Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age-Related Changes in Humoral and Cell- Mediated Immunity in Down Syndrome Children Living at Home

ABSTRACT. Abnormalities of humoral and cell-mediated immunity have been described in Down syndrome but reported findings have been inconsistent. Confounding factors have included age, institutional versus home life, hepatitis B antigenemia, and zinc deficiency. To clarify this problem, we studied 64 children with Down syndrome (DS) compared with an age-matched control group. All children had always lived at home. All the DS children were negative for hepatitis B surface antigen. Serum zinc concentration in the DS group was on average 12 μg/dl lower than age-matched control children. They also had significantly lower levels of immunoglobulin M, total lymphocyte count, T and B lymphocytes, and T helper and suppressor cells. In vitro lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A was significantly reduced at all ages in the DS group. Lymphocyte response to pokeweed mitogen increased with age in control children but decreased in the DS children. By 18 yr, the mean response for DS was 60000 cpm lower than controls. The DS group had significantly higher concentrations of immunoglobulins A and G than controls and the difference increased with age. Complement fractions C3 and C4 were also higher in the DS group at all ages. The number of HNK-1 positive cells was higher in the DS group than controls at all ages. When hepatitis and institutionalization are excluded as confounding factors, DS children still differ in both humoral and cell-mediated immunity from an age-matched control group.
What Constitutes Normal Hemoglobin Concentration in Community‐Dwelling Disabled Older Women?

Objectives: To examine the associations between hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and (1) 5‐year all‐cause mortality and (2) serum erythropoietin (EPO), as the basis for the identification of data‐driven thresholds, and to assess the clinical relevance of mildly low Hb.
Therapeutic efficacy of sodium nitrite and 4-dimethylaminophenol or hydroxylamine co-administration against cyanide poisoning in rats

1 The therapeutic efficacy of combined treatment of sodium nitrite (NaNO2) and 4-dimethylaminophenol (DMAP) or hydroxylamine (H2NOH) was investigated in potassium cyanide (KCN) intoxication in male rats. 2 Therapy with NaNO 2 (0.27 mmol kg-1) + DMAP (0.09 mmol kg-1) or NaNO2 + H2NOH (0.09 mmol kg-1, produced a protection index (ratio of LD50 of KCN in rats receiving therapy to an LD50 of KCN in rats given only 0.9% saline) of 2.5 and 2.0 respectively. 3 Both the regimens exhibited a beneficial effect in terms of improving the survival time and postural defects in rats exposed to 2 LD50 KCN. 4 NaNO2 + DMAP showed a significant protective effect in the disposition of the plasma cyanide level at different time intervals. 5 The NaNO2 + DMAP regimen was superior to NaNO2 + H2NOH in terms of reactivating the inhibited brain cytochrome oxidase enzyme. 6 The addition of sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3) in both the regimens increased the degree of protection. 7 The results suggest that combined therapy with NaNO2 + DMAP could significantly reduce the toxic effects of cyanide, compared with NaNO2+H2NOH treatment.
Memristor: the enabler of computation-in-memory architecture for big-data

This paper briefly discusses a new architecture, Computation-In-Memory (CIM Architecture), for specific data-intensive applications; it is based on the integration of storage and computation in the same physical location (crossbar topology) and the use of non-volatile resistive-switching technology (memristive devices or memristors in short) instead of CMOS technology. The architecture has the potential of improving the energy-delay product, computing efficiency and performance area by at least two orders of magnitude.
A 2.6mW 6b 2.2GS/s 4-times interleaved fully dynamic pipelined ADC in 40nm digital CMOS

Communication in the unlicensed frequency band around 60GHz requires a very fast ADC with low resolution. We present a four-way interleaved converter, of which one channel is shown in Fig. 16.3. 1, for these requirements. Dynamic pipelined conversion enables low power quantization at high speed with low input capacitance but requires calibration. A folding front-end halves the required calibration effort.
Cardiac phosphodiesterase 5 (cGMP‐specific) modulates β‐adrenergic signaling in vivo and is down‐regulated in heart failure

Recent studies implicate increased cGMP synthesis as a postreceptor contributor to reduced cardiac sympathetic responsiveness. Here we provide the first evidence that modulation of this interaction by cGMP‐specific phosphodiesterase PDE5A is also diminished in failing hearts, providing a novel mechanism for blunted β‐adrenergic signaling in this disorder. In normal conscious dogs chronically instrumented for left ventricular pressure‐dimension analysis, PDE5A inhibition by EMD82639 had modest basal effects but markedly blunted dobutamine‐enhanced systolic and diastolic function. In failing hearts (tachypacing model), however, EMD82639 had negligible effects on either basal or dobutamine‐stimulated function. Whole myocardium from failing hearts had 50% lower PDE5A protein expression and 30% less total and EMD92639‐inhibit‐able cGMP‐PDE activity. Although corresponding myo‐cyte protein and enzyme activity was similar among groups, the proportion of EMD82639‐inhibitable activity was significantly lower in failure cells. Immunohis‐tochemistry confirmed PDE5A expression in both the vasculature and myocytes of normal and failing hearts, but there was loss of z‐band localization in failing myocytes that suggested altered intracellular localization. Thus, PDE5A regulation of cGMP in the heart can potently modulate β‐adrenergic stimulation, and alterations in enzyme localization and reduced synthesis may blunt this pathway in cardiac failure, contributing to dampening of the β‐adrenergic response. —Senzaki, H. , Smith, C. J., Juang, G. J., Isoda, T. , Mayer, S. P., Ohler, A. , Paolocci, N. , Tomaselli, G. F. , Hare, J. M. , Kass, K. A. Cardiac phosphodiesterase 5 (cGMP‐specific) modulates β‐adrenergic signaling in vivo and is down‐regulated in heart failure. FASEB J. 15, 1718—1726 (2001)
Passive electrical cable properties and synaptic excitation of tiger salamander retinal ganglion cells

Abstract The passive electrical properties of 17 ON-OFF retinal ganglion cells were derived from electrophysiological recordings. The parameters for each cells' equivalent model were obtained from the transient current responses to small step changes in clamp potential. Thirteen of the cells could be adequately approximated by a spherical soma connected to an equivalent dendritic cable. Estimates for the cell input conductance (GN), membrane time constant (τm), the dendritic-to-soma conductance ratio (ρ), and the normalized electrotonic length (L) were obtained (mean ± standard deviation, n = 13): GN = 580 ± 530 pS, τm = 97 ±72 ms, ρ = 2.8 ± 2.8, and L = 0.34 ± 0.13. Series resistance averaged 32 ± 11 MΩ The mean of the derived soma diameters was 18 ± 6 μm and the mean diameter and length of the equivalent cables were 1.4 ± 0.6 and 470 ± 90 μm, respectively. The average of the specific membrane conductances, 1.67 ± 1.08 S/cm2, corresponded to a membrane resistivity of 60 kΩ-cm2. Computer simulations of synaptic inputs were performed on a representative model, with an electrode at the soma and using the worst-case configuration, in which all synaptic inputs were confined to the tips of the dendrites. We draw three conclusions from the modeling: (1) Under voltage clamp, fast, spontaneous EPSCs would be significantly attenuated and slowed while the time course of the slower, light-evoked non-NMDA and NMDA EPSCs would be minimally distorted by dendritic filtering. (2) Excitatory synaptic reversal potentials can be accurately determined under voltage clamp. (3) In the absence of GABAergic and glycinergic inhibition, the efficacy at the soma of excitatory conductance changes is essentially independent of their dendritic location. The specific membrane resistivity appears to represent a good compromise between having a small membrane time constant and minimal EPSP attenuation.
Restorative Qualities of and Preference for Natural and Urban Soundscapes

Psychological restoration in urban agglomerations has become a growing challenge. Although scientific proof of the significance of nature is irrefutable, an increase in built-up areas has led to a decrease in urban greenery. Thus, a growing need for restorativeness in urban surroundings has emerged. To investigate whether positively evaluated sonic environments, represented by natural and urban sounds, have comparable restorative qualities we conducted two studies. The aim of the first (Study 1) was to explore the restorative qualities of positively assessed natural and urban sounds. Participants (N = 88) were asked to listen and to rate 22 recordings (each 1 min long) either from natural or urban environments. In the second (Study 2) we investigated whether positively evaluated sonic environments (natural and urban), demand for restoration (feeling relaxed or fatigued) and company (being alone or with a friend) affect the restorative qualities of natural and urban soundscapes. After reading assigned scenarios (feeling relaxed or fatigued; being alone or with a friend), participants (N = 120) were asked to imagine a walk in presented sonic environments and to complete forms (one for each sonic environment) concerning the restorative qualities of given soundscapes (natural and urban). Top five recordings of natural and urban sonic environments were selected from Study 1 and combined into a 154-s soundtrack, to provide a background for the imagined walks in both settings. Our findings confirmed that natural sounds are perceived more favorably than urban recordings. Even when only the most positively assessed soundscapes were compared, nature was still perceived as being more restorative than urban areas. Company of a friend was found to be more beneficial in the urban surroundings, particularly when there was no need for restoration.
A 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of galantamine adjunctive treatment to conventional antipsychotics for the cognitive impairments in chronic schizophrenia

The objective of the study was to study the effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on cognition in patients with schizophrenia. We conducted a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of galantamine as adjunctive treatment to conventional antipsychotic drugs on 24 patients with schizophrenia. The 24 patients had been stabilized on conventional antipsychotic drugs (chlorpromazine equivalent dose of 1390 mg/day) for a minimum of 3 months before their enrollment into the study. The patients were evaluated at baseline, and after 6 and 12 weeks using the Korean version of Mini Mental State Examination, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and a standard neuropsychological battery. Compared with placebo, galantamine produced a small and nonsignificant change in the cognitive measures, but the score for recognition on the Rey Complex Figure Test improved significantly in patients given galantamine (P<0.05). Of the several domains of cognitive functions assessed, galantamine tended to improve the score for recognition on the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test and for color on the Stroop Test (P<0.1), but these results were not statistically significant. The scores on the Korean version of Mini Mental State Examination did not change significantly in patients with galantamine, and the psychiatric symptoms did not change. The addition of galantamine to the conventional antipsychotic medication of patients with schizophrenia does not produce a change in the cognitive function or state of psychopathology.
A general multiview LCD stereo image composition method based on optical plate technology

Multiview stereo image composition mainly depends on the type of the multiview stereo display device. Currently, multiview LCD optical plate autostereoscopic display device is common in the art, while the composition method is limited[1,2]. A new general multiview LCD stereo image composition method is proposed in this paper based on the optical plate LCD stereo display device. The proposed method mainly consists of three steps: sub-pixel judgment, sub-sampling of sub-pixel of each view, arrangement and composition of sub-pixels. The proposed method covers all possible cases of the optical plate LCD stereo display device. It has good universality and applicability. The feasibility of the proposed method is verified on the detailed stereo display device.
Unlabeled Helper Oligonucleotides Increase the In Situ Accessibility to 16S rRNA of Fluorescently Labeled Oligonucleotide Probes

ABSTRACT Target site inaccessibility represents a significant problem for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of 16S rRNA with oligonucleotide probes. Here, unlabeled oligonucleotides (helpers) that bind adjacent to the probe target site were evaluated for their potential to increase weak probe hybridization signals inEscherichia coli DSM 30083T. The use of helpers enhanced the fluorescence signal of all six probes examined at least fourfold. In one case, the signal of probe Eco474 was increased 25-fold with the use of a single helper probe, H440-2. In another case, four unlabeled helpers raised the FISH signal of a formerly weak probe, Eco585, to the level of the brightest monolabeled oligonucleotide probes available for E. coli. The temperature of dissociation and the mismatch discrimination of probes were not significantly influenced by the addition of helpers. Therefore, using helpers should not cause labeling of additional nontarget organisms at a defined stringency of hybridization. However, the helper action is based on sequence-specific binding, and there is thus a potential for narrowing the target group which must be considered when designing helpers. We conclude that helpers can open inaccessible rRNA regions for FISH with oligonucleotide probes and will thereby further improve the applicability of this technique for in situ identification of microorganisms.
A tagged helper-free Friend virus causes clonal erythroblast immortality by specific proviral integration in the cellular genome

A colinear molecular clone of the Lilly-Steeves polycythemia strain of Friend spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) was modified by inserting a 215-base-pair tag of simian virus 40 DNA into its nonfunctional pol gene region. The DNA was then transfected into psi-2 packaging cells, and helper-free tagged SFFV was recovered in the culture medium. Injection of this helper-free virus into NIH/Swiss mice caused transient mild splenomegaly and formation of spleen foci at 9 to 10 days. Although the vast majority of infected erythroblast clones then differentiated and died out, rare cell clones that were present in only 20 to 30% of the mice grew extensively by 26 to 33 days to form transplantable leukemias. The clonality of these leukemias was established by Southern blot analysis of their DNAs by using several restriction endonucleases and the simian virus 40 tag as a hybridization probe. All transplantable leukemias lacked helper virus contamination and contained a single tagged SFFV provirus that expressed the mitogenic env gene product gp55. The SFFV proviruses in these leukemias also appeared to be integrated into a few tightly clustered sites in the cellular genome. Although the tagged SFFV caused polycythemia during the polyclonal early stage of erythroblastosis, growth of the helper-free clonal erythroleukemias caused severe anemia. These results suggest that a single SFFV can cause mitosis of erythroblasts, and that cell immortalization also occurs when the provirus integrates into a critical site in the host genome. We propose that mice with clonal-stage leukemia become anemic because the immortalizing proviral integrations interfere with the cellular commitment to differentiate.
Time to Treatment for New Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Major Metropolitan City

Objective. To determine the proportion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) seen by rheumatologists and treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) within 3 months of symptom onset, to determine where treatment delays occur, and to identify contributing factors. Methods. A retrospective cohort study in which adult patients with RA, diagnosed between January 1, 2003, and May 31, 2006, were recruited from rheumatologists’ offices to participate in a telephone survey and chart review. The percentage treated with DMARD within 3 months of symptom onset was determined, along with median times for delay. Factors contributing to the delay were explored using multivariable logistic regression. Results. Our study included 204 patients. Within 3 months of symptoms, 22.6% (95% CI 16.8%, 28.3%) received DMARD and within 6 months, 47.6% (95% CI 40.7%, 54.4%). The median time from symptom onset to DMARD was 6.4 months [interquartile range (IQR) 3.3, 12.0] with a median time from RA diagnosis by a rheumatologist to DMARD of 0.0 months (IQR 0.0, 1.0). Higher baseline swollen joint counts resulted in earlier treatment. Age, sex, education, comorbidity, rheumatologist practice type, and years since the physician’s graduation did not affect time to treatment. Conclusion. Fewer than 25% of patients referred to rheumatologists were treated within 3 months of symptom onset. Identification of inflammatory arthritis and referral to rheumatologists are the key factors in timely care, because once patients are seen there is no delay to treatment. Future resources should be focused on development and evaluation of interventions to facilitate rapid triage, referral, and assessment by a rheumatologist.
The impact of community pharmacy dispensing fees on the introduction of buprenorphine - naloxone in Australia.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS The introduction of buprenorphine - naloxone in Australia in April 2006 has permitted the revision of takeaway policies in many states and has introduced the possibility of unsupervised treatment. This study explored the implications of the introduction of buprenorphine - naloxone in terms of cost to patients through a survey of pharmacists' intended pricing practices. The aim of the research was to examine the intentions of pharmacists in relation to fees for buprenorphine - naloxone and study the potential implications to patients when compared with the existing fee structure for methadone and for buprenorphine alone. DESIGN AND METHODS A self-complete questionnaire was mailed to every community pharmacy in New South Wales (NSW) (n = 593) dispensing methadone or buprenorphine to people with opioid dependence. A response rate of 68.6% (n = 407) was achieved after three mailouts. RESULTS The majority of pharmacies charged a flat weekly fee for methadone (92.2%; mean = $31.90) and buprenorphine (74.8%; mean = $31.00). The mean intended fees for buprenorphine - naloxone according to different dosing and takeaway regimens ranged from $19.19 per week for no supervised doses and fortnightly takeaways to a $30.88 per week flat fee. There appeared to be little variation in fee structure irrespective of the takeaway regimen, until reaching the 2 weeks' unsupervised dose regimen. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of the early dissemination of unambiguous information regarding the introduction of a new medication, especially where supervised dispensing through community pharmacies is essential to the provision of treatment. The potential impact upon the successful rollout of a new treatment paradigm that was developed to benefit stable patients in the community may be jeopardised when such processes are not followed.
Innovation, Inequality and the Skill Premium

The relationship between innovation and inequality is analysed on a panel of 148 countries for a 50 year span, from 1963-2012. A non linear relationship is found that links innovation to inequality, and which appears to be rather different whether variables representing either input or output of innovative effort are considered. In both cases in fact there appears to be a threshold that once is overcame reverses the relationship. In particular, in the case of innovative inputs a positive relationship with inequality reverses once the threshold is crossed, while the opposite holds for innovative outputs, for which the relationship is initially negative to become positive as, for instance, the number of patents increases over a certain threshold. It is nally possible to exploit these di erent patterns, to provide a truly innovation-based analysis of the patterns of skill premium for US, France, Germany and Great Britain. In all these case, the ratio of R&D to Patents shows a robust negative relationship with the skill premium. In particular, when the ratio of R&D to Patents is low (implying a relatively high overall level of appropriability) increasing patterns of the skill premium result. The opposite happens when the ratio is high (implying a relatively low appropriability level), determining a decrease in the skill premium.
Borrelia crocidurae in Ornithodoros Ticks from Northwestern Morocco: A Range Extension in Relation to Climatic Change?

ABSTRACT: Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is caused by Borrelia spirochetes transmitted to humans by Argasid soft ticks of the genus Ornithodoros. We investigated the presence of Ornithodoros ticks in rodent burrows in nine sites of the Gharb region of northwestern Morocco where we recently documented a high incidence of TBRF in humans. We assessed the Borrelia infection rate by nested PCR and sequencing. All sites investigated were colonized by ticks of the Ornithodoros marocanus complex and a high proportion of burrows (38.4%) were found to be infested. Borrelia infections were observed in 6.8% of the ticks tested. Two Borrelia species were identified by sequencing: B. hispanica and B. crocidurae. The discovery in northwestern Morocco of Ornithodoros ticks infected by B. crocidurae represents a 350 km range extension of this Sahelo-Saharan spirochete in North Africa. The spread of B. crocidurae may be related to the increasing aridity of northwestern Morocco in relation to climate change.
Point cloud acquisition using target image-aided attitude determination method

Attitude measurement error is one of the main factors that deteriorate the imaging accuracy of laser scanning. In view of the fact that the inertial navigation system (INS) with high accuracy is very costly, a low-cost but effective attitude determination method based on target images was proposed to measure the platform attitude for laser scanning in this paper. Based on the relationship between the attitude angles of the platform and the relative movement of two adjacent images, the attitude angles can be derived by the proposed method, which can be used for obtaining the three dimensional point cloud of the target. To validate the effectiveness of the method, the indoor and outdoor experiments were carried out. The experiment results showed that the attitude accuracy of the platform using the proposed method was better than 0. 04º (RMSE), and can be used for obtaining the 3D point cloud of the target, which was consistent with that using the INS.