Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unveiling the Bmp13 Enigma: Redundant Morphogen or Crucial Regulator?

Bone morphogenetic proteins are a diverse group of morphogens with influences not only on bone tissue, as the nomenclature suggests, but on multiple tissues in the body and often at crucial and influential periods in development. The purpose of this review is to identify and discuss current knowledge of one vertebrate BMP, Bone Morphogenetic Protein 13 (BMP13), from a variety of research fields, in order to clarify BMP13's functional contribution to developing and maintaining healthy tissues, and to identify potential future research directions for this intriguing morphogen. BMP13 is highly evolutionarily conserved (active domain >95%) across diverse species from Zebrafish to humans, suggesting a crucial function. In addition, mutations in BMP13 have recently been associated with Klippel-Feil Syndrome, causative of numerous skeletal and developmental defects including spinal disc fusion. The specific nature of BMP13's crucial function is, however, not yet known. The literature for BMP13 is focused largely on its activity in the healing of tendon-like tissues, or in comparisons with other BMP family molecules for whom a clear function in embryo development or osteogenic differentiation has been identified. There is a paucity of detailed information regarding BMP13 protein activity, structure or protein processing. Whilst some activity in the stimulation of osteogenic or cartilaginous gene expression has been reported, and BMP13 expression is found in post natal cartilage and tendon tissues, there appears to be a redundancy of function in the BMP family, with several members capable of stimulating similar tissue responses. This review aims to summarise the known or potential role(s) for BMP13 in a variety of biological systems.
Unacylated Ghrelin Induces Oxidative Stress Resistance in a Glucose Intolerance and Peripheral Artery Disease Mouse Model by Restoring Endothelial Cell miR-126 Expression

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are crucial in long-term diabetes complications, including peripheral artery disease (PAD). In this study, we have investigated the potential clinical impact of unacylated ghrelin (UnAG) in a glucose intolerance and PAD mouse model. We demonstrate that UnAG is able to protect skeletal muscle and endothelial cells (ECs) from ROS imbalance in hind limb ischemia–subjected ob/ob mice. This effect translates into reductions in hind limb functional impairment. We show that UnAG rescues sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activity and superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD-2) expression in ECs. This leads to SIRT1-mediated p53 and histone 3 lysate 56 deacetylation and results in reduced EC senescence in vivo. We demonstrate, using small interfering RNA technology, that SIRT1 is also crucial for SOD-2 expression. UnAG also renews micro-RNA (miR)-126 expression, resulting in the posttranscriptional regulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 expression and a reduced number of infiltrating inflammatory cells in vivo. Loss-of-function experiments that target miR-126 demonstrate that miR-126 also controls SIRT1 and SOD-2 expression, thus confirming its role in driving UnAG-mediated EC protection against ROS imbalance. These results indicate that UnAG protects vessels from ROS imbalance in ob/ob mice by rescuing miR-126 expression, thus emphasizing its potential clinical impact in avoiding limb loss in PAD.
A Possibility to achieve emission in the mid-infrared wavelength range from semiconductor laser active regions

In the present paper the results of the computer analysis of the arsenide-based (GaInNAs/AlGaInAs) and antimonide-based (GaInAsSb/AlGaAsSb) active regions emitting in the mid-infrared wavelength region are presented. Quantum well material contents and strain dependencies on the maximal gain are investigated. It is shown that above 3 μm the maximal gain obtained for arsenide-based active region is very low, irrespective of the nitrogen content and compressive strain in GaInNAs. Much higher optical gain in this wavelength range can be obtained for antimonide-based active region, which offers relatively high gain even at 5 μm, when the indium content in GaInAsSb and compressive strain in this layer are higher than 80% and 1.5%, respectively.
Are Adjustments Insufficient?

Many judgmental biases are thought to be the product of insufficient adjustment from an initial anchor value. Nearly all existing evidence of insufficient adjustment, however, comes from an experimental paradigm that evidence indicates does not involve adjustment at all. In this article, the authors first provide further evidence that some kinds of anchors (those that are self-generated and known to be incorrect but close to the correct answer) activate processes of adjustment, whereas others (uncertain anchors provided by an external source) do not. It is then shown that adjustment from self-generated anchors does indeed tend to be insufficient, both by comparing the estimates of participants starting from different anchor values and by comparing estimates with actual answers. Thus, evidence is provided of adjustment-based anchoring effects similar to the accessibility-based anchoring effects observed in the traditional anchoring paradigm, supporting theories of social judgment that rely on mechanisms of insufficient adjustment.
On the number of colours in Quantum Chromodynamics

It is commonly believed that ${\pi}^0 \to 2 \gamma$ decay shows that there are three colours in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). It is shown here that this is not correct. When correct colour dependent charges of the quarks are considered then it is shown that this decay does not make any statement about the number of colours in QCD.
Asymmetric gap junctional coupling between glial cells in the rat retina

Gap junctional communication between glial cells is thought to play a role in K+ spatial buffering, in the propagation of inter‐astrocytic Ca2+ waves, and in glial‐neuronal signaling. In the present study, we characterize dye coupling between astrocytes, and between astrocytes and Müller cells, in the isolated rat retina.
A Syntactic Theory of Software Architecture

Introduces a general, extensible diagrammatic syntax for expressing software architectures based on typed nodes and connections and formalized using set theory. The syntax provides a notion of abstraction corresponding to the concept of a subsystem, and exploits this notion in a general mechanism for pattern matching over architectures. We demonstrate these ideas using a small example architecture language with a limited number of types of nodes and connectors, and a small taxonomy of architectures characterized as sets of patterns in the language. >
USING HIGH-SPEED TEXTURE MEASUREMENTS TO IMPROVE THE UNIFORMITY OF HOT-MIX ASPHALT

This study introduces Virginia's efforts to apply high-speed texture measurement as a tool to improve the uniformity of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements. Three approaches for detecting and quantifying HMA segregation through measuring pavement surface macrotexture were evaluated: (1) applying the methods proposed in NCHRP Report 441, which build on the ability to predict the expected "non-segregated" macrotexture; (2) using acceptance bands for texture similar to those used for HMA density; and (3) considering the standard deviation of the macrotexture as a measure of construction uniformity. Based on the findings from a series of field tests, the researchers concluded that macrotexture measurement holds great promise as a tool to detect and quantify segregation for quality assurance purposes. None of the available equations for predicting non-segregated macrotexture (the approach in NCHRP Report 441) was found to work for all the construction projects evaluated. Additional information is necessary to establish target macrotexture levels. The acceptance bands approach produced reasonable results in most of the field-verification experiments, but it was significantly influenced by the actual variability within the section. An approach that used target levels of standard deviations was selected for further testing and implementation on a pilot basis.
Multi-core based parallelized cooperative PSO with immunity for large scale optimization problem

A parallelized cooperative multiple particles swarm optimization algorithm with immunity mechanism based on the multi-core architecture is proposed for large scale optimization problem in this paper, named M-PCPSO-I. A novel memory information sharing scheme is designed for particles and facilitates communication among different swarms in the population space. The global best individuals selected from sub-swarms are saved in the leader set and promoted by using the improved immune clonal selection operator. The M-PCPSO-I algorithm is paralleling implementation on a share-memory computer system through the multi-core architecture. The high dimension problem results validated the proposed algorithm have good computational performance, and also the computational efficiency is greatly enhanced by multi-core parallelization.
LABORATORY ASSESSMENT OF BUNKER SILO DENSITY PART I: ALFALFA AND GRASS

A laboratory apparatus was developed to simulate pressure, time of compaction, and layer thickness as appliedin a bunker silo. Chopped alfalfa or orchardgrass was placed in layers of 0.15, 0.30, and 0.45 m in a 482- 584-mmrectangular container simulating the footprint of a tractor tire. Pressure between 20 and 80 kPa was applied to the forageby a platen. The total time of compaction varied between 2 and 10 s. A total of 23 tests (17 with alfalfa, 3 with grass, and3 with mixed alfalfa-grass) were conducted; dry matter (DM) concentration ranged between 20% and 54%. Thepre-compressed density of the first layer (0.30 m high) averaged 72 and 55 kg DM/m3 for alfalfa and grass, respectively. Thehighest compressed density ranged between 138 and 339 kg DM/m3 with an average of 220 kg DM/m3. After releasingpressure, the relaxed density of the first, uppermost layer ranged between 81 and 152 kg DM/m3 with an average of 127 kgDM/m3 . After six layers, the average relaxed density was 181 kg DM/m3, 18% lower than the average highest compresseddensity. As successive layers were added, the cumulative DM density increased according to a logarithmic model. The modelsuggested that density would continually increase, slowly but without reaching a plateau, as the silo height increased. Withinthe experimental range, parameters of the logarithmic model were significantly affected by pressure, DM content, cropspecies and chop length, but not by layer thickness or time of compaction. More laboratory data are needed to understandinteractions between the variables while field validation is necessary to extrapolate results to deep bunker silos.
Eco friendly nitration of toluene using modified zirconia

Nitration of toluene has been studied in the liquid phase over a series of modified zirconia catalysts. Zirconia, zirconia- ceria (Zr 0.98 Ce 0.02 )O 2 , sulfated zirconia and sulfated zirconia- ceria were synthesised by co precipitation method and were characterised by X-ray diffraction, BET surface area, Infra red spectroscopy analysis (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X ray analysis (EDAX). The acidity of the prepared catalysts was determined by FTIR pyridine adsorption study. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the catalysts prepared mainly consist of tetragonal phase with the crystallite size in the nano range and the tetragonal phase of zirconia is stabilized by the addition of ceria. The modified zirconia samples have higher surface area and exhibits uniform pore size distribution aggregated by zirconia nanoparticles. The onset of sulfate decomposition was observed around 723 K for sulfated samples. The catalytic performance was determined for the liquid phase nitration of toluene to ortho-, meta- and para- nitro toluene. The effect of reaction temperature, concentration of nitric acid, catalyst reusability and reaction time was also investigated. © 2013 BCREC UNDIP. All rights reserved Received: 20th November 2012; Revised: 8th December 2012; Accepted: 7th January 2013 [ How to Cite : K. R. S. Devi, S. Jayashree, (2013). Eco friendly nitration of toluene using modified zirconia. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis , 7 (3): 205-214. (doi:10.9767/bcrec.7.3.4154.205-214)] [ Permalink/DOI : http://dx.doi. org/10.9767/bcrec.7. 3.4154. 205-214 ] View in |
TEKNIK PREPARASI DAN PENYIMPANAN SAMPEL DARAH KAMBING KACANG UNTUK ANALISIS HORMON TESTOSTERON MENGGUNAKAN METODE ELISA

Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui teknik preparasi dan penyimpanan sampel darah yang tepat untuk analisis testosteron menggunakan metode ELISA. Sampel yang digunakan adalah darah yang dikoleksi dari 10 ekor kambing kacang di Desa Lamreh. Penelitian ini terdiri dari 3 percobaan. Percobaan 1, mensentrifugasi darah dalam waktu berbeda yaitu 0,05) dengan kontrol (serum yang disimpan di freezer), sedangkan penyimpanan pada styrofoam berbeda nyata (P
The virtual windtunnel: an environment for the exploration of three-dimensional unsteady flows

We describe a recently completed implementation of a virtual environment for exploring numerically-generated three-dimensional unsteady flowfields. A boom-mounted six degree of freedom head-position-sensitive stereo CRT system is used for viewing. A hand position sensitive glove controller is used for injecting various tracers (e.g., "smoke") into the virtual flowfield. A mutiprocessor graphics workstation is used for computation and rendering. We describe our techniques for visualizing unsteady flows and discuss the computer requirements for a variety of visualization techniques. These techniques generalize to visualization of other three-dimensional vector fields.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Comparing Brains by Matching Connectivity Profiles

The great promise of comparative neuroscience is to understand why brains differ by investigating the relations between variations in the organization of different brains, their evolutionary history, and their current ecological niche. For this approach to be successful, the organization of different brains needs to be quantifiable. Here, we present an approach to formally comparing the connectivity of different cortical areas across different brains. We exploit the fact that cortical regions can be characterized by the unique pattern of connectivity, the so-called connectivity fingerprint. By comparing connectivity fingerprints between cortical areas in the human and non-human primate brain we can identify between-species homologs, but also illustrate that is driving differences between species. We illustrate the approach by comparing the organization of the frontal cortex between humans and macaques, showing general similarities combined with some differences in the lateral frontal pole.
Noise and Aggregation of Information in Large Markets

We study the relation between noise (liquidity traders, endowment shocks) and the aggregation of information in financial markets with large number of agents. We show that as long as noise increases with the number of agents, the limiting equilibrium is well-defined and leads to non-trivial information acquisition, even when per-capita noise tends to zero. In such equilibrium risk sharing and price revelation play different roles than in the standard limiting economy in which per-capita noise is finite. We apply our model to study information sales by a monopolist, and information acquisition in multi-asset markets, showing that it leads to qualitatively different results with respect to those in the existing literature. Our conditions on noise are shown to be necessary and sufficient to have limiting economies with perfectly competitive behavior consistent with endogenous information acquisition.
Send Orders of Reprints at Reprints@benthamscience.org Triggers and Anatomical Substrates in the Genesis and Perpetuation of Atrial Fibrillation

The definition of atrial fibrillation (AF) as a functional electrical disorder does not reflect the significant underlying structural abnormalities. Atrial and Pulmonary Vein (PV) muscle sleeve microstructural remodeling is present, and establishes a vulnerable substrate for AF maintenance. In spite of an incomplete understanding of the anatomo-functional basis for AF, current evidence demonstrates that this arrhythmia usually requires a trigger for initiation and a vulnerable electrophysiological and/or anatomical substrate for maintenance. It is still unclear whether the trigger mechanisms include focal enhanced automaticity, triggered activity and/or micro re-entry from myocardial tissue. Initiation of AF can be favored by both parasympathetic and sympathetic stimulation, which also seem to play a role in maintaining AF. Finally, evolving clinical evidence demonstrates that inflammation is associated with new-onset and recurrent AF through a mechanism that possibly involves cellular degeneration, apoptosis, and subsequent atrial fibrosis.
The tensor analytical relationships of Dirac's equation

Dirac's equation of the electron will be discussed by using quaternions as the basis of a new formalism which seems to be very well adapted to the problem. The transformation properties of the equations as well as the invariant and covariant [bilinear] constructions of Dirac's theory are developed uniformly and systematically. A method of obtaining a covariant formulation of the equations using customary tensor calculus also offers itself unequivocally if we duplicate the Dirac equations. (Editorial note: In this paper Lanczos introduces his ``fundamental equation,'' Eq. (54), from which two Dirac fields forming an isospin doublet, or two spin 1 fields of opposite parities, derive. )
Deforestation and democratization: patronage, politics and forests in Kenya

Abstract Current approaches for halting and reversing deforestation centrally involve better “environmental governance” over forests. Better public oversight and regulation of the forest commons is thus linked to democratization. Yet evidence suggests that in a number of important cases, democratization can accelerate deforestation. Using the cases of South Nandi and Karura Forests in Kenya, this article argues that to understand why requires more careful examination of how forests are incorporated into patronage networks and how these networks are impacted by democratization struggles. Specifically, this article argues that accelerated deforestation occurs when institutional configurations allow abuse and create opportunity for forests to become incorporated into patronage networks. Democratization can then exacerbate deforestation when, as in Kenya, more competitive elections produce stresses on these patronage networks and hence create incentives for state actors to increase accumulation of forest resources for political purposes. Further, the overall volatility of democratization struggles, which makes changes in government more likely, creates incentives for those with privileged access to forests to accumulate more rapidly with no concern for sustainability in the long run. However, such forest encroachments may also generate resistance and movements aimed at re-imposing regulation on the use of the forest. When successful, these struggles over forests can both deepen democratization and transform institutional configurations to better protect forests.
Asymptotic and monotonicity properties of some repairable systems

The paper studies a model of repairable systems which is flexible enough to incorporate the standard imperfect repair and many other models from the literature. Palm stationarity of virtual ages, inter-failure times and degrees of repair is studied. A Loynes-type scheme and Harris recurrent Markov chains combined with coupling methods are used. Results on the weak total variation and moment convergences are obtained and illustrated by examples with IFR, DFR, heavy-tailed and light-tailed lifetime distributions. Some convergences obtained are monotone and/or at a geometric rate.
Thermal signal propagation in soils in Romania: conductive and non-conductive processes

Abstract. Temperature data recorded in 2002 and 2003 at 10 stations out of the 70 available in the Romanian automatic weather stations network are presented and analyzed in terms of the heat transfer from air to underground. The air temperature at 2 m, the soil temperatures at 0, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 cm below the surface as well as rain fall and snow cover thickness have been monitored. The selected locations sample various climate environments in Romania. Preliminary analytical modelling shows that soil temperatures track air temperature variations at certain locations and, consequently, the heat transfer is by conduction, while at other stations processes such as soil freezing and/or solar radiation heating play an important part in the heat flux balance at the air/soil interface. However, the propagation of the annual thermal signal in the uppermost one meter of soil is mainly by conduction; the inferred thermal diffusivity for 8 stations with continuous time series at all depth levels ranges from 3 to 10×10−7 m2 s−1.
Bilingualism and reading difficulties: an exploration in episodic and semantic memory

ABSTRACT This study was designed to investigate the effect of bilingualism and reading difficulties (RD) on episodic and semantic memory. The subjects included 190 children (aged 9–12 years): 45 Iranian-Swedish bilinguals and 59 Swedish monolinguals with typically developed reading, along with 41 bilinguals and 45 monolinguals with RD. To measure episodic memory, subject-performed and verbal tasks were used for encoding, and both free and cued recall were used for retrieval. Letter and category fluency tasks were used to test semantic memory. In action memory, bilingual children with RD benefited less from enactment encoding form compared to children with typically developed reading. Additionally, bilingual with RD had lower rates of recollection in category fluency compared to their monolingual counterparts. However, in letter fluency, there was not found a difference between performances of bilinguals and monolinguals with RD. We discuss the involvement of long-term memory in both bilingualism and reading.
A new classifier based on resource limited artificial immune systems

This paper presents a new tool for supervised learning, modeled on resource limited Artificial Immune Systems. A supervised learning system, it is self-regulatory, efficient, and stable under a wide range of user-set parameters. Its performance is comparable to well-established classifiers on a variety of testbeds, including the iris data, the diabetes classification problem, the ionosphere problem, and the rock/metal classification problem for mine detection.