Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison Study of Biosignal based Computer Interfaces Based on Fitts’ Law Paradigm

Abstract This paper presents development of two different biosignal based computer interfaces for people with motor disabilities: 1) electromyography (EMG)-based computer interface (ECI) and 2) hybrid EMG-based computer interface (HECI). The ECI made both movements of a cursor and clicking from muscle contractions induced by volitional wrist movements. On the other hand, the HECI made movements of a cursor from the lower arm movements under a motion capture camera, and clicking from muscle contractions induced by volitional movements of index and middle fingers. These interfaces were tested by the experiments based on a Fitts’ law paradigm in order to provide object evaluation of the interfaces. These results were also compared to a commercial brain computer interface was evaluated under the same test setup.
Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and natriuretic peptide receptor gene expression in adipose tissue of normotensive and hypertensive obese patients

Objective Human and rat adipose tissue contain very high levels of natriuretic peptides clearance receptor messenger (m)RNA, and fasting inhibits its gene expression in adipose tissue. In this study we evaluated plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and gene expression of biologically active type A natriuretic peptide receptor (NPr-A) and clearance natriuretic peptide receptor (NPr-C) in adipose tissue of obese hypertensive and obese normotensive patients. Design and methods We studied 27 untreated obese hypertensives, 26 obese normotensives (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2), 24 non-obese essential hypertensives and 23 lean healthy subjects (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2). Blood samples were withdrawn for ANP, plasma renin activity and aldosterone radio-immunoassays. Subcutaneous peri-umbilical adipose tissue samples were obtained, by needle aspiration, in 13 obese hypertensives and in 12 obese normotensives and used for RNA extraction. Then, complementary synthesis and semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers complementary to sequences of different exons of the genes encoding for NPr-A, NPr-C and β-actin, were performed. 32P-labeled PCR products were separated by electrophoresis, blotted onto nylon membranes, and the exposed autoradiographic films were analysed by densitometry. NPr signals were normalized by the β-actin expression level. Results Plasma ANP was lower in obese hypertensives than in obese normotensives (37.5 ± 7 versus 43.2 ± 6 pg/ml, P < 0.05), but was higher in non-obese hypertensives than in non-obese normotensives. In contrast, plasma renin activity and aldosterone were higher in the obese hypertensives. Although NPr-A and NPr-C expression were not statistically different between the two obese groups, the NPr-A: NPr-C mRNA ratios were significantly lower in obese hypertensives (P < 0.03). Conclusions Our data suggest that in obese hypertensives compared to obese normotensives, the lower NPr-A: NPr-C ratio might determine decreased biological activity and/or an increased clearance of natriuretic peptide in adipose tissue, suggesting that the natriuretic peptide and its receptor system may be important in obesity-related hypertension where ANP levels are lower.
Study on orbit determination precision for high resolution spaceborne SAR

Aim at high resolution spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system, a novel mathematical model of slant range between scatter and radar is established that is different from tradition hyperbolic range model. While the distance measurement between scatter and satellite has an important role for high resolution. On the basis, effect of different orbit determination methods and their accuracy is discussed and analyzed. The effectiveness of the slant range model is validated by the computer simulations and the simulations of the effects of different orbit determination method are performed. The novel model of slant range will provide the foundation on the future field of high resolution SAR system.
Opportunities lost and gained: Changes in progenitor competence during nervous system development

ABSTRACT During development of the central nervous system, a small pool of stem cells and progenitors generate the vast neural diversity required for neural circuit formation and behavior. Neural stem and progenitor cells often generate different progeny in response to the same signaling cue (e.g. Notch or Hedgehog), including no response at all. How does stem cell competence to respond to signaling cues change over time? Recently, epigenetics particularly chromatin remodeling – has emerged as a powerful mechanism to control stem cell competence. Here we review recent Drosophila and vertebrate literature describing the effect of epigenetic changes on neural stem cell competence.
Esquemas copulativos de SER y ESTAR: Ensayo de semiolingüística

El presente libro constituye un estudio de las estructuras copulativas en espanol mediadas por los verbos ser y estar como expresion de dos modos dos modos onticos. El enfoque es semiolinguistico y pone en funcionamiento un modelo dinamico en espiral que hace posible la ubicacion sistematica de las diferentes construcciones de ser y estar, sean estas predicativas, copulativas o perifrasticas, presentandolas como discontinuidades de un continuo. El resultado de la investigacion demuestra la existencia de un esquema cognitivo y una estructura enunciativa especifica para sendos verbos. Esto permite ofrecer una explicacion argumentada de la distribucion de ser y estar facilitando asi su aprendizaje.
ACTH in vitro on Release of Nonesterified Fatty Acids from Adipose Tissues of Adrenalectomized Rats

Summary 1. Adrenalectomy decreases release of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) from rat epididymal adipose tissue. 2. Addition of small amounts of ACTH in vitro to adipose tissue increases release of NEFA. This effect is markedly diminished in adrenal-ectomized animals. 3. It is suggested that ACTH may have a physiological role in fatty acid mobilization not mediated by adrenal cortical tissue.
Selective Wireless Power Transfer to Multiple Loads Using Receivers of Different Resonant Frequencies

In multiple receivers of resonant wireless power transfer, selective power flow among the loads is an important issue. This paper proposes a new method to control power division. The two-coil structure with different resonant frequencies of the sending and receiving loops is modeled and analyzed. The efficiency is proved to peak at the resonant frequency of the receiving loop, regardless of the resonant frequency of the sending loop. Using this feature, selective power transfer can be achieved by setting the receiving loops at different resonant frequencies. The efficiency of a particular load is greatly influenced by the driving frequency. The multiple-load system with different resonant frequencies is modeled and the efficiency expression of each load is deduced. The mutual inductances of the receiving coils have a small impact on the efficiency distribution. The closer the resonant frequencies of the receiving loops, the less isolated the related loads. The calculations and the experiments confirm the analysis.
The combination of methamphetamine and of the HIV protein, Tat, induces death of the human neuroblastoma cell line, SH‐SY5Y

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected methamphetamine (METH) abusers show greater neuropathological abnormalities than HIV‐negative METH abusers or HIV‐positive non‐METH users. Herein, we investigated the effects of METH and of the HIV protein, Tat, using the human neuroblastoma cell line, SHY5Y. METH and Tat alone caused no toxic effects. In contrast, the combination of METH and Tat caused significant increases in the percentage of dead cells observed after 48 h of exposure. These results suggest the possibility of using this model to elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the potentiation of clinical effects observed in patient populations of HIV‐positive METH‐abusing patients. Synapse 62:551–552, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gene doping: gene delivery for olympic victory

With one recently recommended gene therapy in Europe and a number of other gene therapy treatments now proving effective in clinical trials it is feasible that the same technologies will soon be adopted in the world of sport by unscrupulous athletes and their trainers in so called ‘gene doping’. In this article an overview of the successful gene therapy clinical trials is provided and the potential targets for gene doping are highlighted. Depending on whether a doping gene product is secreted from the engineered cells or is retained locally to, or inside engineered cells will, to some extent, determine the likelihood of detection. It is clear that effective gene delivery technologies now exist and it is important that detection and prevention plans are in place.
Habitat continuity and stepping‐stone oceanographic distances explain population genetic connectivity of the brown alga Cystoseira amentacea

Effective predictive and management approaches for species occurring in a metapopulation structure require good understanding of interpopulation connectivity. In this study, we ask whether population genetic structure of marine species with fragmented distributions can be predicted by stepping‐stone oceanographic transport and habitat continuity, using as model an ecosystem‐structuring brown alga, Cystoseira amentacea var. stricta. To answer this question, we analysed the genetic structure and estimated the connectivity of populations along discontinuous rocky habitat patches in southern Italy, using microsatellite markers at multiple scales. In addition, we modelled the effect of rocky habitat continuity and ocean circulation on gene flow by simulating Lagrangian particle dispersal based on ocean surface currents allowing multigenerational stepping‐stone dynamics. Populations were highly differentiated, at scales from few metres up to thousands of kilometres. The best possible model fit to explain the genetic results combined current direction, rocky habitat extension and distance along the coast among rocky sites. We conclude that a combination of variable suitable habitat and oceanographic transport is a useful predictor of genetic structure. This relationship provides insight into the mechanisms of dispersal and the role of life‐history traits. Our results highlight the importance of spatially explicit modelling of stepping‐stone dynamics and oceanographic directional transport coupled with habitat suitability, to better describe and predict marine population structure and differentiation. This study also suggests the appropriate spatial scales for the conservation, restoration and management of species that are increasingly affected by habitat modifications.
Risk assessment and treatment benefit in intensively treated hypertensive patients of the Hypertension Optimal Treatment (HOT) study

Background The Hypertension Optimal Treatment (HOT) Study provided information about cardiovascular events in 18 790 hypertensives, subjected to pronounced blood pressure lowering for a mean of 3.8 years. Methods and Results The HOT Study data have been further analysed after risk stratification of the patients (1999 World Health Organization and International Society of Hypertension guidelines criteria): (i) no patients of the HOT Study were classified as low risk, 50% were classified as medium risk, 20.2% as high risk and 29.8% as very high risk; (ii) incidence of cardiovascular events in these patients with excellent blood pressure control [92% had diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ⩽ 90 mmHg] remained proportional to pretreatment risk. The relative risk of very high- versus medium-risk strata was between two and three both when HOT Study patients were considered independently of, or within the DBP target group they had been randomized to; and (iii) event rates in all risk strata were calculated to be much lower (possibly 60% lower) than rates expected from baseline risk calculated approximately by the Framingham equation. Conclusions The low event rate in HOT Study patients is likely to result from pronounced blood pressure lowering, and is not explained by a lower risk profile than in previous controlled trials of antihypertensive treatment. The persistence of a risk gradient despite intensive blood pressure lowering suggests a combination of blood pressure control with other strategies of risk correction and the need to initiate antihypertensive therapy before complications develop.
Alcohol-associated hypertension: when one drinks makes a difference.

The high prevalence of systemic hypertension (HTN) and its progressive association with multiple adverse sequelae1 confer great potential importance on any modifiable trait influencing blood pressure (BP). Established modifiable factors include obesity and sodium intake. Less solidly established are physical inactivity and low potassium or calcium intake. With a relationship to HTN seen nearly unanimously in a substantial number of observational cross-sectional and prospective studies, alcohol drinking has become a major focus of interest in recent decades as a modifiable HTN risk factor.2–3 Even low estimates of 5% or 7% of HTN attributable to alcohol imply that there are more patients with HTN caused by alcohol than by conventional causes of remediable secondary HTN.3 Present in both sexes and several ethnic groups, the alcohol–HTN association is independent of a number of potential confounders including nutritional factors.2–3 Available evidence suggests substantial regression of HTN in several days with alcohol abstinence. Although heavier alcohol intake (≥2 drinks daily) has been more consistently related, an alcohol–BP relationship with lighter drinking in some studies raises a possibility of great potential pubic health importance. Most observational analyses used average amount of alcohol consumed daily as the alcohol measure, with presumed underestimation of alcohol amount by some heavier drinkers impairing definition of a threshold dose level.3 To add further confusion, a few studies show lower pressures in light drinkers than in abstainers, perhaps especially in women.3 Lack of a proven mechanism limits causal interpretation of the alcohol–HTN link. There are other unresolved issues, including: (1) is the relationship linear at all drinking levels or is there a threshold alcohol dose; (2) is choice of wine, liquor, or beer a factor; (3) is drinking pattern a factor; …
Fostering Social Ties Through A Volunteer Role: Implications For Older-Adults' Psychological Health

This study examined the effects on older adults' psychological health of participation in a volunteer role that afforded opportunities to form friendships with age peers and to express nurturance toward another person. Access to these important social provisions was expected, in turn, to contribute to greater self-esteem, less loneliness, and less depression. The study hypotheses were tested by comparing older adults who served as foster grandparents to a developmentally disabled child (N = 52) with older adults in two comparison groups (Ns = 69, 59). Three assessments were conducted over a two-year period. The analyses revealed that the foster grandparents exhibited a significant increase in the number of new ties formed, but participation in the Foster Grandparent Program was not associated with the expected gains in emotional health. Explanations for the limited findings and implications for future research are discussed.
WHY DO SO MANY HAEMOPHILIA A PATIENTS DEVELOP AN INHIBITOR?

Inhibitor development is a serious complication of haemophilia A treatment and there has been recent concern that the risk may be increased if patients are treated with more highly purified, modified or recombinant factor VIII products (Aledort. 1993; Scharrer & Neutzling, 1994; Hoyer, 1995; Briet f Rosendaal, 1994). There are no comparative studies, however, and the only available information comes from several prospective and retrospective evaluations that have identified a variable incidence, from 7% to 52%. A metaanalysis of eight retrospective reports found a ‘high response’ inhibitor in 20% of the 451 patients with severe haemophilia A who had been treated with crude or intermediate factor VIII concentrates (Briet et al, 1994). The incidence is higher, of course, if ’low response’ and transient (Allain & Frommel, 19 76) inhibitors are also included. It is now recognized that transient inhibitors are occasionally detected when patients are tested every 3-6 months, even when there are no symptoms of factor VIII resistance (Bray et al. 1994; Lusher e t aI. 1993; Addiego et ul, 1993; Peerlinck et al, 1993b) Transient inhibitors usually have a minimal clinical effect and they disappear while the patient continues to receive regular factor VIII treatment. These observations lead to several questions. If frequent testing identifies inhibitory antibodies to factor VIII in 4050% of patients with severe haemophilia A, is inhibitor formation the expected immune response to their treatment with a ‘foreign protein’? If so, why aren’t all patients at similar risk, and why do more than half of the patients have a transient inhibitor or a low response pattern? Finally, is the risk related to the factor VIII product used? This annotation will briefly summarize the available information.
Activation of Toll-like Receptor 2 on Microglia Promotes Cell Uptake of Alzheimer Disease-associated Amyloid β Peptide*

The human G-protein-coupled formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1) and its mouse homologue mFPR2 mediate the chemotactic activity of a variety of polypeptides associated with inflammation and bacterial infection, including the 42-amino acid form of amyloid β peptide (Aβ42), a pathogenic factor in Alzheimer disease. Because mFPR2 was inducible in mouse microglial cells by proinflammatory stimulants, such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide, a ligand for the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), we investigated the role of TLR2 in the regulation of mFPR2. We found that a TLR2 agonist, peptidoglycan (PGN) derived from Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, induced considerable mFpr2 mRNA expression in a mouse microglial cell line and primary microglial cells. This was associated with a markedly increased chemotaxis of the cells in response to mFPR2 agonist peptides. In addition, activation of TLR2 markedly enhanced mFPR2-mediated uptake of Aβ42 by microglia. Studies of the mechanistic basis showed that PGN activates MAPK and IκBα, and the effect of PGN on induction of mFPR2 was dependent on signaling pathways via ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs. The use of TLR2 on microglial cells by PGN was supported by the fact that N9 cells transfected with short interfering RNA targeting mouse TLR2 failed to show increased expression of functional mFPR2 after stimulation with PGN. Our results demonstrated a potentially important role for TLR2 in microglial cells of promoting cell responses to chemoattractants produced in lesions of inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases in the brain.
Gender difference in endothelial dysfunction in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We investigated endothelium-dependent responses of thoracic aorta isolated from age-matched male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) to explore gender differences in endothelial dysfunction that may contribute to the sexual dimorphism observed in the development of hypertension in this strain. Endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine (10(-9) to 10(-4) mol/L) was significantly greater in female rats than in male rats, although impaired responses were seen in both sexes compared with normotensive controls. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase by indomethacin (10(-5) mol/L) improved endothelium-dependent relaxation, but it did not abolish the gender difference. Relaxations in response to sodium nitroprusside were identical in denuded aortic rings from male and female SHR. Acetylcholine at higher concentrations (10(-6) to 10(-4) mol/L) induced endothelium-dependent contraction in intact, quiescent aortic rings from male SHR but not in those from female SHR. After incubation with NG-nitro-L-arginine (10(-4) mol/L), contraction in response to acetylcholine became apparent in rings from female SHR, but it was still significantly less pronounced than in similarly treated rings from male SHR. Endothelium-dependent contraction was prevented by indomethacin in both sexes, suggesting that a cyclooxygenase product such as endoperoxide may be mediating this effect. Because responses evoked by the thromboxane/endoperoxide receptor agonist U46619 (10(-10) to 10(-6) mol/L) were not greater in rings from male SHR than those from female SHR, increased smooth muscle responsiveness or higher thromboxane/endoperoxide receptor density in the males could not account for the differences in endothelium-dependent contraction. These results suggest that sex steroid hormones may control endothelium-dependent vascular reactivity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A vaccine-elicited, single viral epitope-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte response does not protect against intravenous, cell-free simian immunodeficiency virus challenge

Protection against simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) challenge was assessed in rhesus monkeys with a vaccine-elicited, single SIV epitope-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response in the absence of SIV-specific antibody. Strategies were first explored for eliciting an optimal SIV Gag epitope-specific CTL response. These studies were performed in rhesus monkeys expressing the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I gene Mamu-A*01, a haplotype associated with a predominant SIV CTL epitope mapped to residues 182 to 190 of the Gag protein (p11C). We demonstrated that a combined modality immunization strategy using a recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG-SIV Gag construct for priming, and peptide formulated in liposome for boosting, elicited a greater p11C-specific CTL response than did a single immunization with peptide-liposome alone. Vaccinated and control monkeys were then challenged with cell-free SIVmne by an intravenous route of inoculation. Despite a vigorous p11C-specific CTL response at the time of virus inoculation, all monkeys became infected with SIV. gag gene sequencing of the virus isolated from these monkeys demonstrated that the established viruses had no mutations in the p11C-coding region. Thus, the preexisting CTL response did not select for a viral variant that might escape T-cell immune recognition. These studies demonstrate that a potent SIV-specific CTL response can be elicited by combining live vector and peptide vaccine modalities. However, a single SIV Gag epitope-specific CTL response in the absence of SIV-specific antibody did not provide protection against a cell-free, intravenous SIV challenge.
Effects of SO[2] on selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH[3] over a TiO[2] photocatalyst

The effect of SO2 gas was investigated on the activity of the photo-assisted selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen monoxide (NO) with ammonia (NH3) over a TiO2 photocatalyst in the presence of excess oxygen (photo-SCR). The introduction of SO2 (300 ppm) greatly decreased the activity of the photo-SCR at 373 K. The increment of the reaction temperature enhanced the resistance to SO2 gas, and at 553 K the conversion of NO was stable for at least 300 min of the reaction. X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), elemental analysis and N2 adsorption measurement revealed that the ammonium sulfate species were generated after the reaction. There was a strong negative correlation between the deposition amount of the ammonium sulfate species and the specific surface area. Based on the above relationship, we concluded that the deposition of the ammonium sulfate species decreased the specific surface area by plugging the pore structure of the catalyst, and the decrease of the specific surface area resulted in the deactivation of the catalyst. S Online supplementary data available from stacks.iop. org/STAM/16/024901/mmedia