Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Functional Role of Structural Complexities in the Propagation of Depolarization in the Atrium of the Dog: Cardiac Conduction Disturbances Due to Discontinuities of Effective Axial Resistivity

Structural complexities produced by the inhomogeneous distribution of the connections between cells and between muscle bundles have previously been considered to be of minor importance in the propagation of depolarization in cardiac muscle; conduction disturbances usually are attributed to changes in membrane properties along the course of the fibers. However, we observed marked effects of these connections on the velocity and the safety factor of propagation in atrial muscle under normal and abnormal conditions. First, within individual muscle bundles, intermittent connective- tissue septa were associated with localized dissociation of excitation when propagation occurred in the transverse direction, but not when it occurred in the longitudinal direction. Second, at sites where muscle bundles branch or join with other bundles, we observed abrupt slowing of normal action potentials and changes in the shape of the extracellular waveform. We also studied such a junction in a computer simulation of propagation and found that the local delay of propagation and the change in the shape of the extracellular waveform could only be accounted for by an abrupt change in the effective axial resistivity in the direction of propagation. Under normal conditions, enough depolarizing current is coupled across such discontinuities to maintain propagation. However, when the maximum membrane depolarizing current was reduced by increasing the extracellular potassium concentration or by premature stimulation, block occurred at these sites. We observed that most known cardiac conduction disturbances considered to require longer refractory periods in the direction of propagation (e.g., local conduction delay, decremental conduction, block, and reentry) can be produced by the effects on propagation of such discontinuities of effective axial resistivity. The results indicate that models of propagation that ignore the inhomogeneous and multidimensional distribution of cell-to-cell connections produce incomplete, and sometimes incorrect, descriptions of normal and abnormal propagation in cardiac muscle.
Mechanical loading and control of breathing in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND--High neural drive to the respiratory muscles and rapid and shallow breathing are frequently observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and both mechanical and chemical factors are thought to play a part. However, the interrelation between these factors and the modifications in the control of breathing are not clearly defined. The effects of an acute decrease in mechanical load by the administration of a high dose of a beta 2 agonist were studied. METHODS--Nine spontaneously breathing patients with severe COPD took part in the study. Criteria for entry were FEV1 of < 40% of predicted and an improvement in FEV1 of < 200 ml after inhalation of 400 micrograms fenoterol. The following parameters were measured: lung volumes, tidal volume (VT), respiratory frequency (Rf), maximal pleural pressure during a sniff manoeuvre (PPLmax), pleural pressure swings (PPLsw), lung resistance (RL), RL/PPLmax ratio, and surface electromyographic activity (EMG) of diaphragm (EDI) and parasternal (EPS) muscles. Arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), end tidal carbon dioxide pressure (PETCO2), and the electrocardiogram were also monitored. Each variable was measured under control conditions and 20 and 40 minutes after the inhalation of 800 micrograms fenoterol. In five patients the effects of placebo were also studied. RESULTS--Fenoterol resulted in an increase in FEV1 and decrease in FRC. SaO2 did not change, while PETCO2 fell and heart rate increased. The VT increased, and Rf decreased, PPLsw fell and PPLmax increased, thus the PPLsw/PPLmax ratio fell. Both RL and RL/PPLmax also fell, and a substantial decrease in EDI and EPS was observed. Changes in PPLsw were related to changes in FEV1 and RL. Changes in VT and Rf, and EDI/TI and EPS/TI were also related to changes in PPLsw and RL/PPLmax ratio, but not to changes in FEV1. No variation was observed with placebo. CONCLUSIONS--In patients with severe COPD a decrease in inspiratory muscle loading relative to the maximal available strength, as expressed by the RL/PPLmax and PPLsw/PPLmax ratios, appears to be the major determinant of changes in breathing pattern and inspiratory muscle activity (decrease in EMG).
Using principles of community participatory research

English This article presents a five-step model for establishing participatory research reflecting the principles of collaboration between researchers and community partners. Theoretical discussion is illustrated from experience gained in the preliminary phases of an international research project on HIV/AIDS work in Brazil. The congruence with social work values is noted. French Cet article présente un modèle en cinque étapes d'établissement d'une recherche participative. Ce modèle reflète des principes de collaboration entre chercheurs et partenaires communautaires. L'expérience de la phase préparatoire d'un projet de recherche internationale en lien avec le travail se le VIH/SIDA au Brésil en illustre les fondements théoriques. La congruence avec le travail social est notée. Spanish Se presenta un modelo de cinco fases para establecer investigación participativa, modelo que refleja los principios de colaboración entre los investigardores y los miembros de la comunidad. La teoría se ilustra con la experiencia derivada de las fases preparatorias de un proyecto de investigación internacional sobre el VIH/SIDA en el Brasil. Se destaca la congruencia de tal proyecto con los valores éticos del trabajo social.
Crustal structure and rift flank uplift of the Adare Trough, Antarctica

The Adare Trough, located 100 km northeast of Cape Adare, Antarctica, represents the extinct third arm of a Tertiary spreading ridge between East and West Antarctica. It is characterized by pronounced asymmetric rift flanks elevated up to over 2 km above the trough's basement, accompanied by a large positive mantle Bouguer anomaly. On the basis of recently acquired seismic reflection and ship gravity data, we invert mantle Bouguer anomalies from the Adare Trough and obtain an unexpectedly large oceanic crustal thickness maximum of 9–10.5 km underneath the extinct ridge. A regional positive residual basement depth anomaly between 1 and 2.5 km in amplitude characterizes ocean crust from offshore Victoria Land to the Balleny Islands and north of Iselin Bank. The observations and models indicate that the mid/late Tertiary episode of slow spreading between East and West Antarctica was associated with a mantle thermal anomaly. The increasing crustal thickness toward the extinct ridge indicates that this thermal mantle anomaly may have increased in amplitude through time during the Adare spreading episode. This scenario is supported by a mantle convection model, which indicates the formation and strengthening of a major regional negative upper mantle density anomaly in the southwest Pacific in the last 50 million years. The total amount of post‐26 Ma extension associated with Adare Trough normal faulting was about 7.5 km, in anomalously thick oceanic crust with a lithospheric effective elastic thickness (EET) between 3.5 and 5 km. This corresponds to an age between 3 and 5 million years based on a thermal boundary layer model and supports a scenario in which the Adare Trough formed soon after spreading between East and West Antarctica ceased, confined to relatively weak lithosphere with anomalously thick oceanic crust. There is little evidence for major subsequent structural activity in the Adare trough area from the available seismic data, indicating that this part of the West Antarctic Rift system became largely inactive in the early Miocene, with the exception of minor structural reactivation which is visible in the seismic data as offsets up to end of the early Pliocene.
Why do red and dark-coloured cars lure aquatic insects? The attraction of water insects to car paintwork explained by reflection–polarization signals

We reveal here the visual ecological reasons for the phenomenon that aquatic insects often land on red, black and dark-coloured cars. Monitoring the numbers of aquatic beetles and bugs attracted to shiny black, white, red and yellow horizontal plastic sheets, we found that red and black reflectors are equally highly attractive to water insects, while yellow and white reflectors are unattractive. The reflection–polarization patterns of black, white, red and yellow cars were measured in the red, green and blue parts of the spectrum. In the blue and green, the degree of linear polarization p of light reflected from red and black cars is high and the direction of polarization of light reflected from red and black car roofs, bonnets and boots is nearly horizontal. Thus, the horizontal surfaces of red and black cars are highly attractive to red-blind polarotactic water insects. The p of light reflected from the horizontal surfaces of yellow and white cars is low and its direction of polarization is usually not horizontal. Consequently, yellow and white cars are unattractive to polarotactic water insects. The visual deception of aquatic insects by cars can be explained solely by the reflection–polarizational characteristics of the car paintwork.
Beta/Gamma EEG activity in patients with primary and secondary insomnia and good sleeper controls.

STUDY OBJECTIVE Several studies have shown that patients with insomnia exhibit elevated levels of Beta EEG activity (14-35 Hz) at or around sleep onset and during NREM sleep. In this study, we evaluated 1) the extent to which high frequency EEG activity is limited to the 14-32 Hz domain, 2) whether high frequency EEG activity (HFA) is associated with discrepancies between subjective and PSG measures of sleep continuity, and 3) the extent to which high frequency EEG activity occurs in patients with primary, as opposed to secondary, insomnia. DESIGN Three groups (n=9 per group) were compared: Primary Insomnia, Insomnia secondary to Major Depression, and Good Sleeper Controls. Groups were matched for age, sex and body mass. Average spectral profiles were created for each NREM cycle after removing waking and movement epochs and epochs containing micro- or mini-arousals. SETTING Sleep Research Laboratory PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS Patients with primary and secondary insomnia INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Subjects with Primary Insomnia exhibited more average NREM activity for Beta-1 (14-20Hz), Beta-2 (20-35Hz) and Gamma activity (35-45Hz) than the other two groups (p.<.01). Group differences were also suggestive for Omega activity (45.0-125Hz) (p.<.10), with MDD subjects tending to exhibit more activity than the other groups. Correlational analyses revealed that average NREM Beta-1 and Beta-2 activity tended to be negatively correlated with subjective-objective discrepancy measures for total sleep time and sleep latency. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm that Beta activity is increased in Primary Insomnia. In addition, our data suggest that high frequency activity in patients with Primary Insomnia is limited to the Beta/Gamma range (14-45 Hz), and is negatively associated with the perception of sleep.
Differential matrix use by Neotropical birds based on species traits and landscape condition.

There is considerable uncertainty about the role of human-modified habitats in supporting species in fragmented landscapes. This is because few studies sample outside of native habitats in the "matrix. " Those that do, often fail to sample landscapes in a way that accounts for the confounding effects of native habitat pattern and species detection biases that can obscure species responses. We employed multi-species hierarchical occupancy models to determine the use of human-modified habitats by Neotropical birds in landscapes that were similar in forest amount and configuration but surrounded by a matrix of agriculture (predominately pasture), bauxite mining (surface mining for aluminum), or suburban development in central Jamaica. We found that the vast majority of bird species used the matrix: with the highest mean occurrences for open-associated, followed by generalist, and last forest-associated species. Migrant species had higher mean occurrences in all matrix types relative to resident species. Contrary to our expectation, mean occurrence for the entire species community, and for forest-associated and migrant species, were highest in bauxite, intermediate in suburban, and lowest in agriculture. Open-associated species had higher occurrences in both bauxite and agricultural matrices, whereas generalist species had higher occurrences in suburban matrices. Additional behavioral observations indicated that Neotropical birds used matrix areas, particularly scattered trees, to acquire food, and secondarily, as movement conduits. Matrix use patterns reflected the differential availability of potential resources and structural connectivity across the three landscape types, but only for those species adapted to open/edge environments and with generalized habitat requirements. Patterns of matrix use by forest specialists reflected the differential levels of degradation of the native forest; thus, we propose that higher matrix use for forest-dependent species may be induced by diminished within-forest resources. These results underscore that effective management of human-modified matrices requires in-depth understanding of the trade-offs between the benefits available in the matrix and the impacts on the disturbance of native habitats.
A field key to the identification of tropical western Atlantic Zooxanthellate Octocorals (Octocorallia: Cnidaria)

Despite their abundance and ecological importance, octocorals have received relatively little taxonomic attention compared to scleractinian (stony) corals. Identification of octocoral species is often difficult and ambiguous, and requires thorough microscopic examination of skeletal components (sclerites). Here, we provide a key for field identification—no microscope required—of 51 zooxanthellate (harboring photosynthetic dinoflagellate symbionts) octocoral species (3 soft and 48 gorgonian octocorals) from the tropical western Atlantic. The key is based on characters from colony branching pattern, surface morphology and texture, extended polyp size, and colony color. Although species confirmation by microscopic examina- tion is still recommended, it is hoped that tools, such as this key, and approaches for fast octocoral identi- fication will ease the difficulty of carrying out surveys and monitoring programs.
A prospective, randomized clinical comparison of sevoflurane and halothane in children.

BACKGROUND The goal of the present multicenter investigation was to compare in a prospective and randomized study the induction, the maintenance and the recovery characteristics of halothane and sevoflurane when used in paediatric patients. METHODS With the approval of the Ethical Committee and the parental written informed consent, 64 children aged 3-12 years, receiving general anaesthesia for urological, abdominal, and orthopaedic surgery, were studied. After oral flunitrazepam (0.05 mg kg-1), general anaesthesia was randomly induced by either sevoflurane (start: 1%, maximum: 7%, n = 32) or halothane (start: 0.5%, maximum: 4.5%, n = 32) and a 60% N2O in oxygen mixture until the loss of eyelash reflex (induction time). Then the trachea was intubated (if necessary, a muscle relaxant was administrated), and the concentrations of the anaesthetic vapours were adjusted in order to maintain cardiovascular stability until the end of surgery. The following times were recorded: time of extubation, time for having purposeful movements, time of eyes opening and readiness for discharge from the recovery area, as well as the occurrence of untoward events during either induction of, maintenance of, or recovery from anaesthesia. Before surgery and 24 hr after the procedure, blood was collected in order to measure serum creatinine and BUN. RESULTS No differences in induction time, extubation time, side effects and postoperative renal function were observed between the two groups. Four patients in each group received muscle relaxants to perform intubation (p = NS). When compared to halothane group, children receiving sevoflurane had shorter times of showing purposeful movements (median: 9 min versus 15.5 min, p < 0.005), emergence from anaesthesia (median: 12 min versus 18 min, p < 0.05) and achieving readiness to be discharged (median: 18 min. versus 30 min, p < 0.005). Sevoflurane group also showed a more stable heart rate during the induction period than halothane one (p = 0.05). DISCUSSION Sevoflurane is as effective as halothane in providing smooth and rapid induction of anaesthesia, while recovery is considerably faster and haemodynamic tolerance is better if compared to halothane; this suggests that sevoflurane could be an useful substitute for halothane in pediatric patients.
TFE, an Archaeal Transcription Factor in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum Related to Eucaryal Transcription Factor TFIIEα

ABSTRACT In the archaeon Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum, MTH1669 encodes a protein with a sequence related to the N-terminal sequences of the α-subunits of eucaryal general transcription factor TFIIE. The recombinant MTH1669 gene product has been purified and shown to stimulate transcription in vitro from M. thermoautotrophicum promoters that were almost inactive or much less active in reaction mixtures that contained only M. thermoautotrophicum RNA polymerase, TATA-binding protein and transcription factor B. As all complete archaeal genome sequences contain an MTH1669 homolog, the protein encoded by this gene is apparently the first characterized example of a transcription activator, here designated TFE, that may be universally present in theArchaea.
A Novel Metabolite from Aspergillus ochraceus JGI 25 Showing Cytotoxicity to Hela Cells

This study aims at the isolation of filamentous fungi, extraction of metabolites, and evaluation of the cytotoxic properties on HeLa cells and normal human lymphocytes. We isolated fungi from the soil by serial dilution method. One of the isolates was chosen and identified as Aspergillus ochraceus Wilhelm (Trichocomaceae) by standard techniques. The metabolites were extracted using methanol. Different concentrations of the extract were evaluated for their potential anticancer activity on HeLa cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and the safety of the extract was checked on normal human lymphocytes. The extract was purified by chromatographic techniques like thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, and subjected to mass spectrometric analysis. The extract showed significant cytotoxic potential on HeLa cells at low concentrations with a half maximal inhibitory concentration value of <50 μg/ml. The extract gave 10 fractions by thin layer chromatography, and fraction B had higher toxicity than the rest. This fraction gave a single peak by high-performance liquid chromatography and had a mass-to-charge ratio of 905.65, which did not match any of the earlier known fungal metabolites or metabolites from other strains of A. ochraceus. The metabolite from A. ochraceus is alkaloid in nature, cytotoxic to HeLa cells, and appears to be a novel with anticancer potentials, which could be explored further for characterization of the active component.
Neurologic Changes During Awakening from Anesthesia

Transient hyperreflexia, the Babinski reflex, and other transient neurologic signs may follow anesthesia in healthy persons. The authors describe the appearances and durations of these signs and relate them to anesthetic agent, time following cessation of anesthesia, and state of arousal.Twenty-nine neurologically normal male patients undergoing superficial operations were anesthetized with halothane-nitrous oxide, enflurane-nitrous oxide, or nitrous oxide-narcotic. During awakening, patients experienced transient hyperreflexia and shivering following all anesthetic techniques. Quadriceps hyperreflexia occurred in three of eight patients after halothane–N2O, seven of 12 patients after enflurane–N2O, and no patient after N2O-narcotic anesthesia. Sustained ankle clonus and upgoing plantar responses were observed most frequently following enflurane–N2O (50 per cent of patients). Following halothane–N2O, ankle clonus was observed in 12.5 per cent of patients and upgoing plantar responses in 25 per cent of patients. Neither sign occurred after N2O-narcotic anesthesia. Shivering, too, was observed most frequently following enflurane anesthesia (66 per cent of patients). There were equal reductions of body temperature in shivering and nonshivering patients. In every patient, regardless of the anesthetic used, the lash reflex and the pupillary response to light returned to normal with the return of consciousness as measured by the response to verbal commands.It is concluded that the neurologic proflle during awakening from general anesthesia is most abnormal following enflurane-N2O, compared with halothane–N2O and N2O-narcotic anesthesia. Abnormalities are found most frequently when patients are poorly responsive to verbal commands. Although their incidence diminishes with time, abnormal responses to neurologic examination may persist for 40 min or more after cessation of anesthesia.
Relating buffer-oriented microarchitecture validation to high-level pipeline functionality

Buffer-Oriented Microarchitecture Validation (BMV) is a simulation-based validation method for systematically generating efficient test programs for exercising microarchitecture mechanisms. We present the relationship between high-level pipeline functionality for handling read-after-write (RAW) hazards and the design models derived in the BMV method. First, RAW failures are defined and classified into two categories based on the mechanism that is affected by a design error: pipeline interlock and result forwarding. Based on BMV models for the reservation station and the rename buffer, erroneous behaviors resulting in a pipeline interlock or a result forwarding failure can be mapped to a set of states in the models. Two theorems relating each failure class to BMV models for the reservation station and the rename buffer are derived and proved. The utility of the theorems is that they can be used to develop a RAW hazard simulator that is analogous to a single-stuck line fault simulator.
Core Curriculum SCAI Expert Consensus Statement: Evaluation, Management, and Special Considerations of Cardio-Oncology Patients in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Endorsed by the Cardiological Society of India, and Sociedad Latino Americana de Cardiologıa Intervencionista)

In the United States alone, there are currently approximately 14.5 million cancer survivors, and this number is expected to increase to 20 million by 2020. Cancer therapies can cause significant injury to the vasculature, resulting in angina, acute coronary syndromes (ACS), stroke, critical limb ischemia, arrhythmias, and heart failure, independently from the direct myocardial or pericardial damage from the malignancy itself. Consequently, the need for invasive evaluation and management in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) for such patients has been increasing. In recognition of the need for a document on special considerations for cancer patients in the CCL, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) commissioned a consensus group to provide recommendations based on the published medical literature and on the expertise of operators with accumulated experience in the cardiac catheterization of cancer patients. VC 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.