Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Making sense of smart cities: addressing present shortcomings

This commentary characterises and critiques research on smart cities. I argue that much of the writing and rhetoric about smart cities seeks to appear non-ideological, commonsensical and pragmatic. More critically orientated scholarship, while making vital conceptual and political interventions, presently has four shortcomings that inhibit making sense of and refashioning the smart city agenda: the lack of detailed genealogies of the concept and initiatives, the use of canonical examples and one-size fits all narratives, an absence of in-depth empirical case studies of specific smart city initiatives and comparative research that contrasts smart city developments in different locales and weak collaborative engagement with various stakeholders. These shortcomings are elaborated, accompanied with suggestions for addressing them.
Role of Mas receptor in renal blood flow response to angiotensin-(1-7) in ovariectomized estradiol treated rats

The angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7), is abundantly produced in kidneys and antagonizes the function of angiotensin II through Mas receptor (MasR) or other unknown mechanisms. In the current study, the role of MasR and steroid hormone estrogen on renal blood flow response to Ang 1-7 administration was investigated in ovariectomized (OV) female rats. OV female Wistar-rats received estradiol (500 μg/kg/week) or vehicle for two weeks. In the day of the experiment, the animals were anesthetized, cannulated, and the responses including mean arterial pressure, renal blood flow (RBF), and renal vascular resistance at the constant level of renal perfusion pressure to graded infusion of Ang 1-7 at 0, 100 and 300 ng/kg/min were determined in OV and OV estradiol-treated (OVE) rats, treated with vehicle or MasR antagonist; A779. RBF response to Ang 1-7 infusion increased dose-dependently in vehicle (Pdose<0.001) and A779-treated (Pdose<0.01) animals. However, when MasR was blocked, the RBF response to Ang 1-7 significantly increased in OV animals compared with OVE rats (P<0.05). When estradiol was limited by ovariectomy, A779 increased RBF response to Ang 1-7 administration, while this response was attenuated in OVE animals.
The genetic aetiology of Silver–Russell syndrome

Silver–Russell syndrome (SRS MIM180860) is a disorder characterised by intrauterine and/or postnatal growth restriction and typical facies. However, the clinical picture is extremely diverse due to numerous diagnostic features reflecting a heterogeneous genetic disorder. The mode of inheritance is variable with sporadic cases also being described. Maternal uniparental disomy (mUPD) of chromosome 7 accounts for 10% of SRS cases and many candidate imprinted genes on 7 have been investigated. Chromosome 11 has moved to the forefront as the key chromosome in the aetiology, with reports of methylation defects in the H19 imprinted domain associated with the phenotype in 35–65% of SRS patients. Methylation aberrations have been described in a number of other imprinted growth related disorders such as Beckwith–Wiedmann syndrome. This review discusses these recent developments as well as the previous work on chromosome 7. Other candidate genes/chromosomal regions previously investigated are tabled.
Vascular Catheters Impregnated With Antimicrobial Agents Present Knowledge and Future Direction

In 1988, Maki and colleagues predicted the beginning of a new era in the prevention of vascular catheter-related infection. In a concluding statement in their study on an attachable silver-impregnated cuff, Maki et al made the following statement, "Binding of a nontoxic antiseptic or antimicrobial to the entire catheter surface, or incorporation of such substance into the catheter material itself, may ultimately prove to be the most effective technologic innovation for reducing the risk of device-related infections. "1 Studies completed in the late 1980s and early 1990s showed that vascular catheters impregnated with antimicrobials did decrease the risk of catheter colonization and, ultimately, infection.2-12 Sherertz demonstrated the efficacy of catheters coated with various antimicrobial agents such as dicloxacillin, clindamycin, fusidic acid, and chlorhexidine in vitro and in an animal mode1.0 Using tridodecylmethyl-ammonium chloride as a bonding cationic surfactant, Kamal et al coated catheters with cefazolin and demonstrated in a prospective trial an almost sevenfold reduction in the incidence of catheter colonization.8 However, there were no cases of catheter-related bacteremia in either the control or the antibiotic-coated-catheter study arm. The choice of the antimicrobial used (cefazolin) in the coating of catheters raised several questions from an infection control perspective. With the mergence of nosocomial organisms resistant to various antimicrobial agents used in the treatment of bl odstream infections, such as [3-lactams, glycopeptides, aminoglycosides, quinolones, and azoles, it is prudent to refrain from using such antimicrobial agents as prophylactic agents in the prevention of catheter-related infections. As an alternative to therapeutic antibiotics used in the coating of catheters, Maki and colleagues used antiseptic agents such as chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine.7 In a prospective randomized clinical trial that appeared in abstract form, Maki et al howed that catheters coated with chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine decreased the risk of catheterrelated bloodstream infection by more than fourfold. However, the protective efficacy of these catheters coated with chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine could not be demonstrated in two recently reported smaller studies.13,14 We recently have coated central venous catheters (CVCs) with a combination of minocycline and rifampin. These catheters were shown to have
A framework for characterizing disaster-based network survivability

This paper formulates a general framework that includes and extends the existing definitions for network survivability. Based on this framework, network survivability is characterized by a survivability function rather than a single-value survivability measure, and various quantities of interest can be derived from the function. Examples are the expected survivability, the worst-case survivability, the r-percentile survivability, and the probability of zero survivability. The survivability function is especially useful for the study of large-scale disasters. For illustration, the authors derive the survivability function in closed form for a simple ring network under link failures. They also discuss the general procedure for finding survivability functions for complex networks, and show that the survivability function reveals useful information about a network. This framework provides a unified and practical approach to analyzing and designing highly survivable communications networks. >
Reduced plasma FFA availability increases net triacylglycerol degradation, but not GPAT or HSL activity, in human skeletal muscle.

Intramuscular triacylglycerols (IMTG) are proposed to be an important metabolic substrate for contracting muscle, although this remains controversial. To test the hypothesis that reduced plasma free fatty acid (FFA) availability would increase IMTG degradation during exercise, seven active men cycled for 180 min at 60% peak pulmonary O(2) uptake either without (CON) or with (NA) prior ingestion of nicotinic acid to suppress adipose tissue lipolysis. Skeletal muscle and adipose tissue biopsy samples were obtained before and at 90 and 180 min of exercise. NA ingestion decreased (P < 0.05) plasma FFA at rest and completely suppressed the exercise-induced increase in plasma FFA (180 min: CON, 1.42 +/- 0.07; NA, 0.10 +/- 0.01 mM). The decreased plasma FFA during NA was associated with decreased (P < 0.05) adipose tissue hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) activity (CON: 13.9 +/- 2.5, NA: 9.1 +/- 3.0 nmol.min(-1). mg protein(-1)). NA ingestion resulted in decreased whole body fat oxidation and increased carbohydrate oxidation. Despite the decreased whole body fat oxidation, net IMTG degradation was greater in NA compared with CON (net change: CON, 2.3 +/- 0.8; NA, 6.3 +/- 1.2 mmol/kg dry mass). The increased IMTG degradation did not appear to be due to reduced fatty acid esterification, because glycerol 3-phosphate activity was not different between trials and was unaffected by exercise (rest: 0.21 +/- 0.07; 180 min: 0.17 +/- 0.04 nmol.min(-1). mg protein(-1)). HSL activity was not increased from resting rates during exercise in either trial despite elevated plasma epinephrine, decreased plasma insulin, and increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)alpha1 activity was not affected by exercise or NA, whereas AMPKalpha2 activity was increased (P < 0.05) from rest during exercise in NA and was greater (P < 0.05) than in CON at 180 min. These data suggest that plasma FFA availability is an important mediator of net IMTG degradation, and in the absence of plasma FFA, IMTG degradation cannot maintain total fat oxidation. These changes in IMTG degradation appear to disassociate, however, from the activity of the key enzymes responsible for synthesis and degradation of this substrate.
[Scientific Literature on the Reliability and Validity of the Manchester Triage System (MTS) Protocol: A Integrative Literature Review].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the scientific production about the validity and reliability of the Manchester Triage System (MTS) protocol. METHOD A descriptive study of an integrative literature review. Articles on the validity and reliability of the MTS developed with children and adults published between 1999 and 2013 were included. RESULTS 14 articles were selected from a total of 8438, nine of validity and five of reliability. The reliability of the MTS ranged from moderate to almost perfect, with higher intra-evaluation. Regarding validity, the results seem to point to equivalent and satisfactory sensibility and specificity levels of the MTS. The instrument proved to be a good predictor of the need for hospitalization and of hospital mortality. CONCLUSION The reliability and validity of the MTS obtained in the studies is varied. It is recommended that new studies indicate necessary modifications to the MTS so that it is more safely used by nurses.
Variation in Deep Brain Stimulation Electrode Impedance over Years Following Electrode Implantation

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode impedance is a major determinant of current delivery to target tissues, but long-term variation in impedance has received little attention. Objectives: To assess the relationship between electrode impedance and time in a large DBS patient population and characterize the relationship between contact activity and impedance. Methods: We collected retrospective impedance and programming data from 128 electrodes in 84 patients with Parkinson's disease, essential tremor or dystonia. Effects of time, contact activity, stimulation voltage and other parameters on impedance were assessed. We also examined impedance changes following contact activation and deactivation. Results: Impedance decreased by 73 Ω/year (p < 0.001), with 72% of contacts following a downward trend. Impedance was on average 163 Ω lower in active contacts (p < 0.001). Contact activation and inactivation were associated with a more (p < 0.001) and less (p = 0.016) rapid decline in impedance, respectively. Higher stimulation voltages were associated with lower impedance values (p < 0.001). Contact number and electrode model were also significant predictors of impedance. Conclusions: Impedance decreases gradually in a stimulation-dependent manner. These trends have implications for long-term programming, the development of a closed-loop DBS device and current understanding of the electrode-tissue interface.
RNA interference reveals a differential role of FAK and Pyk2 in cell migration, leading edge formation and increase in focal adhesions induced by LPA in intestinal epithelial cells

In the gastrointestinal mucosa, cell migration plays a crucial role in the organization and maintenance of tissue integrity but the mechanisms involved remain incompletely understood. Here, we used small‐interfering RNA (siRNA)‐mediated depletion of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) protein to determine the role of FAK in wound‐induced migration and cytoskeletal organization in the non‐transformed intestinal epithelial cells IEC‐6 and IEC‐18 stimulated with the G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCR) agonist lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). Treatment of these cells with FAK siRNA substantially reduced FAK expression, but did not affect the expression of proline‐rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2). Knockdown of FAK protein significantly inhibited LPA‐induced migration of both IEC‐18 and IEC‐6 cells. LPA induced reorganization of actin and microtubule cytoskeleton in the leading edge was largely inhibited in FAK siRNA‐transfected IEC‐18 cells. Interestingly, in contrast to the FAK−/− cells, which exhibit an increased number of prominent focal adhesions when plated on fibronectin, FAK knockdown IEC‐18 cells exhibited dramatically decreased number of focal adhesions in response to both LPA and fibronectin as compared with the control cells. We also used siRNAs to knockdown Pyk2 expression without reducing FAK expression. Depletion of Pyk2 did not prevent LPA‐induced migration or cytoskeletal reorganization in IEC‐18 cells. In conclusion, our study shows that FAK plays a critical role in LPA‐induced migration, cytoskeletal reorganization, and assembly of focal adhesions in intestinal epithelial cells whereas depletion of Pyk2 did not interfere with any of these responses elicited by LPA. J. Cell. Physiol. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of Gaussian noise and its level using deep convolutional neural network

This study presents a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model to effectively recognize the presence of Gaussian noise and its level in images. The existing denoising approaches are mostly based on an assumption that the images to be processed are corrupted with noises. This work, on the other hand, aims to intelligently evaluate if an image is corrupted, and to which level it is degraded, before applying denoising algorithms. We used 12000 and 3000 standard test images for training and testing purposes, respectively. Different noise levels are introduced to these images. The overall accuracy of 74.7% in classifying 10 classes of noise levels are obtained. Our experiments and results have proven that this model is capable of performing Gaussian noise detection and its noise level classification.
Cutaneous responses to endothelin-1 and histamine in patients with vibration white finger.

Vibration white finger (VWF) is the episodic blanching of the fingers that occurs in response to cold in those who work with hand-held vibrating tools. Clinically the condition differs from primary Raynaud's phenomenon as persistent pain and paresthesia are common in the hands and arms and occur independently of the "white attacks. " We have previously reported a decrease in protein gene product 9.5 and calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the digital skin of individuals with VWF. In this study, we have sought to determine whether this deficit of immunoreactive sensory-motor nerves has a functional counterpart in vivo. Histamine produces a rapid wheal and flare response following intradermal injection, whereas endothelin-1 (ET-1) produces a central area of pallor with a surrounding neurogenic flare. In contrast, calcitonin gene-related peptide produces a non-neurogenic erythema. In this study, histamine and ET-1 were injected into the dorsum of the middle phalanx and the local neurovascular response was assessed by measuring the area of the visible flare or pallor. Basal finger blood flow was also measured by laser Doppler flowmetry in each of the digits prior to intradermal injection. The experiments were performed at 21 degrees C and 4 degrees C. Patients with VWF and asymptomatic vibration-exposed workers had significantly lower resting skin blood flow at both 21 degrees C and 4 degrees C than heavy manual workers with no vibration exposure. The size of the histamine- and ET-1-induced flares at both 21 degrees C and 4 degrees C was significantly smaller in patients with VWF when compared with the asymptomatic vibration-exposed workers and heavy manual workers. The size of the ET-1-induced pallor was smaller in patients with VWF when compared with the heavy manual workers at both 21 degrees C and 4 degrees C. In contrast, the area of erythema induced by intradermal injection of calcitonin gene-related peptide at both 21 degrees C and 4 degrees C was of a similar size in patients with VWF and in heavy manual workers. These results indicate that the neuroneal deficit identified by immunohistochemistry in the digital skin of patients with VWF has a functional counterpart in vivo and is evident as a reduced ability to propagate an axon-reflex vasodilator response when challenged with histamine and ET-1. Furthermore, these results enable patients with VWF to be differentiated from both asymptomatic vibration-exposed workers, in whom the histamine- and ET-1-induced flares are normal, and those with primary Raynaud's disease, in whom the ET-1 flare is reduced and the histamine-induced flare is normal.
Clonidina para el Tratamiento del Dolor Oncológico: una Revisión Sistemática de la Literatura

El dolor oncologico representa una de las principales causas de dolor cronico, siendo los opioides la primera linea de manejo, sin embargo 10% de los pacientes requieren estrategias analgesicas multimodales. La eficacia analgesica de la clonidina como coadyuvante ha sido demostrada para diversos modelos de dolor. Sin embargo no hay revisiones sistematicas que validen su eficacia y seguridad en dolor cronico oncologico. Se realizo una revision sistematica de la literatura a noviembre 26 de 2012, encontrando 15 trabajos (12 reportes de caso y tres ensayos clinicos controlados), n=138 pacientes. La intervencion tuvo una eficacia entre 44,7 y 100%, mostrando mayor beneficio en pacientes con componente de dolor neuropatico. La adicion de clonidina fue bien tolerada, siendo la sedacion y la disminucion en tension arterial y frecuencia cardiaca los efectos secundarios mas frecuentes, con relacion dosis dependiente, de resolucion espontanea y en ninguno de los casos se documento lesion secundaria en los pacientes. La via de administracion mas frecuente fue neuroaxial (intratecal y peridural). La revision sistematica no fue susceptible de metaanalisis por la heterogeneidad clinica de los estudios. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que la adicion de clonidina puede ser una opcion terapeutica eficaz y segura en los pacientes con dolor cronico oncologico severo refractario a opioides a altas dosis asociado o no a infusion neuroaxial de anestesico local, en especial en presencia de componente neuropatico. Sin embargo se identifico la necesidad de un mayor numero de ensayos clinicos controlados aleatorios que permitan establecer conclusiones definitivas.
The nucleus: A target site for parathyroid hormone‐related peptide (PTHrP) action

It is becoming increasingly apparent that parathyroid hormone‐related peptide (PTHrP) modulates cellular function in a dual mode of action: first, by binding and activating its cognate cell surface G‐protein‐coupled receptor and, second, by direct intracellular effects following translocation to the nucleus and/or nucleolus of the target cell. Little is presently known about the mechanisms and events that determine the timing and degree of PTHrP nuclear translocation or the role it may serve in normal or dysregulated cellular function. Clarifying the nuclear actions of PTHrP would add significantly to our present understanding of this protein as a signaling molecule during embryonic development and as an oncoprotein whose expression in many tumors correlates with increased tumor aggressiveness and propensity for metastasis. J. Cell. Biochem. 70:193–199, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Misuse of inorganic N and soluble reactive P concentrations to indicate nutrient status of surface waters

Dissolved inorganic N (DIN) and soluble reactive P (SRP) have been used by some to indicate the trophic status of waters, and concentration ratios (DIN:SRP) to indicate nutrient deficiency. The utility of such measurements should be questioned, particularly based on well-known problems associated with determination of the concentration of SRP, which is commonly assumed to represent PO43−. Another potential problem with using inorganic nutrient pools to represent trophic state and nutrient availability ratios arises because concentration values are in units of mass per unit volume, and cannot be used with certainty to estimate supply (i.e., turnover rate of the nutrient pool, expressed either in mass per unit volume per unit time or simply as per unit time) to organisms without information on uptake and remineralization. Two data sets with lotic water-column nutrient values were explored, a large, continental-scale data set with analyses and collections done by many laboratories, and a more limited data set collected and analyzed by the same laboratory. In concert, the data sets indicated that at high total N (TN) (i.e., >5 mg/L) and total P (TP) (i.e., >2 mg/L) concentrations, >60% of the nutrient is usually made up of dissolved inorganic forms, but at low levels the ratio of dissolved inorganic to total nutrients is highly variable. Last, DIN:SRP is a weak surrogate for TN:TP and thus should be used with caution to indicate nutrient limitation.
Vasopressin compared with norepinephrine augments the decline of plasma cytokine levels in septic shock.

RATIONALE Changes in plasma cytokine levels may predict mortality, and therapies (vasopressin versus norepinephrine) could change plasma cytokine levels in early septic shock. OBJECTIVES Our hypotheses were that changes in plasma cytokine levels over 24 hours differ between survivors and nonsurvivors, and that there are different effects of vasopressin and norepinephrine on plasma cytokine levels in septic shock. METHODS We studied 394 patients in a randomized, controlled trial of vasopressin versus norepinephrine in septic shock. We used hierarchical clustering and principal components analysis of the baseline cytokine concentrations to subgroup cytokines; we then compared survivors to nonsurvivors (28 d) and compared vasopressin- versus norepinephrine-induced changes in cytokine levels over 24 hours. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A total of 39 plasma cytokines were measured at baseline and at 24 hours. Hierarchical clustering and principal components analysis grouped cytokines similarly. Survivors (versus nonsurvivors) had greater decreases of overall cytokine levels (P < 0.001). Vasopressin decreased overall 24-hour cytokine concentration compared with norepinephrine (P = 0.037). In less severe septic shock, the difference in plasma cytokine reduction over 24 hours between survivors and nonsurvivors was less pronounced than that seen in more severe septic shock. Furthermore, vasopressin decreased interferon-inducible protein 10 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor more than did norepinephrine in less severe septic shock, whereas vasopressin decreased granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients who had more severe shock. CONCLUSIONS Survivors of septic shock had greater decreases of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in early septic shock. Vasopressin decreased 24-hour plasma cytokine levels more than did norepinephrine. The vasopressin-associated decrease of cytokines differed according to severity of shock. Clinical trial registered with www.controlled-trials.com (ISRCTN94845869).