Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developmental changes in cell calcium homeostasis during neurogenesis of the embryonic rat cerebral cortex.

We quantified cytoplasmic Ca(2+) (Ca(2+)(c)) levels in cells dissociated from the embryonic (E) rat cortex during neurogenesis. Dual-recordings by flow cytometry using calcium and voltage-sensitive dyes revealed that, at the beginning of cortical development (E11-12), precursor cells exhibited either low (<100 nM), moderate (approximately 250 nM) or high (>1 microM) resting Ca(2+)(c) levels and well-polarized (-70 mV) or less-polarized (-40 mV) resting membrane potentials which reflected postmitotic or proliferative stages of the cell cycle. Ca(2+)(c) levels of all cells included a Ca(2+)(o) entry component, which was also Mn(2+)-permeant in actively proliferating precursors. Postmitotic, but not premitotic, precursors exhibited thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(2+)(i)) stores, which had similar capacities throughout neuronal lineage development. Differentiating neurons, but not precursors expressed Ca(2+)(i) stores with ryanodine and caffeine sensitivity and baseline Ca(2+)(c) levels that depended on Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange activity. Voltage-dependent Ca(2+)(o) entry was not detected in precursors, but emerged during neuronal differentiation, with most of the neurons expressing functional L-type Ca(2+) channels. Ca(2+) imaging of individually immunoidentified cells acutely recovered in culture confirmed that precursors differentiate into neurons which stereotypically exhibit Ca(2+)(o) entry at the level of the membrane with increased Ca(2+)(i) release mechanisms on Ca(2+)(i) stores, Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchange activity and expression of voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels.
Social Return on Investment of Mutual Support Based Housing Projects: Potential for Socio-Economic Cost Savings and Higher Living Quality

Our paper describes the results of a Social Return on Investment analysis of four new housing projects in Germany. A common characteristic of all projects is the central importance of mutual neighborly support to meet the demand for the assistance of older residents. All projects share some common architectural features and infrastructural characteristics. Furthermore, in each housing project, some form of support by social workers takes place. Using a propensity score matching approach, we compare for the first time systematically the costs for support of older people in mutual support based housing projects with a control group of people living in conventional settings. Our results, based on a sample of more than 700 residents, point not only to improvements in living satisfaction, but indicate also a huge potential for socio-economic cost savings. This can partly be explained by better development of residents’ health status.
The Influence of Media on Advertising Effectiveness a Comparison of Internet, Posters and Radio

This study compares the effectiveness of internet advertisements (pop-ups), print advertisements (posters) and radio advertisements for an airline ticket and for a weekend stay at a hotel. The advertisement copies were developed specifically for this study by a professional agency. Advertisements were developed to utilise specific medium characteristics, and the control of advertisement content was attained through the brief. Furthermore, the relative quality of the advertisements was used as a covariate in the analysis of media effects. The test situation reflected a high elaboration condition in that the respondents were asked to assess presented ads on various outcome variables. The results indicate that both advertising media and the relative quality of the advertisements presented in the various media influence the effectiveness of the advertisements. Internet and posters were found to be more effective advertising media than radio.
Generalizing over conditions by combining the multitrait-multimethod matrix and the representative design of experiments.

Abstract : Analytical methods should be substituted for the current largely intuitive methods for generalizing results over conditions. Toward that end we present a methodology that combines Campbell and Fiske's (1959) multitrait multimethod matrix and Brunswik's (1956) representative design of experiments. A description of a study of expert judgement and a critique of current practices illustrate the methodology. Keywords: Multitrait multimethod; Representative design; Expert judgement; Generalization; Methodology.
Corona: Positioning Adjacent Device with Asymmetric Bluetooth Low Energy RSSI Distributions

We introduce Corona, a novel spatial sensing technique that implicitly locates adjacent mobile devices in the same plane by examining asymmetric Bluetooth Low Energy RSSI distributions. The underlying phenomenon is that the off-center BLE antenna and asymmetric radio frequency topology create a characteristic Bluetooth RSSI distribution around the device. By comparing the real-time RSSI readings against a RSSI distribution model, each device can derive the relative position of the other adjacent device. Our experiments using an iPhone and iPad Mini show that Corona yields position estimation at 50% accuracy within a 2cm range, or 85% for the best two candidates. We developed an application to combine Corona with accelerometer readings to mitigate ambiguity and enable cross-device interactions on adjacent devices.
An evaluation of sonohysterography and diagnostic hysteroscopy for the assessment of intrauterine pathology

The availability of advanced hysteroscopic surgical techniques has changed the management of abnormal uterine bleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of transvaginal sonography (TVS), sonohysterography (SH) and diagnostic hysteroscopy (DH) for the preoperative assessment of the uterine cavity. The plan was to investigate 100 patients with abnormal uterine bleeding despite conventional medical treatment. The endpoints were uterine abnormalities detected by operative hysteroscopy and histology, and subjective estimates of discomfort during TVS and SH. A total of 104 patients (aged 26–79 years) were recruited and 98 (94%) underwent all three diagnostic procedures. Uterine abnormalities were present in 52 patients (53%). There were 25 cases with at least one endometrial polyp, 17 with submucous fibroids, seven with endometrial hyperplasia and three with an adenocarcinoma. The overall sensitivity of TVS improved after SH from 67 to 87% and the specificity from 89 to 91%. The positive predictive value increased from 88 to 92% and the negative predictive value from 71 to 86%. The use of SH also improved the quality of information about the location and size of polyps and submucous fibroids. Increased endometrial thickness associated with adenocarcinoma was detected in all cases (three of three) by TVS and in four of seven cases of hyperplasia (five of seven cases after SH). Most patients reported minor discomfort during TVS or SH and no side‐effects were apparent. The sensitivity of DH was 90% (92% for polyps, 88% for fibroids); two cases with a polyp, two with a submucous fibroid and one with endometrial hyperplasia were not detected. The use of saline infusion to enhance visualization of the endometrium increases the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal sonography to approach that of diagnostic hysteroscopy and also provides some additional information. This development has implications for the management of uterine bleeding disorders. Copyright © 1998 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Design of short peptides to block BTLA/HVEM interactions for promoting anticancer T-cell responses

Antibody based immune-checkpoint blockade therapy is a major breakthrough in oncology, leading to clinical benefit for cancer patients. Among the growing family of inhibitory receptors, the B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), which interacts with herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM), is a promising target for immunotherapy. Indeed, BTLA inhibits T-cell proliferation and cytokine production. The crystal structure of the BTLA/HVEM complex has shown that the HVEM(26–38) fragment is directly involved in protein binding. We designed and analyzed the capacity of several analogs of this fragment to block the ligation between BTLA and HVEM, using competitive ELISA and cellular assay. We found that the HVEM(23–39) peptide can block BTLA/HVEM ligation. However, the blocking ability was due to the Cys encompassed in this peptide and that even free cysteine targeted the BTLA protein and blocked its interaction with HVEM. These data highlight a Cys-related artefact in vitro, which should be taken in consideration for future development of BTLA/HVEM blocking compounds.
Pancreatic lesions in von Hippel-Lindau disease: prevalence, clinical significance, and CT findings.

OBJECTIVE The purposes of this study were to determine the nature, prevalence, and CT findings of pancreatic lesions in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and to determine whether identification of pancreatic cysts and neoplasms is important in establishing the diagnosis of von Hippel-Lindau disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The medical records and radiologic images of 52 patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease who were evaluated at our institution between 1976 and 1992, and who at some stage underwent abdominal CT, sonography, or MR imaging, were reviewed. The nature, prevalence, and CT findings of the pancreatic lesions were determined, and the role of the pancreatic abnormalities in establishing the diagnosis of von Hippel-Lindau disease was studied. RESULTS Twenty-nine (56%) of the 52 patients had pancreatic lesions. Nineteen patients had pancreatic cysts and no other pancreatic lesion. Four patients had islet cell tumors only, one had a microcystic adenoma only, and three had indeterminate pancreatic masses. One patient had cysts and an islet cell tumor, and another patient had cysts, an islet cell tumor, and a microcystic adenoma. In six patients (12%), pancreatic lesions were the only abdominal manifestation of von Hippel-Lindau disease. In three patients screened because of a family history of von Hippel-Lindau disease, no CNS abnormalities were present, and the only abdominal lesions were in the pancreas (cysts in two cases, islet cell carcinoma in the other). Thus, the pancreatic lesion was an important factor in establishing a diagnosis of von Hippel-Lindau disease in these patients. CONCLUSION Pancreatic lesions may be the only abdominal manifestation of von Hippel-Lindau disease. CT findings include cysts, islet cell tumors, and microcystic adenomas. Pancreatic lesions, including cysts, may precede any other manifestation of von Hippel-Lindau disease by several years, and recognition permits earlier diagnosis in patients being screened for von Hippel-Lindau disease.
Safety Assessment of Alkyl Betaines as Used in Cosmetics

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (Panel) reviewed the safety of 11 alkyl betaines as used in cosmetics. These ingredients are reported to function as hair and skin conditioning agents, antistatic agents, surfactants-cleansing agents, and viscosity-increasing agents in cosmetic products. Although there are data gaps, the shared chemical core structure, similar functions and concentrations of use in cosmetics, and the expected similarities in physicochemical properties enabled grouping these ingredients and reading across the available toxicological data to support the safety assessment of each individual compound in the entire group. The Panel concluded alkyl betaines were safe as cosmetic ingredients in the present practices of use and concentration, when formulated to be nonirritating.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Marine Bacterium Pseudomonas aestusnigri VGXO14T

ABSTRACT The type strain of Pseudomonas aestusnigri (VGXO14), isolated from a crude oil-polluted marine sand sample, is a member of the P. pertucinogena phylogenetic group. Here, we report the genome sequence (3.83 Mb) of P. aestusnigri to gain insights into the biology and taxonomy of marine Pseudomonas spp. adapted to polluted marine habitats.
Stable C and N isotope concentration in several tissues of the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta from the western Mediterranean and dietary implications

The isotopic concentrations of carapace scutes, skin, muscle and blood of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from the Balearic Archipelago were analysed to investigate the pattern of variation between tissues and to assess the position of this species in the trophic webs of the Algerian Basin. Skin showed higher d13C values than muscle or carapace scutes and these showed higher values than blood. Conversely, muscle showed higher d15N values than skin, skin showed higher values than blood and blood showed higher values than carapace scutes. Dead and live sea turtles from the same habitat did not differ in the concentration of stable isotopes. However, some of the tissues of the turtles caught in drifting long-lines in the oceanic realm showed higher d13C values than those from the turtles caught by hand or in trammel nets over the continental shelf, although they did not differ in the d15N. Comparison of the concentration of stable isotopes in the turtles with that of other species from several areas of the Algerian Basin revealed that they consumed planktonic prey and that the trophic level of the sea turtles was higher than that of carnivorous cnidarians but lower than that of zooplanktophagous fish and crustaceans.
The Psychometric Properties of the Hungarian Version of the Proactive Coping Inventory: Reliability, Construct Validity and Factor Structure

The purpose of the study was to adapt the Proactive Coping Inventory to a Hungarian language context, and to evaluate its psychometric properties. The psychometric characteristics of the Hungarian version of the Proactive Coping Inventory (PCI-H) were examined, based on the data of 452 individuals (mean age= 25.84). Self-report questionnaires were filled out: Proactive Coping Inventory and the short version of the Beck Depression Inventory. In this paper we will present results referring to the reliability of the PCI-H subscales (Cronbach's alpha= .71 to .86), the construct validity of the inventory and the item analysis. We will also present the results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), which was conducted to test the fit of the original theoretically derived seven-factor structure of the PCI-H. The result of the factor analysis identified seven scales of the inventory ( χ 2 /df= 1.870; CFI= .855; TLI=.845 RMSEA=.045; SRMR=.0678). Overall, the results of this validation study are highly promising. The subscales of the PCI have good reliability and construct validity, moreover the results of the CFA verify that the seven-factor model represents the original factor structure of PCI in an appropriate way.
Investigation of transient electronic transport in GaAs following high energy injection

We present Monte Carlo simulations of the transient behavior of electrons injected into GaAs at high energies and accelerated (decelerated) by constant electric fields. Our calculations differ from previous calculations due to the inclusion of a realistic band structure (empirical pseudopotential) and the injection of electrons at high energies (e.g., via a heterobarrier). The results show that a narrow "collision-free window" (CFW) exists with respect to parameters such as the external electric field, the injection energy, the external voltages, and the semiconductor dimensions. Within this window average electron velocities of\sim 8 \times 10^{7}cm/s can be achieved over distances of 10-5cm in emitter (source)- and base-like structures. Voltage (field) parameters typical for the collector (drain) are far outside the CFW and allow only for much reduced (by a factor of ∼ 10) electron velocities. We also discuss thermal noise in "ballistic devices" and show that the noise equivalent temperature can be exceedingly high.
Challenges for smart distribution systems: Data representation and optimization objectives

This paper deals with the evolution of distribution networks towards the smart grid paradigm, with a twofold focus. The first focus is on discussing the role of information technologies and specific aspects of data representation for generation, demand and storage patterns gathered from the field. The second focus refers to highlighting the formulation of specific objective functions for distribution system optimization incorporating new issues emerging from today's trend towards exploiting decentralized resources.
In Utero Particulate Matter Exposure Produces Heart Failure, Electrical Remodeling, and Epigenetic Changes at Adulthood

Background Particulate matter (PM; PM 2.5 [PM with diameters of <2.5 μm]) exposure during development is strongly associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes at adulthood. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that in utero PM 2.5 exposure alone could alter cardiac structure and function at adulthood. Methods and Results Female FVB mice were exposed either to filtered air or PM 2.5 at an average concentration of 73.61 μg/m3 for 6 h/day, 7 days/week throughout pregnancy. After birth, animals were analyzed at 12 weeks of age. Echocardiographic (n=9–10 mice/group) and pressure‐volume loop analyses (n=5 mice/group) revealed reduced fractional shortening, increased left ventricular end‐systolic and ‐diastolic diameters, reduced left ventricular posterior wall thickness, end‐systolic elastance, contractile reserve (dP/dtmax/end‐systolic volume), frequency‐dependent acceleration of relaxation), and blunted contractile response to β‐adrenergic stimulation in PM 2.5‐exposed mice. Isolated cardiomyocyte (n=4–5 mice/group) function illustrated reduced peak shortening, ±dL/dT, and prolonged action potential duration at 90% repolarization. Histological left ventricular analyses (n=3 mice/group) showed increased collagen deposition in in utero PM 2.5‐exposed mice at adulthood. Cardiac interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1ß, collagen‐1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, and MMP13 gene expressions were increased at birth in in utero PM 2.5‐exposed mice (n=4 mice/group). In adult hearts (n=5 mice/group), gene expressions of sirtuin (Sirt) 1 and Sirt2 were decreased, DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) 1, Dnmt3a, and Dnmt3b were increased, and protein expression (n=6 mice/group) of Ca2+‐ATPase, phosphorylated phospholamban, and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger were decreased. Conclusions In utero PM 2.5 exposure triggers an acute inflammatory response, chronic matrix remodeling, and alterations in Ca2+ handling proteins, resulting in global adult cardiac dysfunction. These results also highlight the potential involvement of epigenetics in priming of adult cardiac disease.
The Optimization of the Electron Injector Resonant System Based on the Evanescent Oscillations

The methods and results of the bunching system optimization in the compact S – band electron injector are presented in the report. The injector consists of the low-voltage diode electron gun and bunching system based on the resonant system with the evanescent oscillations. In the bunching system such field distribution along the axis is realized, that its amplitude increases from the point of injection of electrons to the exit. The optimized resonance system allows to obtain the electron bunches with the phase length less than 10° (for 70 % particles) at the injector exit.
Non-AUG Translation Initiation of a Fungal RING Finger Repressor Involved in Photocarotenogenesis*

The RING finger protein CrgA acts as a negative regulator of light-induced carotene biosynthesis in the fungus Mucor circinelloides. Sequence analysis of the crgA coding region upstream of the first AUG codon revealed the existence of an additional non-canonical RING finger domain at the most N-terminal end of the protein. The newly identified RING finger domain is required for CrgA to regulate photocarotenogenesis, as deduced from site-directed mutagenesis experiments. The role of both RING finger domains in the stability of CrgA has been investigated in a yeast system. Wild type CrgA, but not the RING finger deleted forms, is highly unstable and is stabilized by inhibition of the proteasome function, which suggests that native CrgA is degraded by the proteasome and that active RING finger domains are required for proteasome-mediated CrgA degradation. To identify the translation start of CrgA, a mutational analysis of putative initiation codons in the 5′ region of the crgA gene was accomplished. We demonstrated that a GUG codon located upstream of the first AUG is the sole initiator of CrgA translation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a naturally occurring non-AUG start codon for a RING finger regulatory protein. A combination of suboptimal translation initiation and proteasome degradation may help to maintain the low cellular levels of CrgA observed in wild type cells, which is probably required for accurate regulation of photocarotenogenesis.
Hedonic coalition formation game for clustered interference alignment

Interference alignment (IA) is an efficient interference management technique that can result in sum-rates that scale linearly with the number of users at high signal-to-noise power ratio (SNR). But it is difficult to directly apply IA to large networks because of heavy signaling overhead and feasibility constraint. Clustered IA divides cells into disjoint clusters where IA is applied in each cluster independently. It provides a mechanism for mitigating the signaling overhead and maximizing the achievable rate. In this paper, we devise a novel distributed coalition formation algorithm for cluster formation, which enables the cells to take individual decision on whether to cooperate or not, based on the pre-defined preference relation. Then we prove the convergence of the proposed algorithm: any initial cluster structure can finally converge to a stable solution of Nash equilibrium. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can get good performance.
Commodity or Gift: Teotihuacan Obsidian in the Maya Region

Archaeologists have long noted the presence of green obsidian artifacts in a number of Maya sites and have recognized that they were manufactured from the obsidian of the Pachuca source in central Mexico. Viewed as evidence of Teotihuacán influence, these finds were initially explained in economic terms as commodities in an exchange of goods that had a substantial impact on the economies of the Maya and on the development of the obsidian industry in Teotihuacán. However, when the contexts of the finds are examined it becomes clear that the significance of the artifacts was more symbolic than economic. The forms include prismatic blades, bifacially worked points and knives, needles, sequins, and some eccentrics. These are often recovered from ritual contexts, in association with other evidence of Teotihuacán influence. They apparently served to express a variety of relationships with Teotihuacán, ranging from actual Teotihuacanos proclaiming their identity to the attempts of Maya elite to forge some social affiliation with the city. Although most of the finds of green obsidian consist of only one or a few pieces, some contexts, such as the tombs of mounds A and B at Kaminaljuyú, produced more substantial amounts. Nevertheless, despite these occasional impressive finds, green obsidian does not seem to have been a major import, and it is clear that the Teotihuacán obsidian industry had largely attained its Classic-period structure before the Maya demand developed. Although the flow of central Mexican obsidian to the Maya region was not negligible, it could not in itself have had a major effect on either economic system.