Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanosensitive ATP Release Maintains Proper Mucus Hydration of Airways

Airway epithelial cells use purinergic signaling to optimize fluid secretion and mucus clearance. Keeping the Airways Clear Mucus in airways traps foreign particles and can be cleared in part by the beating of cilia on the epithelial cells that line airways. Button et al. investigated how mucus hydration is maintained to ensure that mucus is efficiently cleared from lungs. Treatments that increased the concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or adenosine in human airway epithelial cultures resulted in increased mucus hydration. Application of a mimic of dehydrated mucus to human airway epithelial cultures triggered ATP release, a response that also occurred when mechanical force was applied to the cultures, suggesting that the mechanical strain imposed on cilia by dehydrated mucus induced ATP release. ATP and other nucleosides bind to purinergic receptors, which regulate fluid secretion and absorption, and these receptors showed a reduced response to sustained ligand exposure over time, suggesting a means by which to prevent uncontrolled fluid secretion and airway flooding. These results highlight an autoregulatory mechanism that ensures hydration of the mucus layer on airway epithelia is optimally maintained. The clearance of mucus from the airways protects the lungs from inhaled noxious and infectious materials. Proper hydration of the mucus layer enables efficient mucus clearance through beating of cilia on airway epithelial cells, and reduced clearance of excessively concentrated mucus occurs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. Key steps in the mucus transport process are airway epithelia sensing and responding to changes in mucus hydration. We reported that extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine were important luminal autocrine and paracrine signals that regulated the hydration of the surface of human airway epithelial cultures through their action on apical membrane purinoceptors. Mucus hydration in human airway epithelial cultures was sensed by an interaction between cilia and the overlying mucus layer: Changes in mechanical strain, proportional to mucus hydration, regulated ATP release rates, adjusting fluid secretion to optimize mucus layer hydration. This system provided a feedback mechanism by which airways maintained mucus hydration in an optimum range for cilia propulsion. Understanding how airway epithelia can sense and respond to changes in mucus properties helps us to understand how the mucus clearance system protects the airways in health and how it fails in lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis.
Phylogeographic structure, demographic history and morph composition in a colour polymorphic lizard

In polymorphic species, population divergence in morph composition and frequency has the potential to promote speciation. We assessed the relationship between geographic variation in male throat colour polymorphism and phylogeographic structure in the tawny dragon lizard, Ctenophorus decresii. We identified four genetically distinct lineages, corresponding to two polymorphic lineages in the Northern Flinders Ranges and Southern Flinders Ranges/Olary Ranges regions respectively, and a monomorphic lineage in the Mt Lofty Ranges/Kangaroo Island region. The degree of divergence between these three lineages was consistent with isolation to multiple refugia during Pleistocene glacial cycles, whereas a fourth, deeply divergent (at the interspecific level) and monomorphic lineage was restricted to western New South Wales. The same four morphs occurred in both polymorphic lineages, although populations exhibited considerable variation in the frequency of morphs. By contrast, male throat coloration in the monomorphic lineages differed from each other and from the polymorphic lineages. Our results suggest that colour polymorphism has evolved once in the C. decresii species complex, with subsequent loss of polymorphism in the Mt Lofty Ranges/Kangaroo Island lineage. However, an equally parsimonious scenario, that polymorphism arose independently twice within C. decresii, could not be ruled out. We also detected evidence of a narrow contact zone with limited genotypic admixture between the polymorphic Olary Ranges and monomorphic Mt Lofty Ranges regions, yet no individuals of intermediate colour phenotype. Such genetic divergence and evidence for barriers to gene flow between lineages suggest incipient speciation between populations that differ in morph composition.
Geometrical active contour model based on structure tensor

An improved geometrical active contour (GAC) model based on the property of local image structure information contained by scatter matrix is presented. The edge stopping function, which inhibits the evolution at the edges of corners in an image, is composed of the measure of the local coherence H and the eigenvalue. The experiments presented on synthetic and real images demonstrate that the proposed model is more robust against the corners of the boundaries and ensures that the evolving curve of the structure tensor energy model reaches more rapidly the true edge boundaries of the objects after comparing the evolving iterations.
Development and growth of primordial shoots in Norway spruce buds before visible bud burst in relation to time and temperature in the field.

The timing of bud development in ecodormancy is critical for trees in boreal and temperate regions with seasonally alternating climates. The development of vegetative buds and the growth of primordial shoots (the primordial shoot ratio) in Norway spruce were followed by the naked eye and at stereo and light microscopic levels in fresh-cut and fixed buds obtained by regular field samplings during the spring of 2007, 2008 and 2009. Buds were collected from 15 randomly selected trees (all 16 years old in 2007) of one southern Finnish half-sib family. The air temperature was recorded hourly throughout the observation period. In 2008 and 2009, initial events in the buds, seen as accumulation of lipid droplets in the cortex area, started in mid-March and were depleted in late April, simultaneously with the early development of vascular tissue and primordial needles. In mid-April 2007, however, the development of the buds was at least 10 days ahead as a result of warm spells in March and early April. Variation in the timing of different developmental phases within and among the sample trees was negligible. There was no clear one-to-one correspondence between the externally visible and the internal development of the buds. The dependence of the primordial shoot ratio on different types of temperature sum was studied by means of regression analysis. High coefficients of determination (R(2) ≈ 95%) were attained with several combinations of the starting time (beginning of the year/vernal equinox), the threshold value (from -3 to +5 °C), and the time step (hour/day) used in the temperature summation, i.e., the prediction power of the primordial shoot ratio models turned out to be high, but the parameter estimate values were not unambiguous. According to our results, temperature sums describe the growth of the primordial shoot inside the bud before bud burst. Thus, the results provide a realistic interpretation for the present phenological models of bud development that are based on temperature sums and external observations of bud burst only, and they also provide new tools for improving the models.
Calcium intake and colorectal adenoma risk: Dose‐response meta‐analysis of prospective observational studies

Evidence from randomized controlled trials suggests that calcium may protect against recurrence of colorectal adenomas, which could lead to the subsequent prevention of cancer. Yet the trials used only a large single dose and were of small sizes, and thus, knowledge of the dose‐response relationship and influence on high‐risk adenomas is limited. To address these issues, we conducted linear and nonlinear dose‐response meta‐analyses primarily based on prospective observational studies published up to July 2014 identified from PubMed and Embase. Summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for total and supplemental calcium intake, respectively, using a random‐effects model. For total calcium intake, summary RR for each 300 mg/day increase was 0.95 (95% CI = 0.92–0.98; I2 = 45%; eight studies with 11,005 cases; range of intake = 333–2,229 mg/day). Evidence of nonlinearity was indicated: approximately, compared to 550 mg/day of total calcium intake, the summary RR was 0.92 (95% CI = 0.89–0.94) at 1,000 mg/day and 0.87 (95% CI = 0.84–0.90) at 1,450 mg/day (pnonlinearity < 0.01). Associations were stronger for high‐risk adenomas (≥1 cm in diameter, (tubulo)villous histology, dysplasia, or multiplicity): approximately, compared to 550 mg/day of total calcium intake, the summary RR was 0.77 (95% CI = 0.74–0.81) at 1,000 mg/day and reduced to 0.69 (95% CI = 0.66–0.73) at 1,450 mg/da (pnonlinearity < 0.01). For supplemental calcium intake, summary RR of total adenoma risk for each 300 mg/day increase was 0.96 (95% CI = 0.93–0.99; I2 = 0%; three studies with 4,548 cases; range of supplementation = 0–1,366 mg/day). In conclusion, calcium intake may continue to decrease the risk of adenomas, particularly high‐risk adenomas, over a wide range of calcium intake.
An Approach for Including Consideration of Stream Water Dissolved Organic Carbon in Long Term Forest Planning

Abstract The objective of this study was to add to a traditional forest planning model by incorporating some consideration of the effects of forestry on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in streams over time. In a case study, for a watershed in northern Sweden, we present the best possible solution to a forest planning problem that maximizes the net present value (NPV) while the DOC concentration levels in the watershed are maintained below a defined threshold value. Results from the case study show that the decrease in NPV, when taking DOC into account, was considerable. However, the decrease in possible harvest volume was restricted in the case study area because the model moved harvesting activity from the first 20-year period to later periods to avoid high initial DOC concentrations. The model presented could be a useful tool for predicting the effect of forestry on DOC concentrations over time.
Ontogenetic development of cannabinoid receptor expression and signal transduction functionality in the human brain

Previous evidence suggests that the endogenous cannabinoid system emerges relatively early during brain development in the rat. However, the pre‐ and postnatal pattern of appearance of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in humans has not been analysed in detail. Furthermore, there is a complete lack of information about the functional ability of these proteins to activate signal transduction mechanisms during human development. In the present study we have explored CB1 receptor expression throughout the different areas of the developing human brain by [3H]CP55 940 autoradiography. We have also assessed CB1 functional coupling to G proteins during brain development by agonist‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS autoradiography in the same cases. Our results indicate a significant density of cannabinoid receptors at 19 weeks' gestation in the same areas that contain these receptors in the adult human brain. Autoradiographic levels of CB1 receptors in these structures seem to increase progressively from early prenatal stages to adulthood. Interestingly, high densities of cannabinoid receptors have also been detected during prenatal development in fibre‐enriched areas that are practically devoid of them in the adult brain. In parallel with these data, we have found that brain cannabinoid receptors are functionally coupled to signal transduction mechanisms from early prenatal stages. This early pattern of expression of functionally active cannabinoid receptors, along with the transient and atypical localization of these proteins in white matter areas during the prenatal stages, suggest an specific role of the endocannabinoid system in the events related to human neural development.
Expression of scFv‐Mel‐Gal4 triple fusion protein as a targeted DNA‐carrier in Escherichia Coli

Liver‐directed gene therapy has become a promising treatment for many liver diseases. In this study, we constructed a multi‐functional targeting molecule, which maintains targeting, endosome‐escaping, and DNA‐binding abilities for gene delivery. Two single oligonucleotide chains of Melittin (M) were synthesized. The full‐length cDNA encoding anti‐hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor scFv C1 (C1) was purified from C1/pIT2. The GAL4 (G) gene was amplified from pSW50‐Gal4 by polymerase chain reaction. M, C1 and G were inserted into plasmid pGC4C26H to product the recombinant plasmid pGC‐C1MG. The fused gene C1MG was subsequently subcloned into plasmid pET32c to product the recombinant plasmid C1MG/pET32c and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. The scFv‐Mel‐Gal4 triple fusion protein (C1MG) was purified with a Ni2+ chelating HiTrap HP column. The fusion protein C1MG of roughly 64 kD was expressed in inclusion bodies; 4.5 mg/ml C1MG was prepared with Ni2+ column purification. Western blot and immunohistochemistry showed the antigen‐binding ability of C1MG to the cell surface of the liver‐derived cell line and liver tissue slices. Hemolysis testing showed that C1MG maintained membrane‐disrupting activity. DNA‐binding capacity was substantiated by luciferase assay, suggesting that C1MG could deliver the DNA into cells efficiently on the basis of C1MG. Successful expression of C1MG was achieved in E. coli, and C1MG recombinant protein confers targeting, endosome‐escaping and DNA‐binding capacity, which makes it probable to further study its liver‐specific DNA delivery efficacy in vivo. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Motivation and competition in health care

Abstract Non‐pecuniary sources of motivation are a strong feature of the health care sector and the impact of competitive incentives on behavior may be lower where pecuniary motivation is low. This paper measures the marginal utility of income (MUY) of physicians from a stated‐choice experiment, and examines whether this measure influences the association between competition faced by physicians and the prices they charge. We find that physicians are more likely to exploit a lack of competition with higher prices if they have a high MUY.
Forecasting of consumer price index using the ensemble learning model with multi-objective evolutionary algorithms: Preliminary results

Time series forecasting is paid a considerable attention of the researchers. At present, in the field of machine learning, there are a lot of studies using an ensemble of artificial neural networks to construct the model for time series forecasting in general, and consumer price index (CPI) forecasting, in particular. However, determining the number of members of an ensemble is still debatable. This paper proposes the way of constructing a model for CPI forecasting and designing a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm in training neural networks ensembles in order to increase the diversity of the population. Two objectives of the training problem include: Mean Sum of Squared Errors and diversity. We experimented the model on three data sets and compared methods. The experimental results showed that the proposed model produced better in investigated cases.
A Simple and Reliable System to Detect and Correct Setup/Hold Time Violations in Digital Circuits

In this article, a fully digital system to detect and correct setup/hold time violations in digital circuits, is presented. The proposed system benefits from simple, low-power, small-area, and easy-to-modify design. The system is composed of two separate blocks, detector and corrector connected through a 2-bit control signal. The detector is placed near flip-flops or memory elements and sends control signals to the corrector. Corrector circuitry consists of only CMOS inverters and a multiplexer, either after global clock source to correct clock globally or before the elements to correct them locally. Because of its simplicity, this system can be repeatedly used throughout the chip. Also it is proved that the correction circuitry may be realized by employing only a few CMOS inverters without any need for adjusting the delay of the inverters. Furthermore, mathematical proof for the ability of the inverter-based correction circuitry is provided. The system continuously monitors and corrects any setup/hold time violations up to the highest possible operating frequency a given process allows.
Computerized Detection of Lung Nodules in CT Images by Use of Multiscale Filters and Geometrical Constraint Region Growing

It is important to enhance and detect pulmonary nodules in computed tomography(CT) images in order to assist radiologists in the detection of lung cancer. Nodules which are included in medical image generally have multiple size and scale and have blob-like structure. Recently, 3D multiscale filter approach is proposed for lung nodules detection. However, the 3D method takes too much computing time to be applicable in computer-aided diagnostic (CAD). In this paper, we propose a three step method for lung nodule detection in CT images. Firstly, we use 2D multiscale filter to detect the candidates of lung nodules on the slice images. Secondly, distinguish nodules between non-nodules which have blob-like shape by use of geometrical constraint region growing. Finally, extract shape features of each region and use an automated rule-based classifier for reduction of false positives. The experimental results indicate that our algorithm can achieve a relatively high performance for nodule detection.
Technical analysis accuracy at Macedonian Stock Exchange

The main task of this paper is to determine accuracy of some of widely used technical analysis techniques for MBI-10 stocks price forecast at MSE. We are testing accuracy of several technical analysis techniques: MACD (Moving-Average Convergence/Divergence), RSI (Relative Strength Index), Stochastic Oscillator and ADX (Average Directional Index) on the three most liquid stocks quoted at MSE and included in MBI-10 index. Technical analysis for MPT, ALK and KMB stocks was performed and recommendations were issued in June 2010, based on monthly and weekly data for the stocks’ price movements during six years period from 2005 to 2010, as well as on their daily price movements from 2009 to 2010. We find that technical analysis is reliable tool for MSE stocks forecasting. Technical analysis predictions for three MSE stocks were confirmed by actual stock price movements within one year period (June 2010-June 2011). We did not find any notable differences in accuracy of use of technical analysis between stocks at MSE as well as between different technical analysis techniques.
A direct non redundant Complex Source Point expansion of the electromagnetic field radiated by an arbitrary source

A simple closed-form expression for a non-redundant Complex Source Point (CSP) beam expansion of an arbitrary electromagnetic field is derived. The expansion process consists of two steps: first, a particular form of the equivalence principle is applied to a sphere enclosing the real sources, and a continuous equivalent electric current distribution is obtained; then, the continuous current is extended to complex space and properly filtered and sampled to generate the discrete set of CSP coefficients. The final result is an exact field representation suitable for arbitrary radiated fields, and optimal if the source is highly directional and/or the observation domain is restricted.
Do Operating Leases Expand Credit Capacity? Evidence from Borrowing Costs and Credit Ratings

We document that borrowing costs and credit ratings are less sensitive to off-balance sheet lease financing than to on-balance sheet debt financing, particularly for firms that are financially constrained and firms that have limited ability to use tax shields. This evidence is consistent with theoretical predictions based on tax benefits as well as bankruptcy costs. Our evidence on borrowing costs and credit ratings suggests that credit markets treat operating leases differently from balance sheet debt. Consistent with this interpretation, we document that firms closer to ratings borderlines lease more, particularly around the investment grade borderline.
Analysis and simulation of multiple converter operation to reduce losses and EMI

In this paper the authors present the results of a study on the use of multiple converter operating in interleaved mode to reduce harmonics and the size of reactive components. DC-DC converter and AC/DC converters with integrating power factor correction operation are discussed. A case study of an interleaved boost power factor converter is analyzed and the simulation and experimental results are presented. The results show the positive impact of the integration of another active device in the circuit to help reducing the harmonics on the supply side.
A Solution to the N-Queens Problem Using Biogeography-Based Optimization

Biogeography-based Optimization (BBO) is a global optimization algorithm based on population, governed by mathematics of biogeography, and dealing with geographical distribution of biological organisms. The BBO algorithm was used in the present study to provide a solution for the N-queens problem. The performance of the proposed algorithm has been evaluated in terms of the quality of the obtained results, cost function, and execution time. Furthermore, the results of this algorithm were compared against those of genetic and particle swarm algorithms.
Trauma system: the backbone of disaster preparedness.

BACKGROUND To describe the Los Angeles County trauma system response to disasters. METHODS Review of trauma system structure and multicasualty events. RESULTS The Los Angeles County trauma system is made up of 13 level I and II trauma centers with defined catchment areas that serve 10 million people in 88 cites over 4,000 square miles and receive more than 20,000 trauma activations annually. There is an organized disaster plan, which is orchestrated through the Medical Alert Center that coordinates the distribution of casualties from the scene of a multicasualty event, with the most critically injured patients going to level I centers by air, severe injuries to level I and II centers by ground and air and less severe injuries to local community hospitals by ground. The plan has been used in several multicasualty events over the last 25 years, the most recent of which occurred 6 hours after this paper was presented. CONCLUSION The system allows for all critically injured patients to be distributed to several trauma centers, so that all can be cared for in a timely fashion without overwhelming any one trauma center and without critically injured patients being taken to nontrauma centers where they cannot receive optimal care. The answer to disaster preparedness in our country is to develop this kind of trauma system in every state. Doing so will improve access of our population to excellent care on a daily basis and will provide a network of trauma centers that can be mobilized to most effectively care for victims of multicasualty events.