Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Intrathecal Cyclooxygenase-1, Cyclooxygenase-2, or Nonselective Inhibitors on Pain Behavior and Spinal Fos-Like Immunoreactivity

BACKGROUND: Prostaglandins are synthesized by cyclooxygenase (COX) and are thought to play an important role in nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord. Fos expression is an indicator of spinal neuron activation. We examined the role of intrathecal selective and nonspecific COX inhibitors on spinal C-Fos expression. METHODS: To evaluate the relative contribution of COX-1 and COX-2 in nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord, we assessed the effects of the selective COX-1 inhibitor SC 560, the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib, and the nonselective COX inhibitor ketorolac on formalin-evoked behavior and spinal c-Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI). Rats received each of the drugs (30, 60, or 90 &mgr;g) intrathecally before the subcutaneous administration of formalin (5%, 50 &mgr;L) to the plantar surface of a hindpaw. The control group received vehicle intrathecally before the administration of formalin. RESULTS: Phase 1 flinching behavior decreased in rats given celecoxib or ketorolac 90 &mgr;g. Phase 2 flinching behavior decreased in rats given all doses of ketorolac or celecoxib 90 &mgr;g (P < 0.05). The FLI was significantly reduced in rats given celecoxib or ketorolac 90 &mgr;g for laminae I–II (P < 0.05). By contrast, for laminae V–VI, only the ketorolac 60 or 90 &mgr;g treatment group demonstrated a larger decrease in FLI (P < 0.05). The FLI expression in laminae V–VI had a significant correlation with phase 2 flinching behavior (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A dual inhibitor of COX-1 and COX-2 suppressed both responses of formalin-evoked behaviors and FLI expression of whole laminae in the lumbar spinal cord. FLI expression of laminae I–II alone may not be a good indicator of the ability to produce anti-hypersensitivity; however, the FLI of laminae V–VI correlates with phase 2 responses.
TEST RIG FOR FRICTION TORQUE MEASUREMENT IN ROLLING BEARINGS

To supervise both the evolutions of the friction torque and the equilibrium temperature in the high-speed rolling bearings, a test rig able to run up to 120,000 rpm has been developed. In order to monitor the friction torque, modern acquisition data techniques and a virtual instrument were employed. Tests were carried-out on all-steel and hybrid ball bearings from 7206 C series. The running parameters corresponded to high-speed, oil-mist lubrication and axially pure light loads conditions. According to the results of our tests, the friction torque and the developed temperature in hybrid rolling bearings are lower than in geometrically similar allsteel bearings.
A novel tau transcript in cultured human neuroblastoma cells expressing nuclear tau

We previously reported the presence of the microtubule-associated protein, tau in the nuclei of primate cells in culture. The present study confirms the existence of nuclear tau in two human neuroblastoma cells lines by indirect immunofluorescence and Western blot using mAbs to tau. Northern blot analysis of poly A+ mRNA detects a novel 2-kb tau transcript coexpressed with the 6-kb message in cultured human cells and human frontal cortex. PCR and cDNA sequencing demonstrate that the 2-kb message contains the entire tau coding region. Furthermore, actinomycin D transcription inhibition experiments indicate that the 2- kb message is not derived from the 6-kb message, but instead arises from the original tau transcript. One of the human neuroblastoma cell lines examined contains both nuclear and cytoplasmic tau as assayed by both Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence. Northern blot analysis of this cell line indicates that copious amounts of the 2-kb message are present while little of the 6-kb transcript is obvious. Immunofluorescence analysis of this cell line demonstrates that the cytoplasmic tau is not localized to microtubules. Together, these results indicate that the 2-kb tau message in humans may specify tau for non-microtubule functions in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. We hypothesize that this is accomplished via a message targeting mechanism mediated by the untranslated regions of the tau messages.
Robust TC-OLA Reception With Frequency Domain Equalization for Ultrawideband (UWB) Applications

A variant of time-compression overlap-add (TC-OLA) is proposed as an alternate physical layer scheme for ultrawideband communications. Although the construction of the transmitted signal is identical to other TC-OLA applications, this letter explores block-based receiver structures using frequency domain equalization (FDE) techniques that allow for a longer delay spread relative to the window size than time-domain TC-OLA processing. An important and novel contribution of this method is the reduction or elimination of the cyclic prefix (CP) overhead due to the way that redundancy is added to the transmitted signal by the TC-OLA process. Unlike overlap FDE, the CP overhead is eliminated without the increased processing load required to maintain a practically useful bit error rate floor. For very high delay spread channels, such as CM8, a long effective CP length can be obtained without requiring a much longer fast Fourier transform block length to maintain efficiency.
Feature Selection for Pairwise Scoring Kernels with Applications to Protein Subcellular Localization

In biological sequence classification, it is common to convert variable-length sequences into fixed-length vectors via pairwise sequence comparison. This pairwise approach, however, can lead to feature vectors with dimension equal to the training set size, causing the curse of dimensionality. This calls for feature selection methods that can weed out irrelevant features to reduce training and recognition time. In this paper, we propose to train an SVM using the full-feature column vectors of a pairwise scoring matrix and select the relevant features based on the support vectors of the SVM. The idea stems from the fact that pairwise scoring matrices are symmetric and support vectors are important for classification. We refer to this approach as vector-index-adaptive SVM (VIA-SVM). We compare VIA-SVM with other feature selection schemes-including SVM-RFE, R-SVM, and a filter method based on symmetric divergence (SD)-in protein subcellular localization. Results show that VIA-SVM is able to automatically bound the number of selected features within a small range. We also found that fusion of VIA-SVM and SD can produce more compact feature subsets without decreasing prediction accuracy, and that while VIA-SVM is superior for large feature-set size, the combination of SD and VIA-SVM performs better at small feature-set size.
A rapid hierarchical rendering technique for translucent materials

This paper introduces an efficient two-pass rendering technique for translucent materials. We decouple the computation of irradianceat the surface from the evaluation of scattering inside the material.This is done by splitting the evaluation into two passes, where the first pass consists of computing the irradiance at selected points on the surface. The second pass uses a rapid hierarchical integration technique to evaluate a diffusion approximation based on the irradiance samples. This approach is substantially faster than previous methods for rendering translucent materials, and it has the advantage that it integrates seamlessly with both scanline rendering and global illumination methods. We show several images and animations from our implementation that demonstrate that the approach is both fast and robust, making it suitable for rendering translucent materials in production.
PRACE NAUKOWE - RESEARCH PAPERS

The results of the tests of the effectiveness of the action of new, not yet described in the literature group of biocidal ionic liquids were synthesised and presented. Those ionic liquids are derivatives of the leading structure, i.e. didecyldimethylammonium nitrate, and demonstrate strong action against mould fungi. Natural quaternary ammonium salts, mainly extracts from coconut and soybean, and from vegetable fats, were the basis for syntheses. Mycological tests were carried out on the wood of pine Pinus sylvestris L. (sapwood) in accordance with the method assumed binding for the assessment of biocide efficacy.
A Modiied Hausdorr Distance for Object Matching

The purpose of object matching is to decide the similarity between two objects. This paper introduces 24 possible distance measures based on the Hausdor distance between two point sets. These measures can be used to match two sets of edge points extracted from any two objects. Based on our experiments on synthetic images containing various levels of noise, we determined that one of these distance measures, called the modi ed Hausdor distance (MHD) has the best performance for object matching. The advantages of MHD over other distances are also demonstrated on several edge maps of objects extracted from real images.
Development of Hybrid Surfaces with Tunable Wettability by Selective Surface Modifications

Recent advances in micro/nano technology have driven artificial modifications of surface wettability by mimicking biological surfaces, such as superhydrophobic and water-harvesting surfaces. In this study, surface wettability of polycarbonate (PC) films was modified using various surface treatments: micropatterning using ultrasonic imprint lithography, fluorinate silane coating, and electron beam irradiation. To modify surface wettability selectively in a specified region, these three treatments were performed using profiled masks with the corresponding shapes. Various combinations of these treatments were investigated in terms of wettability changes, by measuring contact angle (CA). The semi-hydrophobic PC film (CA: 89.2°) was modified to create a super- hydrophobic state (CA: 155.9°) by virtue of the selective micropatterning and coating. The electron beam irradiation had an opposite effect, reducing the CA (48.2°), so that the irradiated region was modified to create a hydrophilic state. Two combinations of the proposed surface modifications made it possible to have a great difference in CA on a single surface (107.7°), and to have four different wetting states on a single surface. Various water-drop experiments proved that the developed hybrid surfaces were selectively wettable and showed water-collecting capability.
Translocations as Experiments in the Ecological Resilience of an Asocial Mega-Herbivore

Species translocations are remarkable experiments in evolutionary ecology, and increasingly critical to biodiversity conservation. Elaborate socio-ecological hypotheses for translocation success, based on theoretical fitness relationships, are untested and lead to complex uncertainty rather than parsimonious solutions. We used an extraordinary 89 reintroduction and 102 restocking events releasing 682 black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) to 81 reserves in southern Africa (1981–2005) to test the influence of interacting socio-ecological and individual characters on post-release survival. We predicted that the socio-ecological context should feature more prominently after restocking than reintroduction because released rhinoceros interact with resident conspecifics. Instead, an interaction between release cohort size and habitat quality explained reintroduction success but only individuals' ages explained restocking outcomes. Achieving translocation success for many species may not be as complicated as theory suggests. Black rhino, and similarly asocial generalist herbivores without substantial predators, are likely to be resilient to ecological challenges and robust candidates for crisis management in a changing world.
ZERO-KNOWLEDGE PROTOCOLS BASED ON PUBLIC-ENCRYPTION

The paper considers the design of two-step zero-knowledge protocols of two different types: 1) protocols based on the public encryption 2) protocols based on the public key agreement scheme. The novelty of the proposed design relating to the first type of protocols consists in using specified labels that are embedded in the encrypted message. Due to using the labels the proposed design is free of using hash-functions and provides higher performance and cheaper hardware implementation. The paper describes protocols implemented with using El-Gamal, Rabin, and RSA public-encryption algorithms. There are discussed details of the protocol design, which depends on the used public-encryption algorithm. The novelty of the proposed design relating to the second-type protocols consists in using the public key agreement scheme.
Effects of the whole seed and a protein isolate of faba bean (Vicia faba) on the cholesterol metabolism of hypercholesterolaemic rats

The aim of the present work was to analyse the hypocholesterolaemic efficiency of a Vicia faba-protein isolate in relation to the intact legume. In addition, the mechanisms underlying the effects of this isolate were investigated. Hypercholesterolaemic rats were divided into three groups (n 10×3) and fed high-fat diets rich in cholesterol-containing casein, whole seeds of Vicia faba or the protein isolate of faba beans as protein source, for 2 weeks ad libitum. The protein isolate was prepared by isoelectric precipitation and spray dried. Analyses of serum, liver and faeces, as well as of the activity of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase, were assessed by enzymatic methods. The rats fed on Vicia faba diets showed significantly lower body weights and energy intakes than rats fed on casein diets. The whole-seed diet induced a significant reduction in plasma triacylglycerol. Feeding rats on diets containing faba bean seeds, or the protein isolate, induced a significant decrease in plasma (LDL+VLDL)-cholesterol but not in HDL-cholesterol. Hepatic cholesterol and triacylglycerol were also reduced. The hypocholesterolaemic effects of Vicia faba were not the result of a reduction in cholesterol synthesis as assessed from HMG-CoA reductase activity, but the result of an increase in steroid faecal excretion. The faba bean-protein isolate obtained under our experimental conditions was useful in improving the metabolic alterations induced by feeding with a hypercholesterolaemic diet compared with casein. The effectiveness of the whole seeds was higher than that of the protein isolate.
WORKER REALLOCATION OVER THE BUSINESS CYCLE: THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYER-TO-EMPLOYER TRANSITIONS

In this paper, I show that employer-to-employer transitions are not only pervasive in the U.S. labor market, making up 49% of all separations from employers over the past decade, but also are a critical component in understanding worker turnover over the business cycle. In fact, the shift in the composition of separations from employer-toemployer transitions to employment-to-unemployment transitions explains all of the rise in the incidence of unemployment during the 2001 recession. In addition, the contribution of the change in the employer-to-employer transition probability to unemployment volatility was almost as large as that of the change in the job-finding probability. A parsimonious model of worker turnover with on-the-job search and stochastic unemployment risk can explain the cyclical features of employer-to-employer transitions in response to the observed variation in the job-finding probability. The model also can account for all of the rise in unemployment incidence without any change in the separation hazard faced by different jobs, although it cannot fully explain the speed of the rise.
5 BUOY-MOUNTED WIND PROFILING : CURRENT STATUS AND POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS FOR COASTAL RESEARCH AND PREDICTION

Coastal and marine weather prediction suffers from a relative sparsity of observations offshore and on the coast. Key meteorological information aloft, which is more regularly available over land, remains largely unavailable over the oceans. Several recent national reports have highlighted this issue and the importance of improving the offshore observing system to meet the needs of the rapidly increasing U.S. coastal population (e.g., USWRP Report no. 2, Dabbert et al. 1996). NOAA’s Environmental Technology Laboratory (ETL) has been developing new observing strategies to fill this gap. Among the most promising is the development of buoymounted wind profilers that could capitalize on the established capabilities of ground-based profilers. These capabilities include not only vertical profiling of winds and temperatures at hourly or better time resolution, but also monitoring of the boundary layer depth and its diurnal cycle, detailed information on the low-level-jet in winter storms, and information on precipitation type and the melting level above the site. Several recent technological advances have allowed an initial, on-water, test of a buoy-mounted wind profiler to be conducted by ETL and Scripps’ Joint Institute for Marine Observations in March of 2000 (Jordan et al. 2000). The success of this test has motivated a deeper examination of the potential application of such technology in the context of coastal oceanic and atmospheric processes and prediction. Experience with coastal, island-based and shipboard boundary layer wind profilers was gained in field experiments dating back to 1987 on the U.S. West Coast and in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This experience forms the basis for describing some potential applications of buoymounted wind profiling in the coastal zone. These field efforts include the 1992 Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX, Albrecht et al. 1995), ONR’s Coastal Meteorology Accelerated Research Initiative in the mid 1990's (Nuss et al. 2000), and NOAA’s CALJET and PACJET winter experiments in 1997/98 and 2001, respectively. This paper summarizes the current status of the buoy-profiler technology development and the next engineering hurdles that must be overcome. Likely applications in both research and operations are also described.
THE EFFECT OF ELECTRONIC WORD-OF-MOUTH ON BRAND IMAGE , PERCEIVED VALUE AND PURCHASE INTENTION OF THE SMARTPHONE ’ S CONSUMER Thi

Electronic Word-of-mouth (eWOM) has been recognized as one of the most influential resources of information transmission. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of electronic word-of-mouth on brand image, perceived value and purchase intention of consumers to smartphone brands. Although the direct link between electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and purchase intention has been considered, few studies have examined the benefits of eWOM on brand image and perceived value in order to facilitate this link. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of eWOM on brand image and perceived value to enhance purchase intention from the view of social capital theory. Using a sample of 379 consumers from smartphone sector in Vietnam, the study identifies how brand image, perceived value are enhancing purchase intention by the effect of eWOM. The findings have implications for the use of eWOM to foster the relationship between brand image, perceived value, and purchase intention. Then managers can apply some results to have the appropriate strategy for business short and long-term development.
The steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR), beyond xenobiotic metabolism

The steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR) (also known as pregnane X receptor or PXR) is a nuclear hormone receptor activated by a diverse array of endogenous hormones, dietary steroids, pharmaceutical agents, and xenobiotic compounds. SXR has an enlarged, flexible, hydrophobic ligand binding domain (LBD) which is remarkably divergent across mammalian species and SXR exhibits considerable differences in its pharmacology among mammals. The broad response profile of SXR has led to the development of “the steroid and xenobiotic sensor hypothesis”. SXR has been established as a xenobiotic sensor that coordinately regulates xenobiotic clearance in the liver and intestine via induction of genes involved in drug and xenobiotic metabolism. In the past few years, research has revealed new and mostly unsuspected roles for SXR in modulating inflammation, bone homeostasis, vitamin D metabolism, lipid homeostasis, energy homeostasis and cancer. The identification of SXR as a xenobiotic sensor has provided an important tool for studying new mechanisms through which diet, chemical exposure, and environment ultimately impact health and disease. The discovery and pharmacological development of new PXR modulators might represent an interesting and innovative therapeutic approach to combat various diseases.
The effects of left and right monocular viewing on hemispheric activation

ABSTRACT Background/Objectives: Prior research has revealed that whereas activation of the left hemisphere primarily increases the activity of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, right-hemisphere activation increases the activity of the sympathetic division. In addition, each hemisphere primarily receives retinocollicular projections from the contralateral eye. A prior study reported that pupillary dilation was greater with left- than with right-eye monocular viewing. The goal of this study was to test the alternative hypotheses that this asymmetric pupil dilation with left-eye viewing was induced by activation of the right-hemispheric-mediated sympathetic activity, versus a reduction of left-hemisphere-mediated parasympathetic activity. Thus, this study was designed to learn whether there are changes in hemispheric activation, as measured by alteration of spontaneous alpha activity, during right versus left monocular viewing. Method: High-density electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded from healthy participants viewing a crosshair with their right, left, or both eyes. Results: There was a significantly less alpha power over the right hemisphere’s parietal-occipital area with left and binocular viewing than with right-eye monocular viewing. Conclusions: The greater relative reduction of right-hemisphere alpha activity during left than during right monocular viewing provides further evidence that left-eye viewing induces greater increase in right-hemisphere activation than does right-eye viewing.
A new species of Orobdella (Hirudinida, Arhynchobdellida, Orobdellidae) from Taipei, Taiwan

Abstract A new quadrannulate species of Orobdella, Orobdella ketagalan sp. n. , from Taipei, Taiwan, is described. This is the first record of Orobdella and the family Orobdellidae from Taiwan. This new species possesses small, paired sperm duct bulbs in the male reproductive system. In addition to these bulbs, the following combination of characters distinguishes this new species from other quadrannulate species: somite IV uniannulate, male gonopore at XI b6, female gonopore at XIII a1, 1/2 + 4 + 1/2 between gonopores, simple tubular gastroporal duct, lacking epididymides, and undeveloped atrial cornua. Phylogenetic analyses using nuclear 18S rDNA and histone H3 as well as mitochondrial COI, 12S rDNA, tRNAVal, and 16S rDNA markers showed that Orobdella ketagalan is related to the two Ryukyu Archipelago species Orobdella dolichopharynx Nakano, 2011 and Orobdella shimadae Nakano, 2011.