Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polarimetry in Sunspot Penumbrae at High Spatial Resolution

We present two-dimensional high-spatial-resolution spectropolarimetric observations of sunspot penumbrae. They were obtained in April 2002 and May 2003 with the "Gottingen" Fabry-Perot spectrometer at the Vacuum Tower Telescope at the Observatorio del Teide (Tenerife). Speckle methods were applied for image reconstruction which resulted in a spatial resolution of 0. 5 in the magnetograms of the penumbrae. We analysed Stokes I and V profiles of the Fe  6149 A line, which exhibits no instrumental Stokes Q/U → V crosstalk, and of the Fe  line pair at 6302 A. The main results are the following: 1) on scales larger than 0. �� 5, the intensity pattern of penumbrae stays the same in the continuum and core images of the 6301.5 A line, which stem from 0 km and 300 km (above τ5 = 1), respectively. Yet at scales of 0. �� 5 and smaller the pattern in the two spectral features is clearly different. 2) On the limb side of sunspots the Evershed flow is carried by dark filaments and on the centre side by bright features and their somewhat weakened tails. We explain this with a picture in which the velocity of hot rising gas is best seen on the centre side, while on the limb side the horizontal outward and possibly downward flows are seen when the gas has cooled down. 3) The un-combed structure of the magnetic field is confirmed. On the limb side, the more horizontal fields coincide with dark fibrils or with diffuse intensity structures. Generally, the more horizontal fields are located at the positions of strong outflows. 4) Strong line-of-sight components of the magnetic fields are not found in bright filaments but in dark structures, somewhat displaced from the darkest parts. Their positions do not coincide with those of the strongest velocity fields. In general, our results are compatible with the picture of low lying flow channels coincident with the horizontal magnetic field, or possibly emerging and diving down into sub-photospheric layers, like a "sea serpent". Some further dynamic phenomena are discussed, which demonstrate the richness of processes in penumbrae, and reveal unexpected properties.
Psychophysiological changes accompanying different types of arousing and relaxing imagery.

In an investigation of hypotheses proposed by Lang (1977) on psychophysiological correlates of emotional imagery, 24 subjects were assigned to two equal-sized groups. A stimulus group was presented, on 2 occasions, 6 image scripts, 3 of an arousing kind and 3 of a relaxing kind, in which stimulus propositions were stressed. A response group was treated identically except that the scripts stressed response rather than stimulus propositions; further, in the response group each pair of arousing and relaxing scripts separately emphasized either cardiovascular activity, respiration or sudomotor activity, in order to assess the degree of specificity in response-proposition relationships. Psychophysiological measures of heart rate, respiration and skin resistance, and self-report measures of imagery vividness, general arousal, and compliance with imagery instructions were taken after each imagery trial. Analysis of the psychophysiological measures indicated that, in line with Lang's predictions, the response group showed significantly greater changes in heart rate and respiration to the arousing scenes than the stimulus group. No significant differences, however, were found for skin resistance. Moreover, there were no differences between the groups on any measures when the relaxing scenes were imagined. The groups did not differ reliably on any of the self-report measures. Contrary to Lang's theory, however, little specificity in response-proposition relationships was found. Rather, the present data suggest that certain psychophysiological propositions, in particular cardiovascular propositions, are generally more effective in eliciting fairly widespread psychophysiological changes. Further, a close coupling between heart rate and respiration rate was observed in this experiment.
The Effect of Donepezil on Arousal Threshold and Apnea-Hypopnea Index. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Cross-Over Study.

RATIONALE Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has multiple pathophysiological causes. A low respiratory arousal threshold (ArTh) and a high loop gain (unstable ventilatory control) can contribute to recurrent respiratory events in patients with OSA. Prior studies have shown that donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, might improve OSA, but the mechanism is unknown. OBJECTIVES To determine whether a single dose of donepezil lowers the apnea-hypopnea index by modulating the ArTh or loop gain. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, crossover trial, 41 subjects with OSA underwent two polysomnograms with ArTh and loop gain evaluated, during which 10 mg of donepezil or placebo was administered. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Compared with placebo, sleep efficiency (77.2 vs. 71.9%; P = 0.015) and total sleep time decreased with donepezil (372 vs. 351 min; P = 0.004). No differences were found in apnea-hypopnea index (51.8 vs. 50.0 events/h; P = 0.576) or nadir oxygen saturation as determined by pulse oximetry (80.3 vs. 81.1%; P = 0.241) between placebo and donepezil, respectively. ArTh was not significantly changed (-18.9 vs. -18.0 cm H2O; P = 0.394) with donepezil. As a whole group, loop gain (ventilatory response to a 1-cycle/min disturbance) did not change significantly (P = 0.089). CONCLUSIONS A single dose of donepezil did not appear to affect the overall severity of OSA in this patient group, and no consistent effects on ArTh or loop gain were observed. Donepezil may have minor effects on sleep architecture. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials. gov (NCT02264353).
Improving Long-Term Outcome in Allograft Transplantation: Role of Ionic Composition and Polyethylene Glycol

Background. Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is inherent to transplantation, and correlates with negative outcome. Limiting IRI requires new preservation. Fourth generation solutions are emerging, using new colloid based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers and extracellular ionic composition. We evaluated their eventual benefits for optimal resistance to IRI and improved outcome. Methods. Using primary cell culture and a preclinical pig model of low-mismatch kidney allograft transplantation, not requiring immunosuppression, we compared the following solutions: UW (University of Wisconsin), high potassium with hydroxyethyl starch, gold standard in preservation; IGL-1 (Institute George Lopez-1), low potassium solution using PEG (35 kDa, 1 g/L); and SCOT (Solution de Conservation des Organes et Tissus), plasma-like ionic composition, containing PEG 20 kDa (30 g/L). Results. In vitro, SCOT-preserved cells had better viability and less necrosis. In vivo, SCOT-grafts had better function recovery, with limited histological injury compared with the other solutions. During the 3 months follow-up, we found low innate and adaptative immune response in SCOT organs, whereas other groups presented high rate of invasion and antigen presentation. SCOT-preserved kidneys showed low fibrosis, transforming growth factor-&bgr; expression and apoptosis compared with the other groups. These differences impacted survival at 3 months, which was low in UW (20%) and IGL-1 (40%) groups, whereas it remained high for SCOT animals (80%, P<0.05 to UW). Conclusions. In conclusion, plasma-like ionic composition and nontoxic molecule PEG provide high resistance against IRI and optimize graft outcome. Such solutions could be invaluable for the use of fragile organs, such as from extended criteria or deceased after cardiac death donors.
Production of MMPs in Human Cerebral Endothelial Cells and Their Role in Shedding Adhesion Molecules

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are Zn2+-endopeptidases that seem to play an important role in chronic inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system by disrupting the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and mediating the destruction of myelin components. We therefore investigated the influence of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α on the expression and activation of several MMPs in human cerebral endothelial cells (HCEC). HCEC constitutively express MMP-2 and MMP-3 mRNA, but only MMP-3 is upregulated on mRNA and protein level after TNF-α stimulation. MMP-9 and MMP-12 mRNA could only be detected under inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, MMPs are involved in shedding of cell surface molecules. We therefore investigated the influence of MMPs on the release of soluble adhesion molecules using marimastat, a specific broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor and other protease inhibitors like aprotinin or leupeptin. Only marimastat inhibited the TNF-α mediated release of sVCAM-1 in the supernatants of HCEC. Western blot results of culture supernatants supported the time dependent release of the complete extracellular portion of the VCAM-1 molecule. These data suggest that MMPs produced by HCEC are actively involved in the shedding of soluble adhesion molecules at the BBB.
Effect of dietary supplementation of dates in Alzheimer's disease APPsw/2576 transgenic mice on oxidative stress and antioxidant status

Abstract Oxidative stress may play a key role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology. Changes in the oxidative stress, antioxidants, and membrane-bound enzymes were investigated in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of AD transgenic mice model after long-term dietary supplementation of date palm fruits from Oman. The 4-month-old mice with double Swedish APP mutation (APPsw/Tg2576) were purchased from Taconic Farm, NY, USA; mice were fed two different doses of dates (such as 4 and 2%) or control diet for 15 months and then assessed for the influence of diet on oxidative stress. Significant increase in oxidative stress in terms of enhanced levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyls and parallel decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes were observed in control diet-treated Tg2576 AD mice. Dates (4 and 2%) treated APPsw/Tg2576 AD mice exhibited significantly attenuated oxidative damage, evidenced by decreased LPO and protein carbonyl levels and restoration in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, and glutathione reductase). The activities of membrane-bound enzymes (Na+, K+-ATPase and acetyl cholinesterase) were altered in control diet-treated APPsw/Tg2576 AD mice brain regions. Meanwhile, both the percentages of date supplementation were able to restore the activity of enzymes to comparable values observed in controls. In summary, we have shown that chronic dietary supplementation of date palm fruits grown in Oman showed possible beneficial effects concomitant with oxidative stress reduction and increased antioxidant enzymes in AD transgenic mice model. These results warrant further exploration of how anti-reactive oxygen species properties of dates offer such beneficial effects on the AD-like brain.
The organizational implementation of corporate citizenship : An assessment tool and its application at UN global compact participants

: The corporate citizenship (CC) concept introduced by Dirk Matten and Andrew Crane has been well received. To this date, however, empirical studies based on this concept are lacking. In this article, we flesh out and operationalize the CC concept and develop an assessment tool for CC. Our tool focuses on the organizational level and assesses the embeddedness of CC in organizational structures and procedures. To illustrate the applicability of the tool, we assess five Swiss companies (ABB, Credit Suisse, Nestlé, Novartis, and UBS). These five companies are participants of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), currently the largest collaborative strategic policy initiative for business in the world (www.unglobalcompact.org). This study makes four main contributions: (1) it enriches and operationalizes Matten and Crane’s CC definition to build a concept of CC that can be operationalized, (2) it develops an analytical tool to assess the organizational embeddedness of CC, (3) it generates empirical insights into how five multinational corporations have approached CC, and (4) it presents assessment results that provide indications how global governance initiatives like the UNGC can support the implementation of CC. Abstract The Corporate Citizenship (CC) concept introduced by Dirk Matten and Andrew Crane has been well received. To this date, however, empirical studies based on this concept are lacking. In this paper, we flesh out and operationalize the CC concept and develop an assessment tool for CC. Our tool focuses on the organizational level and assesses the embeddedness of CC in organzational structures and procedures. To illustrate the applicability of the tool, we assess five Swiss companies (ABB, Credit Suisse, Nestlé, Novartis, and UBS). These five companies are participants of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), currently the largest collaborative strategic policy initiative for business in the world (www.unglobalcompact.org). This study makes four main contributions: (1) it enriches and operationalizes Matten and Crane’s CC definition to build a concept of CC that can be operationalized; (2) it develops an analytical tool to assess the organizational embeddedness of CC, (3) it generates empirical insights into how five multinational corporations have approached CC, and (4) it presents assessment results that provide indications how global governance initiatives like the UNGC can support the implementation of CC.
High promoter hypermethylation frequency of p14/ARF in supratentorial PNET but not in medulloblastoma

Aims : Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) of the central nervous system. Although supratentorial PNET (sPNET) and MB are histologically similar, their clinical behaviour differs, sPNET being more aggressive than MB. The aim of this study was to determine whether sPNET and MB are genetically different entities.
Regulated DNA rearrangement during sporulation in Bacillus weihenstephanensis KBAB4

Temperate phages can integrate their genomes into a specific region of a host chromosome to produce lysogens (prophage). During genome insertion, prophages may interrupt the gene coding sequence. In Bacillus subtilis, the sigma factor gene sigK is interrupted by a 48 kb prophage‐like element. sigK is a composite coding sequence from two partial genes during sporulation. For over two decades, however, no further examples of DNA element‐mediated gene reconstitution other than sigK have been identified in spore formers. Here we report that the gene for dipicolinic acid (DPA) synthetase β subunit spoVFB in B. weihenstephanensis KBAB4 is interrupted by a prophage‐like element named vfbin. DPA is synthesized in the mother cell and required for maintaining spore dormancy. We found that spoVFB was a composite coding sequence generated in the mother cell via chromosomal rearrangement that excised vfbin. Furthermore, vfbin caused excision after phage‐inducer treatment, but vfbin appeared to be defective as a prophage. We also found various spore‐forming bacteria in which sporulation‐related genes were disrupted by prophage‐like DNA elements. These results demonstrate the first example of a similar mechanism that affects a sporulation gene other than sigK and suggest that this prophage‐mediated DNA rearrangement is a common phenomenon in spore‐forming bacteria.
Suspected Testicular Torsion: A Survey of Clinical Practice in North West England

Several aspects of the management of suspected testicular torsion are controversial. A questionnaire was mailed to all 33 consultant urologists in the North West region of England to elicit their policies for routine clinical management. 29 of 33 questionnaires were returned (2 incomplete). As regards radiological investigation, 4 consultants always request ultrasound examination; the others do not favour routine imaging. When the diagnosis of testicular torsion is confirmed at operation, all consultants would perform bilateral testicular fixation, although with considerable variations in technique; most use Vicryl sutures (66%) and three-point fixation (57%). One-third would do an ipsilateral orchidopexy if there was no clear evidence of testicular torsion at operation. The variation revealed by this survey prompted an attempt to formulate a protocol for management. A review of the published work indicates that, in cases of proven testicular torsion, treatment should include bilateral fixation with delayed-absorption or nonabsorbable sutures; fixation should be at three points. When torsion is not found at operation, there is no evidence of benefit from orchidopexy.
The JAK3 inhibitor WHI‐P154 prevents PDGF‐evoked process outgrowth in human neural precursor cells

The prospect of manipulating endogenous neural stem cells to replace damaged tissue and correct functional deficits offers a novel mechanism for treating a variety of CNS disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate pathways controlling neurite outgrowth in human neural precursor cells, in particular in response to platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF). PDGF‐AA, ‐AB and ‐BB were found to initiate calcium signalling and produce robust increases in neurite outgrowth. PDGF‐induced outgrowth of Tuj1‐positive precursors was abolished by the addition of EGTA, suggesting that calcium entry is a critical part of the signalling pathway. Wortmannin and PD098059 failed to inhibit PDGF‐induced outgrowth. Clostridium Toxin B increased the amount of PDGF‐induced neurite branching but had no effect on basal levels. In contrast, WHI‐P154, an inhibitor of Janus protein tyrosine kinase (JAK3), Hck and Syk, prevented PDGF‐induced neurite outgrowth. PDGF activates multiple signalling pathways with considerable potential for cross‐talk. This study has highlighted the complexity of the pathways leading to neurite outgrowth in human neural precursors, and provided initial evidence to suggest that calcium entry is critical in producing the morphological changes observed.
Co-channel interference mitigation in GSM networks by iterative estimation of channel and data

In multiple-access communication systems several users share the system resources, thus creating co-channel interference to each other. Multiuser detection, applied at the receiver side, is a powerful technique to combat co-channel interference, in contrast to single-user approaches that treat the interference as additive noise. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of achieving increased spectral efficiency in GSM-like TDMA networks by applying multiuser detection. We focus on downlink operation and consider two mobile users that share the same physical channel within the same cell or in two adjacent cells. No synchronization between the base stations is assumed. Mobile terminals exploit multiple receive antennas. We propose a simple iterative receiver algorithm that performs joint channel and data estimation. Results of simulations that evaluate the receiver’s performance are presented. (Less)
Co‐localization of poly(ADPR)polymerase 1 (PARP‐1) poly(ADPR)polymerase 2 (PARP‐2) and related proteins in rat testis nuclear matrix defined by chemical cross‐linking

Poly(ADPR)polymerase 1 and 2 (PARP‐1, PARP‐2) are nuclear enzymes which function is based on specific interactions with DNA and nuclear proteins. PARPs targets include proteins involved in DNA replication, repair, and transcription and their function can be modulated either by protein–protein interaction with native PARP‐1 and by non‐covalent interaction with poly(ADP‐ribose) (pADPR) linked to the auto‐modified PARP‐1. Moreover, the association of pADPR and PARP‐1 with the nuclear matrix (NM) has been reported, based on the poly(ADP‐ribosyl)ation of nuclear matrix proteins (NMPs). In the present article, by the use of DNA and protein cross‐linking reactions, by cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum II (cDDP) and sodium tetrathionate (NaTT) respectively, we present more evidences about the association of PARP‐1, PARP‐2, and PARPs related proteins with the NM. Our findings confirmed that NM could be seen as a fraction greatly enriched in transcription factors (i.e., C/EBP‐β) and enzymes (DNA Topo II, DNA PK) that co‐localize with PARP‐1 and ‐2 at the matrix associated regions (MARs) of chromatin. Moreover, pADPR contributes to PARP‐1 localization at the NM, showing that PARP(s) activity co‐operates to the functions of this nuclear fraction. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PERCEPTIONS OF FUTURES MARKET LIQUIDITY: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF CBOT & CME TRADERS

Traders' perceptions drive their market behavior, and can influence the dynamics of liquidity. This study surveyed 420 traders on their perceptions of the price path during an order imbalance to better understand the dynamics of liquidity. While most liquidity models assume a linear price path, only 12% of traders perceive such a path. This raises questions on the validity of such models. There is considerable heterogeneity in the perceptions of the price path. While trader characteristics are often used to classify traders, trader characteristics do not explain the heterogeneity in perceptions. On the other hand, traders of a specific contract are associated with particular perceptions of the price path. This indicates that market microstructure may be the primary driver of traders' perceptions of the price path.
INFLAMMATORY CELL AVAILABILITY AFFECTS OZONE-INDUCED LUNG DAMAGE

Identifying whether or not neutrophils have a role to play in the early stages of acute lung epithelial injury brought about by inhalation of reactive substances continues to be a major area of investigation. In this study, the availability of circulating neutrophils was manipulated by treatment with either cyclophosphamide or rabbit antiserum against rat neutrophils, prior to exposures to air, a single high ozone exposure of 1 or 2 ppm for 3 h, or a continuous exposure to 0.8-1.0 ppm for up to 48 h. Although cyclophosphamide treatment resulted in undetectable levels of neutrophils in the blood, the recovery of tissue marginated-interstitial neutrophils of 11 2 10 6 cells by collagenase tissue digestion was not significantly diminished at the onset of air and ozone exposures. Cyclophosphamide treatment alone did not cause any permeability damage to air-exposed rat lungs, but did ameliorate ozone-induced increases in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) neutrophil and albumin recoveries after both short-term and 1 d of continuous ozone exposure. In contrast to cyclophosphamide, antiserum treatment resulted in greater than a 90% decrease in neutrophil recoveries from both blood and lung tissue at the onset of air and ozone exposures. Antiserum treatment also abrogated ozone-induced neutrophil accumulations in lung lavageable spaces following both single and continuous ozone exposures, but did not significantly affect ozone-associated lung permeability damage indicated by unaltered BAL fluid albumin recoveries. These data demonstrated that under experimental conditions when neutrophils remain within lung tissue marginated and interstitial pools, reduction in circulating blood neutrophil availability is associated with a concomitant decrease in ozone-induced lung damage.