Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Botulinum Toxin A and Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction: Pathophysiology and Mechanisms of Action

The use of onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT-A) for the treatment of lower urinary tract diseases (LUTD) has increased markedly in recent years. The indications for BoNT-A treatment of LUTD now include neurogenic or idiopathic detrusor overactivity, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and voiding dysfunction. The mechanisms of BoNT-A action on LUTDs affect many different aspects. Traditionally, the effects of BoNT-A were believed to be attributable to inhibition of acetylcholine release from the presynaptic efferent nerves at the neuromuscular junctions in the detrusor or urethral sphincter. BoNT-A injection in the bladder also regulated sensory nerve function by blocking neurotransmitter release and reducing receptor expression in the urothelium. In addition, recent studies revealed an anti-inflammatory effect for BoNT-A. Substance P and nerve growth factor in the urine and bladder tissue decreased after BoNT-A injection. Mast cell activation in the bladder also decreased. BoNT-A-induced improvement of urothelium function plays an important mitigating role in bladder dysfunction. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in urothelium decreased after BoNT-A injection, as did apoptosis. Studies also revealed increased apoptosis in the prostate after BoNT-A injection. Although BoNT-A injection has been widely used to treat different LUTDs refractory to conventional treatment, currently, onabotulinumtoxinA has been proven effective only on urinary incontinence due to IDO and NDO in several large-scale clinical trials. The effects of onabotulinumtoxinA on other LUTDs such as interstitial cystitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, dysfunctional voiding or detrusor sphincter dyssynergia have not been well demonstrated.
The oral health of children with clefts of the lip, palate, or both.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries, developmental defects of enamel, and related factors in children with clefts. DESIGN This cross-sectional prevalence study used standard dental indices for assessment. SETTING Children underwent a dental examination under standard conditions of seating and lighting in the outpatient department of a dental hospital as part of an ongoing audit to monitor clinical outcomes. PARTICIPANTS Ninety-one children aged 4, 8, and 12 years were included in the study. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Dental caries were assessed by use of the decayed, missing, and filled index for primary teeth (dmft); Decayed, Missing, and Filled index for permanent teeth (DMFT) according to the criteria as used in the national survey of children's dental health in the United Kingdom. Developmental defects were assessed using the modified Developmental Defects of Enamel Index (Clarkson and O'Mullane, 1989). Dental erosion was assessed using the criteria derived for the national survey of children's dental health. RESULTS Caries prevalence increased with age; 63% of patients at 4 years and 34% at 12 years were caries free. The mean dmft for the 4-year-olds was 1.3 with a mean DMFT for the 12-year-olds of 1.8. All the 4-year-olds had evidence of erosion of enamel in the primary teeth (incisors and first molars) and 56% of the 12-year-olds had erosion of permanent teeth (incisors and first permanent molars). Developmental defects of enamel became more prevalent with age, with at least one opacity in 56% of 4-year-olds and 100% of 12-year-olds. Hypoplasia was not found in the primary dentition but affected permanent teeth in 38% of 8-year-olds and 23% of the 12-year-olds. CONCLUSION This study has shown that dental disease is prevalent in these patients. These assessments not only provide a baseline on oral health parameters in young people with clefts but underline the need for a more aggressive approach to prevention of oral disease to optimize clinical outcome.
Music Structure Analysis of Hindustani Music for Transcription

Music is structured audio comprising the harmonious blend of melody and the rhythmic elements. Transcription of an audio signal involves the essential task of melodic structure analysis at the instances marked by the rhythmic events. Signal processing methods can be used to reveal the music structure of the audio signal using the descriptors of melody and rhythm chosen to describe the particular music tradition. In this work, challenges in developing required algorithms in the analysis of melodic and rhythmic structures of Hindustani music have been explored.
Design of electrostatic adhesion device using the flexible electrodes

This paper presents a fabrication method of electrostatic adhesion device using flexible electrodes. When an electric charge is stored in the bipolar plate of a capacitor, an electrostatic force acts. We perform adhesion to a wall surface using this electrostatic force. Using the electrostatic force, electrostatic adhesion force is controlled by the electricity. The flexible electrodes are created by spraying a solution containing dispersed carbon black onto a silicon rubber. Flexibility of the device can avoid damage to its own and adapt to a variety of wall surface shapes. In experiments, two kinds of device surface structures were created. One is just flat and the other is pillar arrays. The pillar arrays structure was adopted from the viewpoint of biomimetic. Electrostatic adhesion force of these structures was measured with shear and tensile testing machines.
Lithium-Ion Battery Charge Equalization Algorithm for Electric Vehicle Applications

The lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in electric vehicle (EV) applications due to their better performances as compared with other batteries. However, lithium-ion battery has some drawbacks such as the overcharged cell which has a risk of explosion, the undercharged cell eventually reduces the life cycle of the battery, and unbalanced charge in series battery gradually reduces overall charge capacity. This paper presents a battery charge equalization algorithm for lithium-ion battery in EV applications to enhance the battery's performance, life cycle, and safety. The algorithm is implemented in series-connected battery cells of 15.5 Ah and 3.7 V nominal each using a battery monitoring integrated circuit for monitoring and equalization of an 8-cell battery pack using a bidirectional flyback dc–dc converter as the channel for charging and discharging of the battery cell. The obtained results show that the developed charge equalization controller algorithm performs well in equalizing both undercharged and overcharged cells, and equalizes the cell within the safety operation range of 3.81 V. To validate the charge equalizer performance, the proposed algorithm outperforms with other studies in terms of balancing, equalization speed, low power loss, and efficiency. Thus, the proposed battery charge equalization algorithm proves an effective and automated system to modularize the battery charge that improves the safety and life cycle of battery.
Effects of Streptococcus mutans on Dendritic Cell Activation and Function

Despite existing preventive and therapeutic measures, caries remains a ubiquitous infectious disease. Vaccine studies suggest that an adaptive immune response, culminating in effective antibody production, may reduce an individual’s susceptibility to caries. However, the efficacy of the immune response elicited by mutans streptococci in the oral cavity remains controversial. A greater understanding of the early stages of the adaptive immune response to cariogenic bacteria may potentially assist therapeutic targeting and design. We therefore sought to characterize dendritic cell (DC) activation and antigen presentation following Streptococcus mutans exposure. We found that S. mutans up-regulated DC expression of co-stimulatory molecules and MHCII in vitro and that DCs effectively processed and presented exogenously administered antigen. These DCs effectively initiated T-cell proliferation, but this was abrogated by live bacteria. The in vitro DC activation effects were not mirrored in vivo, where DCs in draining lymph nodes did not mature following oral exposure to S. mutans. Analysis of these data provides a model for studying antigen uptake from the oral cavity and evidence that, in vitro, S. mutans activates dendritic cells, a critical event for initiating adaptive immunity.
A positive effect of flowers rather than eye images in a large-scale, cross-cultural dictator game

People often consider how their behaviour will be viewed by others, and may cooperate to avoid gaining a bad reputation. Sensitivity to reputation may be elicited by subtle social cues of being watched: previous studies have shown that people behave more cooperatively when they see images of eyes rather than control images. Here, we tested whether eye images enhance cooperation in a dictator game, using the online labour market Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT). In contrast to our predictions and the results of most previous studies, dictators gave away more money when they saw images of flowers rather than eye images. Donations in response to eye images were not significantly different to donations under control treatments. Dictator donations varied significantly across cultures but there was no systematic variation in responses to different image types across cultures. Unlike most previous studies, players interacting via AMT may feel truly anonymous when making decisions and, as such, may not respond to subtle social cues of being watched. Nevertheless, dictators gave away similar amounts as in previous studies, so anonymity did not erase helpfulness. We suggest that eye images might only promote cooperative behaviour in relatively public settings and that people may ignore these cues when they know their behaviour is truly anonymous.
Enteric motor pattern generators involve both myogenic and neurogenic mechanisms in the human colon

Coordinated motor activity is required to develop the major functions of the colon, which are: 1-absorption of water, electrolytes, bile salts, short-chain fatty acids and other bacterial metabolites, 2-storage of colonic contents and 3-propulsion of fecal material (Christensen, 1991). Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) generate spontaneous pacemaker currents which are conducted to smooth muscle cells (SMCs) causing rhythmic contractile patterns (Rumessen et al., 1993; Huizinga et al., 1995). Even though in vitro experiments disrupt enteric neural pathways crucial to develop a variety of in vivo colonic motor patterns and rule out any influence of extrinsic innervation, they are useful to better understand the mechanisms underlying colonic motility. Accordingly, the aim of this article is to summarize myogenic and neurogenic activities described in the human colon, hypothesize about how these mechanisms might be related and propose a new concept, enteric motor pattern generators, for this interplay.
A genomic approach to identify molecular pathways associated with chemotherapy resistance

Resistance to chemotherapy in cancer is common. As gene expression profiling has been shown to anticipate chemotherapeutic resistance, we sought to identify cellular pathways associated with resistance to facilitate effective combination therapy. Gene set enrichment analysis was used to associate pathways with resistance in two data sets: the NCI-60 cancer cell lines deemed sensitive and resistant to specific chemotherapeutic agents (Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, docetaxel, etoposide, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel, and topotecan) and a series of 40 lung cancer cell lines for which sensitivity to cisplatin and docetaxel was determined. Candidate pathways were further screened in silico using the Connectivity Map. The lead candidate pathway was functionally validated in vitro. Gene set enrichment analysis associated the matrix metalloproteinase, p53, methionine metabolism, and free pathways with cytotoxic resistance in the NCI-60 cell lines across multiple agents, but no gene set was common to all drugs. Analysis of the lung cancer cell lines identified the bcl-2 pathway to be associated with cisplatin resistance and the AKT pathway enriched in cisplatin- and docetaxel-resistant cell lines. Results from Connectivity Map supported an association between phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT and docetaxel resistance but did not support the association with cisplatin. Targeted inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathway with LY294002, in combination with docetaxel, resulted in a synergistic effect in previously docetaxel-resistant cell lines but not with cisplatin. These results support the use of a genomic approach to identify drug-specific targets associated with the development of chemotherapy resistance and underscore the importance of disease context in identifying these pathways. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(10):3141–9]
Testosterone Alters Maternal Vascular Adaptations: Role of the Endothelial NO System

Sex steroid hormones estradiol and progesterone play an important role in vascular adaptations during pregnancy. However, little is known about the role of androgens. Plasma testosterone (T) levels are elevated in preeclampsia, mothers with polycystic ovary, and pregnant African American women, who have endothelial dysfunction and develop gestational hypertension. We tested whether increased T alters vascular adaptations during pregnancy and whether these alterations depend on endothelium-derived factors, such as prostacyclin, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor, and NO. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were injected with vehicle (n=12) or T propionate [0.5 mg/Kg per day from gestation day 15–19; n=12] to increase plasma T levels 2-fold, similar to that observed in preeclampsia. Telemetric blood pressures and endothelium-dependent vascular reactivity were assessed with wire-myograph system. Phospho-endothelial NO synthase and total endothelial NO synthase were examined in mesenteric arteries. Mean arterial pressures were significantly higher starting from gestation day19 until delivery in T-treated dams. Endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine were significantly lower in mesenteric arteries of T-treated dams (pD2 [−log EC50]=7.05±0.06; Emax=89.4±1.89) compared with controls (pD2=7.38±0.04; Emax=99.9±0.97). Further assessment of endothelial factors showed NO-mediated relaxations were blunted in T-treated mesenteric arteries (Emax=42.26±5.95) compared with controls (Emax=76.49±5.06); however, prostacyclin- and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated relaxations were unaffected. Relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was unaffected with T-treatment. Phosphorylations of endothelial NO synthase at Ser1177 were decreased and at Thr495 increased in T-treated mesenteric arteries without changes in total endothelial NO synthase levels. In conclusion, increased maternal T, at concentrations relevant to abnormal clinical conditions, cause hypertension associated with blunting of NO-mediated vasodilation. T may induce the increased vascular resistance associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Known Vulnerabilities of Global Navigation Satellite Systems, Status, and Potential Mitigation Techniques

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) like GPS but also Galileo, GLONASS, and Beidou represent an important infrastructure to our society. They provide position and timing for numerous applications. A GNSS is a rather complex system consisting of around 30 satellites, a number of monitor stations, plus a control center. Billions of GNSS receivers represent the user segment. The receivers and the monitor stations receive a weak satellite radio signal and thus are susceptible to interference like jamming or spoofing. This paper outlines the core operation principles of satellite navigation to describe those kind of interference and to analyze the impacts. Different types of interference attacks result in different effects at the target receiver. The attack schemes are categorized within this paper. Reported incidents are summarized as well as the potential impact of GNSS vulnerability on critical infrastructure. Well known countermeasures at user receiver level or at system level are outlined and discussed for their suitability. The political and socioeconomic context of GNSS vulnerability is described emphasizing the large impact of a potential disruption of the GNSS service.
A Value-Attitude-Behavior Model Predicting Wildland Preservation Voting Intentions

This article examines the value attitude behavior cognitive hierarchy as it pertains to wildland preservation. Data for this investigation were obtained from a random sample of Colorado residents (n=960). A biocentric/anthropocentric value orientation continuum was developed and examined empirically. Consistent with previous research, confirmatory factor analysis and reliability analysis suggested that a respondent's value orientation toward wildlands can be positioned along this single continuum. As predicted by theory, a structural equation analysis demonstrated that the biocentric/anthropocentric value orientation continuum predicted a respondent's attitude toward the preservation of wildlands, and that the attitude fully mediated the relationship between value orientation and behavioral intention to vote for wildland preservation. Overall, this article provides empirical support for using the cognitive hierarchy when attempting to understand and predict responses to natural resource issues.
Sedation and histamine H1‐receptor antagonism: studies in man with the enantiomers of chlorpheniramine and dimethindene

1 The effects of 10 mg (+)‐ and (−)‐chlorpheniramine and 5 mg (+)‐ and (−)‐dimethindene on daytime sleep latencies, digit symbol substitution and subjective assessments of mood and well‐being were studied in 6 healthy young adult humans. Each subject also took 5 mg triprolidine hydrochloride as an active control and two placebos. 2 Daytime sleep latencies were reduced with triprolidine, (+)‐chlorpheniramine and (−)‐dimethindene, and subjects also reported that they felt more sleepy after (+)‐chlorpheniramine and (−)‐dimethindene. Performance on digit symbol substitution was impaired with (+)‐chlorpheniramine. 3 Changes in measures with (−)‐chlorpheniramine and (+)‐dimethindene were not different from changes with placebo. 4 In the present study, changes in measures of drowsiness and performance were limited to the enantiomers with high affinity for the histamine H1‐receptor. These findings strongly suggest that sedation can arise from H1‐receptor antagonism alone, and provide further support for the belief that the histaminergic system is concerned with the regulation of alertness in man.
Physiologically-inspired feature extraction for emotion recognition

In this paper, we proposed a new feature extraction method for emotion recognition based on the knowledge of the emotion production mechanism in physiology. It was reported by physiacoustist that emotional speech is differently encoded from the normal speech in terms of articulation organs and that emotion information in speech is concentrated in different frequencies caused by the different movements of organs [4]. To apply these findings, in this paper, we first quantified the distribution of speech emotion information along with each frequency band by exploiting the Fisher’s F-Ratio and mutual information techniques, and then proposed a non-uniform sub-band processing method which is able to extract and emphasize the emotion features in speech. These extracted features are finally applied to emotional recognition. Experimental results in speech emotion recognition showed that the extracted features using our proposed non-uniform sub-band processing outperform the traditional (MFCC) features, and the average error reduction rate amounts to 16.8% for speech emotion recognition. Index Terms: speech emotion recognition, feature extraction, non-uniform sub-band.
Effects of Death Education on Fear of Death and Attitudes towards Death and Life

The effects of a death education course were determined for two different classes of students, comparing them with students of sex education and introductory psychology. All students completed a variety of attitudinal, motivational and demographic background measures before and at the end of their courses. The results indicated that initially the death education students did not differ greatly from the students in the other two courses in their beliefs, attitudes and backgrounds. The death education course did affect students' views such that at the end of the course they viewed death as more approachable and wished to experience death in a more interpersonal as compared to a technological context.
Prevalence and Predictors of High Sexual Prejudice Among Medical Students From Two Colombian Cities

Around the world, sexual prejudice is still a concerning attitude present in health care providers and institutions. Identification of sexual prejudice during medical training could be an initial strategy to improve health care assistance to this particular population. Despite significant knowledge in the area, almost all previous studies were based on samples from developed countries, and there are no studies evaluating sexual prejudice and its conditionings among Latin American medical students. Objectives of the study were to estimate prevalence and predictors of sexual prejudice among medical students from two large cities in Colombia. This research found that 22.9% of medical students had a high sexual prejudice. Males and individuals with high religiosity were associated with a higher sexual prejudice and may require more sensitization and education in the area. Medical training represents a very good opportunity to approach the problem and decrease sexual prejudice in future physicians.
Speech Timing Variables in Children with Typical Speech Acquisition, Speech Delay, and Suspected Apraxia of Speech

Summary statistics. Tables 2a and 2b, and Figures 2a and 2b are displays of the distributions of unadjusted pause and speech durations for speakers in the three speaker groups. Analysis 2. Within utterance variability in pause - and speech-event durations. Figures 3a and 3b are displays of the average within-utterance CVs for pause- and speech-event durations for speakers within each speaker group. Primary Findings • Pause-event durations within an utterance are significantly more variablein children with sAOS than children with NSA and SD (Tukey Test, p < .05, for all comparisons). There were no statistically significant differences in pausal variability between NSA and SD speakers. • For the 4-8 AWU group only, speech-event durations within an utterance were significantly less variablein children with sAOS than children with NSA and SD (Tukey Test, p < .05). There were no statistically significant differences in speech-event variability between NSA and SD speakers. Purpose •The research context for this report is the ongoing effort to identify one or more diagnostic markers for the putative child speech-sound disorder termed apraxia of speech. Classic descriptions of suspected childhood apraxia of speech include the construct of a “staccato-like”rhythmic quality, but few acoustic studies have attempted to quantify this percept (cf. Shriberg, Aram, & Kwiatkowki, 1997). Related variables in the adult neurogenic literature include the constructs of isochrony, scanning speech, syllable segregation, and more generally, abnormal speech timing (e.g., Ackerman & Hertrich 1994; Kent, Weismer, Kent, Vorperian, & Duffy, 1999). This regularity in speech timing may impact listeners’ prosodic expectations and affect speech intelligibility. •The purposes of the present report are (a) to describe a procedu re to assess speech timing variables in conversational speech, (b) to provide speech timing reference data for 3- to 6-year-old speakers with typical speech and speech delay, and (c) to provide preliminary speech timing information on a group of children with suspected apraxia of speech. The reference data will be used to examine if children with suspected apraxia of speech exhibit a trend toward speech-timing regularity not observed in children with typical speech acquisition or speech delay.