Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Homoclinic bifurcations in reversible systems

Zusammenfassung zur Dissertation: Homoclinic Bifurcations in Reversible Systems von Thomas Wagenknecht eingereicht bei der Fakultat fur Mathematik und Naturwissenschaften der Technischen Universitat Ilmenau am 17. Juni 2003 offentlich verteidigt am 12. Dezember 2003 Gutachter: Prof. Dr. A. R. Champneys (University of Bristol) Prof. Dr. B. Fiedler (Freie Universitat Berlin) Prof. Dr. B. Marx (Technische Universitat Ilmenau) Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht Bifurkationen homokliner Losungen in gewohnlichen Differentialgleichungen. Homokline Losungen sind in positiver und negativer Zeit asymptotisch zu einer Gleichgewichtslage, d.h. zu einer konstanten Losung der Differentialgleichung. Die Arbeit betrachtet solche homokline Bifurkationen, die von einer Veranderung des Typs dieser assoziierten Gleichgewichtslage herruhren. Verschiedene Szenarien werden in der Klasse der reversiblen Differentialgleichungen analysiert. Der Hauptteil der Arbeit beschaftigt sich mit Homoklinen an Gleichgewichtslagen, welche selbst in einer lokalen Bifurkation verzweigen. Dabei verandert sich der Typ der Gleichgewichtslage vom reellen Sattel (mit fuhrenden reellen Eigenwerten) zum Sattel-Zentrum (mit einem Paar rein imaginarer Eigenwerte). Das Miteinander lokaler und globaler Bifurkationseffekte erfordert eine neuartige Behandlung: Durch eine Kombination analytischer und geometrischer Techniken wird eine Beschreibung verzweigender Homoklinen gewonnen. Dabei werden sowohl rein reversible Systeme als auch Systeme mit zusatzlicher Symmetrie und Hamilton-Struktur betrachtet. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit werden homokline Bifurkationsphanomene untersucht, die von einer Typveranderung der Gleichgewichtslage von rellem Sattel zu komplexem Sattel- Fokus (mit komplexen fuhrenden Eigenwerten) herruhren. Dabei wird die Existenz von zwei Ausgangshomoklinen in sogenannter Blasebalg-Konfiguration (homoclinic bellows configuration) vorausgesetzt. Unter Verwendung einer auf Lin zuruckgehenden analytischen Methode werden Bifurkationsresultate fur verzweigende N-Homoklinen erzielt. Die allgemeinen Bifurkationsresultate werden auf physikalische Probleme der nichtlinearen Optik und Wasserwellentheorie, sowie auf zwei mathematische Modellgleichungen angewendet und in numerischen Untersuchungen bestatigt.
Avaliação da atividade antiinflamatória do coentro (Coriandrum sativum L.) em roedores Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) in rodents

Coriandrum sativum L. (Umbelliferae), conhecido popularmente por coentro, e uma planta domestica cultivada nas diversas partes do mundo, inclusive no Brasil. As folhas e frutos do coentro sao utilizados como condimento em culinaria e na medicina popular como analgesica, antirreumatica, carminativa e colagoga. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do tratamento com o oleo essencial (OEC) e o extrato hidroalcoolico (EHC) do coentro em modelos experimentais de inflamacao em roedores. A atividade antiinflamatoria do coentro foi avaliada por meio dos testes de pleurisia em ratos e formacao do edema de orelha em camundongos. A pleurisia foi induzida pela carragenina em animais tratados ou nao com EHC. O edema de orelha induzido pela aplicacao topica de oleo de croton e a atividade da mieloperoxidase foi avaliada em camundongos tratados ou nao com OEC ou EHC. No teste da pleurisia o tratamento com EHC promoveu significativa diminuicao no edema pleural, mas nao sobre a migracao leucocitaria. Alem disso, diferentemente ao observado com o tratamento com OEC, o uso topico de EHC diminui significativamente o edema de orelha e a migracao celular induzidos pela aplicacao do oleo de croton. Os dados indicam que EHC apresenta atividade antiinflamatoria quando administrado pelas via oral e topica, enquanto que OEC nao apresenta atividade antiinflamatoria topica.
Localization without content. A tactile analogue of 'blind sight'.

We examined the ability of a patient, who had a cerebral lesion involving the left posterior hemisphere, to identify and to localize stimuli applied to her "deafferented" right upper limb. We observed a functional dissociation between localization and identification in both performance and subjective report. This finding may be a tactual analogue of "blind sight. "
H-Plane Mode Conversion and Application in Printed Microwave Integrated Circuit

This paper presents a novel MIC (microwave integrated circuit) design methodology, which consistently applies the H-plane discontinuity structures to integrate a multi-function microwave RF module using conventional PCB (printed-circuit-board) fabrication process. Two distinct types of waveguide, namely, microstrip and metallic rectangular waveguide, are simultaneously integrated on the same substrate(s) through the interface mode converters. An X-band MIC filter prototype, consisting of two H-plane mode converters and six H-plane waveguide slits, is built and tested, showing an attractive filter performance and a great potential for implementing the proposed MIC design methodology.
A meta-analysis of association between CTLA-4-1722 T / C polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility

Number of studies assessed the association between Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) -1722T/C polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was increasing. However, these studies have provided conflicting results. In this study, meta-analysis was performed to invest the correlation between CTLA-4 -1722T/C polymorphisms and SLE susceptibility. Eligible case-control studies published up to June 2015 were selected from PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CNKI and WanFang databases. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata12.0 software to analyze the data according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 11 studies comprising 1722 SLE cases and 1829 controls were included. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of associations. In addition, Begg’s test was used to measure publication bias. The meta-analysis results demonstrated that there was significant association between CTLA-4 -1722T/C polymorphisms and SLE susceptibility (TT+TC vs. CC: OR=1.80, 95% CI=1.15-2.80, P<0.05; TT vs. TC+CC: OR=1.39, 95% CI=1.04-1.85, P<0.05; TT vs. CC: OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.24-3.38; TC vs. CC, OR=1.62, 95% CI=1.06-2.49, P<0.05). When stratified by ethnicity, the association still existed for Asian population (T vs. C: OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.15-1.95, P<0.01), but no significant correlation existed for Europeans and Africans groups. In suumary, there is a significant association between CTLA-4 -1722T/C gene polymorphisms and SLE susceptibility.
Relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and diurnal leptin rhythms.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Several studies have reported an association between obstructive sleep apnea and leptin, a hormone that influences satiety and body weight. We evaluated the relationship of leptin levels and the overnight change in levels with sleep apnea. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis of data from a prospective cohort study. SETTING Case Western Reserve University General Clinical Research Center. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS A total of 138 individuals participating in the Cleveland Family Study--59% women, 45% African-American, with mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 6.9 (range 0-106)--were studied. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Serum leptin was measured at 10:00 pm to 11:00 pm and at 7:00 am to 8:00 am. Leptin levels in both the morning and evening were positively correlated with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in age-, sex-, and race-adjusted analyses (P < .0001) but not after additional adjustment for body mass index. The evening/morning leptin ratio, however, was associated with AHI independent of age, sex, race, body mass index, and waist-hip ratio (P = .03). Conversely, AHI was an independent predictor of the leptin ratio (P = .001) and more predictive than arousal index, oxygenation indices, time asleep, or sleep-stage distribution. An AHI > 15 was associated with a 23% increase in leptin ratio. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that sleep apnea may suppress secretion of leptin in the morning. Alternatively, the relative elevation in evening leptin may influence apnea pathogenesis.
Serum total and bone alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activities for the assessment of bone fracture healing in dogs

3B’s Research Group – Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, AvePark, 4806-909 Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal Life and Health Sciences Research Institute – ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta dos Prados, P.O. Box 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal Veterinary Teaching Hospital of University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta dos Prados, P.O. Box 1013 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal CECAV – Centre for Studies in Animal and Veterinary Sciences; Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta dos Prados, P.O. Box 1013 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Wildland Arson : A Research Assessment Previous

Wildland arson makes up the majority of fire starts in some parts of the United States and is the second leading cause of fires on Eastern United States Federal forests. Individual arson fires can cause damages to resources and communities totaling over a hundred million dollars. Recent research has uncovered the temporal and spatial patterns of arson fires and their longand short-term drivers. In statistical analyses, explanatory variables include those associated with general economic conditions and law enforcement. Research findings indicate that wildland arson ignitions are consistent with other kinds of crimes, in terms of their relationships to hypothesized factors. Arson is predictable in short and long timespans, as its rate is heavily influenced by weather, climate, fuels, and recent information on other nearby and recent arson fires. These results could be used to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement and wildfire management resources.
Breakthrough Technologies A Motif and Amino Acid Bias Bioinformatics Pipeline to Identify Hydroxyproline-Rich Glycoproteins 1 [ OPEN ]

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are functional proteins that lack a well-defined three-dimensional structure. The study of IDPs is a rapidly growing area as the crucial biological functions of more of these proteins are uncovered. In plants, IDPs are implicated in plant stress responses, signaling, and regulatory processes. A superfamily of cell wall proteins, the hydroxyprolinerich glycoproteins (HRGPs), have characteristic features of IDPs. Their protein backbones are rich in the disordering amino acid proline, they contain repeated sequence motifs and extensive posttranslational modifications (glycosylation), and they have been implicated in many biological functions. HRGPs are evolutionarily ancient, having been isolated from the protein-rich walls of chlorophyte algae to the cellulose-rich walls of embryophytes. Examination of HRGPs in a range of plant species should provide valuable insights into how they have evolved. Commonly divided into the arabinogalactan proteins, extensins, and proline-rich proteins, in reality, a continuum of structures exists within this diverse and heterogenous superfamily. An inability to accurately classify HRGPs leads to inconsistent gene ontologies limiting the identification of HRGP classes in existing and emerging omics data sets. We present a novel and robust motif and amino acid bias (MAAB) bioinformatics pipeline to classify HRGPs into 23 descriptive subclasses. Validation of MAAB was achieved using available genomic resources and then applied to the 1000 Plants transcriptome project (www.onekp.com) data set. Significant improvement in the detection of HRGPs using multiple-kmer transcriptome assembly methodology was observed. The MAAB pipeline is readily adaptable and can be modified to optimize the recovery of IDPs from other organisms.
Social Norms and Pro-Environment Behaviours: Heterogeneous Response to Signals

Previous research has demonstrated an effect on pro-environment behaviours such as household recycling from communicating social norm information to respondents. In this paper, we extend this work by considering the effects of varying (i) the absolute size (strength) of the norm (ii) its geographic scope (iii) whether the norm is stated in relative terms. We also show how previous behaviours interact with social norm information. The context is a stated preference choice experiment on recycling behaviours by households in Poland. The main finding to emerge is that social norm effects on preferences for recycling seem to be very context-dependent. There is no evidence of generalizable effects which would be useful to policy designers.
Influence of Simultaneous Supplementation of Zinc and Copper During Chelation of Lead in Rats

The influence of zinc and copper supplementation during chelation therapy to reduce zinc and copper imbalance and promote lead elimination from the body, was investigated in rats poisoned with lead. The simultaneous supplementation of zinc and copper increased urinary lead excretion by calcium disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (CaNa2EDTA) compared to treatment with CaNa2EDTA alone. Combination therapy was effective in potentiating the depletion of blood and renal lead by CaNa2EDTA and meso 2,3-dimercapto succinic acid (DMSA). Combination therapy was also more effective in reducing hepatic lead by CaNa2EDTA and blood lead by 2,3-dimercapto propane sulphonate (DMPS). Zinc and copper supplementation produced a more effective reversal of inhibited blood δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid excretion and depleted body zinc and copper status.
Infection Control Practices to Reduce Airborne Bacteria During Total Knee Replacement: A Hospital Survey in Four States

Abstract Objective: To describe the use of laminar airflow, body exhaust, and ultraviolet lights during total knee replacement (TKR) in four U.S. states. Design: Survey of healthcare facilities. Setting: Hospitals in Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee that performed TKR during 2000 as identified by Medicare claims data. Participants: Hospitals responding to a mailed questionnaire. Results: Two hundred ninety-five (73%) of 405 eligible hospitals that performed 18,374 primary and revision TKR procedures responded to the questionnaire. Among responding hospitals, 30% reported regular use (for > 75% of procedures) of laminar airflow, 42% reported regular use of body exhaust, and 5% reported regular use of ultraviolet lights. Among hospitals providing complete data, 150 (58%) performing 66% of procedures reported regular use of at least one of these techniques. On regression analyses, laminar airflow was used more often by hospitals with a TKR volume greater than 25 procedures per year (odds ratio [OR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 1.1-3.7) and orthopedic residency programs (OR, 2.8; CI95,1.3-6.3), but its use was not significantly related to hospital setting or ownership status. Conclusions: Although these clean air practices are not recommended by any U.S. governmental or professional organization, they are used in nearly two-thirds of TKR procedures. Better information about their impact on current practice and more explicit guidelines may aid decisions about the use of these resource-intensive infection control practices.
An amino‐terminal signal peptide of Vfr protein negatively influences RopB‐dependent SpeB expression and attenuates virulence in Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SpeB) is an extracellular cysteine protease that is a critical virulence factor made by the major human pathogen group A Streptococcus (GAS). speB expression is dependent on the regulator of proteinase B (RopB) and is upregulated with increasing cell density and during infection. Because computer modelling suggested significant structural similarity between RopB and peptide‐sensing regulatory proteins made by other Gram‐positive bacteria, we hypothesized that speB expression is influenced by RopB–peptide interactions. Inactivation of the gene (vfr) encoding the virulence factor related (Vfr) protein resulted in increased speB transcript level during the exponential growth phase, whereas provision of only the amino‐terminal region of Vfr comprising the secretion signal sequence in trans restored a wild‐type speB expression profile. Addition of the culture supernatant from a Vfr signal peptide‐expressing GAS strain restored wild‐type speB transcript level to a vfr‐inactivated isogenic mutant strain. A distinct peptide in the Vfr secretion signal sequence specifically bound to recombinant RopB. Finally, overexpression of the Vfr secretion signal sequence significantly decreased speB transcript level and attenuated GAS virulence in two mouse models of invasive infection. Taken together, these data delineate a previously unknown small peptide‐mediated regulatory system that controls GAS virulence factor production.
Estimating a Socially Undesirable Behaviour

This article reports the findings of an experiment designed to evaluate the effect of four questionnaire formats on the willingness of drivers convicted of drunken driving to admit to this socially undesirable behaviour. Four samples of convicted drunk drivers each received a different version of a mail questionnaire about driving behaviour and attitudes. Two versions of the questionnaire included a battery of attitude statements before the 'key' question on drunken driving convictions. One set of attitude statements downplayed the perceived social undesirability of drunken driving, while the other set emphasised it. The other two versions of the questionnaire contained no attitude statements. One simply asked the 'key' question directly, while in the other version drunken driving was embedded in a list of eight traffic offences. The highest admission rate was achieved for the questionnaire which used attitude statements to reduce the social undesirability of drunken driving before asking the behavioural question. However, the inclusion of negatively-framed preceding attitude statements and embedding the behaviour concerned in a list of other related behaviours also yielded a higher admission rate than simply asking a direct question.
Regulation of Ca2+‐dependent Cl− conductance in a human colonic epithelial cell line (T84): cross‐talk between Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 and protein phosphatases

1 We have studied the regulation of whole‐cell chloride current in T84 colonic epithelial cells by inositol 3,4,5,6‐tetrakisphosphate (Ins(3,4,5,6)P4). New information was obtained using (a) microcystin and okadaic acid to inhibit serine/threonine protein phosphatases, and (b) a novel functional tetrakisphosphate analogue, 1,2‐bisdeoxy‐1,2‐bisfluoro‐Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 (i.e. F2‐Ins(3,4,5,6)P4). 2 Calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) increased chloride current 20‐fold. This current (ICl,CaMK) continued for 7 ± 1.2 min before its deactivation, or running down, by approximately 60 %. This run‐down was prevented by okadaic acid, whereupon ICl,CaMK remained near its maximum value for ≥ 14.3 ± 0.6 min. 3 F2‐Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 inhibited ICl,CaMK (IC50= 100 μM) stereo‐specifically, since its enantiomer, F2‐Ins(1,4,5,6)P4 had no effect at <= 500 μM. Dose‐response data (Hill coefficient = 1.3) showed that F2‐Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 imitated only the non‐co‐operative phase of inhibition by Ins(3,4,5,6)P4, and not the co‐operative phase. 4 Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 was prevented from blocking ICl,CaMK by okadaic acid (IC50= 1.5 nM) and microcystin (IC50= 0.15 nM); these data lead to the novel conclusion that, in situ, protein phosphatase activity is essential for Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 to function. The IC50 values indicate that more than one species of phosphatase was required. One of these may be PP1, since F2‐Ins(3,4,5,6)P4‐dependent current blocking was inhibited by okadaic acid and microcystin with IC50 values of 70 nM and 0.15 nM, respectively.
Nephrin localizes to the slit pore of the glomerular epithelial cell.

BACKGROUND Recognition that mutation of the protein nephrin, encoded by the NPHS1 gene, singly results in the cellular alterations that result in foot process effacement, and nephrotic range proteinuria emphasizes the pivotal role that this protein plays in regulating glomerular filter integrity. This article reports the development of reagents necessary to study the biology of nephrin in mouse, and describes the initial characterization of the nephrin protein. METHODS A cDNA including the full-length mouse nephrin open reading frame was cloned and sequenced. Immuno-affinity purified polyclonal antiserum directed against the cytoplasmic domain of mouse nephrin was developed. RESULTS Nephrin identified in mouse glomerular extract was found to be a glycoprotein with an apparent molecular mass of 185 kDa. As detected by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and immunogold electron microscopy, nephrin was located only in visceral glomerular epithelial cells, where it was targeted to intercellular junctions of mature podocyte foot processes. In developing glomeruli of newborn mouse, antinephrin immunolocalized to the earliest slit pore regions between differentiating podocytes, sites where slit diaphragms first become visible. CONCLUSION As a putative cell adhesion molecule of the immunoglobulin superfamily, nephrin likely participates in cell-cell interactions between podocyte foot processes and may represent a component of the slit diaphragm.
Searching Image in the Pigeon: A Test of Three Hypothetical Mechanisms

The searching image hypothesis was originally proposed to account for the observation that animals select ing among disparate foods often consume an excess of the more common types. The hypothesis states that animals searching for a particular cryptic food item focus on visual features that are characteristic of that item, thereby facilitating its discrimination from the background. A change in stimulus discriminability is not, however, the only feasible explanation for the effect. One alternative is a simple change in response bias, an increased predisposition to respond to food-related stimuli. Another possible hypothesis derives from the fact that the amount of time that an animal has available for examining each stimulus is not fixed. This "caution" hypothesis attributes improvements in stimulus detection to chan ges in the amount of evidence that the animal acquires before making a response. To distinguish among these alternatives, we developed an accumulator model of visual search, which included discriminability, response bias, and caution as explicit, independent components. The consequences of varying each parameter in the model were evaluated by computer simulation, generating predicted effects of each hypothetical mechanism on response time and accuracy. The predictions were then tested using pigeons searching for images of natural, cryptic food grains. The results provide strong support for the discriminability hypothesis, but suggest that secondary changes in caution may also be involved.