Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Sympathoexcitation on Cardiovascular Function in Humans Sleep , death , and the heart

Mansukhani MP, Wang S, Somers VK. Sleep, death, and the heart. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 309: H739–H749, 2015. First published July 17, 2015; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00285. 2015. —Obstructive and central sleep apnea have been associated with increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events and mortality. Sympathetic dysregulation occurring as a result of the respiratory disturbance is thought to play a role in this increased risk. Sleep apnea increases the risk of arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia/infarction, stroke, and heart failure, all of which may increase mortality risk. A higher incidence of nocturnal arrhythmias, cardiac ischemia, and sudden death has been noted in subjects with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). In this review, the association between SDB and each of these conditions is discussed, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying these risks and the effects of treatment of SDB. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between SDB and nocturnal atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia/infarction and sudden death.
Limb apraxia and cognitive impairment in progressive supranuclear palsy

Limb apraxia occurs in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP); however, its characteristics and relation to dementia are unclear. We compared 25 probable PSP patients on cognitive and ideomotor apraxia tests with 19 healthy controls. Eleven PSP patients were demented (D-PSP) and 14 not (ND-PSP). D-PSP patients did worse than controls and ND-PSP patients in all cognitive tests; and ND-PSP patients did worse than controls in all except the memory test. In the apraxia test, PSP patients committed mainly sequence errors and executed complex gestures badly. Apraxia correlated strongly with dementia. In PSP, limb apraxia seems mainly due to frontal deafferentation and lesions, but only when these are severe enough to cause dementia.
strength reduction and flow interruption enhanced olloid-facilitated Hg transport in contaminated soils

The effects of ionic strength (IS) reduction (5–0.05 mM) and flow interruption (FI, flow stopped for 7 d) on colloid and Hg release in the leachate were examined in column experiment. Two Hg contaminated soils (13.9 and 146 mg/kg) were used, with Hg concentrations in colloids being 2–4 times greater than bulk soils. Based on sequential extraction, Hg concentrations in organic matter (OM) fraction were the most abundant in soils (31–48%). Column leaching after IS reduction and FI released large amounts of colloidal eywords: olloidal Hg rganic matter onic strength reduction low interruption ron oxide Hg, accounting for 44–48% of released Hg. The highest colloidal Hg concentrations at 27.8 and 360 g/L were observed at ∼1 pore volume after FI. Concentration distribution of colloidal OM and colloidal Fe was similar to colloidal Hg in the leachate, showing peak concentrations after IS reduction and FI. Most of the released colloidal Hg was in OM fraction (37–53%), with some in Fe/Mn oxide fraction (11–19%). Based on composition of released colloids and Hg fractionation in soils and colloids, colloidal OM could serve as an important carrier for Hg transport in soils.
Characterization and novel analyses of acute stress response patterns in a population-based cohort of young adults: influence of gender, smoking, and BMI

Abstract Dysregulation of the biological stress response system has been implicated in the development of psychological, metabolic, and cardiovascular disease. Whilst changes in stress response are often quantified as an increase or decrease in cortisol levels, three different patterns of stress response have been reported in the literature for the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) (reactive-responders (RR), anticipatory-responders (AR) and non-responders (NR)). However, these have never been systematically analyzed in a large population-based cohort. The aims of this study were to examine factors that contribute to TSST variation (gender, oral contraceptive use, menstrual cycle phase, smoking, and BMI) using traditional methods and novel analyses of stress response patterns. We analyzed the acute stress response of 798, 18-year-old participants from a community-based cohort using the TSST. Plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone, plasma cortisol, and salivary cortisol levels were quantified. RR, AR, and NR patterns comprised 56.6%, 26.2%, and 17.2% of the cohort, respectively. Smokers were more likely to be NR than (RR or AR; adjusted, p < 0.05). Overweight and obese subjects were less likely to be NR than the other patterns (adjusted, p < 0.05). Males were more likely to be RR than NR (adjusted, p = 0.05). In addition, we present a novel AUC measure (AUCR), for use when the TSST baseline concentration is higher than later time points. These results show that in a young adult cohort, stress-response patterns, in addition to other parameters vary with gender, smoking, and BMI. The distribution of these patterns has the potential to vary with adult health and disease and may represent a biomarker for future investigation.
Automated Reconciliation of Radiology Reports and Discharge Summaries

We study machine learning techniques to automatically identify limb abnormalities (including fractures, dislocations and foreign bodies) from radiology reports. For patients presenting to the Emergency Room (ER) with suspected limb abnormalities (e.g., fractures) there is often a multi-day delay before the radiology report is available to ER staff, by which time the patient may have been discharged home with the possibility of undiagnosed fractures. ER staff, currently, have to manually review and reconcile radiology reports with the ER discharge diagnosis; this is a laborious and error-prone manual process. Using radiology reports from three different hospitals, we show that extracting detailed features from the reports to train Support Vector Machines can effectively automate the identification of limb fractures, dislocations and foreign bodies. These can be automatically reconciled with a patient's discharge diagnosis from the ER to identify a number of cases where limb abnormalities went undiagnosed.
ATP, a partial agonist of atypical P2y purinoceptors in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells

1 Purinoceptor responses were analyzed in B10 cells, a clonal population of rat brain capillary endothelial cells. 2 B10 cells lack P2U receptors as evidenced by the lack of UTP responses and the failure to amplify P2u‐related sequences by polymerase chain reaction. 3 B10 cells responded to adenine nucleotides by large increases in [Ca2+]i. Half maximum effective concentrations were 2‐methylthio‐ATP: 180 nM > 2‐chloro‐ATP: 310 nM = ADP: 330 nM> adenosine 5′‐0‐(3‐thiotrisphosphate): 2.3 μm = ATP: 2.7 μm. The maximum response to ATP was only 55% of that to ADP while that to ATP derivatives was 75%. 4 The actions of adenine nucleotides were not associated with a measurable activation of phospholipase C. 5 Cross desensitizations of the actions of ADP and ATP were observed. 6 In additivity experiments, ADP superposed its action on top of that of ATP and ATP partially inhibited the action of ADP. 7 It is concluded that ATP acts as a partial agonist of the P2Y‐like receptor of brain capillary endothelial cells.
Importance of SigB for Listeria monocytogenes Static and Continuous-Flow Biofilm Formation and Disinfectant Resistance

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen that is able to form biofilms in food processing facilities. Biofilms are generally more resistant to antimicrobial agents, making it difficult to eradicate them during cleanup procedures. So far, little is known about the function of stress resistance mechanisms in biofilm formation and their resistance to disinfectants. In this study, we investigated the role of sigB, which encodes a major transcriptional regulator of stress response genes, in L. monocytogenes static and continuous-flow biofilm formation and its function in the resistance of biofilm cells to the disinfectants benzalkonium chloride and peracetic acid. Quantitative real-time PCR and promoter reporter studies showed that sigB is activated in static and continuous-flow biofilms. Biofilm formation studies using an in-frame sigB deletion mutant and complementation mutant showed that the presence of SigB is required to obtain wild-type levels of both static and continuous-flow biofilms. Finally, disinfection treatments of planktonically grown cells and cells dispersed from static and continuous-flow biofilms showed that SigB is involved in the resistance of both planktonic cells and biofilms to the disinfectants benzalkonium chloride and peracetic acid.
From malaria control to eradication: The WHO perspective

Efforts to control malaria have been boosted in the past few years with increased international funding and greater political commitment. Consequently, the reported malaria burden is being reduced in a number of countries throughout the world, including in some countries in tropical Africa where the burden of malaria is greatest. These achievements have raised new hopes of eradicating malaria. This paper summarizes the outcomes of a World Health Organization’s expert meeting on the feasibility of such a goal. Given the hindsight and experience of the Global Malaria Eradication Programme of the 1950s and 1960s, and current knowledge of the effectiveness of antimalarial tools and interventions, it would be feasible to effectively control malaria in all parts of the world and greatly reduce the enormous morbidity and mortality of malaria. It would also be entirely feasible to eliminate malaria from countries and regions where the intensity of transmission is low to moderate, and where health systems are strong. Elimination of malaria requires a re‐orientation of control activity, moving away from a population‐based coverage of interventions, to one based on a programme of effective surveillance and response. Sustained efforts will be required to prevent the resurgence of malaria from where it is eliminated. Eliminating malaria from countries where the intensity of transmission is high and stable such as in tropical Africa will require more potent tools and stronger health systems than are available today. When such countries have effectively reduced the burden of malaria, the achievements will need to be consolidated before a programme re‐orientation towards malaria elimination is contemplated. Malaria control and elimination are under the constant threat of the parasite and vector mosquito developing resistance to medicines and insecticides, which are the cornerstones of current antimalarial interventions. The prospects of malaria eradication, therefore, rest heavily on the outcomes of research and development for new and improved tools. Malaria control and elimination are complementary objectives in the global fight against malaria.
Raynaud's phenomenon in workers exposed to vibration

Chronic exposure of hands to vibration is now a well described cause of Raynaud's phenomenon. According to Palmer et al , it is estimated that 220 000 cases of Raynaud's phenomenon are attributable to exposure to vibration in Great Britain.1 These epidemiological data, based on a questionnaire, are considered to be reasonably accurate.2About 4.2 million workers are exposed to hand transmitted vibration but the real impact on health and the economy is unknown.3More precise clinical data are therefore necessary before implementing a large preventive programme. The hand-arm vibration syndrome encompasses a wide range of disorders as it is responsible for digital blanching and paraesthesias.4 Different vascular problems—such as a pure vasospastic phenomenon, a digital organic microangiopathy, or an occlusive arterial thrombosis—can be found. A diffuse vibration neuropathy with involvement of mechanical skin receptors or carpal tunnel syndrome are also often associated.5 The relation between these neurovascular disorders is not clear but autonomic dysfunction in carpal tunnel syndrome can induce a Raynaud's phenomenon which is curable with surgery.6 The prognosis of these neurovascular troubles depends on the underlying problem and cannot be evaluated with a simple questionnaire. As … Dr K T Palmer
Calculation of LFSR Seed and Polynomial Pair for BIST Applications

Polynomial selection for LFSR-based BIST schemes has been typically left out of the scope of active research in the recent works due to lack of analytical methods that address this issue. Usage of primitive polynomial with a small number of feedbacks is considered a classical rule of thumb that is usually implemented. Although being beneficial for very long test sequences, primitive polynomial cannot guarantee fast fault coverage growth, which is a critical issue in pseudo-random-pattern-generator-based embedded test approaches. Hence, selecting a good initial state would be the main instrument for getting the fast coverage gain. In this work, we propose a formal analytical method to calculate a customized polynomial and seed pair for each separate design/test case. This novel technique allows shortening BIST runtimes and increasing fault coverage by embedding given efficient test patterns into the LFSR sequence. Being used in mixed-mode BIST techniques, the method shows decreasing trend in test application time and/or necessary test pattern storage resources. Our comparison against primitive polynomial based sequences support these observations.
Polyamides reveal a role for repression in latency within resting T cells of HIV-infected donors.

BACKGROUND The persistence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 within resting CD4+ T cells poses a daunting therapeutic challenge. Histone deacetylase (HDAC)-1, a chromatin-remodeling enzyme that can mediate gene silencing, is recruited to the HIV-1 long terminal repeat by the host transcription factor LSF. Pyrrole-imidazole polyamides, small molecules that target specific DNA sequences, can access the nucleus of cells and specifically block transcription-factor binding. METHODS We used polyamides to directly test the role of chromatin remodeling in HIV quiescence in primary resting CD4+ T cells obtained from HIV-infected patients. RESULTS After exposure to any of 4 different polyamides that specifically block HDAC-1 recruitment by LSF to the HIV promoter, replication-competent HIV was recovered from cultures of resting CD4+ T cells in 6 of 8 HIV-infected patients whose viremia had been suppressed by therapy. In comparison, HIV was not recovered after exposure to control, mismatched polyamides but was recovered from 7 of 8 of these patients' samples after the activation of T cells. CONCLUSIONS We identify histone deacetylation as a mechanism that can dampen viral expression in infected, activated CD4+ T cells and establish a persistent, quiescent reservoir of HIV infection.
A Novel Multi-class Support Vector Machines Using Probability Voting Strategy and Its Application on Fault Diagnosis of Gearbox

Abstract: In divide-and-combine approach, multi-class support vector machines (SVMs) are divided into several binary SVMs and then the SVMs are combined to obtain multiclass classifiers. In this paper, a new probability voting strategy is presented to combine several binary SVMs. By the method, not only the unclassifiable regions existing in conventional strategy are solved, but also the decision results satisfy the probability distribution. Firstly, two most commonly combining strategy: MaxWins and FSVM are discussed, and their performances are compared through posterior probability distribution. Secondly, an estimate function for the prior probability in a binary classification problem is defined, and an adjustment function satisfying prior probability is normalized in the range of 0~1. Thirdly, a novel probability voting is improved by considering the conventional voting and the adjustment function. Finally, 5-class SVMs-based fault diagnosis models for gearbox respectively with MaxWins majority voting, FSVM and the presented strategy are tested. All the tests and data indicate that the multi-class SVMs combined by probability voting strategy has more capacity of reliability and robustness, and are suitable for fault diagnosis of gearbox.
Towards establishing the use of holons as an enquiry method

This paper argues the need for utilizing holons as an enquiry method to identify problems associated with messy situations. We demonstrate the use of holons through an investigation of a department within a UK university. Similar work was conducted by the university higher management using its quality management and enhancement procedures. We employ the case study research method to assess the explanatory capability of both approaches and conclude that there is evidence to support the use of holons for enquiry purposes and that the holons provide a structure for both soft and hard systems modeling.
An Asynchronous Wakeup Power-Saving Protocol for Multi-Hop Ad Hoc Networks

Power-saving is a critical issue for all kinds of portable devices. The power-saving mode of IEEE 802.11 is designed for a single-hop (or fully connected) ad hoc network and is not applicable for multi-hop ad hoc networks. In this paper, we propose an asynchronous power-saving protocol for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) with unpredictable mobility and multi-hop communication. Neighbors that wish to communicate estimate the relative phase difference between their sleep/awake cycles. A station uses this phase information for transmitting the pending traffic. Stations can also increase their awake period for transmitting the data and to reduce latency for delay sensitive flows. Simulation studies indicate that the proposed asynchronous protocol is quite effective under various traffic characteristics and loads; energy saving can be as high as 70%, while the packet delivery ratio is comparable to networks without power management.
Endocrine response in the fallopian tube.

I. INTRODUCTION: STRATIFICATION OF TUBAL ENDOCRINE RESPONSE THE FALLOPIAN TUBE has, until very recently, been essential for human reproduction. Sperm transport and capacitation, ovum transport, fertilization, and early embryogenesis are fundamental reproductive events that normally take place in its lumen. Although in recent times in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures have sought to mimic the tube's luminal environment, the still limited success of IVF carries the certain implication that more detailed knowledge of fallopian tube function may not only improve treatment of its anatomical and physiological disturbances but also should provide a better empirical basis for its in vitro counterpart. Fallopian tube physiology is exquisitely dependent on hormones. The responsive tissues include the muscle layer (or myosalpinx), the vasculature, the epithelium (or endosalpinx) and, most important, the fluids contained in the lumen. Intricate tiers of endocrine influences and responses in the human fallopian tub.
STEM CELLS AND REGENERATION Gata 6 , Nanog and Erk signaling control cell fate in the inner cell mass through a tristable regulatory network

Duringblastocyst formation, inner cellmass (ICM) cells differentiate into either epiblast (Epi) or primitive endoderm (PrE) cells, labeled by Nanog and Gata6, respectively, and organized in a salt-and-pepper pattern. Previous work in the mouse has shown that, in absence of Nanog, all ICMcells adopt aPrE identity.Moreover, the activationor the blockade of the Fgf/RTK pathway biases cell fate specification towards either PrE or Epi, respectively. We show that, in absence of Gata6, all ICM cells adopt an Epi identity. Furthermore, the analysis of Gata6 embryos reveals a dose-sensitive phenotype, with fewer PrE-specified cells. These results and previous findings have enabled the development of a mathematical model for the dynamics of the regulatory network that controls ICM differentiation into Epi or PrE cells. Themodel describes the temporal dynamics of Erk signaling and of the concentrations of Nanog, Gata6, secreted Fgf4 and Fgf receptor 2. Themodel is able to recapitulatemost of the cell behaviors observed in different experimental conditions and provides a unifyingmechanism for the dynamics of these developmental transitions. The mechanism relies on the co-existence between three stable steady states (tristability), which correspond to ICM, Epi and PrE cells, respectively. Altogether, modeling and experimental results uncover novel features of ICM cell fate specification such as the role of the initial induction of a subset of cells into Epi in the initiation of the salt-and-pepper pattern, or the precocious Epi specification in Gata6 embryos.
Experimental and simulation studies of hard contact in force reflecting teleoperation

Experiments and simulations of a single-axis force-reflecting teleoperation system have been conducted to investigate the problem of contacting a hard environment and maintaining a controlled force in teleoperation in which position is fed forward from the hand controller (master) to the manipulator (slave), and force is fed back to the human operator through motors in the master. The simulations, using an electrical circuit model, reproduce the behavior of the real system, including effects of human operator biomechanics. It is shown that human operator properties, which vary as a result of different types of grasp of the handle, affect the stability of the system in the hard-contact task. The effect of a heavier grasp on the handle is equivalent to increased hand-controlled velocity damping in terms of the systems stability in the contact task, but control system damping sufficient to guarantee stable contact results in perceptible sluggishness of the control handle's response in free motion. These results suggest that human operator biomechanics must be taken into account to guarantee stable and ergonomic performance of advanced teleoperators. <<ETX>>
Histological and Ultrastructural Studies On the Epididymis of Pigeon ( Columba Livia )

A The pigion's epididymis consisted of an extra testicular part of the rete testis, the proximal & distal efferent ductules, the connecting ductules & the epididymal duct. The extra testicular part of rete testis lined by squamous to cuboidal epithelium. The wall of the proximal efferent ductules was thrown into many longitudinalfolds. Their epithelium formed of two main cell types, ciliated and non ciliated cells in addition to few basal cells. The ciliated cells appeared columnar with Long tuft of cilia projected from their luminal surfaces. Many cells showed large and small multi vesicular bodies, dense bodies associated with yellow Lipofuchsin pigment. The non ciliated cells were denser than the ciliated ones. They showed intracytoplasmic vacuoles, dens globules. Their apical cytoplasm might protrude into the ductular lumen to form bleb like projections with PAS +ve. The distal efferent ductule appeared smaller in diameter than the proximal ones. The epididymal duct had wide lumen. The lining cells consisted of nonciliated columnar cells and basal cells. The columnar cells showed vacuolated cytoplasm.
Death Receptor 5 Regulation during Selenium-Mediated Apoptosis in Human

Selenium is an essential micronutrient that is currently being tested for prostate cancer chemoprevention. In spite of its significant promise as a chemopreventive agent, the molecular mechanisms of selenium-mediated effects remain to be elucidated. Recent evidence suggests that selenium may mediate its chemopreventive effects by inducing apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells. Here we report that selenium-mediated apoptosis appears to involve membrane death receptor, DR5-dependent pathway in human prostate cancer cells. Selenium specifically upregulated DR5 expression but not that of DR4. Selenium upregulation of DR5 was coupled with caspase 8 activation and Bid cleavage thereby suggesting the existence of a potential cross-talk between the DR5 and the mitochondrial pathways. Thus, our results suggest that DR5 is specifically regulated by selenium and its activation may play an important role in selenium-mediated chemoprevention.