Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
L-arginine stimulates NO-dependent vasodilation in healthy humans--effect of somatostatin pretreatment.

BACKGROUND L-arginine is the precursor of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) and a potent stimulator of pituitary growth hormone and pancreatic insulin secretion. Both hormones have vasodilatory effects, which may be mediated via NO. We investigated whether growth hormone and/or insulin secretion contributes to L-arginine-induced vasodilation. METHODS Ten healthy male subjects received an intravenous infusion of L-arginine, or L-arginine during somatostatin coinfusion lasting 30 minutes. Blood pressure, heart rates, and total peripheral resistance were assessed from 30 minutes prior to L-arginine infusion to 120 minutes after the start of the infusion. Plasma nitrite and cGMP concentrations were used as markers for endogenous NO formation. RESULTS L-arginine significantly reduced total peripheral resistance, which remained decreased for 60 minutes after the end of the infusion. This resulted in a significantly lowered blood pressure. L-arginine elevated plasma nitrite and cGMP concentrations. Plasma growth hormone level showed a peak at 30 minutes after the infusion, while insulin and glucagon levels were maximal during the infusion, these endocrine effects were blocked during somatostatin coinfusion. The initial reduction in total peripheral resistance and blood pressure, and the elevation of nitrite and cGMP levels were still present during somatostatin cotreatment, but values returned to baseline more rapidly at the end of the L-arginine infusion. CONCLUSION We conclude that growth hormone contributes to the late phase of L-arginine-induced, NO-mediated vasodilation. By contrast, insulin did not mediate L-arginine induced vasodilation, as the early vasodilator effect, which occurred concomitantly with the peak insulin secretion, was still present after insulin secretion was blocked with somatostatin.
Prospective study of how students' humanism and psychosocial beliefs relate to specialty matching

PURPOSE: To determine whether students who match to different specialties are different in their humanistic behaviors and attitudes about the psychosocial aspects of medicine. METHOD: From May 1992 to February 1995 data were collected from 405 students at the Baylor College of Medicine who participated in a required six-week family medicine clerkship. Two instruments were used to collect data: the Humanism Scale and the Physician Belief Scale. The students' humanism was rated by standardized patients (SPs) during the clerkship's objective structured clinical examination; the SPs used an abbreviated scale, consisting of eight items rated on a seven-point scale. The Physician Belief Scale, consisting of 32 items rated on a five-point scale, measures beliefs about the psychosocial aspects of patient care; it was completed by each student prior to the beginning of the clerkship. Specialty match data were based on National Resident Matching Program results at graduation. For statistical analysis, specialties were divided into four groups: primary care, medical, surgical, and support. RESULTS: The students who matched to primary care specialties had significantly higher mean humanism scores than did the students who matched to support specialties. Also, the students who matched to primary care specialties had significantly higher belief-scale scores than did the students who matched to surgery or support specialties. CONCLUSION: The differences between the students matching to various specialties found in this study were only partly consistent with the differences found in another study of resident physicians in the same specialties. The postgraduate residency experience may thus be an important factor accounting for this difference between students and physicians.
Frequency selectivity in amplitude-modulation detection.

For a broadband noise carrier, the modulation detection threshold for sinusoidal amplitude modulation (the test modulation) is measured in the presence of an additional modulation (the masker modulation). Two traditional approaches for revealing effects of frequency selectivity in the audiofrequency domain are shown to give comparable results in the modulation‐frequency domain: (1) a typically peaked modulation‐detection threshold pattern when the masker modulation is a fixed narrow band of noise, and (2) an effect of leveling off of the increase of the modulation‐detection threshold when, for a fixed test‐modulation frequency, the masker‐modulation bandwidth is widened beyond a certain ‘‘critical’’ bandwidth. It is argued that the present results on frequency selectivity in modulation detection underline the perceptual relevance of a spectral decomposition of a signal’s temporal envelope and provide a rationale for the application of modern concepts like the speech‐envelope spectrum or the modulation‐transfer function in relation to speech intelligibility.
Role of ortho‐retronasal olfaction in mammalian cortical evolution

Fossils of mammals and their extinct relatives among cynodonts give evidence of correlated transformations affecting olfaction as well as mastication, head movement, and ventilation, and suggest evolutionary coupling of these seemingly separate anatomical regions into a larger integrated system of ortho‐retronasal olfaction. Evidence from paleontology and physiology suggests that ortho‐retronasal olfaction played a critical role at three stages of mammalian cortical evolution: early mammalian brain development was driven in part by ortho‐retronasal olfaction; the bauplan for neocortex had higher‐level association functions derived from olfactory cortex; and human cortical evolution was enhanced by ortho‐retronasal smell. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:471–495, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Universal coding of integers and unbounded search trees

We study the universal coding problem for the integers, in particular, establish rather sharp lower and upper bounds for the Elias (1975) omega code and other codes. For these bounds, the so-called log-star function plays the central role. Furthermore, we investigate unbounded search trees induced by these codes, including the Bentley-Yao (1976) search tree.
Role of the leader peptide of maltose-binding protein in two steps of the export process

During the process of export of maltose-binding protein to the periplasm of Escherichia coli, the leader peptide is involved in at least two steps. The presence of the leader portion of maltose-binding protein was shown to be necessary to mediate initial binding of the precursor to the membrane. However, the presence of a mutationally altered leader which does not sustain export in vivo was sufficient to allow this interaction. Thus, the defect in export which is manifested in vivo by this mutational substitution occurs at a step that follows membrane association, most likely the translocation step. Translocation occurs at discrete sites that are not uniformly distributed over the cytoplasmic membrane. A large proportion of the membrane involved in translocation has a higher density than that of bulk cytoplasmic membrane.
Progress in the treatment of a neglected infectious disease: visceral leishmaniasis

Visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) is a disseminated intracellular protozoal infection. Most cases (90%) occur in the rural regions of five countries: India, Sudan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Brazil. As with other infectious diseases embedded in high-level poverty, developing and/or delivering new treatments for visceral leishmaniasis had been painfully slow or nonexistent. However, despite persistent unresolved obstacles (e.g., drug affordability), renewed interest in visceral leishmaniasis and numerous successful treatment trials have combined to turn a therapeutic corner in the past 5 years, yielding new alternatives to conventional pentavalent antimony. Advances include the use of low-cost generic pentavalent antimony, rediscovery of amphotericin B, short-course regimens via lipid formulations of amphotericin B, retesting injectible paromyomycin and, of clear-cut importance, identifying miltefosine (Impavido®, Zentaris) as the first effective oral therapy for this neglected disease.
REFLEXLY EVOKED COACTIVATION OF CARDIAC VAGAL AND SYMPATHETIC MOTOR OUTFLOWS: OBSERVATIONS AND FUNCTIONAL IMPLICATIONS

1 The purpose of the present review is to highlight the pattern of activity in the parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves innervating the heart during their reflex activation. 2 We describe the well‐known reciprocal control of cardiac vagal and sympathetic activity during the baroreceptor reflex, but point out that this appears to be the exception rather than the rule and that many other reflexes reviewed herein (e.g. peripheral chemoreceptor, nociceptor, diving response and oculocardiac) involve simultaneous coactivation of both autonomic limbs. 3 The heart rate response during simultaneous activation of cardiac autonomic outflows is unpredictable because it does not simply reflect the summation of opposing influences. Indeed, it can result in bradycardia (peripheral chemoreceptor, diving and corneal), tachycardia (nociceptor) and, in some circumstances, can predispose to malignant arrhythmias. 4 We propose that this cardiac autonomic coactivation may allow greater cardiac output during bradycardia (increased ventricular filling time and stronger contraction) than activation of the sympathetic limb alone. This may be important when pumping blood into a constricted vascular tree, such as is the case during the peripheral chemoreceptor reflex and the diving response.
Performance Study of Multiple Subspace Skyline Queries in Service Management

Subspace Skyline query processing has recently re- ceived a lot of attention in service management community. The AOMSSQ algorithm is the most efficient method for optimizing multiple subspace skyline queries in multi-user environments. In this paper, we first study the performance of the AOMSSQ algo- rithm. Then based on the Bloom Filters technology, an novel solution is proposed to improve the efficiency of the AOMSSQ algorithm. We present the extensive experiments that demon- strate our improved solution is both efficient and effective.
Assessing physiological tipping point of sea urchin larvae exposed to a broad range of pH

Our ability to project the impact of global change on marine ecosystem is limited by our poor understanding on how to predict species sensitivity. For example, the impact of ocean acidification is highly species‐specific, even in closely related taxa. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the tolerance range of a given species to decreased pH corresponds to their natural range of exposure. Larvae of the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis were cultured from fertilization to metamorphic competence (29 days) under a wide range of pH (from pHT = 8.0/pCO2 ≈ 480 μatm to pHT = 6.5/pCO2 ≈ 20 000 μatm) covering present (from pHT 8.7 to 7.6), projected near‐future variability (from pHT 8.3 to 7.2) and beyond. Decreasing pH impacted all tested parameters (mortality, symmetry, growth, morphometry and respiration). Development of normal, although showing morphological plasticity, swimming larvae was possible as low as pHT ≥ 7.0. Within that range, decreasing pH increased mortality and asymmetry and decreased body length (BL) growth rate. Larvae raised at lowered pH and with similar BL had shorter arms and a wider body. Relative to a given BL, respiration rates and stomach volume both increased with decreasing pH suggesting changes in energy budget. At the lowest pHs (pHT ≤ 6.5), all the tested parameters were strongly negatively affected and no larva survived past 13 days post fertilization. In conclusion, sea urchin larvae appeared to be highly plastic when exposed to decreased pH until a physiological tipping point at pHT = 7.0. However, this plasticity was associated with direct (increased mortality) and indirect (decreased growth) consequences for fitness.
Regional stabilisation of polynomial non-linear systems using rational Lyapunov functions

In this article, we propose a new non-linear stabilisation approach based on the popular linear parameter-varying control techniques. The regional state-feedback control problem of polynomial non-linear systems will be studied using rational Lyapunov functions of states. By bounding the variation rates of each state, the domain of attraction will be embedded in the region specified by the non-linear vector field. As a result, the state-feedback stabilisation conditions will be formulated as a set of polynomial matrix inequalities and can be solved efficiently by sum-of-squares programming. The resulting Lyapunov matrix and state-feedback gains are typically state-dependent rational matrix functions. This approach is also extended to a class of output-dependent non-linear systems where the stabilising output-feedback controller can be synthesised using rational Lyapunov functions of outputs. Finally, several examples will be used to demonstrate the proposed stabilisation approach and clarify the effect of various choices of Lyapunov function forms and state constraints.
Gametophytic Pollen Tube Guidance: Attractant Peptides, Gametic Controls, and Receptors1[OPEN]

Recent studies have elucidated a molecular framework for the attraction of the pollen tube by synergid cells and the control of attraction by female gametes and sensing by the pollen tube. Pollen tube guidance in flowering plants is a unique and critical process for successful sexual reproduction. The pollen tube that grows from pollen, which is the male gametophyte, precisely navigates to the embryo sac, which is the female gametophyte, within the pistil. Recent advances have clarified the molecular framework of gametophytic pollen tube guidance. Multiple species-specific attractant peptides are secreted from synergid cells, the proper development and function of which are regulated by female gametes. Multiple receptor-like kinases on the pollen tube tip are involved in sensing species-specific attractant peptides. In this Update article, recent progress in our understanding of the mechanism of gametophytic pollen tube guidance is reviewed, including attraction by synergid cells, control of pollen tube guidance by female gametes, and directional growth of the pollen tube by directional cue sensing. Future directions in the study of pollen tube guidance also are discussed.
An appraisal of Caryophanon latum.

SUMMARY: Cultures of the giant bacterium Caryophanon latum Peshkoff, among them our own isolates from cow dung, were studied. A method for isolation is described. A fluid medium containing acid-hydrolysed casein, thiamine, biotin, sodium acetate, sodium butyrate and dipotassium phosphate, at pH 7.8, was devised which, without added colloids, allowed luxuriant growth of C. latum when sufficient aeration was provided. C. latum has been found to utilize acetic, butyric and β-hydroxybutyric acids. A variety of other carbon sources did not appear to be readily utilized by C. latum. The organism produced a carotenoid-like yellow pigment, the synthesis of which was inhibited by diphenylamine. A large amount of poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) was synthesized by C. latum growing in the fluid medium described above. Much of the PHB was liberated as free granules. C. latum was found to be Gram-positive, in contrast to previously published reports.
Ku-band analog phase shifters using individually designed all-pass networks with BST tunable capacitors

This paper describes the design of Ku-band phase shifters based on all-pass filters and BST tunable capacitors. With high tunability capacitors using thin-film BST, each all-pass section can achieve 90 degree or greater phase shift. 360 degree phase shift can be achieved by cascading four sections of the all-pass tunable filters. Especially, these four all-pass sections are designed with two different center frequencies. The center frequency of the phase shifter is 13GHz. Two of the sections have the center frequency lower than 13GHz, while the other two are higher than 13GHz. Numerical and experimental data show that this staggered structure has flatter insertion loss and phase shift compared to previous designs.
Regression of lymphomatous skin deposits in a chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient treated with the Toll-like receptor-7/8 agonist, imiquimod

The identification of clinically relevant, active immunomodulatory agents is important for developing immunotherapeutic approaches to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other B-cell lymphomas that are not curable with conventional chemotherapy. In this investigation, the imidazoquinoline Toll-like receptor (TLR)-7/8 agonist, imiquimod, was found to mediate the clearance of a lymphomatous skin lesion in a CLL patient. Imidazoquinolines also activated TLR-7/8 signaling pathways, resulting in increased expression of costimulatory molecules on circulating tumor cells. These observations extend the therapeutic spectrum of imiquimod to cutaneous B-cell lymphomas and suggest the use of TLR-7/8 agonists in CLL immunotherapy.
16 GHz Integrated Oscillator Design with Active Elements in a Production Ready SiGe HBT MMIC Technology

This paper reports on the results gained on an oscillator incorporating active inductance and active capacitance concepts. The only concentrated passive reactances used are the MIM capacitors. With the goal of high output power and low area consumption, the analyzed circuit was realized in a compact 300 × 300 ¿m2 area. A layout-optimized version of a commercially available SiGe heterostructure bipolar transistor MMIC technology with relaxed lateral scaling of 1.2 ¿m has been used. This oscillator design provides a load independent oscillation condition provided by a cascode buffer stage. An output power of 12.5 dBm at 15.6 GHz is achieved.
Manganese Dioxide As Rechargeable Magnesium Battery Cathode

Rechargeable magnesium battery (rMBs) has received increased attention as a promising alternative to current Li-ion technology. However, the lack of appropriate cathode that provides high energy density and good sustainability greatly hinders the development of practical rMBs. To date, the successful Mg2+-intercalation was only achieved in only a few cathode hosts, one of which is manganese dioxide. This Review summarizes the research activity of studying MnO2 in magnesium cells. In recent years the cathodic performance of MnO2 was impressively improved to the capacity of >150-200 mAh g-1 at voltage of 2.6-2.8 V with cyclability to hundreds or more cycles. In addition to reviewing electrochemical performance, we sketch a mechanistic picture to show how the fundamental understanding about MnO2 cathode has been changed and how it paved the road to the improvement of cathode performance.
Comparing Clockworks: Mouse versus Fly

The purpose of this mini review is to provide a direct comparison of the mechanisms involved in the circadian clock of two animals: the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and the mouse. There are strong similarities between the core clock mechanisms of Drosophila and mice, with both composed of interlocking transcriptional and translational feedback loops. There are substantial differences in the molecular details of how the loops operate between the two species, however. Homologs of most of the genes involved in the fly clockwork have also been cloned in mammals (Table 1). But over the course of evolution, there has been a reassignment of specific functions between several structurally homologous components of the fly and mouse circadian clocks (Table 2). Gene duplication has also led to more complexity among mammalian clock genes, with most Drosophila clock genes being represented by two or more mammalian homologs (Table 1). A firm molecular framework is now in place upon which the functions of these “clock genes” and their protein products can be placed.
Behavioural Proximity Discovery: an adaptive approach for root cause analysis

This paper introduces a new approach to deal with the fault recognition problem in modern telecommunication networks, called Behavioural Proximity Discovery (BPD). BPD is a framework for root cause analysis that consists of three complementary clustering algorithms based on alarm behaviours. It provides a complete and adaptive solution to the network manager who can then decide of the repair actions to restore the network back to a normal state. An evaluation of this approach on both simulated and real data from 3G mobile-networks is presented and discussed.
Prise de poids pendant la grossesse: Conséquences pour la santé de la mère et de l’enfant

La prise de poids maternelle lors de la grossesse est un bon outil de prédiction à court et à long terme de la santé des femmes enceintes et de leurs enfants. Des études épidémiologiques ont montré que les prises de poids les plus importantes sont associées à des déséquilibres maternels de la glycémie prénatale, des problèmes d’hypertension et des complications à l’accouchement, ainsi que des difficultés à perdre du poids après l’accouchement, un risque d’obésité et de séquelles cardiométaboliques vers la quarantaine. De plus, des études observationnelles ont mis en évidence une relation entre les gains pondéraux gestationnels les plus importants et les croissances fœtales excessives, ainsi que l’obésité apparaissant plus tard dans l’enfance. L’association entre prise de poids lors de la grossesse, naissance prématurée et mortalité infantile peut être représentée par une courbe en U, les risques étant augmentés tant par un gain pondéral insuffisant qu’excessif. Pour améliorer la santé de la mère et de l’enfant, l’Institute of Medecine a revu en 2009 les recommandations de prise de poids durant la grossesse, préconisant des prises de poids plus faibles pour les femmes ayant des IMC importants avant la grossesse, et particulièrement pour celles qui abordent leur grossesse avec un IMC supérieur ou égal à 30. Il est encore trop tôt pour savoir si ces nouvelles recommandations, lorsqu’elles sont suivies, vont améliorer la santé de la mère et celle de l’enfant. Cependant, comme moins d’un tiers des femmes respectent actuellement les limites de gain pondéral gestationnel recommandées par l’Institute of Medecine, il est essentiel, d’un point de vue de santé publique, de mettre en place des programmes pour aider les femmes enceintes à respecter ces recommandations.
Al2O3-Passivated AlGaN/GaN HEMTs by Using Nonvacuum Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis Deposition Technique

This letter reports, for the first time, the Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-passivated AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) by using the nonvacuum ultrasonic spray pyrolysis deposition (USPD) technique. The Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> was devised as the surface passivation layer to effectively suppress leakage current and to reduce RF drain current collapse. The surface oxide has been characterized by using electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). With respect to an unpassivated device, the Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-passivated HEMT has demonstrated superior improvements of 24.2% in maximum drain-source current (I<sub>DS,max</sub>), 33.6% in maximum extrinsic transconductance (g<sub>m,max</sub>), 46.8% in two-terminal breakdown voltage (BV<sub>GD</sub>), and 45.3% in three-terminal off-state breakdown voltage (BV<sub>off</sub>). The corresponding improvements achieved are 9.1%, 16.1%, 61.3%, and 55.7% for I<sub>DS,max, gm,max,</sub> BV<sub>GD</sub>, and BV<sub>off</sub>, respectively, as compared with passivation in Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> HEMTs. Besides, reduced interface density (Dit) and about two-order decreases in the leakage current are also achieved in the Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-MOS diode using USPD with respect to a Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-MIS diode.