Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive determination of shear-rate distribution across the arterial lumen.

In vitro experiments have shown that the shear stress exerted by flowing blood on the endothelial surface affects the morphology of the vascular wall and the release of vasoactive substances and growth factors by that wall. It is believed that the caliber of a vessel adjusts to the local shear stress to maintain a specific value of the shear stress. The local shear stress follows from local shear rate by multiplying shear rate by the local blood viscosity. The present article describes a method in which ultrasound techniques are used to assess transcutaneously the time-dependent wall shear rate in vivo in arteries. This method is applied to the assessment of wall shear rate in the common carotid artery of volunteers, presumed to be healthy, in two age categories (young age group, 20 to 30 years old, n = 8; old age group, 60 to 70 years old, n = 6). Although the peak shear rate in the young age group is markedly higher than in the old age group, the mean shear rate averaged over a cardiac cycle has the same value of 210 s-1 for both groups, corroborating earlier observations that mean shear rate and, hence, mean shear stress are maintained at a particular value. Conversion of the observed shear rates to shear stresses, assuming a blood viscosity of 3.5 mPa.s for both age groups, gives shear stresses of approximately 0.7 Pa. This is a factor of two lower than the shear stresses estimated from the relation between volume flow and artery caliber (1.5 Pa).
Effects of anesthetics on circulatory regulatory mechanisms in the dog.

Effects of cyclopropane, halothane, enibomal sodium (a fast acting barbiturate) and morphine on circulatory regulating mechanisms were studied in dogs. The heart rate, arterial pressure, blood flow to the hind limb and their responses to stimulation of the hypothalamic or mesencephalic vasoactive areas and to common carotid occlusion were measured during the conscious state and during anesthesia or sedation with these drugs. During light cyclopropane anesthesia, the arterial pressure rose. Vascular resistance in the hind limb increased. As anesthesia was deepened, the heart rate decreased. Changes in the arterial pressure were inconsistent. With halothane anesthesia, there was bradycardia and progressive hypotension. After administration of enibomal, tachycardia and hypotension occurred. Sedation with morphine was accompanied by bradycardia but no significant change in the arterial pressure. Cyclopropane, halothaneand enibomal depressed the pressor response to central stimulation and carotid occlusion in proportion to the depth of anesthesia. The sympathetic cholinergic vasodilator response was unimpaired except during enibomal and deep cyclopropane anesthesia. Morphine did not appear to affect circulatory responses to central stimulation and carotid occlusion. These results suggest that the excitatory vasomotor mechanisms (adrenergic) are depressed during anesthesia. The basis for the hypertension and other evidences of sympathetic activation observed during cyclopropane anesthesia remains to be determined.
Autonomous acoustic model adaptation for multilingual meeting transcription involving high- and low-resourced languages

In speech technology, we found several challenges in automatic speech transcription system for multilingual conferences or meetings. Firstly, the dialog occurs between native and non-native speakers. Secondly, the non-native speakers come from different parts of the world (e.g., English spoken by native French speakers or English spoken by native Vietnamese speakers, etc.). Thirdly, no data or a limited amount of data is available to bootstrap the acoustic modeling. This paper presents some autonomous online and offline acoustic model adaptation approaches, which required no additional data in the adaptation process, to deal with above challenges as well as to improve the performance of the phone recognizers used for automatic transcription purpose. Experiments show that our adaptation approach (online interpolation with MLLR based on PRVSM) can provide about 4% absolute gain in Phone Accuracy Rate (PAR) compared to the multilingual baseline system and it is even better than the performance of the supervised monolingual systems.
The Coevolution of Warfare , Punishment , and Culture in Homo sapiens

I disagreed with this judgment. It is routine and indeed important for scientific commentaries to engage in more than “a nod” to larger issues. Besides I did what I was originally asked to do, before the editor forgot what he had originally asked me to do. In any event, I didn’t have more time to spend on this essay. So I withdrew the submission. Thanks to the publishing power of the internet, here’s the commentary anyway.
Activation of the Avian Erythrocyte Na-K-Cl Cotransport Protein by Cell Shrinkage, cAMP, Fluoride, and Calyculin-A Involves Phosphorylation at Common Sites*

Na-K-Cl cotransport activity in duck erythrocytes increases ∼10-fold in response to osmotic cell shrinkage, norepinephrine, fluoride, or calyculin-A (an inhibitor of type-1 and -2a phosphatases). To assess whether all four stimuli promote phosphorylation of the cotransport protein and whether this phosphorylation is catalyzed by the same kinase, the cotransporter was isolated from erythrocytes by immunoprecipitation and its pattern of phosphorylation was evaluated. Each stimulus evoked proportionate increases in cotransporter activity and phosphorylation. No two stimuli in combination evoked greater activation and phosphorylation than did the more potent of the two stimuli acting alone. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the cotransport protein indicated that phosphorylation occurs at serine and threonine residues. Phosphopeptide mapping revealed a distinctive pattern of 8 major tryptic phosphopeptides, none of which were significantly phosphorylated in the unstimulated state. Maps of cotransporters activated by the four different stimuli were indistinguishable. Measurements of phosphorylation stoichiometry indicated that each cotransporter acquires ∼5 phosphates on going from an inactive state in swollen cells to an active state in shrunken cells. Staurosporine, a kinase inhibitor with broad selectivity, inhibited each stimulus equipotently (IC50 ∼ 0.7 μm). Staurosporine promptly reversed cotransporter activity and phosphorylation when added to shrinkage-stimulated but not to calyculin-stimulated cells, indicating that it enters the cell rapidly and blocks phosphorylation. These results suggest that cell shrinkage, cAMP, fluoride, and calyculin-A promote the phosphorylation of the Na-K-Cl cotransport protein at a similar constellation of serine and threonine residues. It is proposed that all modes of stimulation ultimately involve the same protein kinase.
Ascorbic acid biosynthesis in hens producing strong and weak eggshells

1. An experiment was conducted with two strains of layers to ascertain whether the reduction in eggshell strength occurring at the end of the production cycle is the result of reduced ascorbic acid biosynthesis. 2. Hens producing strong and weak eggshells were identified within each strain and egg production, egg weight, per cent shell, shell surface density, plasma, adrenal and hepatic ascorbic acid and renal L-gulonolactone oxidase activity were measured. 3. The strains differed in ascorbic acid synthesis, as measured by L-gulonolactone oxidase activity, and tissue ascorbic acid concentration. 4. Comparison of results from birds producing eggs of similar weight but markedly different in shell strength detected neither a shell strength group × strain interaction nor an effect of shell strength group on plasma and hepatic ascorbic acid and activity of L-gulonolactone oxidase. 5. The results did not support the hypothesis that tissue ascorbate and ascorbic acid biosynthesis are reduced in old hens producing weak eggshells.
Behavior-based coordination of large-scale robot formations

To address a wide range of multi-robot coordinated movement tasks, we seek a formation strategy that offers: scalability, the approach should easily scale to any number of agents; locality, the behaviors should depend only on the local sensors of each agent; flexibility, the behaviors should be flexible so as to support many formation shapes. To provide these features we introduce a new behavior based approach to robot formation-keeping. The new strategy is based loosely on the way molecules form crystals. From the point of view of each robot in the group, every other robot has several local "attachment sites" other robots may be attracted to. This type of attachment site geometry roughly corresponds to molecular covalent bonding. Just as different crystal shapes result from different covalent bond geometries, robot formation shapes are influenced by the attachment site geometries employed.
Optimum robust detection of changes in the AR part of a multivariable ARMA process

We investigate the theoretical properties of new instruments-based test statistics recently proposed [3] for detection and diagnosis of changes in the AR part of a multivariable ARMA process. The design flexibilities are analyzed, and the optimum design of the test is exhibited. The connection with the accuracy of the I.V. identification method [14] is established, and the comparison with the local likelihood ratio tests is done. These tests have been developed as a solution to the problem of vibration monitoring for offshore platforms.
Division and cell envelope regulation by Ser/Thr phosphorylation: Mycobacterium shows the way

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) has a complex lifestyle in different environments and involving several developmental stages. The success of M. tb results from its remarkable capacity to survive within the infected host, where it can persist in a non‐replicating state for several decades. The survival strategies developed by M. tb are linked to the presence of an unusual cell envelope. However, little is known regarding its capacity to modulate and adapt production of cell wall components in response to environmental conditions or to changes in cell shape and cell division. Signal sensing leading to cellular responses must be tightly regulated to allow survival under variable conditions. Although prokaryotes generally control their signal transduction processes through two‐component systems, signalling through Ser/Thr phosphorylation has recently emerged as a critical regulatory mechanism in bacteria. The genome of M. tb possesses a large family of eukaryotic‐like Ser/Thr protein kinases (STPKs). The physiological roles of several mycobacterial STPK substrates are connected to cell shape/division and cell envelope biosynthesis. Although these regulatory mechanisms have mostly been studied in Mycobacterium, Ser/Thr phosphorylation appears also to regulate cell division and peptidoglycan synthesis in Corynebacterium and Streptomyces. This review focuses on the proteins which have been identified as STPK substrates and involved in the synthesis of major cell envelope components and cell shape/division in actinomycetes. It is also intended to describe how phosphorylation affects the activity of peptidoglycan biosynthetic enzymes or cell division proteins.
High rate of detection of primary aldosteronism, including surgically treatable forms, after ‘non-selective’ screening of hypertensive patients

Background Wide testing of the aldosterone : renin ratio among hypertensive individuals has revealed primary aldosteronism to be common, with most patients normokalaemic. Some investigators, however, have reported aldosterone-producing adenoma to be rare among patients so detected. Objective To test the hypothesis that differences among reported studies in the rate of detection of aldosterone-producing adenoma (as opposed to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia) reflect differences in the procedures used for diagnosis of primary aldosteronism, and the methods used to identify aldosterone-producing adenomas. Methods In the newly established Princess Alexandra Hospital Hypertension Unit (PAHHU), we used procedures developed by Greenslopes Hospital Hypertension Unit (which reports that more than 30% of patients with primary aldosteronism have aldosterone-producing adenomas) to diagnose primary aldosteronism and determine the subtype. All patients with an increased aldosterone : renin ratio (measured after correction for hypokalaemia and while the patient was not receiving interfering medications) underwent fludrocortisone suppression testing to confirm or exclude primary aldosteronism; if they were positive, they underwent genetic testing to exclude glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism before adrenal venous sampling was used to differentiate lateralizing from bilateral primary aldosteronism. Results This approach allowed PAHHU to diagnose, within 2 years, 54 patients [only seven (13%) hypokalaemic] with primary aldosteronism. All tested negative for glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism. Aldosterone production was lateralized to one adrenal in 15 patients (31%; only six hypokalaemic) and was bilateral in 34 (69%; all normokalaemic) of 49 patients who underwent adrenal venous sampling. Among patients with lateralizing adrenal hyperplasia, computed tomography revealed an ipsilateral mass in only six and a contralateral lesion in one. Fourteen patients underwent unilateral adrenalectomy, which cured the hypertension in seven and improved it in the remainder. In patients with bilateral primary aldosteronism, hypertension responded to spironolactone (12.5–50 mg/day) or amiloride (2.5–10 mg/day). Conclusion When performed with careful regard to confounding factors, measurement of the aldosterone : renin ratio in all hypertensive individuals, followed by fludrocortisone suppression testing to confirm or exclude primary aldosteronism and adrenal venous sampling to determine the subtype, can result in the detection of significant numbers of patients with specifically treatable or potentially curable hypertension.
University Students and Technologies: Usage, Consumption and Future Trends in the Educational Context

This paper presents and discusses data on the use of technology in general and of Web 2.0 platforms and services in particular by students at the University of Milano-Bicocca. The data was obtained from a survey on media consumption habits and usage of new web technologies conducted by the university's Observatory on New Media, NuMediaBiOs. Research of this kind provides a valuable basis for the development, adaptation and improvement of existing services and offerings involving new technologies in educational contexts, given that for new technologies to be successfully integrated it is critical to have access to detailed information about how they are currently deployed by users in this case, undergraduate students on basic degree programmes. Such analyses have implications for a range of contexts, not least for the public educational institution in which they are carried out, namely the university.
Patterns of circulating luteinizing hormone and their relation to plasma progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle of the Rhesus monkey.

Using a specific radioimmunoassay for rhesus monkey luteinizing hormone (LH) the concentration of this hormone in peripheral plasma and its temporal relationship to that of progesterone, as measured by a competitive protein binding assay, are described throughout the menstrual cycle. The preovulatory LH surge, lasting 1–3 days, occurred most frequently on days 10–12 of the cycle with a range of 9–21 days. This variability was limited to the portion of the cycle preceding the LH peak, the remainder being remarkably constant (14–16 days). The increase in plasma progesterone levels did not precede, but followed the LH surge. It is concluded that ovulation in this species occurs within 24 hr after the LH peak and that the patterns of circulating LH and progesterone during the menstrual cycle of the rhesus monkey closely resemble those in the human female. (Endocrinology 87: 453,1970)
20-pJ/Pulse 250 Mbps Low-Complexity CMOS UWB Transmitter for 3–5 GHz Applications

This letter presents a CMOS on-off keying 3-5 GHz ultra-wideband (UWB) transmitter with low complexity, low power and high speed. In the transmitter, a new differential narrow triangular pulse generator using push and pull integrating technique was designed for reducing quiescent current and common-mode interference, and a new complementary switch mode on-off voltage controlled ring oscillator (VCRO) was proposed by breaking the oscillation loop instead of breaking the power to avoid base-band energy without extra shaping filter. Without using delay resistor and capacitor in the VCRO, the transient response speed of the transmitter can be increased by only utilizing the parasitic resistances and capacitances. The design was successfully implemented with a 0.18 μm CMOS technology. The test results show that the new UWB transmitter can obtain a sidelobe rejection of more than 20 dB, a low energy consumption of 20 pJ/pulse at 250 Mbps, and a small core chip size of 0.08 mm2.
A nurse practitioner directed intervention improves the quality of life of patients with metastatic cancer: results of a randomized pilot study.

BACKGROUND There is a paucity of randomized studies evaluating the value of palliative interventions on a prospective basis in newly diagnosed oncology patients. We sought to prospectively evaluate quality of life (QoL) outcomes in advanced cancer patients who received discussion-based palliative care interventions from an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) integrated into the oncology team, and compare these outcomes with a control population. METHODS Patients with metastatic cancer were randomized to standard care or an ARNP-directed intervention that included discussions of the benefits of hospice, discussions on living wills and advanced directives (Five Wishes document) along with an assessment of QoL. Relevant endpoints included change from baseline QoL and improvement in hospice knowledge. RESULTS From November 13, 2008, through July 28, 2009, 26 patients were accrued at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. The study closed early due to published data demonstrating the benefits of early palliative care interventions in the management of metastatic cancer patients. Statistically significant improvements from baseline were noted in emotional and mental QoL assessments in the intervention group that were not seen in the control group. Patients found it useful to have the living will and Five Wishes documents offered as part of the ARNP intervention. CONCLUSIONS An ARNP-directed intervention that explains the benefits of hospice and addresses advanced directives early in the course of metastatic cancer patients' treatment, is well received by the patients and their relatives and leads to measurable improvement in the patient's emotional and mental QoL.
A High Efficiency FLL-Assisted Current-Controlled DC-DC Converter Over Light-Loaded Range

Current mode control is widely used in the switching power supply designs because of its fast response and less stability concern. However its performance at light load condition is limited by the precision of current sensing. In this work, instead of using high speed current sensor, a frequency-locked loop (FLL) is incorporated to extend the operation range with high power efficiency using a single controller. The 1.8-V output DC-DC converter has been fabricated with a standard 0.35-μm CMOS process and supplied from 2.7 to 4.3 V. Experimental results show that this switching converter operates from 100 to 600 kHz with the efficiency higher than 90% for the load current between 25 and 450 mA. The output voltage ripple is smaller than 30 mV with a 4.7- μH inductor and a 4.7-μF capacitor.
EyesWeb: Toward Gesture and Affect Recognition in Interactive Dance and Music Systems

The goal of the EyesWeb project is to develop a modular system for the real-time analysis of body movement and gesture. Such information can be used to control and generate sound, music, and visual media, and to control actuators (e.g., robots). Another goal of the project is to explore and develop models of interaction by extending music language toward gesture and visual languages, with a particular focus on the understanding of affect and expressive content in gesture. For example, we attempt to distinguish the expressive content from two instances of the same movement
A pilot study of unemployment in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa in Denmark

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory and relapsing skin disease, characterized by repeated outbreaks of painful inflamed nodules in the apocrine gland-bearing regions (armpits, genital area, groin, breasts and perianal region). These nodules can progress to abscesses, sinus tracts (tunnels) and scarring. (1) The estimated prevalence is 1-4% worldwide and HS is approximately three times more common in women than in men. (1) HS is associated with significant disability and handicap. The lesions are often painful and lead to loss of mobility. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Twelve-month abstinence from alcohol and long-term drinking and marital outcomes in men with severe alcohol problems.

OBJECTIVE Clinical and research data suggest that drinking behavior during the first year following treatment for alcohol problems may predict longer term drinking and functioning in other areas. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between abstinence from alcohol during the first year following group behavioral marital therapy (BMT) for alcohol problems and drinking and marital functioning through 30 months post-group BMT. METHOD The subjects were 73 white male veterans with severe alcohol problems who participated in a clinical trial of group BMT and individual BMT aftercare. All subjects who entered the clinical trial were classified as either abstinent from alcohol for the full first 12 months following completion of group BMT, or not. Following completion of group BMT, subjects were reevaluated on drinking, marital functioning and related behaviors at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months later. RESULTS Outcome analyses, taking into account baseline differences between drinker groups on age, marital functioning and number of days light drinking, showed better alcohol use (18, 24 and 30 months) and marital functioning (6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months) for the first-year abstainers. Furthermore, fewer first-year abstainers than drinkers reported they were hospitalized for alcohol-related reasons at the 18-, 24- and 30-month follow-ups, and the abstainers showed a greater degree of self-efficacy not to drink heavily at each of the 6-, 18- and 30-month follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS The data are consistent with the literature in showing the prognostic value of first-year post-alcohol treatment abstinence for drinking and functioning in other life areas in the longer term. The findings suggest that at least shorter term abstinence should be considered as an outcome goal for individuals who present to alcohol treatment settings.
The biology of the combretastatins as tumour vascular targeting agents

The tumour vasculature is an attractive target for therapy. Combretastatin A‐4 (CA‐4) and A‐1 (CA‐1) are tubulin binding agents, structurally related to colchicine, which induce vascular‐mediated tumour necrosis in animal models. CA‐1 and CA‐4 were isolated from the African bush willow, Combretum caffrum, and several synthetic analogues are also now available, such as the Aventis Pharma compound, AVE8062. More soluble, phosphated, forms of CA‐4 (CA‐4‐P) and CA‐1 (CA‐1‐P) are commonly used for in vitro and in vivo studies. These are cleaved to the natural forms by endogenous phosphatases and are taken up into cells. The lead compound, CA‐4‐P, is currently in clinical trial as a tumour vascular targeting agent. In animal models, CA‐4‐P causes a prolonged and extensive shut‐down of blood flow in established tumour blood vessels, with much less effect in normal tissues. This paper reviews the current understanding of the mechanism of action of the combretastatins and their therapeutic potential.