Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Routing Protocol Based on Multi-Path Data Aggregation for Sensor Networks

In this paper, we propose a routing protocol based on multi-path data aggregation (MDA) for sensor network. First, we introduce the techniques, such as data aggregation and so on, then describe the implementation process of this protocol, and finally estimate its performance by our emulator. The simulation results show that because of this protocol, the nodes energy is reduced and the lifetime of network is extended.
Efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Medical Ozone Therapy in Experimental Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis

Objectives: Our aims were to evaluate the efficacy of ozone therapy (OT) in an experimental rat model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) and to compare its effects with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in this entity. Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham-operated, ANP, ANP + HBO, and ANP + OT groups. Acute necrotizing pancreatitis was induced by infusing 1-mL/kg 3% sodium taurocholate into the common biliopancreatic duct. Hyperbaric oxygen was administered twice daily at a 2.8-atm pressure for 90 minutes. Ozone therapy was set as daily intraperitoneal injections of 0.7-mg/kg ozone/oxygen gas mixture. Hyperbaric oxygen and OT were continued for 3 days after the induction of ANP. The surviving animals were killed at the fourth day, and their pancreases were harvested for biochemical, microbiological, and histopathologic analyses. Results: Serum amylase/lipase and neopterin levels and tissue oxidative stress parameters were similar to sham's values in both the ANP + HBO and the ANP + OT groups. Histopathologic injury scores were significantly lower in the treatments groups than in the ANP group. When compared with the ANP group, the number of infected rats was significantly lesser in the ANP + HBO and the ANP + OT groups. Conclusions: Hyperbaric oxygen and OT reduce the severity and the mortality in the experimental rat model of ANP, and a greater benefit was received for OT comparing with HBO.
Cell-Free Extracts from Mammalian Oocytes Partially Induce Nuclear Reprogramming in Somatic Cells1

Abstract Nuclear transfer has been regarded as the only reliable tool for studying nuclear reprogramming of mammalian somatic cells by oocytes. However, nuclear transfer is not well suited for biochemical analyses of the molecular mechanisms of reprogramming. A cell-free system from oocytes is an attractive alternative way to mimic reprogramming in vitro, since a large number of cells can be treated and analyzed. Nevertheless, a cell-free system using oocytes has not been developed in mammals. Here, cell extracts from porcine oocytes were prepared and their ability to induce nuclear reprogramming was evaluated. Extracts from metaphase II (MII) oocytes erased the machinery for regulating gene expression in reversibly permeabilized somatic cells. For example, the extracts caused histone deacetylation and the disappearance of TATA box-binding protein from the nuclei. However, MII-extract-treated cells did not show any obvious changes after cell culture. In contrast, extracts from germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes activated pluripotent marker genes, especially NANOG, and induced partial dedifferentiation after cell culture. The activation of pluripotent marker genes by GV extracts was associated with histone acetylation that was induced during extract treatment. These results indicate that GV- and MII-oocyte extracts have different roles on nuclear reprogramming. Furthermore, both oocyte extracts induced site-specific demethylation in the upstream region of NANOG. These results indicate that cell-free extracts derived from GV- and MII-oocytes could be useful for studying the mechanisms involved in nuclear reprogramming.
Wiki-based collaborative learning: incorporating self-assessment tasks

When assigning technological articles as the collaborative writing task, students may find that the available knowledge repositories leave little room for them to contribute and therefore write nothing. To provide guidelines for students to discover topics, as well as tools to practice problem solving skills, we integrated a computer assisted assessment module into the Mediawiki and employ self-tests as the collaborative tasks. In these task, item models are used to automatically generate test questions. The items deriving from a same model share a common structure; however, the randomly initialized parameters of the model make them differ from each other. These differences result in that the answers of an item are usually inapplicable to other items deriving from the same model. Therefore, examinees have to solve these generated items on a case by case basis. Further, how to solve questions deriving from certain models can be served as the topics about which students write articles. The wiki self-assessment system was used in a course on Computer Networks offered to junior students majored in computer science. Five self-test tasks were assigned to 98 students, and they were encouraged to write wiki pages to explain their solution methods. Evidence from this preliminary application indicates that the presented approach has a positive effect on learning outcomes.
Associations of race and ethnicity with anemia management among patients initiating renal replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND Many patients initiate renal replacement therapy with suboptimal anemia management. The factors contributing to this remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of race and ethnicity with anemia care prior to the initiation of renal replacement therapy. METHODS Using data from the medical evidence form filed for patients who initiated renal replacement therapy between 1995-2003, we assessed racial and ethnic differences in pre-end-stage renal disease hematocrit levels, the use of erythropoiesis stimulation agents (ESAs), the proportion of patients with hematocrit levels > or = 33% and the proportion of patients with hematocrit levels < 33% that did not receive ESA. We also examined secular trends in racial and ethnic differences in these parameters. RESULTS In multivariable analyses, non-Hispanic blacks had lower hematocrit levels (delta hematocrit = -0.97%, 95% CI: -1.00-0.94%), and were less likely to receive ESA (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.81-0.84), to initiate renal replacement therapy with hematocrit > or = 33% (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.77-0.79) or to receive ESA if the hematocrit was < 33% (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.77-0.80) than non-Hispanic whites. White Hispanics also had lower hematocrit levels (delta hematocrit = -0.42%, 95% CI:-0.47% to -0.37%), and were less likely to receive ESA (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.85-0.88), to have hematocrit levels > or = 33% (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.89-0.93) or to receive ESA if the hematocrit was < 33% (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.83-0.87) than non-Hispanic whites. These disparities persisted over the eight-year study period. CONCLUSIONS African-American race and Hispanic ethnicity are associated with suboptimal pre-end-stage renal disease anemia management. Efforts to improve anemia care should incorporate targeted interventions to decrease these disparities.
Predictors of Outcome in Ulcerative Colitis

Background:Approximately 80% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have intermittently active disease and up to 20% will require a colectomy, but little data available on predictors of poor disease course. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and genetic markers that can predict prognosis. Methods:Medical records of patients with UC with ≥5 years of follow-up and available DNA and serum were retrospectively assessed. Immunochip was used to genotype loci associated with immune mediated inflammatory disorders (IMIDs), inflammatory bowel diseases, and other single nucleotide polypmorphisms previously associated with disease severity. Serum levels of pANCA, ASCA, CBir1, and OmpC were also evaluated. Requirement for colectomy, medication, and hospitalization were used to group patients into 3 prognostic groups. Results:Six hundred one patients with UC were classified as mild (n = 78), moderate (n = 273), or severe disease (n = 250). Proximal disease location frequencies at diagnosis were 13%, 21%, and 30% for mild, moderate, and severe UC, respectively (P = 0.001). Disease severity was associated with greater proximal extension rates on follow-up (P < 0.0001) and with shorter time to extension (P = 0.03) and to prednisone initiation (P = 0.0004). When comparing severe UC with mild and moderate UC together, diagnosis age >40 and proximal disease location were associated with severe UC (odds ratios = 1.94 and 2.12, respectively). None of the single nucleotide polypmorphisms or serum markers tested was associated with severe UC, proximal disease extension or colectomy. Conclusions:Older age and proximal disease location at diagnosis, but not genetic and serum markers, were associated with a more severe course. Further work is required to identify biomarkers that will predict outcomes in UC.
Human herpes virus 6 and multiple sclerosis

Objectives – To systematically review the published evidence for a relationship between human herpes virus 6 (HHV‐6) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Materials and methods – The medical literature was searched using MEDLINE and the Cochrane database. Retrieved studies are presented according to the experimental technique(s) used. The studies are rated for quality using a priori defined criteria. Results – Twenty‐eight studies were retrieved. A total of 12 different experimental techniques were used. Four of these techniques provided evidence for a relationship between HHV‐6 and MS, but none were able to show a causative relationship. Conclusions – The available literature provides some support for a relationship between HHV‐6 and MS. The limitations of the available studies and directions for future research are discussed.
What is the role of the second “structural” NADP+‐binding site in human glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase?

Human glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, purified after overexpression in E. coli, was shown to contain one molecule/subunit of acid‐extractable “structural” NADP+ and no NADPH. This tightly bound NADP+ was reduced by G6P, presumably following migration to the catalytic site. Gel‐filtration yielded apoenzyme, devoid of bound NADP+ but, surprisingly, still fully active. Mr of the main component of “stripped” enzyme by gel filtration was ∼100,000, suggesting a dimeric apoenzyme (subunit Mr = 59,000). Holoenzyme also contained tetramer molecules and, at high protein concentration, a dynamic equilibrium gave an apparent intermediate Mr of 150 kDa. Fluorescence titration of the stripped enzyme gave the K d for structural NADP+ as 37 nM, 200‐fold lower than for “catalytic” NADP+. Structural NADP+ quenches 91% of protein fluorescence. At 37°C, stripped enzyme, much less stable than holoenzyme, inactivated irreversibly within 2 d. Inactivation at 4°C was partially reversed at room temperature, especially with added NADP+. Apoenzyme was immediately active, without any visible lag, in rapid‐reaction studies. Human G6PD thus forms active dimer without structural NADP+. Apparently, the true role of the second, tightly bound NADP+ is to secure long‐term stability. This fits the clinical pattern, G6PD deficiency affecting the long‐lived non‐nucleate erythrocyte. The K d values for two class I mutants, G488S and G488V, were 273 nM and 480 nM, respectively (seven‐ and 13‐fold elevated), matching the structural prediction of weakened structural NADP+ binding, which would explain decreased stability and consequent disease. Preparation of native apoenzyme and measurement of K d constant for structural NADP+ will now allow quantitative assessment of this defect in clinical G6PD mutations.
Dihydropyridine Modulation of Voltage‐Activated Calcium Channels in PC12 Cells: Effect of Pertussis Toxin Pretreatment

Abstract: In this study, we report the effect of pertussis toxin pretreatment on dihydropyridine modulation of voltage‐sensitive calcium channels in PC12 cells. The rise in intracellular calcium concentration caused by potassium depolarization is not affected significantly by pertussis toxin pretreatment. Nicardipine, a dihydropyridine derivative, added either before or after potassium‐induced depolarization, reduces the resultant elevation in cytosolic calcium level both in control and in pertussis toxin‐treated cells. The dihydropyridine agonist Bay K 8644, when added before potassium, is able to enhance the potassium‐induced spike of cytosolic calcium levels, an effect significantly reduced by pertussis toxin pretreatment. Moreover, the addition of Bay K 8644 after potassium holds the intracellular calcium concentration at a cytosolic sustained level during the slow inactivating phase of depolarization. This effect of Bay K 8644 is inhibited by nicardipine. Pertussis toxin pretreatment slightly weakens the effect of Bay K 8644 when added after potassium‐induced depolarization, whereas it significantly reduces the nicardipine inhibition of cytosolic calcium rise stimulated by potassium and Bay K 8644, but not by potassium alone. In conclusion, our findings suggest that a pertussis toxin‐sensitive guanine nucleotide regulatory protein could be involved in the interaction between dihydropyridine derivatives and voltage‐dependent calcium channels.
Modelling and Optimization of the Operation of a Multiple Tank Water Pumping System

This paper studies the optimization of the operation of a water supply pumping system by means of standard solvers. The system consists of several tanks that supply the water to several districts in a town. Each tank can be filled from several wells through a hydraulic system that can be reconfigured by means of several valves. The automatic operation of the system tries to determine which valves and pumps must be active at each instant in order to minimise the operation cost, taking into account the tariff periods. The main constraints are the maximum and minimum volumes of the tanks. A mathematical model of the problem is proposed in order to formulate, in matrix form, the cost index and the constraints, to be able to use standard solvers as Mosek. A basic optimization problem is proposed, that only imposes the constraints of the finite volume of the tanks. The result of this basic problem tends to produce a large number of pump and valve commutations, that is not adequate in practice. To solve this problem, two alternatives are proposed: to include the number of commutations in the cost index, and to add as a constraint the maximum number of commutations. Both approaches lead to an adequate result, but the second one is easier to use, as the number of commutations can be fixed in an explicit way. An example of a real water supply system is analysed to demonstrate the validity of the approach, using Yalmip as parser and Mosek as solver.
Effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on long‐term potentiation at associational‐commissural and mossy fibre synapses on CA3 pyramidal neurones

1 The sensitivity of long‐term potentiation (LTP) to nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition was determined for two synaptic input systems onto CA3 pyramidal neurones the LTP of which display differential sensitivity to N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists: the fimbrial input which activates the associational‐commissural synapses on the distal apical dendrites and the mossy fibre input which synapses on the proximal apical dendrites of CA3 pyramidal neurones. 2 Following high‐frequency stimulation (HFS) of the fimbrial input, average e.p.s.p. amplitude increased by 92.4 ± 22.0% (mean ± s.e.mean; n = 6 cells) when compared to the pre‐HFS average. In the presence of 100 μm Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME), the enhancement was reduced significantly to 32.2 ± 11.6% (n = 5 cells; P < 0.05). In the presence of 300 μm l‐NAME, the inhibition was more complete, with post‐HFS e.p.s.p. amplitude increasing an average 6.2 ± 9.3% (n = 7 cells, P < 0.05). 3 Following high frequency stimulation of the mossy fibre input, average e.p.s.p. amplitude increased by 57.9 ± 13.0% (n = 6 cells) when compared to the pre‐HFS average. The presence of 100 μm l‐NAME had no significant effect on the enhancement, averaging 63.6 ± 5.9% (n = 4 cells; P > 0.05). Similarly, increasing the concentration of l‐NAME to 300 μm had no significant effect on the potentiation, with the post‐HFS amplitude increasing by an average 55.6 ± 9.5% (n = 5 cells, P > 0.05). 4 These results suggest that LTP at associational‐commissural synapses (fimbrial input) is significantly depressed in the presence of the NOS inhibitor l‐NAME, while mossy fibre LTP is unchanged.
Evolution of the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease

Our knowledge of the etiology and pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is limited. The most conspicuous changes seen in the brain are deposits of insoluble proteins in both extracellular and intraneuronal locations. The extracellular deposits consist primarily of a specific A4 amyloid protein. The significance of these deposits remains to be determined, as they are often found in the cerebral cortex of non‐demented elderly persons. More telling is the gradual accumulation of insoluble fibrous material within some neurons that consists mainly of abnormally phosphorylated tau protein. Six stages of increasingly severe cortical destruction can be distinguished. Stages I and II are characterized by neurofibrillary changes that are largely confined to the transentorhinal region, whereas stages III and IV are marked by severe involvement of both the entorhinal and transentorhinal regions. Isocortical destruction occurs during stages V and VI. This progression in cortical pathology correlates with the gradual worsening of clinical symptoms.
A fully integrated 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS low noise amplifier for 2.4-GHz applications

A low noise amplifier (LNA) with good linearity and low noise figure has been designed by 0.18/spl mu/m CMOS technology for 2.4GHz applications. The amplifier provides IIP3 of 11.8dBm and input -1dB compression point (CP) of -13.5dBm with a noise figure equal to 2.77dB, and has a forward gain of 4.5dB and power dissipation of 18mW using 1.8V supply.
The S4–S5 linker couples voltage sensing and activation of pacemaker channels

Voltage-gated channels are normally opened by depolarization and closed by repolarization of the membrane. Despite sharing significant sequence homology with voltage-gated K+ channels, the gating of hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic-nucleotide-gated (HCN) pacemaker channels has the opposite dependence on membrane potential: hyperpolarization opens, whereas depolarization closes, these channels. The mechanism and structural basis of the process that couples voltage sensor movement to HCN channel opening and closing is not understood. On the basis of our previous studies of a mutant HERG (human ether-a-go-go-related gene) channel, we hypothesized that the intracellular linker that connects the fourth and fifth transmembrane domains (S4–S5 linker) of HCN channels might be important for channel gating. Here, we used alanine-scanning mutagenesis of the HCN2 S4–S5 linker to identify three residues, E324, Y331, and R339, that when mutated disrupted normal channel closing. Mutation of a basic residue in the S4 domain (R318Q) prevented channel opening, presumably by disrupting S4 movement. However, channels with R318Q and Y331S mutations were constitutively open, suggesting that these channels can open without a functioning S4 domain. We conclude that the S4–S5 linker mediates coupling between voltage sensing and HCN channel activation. Our findings also suggest that opening of HCN and related channels corresponds to activation of a gate located near the inner pore, rather than recovery of channels from a C-type inactivated state.
Weight gain and metabolic effects of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics in pediatric bipolar disorder: a systematic review and pooled analysis of short-term trials.

OBJECTIVE To review weight and metabolic effects of mood-stabilizing treatments in pediatric bipolar disorder. METHOD Systematic PubMed/Medline search of studies reporting on change in weight and/or glucose/lipid values with mood-stabilizing drugs in at least nine pediatric patients with bipolar disorder. RESULTS Nineteen studies, including 24 medication trials in 684 patients (mean age, 12.3 +/- 2.9 years) were included. Youngsters received lithium, antiepileptics, or their combinations (n = 459), or second-generation antipsychotics, alone or combined with lithium or divalproex (n = 225), for 4 to 48 (mean, 15.4 +/- 12.7) weeks. Weight increase was significant/clinically relevant in 18 (75.0%) trials. Weight loss was significant with topiramate (2 studies, 38 subjects) and present with aripiprazole (1 study, 14 subjects). In trials lasting < or =12 weeks, weight gain was greater with second-generation antipsychotics plus mood stabilizers (5.5 +/- 1.8 kg) compared to mood-stabilizer monotherapy (1.2 +/- 1.9 kg, p <.05, Cohen's d = 2.33) or mood-stabilizer cotreatment (2.1 +/- 1.3 kg, p <.05, Cohen's d = 2.17), but not compared to antipsychotic monotherapy (3.4 +/- 1.3 kg, p >.05, Cohen's d = 1.34). Nonfasting glucose/lipid changes were nonsignificant in two second-generation antipsychotic trials (n = 61, 8.9%). CONCLUSIONS Data are sparse regarding body composition effects and lacking for fasting metabolic effects of mood stabilizers in pediatric bipolar disorder. Combining antipsychotics with mood stabilizers seems to lead to greater weight gain than treatment with one or two mood stabilizers.
Growth of the secondary palate in the hamster following hydrocortisone treatment: shelf area, cell number, and DNA synthesis.

The contribution made by mesenchymal cells during the later stages of palatal development was examined in control and hydrocortisone-treated hamster embryos. Cross-sectional area of the palatal shelf was measured, and the numbers of both epithelial and mesenchymal cells were counted. DNA synthesis was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation and was used as an index of growth by cell proliferation. The observations in controls indicated that, unlike development during the initial 24 hr, the later period of vertical palate development, followed by reorientation of shelves and their closure, was characterized by a steady level of mesenchymal cell number and palatal shelf area. An absence of corresponding growth in the epithelial cell number suggests that the cells may accommodate the growth either by increasing their size and/or by stretching along the basal lamina. Hydrocortisone treatment did not alter the growth pattern of cell numbers or shelf area. However, it prevented the fusion between the opposing shelves, perhaps by affecting the cytodifferentiation of the palatal tissues. Although a continuous increase in the number of mesenchymal cells during the latter half of vertical shelf development, i.e., between days 11:00 and 12:00 of gestation, is not required for reorientation and fusion of the shelves, it is not clear from the data from the present study whether a critical number of cells and/or cell density is essential for reorientation and fusion of the palate. It was suggested that, for normal palatal development, information on cell cycle and positioning of mesenchymal cells within the shelf during the vertical development may be crucial for further understanding of subsequent events of palatogenesis.