Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Envoy, a PAS/LOV Domain Protein of Hypocrea jecorina (Anamorph Trichoderma reesei), Modulates Cellulase Gene Transcription in Response to Light

ABSTRACT Envoy, a PAS/LOV domain protein with similarity to the Neurospora light regulator Vivid, which has been cloned due to its lack of expression in a cellulase-negative mutant, links cellulase induction by cellulose to light signaling in Hypocrea jecorina. Despite their similarity, env1 could not compensate for the lack of vvd function. Besides the effect of light on sporulation, we observed a reduced growth rate in constant light. An env1PAS− mutant of H. jecorina grows significantly slower in the presence of light but remains unaffected in darkness compared to the wild-type strain QM9414. env1 rapidly responds to a light pulse, with this response being different upon growth on glucose or glycerol, and it encodes a regulator essential for H. jecorina light tolerance. The induction of cellulase transcription in H. jecorina by cellulose is enhanced by light in the wild-type strain QM9414 compared to that in constant darkness, whereas a delayed induction in light and only a transient up-regulation in constant darkness of cbh1 was observed in the env1PAS− mutant. However, light does not lead to cellulase expression in the absence of an inducer. We conclude that Envoy connects the light response to carbon source signaling and thus that light must be considered an additional external factor influencing gene expression analysis in this fungus.
Frontal Cortex Activation Causes Rapid Plasticity of Auditory Cortical Processing

Neurons in the primary auditory cortex (A1) can show rapid changes in receptive fields when animals are engaged in sound detection and discrimination tasks. The source of a signal to A1 that triggers these changes is suspected to be in frontal cortical areas. How or whether activity in frontal areas can influence activity and sensory processing in A1 and the detailed changes occurring in A1 on the level of single neurons and in neuronal populations remain uncertain. Using electrophysiological techniques in mice, we found that pairing orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) stimulation with sound stimuli caused rapid changes in the sound-driven activity within A1 that are largely mediated by noncholinergic mechanisms. By integrating in vivo two-photon Ca2+ imaging of A1 with OFC stimulation, we found that pairing OFC activity with sounds caused dynamic and selective changes in sensory responses of neural populations in A1. Further, analysis of changes in signal and noise correlation after OFC pairing revealed improvement in neural population-based discrimination performance within A1. This improvement was frequency specific and dependent on correlation changes. These OFC-induced influences on auditory responses resemble behavior-induced influences on auditory responses and demonstrate that OFC activity could underlie the coordination of rapid, dynamic changes in A1 to dynamic sensory environments.
Late-Onset Leanness in Mice with Targeted Ablation of Melanin Concentrating Hormone Neurons

The observation that loss of orexin (hypocretin) neurons causes human narcolepsy raises the possibility that other acquired disorders might also result from loss of hypothalamic neurons. To test this possibility for body weight, mice with selective loss of melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons were generated. MCH was chosen to test because induced mutations of the MCH gene in mice cause hypophagia and leanness. Mice with ablation of MCH neurons were generated using toxin (ataxin-3)-mediated ablation strategy. The mice appeared normal but, after 7 weeks, developed reduced body weight, body length, fat mass, lean mass, and leptin levels. Leanness was characterized by hypophagia and increased energy expenditure. To study the role of MCH neurons on obesity secondary to leptin deficiency, we generated mice deficient in both ob gene product (leptin) and MCH neurons. Absence of MCH neurons in ob/ob mice improved obesity, diabetes, and hepatic steatosis, suggesting that MCH neurons are important mediators of the response to leptin deficiency. These data show that loss of MCH neurons can lead to an acquired leanness. This has implications for the pathogenesis of acquired changes of body weight and might be considered in clinical settings characterized by substantial weight changes later in life.
Latanoprost ophthalmic solution in the treatment of open angle glaucoma or raised intraocular pressure: a review

Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2-alpha isopropyl ester prodrug which is rapidly hydrolyzed by esterases in the cornea to the biologically active latanoprost acid. When latanoprost is topically administered into the eye, the cornea seems to act like as a slow-release depot to the anterior segment. One hour after administration maximum concentration is found in the iris, followed by the anterior chamber and the ciliary body. Despite extensive research, controversy remains about the real mechanism of action of this drug. Immunohistochemical data have shown that the intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction with topical prostaglandin F2-alpha is associated with a reduction of collagens within the uveoscleral outflow pathway. Evidence from several experimental and clinical studies suggests that latanoprost is a valuable addition first-line treatment alternatives for glaucoma, ocular hypertension and even angle-closure glaucoma. Strong points are its efficacy, which is demonstrated to be higher than that of brimonidine, dorzolamide and timolol with fewer systemic adverse effects; a convenient administration schedule; and the IOP-controlling pattern, which is relatively flat compared with timolol and dorzolamide, and enables better control in glaucoma progression, since large fluctuations may be associated with the risk of developing glaucoma in untreated ocular hypertensive subjects.
Persistent alterations to enteric neural signalling in guinea pig colon following resolution of colitis

Running title: Persistent alterations in colonic function after colitis. Abstract Functional changes induced by inflammation persist following recovery from the inflammatory response, but the mechanisms underlying these changes are not well understood. Our aim was to investigate whether the excitability and synaptic properties of submucosal neurons remained altered eight weeks post trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) treatment, and to determine whether these changes were accompanied by alterations in secretory function in submucosal preparations voltage clamped in Ussing chambers. Mucosal serotonin (5-HT) release measurements and serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) immunohistochemistry were also performed. Eight weeks after TNBS treatment, colonic inflammation resolved, as assessed macroscopically and by myeloperoxidase assay. However, fast excitatory post synaptic potential (fEPSP) amplitude was significantly increased in submucosal S neurons from previously inflamed colons relative to those in control tissue. In addition, fEPSPs from previously inflamed colons had a hexamethonium-insensitive component that was not evident in age-matched controls. AH-neurons were hyperexcitable, had shorter action potential durations, and a decreased afterhyperpolarisation eight weeks following TNBS adminstration. Neuronally-mediated colonic secretory function was significantly reduced after TNBS treatment, although epithelial cell signalling, as measured by responsiveness to both forskolin and bethanecol in the presence of tetrodotoxin, was comparable to control tissue. 5-HT levels and SERT immunoreactivity were comparable to controls eight weeks after the induction of inflammation, but there was an increase in GLP-2 immunoreactive L cells. In conclusion, sustained alterations in enteric neural signalling occur following the resolution of colitis, which are accompanied by functional changes in the absence of active inflammation.
Coupled-Oscillator Associative Memory Array Operation for Pattern Recognition

The operation of an array of coupled oscillators underlying the associative memory function is demonstrated for various interconnection topologies (cross-connect and star-coupled). Three types of nonlinear oscillators (Andronov-Hopf, phase-locked loop, and spin torque) and their synchronization behavior are compared. Frequency-shift keying scheme of encoding input and memorized data is introduced. The speed of synchronization of oscillators and the evolution of the degree of match are studied as a function of device parameters.
Misalignment, liabilities dollarization and exchange rate adjustment in Latin America

Exchange rates in Latin America display a large volatility, constitute a central element of the policy strategies and their evolution have an important impact on financial stability due to the dollarization of liabilities which most countries exhibit. However, assessments on equilibrium exchange rates are scarce in the region. This paper aims at both filling this gap and analysing the impact of the adjustment of the exchange rates to equilibrium on financial stability. Building on the methodology of Alberola et al (1999,2002), we show that the stock of net foreign assets and the evolution of productivity are the fundamentals underlying the behavior of the real exchange rate. Using an unobserved components methodology in a cointegration framework, a time-varying equilibrium real exchange rate is derived, and deviations from this equilibrium provide an estimate of the degree of multilateral misalignment. The results uncover among other things the large overvaluation of the Argentinean peso in 2001, which was only partially explained by the estimated dollar overvaluation. The adjustment of exchange rates in 2002 corrected this and, to a lesser extent, other misalignments. The final part of the paper addresses the impact of liability dollarization on the adjustment of exchange rates. It is argued that the real exchange rate will tend to overshoot its equilibrium level, due to the need to foster higher current account surplus in the aftermath of depreciation to make up for to the increase in liabilities. An adjustment to account for this effect is performed on the previous results. This overshooting, when coupled with sudden stops of capitals, may help explaining the higher volatility of real exchange rates in the region
The Euro and Corporate Financing before the Crisis

We study the financing policies of European public corporations prior to the euro crisis. Using data from 11 euro countries and a control group of five other European countries over 1991–2006, we show that nonfinancial firms from euro countries with previously weak currencies considerably increased their debt financing after the introduction of the euro. The results are stronger for large firms, firms dependent on external financing, and for the latter part of the post-euro time period. Overall, the results support the hypothesis that the supply of capital increased following the introduction of the euro.
A Study of Inbound Business Tourists' Shopping Behavior and Influencing Factors—A Case Study of the Canton Fair in Guangzhou

Shopping facilities play an important role in the marketing and development of tourism destinations, and business tourists are an important and distinctive group of shoppers. Analysis of the shopping behavior of business tourists can contribute to enhancing the image of a destination, the promotion of retail sales, and the overall development of tourism. Canton Fair, which is the largest trade fair in China, contributes significantly to the development and promotion of shopping facilities in the city of Guangzhou. This study examines the shopping behavior of business tourists at the Canton Fair, and the factors influencing their behavior, based on a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews. During the 105th Canton Fair in April 2009, 402 questionnaires were administered and 24 in-depth interviews were conducted. The results of the case study show that (a) business tourists behave differently from sightseeing tourists; (b) business travelers' shopping behavior is influenced by their sociodemographic characteristics, such as gender, age, cultural background, country of origin, and income level; and (c) the major factors that affect shopping behavior are the overall image and retail environment of the destination, the business tourists' association with and experience of the destination, and their personal tastes. The implications for merchants are also discussed.
Social movements and violence : participation in underground organizations

Part 1 Theories and methodologies: introduction - on individual motivations in underground political organizations, Donatella della Porta decisions to use terrorism - psychological constraints on instrumental reasoning, Martha Crenshaw. Part 2 Case studies: from protest to terrorism - the case of the SDS and the weathermen, Richard G. Braungart political violence by the non-aggrieved - explaining the political participation of those with no apparent grievances, Robert W. White going underground in Argentina - a look at the founders of a guerrilla movement, Maria Jose Moyano. Part 3 Women's studies: conservative and feminist images of women associated with armed, clandestine organizations in the United States, Gilda Zwerman lacerations in the memory - women in the Italian underground organizations, Luisa Passerini. Part 4 Comparative studies: left-wing and right-wing terrorist groups - a comparison for the German case, Friedhelm Neidhardt ethnic and sociorevolutionary terrorism - a comparison of structures, Peter Waldmann political socialization in left-wing underground organizations - biographies of Italian and German militants, Donatella della Porta.
Dispersion in Real Exchange Rates

Using cross-sectional data on local currency prices of over 1,800 retail goods and services across 13 European countries in the mid 1980's, we characterize the behavior of average relative prices -- `real exchange rates' -- as well as dispersion around these averages. We find that the averages are surprisingly close to what purchasing power parity would suggest. In other words, in the mid 1980's, averages of ratios of foreign to domestic prices (across goods for a particular pair of countries) provide surprisingly accurate predictions of most nominal cross-rates. Variation around the averages, however, is large but is found to be related to economically meaningful characteristics of goods such as measures of international tradeability, the importance of non-traded inputs into production and the geographical distance between product markets. Using data on product brands, we find that product heterogeneity is at least as important as geography in explaining relative price dispersion.
Model-based Student Admission

We should test people the same way we test software. During the last decades, the field of software testing has matured into a solid sector of software engineering with a wide variety of available techniques, empirically supported usefulness and applicability claims, a sophisticated ontology of terms and approaches, as well as an arsenal of tools. The main contribution of this paper is a proposal for reuse of the domain model of software testing for assessment of students. The proof of concept used in the paper is that of conditional admission of graduate students to a software engineering programme.
Reactive and Proactive Control Adjustments under Increased Depressive Symptoms: Insights from the Classic and Emotional-Face Stroop Task

The current research investigated differences in reactive and proactive cognitive control as a function of depressive symptomatology. Three participant groups with varying symptom levels (Beck Depression Inventory–II, BDI–II score) completed both the classic and an emotional-face Stroop task separately under speed and accuracy instructions. All groups made equivalent speed–accuracy trade-offs independent of task, suggesting that proactive adjustments are unaffected by depressive symptoms. Additionally, groups made equivalent reactive control adjustments (Stroop effects, congruency sequence effects) in the classic Stroop task, suggesting that these reactive control adjustments are spared across a wide range of BDI–II scorers. In contrast, the high BDI–II group displayed a selective impairment in the resolution of conflict in the emotional-face Stroop task. Thus, while proactive control and many aspects of reactive control were unaffected by the level of depressive symptoms, specific impairments occurred when current task demands required the trial-to-trial regulation of emotional processing.
The Impact of Online Graduate Students' Motivation and Self-Regulation on Academic Procrastination

With the rapid growth in online programs come concerns about how best to support student learning in this segment of the university population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of effort regulation, a self-regulatory skill, and intrinsic motivation on online graduate students’ levels of academic procrastination, behavior that can adversely affect both the quality and quantity of student work. This research was guided by one primary question: Are online graduate students’ intrinsic motivation and use of effort regulation strategies predictive of procrastination? Results indicated that as intrinsic motivation to learn and effort regulation decrease, procrastination increases. Specific strategies for encouraging effort regulation and intrinsic motivation in online graduate students are presented.
Selling Humans: the Political Economy of Contemporary Global Slavery

Human trafficking is a growing illegal crime, both in terms of numbers and profits. Thus, important to consider, as it is a human rights, political, criminal justice, national security, and economic issue. Previous studies have these examined these human trafficking factors independently, yet none have really taken into account how they work simultaneously. This study examines why human trafficker continues to occur, particularly at the domestic and transnational level, and also why some countries are better able to effectively deal with this problem in terms of criminalizing human traffickers. It is argued that at the domestic level, traffickers first must take into account the operating costs, illegal risks, bribery, and profits of the business. After considering these basic elements, they then need to consider the world, including economic, political, geographic, and cultural factors that may help facilitate human trafficking. However, human trafficking can occur across large geographic distances, though rare. This is more likely to happen based on the type of human trafficking group, available expatriate or immigrant networks, the origin-transit-destination country connection, or strength of the bilateral economic relationship between origin and destination countries. Finally, looking at why some countries are better able to criminalize traffickers helps us to better understand how human trafficking can be discouraged. In short, conformity of a country’s domestic anti-human trafficking law, as well as the degree of enforcement, should increase the probability of criminalizing a human trafficker. These three theoretical arguments help to better understand the nature of the business, and more importantly, why human trafficking continues.
Approximately-Universal Space-Time Codes for the Parallel, Multi-Block and Cooperative-Dynamic-Decode-and-Forward Channels

Explicit codes are constructed that achieve the diversity-multiplexing gain tradeoff of the cooperative-relay channel under the dynamic decode-and-forward protocol for any network size and for all numbers of transmit and receive antennas at the relays. A particularly simple code construction that makes use of the Alamouti code as a basic building block is provided for the single relay case. Along the way, we prove that space-time codes previously constructed in the literature for the block-fading and parallel channels are approximately universal, i.e., they achieve the DMT for any fading distribution. It is shown how approximate universality of these codes leads to the first DMT-optimum code construction for the general, MIMO-OFDM channel.
Self-similar shocks and winds in galaxy clusters

A theoretical model framework of spherical symmetry is presented for a composite astrophysical system of two polytropic fluids coupled together by gravity to explore large-scale shocks and flow dynamics in clusters of galaxies or in globular clusters. The existence of such large-scale shocks in clusters of galaxies as inferred by high-resolution X-ray and radio imaging observations implies large-scale systematic flows that are beyond usual static models for clusters of galaxies. Here, we explore self-similar two-fluid flow solutions with shocks for a hot polytropic gas flow in a cluster of galaxies in the presence of a massive dark matter (DM) flow after the initiation of a gravitational core collapse or a central active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity or a large-scale merging process. In particular, the possibility of DM shocks or sharp jumps of mass density and of velocity dispersion in DM halo is suggested and such DM shocks might be detectable through gravitational lensing effects. To examine various plausible scenarios for clusters of galaxies, we describe three possible classes of shock flows within our model framework for different types of temperature, density and flow speed profiles. Depending upon sensible model parameters and shock locations, the hot intracluster medium (ICM) and DM halo may have various combinations of asymptotic behaviours of outflow, breeze, inflow, contraction or static envelopes at large radii at a given time. We refer to asymptotic outflows of hot ICM at large radii as the galaxy cluster wind. As a result of such galaxy cluster winds and simultaneous contractions of DM halo during the course of galaxy cluster evolution, there would be less hot ICM within clusters of galaxies as compared to the average baryon fraction in the Universe. Physically, it is then expected that such 'missing baryons' with lower temperatures reside in the periphery of galaxy clusters on much larger scales. Based on our model analysis, we also predict a limiting (the steepest) radial scaling form for mass density profiles of r -3 within clusters of galaxies.
Testing the Market Integration Process in the European Car Sector: Evidence from Pricing‐To‐Market Behaviour

In this study, we investigate the process of the European car market integration by analysing the evolution of cross‐country differences in the degree of pricing‐to‐market behaviour of United Kingdom exporters. We estimate these country differences by exploiting statistical information for pre‐tax retail prices and for export unit values. Conclusions from both independent data sets are, in general, quite consistent. Results support the claim that, in the period before the Block Exemption Regulation (1400/2002) came fully into force, international price discrimination was an important source of car price dispersion within the euro area. For a more recent period, we found that estimated deviations in pricing‐to‐market behaviour across destinations have become lower. This convergence suggests that car market integration was progressively improved at the end of the last decade.