Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AMPA glutamate receptor‐mediated calcium signaling is transiently enhanced during development of oligodendrocytes

Cells of the oligodendroglial lineage express Ca2+‐permeable α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate‐preferring glutamate receptors (AMPA‐GluR) during development. Prolonged activation of their AMPA‐GluR causes Ca2+ overload, resulting in excitotoxic death. Prior studies have shown that oligodendroglial progenitors and immature oligodendrocytes are susceptible to excitotoxicity, whereas mature oligodendrocytes are resistant. An unresolved issue has been why Ca2+‐permeability of AMPA‐GluR varies so markedly with oligodendroglial development, although the level of expression of edited GluR2, an AMPA‐GluR subunit which blocks Ca2+ entry, is relatively constant. To address this question, we performed Ca2+ imaging, molecular and electrophysiological analyses using purified cultures of the rat oligodendroglial lineage. We demonstrate that transient up‐regulation of expression of GluR3 and GluR4 subunits in oligodendroglial progenitors and immature oligodendrocytes results in the assembly by these cells, but not by oligodendroglial pre‐progenitors or mature oligodendrocytes, of a population of AMPA‐GluR which lack GluR2. This stage‐specific up‐regulation of edited GluR2‐free, and hence Ca2+‐permeable, AMPA‐GluR explains the selective susceptibility to excitotoxicity of cells at these stages of oligodendroglial differentiation, and is likely to be important to these cells in the trans‐synaptic Ca2+‐signaling from glutamatergic neurons, which occurs in hippocampus in vivo.
PHARMACOLOGICAL ANTAGONISM OF LETHAL EFFECTS INDUCED BY O-ISOBUTYL S-[2-(DIETHYLAMINO)ETHYL]- METHYLPHOSPHONOTHIOATE

ABSTRACT O-Isobutyl S-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]methylphosphonothioate (VR) is a structural isomer of a more widely known chemical warfare agent O-ethyl S-[2(diisopropylamino)ethyl]methylphosphonothioate (VX). VR has the potential of being used as military threat/sabotage/terrorist agent. The development of a sound medical countermeasure will undoubtedly enhance not only our medical readiness and ability in VR casualty management, but also our defense posture against the deployment of VR in both combat and politically volatile environments. Acute exposure to a lethal dose of VR has been shown to cause cholinergic hyperfunction, incapacitation, seizures, convulsions, cardiorespiratory depression and death. In this study, pharmacological antagonism of VR-induced cardiorespiratory failure and lethality was investigated in guinea pigs chronically instrumented for concurrent recordings of electrocorticogram, diaphragmatic EMG, Lead II ECG, heart rate and neck skeletal muscle EMG. Thirty (30) min prior to intoxication with a 2 × LD50 dose of VR (22.6 µg/kg, sc), animals were pretreated with pyridostigmine (0.026 mg/kg, im). Immediately after VR intoxication, animals were given pralidoxime chloride (2-PAM; 25 mg/kg, im) and atropine sulfate (2, 8 or 16 mg/kg, im). In animals that displayed seizures and convulsions, diazepam (5 mg/kg, im) was administered 10 min following the onset of epileptiform activities. Responses to pretreatment/therapy modality were evaluated at 24 h post-VR. All animals survived the 2 × LD50 VR challenge. With the exception of an increased heart rate in response to atropine, the myocardial and diaphragmatic (respiratory) activity profiles appeared normal throughout the course of intoxication and recovery. Animals receiving 2 mg/kg atropine all developed fasciculations, seizures, signs of excessive mucoid/salivary secretion, and needed diazepam adjunct therapy. One-half (50%) of the animals receiving 8 mg/kg atropine developed seizure activities and were given diazepam, whereas the other half only showed a brief period of increase in CNS excitability. No fasciculations, seizures or convulsions were noted in animals receiving 16 mg/kg atropine. In summary, although lethality can be prevented with the pretreatment/therapy modality containing 2 mg/kg atropine and diazepam adjunct, a complete CNS and cardiorespiratory recovery from 2 × LD50 of VR requires a minimum of 8 mg/kg atropine.
Cardiac mitochondrial damage and inflammation responses in sepsis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Studies in sepsis suggest that mitochondria mediate multiple organ dysfunction, including cardiac failure; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. This study examined changes in mitochondrial membrane integrity, antioxidant activities, and oxidative stress in the heart after infectious challenge (intratracheal Streptococcus pneumoniae, 4 x 10(6) colony-forming units). Inflammation responses also were examined. METHODS Cardiac tissues were harvested from Sprague-Dawley rats 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after bacterial challenge (or intratracheal vehicle for sham-treated animals) and homogenized, followed by preparation of subcellular fractions (mitochondrial, cytosol, and nuclei) or whole-tissue lysate. We examined mitochondrial outer membrane damage and cytochrome C translocation to evaluate mitochondrial integrity, mitochondrial lipid and protein oxidation to assess oxidative stress, and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities to estimate antioxidant defense. In addition, we measured nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation in myocardium and cytokine production to investigate inflammatory responses to septic challenge. RESULTS Oxidation of mitochondrial protein and lipid was evident 4 h through 24 h after bacterial challenge. Mitochondrial outer membrane damage and cytochrome C release were accompanied by down-regulation of mitochondrial SOD and GPx activity. After bacterial challenge, systemic and myocardial cytokine production increased progressively, and NF-kappaB was activated gradually. CONCLUSION Sepsis impaired cardiac mitochondria by damaging membrane integrity, increasing oxidative stress, and altering defenses against reactive oxygen species. These alterations occur earlier than or simultaneously with inflammatory responses in myocardium after infectious challenge, suggesting that mitochondria play a role in modulating inflammation in sepsis.
Tailored interventions based on exhaled nitric oxide versus clinical symptoms for asthma in children and adults.

BACKGROUND The measurement of severity and control of asthma in both children and adults can be based on subjective or objective measures. It has been advocated that fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) can be used to monitor airway inflammation as it correlates with some markers of asthma. Interventions for asthma therapies have been traditionally based on symptoms and/or spirometry. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy of tailoring asthma interventions based on exhaled nitric oxide in comparison to clinical symptoms (with or without spirometry/peak flow) for asthma related outcomes in children and adults. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of Trials, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and reference lists of articles. The last search was completed in December 2006. SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised controlled comparisons of adjustment of asthma therapy based on exhaled nitric oxide compared to traditional methods (primarily clinical symptoms and spirometry/peak flow). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Results of searches were reviewed against pre-determined criteria for inclusion. Relevant studies were independently selected in duplicate. Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Authors were contacted for further information but none were received. Data was analysed as "intervention received" and sensitivity analyses performed. MAIN RESULTS Four (2 adult and 2 paediatric) studies were included; these studies differed in a variety of ways including definition of asthma exacerbations, FeNO cut off levels and duration of study. Of 356 participants randomised, 324 completed the trials. In the meta-analysis, there was no difference between groups for the primary outcome of asthma exacerbations or for other outcomes (clinical symptoms, FeNO level and spirometry). In post-hoc analysis, a significant reduction in mean final daily dose inhaled corticosteroid per adult was found in the group where treatment was based on FeNO in comparison to clinical symptoms; WMD -282.46 (95% CI -422.08 to -142.84). There was no difference in ICS dose between the groups in the overall daily dose in the adult studies or in the paediatric studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Tailoring the dose of inhaled corticosteroids based on exhaled nitric oxide in comparison to clinical symptoms was carried out in different ways in the four studies that were found, and the results show only modest differences. The role of utilising exhaled nitric oxide to tailor the dose of inhaled corticosteroids is currently uncertain.
Changes in Antioxidant Status and Biochemical Parameters after Orally Cadmium Administration in Females Rats

The research was conducted to investigate the toxic effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl_2), administered during gestation period on female Wistar rats. Pregnant rats received CdCl_2 (20 mg/1, orally) from Day 6 to Day 19 of pregnancy. Results showed that Cd treatment induced a decrease in body weight gain. The relative liver weight increased significantly, with a marked decrease of glycogen and total lipids content. The administration of Cd induced hepatotoxicity as indicated by elevations in plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities ( p < 0.05). Treatment with CdCl_2 caused a significant ( p < 0.05) increase in glucose. A significant increase was observed in the level of MDA and 8-oxodGuo tissues in the cadmium-exposed group compared to the control group ( p < 0.05). Results showed that cadmium given to dams led to an oxidative stress and DNA damage in tissues of pregnant rats.
Effect of dietary protein and energy intakes on whole-body protein turnover and its contribution to heat production in chicks

A factorial 3 × 3 experiment was conducted with chicks to investigate the effect of manipulating crude protein (N × 6.25) intake (CPI) and metabolizable energyintake (MEI) simultaneously, in the range low to high (including adequate) levels with regard to the respective requirements, on whole-body protein turnover and its contribution to total heat production. The fractional rate of whole-body protein synthesis was increased curvilinearly by increasing MEI or CPI from low to high levels. In terms of absolute rates whole-body protein synthesis was enhanced by increasing MEI from low to adequate levels, the effect being greater at adequate and high CPI than at low CPI. The effect of varying CPI and MEI on whole-body protein degradation was similar, but less sensitive, to that on whole-body protein synthesis. Increasing MEI from low to high levels elevated totalheat production at all CPI levels. There were no interactive effects of varying CPI andMEI on the contribution of whole-body protein synthesis to total heat production, and in general the contribution increased with increasing CPI and decreased with increasing MEI.The contribution of whole-body protein synthesis to total heat production fell within a small range from 11.2 to 16.5%.
Edge characterization using a model-based neural network

In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of characterizing significant image edges using a model-based neural network with modular architecture. Instead of employing traditional mathematical models for characterization, we ask human users to select what they regard as significant features on an image, and then incorporate these selected edges directly as training examples for the network. Unlike conventional edge detection schemes where decision thresholds have to be specified, the current NN-based edge characterization scheme implicitly represents these decision parameters in the form of network weights which are updated during the training process. Experiments have confirmed that the resulting network is capable of generalizing this previously acquired knowledge to identify important edges in images not included in the training set. Most importantly, the current approach is very robust against noise contaminations, such that no re-training of the network is required when it is applied to noisy images.
Characterization of a region of the primary sequence of troponin C involved in calcium ion-dependent interaction with troponin I.

1. The CNBr digest of troponin C from rabbit fast skeletal muscle was shown to possess many of the functional properties of the whole troponin C molecule. 2. A peptide corresponding to residues 83-134 was isolated, which forms a Ca(2+-dependent complex with troponin I and neutralizes the inhibition by troponin I of the Mg(2+-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase of desensitized actomyosin. 3. The peptide inhibits the phosphorylation of fast-skeletal-muscle, but not cardiac-muscle, troponin I, by 3' :5'-cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. In this property it was as effective as whole skeletal-muscle troponin C when compared on a molar basis. 4. Biological activity was also present in other fractions obtained from the CNBr digest. 5. By gel filtration and affinity chromatography of the whole CNBr digest of troponin C, two peptides, one of which was identified as representing residues 83-134, were shown to form Ca(2+-dependent complexes with troponin I. 6. The significance of these findings for the mechanism of interaction of troponin C and troponin I is discussed.
High time resolution radio astronomy with low-frequency interferometric arrays

High time resolution applications of radio astronomy including pulsars and fast radio bursts are proving to be incredibly scientifically rewarding in terms of the depth and breadth of new physics and astrophysics they unveil. While the use of large single-dish type instruments has been dominating the field over the past decades, with the emergence of several next-generation radio facilities including the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) pre-cursors and pathfinders, it becomes imperative to develop and master suitable high time resolution functionalities that are effective for interferometric instruments. The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) - the low-frequency pre-cursor to the SKA - provides excellent opportunities to help realise the related goals. This paper will describe the high time resolution mode being developed for the MWA and highlight early science results, including the lowest-frequency scintillation observations of the millisecond pulsar PSR J0437-4715.
The Good and Not So Good of Enforcing Password Composition Rules

ABSTRACT Many systems rely on password composition rules to force users to choose more secure passwords. The findings discussed here are from a study on the enforcement of good password practice in the form of password composition rules. The results show that the enforcement of password composition rules does not discourage users from using meaningful information in passwords. While composition rules reduce password reuse, the overall incidence remains high. Passwords created under these conditions are also perceived to be more difficult to remember. Nevertheless, the enforcement of password composition rules does significantly improve protection against dictionary-based attack.
Trust and the Unintended Effects of Behavior Control in Virtual Teams

This article reports the findings of a longitudinal study of temporary virtual teams and explores the role of behavior control on trust decline. We conducted an experiment involving 51 temporary virtual teams. Half of the teams were required to comply with behavior control mechanisms traditionally used in colocated teams. Their counterparts were allowed to self-direct. Our analysis shows that the behavior control mechanisms typically used in traditional teams have a significant negative effect on trust in virtual teams. In-depth analysis of the communication logs of selected teams reveals that trust decline in virtual teams is rooted in instances of reneging and incongruence. Behavior control mechanisms increase vigilance and make instances when individuals perceive team members to have failed to uphold their obligations (i.e., reneging and incongruence) salient. Heightened vigilance and salience increase the likelihood that team members' failure to fulfill their obligations will be detected, thus contributing to trust decline.
64 bit green ALU design using clock gating technique on ultra scale FPGA

In this paper 64-bit energy efficient Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) is designed in verilog with the help of clock gating technique. We can reduce dynamic power and dynamic current of 64-bit ALU by using clock gating technique. This design is implemented on XC6VLX75T device, -3 speed grade and Virtex-6 FPGA. When clock logic is applied to target device, we are achieving 67.74% and 65.84% less reduction in clock power and 93.82% and 93.71% less reduction in Leakage power, when the device is operating on frequencies 1GHz and 10GHz respectively. On 1GHz, there is 66.93% less reduction in overall dynamic power of 64-bit ALU, when clock gate is added to the device. Dynamic current is reduced to 39.53% at operating frequency of 1THz, when clock gating is used.
Content-Aware Re-targeting of Discrete Element Layouts

Example-based modeling is an active line of research within the computer graphics community. With this work we propose a re-targeting scheme for polygonal domains containing a layout composed of discrete elements. Retargeting such domains is typically achieved employing a deformation to the initial domain. The goal of our approach is it to compute a novel layout within the deformed domain re-using the discrete elements from the initial layout. We show that the deformed interior of the initial domain can guide the layout algorithm that places the discrete elements. We evaluate our algorithm by re-targeting several challenging city blocks and the results confirm that generated layouts are visually similar to the original ones.
Improvement of an Interactive Media System "RAKUGACKY"

“RAKUGACKY” is an interactive media system that could generate sounds from a hand-drawn sketch. It is necessary to analyze a sketch to generate sounds suitable for the sketch. The former system used colors and simple shape feature values of objects in a sketch such a circularity and an area, to recognize each object. Thus the system could recognize only simple objects in a sketch. In this paper, we improve our system to use more complex features of objects and recognize complex objects in a sketch by extracting and learning features of complex objects in a machine learning method. For example, the improved method could analyze hand-drawn animals such as cat, dog and sheep, and could synthesize cries of each animal interactively.
The rate of decline of joint space width in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials of chondroitin sulfate*

ABSTRACT Background: Chondroitin sulfate has been shown to relieve pain and improve functional limitation in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in numerous clinical trials and meta-analyses. Its role as a potential structure-modifying drug for knee OA, however, remains controversial. Objective: To perform a meta-analysis of randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials to assess the efficacy of chondroitin sulfate as a structure-modifying drug for knee OA. Research design and methods: A Medline search was conducted from 1996 through 2007 and five articles that reported results from three trials were identified; one additional trial was identified through review of presentations at annual rheumatology meetings. There was no evidence of heterogeneity across the trials and results were pooled using a fixed effects meta-analysis. Results: Pooled results demonstrated a small significant effect of chondroitin sulfate on the reduction in rate of decline in minimum joint space width of 0.07 mm/year (95% CI 0.03, 0.10) that corresponded to an effect size of 0.26 (95% CI 0.14, 0.38) (p < 0.0001). This result was robust in sensitivity analyses. Limitations: The individual studies included in the meta-analysis varied in the number of patients enrolled and the techniques used to acquire knee radiographs and to measure joint space width. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that chondroitin sulfate is effective for reducing the rate of decline in minimum joint space width in patients with OA of the knee. Chondroitin sulfate may have a role as a structure-modifying agent in the management of patients with knee OA.
The Cyclic Alternating Pattern and the Brain-Body-Coupling During Sleep

Sleep measurement is based on conventional rules, which simplify the complex architecture of this mandatory phsyiological activity. The dynamic development of sleep shows a regular cyclic nature, which is reflected also in the microstructural organization of phasic EEG events. In NREM sleep, arousals rarely appear in isolation but are most commonly arranged in sequences recognized as the cyclic alternating pattern (CAP). Composed of EEG features endowed with properties of activation (phase A) and deactivation (phase B), CAP translates a condition of sustained arousal instability. Due to the close temporal relation between CAP, autonomic functions and behavioral activities, CAP operates as a master clock that entrains different rhythms in a common temporal pattern. Crucially participating in the build-up, maintenance and attenuation of slow wave sleep, CAP represents a fundamental pillar of sleep processes together with the homeostatic drive, the ultradian cyclicity and the circadian oscillation. The pivotal role of CAP in the basic sleep mechanisms justifies its involvement in the pathophysiology of most sleep disorders and offers new perspectives in clinical management strategies. The absence of CAP (defined as nonCAP) corresponds to a sustained condition of stability extended to both brain and body. CAP and non-CAP metrics overcome the rigid limitations of conventional stage scoring and provide a more flexible and genuine neurophysiological substrate to shed light upon the brain-body coupling during sleep.
The Effects of Gum Mastication on Alertness in Post-Pubescent Subjects

This experiment was an investigation into the effects of gum mastication on alertness in post-pubescent individuals. Tests were designed to see if gum had a significant effect on alertness by increasing several measurable variables including: reaction time, blood pressure, heart rate and short term memory. This study was carried out by using three separate groups, each consisting of five individuals. Each individual’s baseline measurements were first recorded. Subjects were then exposed to their respective variables: sitting in a chair in sensory deprivation, riding on a stationary bike, or chewing gum. The individuals engaging in light cardiovascular activity were the positive control group as it is a well-established fact that exercise will lead to increases in all variables being measuring (Pontifex, et al. 2009). Subjects remaining sedentary between their readings were the negative control group, and no physiological changes were expected. Our testing was unable to establish a significant effect on alertness by chewing gum. However, we were also unable to demonstrate an increase in alertness among those in the positive control group. As this correlation has been previously proven to exist and we could not establish it in our experiment, it is unreasonable to rule gum mastication out as a stimulator of alertness. The biggest setback to obtaining any kind of significant results was the lack of subjects being tested. Even with results leaning towards gum mastication having an effect on alertness, it would be nearly impossible to establish significant findings on the matter with a study of fifteen people.