Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Calcium Handling Abnormalities as a Target for Atrial Fibrillation Therapeutics: How Close to Clinical Implementation?

Abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia with a substantial impact on morbidity and mortality. Antiarrhythmic drugs play a major role in rhythm-control therapy of AF. However, currently available agents exhibit limited efficacy and pronounced adverse effects, notably drug-induced proarrhythmia. Recent experimental studies have identified that Ca2+ handling abnormalities are critical elements in AF pathophysiology with central roles in atrial ectopic activity, reentry, and atrial remodeling suggesting that Ca2+ handling abnormalities could be promising targets for novel AF therapeutics. Here, we summarize key aspects of AF-related Ca2+-handling abnormalities, describe currently available compounds targeting atrial Ca2+ handling, and highlight potential novel targets and experimental drugs currently under investigation. Finally, we assess how close AF therapeutics based on Ca2+-handling abnormalities are to clinical implementation.
Inactivation of bacterial biofilms using visible-light-activated unmodified ZnO nanorods

Various zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures are widely used for photocatalytic antibacterial applications. Since ZnO possesses a wide bandgap, it is believed that only UV light may efficiently assist bacterial inactivation, and diverse crystal lattice modifications should be applied in order to narrow the bandgap for efficient visible-light absorption. In this work we show that even unmodified ZnO nanorods grown by an aqueous chemical growth technique are found to possess intrinsic defects that can be activated by visible light (λ = 405 nm) and successfully applied for total inactivation of various highly resistant bacterial biofilms rather than more sensitive planktonic bacteria. Time-resolved fluorescence analysis has revealed that visible-light excitation creates long-lived charge carriers (τ > 1 μs), which might be crucial for destructive biochemical reactions achieving significant bacterial biofilm inactivation. ZnO nanorods covered with bacterial biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis MSCL 302 after illumination by visible light (λ = 405 nm) were inactivated by 2 log, and Listeria monocytogenes ATCL3C 7644 and Escherichia coli O157:H7 biofilms by 4 log. Heterogenic waste-water microbial biofilms, consisting of a mixed population of mesophilic bacteria after illumination with visible light were also completely destroyed.
Die Arbeitsqualität der Saatbettbereitung in Abhängigkeit von der Bodenfeuchte

Die Arbeitsqualitat von Bodenbearbeitung und Saatbettbereitung hangt in entscheidendem Mase vom Bodenwassergehalt ab. Auf homogenen Schlagen lasst sich zum richtigen Bearbeitungszeitpunkt ein befriedigendes Ergebnis bei der Saatbettbereitung erzielen. Sind die Schlage jedoch heterogen, variiert der Bearbeitungserfolg auf der Flache.
Investigation of vibration impacts on HVAC transformer from HVDC system under monopole operation

When the high voltage direct current (HVDC) system operates in monopole ground-return mode, DC current flows through the neutral of AC power transformer with the neutral grounded which exacerbates the vibration of the transformer. During the field test of Yibin-Jinhua HVDC system in China, the vibration detection system is deployed to detect the vibration signal of the 500 kV transformer in Luzhou substation, which is close to the grounding substation. The spectrum of the transformer vibration signal is analyzed by means of the wavelet transform, through which the vibration acoustic fingerprint and three typical characteristic parameters, i.e., the distribution percentage of spectral energy, the energy ratio of odd and even harmonics, and the waveform distortion ratio, are extracted respectively. When the HVDC system current increases from 0 A to 5 kA, the impact of DC bias on the operation condition of the 500 kV transformer is investigated through the analysis of the variation of vibration acoustic fingerprint and three characteristic parameters. It is indicated that the energy radio of odd and even harmonics of the 500 kV transformer vibration signal decreases significantly with the increase of the current. In addition, the distribution percentage of spectral energy and the vibration acoustic fingerprint change significantly. This paper demonstrates that the effect of DC bias on the operating condition of the transformer can be accurately assessed by the proposed indices.
Ambient Assisted Living Buddy

The research area of ambient assisted living is concerned with providing required assistance to elderly and/or disabled people in order for them to get through their everyday tasks and chores in an easy and safe manner. This usually makes use of hardware and/or software solutions in relation to the virtual / senior companion field of study. Additionally, ambient assisted living exerts a number of tools and resources specifically developed as technological aids for an ageing population. This project looks at the possibility of improving someone’s quality of life through the use of an ambient assisted living prototype solution. By combining vital research aspects from the fields of: ambient assisted living, technological aids for the aging population, and senior / virtual companions, this project explore the development and evaluation of such a software solution, the Ambient Assisted Living Buddy (AALB). This implies that the AALB manages to work correctly as a concept to ambient assisted living. Furthermore, this project proved that the possibility of improving someone’s quality of life through an ambient assisted living solution can be effective and has a
Phases of alcohol addiction.

In 1946 E. M. Jellinek, on the basis of a questionnaire study of members of Alcoholics Anonymous, first formulated his concept of phases in the drinking history of alcoholics. With the original publication1 of this concept Jellinek outlined a more detailed questionnaire, which in the intervening years has been administered to some 2,000 alcoholics. The elaboration of the phases concept resulting from analysis of these additional materials has been presented by Jellinek in lectures at the Yale Summer School of Alcohol Studies (July 1951 and July 1952) and at the European Seminar on Alcoholism (Copenhagen, October 1951). The summary of these lectures, as published under the auspices of the Alcoholism Subcommittee of the World Health Organization,2 is reproduced here in full.
A Validation of the Test of Memory Malingering in a Forensic Psychiatric Setting

The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) has not been adequately validated in a forensic psychiatric setting. Dissimulation of cognitive impairment, as assessed by the TOMM, was evaluated in a group of 25 forensic inpatients admitted for evaluation of Competency to Stand Trial (CST/MSO group), and hypothesized to be at higher risk for feigning cognitive impairment. A comparison group of 36 patients, who were either civilly committed or adjudicated Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (CIVIL/NGRI group), were hypothesized to be less likely to feign cognitive impairment. Groups were comparable in age, education, premorbid intelligence, and psychiatric symptom severity. Significantly more CST/MSO patients (36%) scored below a recommended TOMM cutoff score relative to CIVIL/NGRI patients (6%). Findings indicate excellent specificity and modest sensitivity, and generally support the validity of the TOMM in a forensic psychiatric population. The utility of different cutoff scores and need for multiple indicators of effort are discussed.
Prostheses for partial hand amputations∗

Amputation of part of a hand may create significant functional limitations for the amputee which are difficult to ameliorate by either orthoses or prostheses. To help develop a logical approach to devices for partial hand amputations the patterns of losses have been studied and a division into four categories has been proposed. Transphalangeal, thumb spared; thenar, partial or complete; transmetacarpal, distal; transmetacarpal, proximal.
On powertrain oscillation damping using feedforward and LQ feedback control

Torsional resonances in the vehicle powertrain are a problem in the automotive industry, since they affect the driveability in a negative way. This paper aims at modelling, control design and verification of a heavy duty powertrain. A model based control system with the aim of damping the powertrain oscillations has been developed, using feedforward and feedback control. The control system has been tested in simulations in Matlab/Simulink and experimental tests are underway
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Polymorphic microsatellite loci and interspecific cross‐amplification in the parasitoid wasps Megastigmus stigmatizans and Megastigmus dorsalis

We isolated and characterized 19 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the congeneric parasitoid wasps Megastigmus stigmatizans and Megastigmus dorsalis associated with cynipid oak galls. Loci isolated from species‐specific libraries showed extensive cross‐amplification, resulting in a total of 15 polymorphic loci for M. stigmatizans and 13 for M. dorsalis.
Possible association between beclomethasone diproprionate aerosol and cataracts

Posterior subcapsular cataracts may be associated with corticosteroid administration. I report a nine‐year‐old girl who developed transient bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts whilst on long‐term beclomethasone diproprionate aerosol, having in this time a total of only three weeks prednisone orally. The literature is reviewed regarding the possible absorption of beclomethasone diproprionate. The role and frequency of corticosteroids in causing cataracts is discussed. Suggestions are made about the role of beciomethasone diproprionate aerosol in the management of childhood asthma.
Synthetic Flavanones Augment the Anticancer Effect of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL)

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is considered as the most promising anticancer agent in the TNF superfamily because of its selective cytotoxicity against tumor cells versus normal primary cells. However, as more tumor cells are reported to be resistant to TRAIL-mediated death, it is important to develop new therapeutic strategies to overcome this resistance. Flavonoids have been shown to sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. The aim of this study was to examine the cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of TRAIL on HeLa cancer cells in combination with two synthetic compounds: 6-hydroxyflavanone (6-HF) and its derivative 6-propionoxy-flavanone (6-PF) and to determine the mechanism by which the flavanones overcome the TRAIL-resistance. The cytotoxicity was measured by MTT and LDH assays. The apoptosis was detected by annexin V-FITC fluorescence staining in flow cytometry and microscopy. Death receptor (TRAIL-R1/DR4 and TRAIL-R2/DR5) expression were analysed using flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential was evaluated using DePsipher staining by fluorescence microscopy. The synthetic flavanones enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells through increased expression of TRAIL-R2 death receptor and reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential. Our study indicates that the 6-HF and 6-PF augmented the anticancer effects of TRAIL and confirm a potential use of flavanones in TRAIL-based anticancer therapy and prevention.
Zinc inhibits human ClC‐1 muscle chloride channel by interacting with its common gating mechanism

Transition metals block the muscle Cl− channel ClC‐1, which belongs to a large family of double‐barreled Cl− channels and transporters. In the Torpedo Cl− channel ClC‐0, Zn2+ block is closely related to the common gating mechanism that opens and closes both pores of the channel simultaneously, and the mutation C212S, which locks the common gate open, also eliminates the block. In ClC‐1, however, previous results suggested that Zn2+ block is independent of gating, and that the cysteine residues involved in Zn2+ binding are in different positions to those that confer Zn2+ sensitivity on ClC‐0. In this work, we show that Zn2+ block of ClC‐1 is faster at hyperpolarized potentials where the channel is more likely to be in the closed state. Mutation C277S, equivalent to C212S in ClC‐0, which locks the common gate in ClC‐1 open, virtually eliminates Zn2+ block. A mutation, V321A, which reduces open probability of the common gate, facilitated Zn2+ block. These results demonstrate that Zn2+ block is state dependent, acting on the common gate. The extent of the block, however, is not a simple function of the open probability of the common gate. The Q10 of ∼13 of the time course of Zn2+ block, which is significantly higher than the Q10 of common gating transitions in WT ClC‐1, suggests that Zn2+ binds to a very high temperature‐dependent low‐probability closed substate of the common gate, which has not yet been characterized in this channel.
Lipopeptides from Bacillus and Paenibacillus spp.: A Gold Mine of Antibiotic Candidates

The emergence of multidrug‐resistant bacteria has placed a strain on health care systems and highlighted the need for new classes of antibiotics. Bacterial lipopeptides are secondary metabolites, generally produced by nonribosomal peptide synthetases that often exhibit broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity. Only two new structural types of antibiotics have entered the market in the last 40 years, linezolid and the bacterial lipopeptide daptomycin. A wide variety of bacteria produce lipopeptides, however Bacillus and Paenibacillus spp. in particular have yielded several potent antimicrobial lipopeptides. Many of the lipopeptides produced by these bacteria have been known for decades and represent a potential gold mine of antibiotic candidates. This list includes the polymyxins, octapeptins, polypeptins, iturins, surfactins, fengycins, fusaricidins, and tridecaptins, as well as some novel examples, including the kurstakins. These lipopeptides have a wide variety of activities, ranging from antibacterial and antifungal, to anticancer and antiviral. This review presents a reasonably comprehensive list of each class of lipopeptide and their known homologues. Emphasis has been placed on their antimicrobial activities, as well other potential applications for this interesting class of substances.
Conditional Gene Targeting in Mouse Pancreatic-Cells Analysis of Ectopic Cre Transgene Expression in the Brain

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Transgenic Cre lines driven by Ins1, Ins2, and Pdx1 promoters were bred to R26R reporter strains. Cre activity was assessed by -galactosidase or yellow fluorescent protein expression in the pancreas and the brain. Endogenous Pdx1 gene expression was monitored using Pdx1 lacZ knock-in mice. Cre expression in -cells and co-localization of Cre activity with orexin-expressing and leptin-responsive neurons within the brain was assessed by immunohistochemistry.
CMOS RF PA design: Using complexity to solve the linearity and efficiency trade-off

Some important aspects of CMOS RF PA design are discussed. Improving efficiency at circuit level is discussed first, as well as the challenge to achieve high output power in low-voltage CMOS. Next, some PA architectures are reviewed. It will be shown how signal processing can be used to improve the efficiency of a CMOS PA.
Asthma: pathophysiology of the bronchial obstruction

From a pathophysiologic perspective, the changes that occur in asthma are multiple, diverse, and complex. Assessment of the mechanical properties of the ventilatory apparatus provides several different types of information, depending on the gravity of the bronchial obstruction. During asthma, or induced bronchial obstruction, the function of the muscles is altered, causing changes in respiratory timing. Expiratory duration decreases more than inspiratory duration, and the functional residual capacity (FRC) increases, due to mechanical changes within the airways that lead to air trapping. The related hypoventilation is responsible for hypoxemia and hypercapnia, but it does not severely affect the diffusion capacity of the alveolocapillary membrane. We describe the pathophysiology of the bronchial obstruction in asthmatic patients, underlining the critical function of the respiratory muscles. Moreover, we clarify the relations between the ventilatory changes and gas‐exchange alteration.
Climate Change and Farmers’ Mental Health: Risks and Responses

Climate change is exacerbating climate variability, evident in more frequent and severe weather-related disasters, such as droughts, fires, and floods. Most of what is known about the possible effects of climate change on rural mental health relates to prolonged drought. But though drought is known to be a disproportionate and general stressor, evidence is mixed and inconclusive. Over time, like drought other weather-related disasters may erode the social and economic bases on which farming communities depend. Rural vulnerability to mental health problems is greatly increased by socioeconomic disadvantage. Related factors may compound this, such as reduced access to health services as communities decline and a “stoical” culture that inhibits help-seeking. Australia has the world’s most variable climate and is a major global agricultural producer. Yet despite Australia’s (and, especially, rural communities’) dependence on farmers’ well-being and success, there is very little—and inconclusive—quantitative evidence about farmers’ mental health. The aim of this review is to consider, with a view to informing other countries, how climate change and related factors may affect farmers’ mental health in Australia. That information is a prerequisite to identifying, selecting, and evaluating adaptive strategies, to lessen the risks of adverse mental health outcomes. The authors identify the need for a systematic epidemiology of the mental health of farmers facing increasing climate change— related weather adversity.
An EM analysis of the synaptic connections of horseradish peroxidase‐filled stalked cells and islet cells in the substantia gelatinosa of adult cat spinal cord

Two major interneurons of the outer part of Rexed's layer II (IIa) were impaled with microelectrodes, had their primary inputs characterized, and were subsequently filled with horseradish peroxidase. Their fine structural characteristics and synaptic connections were then analyzed electron microscopically. Two islet cells, whose rostrocaudally oriented dendrites were largely confined within layer IIa, received primary input form small myelinated axons. A stalked cell, whose cell body was situated on I/II border had a cone‐shaped dendritic arbor which traversed layer IIa as well as the inner part of Rexed's layer II (IIb) and rostrocaudal dendritic branches which ran for part of their course along the I/IIa border. It received primary input from small myelinated as well as form unmyelinated axons. Both cell types received asymmetrical axodendritic synapses from primary endings in layer IIa and IIb glomeruli and widely separated symmetrical axodendritic synapses from small nonprimary endings outside of glomerli.
Secondary hypertension: a condition not to be missed

Hypertension is a chronic disorder which often entails debilitating cardiovascular and renal complications. Hypertension mostly arises as a complex quantitative trait that is affected by varying combinations of genetic and environmental factors. Secondary hypertension has been encountered with increasing frequency. The common causes of secondary hypertension include renal parenchymal disease, renal artery stenosis, primary aldosteronism, phaeochromocytoma, and Cushing's syndrome. The detection of a secondary cause is of the utmost importance because it provides an opportunity to convert an incurable disease into a potentially curable one. Early identification and treatment will provide a better opportunity for cure, prevent target organ damage, reduce socioeconomic burden and health expenditure associated with drug costs, and improve patients' quality of life. Hence, it is a condition not to be missed.
Effects of different levels of supplementation of a 50 : 50 mixture of molasses : crude glycerol on performance , Bermuda grass hay intake , and nutrient digestibility of beef cattle 1 , 2

Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of different levels of supplementation with a 50:50 (as-fed) mixture of molasses:crude glycerol on animal performance, total tract digestibility of nutrients, and ruminal in situ degradability of nutrients in beef heifers and steers consuming Tifton 85 Bermuda grass (Cynodon spp.) hay. For Exp. 1, 24 Angus crossbred heifers (380 ± 31 kg BW) were used in a generalized randomized block design. For Exp. 2, 8 ruminally cannulated Angus crossbred steers (323 ± 42 kg BW) were used in a 4 × 4 duplicated Latin square design. For both experiments, animals were housed in individual pens at the University of Florida Feed Efficiency Facility, had ad libitum access to Tifton 85 Bermuda grass hay, and were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) CTRL, no supplementation; 2) SUP1, 0.45 kg/d (as fed) of 50:50 mixture; 3) SUP3, 1.36 kg/d (as fed) of 50:50 mixture; and 4) SUP5, 2.27 kg/d (as fed) of a 50:50 mixture. Individual feed intake was recorded. Total DMI increased linearly (P = 0.005) as the level of supplementation increased. Hay intake ranged from 1.36 (CTRL) to 1.23% (SUP5) of BW, and was not affected (P ≥ 0.10) by liquid supplementation. Final BW was not affected by liquid supplementation (P ≥ 0.10). There was a linear increase (P = 0.027) in ADG as the liquid supplementation amounts increased. Liquid supplementation did not affect G:F (P ≥ 0.10). Apparent total tract digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, and ADF increased linearly (P < 0.001), while CP total tract digestibility decreased linearly (P = 0.002) as the level of supplementation increased. Ruminal pH was decreased linearly (P = 0.012) as the level of supplementation increased. No effect (P ≥ 0.10) of liquid supplementation was detected on lag time for NDF and ADF content of bermudagrass hay; however, rate of degradation (Kd) of NDF tended (P = 0.076) to be affected cubically by liquid supplementation. In addition, liquid supplementation linearly decreased (P < 0.05) ED of OM, CP, NDF, and ADF. In conclusion, supplementing up to 2.27 kg/d of a 50:50 mixture of molasses:crude glycerol may stimulate microbial growth and fermentative activity, thereby increasing nutrient digestibility. Increased fiber digestion, along with energy supplementation, led to increased ADG in heifers consuming Bermuda grass hay.