Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transport of Salt and Water in Rabbit and Guinea Pig Gall Bladder

A simple and reproducible method has been developed for following fluid transport by an in vitro preparation of mammalian gall bladder, based upon weighing the organ at 5 minute intervals. Both guinea pig and rabbit gall bladders transport NaCl and water in isotonic proportions from lumen to serosa. In the rabbit bicarbonate stimulates transport, but there is no need for exogenous glucose. The transport rate is not affected by removal of potassium from the bathing solutions. Albumin causes a transient weight loss from the gall bladder wall, apparently by making the serosal smooth muscle fibers contract. Active NaCl transport can carry water against osmotic gradients of up to two atmospheres. Under passive conditions water may also move against its activity gradient in the presence of a permeating solute. The significance of water movement against osmotic gradients during active solute transport is discussed.
Assessing usable security of multifactor authentication

An authentication mechanism is a security service that establishes the difference between authorised and unauthorised users. When used as part of certain website processes such as online banking, it provides users with greater safety and protection against service attacks and intruders. For an e-banking website to be considered effective, it should provide a usable and secure authentication mechanism. Despite existing research on usability and security domains, there is a lack of research on synthesising the contributions of usable security and evaluating multifactor authentication methods. Without understanding the usability and security of authentication mechanisms, the authenticating process is likely to become cumbersome and insecure. This negatively affects a goal of the authentication process, convenience for the user. This thesis sought to investigate the usability and security of multifactor authentication and filled an important gap in the development of authenticating processes. It concentrated on users’ perspectives, which are crucial for the deployment of an authenticating process. To achieve the thesis goal, a systematic series of three studies has been conducted. First, an exploratory study was used to investigate the current state of the art of using multifactor authentication and to evaluate the usability and security of these methods. The study involved a survey of 614 e-banking users, who were selected because they were likely long-term users of online banking and they had two different bank accounts, a Saudi account and a foreign account (most foreign accounts were British). The study indicated that multifactor authentication has been widely adopted in e-banking in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, with high levels of security and trustworthiness as compared to single factor authentication. The second study was a descriptive study of the most common authentication methods. This study aimed to learn more about commonly used methods that were identified in the previous study and sought to propose an appropriate combination of authentication methods to be evaluated in the third study. The third study was an experimental study with 100 users to evaluate the usable security of three different multifactor authentication methods: finger print, secure device and card reader. A web based system was designed specifically for this study to simulate an original UK e-banking website. One of the main contribution of this study was that the system allowed users to choose their preferred authentication method. Moreover, the study contributed to the field of usable security by proposing security evaluation criteria based on users’ awareness of security warnings. The key result obtained indicated that fingerprinting was the most usable and secure method. Additionally, the users’ level of understanding security warnings was very low, as shown by their reaction to the security indicators presented during the experiment.
Oscillatory neuronal dynamics during lexical-semantic retrieval and integration

Current models of language processing advocate that word meaning is partially stored in distributed modality-specific cortical networks. However, while much has been done to investigate where information is represented in the brain, the neuronal dynamics underlying how these networks communicate internally, and with each other are still poorly understood. For example, it is not clear how spatially distributed semantic content is integrated into a coherent conceptual representation. The current thesis investigates how perceptual semantic features are selected and integrated, using oscillatory neuronal dynamics. Cortical oscillations reflect synchronized activity in large neuronal populations that are associated with specific classes of network interactions. The first part of the present thesis addresses how perceptual semantic features are selected in long-term memory. Using electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings, it is demonstrated that retrieving perceptually more complex information is associated with a reduction in oscillatory power, which is in line with the information via desynchronization hypothesis, a recent neurophysiological model for long-term memory retrieval. The second, and third part address how distributed semantic content is integrated and coordinated in the brain. Behavioral evidence suggests that integrating two features of a target word (e.g., Whistle) during a dual property verification task, incurs an additional processing cost if features are from different (visual: tiny, audio: loud), rather than the same modality (visual: tiny, silver). Furthermore, EEG recordings reveal that integrating cross-modal feature pairs is associated with a more sustained low-frequency theta power increase in the left anterior temporal lobe (ATL). The ATL is thought to converge semantic content from different modalities. In line with this notion, ATL is shown to communicate with a widely distributed cortical network at the theta frequency. The fourth part of the thesis uses magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings to show that, while low frequency theta oscillations in left ATL are more sensitive to integrating features from different modalities, integrating two features from the same modality induces an early increase in high frequency gamma power in left ATL and modality-specific regions. These results are in line with a recent framework suggesting that local, and long-range network dynamics are reflected in different oscillatory frequencies. The fifth part demonstrates that the connection weights between left ATL and modality-specific regions at the theta frequency are modulated consistently with the content of the word (e.g., visual features enhance connectivity between left ATL and left inferior occipital cortex). The thesis concludes by embedding these results in the context of current neurocognitive models of semantic processing.
Piezo1 regulates mechanotransductive release of ATP from human RBCs

Significance Mechanotransductive release of ATP from RBCs participates in the regulation of microvascular tone and plays essential roles in vascular physiopathology. The mechanism responsible for the release of ATP, however, is poorly understood. We show for the first time, to our knowledge, that Piezo1, the recently identified mechanically activated cation channel, regulates the mechanotransductive release of ATP from RBCs. In particular, we uncover the link between Piezo1, calcium influx, and ATP release and propose a previously unidentified mechanotransductive pathway that modulates the release of ATP from RBCs. The outcome of this study will allow the development of much needed approaches to regulate the release of ATP from RBCs and thus, impact significantly the fields of red cell research, cellular mechanosensing, and Piezo1 channels. Piezo proteins (Piezo1 and Piezo2) are recently identified mechanically activated cation channels in eukaryotic cells and associated with physiological responses to touch, pressure, and stretch. In particular, human RBCs express Piezo1 on their membranes, and mutations of Piezo1 have been linked to hereditary xerocytosis. To date, however, physiological functions of Piezo1 on normal RBCs remain poorly understood. Here, we show that Piezo1 regulates mechanotransductive release of ATP from human RBCs by controlling the shear-induced calcium (Ca2+) influx. We find that, in human RBCs treated with Piezo1 inhibitors or having mutant Piezo1 channels, the amounts of shear-induced ATP release and Ca2+ influx decrease significantly. Remarkably, a critical extracellular Ca2+ concentration is required to trigger significant ATP release, but membrane-associated ATP pools in RBCs also contribute to the release of ATP. Our results show how Piezo1 channels are likely to function in normal RBCs and suggest a previously unidentified mechanotransductive pathway in ATP release. Thus, we anticipate that the study will impact broadly on the research of red cells, cellular mechanosensing, and clinical studies related to red cell disorders and vascular disease.
Relatives Versus Neighbors - An Experiment Studying Spontaneous Social Exchange -

Social institutions regulating group conduct have been regarded as necessary for human cooperation to transcend family bonds. However, many studies in economics and biology indicate that reciprocity based on repeated interaction su_ces to establish cooperation with non-kin. We shed light on the issue by a voluntary social exchange experiment where related (via mutual shareholding) players coexist with unrelated ones. Systematically varying the degree of shared interests and the length of the time horizon, we provide evidence that repeated interactions play a crucial role in human cooperation, although humans remain attentive to relatedness.
A new approach for energy efficiency in MANET based on the OLSR protocol

One of the critical issues in Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) is the energy efficiency. The challenge is how to extend the limited lifetime of energy in mobile nodes. We proposed a new approach to minimise the energy consumption called EM-OLSR (Energy Efficiency in MANET by improving OLSR protocol). EM-OLSR is based on the OLSR routing protocol and adds a new energy fairness parameter to the Multi-Point Relay (MPR) technique. This new parameter is used by our approach and allows fairness energy consumption in the same set of MPR. In this mechanism, nodes with low power are prevented in the routing process in order to maintain similar power values for all the mobile nodes. The simulation results showed that our proposed EM-OLSR approach allow significant power saving up to 14% and an increase in average lifetime of a mobile node as high as 22%.
PEDANT genome database: 10 years online

The PEDANT genome database provides exhaustive annotation of 468 genomes by a broad set of bioinformatics algorithms. We describe recent developments of the PEDANT Web server. The all-new Graphical User Interface (GUI) implemented in Java™ allows for more efficient navigation of the genome data, extended search capabilities, user customization and export facilities. The DNA and Protein viewers have been made highly dynamic and customizable. We also provide Web Services to access the entire body of PEDANT data programmatically. Finally, we report on the application of association rule mining for automatic detection of potential annotation errors. PEDANT is freely accessible to academic users at .
Extracting coherent coda arrivals from cross‐correlations of long period seismic waves during the Mount St. Helens 2004 eruption

We computed cross‐correlations of seismic waves generated by Long‐Period (LP) events in the frequency band [0.8–2.2 Hz]. The data were recorded in the vicinity of Mount St Helens (MSH) during an eruptive period from September to December 2004. The time symmetric coherent coda arrivals of the time‐derivative of the cross‐correlation function (DCF), resulting from scattering and topographic effects in MSH area, correspond to arrivals of the Green's function (GF) between the two stations. The DCF waveforms computed on an hourly basis show a remarkable consistency over time periods of several hours but show temporal variations on longer time‐scales. We investigated the emergence rate of the symmetric arrivals of the DCF and discussed their potential applications for volcano monitoring.
What Network Analysis of the WWW Can Tell Us about the Organisation of Tourism Destinations

This research examines the comparative characteristics of two tourism destinations based on quantitative analysis of the network of hyperlinks among their tourism operators' websites. Methods and techniques of the 'science of networks' are used to characterise and compare the static and dynamic characteristics of a tourism destinations webspace. Network metrics are proposed as quantitative assessments of collaboration and cooperation among destination stakeholders. Using two cases, Fiji islands and the island of Elba (Italy), we show that the networks exhibit a topology similar to that characterising many complex social systems which have been studied and reported in the literature. The differences found of these tourism networks from other types appear due to the relatively poor connectivity among the elements of the networks. The structural characteristics are then interpreted in terms of the evolutionary growth of tourism destinations.
Rule-based process servers for software development environments

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of the lyophilized vaccine against duck hepatitis by using the attenuated hepatitis virus TN cultivated by Asplin. According to the invention the virus deposited in the Strain Collection of the Hungarian Institute of Public Healts under No. 00220 is injected into the allantoic cavity of embryonated SPF-hen's eggs, the eggs are incubated at a temperature of about 37 DEG C. , the embryos died between 24 and 96 hours are collected, homogenized with a physiological saline solution, antibiotics are added to the pure suspension, and after the addition of protective and skeleton forming agents the sterile virus material is lyophilized in a manner known per se. The lyophilized vaccine can be stored at a temperature of +4 DEG C. for one year in contradiction to the known liquid vaccine storable in freezed state at a temperature of -20 DEG C. for half a year and which has to be used within 7 days from the delivery (with a storage temperature of +4 DEG C.). The titre of the vaccine prepared according to the invention is at least tenfold of that of the known vaccine, thus much less embryonated eggs are used for the process according to the invention what means cost saving. Due to the lyophilization the vaccine can be transported to far destinations, too, what was not possible at the known liquid product stored in freezed state.
Association of TLR4 Gene rs2149356 Polymorphism with Primary Gouty Arthritis in a Case-Control Study

Background The toll-like receptor (TLR)4-interleukin1β (IL1β) signaling pathway is involved in the monosodium urate (MSU)-mediated inflammation. The aim of this present study was to determine whether the TLR4 gene rs2149356 SNP is associated with gouty arthritis (GA) susceptibility and whether rs2149356 SNP impacts the TLR4-IL1β signaling pathway molecules expression. Methods and Findings The rs2149356 SNP was detected in 459 GA patients and 669 control subjects (containing 459 healthy and 210 hyperuricemic subjects). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) TLR4 mRNA and serum IL1β were measured in different genotype carriers, and correlations between TLR4 gene SNP and TLR4 mRNA, IL1β were investigated. The frequencies of the genotype and allele were significantly different between the GA and control groups (P<0.01, respectively). The TT genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of GA (OR = 1.88); this finding was not influenced by making adjustments for the components of possible confounders (adjusted OR = 1.96). TLR4 mRNA and IL1β were significantly increased in the TT genotype from acute GA patients (P<0.05, respectively), and lipids were significantly different among three genotypes in the GA patients (P<0.05, respectively). Conclusions The TLR4 gene rs2149356 SNP might be associated with GA susceptibility, and might participate in regulating immune, inflammation and lipid metabolism. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.
Moral education in Aristotle

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Clinical Interventions in Aging Dovepress Drug Burden Index in Older Adults: Theoretical and Practical Issues

Anticholinergic and sedative medications are commonly used in older adults and are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The Drug Burden Index was developed to measure the cumulative exposure to these medications in older adults and its impact on physical and cognitive function. This narrative review discusses the research and clinical applications of the Drug Burden Index, and its advantages and limitations, compared with other pharmacologically developed measures of high-risk prescribing. Clinical scenario An 81-year old Caucasian female presents with complaints of a dry mouth and morning sedation. The patient lives alone in a dwelling adjacent to her daughter and son-in-law, and has also noted a decreased ability to complete her daily activities due to fatigue. Her past medical history includes hypertension, urinary incontinence, insomnia, and osteoarthritic pain. Her medications include irbesartan 300 mg daily, darifenacin 15 mg daily, temazepam 7.5 mg at night, and acetaminophen/codeine 300 mg/15 mg two tablets three times daily. Her physician referred her for medication review by a pharmacist as part of the Medication Therapy Management pharmacy practice program.
WHAT LIES BENEATH: USING p(z) TO REDUCE SYSTEMATIC PHOTOMETRIC REDSHIFT ERRORS

We use simulations to demonstrate that photometric redshift “errors” can be greatly reduced by using the photometric redshift probability distribution p(z) rather than a one-point estimate such as the most likely redshift. In principle, this involves tracking a large array of numbers rather than a single number for each galaxy. We introduce a very simple estimator that requires tracking only a single number for each galaxy, while retaining the systematic-error-reducing properties of using the full p(z) and requiring only very minor modifications to existing photometric redshift codes. We find that using this redshift estimator (or using the full p(z)) can substantially reduce systematics in dark energy parameter estimation from weak lensing, at no cost to the survey.
The dynamic landscape of the cell nucleus

While the cell nucleus was described for the first time almost two centuries ago, our modern view of the nuclear architecture is primarily based on studies from the last two decades. This surprising late start coincides with the development of new, powerful strategies to probe for the spatial organization of nuclear activities in both fixed and live cells. As a result, three major principles have emerged: first, the nucleus is not just a bag filled with nucleic acids and proteins. Rather, many distinct functional domains, including the chromosomes, resides within the confines of the nuclear envelope. Second, all these nuclear domains are highly dynamic, with molecules exchanging rapidly between them and the surrounding nucleoplasm. Finally, the motion of molecules within the nucleoplasm appears to be mostly driven by random diffusion. Here, the emerging roles of several subnuclear domains are discussed in the context of the dynamic functions of the cell nucleus. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77: 19–28, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Infant Speech Sound Discrimination: The Effects of Contingent versus Noncontingent Stimulus.

WILLIAMS, LEE, and GOLENSKI, JOHN. Infant Speech Sound Discrimination: The Effects of Contingent versus Noncontingent Stimulus Presentation. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1978, 49, 213-217. Speech sound discrimination in 72 infants aged 6-12 weeks was studied using contingent and noncontingent methods of sound presentation. In the contigent condition a highamplitude suck was reinforced with the presentation of a speech sound. In the 2 noncontingent conditions speech sounds were presented at either random or periodic intervals independent of infant sucking. Under all 3 conditions, following a period of sucking decrement, there was either a change in the sound presented (sound-change group) or the same sound continued to be presented (no-change group). A significant difference in postdecrement sucking rate between sound-change and no-change groups was found only under the contingent condition. Significant differences in the elimination of subjects from the experimental population for reasons of state change were also found across conditions of sound presentation.
Institutions as Knowledge Capital: Ludwig M' Lachmann's Interpretative Institutionalism

The paper revisits the socioeconomic theory of the Austrian School economist Ludwig M. Lachmann. By showing that the common claim that Lachmann’s idiosyncratic (read: eclectic and multidisciplinary) approach to economics entails nihilism is unfounded, it reaches the following conclusions. (1) Lachmann held a sophisticated institutional position to economics that anticipated developments in contemporary new institutional economics. (2) Lachmann’s sociological and economic reading of institutions offers insights for the problem of coordination. (3) Lachmann extends contemporary new institutional theory without simultaneously denying the policy approach of comparative institutional analysis.
Adaptive optics microperimetry and OCT images show preserved function and recovery of cone visibility in macular telangiectasia type 2 retinal lesions.

PURPOSE To evaluate visual function and disease progression in the retinal structural abnormalities of three patients from two unrelated families with macular telangiectasia (MacTel) type 2. METHODS Adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) and AOSLO microperimetry (AOMP) were used to evaluate the structure and function of macular cones in three eyes with MacTel type 2. Cone spacing was estimated using histogram analysis of intercone distances, and registered spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans were used to evaluate retinal anatomy. AOMP was used to assess visual sensitivity in and around areas of apparent cone loss. RESULTS Although overall lesion surface area increased, some initially affected regions subsequently showed clear, contiguous, and normally spaced cone mosaics with recovered photoreceptor inner/outer segment (IS/OS) reflectivity (two of two eyes). The AOMP test sites fell within three categories: normal-appearing cones (N), dimly reflecting cones (D), and RPE cell mosaics (R). At N sites, AOMP threshold values (arbitrary units [au]) increased with increasing eccentricity (slope = 0.054 au/degree, r(2) = 0.77). The N thresholds ranged from 0.04 to 0.27 au, D thresholds from 0.04 to 0.33 au, and R thresholds from 0.14 to 1.00 au. There was measurable visual sensitivity everywhere except areas without intact external limiting membrane (ELM) and with diffuse scattering in the IS/OS and posterior tips of the outer segments (PTOS) regions on OCT. CONCLUSIONS Visual sensitivity and recovery of cone visibility in areas of apparent focal cone loss suggests that MacTel type 2 lesions with a preserved ELM may contain functioning cones with abnormal scattering and/or waveguiding characteristics. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00254605.).