Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Models for Regulation of Blood Flow

Blood‐flow rate in the normal microcirculation is regulated to meet the metabolic demands of the tissues, which vary widely with position and with time, but is relatively unaffected by changes of arterial pressure over a considerable range. The regulation of blood flow is achieved by the combined effects of multiple interacting mechanisms, including sensitivity to pressure, flow rate, metabolite levels, and neural signals. The main effectors of flow regulation, the arterioles and small arteries, are located at a distance from the regions of tissue that they supply. Flow regulation requires the sensing of metabolic and hemodynamic conditions and the transfer of information about tissue metabolic status to upstream vessels. Theoretical approaches can contribute to the understanding of flow regulation by providing quantitative descriptions of the mechanisms involved, by showing how these mechanisms interact in networks of interconnected microvessels supplying metabolically active tissues, and by establishing relationships between regulatory processes occurring at the microvascular level and variations of metabolic activity and perfusion in whole tissues. Here, a review is presented of previous and current theoretical approaches for investigating the regulation of blood flow in the microcirculation.
Predictions of the public agenda from television coverage

This study develops a methodology to show how German TV news in 1986 could be used to predict time trends in the public agenda for energy supply, health care, and other topics. A major influence in that year was the Chernobyl accident in the former Soviet Union. The direct result was an increase in agenda concern for energy supply. The findings showed how coverage of that incident and other issues exerted a combined influence on the public agenda.
Interpersonal problem-solving interactions of depressed adolescents and their parents

Research to date suggests that the family plays a significant role in the development, perpetuation, and relapse of depression in its members. This study examined the videotaped interactions of parents with a depressed adolescent and control parents and youth during a conflictual, problem-solving task. In comparison with parents of nondepressed adolescents, parents of depressed adolescents engaged in higher rates of incongruent communication in which aversive content behavior was linked with positive affective behavior. Adolescent depressed content behavior led to greater suppression of parent aversive content behavior in nondepressed families than in depressed families. The findings argue that dysfunctional family communication may be associated with the development or maintenance of depression in the child.
Robust multi-modal surface matching for intra-operative registration

Range imaging modalities, such as time-of-flight cameras (ToF), are becoming popular for the acquisition of intra-operative data, which can be used for registering the patient's anatomy with pre-operative data (e.g. Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging). As pre- and intra-operative data are acquired with different modalities, and are subject to different sources of error (systematic errors and noise), matching them is a challenging problem. We present a method for the registration of multi-modal surfaces, which is robust to high noise levels and is applicable to incomplete surfaces. An evaluation with simulated and real data demonstrates that the presented method is very accurate and is fast enough for intra-operative purposes.
Digital prefigurative participation: The entwinement of online communication and offline participation in protest events

This article reviews the main findings of a three-year empirical study that examined the possible contribution of computer-mediated communication (CMC) to participation in offline social movement protest events. Participation was examined as manifest in mobilization, identity building and organizational transformation. Digital prefigurative participation is a tentative construct that attempts to capture the CMC aspect of engagement in the three processes. The participatory processes were probed in the contrasting circumstances of high- and low-risk protest events. This distinction has revealed some important differences in the structural factors that foster participation, primary among which has been organizational affiliation. Yet, it has remained largely unexplored in studies of internet use in protest politics. Findings from two case studies of environmental protests in Romania and the UK suggest that digital prefigurative participation may be extensive among unaffiliated participants at a low-risk event and the affiliated at a high-risk one.
Therapy of external anogenital warts and molluscum contagiosum: a literature review

ABSTRACT: Anogenital warts and mollusca contagiosum are virally induced, benign skin tumors for which there is no single preferable therapy. Treatments include physical and chemical destruction, surgical removal, and biological response modifiers to enhance the natural immune response. The choice of therapy is an art, and depends upon patient preference, finances, number of lesions, and lesional morphology. However, the therapy of these lesions can sometimes be very painful and expensive, and therapy should not be worse than the disease.
A Protein Encoded within the Down Syndrome Critical Region Is Enriched in Striated Muscles and Inhibits Calcineurin Signaling*

Here we describe a small family of proteins, termed MCIP1 and MCIP2 (for myocyte-enrichedcalcineurin interacting protein), that are expressed most abundantly in striated muscles and that form a physical complex with calcineurin A. MCIP1 is encoded byDSCR1, a gene located in the Down syndrome critical region. Expression of the MCIP family of proteins is up-regulated during muscle differentiation, and their forced overexpression inhibits calcineurin signaling to a muscle-specific target gene in a myocyte cell background. Binding of MCIP1 to calcineurin A requires sequence motifs that resemble calcineurin interacting domains found in NFAT proteins. The inhibitory action of MCIP1 involves a direct association with the catalytic domain of calcineurin, rather than interference with the function of downstream components of the calcineurin signaling pathway. The interaction between MCIP proteins and calcineurin may modulate calcineurin-dependent pathways that control hypertrophic growth and selective programs of gene expression in striated muscles.
Pharmacokinetics of Menaquinone-7 (Vitamin K2) in Healthy Volunteers

Objective: Because of the wide-spread use of menaquinone-7 (MK-7, a form of vitamin K2) supplements, we have investigated its pharmacokinetics following a single intake from various formulations. Methods: Different formulations were compared in four human intervention studies with healthy volunteers. Participants received either capsules (filling material: linseed oil; MK-7 carrier material: sunflower oil) or tablets (filling material: dicalcium phosphate dehydrate (DCPD) and cellulose; MK-7 carriers: casein, Arabic gum, or sunflower oil). MK-7-absorption profiles (24 h area-under-the-curves, 24 h AUCs) were used to compare intestinal absorption. Special attention was given to intra- and inter-subject variability. Results: The absorption (time-to-peak) of MK-7 from tablets was slower than from capsules, 6 h as compared to 2 h-4 h, respectively. Probably, the oily matrix of the capsules released the lipophilic MK-7 more rapidly than the powder matrix of the tablets. We further found a dose response relationship for MK-7 at 24 h after the single-dose intakes (at group level). As compared to baseline, circulating MK-7 levels were still elevated at 24 h after intake, confirming the relatively long half-life of MK-7. The different MK-7 carrier materials showed similar 24 h-absorption profiles, indicating that the carrier was not influencing MK-7 absorption. Next to high intra-subject variability, high inter-subject variability was seen in the different studies. This was found for both, peak height and for total absorption (measured as 24 h-AUC). While some subjects showed a linear dose-response relation, other subjects had similar 24 h-AUCs after intake of MK-7 at different dosages Conclusions: We have demonstrated that on a group level the bioavailability (24 h absorption) of MK-7 was similar for capsules and tablets, and also for the different MK-7 carriers. MK-7 absorption from the various formulations showed high intra- and inter-individual differences.
Molecular cloning of the C-terminal domain of Escherichia coli D-mannitol permease: expression, phosphorylation, and complementation with C-terminal permease deletion proteins

We have subcloned a portion of the Escherichia coli mtlA gene encoding the hydrophilic, C-terminal domain of the mannitol-specific enzyme II (mannitol permease; molecular mass, 68 kilodaltons [kDa]) of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent carbohydrate phosphotransferase system. This mtlA fragment, encoding residues 379 to 637 (residue 637 = C terminus), was cloned in frame into the expression vector pCQV2 immediately downstream from the lambda pr promoter of the vector, which also encodes a temperature-sensitive lambda repressor. E. coli cells carrying a chromosomal deletion in mtlA (strain LGS322) and harboring this recombinant plasmid, pDW1, expressed a 28-kDa protein cross-reacting with antipermease antibody when grown at 42 degrees C but not when grown at 32 degrees C. This protein was relatively stable and could be phosphorylated in vitro by the general phospho-carrier protein of the phosphotransferase system, phospho-HPr. Thus, this fragment of the permease, when expressed in the absence of the hydrophobic, membrane-bound N-terminal domain, can apparently fold into a conformation resembling that of the C-terminal domain of the intact permease. When transformed into LGS322 cells harboring plasmid pGJ9-delta 137, which encodes a C-terminally truncated and inactive permease (residues 1 to ca. 480; molecular mass, 51 kDa), pDW1 conferred a mannitol-positive phenotype to this strain when grown at 42 degrees C but not when grown at 32 degrees C. This strain also exhibited phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent mannitol phosphorylation activity only when grown at the higher temperature. In contrast, pDW1 could not complement a plasmid encoding the complementary N-terminal part of the permease (residues 1 to 377). The pathway of phosphorylation of mannitol by the combined protein products of pGJ9-delta 137 and pDPW1 was also investigated by using N-ethylmaleimide to inactivate the second phosphorylation sites of these permease fragments (proposed to be Cys-384). These results are discussed with respect to the domain structure of the permease and its mechanism of transport and phosphorylation.
Singing in La Voce Della Luna Italian women’s choir in Melbourne, Australia

Australia is a country of ongoing migration that embraces diversity, creative expression and cultural activity. Membership of community music groups by older people can enhance life quality, and may provide a space through which cultural and linguistic identity may be shared and celebrated. This qualitative phenomenological case study explores engagement by older members of La Voce Della Luna, an Italian women’s community choir based in Melbourne, Victoria. This article presents one case study from a larger ongoing research project, Well-being and ageing: community, diversity and the arts in Victoria. In this study, data were gathered from documentary sources and by individual and focus group semi-structured interviews in 2013. Employing interpretative phenomenological analysis two significant themes emerged: Social connection and combatting isolation; and New horizons: music-making and social justice. This article describes how active music for older women provides opportunities to learn new skills, new ideas, and create for themselves a resilient community.
CLAP, a Novel Caspase Recruitment Domain-containing Protein in the Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Pathway, Regulates NF-κB Activation and Apoptosis*

Molecules that regulate NF-κB activation play critical roles in apoptosis and inflammation. We describe the cloning of the cellular homolog of the equine herpesvirus-2 protein E10 and show that both proteins regulate apoptosis and NF-κB activation. These proteins were found to contain N-terminal caspase-recruitment domains (CARDs) and novel C-terminal domains (CTDs) and were therefore named CLAPs (CARD-like apoptoticproteins). The cellular and viral CLAPs induce apoptosis downstream of caspase-8 by activating the Apaf-1-caspase-9 pathway and activate NF-κB by acting upstream of the NF-κB-inducing kinase, NIK, and the IkB kinase, IKKα. Deletion of either the CARD or the CTD domain inhibits both activities. The CARD domain was found to be important for homo- and heterodimerization of CLAPs. Substitution of the CARD domain with an inducible FKBP12 oligomerization domain produced a molecule that can induce NF-κB activation, suggesting that the CARD domain functions as an oligomerization domain, whereas the CTD domain functions as the effector domain in the NF-κB activation pathway. Expression of the CARD domain of human CLAP abrogates tumor necrosis factor-α-induced NF-κB activation, suggesting that cellular CLAP plays an essential role in this pathway of NF-κB activation.
High Frequency of Mutations of the PIK3CA Gene in Human Cancers

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are lipid kinases that regulate signaling pathways important for neoplasia, including cell proliferation, adhesion, survival, and motility ([ 1 ][1]–[ 3 ][2]). To determine if PI3Ks are genetically altered in tumorigenesis, we sequenced PI3K genes in human
Approach of texture signature determination — Application to forest cover classification of high resolution satellite image

This paper presents an approach of textural signature identification for the classification of high resolution satellite image of forest. We are looking for the most appropriate combination of features from texture measures. This combination which forms our signature should allow the discrimination between different types of textures present in the image that will be classified. We improve our signature by a step of weighting features. The weight of each feature reflects its degree of confidence. We finish with an experimental step which is an application of our combined weighted signature for the purposes of classification of high resolution satellite image of forest.
Glucose-induced microautophagy in Pichia pastoris requires the α-subunit of phosphofructokinase

We have characterized biochemically, morphologically, and genetically two distinct pathways for the selective degradation of peroxisomes in Pichia pastoris. These pathways are independently regulated and analogous to microautophagy and macroautophagy that have been defined in mammalian cells. When P. pastoris is grown in methanol, cytosolic and peroxisomal enzymes necessary for methanol assimilation are synthesized. During adaptation from methanol to glucose, these enzymes are rapidly and selectively degraded within the yeast vacuole by microautophagy. We have isolated gsa mutants that are defective in glucose-induced selective autophagy of peroxisomes. In this study, we have shown that gsa1 is unable to sequester peroxisomes into the yeast vacuole. In addition, we provide evidence that the glucose-induced selective autophagy 1 (GSA1) protein is the alpha subunit of the phosphofructokinase enzyme complex encoded by PFK1. First, we can rescue the gsa1 mutant by transformation with a vector containing PFK1. Second, cellular levels of both PFK1 mRNA and phosphofructokinase activity are dramatically reduced in gsa1 when compared to the parental GS115. Third, a PFK1 knockout (∆pfk1) is unable to degrade alcohol oxidase during glucose adaptation. As observed in gsa1, the peroxisomes in ∆pfk1 remain outside the vacuole during adaptation. Our data are consistent with the concept that PFK1 protein is required for an event upstream of vacuole degradation (i.e. signaling, selection, or sequestration). However, the degradation of peroxisomes does not require a catalytically active phosphofructokinase. The inability of ∆pfk1 cells to degrade alcohol oxidase can be rescued by transformation with either normal PFK1 or mutant pfk1 whose catalytic site had been inactivated by a single amino acid mutation. We propose that PFK1 protein directly modulates glucose-induced microautophagy independent of its ability to metabolize glucose intermediates.
Gene transfer of wild-type p53 results in restoration of tumor-suppressor function in a medulloblastoma cell line

The replacement of functional genes into cells that lack genes or have mutant genes is the basis of gene therapy.In cancer, where cells often have multiple genetic defects, the replacement of critical genes may suffice to suppress cell growth or induce cell death. The high frequency of mutations of the p53 tumor-suppressor gene in human cancers, including primary brain tumors, suggests that p53 plays a critical role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. We report the successful transfer of the wild-type p53 gene using a defective herpes simplex viral vector into a human medulloblastoma cell line containing a mutant copy of p53. Upon gene transfer, we detected novel expression of wild-type p53 protein in the cells. In addition, the p53 protein was functionally active, since gene transfer resulted in increased levels of mdm2 proteins and induced cell cycle arrest of the majority of transduced cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of this vector system to carry wild-type p53. We conclude that defective herpes simplex viral vectors can transfer and express p53 in human primary brain tumor cells in vitro, restoring wild-type p53 tumor-suppressor functions. NEUROLOGY 1995;45: 1533-1539
The Art of Expressing Emotions in Virtual Humans

Artists express emotions through art. To accomplish this, they rely on lines, shapes, textures, color, light, sounds, music, words and the body (Sayre, 2007). It is the flexibility of artistic media which affords the expression of complex affective states (Bell, 1913; Oatley, 2003). In fact, many artists use art as a means to come to terms and understand the subtlety and peculiarity of their feelings (Collingwood, 1938). Furthermore, it is not uncommon for artists to claim they need these media, which are not limited to the body or language, for the expression of their feelings (Gardner, 1982). But art is not simply an outlet for the artist’s emotions. From the perspective of the receiver, through its empathetic emotional response to a work of art, it is also seen as a means to learn about the human condition (Elliot, 1966; Oatley, 2003). Emotions are, therefore, intrinsically related to the value of art. Affective computing has been neglecting the kind of expression we see in the arts. Instead, researchers have focused on expression signals, spanning face, voice and body, which accompany affective processes (Davidson, Scherer & Goldsmith, 2003). Four reasons could help explain why this has been so. First, it is natural to focus on overt expression signals as these are directly observable and, thus, can be measured objectively. In contrast, it is rather difficult to measure objectively what is being expressed in a work of art. In fact, whereas some argue for the importance of understanding the artist’s production process and culture when interpreting an art artefact (Davies, 1987; Wollheim, 1980; Goodman, 1968), others argue that the interpretation and aesthetics of an artefact is independent of its creation process (Beardsley, 1958; Baxandall, 1987; Sontag, 1966). Second, art is certainly not limited to the expression of affective states and sometimes it is difficult to discern what constitutes such expression. In fact, there are several conceptions about what expression in the arts is: (a) it relates to beauty as the creative expression of beauty in nature (Batteux, 1969); (b) it relates to culture as the expression of the values of a given society (Geertz, 1976); (c) it relates to individuality as the expression of the artist’s liberties and creativity (Kant, 1951); (d) finally, it relates to the expression of affective states. Third, the romantic perspective of art as the creative expression of affective states in all its complexity is problematic (Averill, Nunley & Tassinary, 1995; Oatley, 2003). In general, the subject of art is not the habitual emotions we experience in our daily lives but, subtle and peculiar affective states. Therefore, it is only natural that researchers choose to begin by addressing the simpler affective states. Finally, the affective sciences field is itself relatively recent and we are only now beginning
The Consequences of Educational Specialty and Nationality Faultlines for Project Teams

This study examines the effects of educational specialty and nationality faultline strength on the team processes of task-relevant information sharing and social interactions and subsequent team performance using data from 308 individuals working in 50 student project teams. We found that educational specialty faultline strength negatively predicted task-relevant information sharing, and that nationality faultline strength negatively predicted off-task social interactions. Furthermore, task-relevant information sharing enhanced team performance and heightened identity salience. The theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed.
Children's Uses and Gratifications of Home VCRs

This study examines gratifications associated with home video cassette recorder use among Israeli school children in order to map the position of the VCR as a “new” medium in the overall media environment of young people. A sample of 576 children in grades 4 through 10, all from VCR households, rated the ability of VCRs and six “old” media (newspapers, radio, television, books, cinema, and records/audio tapes) to gratify twelve social and psychological needs. The study found that while the VCR is often used, it has not achieved any special priority in its perceived utility to gratify various needs. Moreover, based on smallest space analysis, the data suggest that VCRs have neither established a separate “identity” among children, nor created a “revolution” in the mass communication process.
On the optimization of articial neural networks for application to the approximation of chemical systems

An arti cial neural network (ANN) is a computational model for storing and retrievingacquired knowledge. ANNs consist of dense interconnected computing units that are sim-ple models for complex neurons in biological systems. The knowledge is acquired during alearning process and is stored in the synaptic weights of the inter-nodal connections. Themain advantage of neural networks is their ability to represent complex input/outputrelationships. They are well suited for use in data classi cation, function approximation,and signal processing, among others.The performance, or tness, of an ANN is often measured according to an error betweentarget and actual output, training time, complexity of the ANN, or in terms of otherproperties important for the user. Although the elemental building blocks of a neuralnetwork, i.e., neurons, nodal connections, and the transfer functions of nodes are inthemselves relatively simple, the various combinations can result in di erent topologieswith similar or vastly di erent tness characteristics. Therefore, the a priori design of aneural network with near-optimal tness is not a trivial task and is usually guided byheuristics or trial-and-error. The architecture or topological structure of an ANN can becharacterized by the arrangement of the layers and neurons, the nodal connectivity, andthe nodal transfer functions. In this work, the class of multi-layer perceptrons (MLPs) isconsidered, which consists of an input layer with N