Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radioligand binding studies of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes in rat heart.

1. In order to characterize the alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes mediating positive inotropic effects of adrenaline (in the presence of propranolol) in rat right ventricular strips and the Ca2+ sources used to elicit them, we have used radioligand binding to identify the alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes present in rat heart and the alpha 1-adrenoceptor affinity and subtype-selectivity of various pharmacological tools. 2. Amitryptiline, mianserin, trimipramine, oxaprotiline, clonidine, chloroethylclonidine, phenoxybenzamine, BE 2254 and 8-OH-DPAT competed for [3H]-prazosin binding in rat heart, vas deferens, liver, spleen, cerebral cortex and hippocampus but none of them displayed detectable alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype-selectivity; nitrendipine did not compete for [3H]-prazosin binding in concentrations up to 5 mumol 1(-1). 3. The alpha 1 A-adrenoceptor-selective, 5-methyl-urapidil, (+)-niguldipine, and to a lesser extent (-)-niguldipine competed for [3H]-prazosin binding in rat heart, vas deferens, cerebral cortex and hippocampus with shallow and biphasic curves; analysis of these curves demonstrated that rat heart contains alpha 1A-and alpha 1B-adrenoceptors in a 20:80 ratio. 4. Treatment of rat right ventricular strips with 100 mumol l-1 chloroethylclonidine for 30 min at 30 degrees C followed by 60 min washout reduced the number of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, as assessed by [3H]-prazosin saturation experiments, by 74%. Treatment with 100 micromol l(-1) CdCl2 did not affect number or affinity of cardiac alpha 1-adrenoceptors and combined treatment with chlorethylclonidine and CdCl2 reduced alpha 1-adrenoceptor number by 90%. 5. Treatment of rat right ventricular strips with chloroethylclonidine steepened 5-methyl-urapidil competition curves and increased the relative contribution of alpha 1A-adrenoceptors from 26 to 89%. Treatment with CdCl2 did not affect 5-methyl-urapidil competition curves and combined treatment with chloroethylclonidineand CdCl2 increased the relative contribution of alpha lA-adrenoceptors to 66%. 6. We conclude that rat heart contains alpha 1A- and alpha 1B-adrenoceptors in a 20:80% ratio. Treatment withchloroethylclonidine reduces alpha 1B-adrenoceptor number by 96% but has only minor effects on alpha 1A-adrenoceptor density. Treatment with CdCl2 does not affect the number of either alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype.
Hyperpnea and heat flux: initial reaction sequence in exercise-induced asthma.

Abstract : It was previously demonstrated that the magnitude of post exertional asthma is proportional to the heat exchange that occurs within the airways. Since the level of ventilation is an important determinant of the quantity of heat transferred from the mucosa, it was reasoned that if we simulated the hyperpnea of exercise by hyperventilation, heat exchange would be produced similar to that seen with exercise, and thus equivalent bronchial obstruction. To test this hypothesis, 8 asthmatics performed eucapnic hyperventilation to mean levels of 63 and 44 L/min while they breathed dry air at subfreezing (-12 C) and room temperature (23 C) and fully saturated air at room and body temperature through a heat exchanger in a random order. Hyperventilation at body conditions (0 heat flux) did not result in any change in pulmonary mechanics. However, as the water content and temperature of the inspirate were decreased, thus increasing the thermal burden on the airways at maximal ventilation (V sub E), the bronchospastic response progressively increased. Decreasing the thermal burden by decreasing V sub E proportionally reduced the response. From this we conclude that the major stimulus for exercise-induced asthma is heat loss from the mucosa with subsequent cooling, which is precipitated by the hyperpnea of exercise but not exercise per se.
Moderate and heavy alcohol consumption among Turks: long-term impact on mortality and cardiometabolic risk.

OBJECTIVES The impact of alcohol consumption on various outcomes was prospectively evaluated in the participants of the Turkish Adult Risk Factor Study. STUDY DESIGN A total of 3,443 men and women (mean age 47.6+/-12 years) were included at baseline and followed-up for a mean of 7.4 years (range 5 to 9 years). Alcohol drinking status was assessed as abstention and brackets of moderate and heavy intake. Only 19.5% of adults (35% of men and 4.2% of women) reported consumption of alcohol. In each multivariate analysis, individuals with the examined endpoint at baseline were excluded, and alcohol drinking status was adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, and physical activity. RESULTS Alcohol intake increased overall mortality (by 2-fold) in men drinking heavily, but not in men drinking moderately, nor in women. Heavy drinking in combined sexes predicted the risk for incident coronary heart disease (CHD) (RR 2.3; 95% CI 1.30; 4.05), while moderate drinking tended to be protective (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.50; 1.035). Heavy intake predicted incident diabetes risk (RR 2.13) and tended to be so for new metabolic syndrome (MetS) in men (RR 1.71), whereas moderate alcohol intake was not significantly associated with subsequent development of diabetes or MetS and the risk for MetS was reduced in women (p=0.10). CONCLUSION Risk of alcohol intake depends on the amount used: heavy intake raising the risk for diabetes and CHD in combined sexes, and overall mortality in men, contrasted to moderate intake reducing (borderline) the CHD risk and marginally reducing all-cause mortality. Risk for MetS tends to be reduced in women alone.
New minimum distance bounds for certain binary linear codes

Let an (n, k, d)-code denote a binary linear code of length n, dimension k, and minimum distance at least d. Define d(n, k) as the maximum value of d for which there exists a binary linear (n, k, d)-code. T. Verhoeff (1989) has provided an updated table of bounds on d(n, k) for 1 >
A New Approach for Epileptic Seizure Detection using Extreme Learning Machine

In this paper, we investigate the potential of discrete wavelet transform (DWT), together with a recentlydeveloped machine learning algorithm referred to as Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), to the task of classifying EEG signals and detecting epileptic seizures. EEG signals are decomposed into frequency sub-bands using DWT, and then these sub-bands are passed to an ELM classifier. A comparative study on system performance is conducted between ELM and back-propagation neural networks (BPNN). Results show that the ELM classifier not only achieves better classification accuracy, but also needs much less learning time compared to the BPNN classifier. It is also found that the length of the EEG segment used affects the prediction performance of classifiers.
FDTD analysis of the handset antenna and human body interaction

With the expansion of current use and anticipated further increases in the use of cellular telephones and other personal communication services (PCS), there have been an interest and considerable research effort devoted to interactions between antennas on handsets and the human body. These activities are motivated by two factors: (i) a need to evaluate the deterioration of the antenna performance and to develop better antennas, and (ii) a need to evaluate the rates of RF energy deposition, called specific absorption rates (SAR), in order to evaluate potential health effects and compliance with standards. We address the following issues: (i) to what extent the effect of the human head on the antenna radiation pattern can be simulated by a multilayered tissue sphere, (ii) how important are the quality and resolution of the head model in determination of the head effect on the antenna pattern, total power absorbed in the head (or antenna efficiency in the presence of the head), the peak SAR, and the maximum SAR in 1 g and (iii) how does the distance between the antenna and the head affect the values and location of the peak, and 1 g values of SAR. Additionally, we include the effect of the hand on the parameters investigated and propose a new handset box design that mitigates the effect of the hand on the antenna radiation pattern.
Differences in the binding affinities of dimeric concanavalin A (including acetyl and succinyl derivatives) and tetrameric concanavalin A with large oligomannose-type glycopeptides.

Dimeric derivatives of concanavalin A (Con A) such as acetyl- and succinyl-Con A have been used for years as probes of cellular membranes. The altered binding and biological activities of these derivatives relative to native tetrameric Con A have generally been attributed to their reduced valence. However, the present study shows that acetyl- and succinyl-Con A possess lower affinities than tetrameric Con A toward certain oligomannose-type glycopeptides which are found on the surface of cells. It has previously been shown that native tetrameric Con A possesses 5-30-fold enhanced affinities toward Man7-Man9 oligomannose-type glycopeptides, respectively, relative to Man5 and Man6 oligomannose-type glycopeptides [Bhattacharyya, L. , & Brewer, C. F. (1989) Eur. J. Biochem. 178, 721-726]. Using titration microcalorimetry and hemagglutination inhibition measurements, methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside, methyl 3,6-di-O-(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (which binds with about 60-fold higher affinity than methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside and is the major Con A binding epitope on oligomannose-type carbohydrates), and a Man5 oligomannose-type oligosaccharide are shown to bind to underivatized dimeric Con A at pH 5.2 and acetyl- and succinyl-Con A at pH 7.2 with affinities equal to those of native tetrameric Con A. However, a mixture of Man7 and Man8 glycopeptides and a Man9 oligomannose-type glycopeptide were shown to bind to underivatized dimeric Con A and acetyl- and succinyl-Con A with affinities only about 2-fold higher than the Man5 oligosaccharide, in contrast to the higher affinities of native tetrameric Con A for these carbohydrates. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A 2-DOF MEMS Ultrasonic Energy Harvester

This paper reports a novel ultrasonic-based wireless power transmission technique that has the potential to drive implantable biosensors. Compared with commonly used radio-frequency (RF) radiation methods, the ultrasonic power transmission is relatively safe for the human body and does not cause electronic interference with other electronic circuits. To extract ambient kinetic energy with arbitrary in-plane motion directions, a novel 2-D MEMS power harvester has been designed with resonance frequencies of 38520 and 38725 Hz. Frequency-response characterization results verify that the device can extract energy from the directions of X, Y, and diagonals. Working in the diagonal direction, the device has a bandwidth of 302 Hz, which is twice wider than a comparable 1-D resonator device. A 1- storage capacitor is charged up from 0.51 to 0.95 V in 15 s, when the harvester is driven by an ultrasonic transducer at a distance of 0.5 cm in the X-direction, and is biased by 60 Vdc, indicating the energy harvesting capability of 21.4 nW in the X-direction. When excited along the Y-axis, the harvester has an energy-harvesting capacity of 22.7 nW. The harvester was modeled and simulated using an equivalent electrical circuit model in Saber, and the simulation results showed good agreement with the experimental results. The ultrasonic energy harvesting was also investigated using a 1-D piezoelectric micro-cantilever.
A circuit for safe diagnostic electrical stimulation of the human brain.

An electronic circuit for controlled electrical stimulation of the human brain has been designed to optimize safety in charge transfer from electrodes to brain and to eliminate the likelihood of unwanted currents from the neurostimulator resulting from component failure. The circuit schematics feature the following designs: (1) a highly accurate and versatile rate generator 0.5 p.p.s. to 99 in increments of 0.5 p.p.s. , (2) symmetrically-biphasic lead and lag pulses of 100 musec duration, (3) photo-isolated driver amplifiers with accurate waveform, reproduction, (4) true biphasic passive-current regulators driven by an isolated battery supply voltage for switch-selectable currents of 0.25 to 5 ma or variable current regulation, (5) accurate current and voltage waveform monitors that isolate the stimulating electrodes from the monitors, and (6) capacity-coupled outputs to guarantee no net D.C. component at the end of each biphasic pulse. Relay-switching circuits are also shown that allow sequential stimulation and recording from one or several electrodes. This neurostimulator has been in use for over two years without evidence of electrolytic damage at identifiable electrode tips. The utility of simultaneous stimulation of several different electrodes at safe charge levels is described.
Investigations on rumen health of different wild ruminants in relation to feeding management

In this study, the rumen metabolism of four ruminant species – blackbuck ( Antilope cervicapra ), barbary sheep ( Ammotragus lervia ), sika deer ( Cervus nippon dybowskii ) and addax antelope ( Addax nasomaculatus ) – from the Nuremberg Zoo was investigated in relation to their feeding management. Parameters of microbial fermentation in the rumen as well as rumen tissue samples were examined. Additionally, the offered and refused food was weighed, analysed and a dietary intake calculation for these ruminant species was performed. Three of the four ruminant species – blackbuck, barbary sheep and addax antelope – all grazers, showed severe characteristics of subacute ruminal acidosis due to a diet high in fermentable carbohydrates (NfE ≥ 55% of DM basis) and low in fibre (XF ≤ 18% of DM basis). This was indicated by numerous microabscesses within the rumen mucosa. These results demonstrate that subacute ruminal acidosis is still a severe problem in captive wild ruminants, which are often fed inappropriate diets with a high concentration of easily digestible carbohydrates.
Les îles de la Caraïbe: enjeux et perspectives

L’ouvrage est structure en quatre parties. La premiere interroge l’hypothetique unite de la Caraibe. La diversite des histoires politiques, des alliances, les ancrages aux Etats-Unis ou a l’Union europeenne composent une mosaique insulaire ou chaque territoire connait une evolution originale. Cette diversite se retrouve aussi a toutes les echelles des donnees environnementales, diversite des Petites et des Grandes Antilles, des iles volcaniques ou calcaires, des cotes-au-vent ou sous-le-vent. La seconde partie s’interesse aux dynamiques federatrices, les principes d’une histoire coloniale commune, d’une culture et d’une identite creole partagee, la dependance et l’influence des diasporas qui constituent une autre Caraibe aspatiale. La troisieme partie presente l’originalite de ses economies insulaires qui ont largement fait l’impasse de la revolution industrielle, passant directement d’economies coloniales a large base agricole a des economies tertiaires. Les choix economiques sont divers, poursuite de l’agriculture d’exportation et tourisme, primaute au developpement touristique, utilisation du large spectre de la deregularisation pour devenir des plaques tournantes du commerce, de la finance, des sieges d’entreprises ou des compagnies maritimes internationales. Enfin la quatrieme partie aborde la necessite de conduire des politiques publiques de developpement durable. Les fortes densites, les desequilibres spatiaux entrainant la congestion urbaine et economique s’opposent a la richesse des ecosystemes et a leur fragilite du fait de l’etroitesse insulaire. Les risques environnementaux, sismiques, cycloniques dont la recurrence et la violence semblent etre liees au rechauffement climatique laissent presager des menaces qui doivent aussi etre prises en compte.
Skin tolerability of transdermal patches

Introduction: Transdermal patch systems are an effective method of administering active ingredients through the skin, with considerable advantages over other drug delivery routes, for example, maintenance of constant plasma drug levels and avoidance of first-pass metabolism. However, repeated epicutaneous application may be associated with local skin reactions. Areas covered: This review addresses current issues regarding the effective/safe use of transdermal patch systems, and provides a critical analysis of the addition of ‘skin-caring’ ingredients to patch systems. Effective use of transdermal systems includes choosing an appropriate body area for application, maintaining regular skin care regimens before application and not replacing a patch in the same area (rotation) within 7 days. Another strategy, developed in an attempt to improve the tolerability of transdermal systems, is the addition of assumed ‘skin-caring’ ingredients (e.g., Aloe Vera) to patch systems. However, at present there is neither proof nor clinical evidence of any benefit. On the contrary, plant-derived ingredients might be associated with allergenic potential. Expert opinion: Transdermal systems are generally well tolerated; physicians must adequately inform patients of the most effective ways to use these formulations for maximum therapeutic benefit, while minimising local adverse events. Skin-caring agents, including Aloe Vera, cannot be recommended until well-controlled clinical trials with standardised extracts are available.
[Association between polymorphism in uncoupling proteins and type 2 diabetes in a northwestern Colombian population].

INTRODUCTION The uncoupling proteins belong to the family of anion transporting proteins which uncouple the ATP production from the mitochondrial respiration, cause proton leakage through the inner mitochondrial membrane, and release energy as heat. Although uncoupling protein function has not been well established, specific polymorphisms in these proteins have been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE The association was assessed between the polymorphisms in uncoupling protein genes 1, 2 and 3 genes and type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a northwestern Colombian population, 545 diabetes cases and 449 controls were investigated for presence of 14 polymorphisms in uncoupling protein genes (3826A/G, ID 45, 2723T/A, 1957G/A, 866G/A, and 55C/T) by PCR and PCR-RFLP. Single associations were evaluated by chi-square test, and bayesian logistic regression analysis was done including as covariates the individual admixture estimates obtained by 54 informative markers for European, African and Amerind ancestry. RESULTS Association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and the polymorphisms 3826A (OR=0.78; 95% CI = 0.63-0.97; p = 0.02) and 55 C (OR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.04-1.92; p = 0.03) and the haplotype D45, 866G, 1957G, 2723T, and 55C (OR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.02-1.56; p = 0.03) were found. These associations remained after adjustment using individual genetic admixture estimates. CONCLUSION Some alleles of uncoupling protein genes 1, 2 and 3, and their haplotypes confer risk to type 2 diabetes in a northwestern Colombian population.
Gestion de connaissances et de données dans l'aide à la conception de Tissue Microarrays

Le domaine biomedical dispose de plus en plus de techniques generatrices d'enormes quantites de donnees. C'est le cas de la recherche en oncologie, ou la technique des Tissue MicroArrays (TMA) permet le traitement en masse d'un grand nombre d'echantillons de tissus. Du fait de la jeunesse de cette technique, il existe peu de systemes informatiques adaptes. Nous nous proposons donc de realiser une plate-forme integree, nommee TMA-Explorer, regroupant un ensemble d'outils autour de la technologie des TMA. Cette plate-forme vise a etre accessible par l'Internet pour les personnes utilisant la technique des TMA, afin de permettre une capitalisation de connaissances. Entre autres, nous nous proposons de mettre en place un systeme de generation d'un ensemble de documents multimedia, pour aider a la conception des TMA et accompagner la fouille de donnees.
Redefining Media Content and Structure in Terms of Available Resources

This study reconceptualizes redundancy, complexity, and emotion in terms of cognitive load (specifically as resources allocated and required), then measures the combined real-time impact of these variables on available resources and encoding over the course of an hour television news program. Operational definitions of redundancy in the literature were ordered by their theoretically predicted level of resources required, then coded overtime. Dynamic measures of audio and video complexity in terms of resources allocated and required were developed and tested. Over the course of the news program, all combinations of independent variables occurred and the theoretically derived combinations of cognitive load successfully predicted changes in resources available as measured by Secondary Task Reaction Times (STRTs) and encoding indexed by recognition. The results suggest that defining message variables in terms of dynamic changes in cognitive load can allow us to predict the simultaneous dynamic impact of multiple message variables which contribute to complexity on processing capacity and message processing.
The oral apparatus of Tetrahymena pyriformis, Strain WH‐6. IV. Observations on the organization of microtubules and filaments in the isolated oral apparatus and the differential effect of potassium chloride on the stability of oral apparatus microtubules

This report is an ultrastructural analysis of the organization of the isolated oral apparatus of Tetrahymena pyriformis, strain WH‐6, syngen 1. Attention has been focused on the organization of microtubules and filaments in oral apparatus membranelles. Oral apparatus membranellar basal bodies were characterized with respect to structural differentiations at the distal and proximal ends. The distal region of membranellar basal bodies contains the basal plate, accessory microtubules and filaments. The proximal end contains a dense material from which emanate accessory microtubules and filaments. There are at least two possibly three different arrangements of accessory structures at the proximal end of membranellar basal bodies. All membranellar basal bodies appear to have a dense material at the proximal end from which filaments emanate. Some of these basal bodies have accessory microtubules and filaments emanating from this dense material. A possible third arrangement is represented by basal bodies which have lateral projections, from the proximal end, of accessory microtubules and filaments which constitute cross or peripheral connectives. There are at least three examples of direct associations between oral apparatus microtubules and filaments: (1) filaments which form links between basal body triplet microtubules, (2) filaments which link the material of the basal plate to internal basal body microtubules, (3) filaments which link together microtubule bundles from membranellar connectives. KCI extraction of the isolated oral apparatus resulted in the selective solubilization of oral apparatus basal bodies, remnants of ciliary axonemes and fused basal plates. Based on their response to KCl extraction two distinct sets of morphologically similar microtubules can be identified: (a) microtubules which constitute the internal structure of basal bodies and ciliary axonemes, (b) microtubules which constitute the fiber connectives between basal bodies.