of cholesterol deprivation. We previously described a mutant 25-hydroxycholesterol-resistant hamster cell line (SRD-1 cells) in which the SREBP-2 gene had undergone a recombination between the intron following codon 460 and an intron in an unrelated gene. The SREBP-2 sequence terminated at residue 460, eliminating the membrane attachment domain and producing a constitutively active factor that no longer required proteolysis and thus was not inhibited by 25-hydroxycholesterol. Here, we report that two additional sterol-resistant cell lines (SRD-2 and SRD-3) have also undergone genomic rearrangements in the intron following codon 460 of the SREBP-2 gene. Although the molecular rearrangements differ in the three mutant lines, each leads to the production of a constitutively active transcription factor whose SREBP-2 sequence terminates at residue 460. These findings provide a dramatic illustration of the advantage that introns provide in allowing proteins to gain new functions in response to new environmental challenges.
K-8 Learning Trajectories Derived from Research Literature: Sequence, Repetition, Conditionals

Computing curricula are being developed for elementary school classrooms, yet research evidence is scant for learning trajectories that drive curricular decisions about what topics should be addressed at each grade level, at what depth, and in what order. This study presents learning trajectories based on an in-depth review of over 100 scholarly articles in computer science education research. We present three levels of results. First, we present the characteristics of the 600+ learning goals and their research context that affected the learning trajectory creation process. Second, we describe our first three learning trajectories (Sequence, Repetition, and Conditionals), and the relationship between the learning goals and the resulting trajectories. Finally, we discuss the ways in which assumptions about the context (mathematics) and language (e.g., Scratch) directly influenced the trajectories.
Evolutionary generation of test data for path coverage with faults detection

The aim of software testing is to find faults in the program under test. Previous methods of path-oriented test data generation can generate test data traversing target paths, but they may not guarantee to find faults in the program. We present a method of evolutionary generation of test data for path coverage with faults detection in this paper. First, we establish a mathematical model of the problem considered in this paper, in which the number of faults detected in the path traversed by test data, and the risk level of faults are optimization objectives, and the approach level of the traversed path from the target one is a constraint. Then, we generate test data using a multi-objective evolutionary optimization algorithm with constraints. Finally, we apply the proposed method in a benchmark program bubble sort and an industrial program totinfo, and compare it with the traditional method. The experimental results conform that our method can generate test data that not only traverse the target path but also detect faults in it. Our achievement provides a novel way to generate test data for path coverage with faults detection.
Modeling and Measurement of C-Band Radar Backscatter From Snow-Covered First-Year Sea Ice

In this paper, we present model and measurement results for C-band HH and VV normalized radar cross-sections (NRCS) from winter snow-covered first-year sea ice with average snow thicknesses of 16, 4, and 3 cm. The brine content in snow pack was low in all three case studies, which is typical for cold winter conditions. We used the first-order approximation of the small perturbation theory accounting for surface scattering from the air-snow and snow-ice rough interfaces and continuously layered snow and sea ice. The experimental data were collected during the Circumpolar Flaw Lead system study in the winter of 2008 in the southern Beaufort Sea from the research icebreaker Amundsen. Good agreement between the model and experimental data were observed for all three case studies. The model results revealed that the scattering at the snow-ice rough interface is usually stronger than that at the air-snow interface. Furthermore, both model and experimental NRCS values (at VV and HH polarizations) were considerably higher for thin-snow cover compared with the thick-snow-cover case. We associate this effect with the lower attenuation of the propagated wave within the thin-snow pack in comparison to the thick-snow pack. We also demonstrated that different brine volume contents in snow with close thicknesses of 4 and 3 cm did not affect the backscattering coefficients at certain incidence angles and polarization. Our findings provide the physical basis for winter snow thickness retrieval and suggest that such retrievals may be possible from radar observations under particular scattering conditions.
Immunosuppressant FTY720 Induces Apoptosis by Direct Induction of Permeability Transition and Release of Cytochrome c from Mitochondria

FTY720 has immunosuppressive activity in experimental organ transplantation and shows a prompt and protracted decrease of blood T lymphocytes upon oral administration. The blood lymphocyte decrease in vivo was mainly a result of FTY720-induced apoptosis. However, this apoptotic mechanism is not well understood. We examined the mechanism of FTY720-induced apoptosis in lymphoma. Western blotting and fluorescent caspase-specific substrate revealed that caspase-3 is involved in FTY720-induced apoptosis, whereas caspase-1 is not. Apoptotic cell death was inhibited by the pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK, suggesting that caspase activation is essential for FTY720-induced apoptosis. FTY720 reduced mitochondrial transmembrane potential and released cytochrome c from the mitochondria of intact cells as well as in a cell-free system even in the presence of Z-VAD-FMK. As these mitochondrial reactions occurred before caspase activation, we concluded that FTY720 directly influences mitochondrial functions. The inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition by Bcl-2 overexpression or by chemical inhibitors prevented all apoptotic events occurring in intact cells and in a cell-free system. Moreover, using a cell-free system, FTY720 did not directly affect isolated nuclei or cytosol. These results indicate that FTY720 directly affects mitochondria and triggers permeability transition to induce further apoptotic events.
It's Not Whether You Win or Lose, It's How You Place the Blame: Shifting Perceptions of Recreancy in the Context of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill†

A key theoretical concept in the study of technological disasters is “recreancy,” which refers to perception that institutional actors have failed to carry out their responsibilities in a manner that engenders societal trust. Using household survey data from the Community Oil Spill Survey (COSS) to assess recreancy in the context of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, we analyze four waves of the COSS collected between 2010 and 2013 to explore respondents’ perceptions of blame and distrust in relation to key institutional actors associated with the disaster, paying special attention to the influence of time and employment in natural resource occupations. We show that BP is clearly viewed as the principal responsible party at fault for the disaster and that the odds of blaming BP and the federal government have held relatively steady over time, while the odds of blaming state government increased over time. We find high levels of distrust of BP and the federal government, but show that odds of being distrustful of both institutional actors was significantly lower three years after the spill. Fishing households were significantly more likely to blame and be distrustful of institutional actors, a finding that is strongly consistent with theoretical expectations.