Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
N‐ and P/Q‐type Ca2+ channels in adrenal chromaffin cells

Ca2+ is the most ubiquitous second messenger found in all cells. Alterations in [Ca2+]i contribute to a wide variety of cellular responses including neurotransmitter release, muscle contraction, synaptogenesis and gene expression. Voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels, found in all excitable cells ( Hille 1992 ), mediate the entry of Ca2+ into cells following depolarization. Ca2+ channels are composed of a large pore‐forming subunit, called the α1 subunit, and several accessory subunits. Ten different α1 subunit genes have been identified and classified into three families, Cav1‐3 ( Dunlap et al. 1995 , Catterall 2000 ). Each α1 gene produces a unique Ca2+ channel. Although chromaffin cells express several different types of Ca2+ channels, this review will focus on the Cav2.1 and Cav2.2 channels, also known as P/Q‐ and N‐type respectively ( Nowycky et al. 1985 , Llinas et al. 1989b , Wheeler et al. 1994 ). These channels exhibit physiological and pharmacological properties similar to their neuronal counterparts. N‐, P/Q and to a lesser extent R‐type Ca2+ channels are known to regulate neurotransmitter release ( Hirning et al. 1988 , Horne & Kemp 1991 , Uchitel et al. 1992 , Luebke et al. 1993 , Takahashi & Momiyama 1993 , Turner et al. 1993 , Regehr & Mintz 1994 , Wheeler et al. 1994 , Wu & Saggau 1994 , Waterman 1996 , Wright & Angus 1996 , Reid et al. 1997 ). N‐ and P/Q‐type Ca2+ channels are abundant in nerve terminals where they colocalize with synaptic vesicles. Similarly, these channels play a role in neurotransmitter release in chromaffin cells ( Garcia et al. 2006 ). N‐ and P/Q‐type channels are subject to many forms of regulation ( Ikeda & Dunlap 1999 ). This review pays particular attention to the regulation of N‐ and P/Q‐type channels by heterotrimeric G‐proteins, interaction with SNARE proteins, and channel inactivation in the context of stimulus‐secretion coupling in adrenal chromaffin cells.
Adaptive Support Ventilation for Fast Tracheal Extubation after Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background Adaptive support ventilation (ASV) is a microprocessor-controlled mode of mechanical ventilation that maintains a predefined minute ventilation with an optimal breathing pattern (tidal volume and rate) by automatically adapting inspiratory pressure and ventilator rate to changes in the patient’s condition. The aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that a protocol of respiratory weaning based on ASV could reduce the duration of tracheal intubation after uncomplicated cardiac surgery (“fast-track” surgery). Methods A group of patients being given ASV (group ASV) was compared with a control group (group control) in a randomized controlled study. After coronary artery bypass grafting during general anesthesia with midazolam and fentanyl, patients were randomly assigned to group ASV or group control. Both protocols were divided into three predefined phases, and weaning progressed according to arterial blood gas and clinical criteria. In phase 1, ASV mode was set at 100% of the theoretical value of volume/minute in group ASV, and synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation mode was used in group control. When spontaneous breathing occurred, ASV setting was reduced by 50% of minute ventilation (phase 2) and again by 50% (phase 3), and the trachea was extubated. In group control, the ventilator was switched to 10 cm H2O inspiratory pressure support (phase 2), then to 5 cm H2O (phase 3) until extubation. Results Forty-nine patients were enrolled. Sixteen patients completed the ASV protocol, and 20 the standard protocol; 7 patients were excluded in group ASV and 6 in group control according to explicit, predefined criteria. There were no differences between groups in perioperative characteristics or in the doses of sedation. The primary outcome of the study, that is, the duration of tracheal intubation, was shorter in group ASV than in group control (median [quartiles]: 3.2 [2.5–4.6]vs. 4.1 [3.1–8.6] h;P < 0.02). Fewer arterial blood analyses were performed in group ASV (median number [quartiles]: 3 [3–4]vs. 4 [3–6]), suggesting that fewer changes in the settings of the ventilator were required in this group. Conclusions A respiratory weaning protocol based on ASV is practicable; it may accelerate tracheal extubation and simplify ventilatory management in fast-track patients after cardiac surgery. The evaluation of potential advantages of the use of such technology on patient outcome and resource utilization deserves further studies.
Tourismuslehre - Ein Grundriss

Tourismus wird in diesem Lehrbuch interdisziplinär betrachtet, als Wirtschaftsbereich genauso wie als gesellschaftliches Phänomen und unter ökologischem Blickwinkel. Das Buch beruht auf systemtheoretischen Ansätzen, wobei die folgenden Subsysteme gesondert behandelt werden: Nachfrage, Destination, Reisemittlung und Verkehr. Das Buch weist so eine leicht nachvollziehbare didaktische Struktur auf. Klare Begriffsdefinitionen, einprägsame Darstellungen und durchgehende Bezüge zum systemischen Grundmodell erleichtern das Verständnis. Handlungsorientiert werden Planungs- und Entscheidungsansätze aufgearbeitet, jeder Teil ist anhand einer Fallstudie illustriert. Dieser Titel ist auf verschiedenen e-Book-Plattformen (Amazon, Libreka, Libri) auch als e-Pub-Version für mobile Lesegeräte verfügbar.
Environmental Regulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 Las and Rhl Quorum-Sensing Systems

ABSTRACT The lasI-lasR and the rhlI-rhlR quorum-sensing systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa regulate the expression of numerous cellular and secreted virulence factor genes and play important roles in the development of biofilms. The las and rhl systems themselves are known to be directly or indirectly regulated by a number of transcriptional regulators, and consequently, their expression is sensitive to environmental conditions. In this report, the activities of these two quorum-sensing systems have been examined systematically under 46 growth conditions, and the regulation by environmental conditions has been investigated. The relative timing and strength of expression of these two systems varied significantly under different conditions, which contrasts with the notion of a preset hierarchy with these two systems in P. aeruginosa. Depending on the growth conditions, the correlation between each synthase and its cognate transcriptional regulator also varied, suggesting that the transcription of these genes independently allows for further fine tuning of each system. Finally, we observe that the activities of both the lasI-lasR and the rhlI-rhlR quorum-sensing systems were dramatically enhanced in the presence of extracts of sputum samples from cystic fibrosis patients.
Control of Circulating Currents in Modular Multilevel Converters Through Redundant Voltage Levels

Among the main control targets in a modular multilevel converter (MMC) is the control of the circulating currents within the phase legs of the topology. This paper presents a controller for the circulating current of the MMC that utilizes the available redundancies of the multilevel waveform in 2N+1 modulated MMCs in order to regulate the circulating current to its reference. The main advantages of the approach are the elimination of control loops that generate the reference voltages for the control of the circulating current, simple implementation and very fast dynamic performance. The controller is implemented at the modulation stage and its operation is independent of the circulating current reference. An extension of the controller to track large deviations in the circulating current is also demonstrated. The simplicity and effectiveness of the proposed controller is illustrated through detailed simulations and experimental results from a single-phase laboratory prototype.
Robust adaptive Kalman filtering for systems with unknown step inputs and non-Gaussian measurement errors

Target tracking with Kalman filters is hampered by target maneuvering and unknown process and measurement noises. We show that moving data windows may be used to analyze state and measurement error sequences, determining robust estimates of bias and covariance. For unknown large steps in the system forcing functions and non-Gaussian measurement errors the robust estimators yield improvements over linear bias and covariance estimators. Extensive simulations compare conventional, linear adaptive and robust adaptive average step responses of a first-order system filter.
Lucky to meet RS3PE

We present a florid case of remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema that was actually a paraneoplastic syndrome of an asymptomatic undiagnosed adenosquamous lung cell carcinoma. The arthritis led to a screening for lung cancer and an early enough diagnosis for a curative intervention.
The Influence of Social Structures on Business/IT Alignment

Motivated by the importance of business/IT alignment for IT value creation and the fact that despite an extensive stream of literature discussing drivers of and success factors for alignment, the problem of reaching business/IT alignment is still not fully solved and alignment still ranks among the top three concerns of CIOs, we strive to explain alignment success based on the social structures present at the interface of business and IT on an operational level. While such structures at top management level are prominently discussed success factors of alignment, the analogues structures on the operational level are rarely discussed and there is a substantial gap in understanding the nature of these social structures and how they affect IT business value. We extend our prior research, which identified social patterns that are potentially beneficial for business/IT alignment, by adding detailed explanations of why these are beneficial to business/IT alignment. Hence, this paper contributes to existing research by providing new insights to the general assumption that social structures are important and by explaining why, despite the vivid discussion, still many firms fail to establish business/IT alignment. We find that strong bridges at the interface between business and IT, as well as strong connections of interface actors with their management and their unit are advantageous for the creation of IT/business knowledge, solidarity between IT and business and the power of the interface actors between IT and business, and in this way are beneficial for business/IT alignment.
An improved neural network based fuzzy self-adaptive KALMAN filter and its application in cone picking robot

Aimed to improve the working efficiency of cone picking robot and release workers from heavy manual labor, a novel RBF neural network based fuzzy self-adaptive KALMAN filter is presented in the paper. The position and object input voltage are taken as the inputs of the RBF neural network model. Consider that the traditional BP algorithm has shortcomings of converging slowly and easily trapping a local minimum value, a combination learning algorithm using fuzzy self-adaptive KALMAN filter is adopted to train the neural network. The sample data obtained from the 3D laser saner and sensors located on the cone picking robot. Experimental results show that it will enable the training process with an overall accuracy and rapid convergence speed. The application of the technology in cone picking robot automatic control system proves it is an effective method and has certain project value.
Brain MRI segmentation for tumor detection via entropy maximization using Grammatical Swarm

This paper presents a new method for the segmentation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of brain tumor. First, discrete wavelet transform (DWT)-based soft-thresholding technique is used for removing noise in the MRI. Second, intensity inhomogeneity (IIH) independent of noise is removed from the MRI image. Third, again DWT is used to sharpen the de-noised and IIH corrected image. In this method, the image is decomposed into first level using wavelet decomposition and approximate values are assigned to zero and reconstruct the image results in detailed image. The detailed image is added with the pre-processed image to produce sharpened image. Entropy maximization using Grammatical Swarm (GS) algorithm is used to obtain a set of threshold values and a threshold value is selected with the expert knowledge to separate the lesion part from the other non-diseased cells in the image.
Consolidations and Pricing in the Hospital Industry

This paper examines if hospitals use consolidation to increase their market power and charge higher prices. Several different types of consolidation are examined at the aggregate hospital level as well as at two alternative service category levels - major diagnostic category (MDC) and diagnostic related group (DRG). Hospital-level analysis finds no evidence that consolidating hospitals charge more after merger than non-consolidating hospitals. Micro-level analyses indicate that hospitals that are part of a system that acquire other hospitals charge less than other hospitals after consolidation. Similar trend is found from mergers of independent hospitals within the same market area. MDC-level also indicates price of care goes up in a system hospital after it has been taken over by another system.
Exploring Drive for Thinness as a Perfectionistic Strategy to Escape from Shame Experiences

Abstract Perfectionistic self-presentation defines the attempt at presenting the self as perfect through the public concealment of personal defects and/or through the display of attributes perceived as capable to gather positive attention of others. Although perfectionism has long been considered a central aspect of eating psychopathology mediational studies between this construct and these conditions are scarce. This study aimed at examining the mediational role of body image-related perfectionistic self-presentation in the effects of external shame and internal shame on drive for thinness, in a sample of young women. Results revealed body image-related perfectionistic self-presentation as a significant mediator (p < .05) of the relationships between external and internal shame, and drive for thinness. Furthermore, 86% and 69% of the effects of external shame and internal shame, respectively, were explained by their indirect effects through body image-related perfectionistic self-presentation on drive for thinness (95% CI). These results highlight that the control over eating may emerge as a maladaptive strategy to deal with shame when mediated by an endorsement in the belief that presenting a perfect body image is crucial to be accepted and valued by others. Study findings suggest that this perfectionistic strategy should be targeted while treating eating psychopathology.
Differences in maternal responsive and directive behavior during free play with and without aided AAC

Abstract Maternal directive and responsive behaviors were compared for 25 mothers and children with complex communication needs using two types of toys (familiar and unfamiliar toys). Each type of toy play was conducted with and without a single message speech-generating communication device (SGD) programmed to say “more. ” Rate percentages of coded intervals for maternal directive and responsive behaviors were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVAs. Results indicated that mothers used significantly more responsive behaviors when playing with their own familiar toys than with unfamiliar toys, but no differences in directiveness between types of play. Mothers showed no differences in responsivity or directiveness when the SGD was added to play interactions, indicating that the SGD did not introduce task features that detracted from the mothers’ existing levels of responsivity with their children. Clinical implications are discussed.
A technical comparison of the existing approaches to support collaboration in non-collaborative applications

Many approaches can be used to facilitate the implementation of collaborative requirements in noncollaborative applications. In general, each approach uses different design techniques and has specific objectives and pre-conditions. During the implementation of collaborative requirements, it is not always easy to decide which approach is recommended i.e. which criteria should be used to compare the approaches. Based on the literature, this paper presents a set of criteria to technically compare the existing approaches to support collaborative requirements in non-collaborative applications. The criterion help developers in the task of choosing the most suitable approach to develop collaborative applications based on non-collaborative applications.
Cembrane Derivatives from the Soft Corals, Sinularia gaweli and Sinularia flexibilis

A new norcembranoidal diterpene, 1-epi-sinulanorcembranolide A (1), and a new cembranoidal diterpene, flexibilin D (2), were isolated from the soft corals, Sinularia gaweli and Sinularia flexibilis, respectively. The structures of new metabolites 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and compound 2 was found to significantly inhibit the accumulation of the pro-inflammatory iNOS and COX-2 proteins of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. In addition, S. flexibilis yielded a known cembrane, 5-dehydrosinulariolide (3); the structure, including its absolute stereochemistry, was further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.
Technical Efficiency and Return to Scale of Dairy Farm in Sleman, Yogyakarta

Usahatani sapi perah di Indonesia secara ekonomi mempunyai prospek yang bagus, karena produksinya belum mencukupi permintaan susu dalam negeri. Hal ini disebabkan usahatani tersebut masih berskala kecil dengan menggunakan teknologi yang masih tradisional, akibatnya tingkat produktivitasnya masih rendah. Kajian ini mengestimasi efisiensi teknis dan skala pengembalian, guna menemukan cara untuk meningkatkan produksi susu segar. Kajian ini mengambil tempat di Sleman, Jogjakarta tempat usahatani sapi perah yang potensial berada. Efisiensi teknis diestimasi menggunakan produksi frontir stokastik, dan skala pengembalian diestimasi menggunakan teknologi produksi Cobb-Douglas. Hasil kajian ini menunjukkan bahwa produktivitas usahatani sapi perah secara signifikan dipengaruhi oleh variasi efisiensi teknis, dengan rata-rata 0,69. Oleh karena itu, masih ada kemungkinan untuk meningkatkan produktivitas usahatani sapi perah melalui peningkatan efisiensi teknis. Hal ini dapat dilakukan dengan meningkatkan jumlah sapi perah, atau skala usahatani. Pilihan ini sejalan dengan kondisi produksi susu segar yang menunjukkan skala pengembalian yang konstan. Jadi, meningkatkan skala usahatani adalah pilihan yang bijaksana karena pilihan tersebut tidak hanya meningkatkan tingkat produksi susu segar, tetapi juga meningkatkan produktivitas usahatani sapi perah. (Animal Production 8(1): 64-71 (2006) Kata Kunci : Usahatani sapi perah, efisiensi teknis, skala usahatani.
Assessing the effects of three potential chemical repellents to prevent bird damage to corn seeds and seedlings.

BACKGROUND Bird damage to seeds and seedlings of maize (Zea mays) and other crops is widespread, especially in organic farming, because no adequate seed protection is available. In this study, the effect of seed treatments with three substances likely to affect bird feeding behaviour (anthraquinone, pulegone and methyl anthranilate) was tested. Their repellent effect was tested in food and seedling choice (treated versus untreated) experiments with feral pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) in aviaries. Most efficient variants were additionally tested in the field, where wild birds had unlimited access. RESULTS In aviaries, untreated seeds were clearly preferred over treated seeds by pigeons. The highest feeding deterrence effect occurred with the treatment variants pulegone 1.4 mL kg(-1) and methyl anthranilate 0.085 mL kg(-1). In contrast, there was no repellent effect if seedlings were offered to the pigeons in aviaries. The same applies to the number of maize seeds and seedlings grown from treated and untreated seeds, which were damaged in the field mainly by pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). CONCLUSION The study shows that the chemicals failed to repel feeding by birds in Germany. Further studies should concentrate on alternative, systemic effective substances possibly based on plant secondary metabolites to yield a bird repellent usable in organic farming.
NhaA antiporter functions using 10 helices, and an additional 2 contribute to assembly/stability

Significance The principal Na+/H+ antiporter of Escherichia coli (Ec-NhaA) is the best-characterized of the pH-regulated Na+/H+ exchangers that control cellular Na+ and H+ homeostasis, and the human homologues are potentially important drug targets. Identification of the essential components of NhaA is vital to understanding the function of the protein and has implications for evolution and protein design. Ec-NhaA has 12 helices, 2 of which (VI and VII) are absent from the growing number of secondary transporters that share the unique Ec-NhaA structural fold. Mutants deleted of helices VI and VII, which form an α-hairpin at the dimer interface, are defective in the assembly/stability of the Ec-NhaA dimer but retain significant transport activity, as well as regulatory properties. The Escherichia coli Na+/H+ antiporter (Ec-NhaA) is the best-characterized of all pH-regulated Na+/H+ exchangers that control cellular Na+ and H+ homeostasis. Ec-NhaA has 12 helices, 2 of which (VI and VII) are absent from other antiporters that share the Ec-NhaA structural fold. This α-hairpin is located in the dimer interface of the Ec-NhaA homodimer together with a β-sheet. Here we examine computationally and experimentally the role of the α-hairpin in the stability, dimerization, transport, and pH regulation of Ec-NhaA. Evolutionary analysis (ConSurf) indicates that the VI–VII helical hairpin is much less conserved than the remaining transmembrane region. Moreover, normal mode analysis also shows that intact NhaA and a variant, deleted of the α-hairpin, share similar dynamics, suggesting that the structure may be dispensable. Thus, two truncated Ec-NhaA mutants were constructed, one deleted of the α-hairpin and another also lacking the β-sheet. The mutants were studied at physiological pH in the membrane and in detergent micelles. The findings demonstrate that the truncated mutants retain significant activity and regulatory properties but are defective in the assembly/stability of the Ec-NhaA dimer.
Investigating the serviceability of non-ownership and its influence on value strategy

This paper examines the serviceability of rented goods services in contrast to the serviceability of owned goods services. Serviceability can be explained as the capability to serve, from a business perspective. Customers can make critical value assessments based on serviceability. According to Lovelock & Gummesson (2004) there are fundamental differences in ownership and non-ownership. What are the differences in serviceability of using rented goods in contrast to using owned goods and which consequences do these differences have for a company’s value strategy? In order to find out the differences 18 semi structured interviews are conducted among customers of a service supplying company. Serviceability is measured by the dimensions of service quality; tangibles, reliability, responsiveness empathy and assurance. Both desired and experienced value are measured. Furthermore the mediating factors ‘value in use’ and ‘possession value' are measured. From the data it is apparent that non-ownership respondents’ valued their experiences more than ownership respondents. Expectations differ at certain dimensions from ownership respondents’ expectations.
First Case of Osteomyelitis Caused by “Staphylococcus pettenkoferi”

ABSTRACT “Staphylococcus pettenkoferi” (proposed name) was identified as an unusual agent of osteomyelitis in a diabetic foot infection. The phenotypical tests used failed to give a good identification. Molecular 16S rRNA gene and rpoB sequencing allowed us to correctly identify this new species of coagulase-negative staphylococcus responsible for this chronic infection.