Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous Ca2+ Influx in Drosophila Pupal Neurons Is Modulated by IP3-Receptor Function and Influences Maturation of the Flight Circuit

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R) are Ca2+ channels on the neuronal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. They are gated by IP3, produced upon external stimulation and activation of G protein-coupled receptors on the plasma membrane (PM). IP3-mediated Ca2+ release, and the resulting depletion of the ER store, triggers entry of extracellular Ca2+ by store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Mutations in IP3R attenuate SOCE. Compromised IP3R function and SOCE during pupal development of Drosophila leads to flight deficits and mimics suppression of neuronal activity during pupal or adult development. To understand the effect of compromised IP3R function on pupal neuronal calcium signaling, we examined the effects of mutations in the IP3R gene (itpr) on Ca2+ signals in cultured neurons derived from Drosophila pupae. We observed increased spontaneous Ca2+ influx across the PM of isolated pupal neurons with mutant IP3R and also a loss of SOCE. Both spontaneous Ca2+ influx and reduced SOCE were reversed by over-expression of dOrai and dSTIM, which encode the SOCE Ca2+ channel and the ER Ca2+-sensor that regulates it, respectively. Expression of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (cac, Ca-α1D and Ca-αT) was significantly reduced in itpr mutant neurons. However, expression of trp mRNAs and transient receptor potential (TRP) protein were increased, suggesting that TRP channels might contribute to the increased spontaneous Ca2+ influx in neurons with mutant IP3R. Thus, IP3R/SOCE modulates spontaneous Ca2+ influx and expression of PM Ca2+ channels in Drosophila pupal neurons. Spontaneous Ca2+ influx compensates for the loss of SOCE in Drosophila itpr mutant neurons.
The Italian Block of the Escb Multi-Country Model

This paper documents the structure, estimation and simulation properties of the Italian block of the ESCB-multi-country model (MCM). The model is used regularly as an input into Eurosystem projection exercises and, to a lesser extent, in simulation analysis. The specification of the Italian model follows closely that of the Area-Wide Model (AWM) and indeed the other MCM country blocks (in terms of specification and accounting framework). The MCM is a quarterly estimated structural macroeconomic model that treats the economy in a relatively closed manner. It has a long-run classical equilibrium with a vertical Phillips curve but with some short-run frictions in price/wage setting and factor demands. Consequently, activity is demand-determined in the short-run but supply-determined in the longer run with employment having converged to a level consistent with an exogenously given level of equilibrium unemployment. The precise properties of the model are illustrated using a number of standard variant simulations. JEL Classification: C3, C5, E1, E2
Cortical and brainstem neurons containing calcium‐binding proteins in a murine model of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy: Selective changes in the sensorimotor cortex

In the muscular dystrophic (mdx) mouse, which is characterized by deficient dystrophin expression and provides a model of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, we previously demonstrated marked central nervous system alterations and in particular a quantitative reduction of corticospinal and rubrospinal neurons and pathologic changes of these cells. Prompted by these findings and in view of the relations between calcium ions and dystrophin, we analyzed with immunohistochemistry the neurons containing the calcium‐binding proteins parvalbumin, calbindin D28k, and calretinin in cortical areas and brainstem nuclei of mdx mice. In the sensorimotor cortex, parvalbumin‐positive and calbindin‐positive neurons, which represent a subset of cortical interneurons, were significantly more numerous in mdx mice than in wild‐type ones. In addition, the laminar distribution of parvalbumin‐positive neurons in the motor and somatosensory cortical areas of mdx mice was altered with respect to wild‐type animals. No alterations in the number and distribution were found in the parvalbumin‐ or calbindin‐expressing cell populations of the visual and anterior cingulate cortices of mdx mice. The pattern of calretinin immunoreactivity was normal in all investigated cortical areas. The cell populations containing either calcium‐binding protein were similar in brainstem nuclei of mdx and wild‐type mice. The present findings demonstrated selective changes of subsets of interneurons in the motor and somatosensory cortical areas of mdx mice. Therefore, the data showed that, in the cortices of these mutant animals, the previously demonstrated pathologic changes of corticospinal cell populations are accompanied by marked alterations in the local circuitry. J. Comp. Neurol. 456:48–59, 2003. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Information And Index Arbitrage

A random cash/futures basis is derived in a dynamic multimarket learning game with sequential information shocks and strategic arbitrageurs who trade to exploit gaps in the basis. Statistical properties of the authors' theoretical basis are derived both with and without index arbitrage. The authors find that basis volatility, a measure of intermarket mispricing, may initially increase even as individual prices become more precise and that arbitrage reduces basis volatility. The model is also used to analyze regulatory issues such as the possible impact of 'circuit breakers' on the quality of the trading process. Copyright 1994 by University of Chicago Press.
The New OECD International Trade Model

This paper provides a detailed description of recent research to re-estimate and re-specify the international trade volume and price equations that are used in the OECD Economics Department to analyse international trade developments. New panel data estimates of the factors affecting export performance, import penetration and exchange rate pass-through into trade prices are reported for both OECD and non-OECD economies. The model set out has already been used successfully to monitor the global consistency of the international trade projections in the Economic Outlook. Le nouveau modele du commerce international de l'OCDE Cette etude presente de facon detaillee la respecification et la reestimation des equations de commerce exterieur (prix et volumes) qui sont utilisees par le Departement des Affaires Economiques de l'OCDE pour analyser les developpements du commerce mondial. L'impact des facteurs influencant la performance a l'exportation, le taux de penetration des importations et l'effet du taux de change sur les prix du commerce exterieur des zones OCDE et non OCDE est estime par le biais de donnees de panel. Le model presente a deja ete mis en oeuvre avec succes pour assurer la coherence globale des previsions des flux commerciaux publiees dans les Perspectives Economiques de l'OCDE.
Identifying nonverbal cues for automated human-robot turn-taking

Nonverbal communication cues play an important role in human-human interaction and are expected to take a similar role in human-robot collaboration. In current industrial practice, human-robot turn-taking is explicitly human controlled, via a command channel such as switch or button. However, such a master-slave approach does not permit collaborative interaction, and requires the human to focus on both controlling the robot's behavior and on the task, thereby affecting overall performance. In this paper, implicit, nonverbal communication cues are examined as a non-explicit communication channel during a turn-taking task context. The aim of this study is to characterize the types and frequencies of nonverbal cues important to regulating turn taking during an assembly-task-type collaboration. This analysis will guide the selection of cues that can be expressed by the robot as implicit user inputs while human and robot complete a shared task.
Risk, Return and Risk Aversion: A Behavioral Rendition

Behavioral finance and classical finance based on utility maximization appear to be mutually exclusive schools of thought. Despite the fundamental difference, we show that behavioral finance also has a linear relation between risk and return. This relation is obtained without the assumptions of market equilibrium, rational expectations, a specific utility function and the market portfolio. In the behavioral approach, the “pricing error” of CAPM is not an error. It is attributable to the higher-order moments of return. Empirical tests suggest that the relative risk aversion coefficient is positive and time-varying. Moreover, it correlates negatively with both volatility and return.
Siegmund Warburg, the City of London and the financial roots of European integration

The process of European economic integration slackened in the 1960s. National markets for goods, most services and labour were not being integrated because they were not really being liberalised. The exception to this rule was financial services, one of which – the sale of long-term corporate and public sector bonds to relatively wealthy investors – became integrated in a quite novel way in the course of the 1960s. The rise of the so-called ‘Eurobond’ market was a major breakthrough in the history of European integration but it was a largely spontaneous result of innovation by private sector actors, led by Siegmund Warburg. In some measure, no doubt, the bankers’ primary motive was the profit motive. Yet there is also compelling evidence that Warburg and his associates also had a political agenda. They regarded it not only as a way of making money, but also as a potent device for advancing Europe's political integration. In particular, they appreciated that European capital market integration could reinforce the case for British membership of the EEC. The resurrection of London as Europe's principal financial centre, even at a time of economic and exchange rate weakness, was a major achievement in its own right. But it was also a crucial for the resumption of European integration in the 1970s.
Inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in tissue culture fluid and in genital secretions by the spermicide benzalkonium chloride

We have shown that the spermicidal agent benzalkonium chloride can exert a direct inhibitory effect on the viral reverse transcriptase activity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) when utilized at concentrations of 0.05% and higher. Exposure of HIV-1 to this disinfectant at concentrations of more than 0.05% was able to completely destroy viral infectivity, as assessed on susceptible target cells. We have further shown that HIV-1, which is present in both seminal and genital secretions, can be inactivated in such fluids by direct exposure to benzalkonium chloride.
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Symptom Management in Cancer Palliative Care

AbstractUse of Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) in symptom management for cancer palliative care is very common in Chinese populations but clinical evidence on their effectiveness is yet to be synthesized.To conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to summarize results from CHM randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on symptoms that are undertreated in conventional cancer palliative care.Five international and 3 Chinese databases were searched. RCTs evaluating CHM, either in combination with conventional treatments or used alone, in managing cancer-related symptoms were considered eligible. Effectiveness was quantified by using weighted mean difference (WMD) using random effect model meta-analysis.Fourteen RCTs were included. Compared with conventional intervention alone, meta-analysis showed that combined CHM and conventional treatment significantly reduced pain (3 studies, pooled WMD: −0.90, 95% CI: −1.69 to −0.11). Six trials comparing CHM with conventional medications demonstrated similar effect in reducing constipation. One RCT showed significant positive effect of CHM plus chemotherapy for managing fatigue, but not in the remaining 3 RCTs. The additional use of CHM to chemotherapy does not improve anorexia when compared to chemotherapy alone, but the result was concluded from 2 small trials only. Adverse events were infrequent and mild.CHM may be considered as an add-on to conventional care in the management of pain in cancer patients. CHM could also be considered as an alternative to conventional care for reducing constipation. Evidence on the use of CHM for treating anorexia and fatigue in cancer patients is uncertain, warranting further research.
[Acceptance of Online-based Therapy by Patients with Light to Moderate Depressive Disorders].

OBJECTIVES Over the past few years, there has been a considerable increase in online-based therapeutic services for people affected by depressive disorders. The efficacy and efficiency of these programmes is well documented by now. User acceptance is considered as a significant factor of success in establishing this new patient-centered care. Theory-based acceptance surveys can provide valuable scientific knowledge regarding long-term introduction. METHODS A nationwide online survey was conducted to determine the attitude towards web-based psychotherapy services for depressive disorders, the current state of knowledge and the intention of 186 participants (124 female and 62 male participants; aged 21 and above) to use these services. The participants were recruited from support groups for depressive disorders. The determinants of the intention to use online therapy, which is included in the binary logistic regression, are based upon the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). RESULTS Nearly two-thirds of the respondents could conceive making use of online-based therapeutic services in the near future. The perceived performance and expected effort proved to be significantly influential predictors regarding the intention to use. Specifically, these included an evaluation of the use of E-Mental Health to assist disease management, and better assessment of the course of one's disease. CONCLUSION The actual contribution of E-Mental Health is closely connected to technical and jurisprudential assessments. But also, it significantly depends on evidence-based issues as well as user orientation in research, development and implementation. The results offer an initial theory-based approach to an increased user-oriented technology research in health care, with further diversity criteria to be taken into account in the future.
Managing customer relationships in the self-service environment of e-tourism

The provision of self-service technologies in the travel and tourism industry has increased rapidly with the widespread use of e-commerce. There is an apparent contradiction between increasing the opportunities for customer autonomy while encouraging firms to develop close and lasting relationships to gain competitive advantage in an intensely competitive electronic market. An examination of the concepts of managing customer relationships online and the use of self-service technologies highlights the complementary capabilities of CRM for self-service technologies. A framework is offered to support the development of more effective customer relationships within the self-service environment.
Early Detection of Irreversible Cerebral Ischemia in the Rat Using Dispersion of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Relaxation Time, T1ρ

The impact of brain imaging on the assessment of tissue status is likely to increase with the advent of treatment methods for acute cerebral ischemia. Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrates potential for selecting stroke therapy patients by identifying the presence of acute ischemia, delineating the perfusion defect, and excluding hemorrhage. Yet, the identification of tissue subject to reversible or irreversible ischemia has proven to be difficult. Here, the authors show that T1 relaxation time in the rotating frame, so-called T1ρ, serves as a sensitive MRI indicator of cerebral ischemia in the rat. The T1ρ prolongs within minutes after a drop in the CBF of less than 22 mL 100 g−1 min−1. Dependence of T1ρ on spin-lock amplitude, termed as T1ρ dispersion, increases by approximately 20% on middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion, comparable with the magnitude of diffusion reduction. The T1ρ dispersion change dynamically increases to be 38% ± 10% by the first 60 minutes of ischemia in the brain region destined to develop infarction. Following reperfusion after 45 minutes of MCA occlusion, the tissue with elevated T1ρ dispersion (yet normal diffusion) develops severe histologically verified neuronal damage; thus, the former parameter unveils an irreversible condition earlier than currently available MRI methods. The T1ρ dispersion as a novel MRI index of cerebral ischemia may be useful in determination of the therapeutic window for acute ischemic stroke.
Influence of crystalloid and colloid fluid infusion and blood withdrawal on pulmonary bioimpedance in an animal model of mechanical ventilation

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is considered useful for monitoring regional ventilation and aeration in intensive-care patients during mechanical ventilation. Changes in their body fluid state modify the electrical properties of lung tissue and may interfere with the EIT measurements of lung aeration. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of crystalloid and colloid infusion and blood withdrawal on bioimpedance determined by EIT in a chest cross-section. Fourteen anaesthetized mechanically ventilated pigs were subjected to interventions affecting the volume state (crystalloid and colloid infusion, blood withdrawal). Six animals received additional crystalloid fluids (fluid group) whereas eight did not (no-fluid group). Global and regional relative impedance changes (RIC, dimensionless unit) were determined by backprojection at end-expiration. Regional ventilation distribution was analyzed by calculating the tidal RIC in the same regions. Colloid infusion led to a significant fall in the global end-expiratory RIC (mean differences: fluid: −91.2, p < 0.001, no-fluid: −38.9, p < 0.001), which was partially reversed after blood withdrawal (mean differences, fluid: +45.1, p = 0.047 and no-fluid: +26.2, p = 0.009). The RIC was significantly lower in the animals with additional crystalloids (mean group difference: 45.5, p < 0.001). Global and regional tidal volumes were not significantly affected by the fluid and volume states.
The Relationship between Cash Holdings and Market Share by Using Static Model of Listed Firms in Tehran Stock Exchange

Abstract. Cash money is from among the important resources of every economic entity. Maintaining the balance between cash money and cash needs is an important factor in economic health of the economic entities, as well as their continuity. Considering the importance of this issue, the present study deals with the investigation of the cash holding motives, models that justify cash holding, and factors affecting that, particularly the market share. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between market share and cash holdings in the competitive market environment of listed firms in Tehran Stock Exchange. Hence, Squibin & Van Haul's Static cash model has been used for 114 companies since 2004 to 2012. This model is analyzed by the (OLS). Regarding the purpose, this study is a basic experimental research and regarding the nature, it is a correlational one. Results of this study reveal that there is a significant negative relationship between market share and cash holdings and also showed that this relationship is of greater significance among moderately concentrated industries.
Robust control of electrodynamic shaker with disturbance-force compensator

This paper presents a disturbance-force compensator for an electrodynamic shaker. The characteristic of a shaking system is considered to be nonlinear and variable because of the influence of the test piece. In order to compensate for this problem, the influence of the disturbance force needs to be suppressed. It is assumed that the disturbance force is measured in the form of a controlled variable, and the controller is designed using μ-synthesis by considering the uncertainty of the shaker. Finally, the experiment using the electrodynamic shaker is executed. A good performance is achieved for the variation in the characteristic of the controlled plant.
Bacterial outer membrane protein analysis by electrophoresis and microchip technology

Outer membrane proteins are indispensable components of bacterial cells and participate in several relevant functions of the microorganisms. Changes in the outer membrane protein composition might alter antibiotic sensitivity and pathogenicity. Furthermore, the effects of various factors on outer membrane protein expression, such as antibiotic treatment, mutation, changes in the environment, lipopolysaccharide modification and biofilm formation, have been analyzed. Traditionally, the outer membrane protein profile determination was performed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Converting this technique to capillary electrophoresis format resulted in faster separation, lower sample consumption and automation. Coupling capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometry enabled the fast identification of bacterial proteins, while immediate quantitative analysis permitted the determination of up- and downregulation of certain outer membrane proteins. Adapting capillary electrophoresis to microchip format ensured a further ten- to 100-fold decrease in separation time. Application of different separation techniques combined with various sensitive detector systems has ensured further opportunities in the field of high-throughput bacterial protein analysis. This review provides an overview using selected examples of outer membrane proteins and the development and application of the electrophoretic and microchip technologies for the analysis of these proteins.
Genome-wide experimental identification and functional analysis of human specific retroelements

Retroelements (REs) actively reshape genomes through genomic rearrangements, creation of new genes and modulation of the regulatory machinery of existing genes, thus introducing genomic novelties which potentially may be subject to natural selection. Thousands of RE integrations, presumably distinguishing the human and chimpanzee genomes, might well be involved in modern human speciation. In this self-review we describe our recent results on genome-wide identification of human specific RE integrations and their transcriptional activity obtained with three new experimental techniques (TGDA, DiffIR and SDDIR) developed by us for such studies. A new mechanism of the formation of retroelements involving template switches during L1-mediated mRNA reverse transcription, revealed in this research, will also be described in the review.