Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Speed-dependent interplay between local pattern-generating activity and sensory signals during walking in Drosophila

ABSTRACT In insects, the coordinated motor output required for walking is based on the interaction between local pattern-generating networks providing basic rhythmicity and leg sensory signals, which modulate this output on a cycle-to-cycle basis. How this interplay changes speed-dependently and thereby gives rise to the different coordination patterns observed at different speeds is not sufficiently understood. Here, we used amputation to reduce sensory signals in single legs and decouple them mechanically during walking in Drosophila. This allowed for the dissociation between locally generated motor output in the stump and coordinating influences from intact legs. Leg stumps were still rhythmically active during walking. Although the oscillatory frequency in intact legs was dependent on walking speed, stumps showed a high and relatively constant oscillation frequency at all walking speeds. At low walking speeds we found no strict cycle-to-cycle coupling between stumps and intact legs. In contrast, at high walking speeds stump oscillations were strongly coupled to the movement of intact legs on a one-to-one basis. Although during slow walking there was no preferred phase between stumps and intact legs, we nevertheless found a preferred time interval between touch-down or lift-off events in intact legs and levation or depression of stumps. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that, as in other insects, walking speed in Drosophila is predominantly controlled by indirect mechanisms and that direct modulation of basic pattern-generating circuits plays a subsidiary role. Furthermore, inter-leg coordination strength seems to be speed-dependent and greater coordination is evident at higher walking speeds. Summary: Leg amputation in fruit flies reveals that during walking inter-leg coordination strength increases with walking speed, thereby facilitating strict coordination during fast locomotion.
Simple route for nano-hydroxyapatite properties expansion

Simple surface modification of nano-hydroxyapatite, through acid-basic reactions, allows expanding the properties of this material. Introduction of organic groups such as hydrophobic alkyl chains, carboxylic acid, and amide or amine basic groups on the hydroxyapatite surface systematically change the polarity, surface area, and reactivity of hydroxyapatite without modifying its phase. Physical and chemical properties of the new derivative particles were analyzed. The biocompatibility of modified Nano-Hap on Raw 264.7 cells was also assessed.
The interleukin-1 and Fcgamma receptor gene polymorphisms in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis.

BACKGROUND The pathobiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is similar to that of periodontitis in that proinflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulin G Fc receptor (FcgammaR) play an important role. Functional polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-1 and FcgammaR were shown to be associated with susceptibility to both diseases. Therefore, we evaluated whether the IL-1 and FcgammaR gene polymorphisms represent a common risk factor for RA and periodontitis. METHODS The study population consisted of Japanese adults with RA (RA group; N = 100), periodontitis only (P group; N = 100), and healthy individuals with no systemic or oral disease (H group; N = 100). Clinical periodontal condition was defined by measurements of probing depth, clinical attachment level, and bleeding on probing. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and analyzed for determination of IL-1 genotypes (IL-1A+4845, IL-1B+3954, and IL-1RN+2028) and FcgammaR genotypes (FcgammaRIIA, FcgammaRIIIA, and FcgammaRIIIB) by allele-specific polymerase chain reactions. RESULTS Among 100 patients with RA, 86% showed periodontal tissue destruction. However, the RA group exhibited milder levels of periodontal tissue destruction than the P group (P <0.01). There was a significant difference in the distribution of IL-1B+3954 C/T genotypes between the RA and P groups and between the RA and H groups (P = 0.03 for both comparisons), with enrichment of the T allele in the RA group (P = 0.04; odds ratio, 2.9 for both comparisons). The combination of IL-1A+4845 T and IL-1+3954 T alleles yielded a strong association with RA and periodontitis (RA versus P group: P = 0.00001; RA versus H group: P = 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS These results failed to show that IL-1 and FcgammaR gene polymorphisms constitute a common risk factor for RA and periodontitis. However, it was suggested that the distributions of IL-1B+3954 genotypes and IL-1A+4845 and IL-1B+3954 haplotypes were unique to the patients with RA and periodontitis.
Competencia en precios y desregulación de contacto multimercado

This paper presents a model of duopoly competition in a segmented industry which is consistent with the observed behavior of some deregulated industries. The demand for a homogenous good is segmentd into two completely separated markets where the firms are initially local monopolists. Whith infinitely repeated price competition there is an equilibrium such that the firms can sustain collusive prices although they extend operation across all the segments. I study the robustness of this result under subgame perfect cartel punishments and coalition-proof punishments.
An Open Source Tool for Game Theoretic Health Data De-Identification

Biomedical data continues to grow in quantity and quality, creating new opportunities for research and data-driven applications. To realize these activities at scale, data must be shared beyond its initial point of collection. To maintain privacy, healthcare organizations often de-identify data, but they assume worst-case adversaries, inducing high levels of data corruption. Recently, game theory has been proposed to account for the incentives of data publishers and recipients (who attempt to re-identify patients), but this perspective has been more hypothetical than practical. In this paper, we report on a new game theoretic data publication strategy and its integration into the open source software ARX. We evaluate our implementation with an analysis on the relationship between data transformation, utility, and efficiency for over 30,000 demographic records drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau. The results indicate that our implementation is scalable and can be combined with various data privacy risk and quality measures.
Evaluation of infants fed soybean and evaporated milk formulae from birth to three months. A comparison of weight, length, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and plasma biochemical values.

The use of soybean preparations in human nutrition has received much attention in the past 50 years. In 1909, Ruhrah1suggested the use of a soybean gruel or milk as a valuable addition to the diet of the sick infant. More recently, however, this legume has had its principal use as a food for allergic infants.2-9The successful growth and reproduction of animals fed a soybean base formula was reported separately by Daniels and Nichols10and by Osborne and Mendel11in 1917. Howard and co-workers12have reported the support of reproduction and lactation in several generations of animals fed a soybean infant food (Mull-Soy, Powdered). In 1929, Tso13fed newborn infants a soybean mixture until they were between 6 and 9 months of age. One was started at birth and five at a few weeks of age. The weight curves on these infants followed
Timing of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Placement After Cervical Esophageal Reconstruction With Free Jejunal Transfer

Abstract:The timing of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement in patients who undergo cervical esophageal reconstruction using free jejunal transfer is controversial. The purpose of this study was to review the authors’ experience with pharyngeal reconstruction using free jejunal transfer to establish useful guidelines for enteral tube placement. A retrospective analysis of all patients treated with free jejunal autografts for reconstruction of cervical esophageal defects during a 12-year period was performed. A total of 105 patients underwent 108 esophageal reconstructions using these techniques. Sixty-three patients (60%) did not have enteral tube placement at any time, whereas 42 patients had gastrostomy or PEG tubes placed preoperatively (n = 12), intraoperatively (n = 8), or postoperatively. The majority of patients were able to resume per-oral feeds and avoid long-term tube feeds (86.7%). Most patients who underwent preoperative or intraoperative enteral tube feed placement had them removed postoperatively (82%). Only patients who required postoperative placement of feeding tubes required prolonged feeding tube support. In conclusion, most patients who undergo esophageal reconstruction using free jejunal transfer recover the ability to swallow and maintain adequate nutrition without supplemental enteral tube feeds. Preoperative gastrostomy tube placement is not necessary in most patients unless severe preoperative nutritional compromise is present.
Encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of the viscera: a clinicopathologic analysis of 40 cases.

Forty cases of encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of the viscera in Thai children confirmed at autopsy or by biopsy were characterized by the abrupt onset of coma or convulsions, fever, respiratory distress, vomiting, and death within 72 hr. Abnormal laboratory findings included: elevated serum transaminases and free fatty acids; prolonged prothrombin times; decreased carbon dioxide content, cholesterol, and triglyceride values. Spinal fluid was clear with low glucose. Autopsies revealed cerebral edema and neuronal degeneration; fatty degeneration of the liver, kidneys, and heart; and generalized lymphocytosis. Fatty metamorphosis of hepatocytes was generalized but was most pronounced in portal areas (the increased lipids were identified as triglycerides, diglycerides, and fatty acids); renal involvement was most severe in the proximal tubules; cardiac changes were worse in atrial and conduction system fibers. It is postulated that the syndrome results from acute toxic hepatitis occurring in patients with subclinical hepatic disease. Circumstantial evidence suggests that anatoxin B1 may be an etiologic agent in the disease in Thailand.
Conference paper on holistic device-level energy and power management

In this paper we consider the dimensions of mobile Energy and Power Management (EPM), outline an EPM design, and elaborate holistic EPM opportunities for battery-operated mobile devices. We argue that a holistic EPM design can offer significant increases for battery lifetime. Our argumentation is based on a number of cases that illustrate how energy consumption can be reduced by opportunistically utilizing available resources, either in the distributed system or in the local operating context. The proposed holistic EPM design is based on multi-dimensional optimization over three different EPM dimensions (vertical, horizontal, and temporal) and their respective EPM mechanisms. We illustrate the holistic EPM concept and the collaboration of different EPM dimensions via a content downloading example.
Beneath the Paint: A Visual Journey through Conceptual Metaphor Violation

Metaphors are an undeniable part of many forms of art and they hint at the underlying conceptualisation that takes place in the silent conversation between an art piece and its perceiver. Abstract art, in particular, requires the viewer not only to analyse the colour palette and the shapes of the strokes but to subconsciously react to the underlying structures that often define the metaphors. After introducing a few cognitive theories involved in perception and knowledge transfer the paper introduces the reader to the painting “Beneath the Paint”. It is an abstract acrylic painting that plays on the two conceptual metaphor structures ‘UP is GOOD’ and ‘DARK is BAD’ and by presenting them in contradiction force the viewer to subconsciously choose its primary conceptualisation.
Perspectives on symptom control in patients receiving community palliative care

To remain at home, terminally ill cancer patients need good symptom control and support from informal carers. Few studies have explored the influence of informal carers on symptom control and vice versa. This qualitative case study was carried out in a specialist palliative care service (SPCS) to explore the reasons why patients were admitted for inpatient care. Ten patients were systematically selected and the main carer and health professionals involved in their care were invited to participate. Semi-structured, audiotape recorded interviews were conducted and a thematic analysis performed on the transcripts, using the ’Frameworkflapproach. The results highlight the vital role that carers play in the assessment and management of symptoms in the community. However, carers reported difficulties in knowing what to monitor, how to interpret symptoms accurately and when to inform a professional. It was also reported that medication was not taken as it was prescribed and a number of reasons were given.
History of parathyroid gland surgery: an historical case series

Abstract The history of the parathyroid glands is a fascinating one full of famous medical names. The discovery of the glands was followed by laborious research into their anatomy, embryology and pathology and into the physiology of calcium metabolism; this led to the manufacture of hormone substitutes and, finally, to the refinement of surgical techniques. The glands were first identified in 1850 by Sir Richard Owen, conservator of the Hunterian Museum, but it was not until 1880 that the term ‘glandulae parathyroideae’ was first used. The physiology of parathyroid hormone and calcium metabolism eluded physicians and the forefathers of thyroid surgery alike for several decades more. Patients were treated as curiosities and were documented as untreatable medical patients or as inexplicable thyroid surgery complications. Halsted noticed the ‘disastrous results from the loss of the glands’ and the resulting tetany, as did Billroth. It is the patients, however, who best illustrate the journey of discovery. In this review, we discuss three cases, highlighting their contributions.
Do repeated changes of abutments have any influence on the stability of peri-implant tissues? Four-month post-loading preliminary results from a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

PURPOSE To evaluate the influence of at least three abutment changes against the placement of a definitive abutment, which was no longer removed, on hard and soft tissue changes, and to compare the clinical outcomes of immediate non-occlusal loading versus conventional loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty patients requiring one single crown or one fixed partial prosthesis supported by a maximum of three implants were randomised, after implants were placed with more than 35 Ncm, according to a parallel group design to receive definitive abutments which were loaded immediately (definitive abutment or immediate loading group) or transmucosal abutments which experienced delayed loading after 3 months and were removed at least three times: 1) during the making of the impression (3 months after implant placement); 2) when checking the zirconium core of titanium abutments at single crowns or the fitting of the metal structure at prostheses supported by multiple implants; 3) at delivery of the definitive prostheses (repeated disconnection or conventional loading group). Patients were treated in four centres and each patient contributed to the study with only one prosthesis followed for 4 months after initial loading. Outcome measures were: prosthesis/implant failures, any complication, peri-implant marginal bone level changes, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS Forty patients were randomly allocated to each group according to a parallel group design. No patient dropped-out and no implants failed. However four provisional prostheses and one definitive prosthesis had to be remade because of misfitting (five single crowns) in the repeated disconnection group; and one provisional prosthesis had to be remade because of frequent debondings in the immediate loading group (difference=10%; 95% CI: -1%, 21%; P=0.109). Five complications (all debondings of the provisional prostheses) were reported in two patients of the immediate loading group, in comparison to three biological complications in three patients of the repeated disconnection group (difference=2%; 95% CI: -8%, 13%; P=1). All patients were very satisfied or satisfied with the function and aesthetics of the prostheses, and would undergo the same procedure again. Mean peri-implant marginal bone loss 4 months after loading was -0.08 (0.16) mm for the definitive abutment group and -0.09 (0.20) mm for the repeated abutment changes group (difference=0.01; 95% CI: -0.07, 0.09; P=0.97). There were no statistically significant differences for any of the outcome measures between the two procedures up to 4 months after initial loading. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary short-term data (4-month post-loading) showed that repeated abutment changes do not alter bone levels significantly. Immediate non-occlusal loading of dental implants are a viable alternative to conventional loading. Therefore clinicians can use the procedure they find more convenient for their specific patient.
Monitoring of airplanes in infrared image

This paper proposes a novel method of monitoring airplanes in infrared image. First classification of airplanes is implemented. Recognition of aircraft conditions can be realized. Changes of airplanes including types, quantity and states can be obtained compared with the used data. Based on the result, a set of warning conditions are generated. It can be concluded that such an approach is effective for monitoring airfield dynamics.
Limited upper thoracic epidural block and splanchnic perfusion in dogs.

UNLABELLED Epidural blockade leads to a sympathetic block in affected segments and an increase of sympathetic out-flow from various unblocked segments. A limited upper thoracic epidural block (LUTEB) is used during coronary artery surgery affecting the cardiac sympathetic fibers cephalad to the fifth thoracic segment. This block does not extend to the sympathetic fibers innervating the gastrointestinal organs. A LUTEB may lead to an increase of sympathetic activity in the unaffected splanchnic sympathetic segments and the decrease in splanchnic blood flow may contribute to gastrointestinal ischemia after cardiac surgery. We tested the hypothesis that a LUTEB decreases splanchnic perfusion in anesthetized dogs. Thirteen dogs were chronically instrumented with aortic and left atrial catheters, which were used for pressure measurement, as well as injection and withdrawal of reference samples. Thoracic epidural catheters were placed under general anesthesia the day before the experiment. Splanchnic blood flow was determined by using colored microspheres. Induction of a LUTEB did not change general hemodynamics in awake dogs. Propofol anesthesia induced an increase in heart rate that was abolished after LUTEB. LUTEB also decreased mean arterial pressure during propofol anesthesia. We conclude that thoracic epidural anesthesia had no effect on splanchnic blood flow. In propofol anesthetized animals, liver blood flow was increased compared with awake animals; however, it did not change after induction of LUTEB. IMPLICATIONS A sympathetic block in certain segments leads to increased sympathetic output in unblocked segments. For an upper thoracic epidural block, this might lead to impaired splanchnic perfusion. In awake and propofol-anesthetized, chronically instrumented dogs, however, a limited upper thoracic epidural blockade had no compromising effect on gastrointestinal perfusion.
Chill out: physiological responses to winter ice-angling in two temperate freshwater fishes

We quantified physiological disturbance and reflex impairment in ice-angled bluegill and yellow perch. Rises in plasma cortisol and lactate following capture were lower than those found in prior studies done in summer. Recovery of plasma metrics did not occur within 4 h of capture, however, reflex responsiveness levels did recover.
Novel Group V Phospholipase A2 Involved in Arachidonic Acid Mobilization in Murine P388D1 Macrophages*

Four related genes encode four different secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) enzymes in mammals, namely the well described Group I and IIA enzymes and the more recently described Groups IIC and V. A large body of research has putatively demonstrated that the Group IIA sPLA2 is involved in diverse pathologic processes, such as rheumatoid arthritis, septic shock, intestinal neoplasia, and epidermal hyperplasia, as well as in cellular signaling by regulating the formation of arachidonate-derived lipid messengers. However, we demonstrate herein the involvement of another sPLA2, i.e. the Group V sPLA2, in arachidonic acid release and prostaglandin production in the mouse macrophage-like cell line P388D1. Abundant message for Group V sPLA2 was detected in both resting and activated cells. In contrast, Group IIA sPLA2 message was undetectable as analyzed by Northern blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, blockage of Group V sPLA2 gene expression by antisense RNA oligonucleotides resulted in inhibition of prostaglandin E2 production as well as reduction of the amount of sPLA2 protein at the cellular surface. Collectively, these results uncover Group V sPLA2 as a novel effector involved in arachidonic acid-mediated signal transduction.
Elevated levels of a specific class of nuclear phosphoproteins in cells transformed with v‐ras and v‐mos oncogenes and by cotransfection with c‐myc and polyoma middle T genes.

Transformation of a rat thyroid epithelial cell line (FRTL5‐C12) with Kirsten and Harvey murine sarcoma viruses (carrying the ras oncogenes) results in elevated levels of three perchloric acid‐soluble nuclear phosphoproteins. These three proteins are also induced to high levels in the PC‐C13 thyroid epithelial cell line when transformed by the myeloproliferative sarcoma virus (carrying the v‐mos oncogene) and when transformed by transfection with the c‐myc proto‐oncogene followed by infection with the polyoma leukaemia virus (PyMuLV) carry the polyoma middle T antigen gene. Neither c‐myc or PyMuLV alone induced high levels of the three nuclear proteins. Untransformed thyroid fibroblasts have high levels of two of the three proteins and can be transformed by PyMuLV alone resulting in the appearance of the third protein. Transformation with Harvey sarcoma virus also results in the induction of the third protein. The three phosphoproteins have been purified by h.p.l.c. and shown to be related to the HeLa protein HMGI already described. The results of these studies indicate that elevated levels of these HMGI‐like proteins are associated with neoplastic transformation and/or with an undifferentiated phenotype.