Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Platelet Gi protein Gαi2 is an essential mediator of thrombo-inflammatory organ damage in mice

Significance Platelet activation is crucial for hemostasis and thrombosis but also contributes to inflammation and progression of tissue damage following ischemia/reperfusion injury. Here we demonstrate that platelet activation through the Gi protein Gαi2 not only controls hemostatic responses but also thrombo-inflammatory tissue damage following cerebral and cardiac ischemia. Our report on a dual role of Gi proteins in platelet function opens new options for pharmaco-therapeutic strategies fighting ischemic diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Platelets are crucial for hemostasis and thrombosis and exacerbate tissue injury following ischemia and reperfusion. Important regulators of platelet function are G proteins controlled by seven transmembrane receptors. The Gi protein Gαi2 mediates platelet activation in vitro, but its in vivo role in hemostasis, arterial thrombosis, and postischemic infarct progression remains to be determined. Here we show that mice lacking Gαi2 exhibit prolonged tail-bleeding times and markedly impaired thrombus formation and stability in different models of arterial thrombosis. We thus generated mice selectively lacking Gαi2 in megakaryocytes and platelets (Gnai2fl/fl/PF4-Cre mice) and found bleeding defects comparable to those in global Gαi2-deficient mice. To examine the impact of platelet Gαi2 in postischemic thrombo-inflammatory infarct progression, Gnai2fl/fl/PF4-Cre mice were subjected to experimental models of cerebral and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. In the model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion stroke Gnai2fl/fl/PF4-Cre mice developed significantly smaller brain infarcts and fewer neurological deficits than littermate controls. Following myocardial ischemia, Gnai2fl/fl/PF4-Cre mice showed dramatically reduced reperfusion injury which correlated with diminished formation of the ADP-dependent platelet neutrophil complex. In conclusion, our data provide definitive evidence that platelet Gαi2 not only controls hemostatic and thrombotic responses but also is critical for the development of ischemia/reperfusion injury in vivo.
The supercoil‐stabilised cruciform of ColE1 is hyper‐reactive to osmium tetroxide.

Supercoiled pColIR215 contains a site of pronounced hyper‐reactivity towards modification by osmium tetroxide, a reagent known to be single‐strand‐selective. The site of hypersensitivity has been mapped to the ColE1 inverted repeat, believed to extrude a cruciform in supercoiled DNA. Linear or relaxed plasmids are not modified by the reagent. We conclude that cruciform formation is responsible for the site‐selective modification. Fine mapping of the modification site as a function of time has revealed that the initial reaction occurs at the centre of the inverted repeat, i.e., the unpaired loop of the cruciform, but that the modification region rapidly expands outwards from this point.
An approach for sparse baselines SAR tomography

This paper deals with the synthetic aperture radar tomography (Tomo-SAR), which is a potential technique for three-dimensional SAR imaging by synthesizing the SAR images of the same area to an aperture in the vertical direction. However, the conventional Fourier-based methods are limited capable for the sparse baselines cases. In this paper, the Tomo-SAR with sparse baselines is formulated as a sparse signal recovery problem. Then, by solving it, the super-resolution imaging in elevation direction is obtained. The feasibility of the proposed approach is validated by results obtained from simulations with sparse baselines.
Design of robust model predictive control with input constraints

This article addresses the problem of designing a robust output feedback model predictive control (MPC) with input constraints, which ensures a parameter-dependent quadratic stability and guaranteed cost for the case of linear polytopic systems. A new heuristic method is introduced to guarantee input constraints for the MPC. To reject disturbances and maintain the process at the optimal operating conditions or setpoints, the integrator is added to the controller design procedure. Finally, some numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Banking Overleveraging and Macro Instability: A Model and VSTAR Estimations

Abstract: Overleveraging of the banking sector has been considered one of the main causes of the 2007–09 financial crisis and the subsequent great recession. It was also of major concern for the subsequent BIS regulatory policies resulting in Basel III and its request for higher capital requirements. It has now become highly relevant for the planned European banking union. Overleveraging of the banking sector exposes the financial sector and the macroeconomy to vulnerabilities, but also, as critics state, seems to constrain credit flows to the private sector. We present here a measure of overleveraging, defined as the difference between actual and sustainable debt, conduct an empirical study on overleveraging for 40 banks in Europe, and study the vulnerabilities and credit contractions that can arise subsequently. Before the year 2004 overleveraging had not been a serious problem as leverage was on a sustainable level. However, in the run-up to the financial crisis, actual and optimal debt spread apart and the banking sector began to suffer from overleveraging. We use a non-linear Vector STAR model to evaluate the hypothesis that periods of increasing debt levels are accompanied by more severe credit constraints than periods of low leveraging. We demonstrate this for country groups across Europe.
Pricing of mega yachts

This study initially focused on defining the term of ‘mega yacht’ with explaining historical development. After necessary definitions, literature search carried out on hedonic pricing and application area. Subjected data of the study consist of 744 observations between the years 2009 – 2012 and 14 independent variables are used on established hedonic model. The model re – established with omitting insignificant variables results were evaluated according to restricted model. Consequently, the most effective variable on mega yacht price is length of the yacht.
Application of a 3D printed customized implant for canine cruciate ligament treatment by tibial tuberosity advancement

Fabrication of customized implants based on patient bone defect characteristics is required for successful clinical application of bone tissue engineering. Recently a new surgical procedure, tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA), has been used to treat cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) deficient stifle joints in dogs, which involves an osteotomy and the use of substitutes to restore the bone. However, limitations in the use of non-biodegradable implants have been reported. To overcome these limitations, this study presents the development of a bioceramic customized cage to treat a large domestic dog assigned for TTA treatment. A cage was designed using a suitable topology optimization methodology in order to maximize its permeability whilst maintaining the structural integrity, and was manufactured using low temperature 3D printing and implanted in a dog. The cage material and structure was adequately characterized prior to implantation and the in vivo response was carefully monitored regarding the biological response and patient limb function. The manufacturing process resulted in a cage composed of brushite, monetite and tricalcium phosphate, and a highly permeable porous morphology. An overall porosity of 59.2% was achieved by the combination of a microporosity of approximately 40% and a designed interconnected macropore network with pore sizes of 845 μm. The mechanical properties were in the range of the trabecular bone although limitations in the cage's reliability and capacity to absorb energy were identified. The dog's limb function was completely restored without patient lameness or any adverse complications and also the local biocompatibility and osteoconductivity were improved. Based on these observations it was possible to conclude that the successful design, fabrication and application of a customized cage for a dog CrCL treatment using a modified TTA technique is a promising method for the future fabrication of patient-specific bone implants, although clinical trials are required.
Analysis and design considerations of an improved ZVS full-bridge DC-DC converter

An improved full-bridge (FB) pulse-width-modulated (PWM) converter is proposed featuring zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) of all primary switches in the entire line and load range. Compared to the conventional full bridge dc/dc converter, the proposed converter achieves ZVS with substantially reduced duty-cycle loss and circulating current. The operation principle of the circuit is described and design considerations of the converter are discussed. Finally, the operation and performance of the proposed converter is verified on a 1-kW (54-V/20-A) experimental PWM FB converter prototype operating at 100 kHz from a 300–400 V dc input.
Faith Development in Youth Recreation in Religious Organizations

SMITH, SHARRON C. , M.S.R.S. , December 2015, Recreation Studies Faith Development in Youth Recreation in Religious Organizations Director of Thesis: Beth VanDerveer Throughout adolescence youth are involved with many different types of recreation. These types of recreation can vary from extra curricular activities after school, band, travel sports teams or event church. Unfortunately, even in these times of leisure youth can still struggle with issues, many of these issues can arise from identity related questions. Scholars have found recreation helpful in shaping the development stage, but very little research has examined how recreation shapes spiritual development. This research will begin to fill that gap by examining what role recreation has towards faith development. Though interviews data can be examined to determine if spiritually focused recreation can be used within religious organizations to help reduce the stresses that youth face.
Psychological distress and concerns of elderly patients treated with palliative radiotherapy for lung cancer

We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of 83 elderly patients (aged 75 and above) being treated with palliative radiotherapy for lung cancer, with a comparison group of 49 younger patients (aged 65 and under). Psychological distress and concerns were measured before and after treatment using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a Concerns Checklist.
Comparative Analysis of the Best Practices in the Economic Policy of Import Substitution

The modern challenges, the sanctions and the state of the economy made it possible to implement the import-substitution policy measures. This article provides a brief overview of the policies of import substitution, which have been carried out in various countries since the middle of the last century. The evaluation of these practices by the scientists is considered and their conclusions are summarized. The main results of the policy of import substitution of the countries of Latin America, Asia, and Europe are summarized. To this end, the risks able to impede the implementation of the import substitution policies are identified herein, the performance criteria for the implementation of the policy at the general economic and sectoral levels are proposed, and the principles of the state approach to the import substitution are formulated.
Identification of a Human Histone Acetyltransferase Related to Monocytic Leukemia Zinc Finger Protein*

We describe here the identification and functional characterization of a novel human histone acetyltransferase, termed MORF (monocytic leukemia zinc finger protein-related factor). MORF is a 1781-residue protein displaying significant sequence similarity to MOZ (monocytic leukemia zinc finger protein). MORF is ubiquitously expressed in adult human tissues, and its gene is located at human chromosome band 10q22. MORF has intrinsic histone acetyltransferase activity. In addition to its histone acetyltransferase domain, MORF possesses a strong transcriptional repression domain at its N terminus and a highly potent activation domain at its C terminus. Therefore, MORF is a novel histone acetyltransferase that contains multiple functional domains and may be involved in both positive and negative regulation of transcription.
Dietary Cholesterol Increases the Risk whereas PUFAs Reduce the Risk of Active Tuberculosis in Singapore Chinese.

BACKGROUND Experimental studies suggest that cholesterol enhances the intracellular survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, whereas marine ω-3 (n-3) and ω-6 (n-6) fatty acids (FAs) may modulate responses to M. tuberculosis in macrophage and animal models. However, there are no epidemiologic data from prospective studies of the relation between dietary cholesterol and FAs and the risk of developing active tuberculosis. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the relation between dietary intake of cholesterol and FAs and the risk of active tuberculosis in a prospective cohort in Singapore. METHODS We analyzed data from the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a cohort of 63,257 Chinese men and women aged 45-74 y recruited between 1993 and 1998. Dietary intake of cholesterol and FAs was determined with the use of a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Incident cases of active tuberculosis were identified via linkage with the nationwide tuberculosis registry. Analysis was performed with the use of Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS As of 31 December 2013, 1136 incident cases of active tuberculosis were identified. Dietary cholesterol was positively associated with an increased risk of active tuberculosis in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the lowest intake quartile, the HR was 1.22 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.47) for the highest quartile (P-trend = 0.04). Conversely, dietary marine n-3 and n-6 FAs were associated with a reduced risk of active tuberculosis in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the lowest quartile, the HR for the highest intake quartile was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.95) for marine n-3 FAs (P-trend = 0.01) and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.68, 0.98) for n-6 FAs (P-trend = 0.03). There was no association with saturated, monounsaturated, or plant-based n-3 FA intake. CONCLUSION Dietary intake of cholesterol may increase the risk of active tuberculosis, whereas marine n-3 and n-6 FAs may reduce the risk of active tuberculosis in the Chinese population.
Intimate relationships of Devadasi sex workers in South India: An exploration of risks of HIV/STI transmission

Global literature on female sex workers suggests that being in an intimate relationship is associated with barriers to practising safe sex behaviours. Condom use within intimate relationships is often seen as a sign of infidelity and fosters mistrust which could affect longevity, trust and intimacy within partnerships. Using qualitative data from Devadasi sex workers and their intimate male partners in Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India, we examined both partners' perspectives to understand the quality and dynamics of these relationships and the factors that influence condom use in intimate relationships. Our thematic analysis of individual interviews conducted in May 2011 with 20 couples suggests that many Devadasi sex workers and their intimate partners define their relationships as ‘like marriage’ which reduced their motivation to use condoms. Evidence from this study suggests that active participation in sex workers' collectives (sanghas) can increase condom use, education and family planning services, among other things, and could be helpful for both Devadasis and their intimate partners to better understand and accept safer sexual practices. Our work has direct implications for designing couple-based health interventions for traditional Devadasi sex workers and their intimate partners in India.
Ischaemic skeletal muscle hyperaemia in the anaesthetized cat: no contribution of A2A adenosine receptors.

1. The present study investigated the contribution of the A2A adenosine receptor subtype to the functional hyperaemia response evoked by muscle contraction in anaesthetized cats when muscle blood flow was limited. 2. Application of a stenosis reduced the hindlimb blood flow at rest from 9.67 +/‐ 1.80 to 5.53 +/‐ 0.91 ml min(‐1) (kg body mass)(‐1) and during muscle contraction from 36.80 +/‐ 2.55 to 11.11 +/‐ 1.19 ml min(‐1) (kg body mass)(‐1) (P < 0.001). The force produced by the extensor digitorum longus and tibialis anterior (EDL‐TA) muscle groups was also reduced, from 9.66 +/‐ 0.56 to 4.10 +/‐ 0.4 N (kg muscle mass)(‐1) (P < 0.01). 3. The selective A2A adenosine receptor antagonist ZM241385 (3 mg kg(‐1), I.V. ) had no effect upon the hindlimb vascular conductance or muscle contraction responses in the presence of the flow‐limiting stenosis. 4. In contrast, in the absence of the flow restriction the vascular conductance response was reduced by 27.5 +/‐ 5.0% (P < 0.05), whilst the isometric force produced by the EDL‐TA muscle group was unaffected (pre‐ vs. post‐contraction, 5.8 +/‐ 0.8 vs. 4.6 +/‐ 1.0 N (kg muscle mass)(‐1) contraction). Oxygen consumption by the contracting hindlimb muscles was maintained (1.71 +/‐ 0.25 vs. 1.69 +/‐ 0.26 ml min(‐1) (kg body mass)(‐1)) by an increase in the oxygen extraction (51.9 +/‐ 4.9 vs. 66.2 +/‐ 6.1%; P< 0.01). 5. These results confirm previous data showing that adenosine, acting at the A2A receptor subtype, can contribute up to 30% of the functional hyperaemia response in the hindlimb of anaesthetized cats under free flow conditions. However, when blood flow is limited by a stenosis, antagonism of the A2A adenosine receptor does not affect functional hyperaemia.
Shadow removal for umbrageous information recovery in aerial images

The undesirable local change in the illumination intensity observed in a captured image often due to some opaque object hindering the light path is termed as shadow. Apart from resisting the image to deliver the high quality content, it also reduces the efficiency of various next level image processing applications such as object detection, feature extraction etc. This paper proposes a method to recoup a shadow recovered image. The method involves the detection of shadow which also includes morphological filtering to rule out the ambiguities and then eliminating the detected shadow. This paper adopts Gamma correction technique for shadow removal. The experimental results verify the efficiency of this method by comparing it with two other methods. The parameter Structural Similarity Index Metric is also used to gauge the accuracy of the three methods.
Forecasting the REITs and stock indices: Group Method of Data Handling Neural Network approach

Abstract If there is long-term memory in property stocks and REITs prices, historical data is relevant for future prices prediction. Despite previous research adopted various different methods to forecast future asset prices by using historical data; we attempted to forecast the REITs and stock indices by Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) neural network method with Hurst which is the first of its kind. Our results showed that GMDH neural network performed better than the classical forecasting algorithms such as Single Exponential Smooth, Double Exponential Smooth, ARIMA and back-propagation neural network. The research results also provide useful information for investors when they make investment decisions.
The origins and genetic distinctiveness of the chamorros of the Marianas Islands: An mtDNA perspective

Archaeological and linguistic evidence suggests the Marianas Islands were settled around 3,600 years before present (ybp) from Island Southeast Asia (ISEA). Around 1,000 ybp latte stone pillars and the first evidence of rice cultivation appear in the Marianas. Both traditions are absent in the rest of prehistoric Oceania.
Characterization of Hox genes in the bichir, Polypterus palmas.

It has been suggested that the increase in the number of Hox genes may have been one of the key events in vertebrate evolution. Invertebrates have one Hox cluster, while mammals have four. Interestingly, the number of Hox gene clusters is greater in the teleost fishes, zebrafish and medaka, than in mouse and human. The greater number of Hox clusters in the teleosts suggests that Hox gene duplication events have occurred during the radiation of ray-finned fishes. The question is when the Hox gene duplication event(s) that lead to seven Hox clusters in the teleosts actually occurred. We have addressed this question by studying the Hox genes in the bichir, Polypterus palmas. A preliminary PCR-estimation of the number of Hox genes suggests that Polypterus has five different Hox9 cognate group genes, which may be an indication of more than four Hox clusters in the bichir.
Inertial Effects on the Assessment of Performance in Isokinetic Dynamometry

Moments due to acceleration and deceleration periods influence the joint moment (torque) in isokinetic dynamometry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in the peak moment and the moment development during the initial acceleration period of isokinetic concentric knee extension before and after correction for inertial effects, and evaluate their relationship. The moment development was expressed by the work produced during the initial 0.125 s of the movement. Five male and five female healthy young adults participated in the study. Seven concentric knee extensions at 1.04, 3.14 and 5.24 rad/s were performed on a Biodex dynamometer. Inertial moments were calculated using acceleration data derived from the Biodex software angular displacement data. After inertial correction, the maximum errors in the original peak moment and the moment development at the inital 0.125 s were 7 and 16%, respectively, and were recorded at 5.24rad/s. At slower velocities (1.04 and 3.14 rad/s) the effects of inertial moments on the peak moment and the work at the initial 0.125 s were negligible. Inertial moments did not influence the relationship between the examined parameters at the three velocities. In conclusion, inertial moments affect the peak moment and moment development during the initial acceleration period at high velocities of isokinetic testing and therefore these effects should be considered in order to obtain valid results in isokinetic dynamometry.
Inhaled steroids and the risk of adrenal suppression in children

Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment of all asthma severity levels in adults and children. With their widespread use comes a responsibility to monitor, understand, and balance their efficacy and safety. Systemic adverse effects such as adrenal suppression have been clearly associated with the use of oral corticosteroids and to a lesser degree with the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). In clinical trials, adrenal suppression is more evident when ICS are used in long-term therapy and at higher doses. However, monitoring adrenal suppression during short-term therapy and at lower doses is still of value in order to ascertain the lower limit of an inhaled corticosteroid’s safety profile. Significant adrenal suppression at conventional ICS doses appears to be rare in clinical practice. When evaluating the effect of ICS on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal-axis (HPA-axis), one must consider sources of variability both within and among trials including test sensitivity, systemic bioavailability, degree of airway obstruction, and delivery devices. All of these factors have the potential to effect the level of adrenal suppression detected and must be considered when interpreting HPA-axis test results in research or practice. This review will discuss adrenal suppression found with common ICS.