Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kainate Receptors Expressed by a Subpopulation of Developing Nociceptors Rapidly Switch from High to Low Ca2+Permeability

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons first express kainate receptor subunits, predominantly GluR5, during embryonic development. In the DRG and throughout the nervous system, substantial editing of GluR5 mRNA occurs with developmental maturation (Bernard et al., 1999). The accompanying change in Ca2+ permeability of functional kainate receptors that is the predicted outcome of this developmental regulation of mRNA editing has not been investigated. Here we report that kainate receptors on DRG neurons from late embryonic and newborn rats are predominantly Ca2+permeable but then become fully Ca2+ impermeable later in the first postnatal week. Using multiple markers for nociceptor subpopulations, we show that this switch in Ca2+ permeability is not caused by the appearance of a new subpopulation of nociceptors with different receptor properties. Instead, the change in Ca2+ permeability matches the time course of post-transcriptional RNA editing of GluR5 at the Q/R site within the pore of the channel, indicating that the change is probably caused by developmentally regulated RNA editing. We also report that, on the basis of the strong correlation of receptor expression with expression of the surface markers LA4, isolectin B4, and LD2, kainate receptors are present on C-fiber-type neurons projecting to lamina II of spinal cord dorsal horn. These results raise the possibility that kainate receptors in their Ca2+-permeable form serve a developmental role in synapse formation between this population of C-fibers and their targets in the spinal cord dorsal horn. Thereafter, the receptors may serve a new function that does not require Ca2+permeability.
INDECOMPOSABLE CANONICAL MODULES AND CONNECTEDNESS

INDECOMPOSABLE CANONICAL MODULESAND CONNECTEDNESSMelvin Hochster and Craig Huneke1. IntroductionThroughout this paper all rings are commutative, with identity, and Noetherian, unlessotherwise speciﬁed. In particular, “local ring” always means Noetherian local ring, unlessotherwise speciﬁed. Our objective is to prove a generalization of Faltings’ connectednesstheorem [Fal1, Fal2], which asserts that in a complete local domain (R,m,K) of dimensionn, if I ⊆ m is an ideal generated by at most n−2 elements, then the punctured spectrum ofR/I is connected. Our result (see Theorems 3.3and 3.6)draws the same conclusion withoutthe hypothesis that R be a domain: we assume instead that R is complete, equidimensional(i.e., for every minimal prime p of R, dimR/p = dimR), and that one of the followingconditions, which we shall prove are equivalent, holds:a) H
Validation of surface height from shuttle radar topography mission using shuttle laser altimeter

Spaceborne Interferometric SAR (InSAR) technology used in the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and spaceborne lidar such as Shuttle Laser Altimeter-02 (SLA-02) are two promising technologies for providing global scale digital elevation models (DEMs). Each type of these systems has limitations that affect the accuracy or extent of coverage. These systems are complementary in developing DEM data. In this study, surface height measured independently by SRTM and SLA-02 was cross-validated. SLA data was first verified by field observations, and examinations of individual lidar waveforms. The geolocation accuracy of the SLA height data sets was examined by checking the correlation between the SLA surface height with SRTM height at 90 m resolution, while shifting the SLA ground track within its specified horizontal errors. It was found that the heights from the two instruments were highly correlated along the SLA ground track, and shifting the positions did not improve the correlation significantly. Absolute surface heights from SRTM and SLA referenced to the same horizontal and vertical datum (World Geodetic System (WGS) 84 Ellipsoid) were compared. The effects of forest cover and surface slope on the height difference were also examined. After removing the forest effect on SRTM height, the mean height difference with SLA-02 was near zero. It can be further inferred from the standard deviation of the height differences that the absolute accuracy of SRTM height at low vegetation area is better than the SRTM mission specifications (16 m). The SRTM height bias caused by forest cover needs to be further examined using future spaceborne lidar (e.g. GLAS) data. D 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Detracking Swedish secondary schools - any losers, any winners? ∗

Whether or not to differentiate - or track - students according to ability has been debated over the years. In Sweden, secondary schools that practiced tracking and schools that did not practice tracking existed simultaneously from 1980 to 1997. This variation in tracking status between schools is used in a differences-in-differences approach. I estimate whether tracking math, or not, in Swedish secondary school had any effect on the probability of having graduated upper-secondary school, but also whether tracking had any consequence for the math grade in upper-secondary school. The results show that when considering the attainment of upper-secondary education and the mean achievement in math, there are no effects of tracking. However, there are effects when estimating the probability of receiving a specific grade, i.e. fail, pass, pass with distinction or pass with special distinction. Tracked students, from families with low-educated parents, are more likely to fail math than similar students in a non-tracked environment.
Design Methodology for Variable Leakage Flux IPM for Automobile Traction Drives

This paper presents a novel methodology for the variable leakage flux interior permanent-magnet (VLF-IPM) motor taking advantage of the variable leakage flux property in the rotor core controlled by the q-axis current, without any additional components. The fundamental phenomenon is explained with finite-element analysis results; then, the theoretical equations expressing the variable flux linkage controlled by the q-axis current have been conducted. The proof-of-principle model was designed, and the fundamental properties, such as torque-speed envelope and efficiency map, were evaluated. It was shown that the proposed motor can reduce energy consumption on duty-cycle driving.
Trade Openness: An Australian Perspective

Australia’s external trade is relatively low compared with the size of its economy. Indeed, Australia’s openness ratio (exports plus imports as a proportion of GDP) in 2002 was the third-lowest among the 30 OECD countries. This paper seeks to understand Australia’s low openness by analysing the empirical determinants of aggregate country trade. We begin by estimating a standard gravity model of bilateral trade. Although the model appears to fit the bilateral data very well, it does a relatively poor job at fitting countries’ aggregate trade levels, with different methodologies sometimes providing highly conflicting results. The focus of the paper is an equation for country openness. Our equation explains a substantial amount of the variation in how much countries trade using a small number of explanatory variables. We find that the most important determinants of openness are population and a measure of distance to potential trade partners. Countries with larger populations trade less, as do countries that are relatively more remote. Furthermore, after controlling for trade policy there is little evidence of a positive correlation between openness and economic development. While gravity models suggest Australia trades much more than expected, the openness equation suggests that its level of trade is relatively close to what would be expected. The most important factors in explaining Australia’s low openness ratio are its distance to the rest of the world, and to a lesser extent its large geographic size.
Obesity Takes Its Toll on Visceral Pain: High-Fat Diet Induces Toll-Like Receptor 4-Dependent Visceral Hypersensitivity

Exposure to high-fat diet induces both, peripheral and central alterations in TLR4 expression. Moreover, functional TLR4 is required for the development of high-fat diet-induced obesity. Recently, central alterations in TLR4 expression have been associated with the modulation of visceral pain. However, it remains unknown whether there is a functional interaction between the role of TLR4 in diet-induced obesity and in visceral pain. In the present study we investigated the impact of long-term exposure to high-fat diet on visceral pain perception and on the levels of TLR4 and Cd11b (a microglial cell marker) protein expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus. Peripheral alterations in TLR4 were assessed following the stimulation of spleenocytes with the TLR4-agonist LPS. Finally, we evaluated the effect of blocking TLR4 on visceral nociception, by administering TAK-242, a selective TLR4-antagonist. Our results demonstrated that exposure to high-fat diet induced visceral hypersensitivity. In parallel, enhanced TLR4 expression and microglia activation were found in brain areas related to visceral pain, the PFC and the hippocampus. Likewise, peripheral TLR4 activity was increased following long-term exposure to high-fat diet, resulting in an increased level of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Finally, TLR4 blockage counteracted the hyperalgesic phenotype present in mice fed on high-fat diet. Our data reveal a role for TLR4 in visceral pain modulation in a model of diet-induced obesity, and point to TLR4 as a potential therapeutic target for the development of drugs to treat visceral hypersensitivity present in pathologies associated to fat diet consumption.
Repatriation of Debt in the Euro Crisis: Evidence for the Secondary Market Theory

The Euro Crisis has stopped the process of the European financial integration and triggered a strong repatriation of debt from foreign to domestic investors. We investigate this empirical pattern in light of competing theories of cross-border portfolio allocation. Three empirical regularities stand out: i) repatriation of debt occurred mainly in crisis countries; ii) repatriation affected mainly public debt; iii) public debt of crisis countries was reallocated to politically influential countries within the Euro Area. Standard theories are in line with pattern (i) at best. We argue that the full picture constitutes evidence for the "secondary market theory" of sovereign debt.
Measuring exposure to the polyphenol metabolome in observational epidemiologic studies: current tools and applications and their limits

Much experimental evidence supports a protective role of dietary polyphenols against chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. However, results from observational epidemiologic studies are still limited and are often inconsistent. This is largely explained by the difficulties encountered in the estimation of exposure to the polyphenol metabolome, which is composed of ∼500 polyphenols distributed across a wide variety of foods and characterized by diverse biological properties. Exposure to the polyphenol metabolome in epidemiologic studies can be assessed by the use of detailed dietary questionnaires or the measurement of biomarkers of polyphenol intake. The questionnaire approach has been greatly facilitated by the use of new databases on polyphenol composition but is limited by bias as a result of self-reporting. The use of polyphenol biomarkers holds much promise for objective estimation of polyphenol exposure in future metabolome-wide association studies. These approaches are reviewed and their advantages and limitations discussed by using examples of epidemiologic studies on polyphenols and cancer. The current improvement in these techniques, along with greater emphasis on the intake of individual polyphenols rather than polyphenols considered collectively, will help unravel the role of these major food bioactive constituents in disease prevention.
Electrostatic determinants of voltage sensitivity in ion channels: Simulations of sliding-helix mechanisms

Electrical signaling via voltage-gated ion channels depends upon the function of the voltage sensor (VS), identified with the S1-S4 domain of voltage-gated K channels. Here we investigate some physical aspects of the sliding-helix model of the VS using simulations based on VS charges, linear dielectrics and whole-body motion. Model electrostatics in voltage-clamped boundary conditions are solved using a boundary element method. The statistical mechanical consequences of the electrostatic configurational energy are computed to gain insight into the sliding-helix mechanism and to predict experimentally measured ensemble properties such as gating charge displaced by an applied voltage. Those consequences and ensemble properties are investigated for variations of: S4 configuration ({\alpha}- and 3(10)-helical), intrinsic counter-charges, protein polarizability, geometry of the gating canal, screening of S4 charges by the baths, and protein charges located at the bath interfaces. We find that the sliding helix VS has an inherent electrostatic stability and its function as a VS is robust in the parameter space explored. Maximal charge displacement is limited by geometry, specifically the range of movement where S4 charges and counter-charges overlap in the region of weak dielectric. The steepness of charge rearrangement in the physiological voltage range is sensitive to the landscape of electrostatic energy: energy differences of <2 kT have substantial consequences. Such variations of energy landscape are produced by all variations of model features tested. The amount of free energy per unit voltage that a sliding-helix VS can deliver to other parts of the channel (conductance voltage sensitivity) is limited by both the maximal displaced charge and the steepness of charge redistribution by voltage (sensor voltage sensitivity).
Dynamics of a gas containing small solid particles

I t is shown that for gas-particle flow systems, the particle flow field and the mutual interaction of gas with the particle cloud are governed by four similarity parameters, each of which has a simple physical significance. (1) The velocity equilibration parameter, kvlL: the ratio of the distance required for particle velocity to reach that of the fluid, to the characteristic geometric length of the flow field. (2) The thermal equilibration parameter, ATI L: the ratio of distance required for particle temperature to reach that of the fluid, to the characteristic geometric length of the flow field. (3) The momentum interaction parameter, K: the ratio of particle mass density to fluid mass density, which governs the relative acceleration experienced by fluid ,and particle cloud as a result of interaction. (4) The thermal interaction parameter, K(cslcp): the ratio of thermal capacity of solid phase with that of the gas, which is a measure of relative temperature changes during equilibration. These parametric groups must be augmented when the particles collide or when they radiate to each other. General equations for gas-particle flow systems are derived on the basis of a particle distribution function. When the problem involves particles of only one size, these relations simplify accordingly. Using the normal shock wave and the one-dimensional gas-dynamics as examples, it is shown that the approximations Av I L ~ I and Av I L ~ I respectively can be used to advantage. The channel flow problem is solved in general for "small slip" approximation Av IL ~ 1. The trajectories of single particles in Prandtl-Meyer flow arc obtained as an illustration of the technique appropriate to the approximation K ~ 1, that is, the particle density is so low that it does not affect significantly the gas motion. Finally, the Blasius problem is extended to fluid-particle systems utilizing an expansion in powers of Av Ix. This solution, valid for distances x more than a few Av downstream from the leading edge, leads to a new shear law and a new heat transfer coefficient appropriate to the fluid-particle boundary layer.
The electric field distribution in the brain during TTFields therapy and its dependence on tissue dielectric properties and anatomy: a computational study

Tumor treating fields (TTFields) are a non-invasive, anti-mitotic and approved treatment for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. In vitro studies have shown that inhibition of cell division in glioma is achieved when the applied alternating electric field has a frequency in the range of 200 kHz and an amplitude of 1–3 V cm−1. Our aim is to calculate the electric field distribution in the brain during TTFields therapy and to investigate the dependence of these predictions on the heterogeneous, anisotropic dielectric properties used in the computational model. A realistic head model was developed by segmenting MR images and by incorporating anisotropic conductivity values for the brain tissues. The finite element method (FEM) was used to solve for the electric potential within a volume mesh that consisted of the head tissues, a virtual lesion with an active tumour shell surrounding a necrotic core, and the transducer arrays. The induced electric field distribution is highly non-uniform. Average field strength values are slightly higher in the tumour when incorporating anisotropy, by about 10% or less. A sensitivity analysis with respect to the conductivity and permittivity of head tissues shows a variation in field strength of less than 42% in brain parenchyma and in the tumour, for values within the ranges reported in the literature. Comparing results to a previously developed head model suggests significant inter-subject variability. This modelling study predicts that during treatment with TTFields the electric field in the tumour exceeds 1 V cm−1, independent of modelling assumptions. In the future, computational models may be useful to optimize delivery of TTFields.
Adaptation and the perception of facial age

We examined how the perceived age of adult faces is affected by adaptation to younger or older adult faces. Observers viewed images of a synthetic male face simulating ageing over a modelled range from 15 to 65 years. Age was varied by changing shape cues or textural cues. Age level was varied in a staircase to find the observer's subjective category boundary between “old” and “young”. These boundaries were strongly biased by adaptation to the young or old face, with significant aftereffects induced by either shape or textural cues. A further experiment demonstrated comparable aftereffects for photorealistic images of average older or younger adult faces, and found that aftereffects showed some selectivity for a change in gender but also strongly transferred across gender. This transfer shows that adaptation can adjust to the attribute of age somewhat independently of other facial attributes. These findings suggest that perceived age, like many other natural facial dimensions, is highly susceptible to adaptation, and that this adaptation can be carried by both the structural and textural changes that normally accompany facial ageing.
Increased Expression of TGF-β1 in Correlation with Liver Fibrosis during Echinococcus granulosus Infection in Mice

To investigate the potential role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in liver fibrosis during Echinococcus granulosus infection, 96 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, experimental group infected by intraperitoneal injection with a metacestode suspension and control group given sterile physiological saline. The liver and blood samples were collected at days 2, 8, 30, 90, 180, and 270 post infection (PI), and the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA and protein was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. We also evaluated the pathological changes in the liver during the infection using hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) and Masson staining of the liver sections. Pathological analysis of H-E stained infected liver sections revealed liver cell edema, bile duct proliferation, and structural damages of the liver as evidenced by not clearly visible lobular architecture of the infected liver, degeneration of liver cell vacuoles, and infiltration of lymphocytes at late stages of infection. The liver tissue sections from control mice remained normal. Masson staining showed worsening of liver fibrosis at the end stages of the infection. The levels of TGF-β1 did not show significant changes at the early stages of infection, but there were significant increases in the levels of TGF-β1 at the middle and late stages of infection (P<0.05). RT-PCR results showed that, when compared with the control group, TGF-β1 mRNA was low and comparable with that in control mice at the early stages of infection, and that it was significantly increased at day 30 PI and remained at high levels until day 270 PI (P<0.05). The results of this study suggested that increased expression of TGF-β1 during E. granulosus infection may play a significant role in liver fibrosis associated with E. granulosus infection.
Corporate Governance and Earnings Quality: International Evidence

We examine the relationship between corporate governance and earnings quality worldwide. Results suggest a substitute relationship between corporate governance and earnings quality. We find that the country effect is extremely relevant in shaping this relationship. Indeed, this relation is more pronounced in developed countries, in countries with strong investor protection. Our findings are consistent with the view that poor accounting information may force firms to adopt costlier corporate governance mechanisms, in particular in environments in which they are effective. Likewise, in such environments, firms with better quality accounting information may not need to invest so much in costly governance
Underwater Image Enhancement Using an Integrated Colour Model

In underwater situations, clarity of images are degraded by light absorption and scattering. This causes one colour to dominate the image. In order to improve the perception of underwater images, we proposed an approach based on slide stretching. The objective of this approach is twofold. Firstly, the contrast stretching of RGB algorithm is applied to equalize the colour contrast in images. Secondly, the saturation and intensity stretching of HSI is used to increase the true colour and solve the problem of lighting. Interactive software has been developed for underwater image enhancement. Results of the software are presented in this paper.
An Authentication Method for Digital Audio Using a Discrete Wavelet Transform

Recently, several digital watermarking techniques have been proposed for hiding data in the frequency domain of audio files in order to protect their copyrights. In general, there is a tradeoff between the quality of watermarked audio and the tolerance of watermarks to signal processing methods, such as compression. In previous research, we simultaneously improved the performance of both by developing a multipurpose optimization problem for deciding the positions of watermarks in the frequency domain of audio data and obtaining a near-optimum solution to the problem. This solution was obtained using a wavelet transform and a genetic algorithm. However, obtaining the near-optimum solution was very time consuming. To overcome this issue essentially, we have developed an authentication method for digital audio using a discrete wavelet transform. In contrast to digital watermarking, no additional information is inserted into the original audio by the proposed method, and the audio is authenticated using features extracted by the wavelet transform and characteristic coding in the proposed method. Accordingly, one can always use copyright-protected original audio. The experimental results show that the method has high tolerance of authentication to all types of MP3, AAC, and WMA compression. In addition, the processing time of the method is acceptable for every-day use.