Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Steroid Exposure on Ligand Binding and Functional Activities of Diverse Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subtypes

Abstract: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are diverse members of the ligand‐gated ion channel superfamily of neurotransmitter receptors and play critical roles in chemical signaling throughout the nervous system. The present study tests whether nAChR are potential targets for steroids. Acute or short‐term (5 min) preexposure to steroids such as progesterone (which acts most potently), estradiol, corticosterone, or dexamethasone inhibits function of human muscle‐type (α1β1γδ) or ganglionic (α3β4) nAChR measured using 86Rb+ efflux assays in TE671/RD clonal or SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Absolute (high nanomolar to intermediate micromolar range) and rank‐order potencies for steroid‐mediated functional inhibition are similar across nAChR subtypes but differ for some steroid derivatives. At concentrations that produce blockade of nAChR function, steroids do not affect binding of radioligands such as 125I‐labeled α‐bungarotoxin or [3H]acetylcholine to muscle‐type or ganglionic nAChR or to neuronal toxin‐binding nAChR that contain α7 subunits (α7‐nAChR). Steroid‐mediated blockade of nAChR function is insurmountable by increasing agonist concentrations, and cell‐impermeant progesterone:bovine serum albumin conjugates have full potency as inhibitors of ganglionic or muscle‐type nAChR function. Chronic (48 h) exposure to progesterone or estradiol, but not the other steroids, also produces blockade of nAChR function, without significant effects on numbers of nAChR radioligand‐binding sites. Collectively, these results suggest that steroids act noncompetitively at extracellular sites to inhibit nAChR function with unique potencies for different steroid‐nAChR subtype combinations. Thus, nAChR could be among the targets mediating physiologically relevant effects of steroid action in the nervous system.
Comparative study of magnetic gearing effect in integral slot, fractional slot winding and vernier PM machines

In this paper, the torque production mechanisms of integral slot distributed, fractional slot concentrated winding (FSCW) and Vernier permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) are firstly investigated together from the perspective of magnetic gearing effect. The torque contribution and magnetic gearing effect in eight 12-slot PMSMs with different rotor pole numbers are analysed and compared. The study in this paper not only provides an insight into the torque production mechanism of the electrical machines of different types, but also a unified criterion for comparison between different kinds of PMSMs.
Risk intermediation in supply chains

This paper demonstrates that an important role of intermediaries in supply chains is to reduce the financial risk faced by retailers. It is well known that risk averse retailers when faced by the classical single-period inventory (newsvendor) problem will order less than the expected value maximizing (newsboy) quantity. We show that in such situations a risk neutral distributor can offer a menu of mutually beneficial contracts to the retailers. We show that a menu can be designed to simultaneously: (i) induce every risk averse retailer to select a unique contract from it; (ii) maximize the distributor's expected profit; and (iii) raise the order quantity of the retailers to the expected value maximizing quantity. Thus inefficiency created due to risk aversion on part of the retailers can be avoided. We also investigate the influence of product/market characteristics on the offered menu of contracts.
Context Aware Middleware Architectures: Survey and Challenges

Context aware applications, which can adapt their behaviors to changing environments, are attracting more and more attention. To simplify the complexity of developing applications, context aware middleware, which introduces context awareness into the traditional middleware, is highlighted to provide a homogeneous interface involving generic context management solutions. This paper provides a survey of state-of-the-art context aware middleware architectures proposed during the period from 2009 through 2015. First, a preliminary background, such as the principles of context, context awareness, context modelling, and context reasoning, is provided for a comprehensive understanding of context aware middleware. On this basis, an overview of eleven carefully selected middleware architectures is presented and their main features explained. Then, thorough comparisons and analysis of the presented middleware architectures are performed based on technical parameters including architectural style, context abstraction, context reasoning, scalability, fault tolerance, interoperability, service discovery, storage, security & privacy, context awareness level, and cloud-based big data analytics. The analysis shows that there is actually no context aware middleware architecture that complies with all requirements. Finally, challenges are pointed out as open issues for future work.
Embryogenesis: A New Start in Life.

Embryogenesis effects the transition from the fertilized egg to the new multicellular generation, the seedling, which displays the basic body plan and organization of the plant. An apical-basal pattern along the main body axis of the embryo consists of a linear array of distinct elements, including the shoot meristem, cotyledons, hypocotyl, root, and root meristem. A radial pattern around the apical-basal axis is represented by the concentric arrangement of the primary tissues: epidermis at the periphery, ground tissue underneath, and conductive tissue in the center. During postembryonic development, the two primary meristems give rise to the elaborate structures of the adult plant (see Clark, 1997; Kerstetter and Hake, 1997; Schiefelbein et al., 1997, in this issue). The basic body plan is established within the first onethird of embryogenesis and becomes fully apparent by the time dicot embryos reach the heart stage. Subsequent events include further growth of the embryo, morphogenesis, activity of the primary meristems, cell differentiation, and preparation of both embryo and seed for dormancy. Previous reviews have covered various aspects of embryogenesis, including the formation of embryo initials (Mordhorst et al., 1997), fertilization (Russell, 1993), endosperm development (Lopes and Larkins, 1993), somatic embryogenesis (Zimmerman, 1993; Emons, 1994), axis formation (Jürgens, 1995), gene expression (Thomas, 1993), and related topics (Goldberg et al., 1994; Laux and Jürgens, 1994; Yadegari and Goldberg, 1997). In this review, we discuss how pattern formation generates different cell fates during embryogenesis. By drawing mainly on recent genetic and molecular studies in Arabidopsis, we first summarize what is known about the successive generation of cell fates and then discuss mechanisms that may underlie the establishment of diverse cell identities.
Methodsfor Classifying Pictures and Generating Music by 2 D DFA and 1 D FFT

This study proposes the following two methods applying two-dimensional DFA (detrended fluctuation analysis) and one-dimensional FFT (fast Fourier transform) algorithm: (1) a method for finding pleasant photographs of local tourist spots, and (2) a method for creating music from these photographs. We define “pleasant photograph” as the photograph containing 1/f noise components since it has been suggested that the 1/f -noise structure in visual art as well as in music can stimulate the perception of pleasant. We analyze 198 photographs published in the book edited by Onomichi city to find the pleasant photographs. The method for the music extraction from the picture is developed taking into account that the sequence of the brightness in the horizontal direction on each row can be decomposed into periodic waves, and then, by regarding each wave obtained as sound waves, successive chords can be created from the image. A method to arrange the music by reflecting features of the image is also provided.
Evaluation of the Thickness and Oxygen Transmission Rate before and after Thermoforming Mono- and Multi-layer Sheets into Trays with Variable Depth

During thermoforming, plastic sheets are heated and subsequently deformed through the application of mechanical stretching and/or pressure. This process directly impacts sheet properties such as material thickness in walls, corners, and bottom, crystallinity in the constituent layers, and particularly the oxygen gas permeability. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of thermoforming on thickness and oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of selected packaging materials (polypropylene (PP); PP/ethylene-vinyl alcohol co-polymer/PP (PP/EVOH/PP); polystyrene/EVOH/polyethylene (PS/EVOH/PE); amorphous polyethylene terephtalate/PE (APET/PE); APET/PE/EVOH/PE; polyamide/PE (PA/PE); and (PE/)PA/EVOH/PA/PE). These materials were extruded in two different thicknesses and thermoformed into trays with the same top dimensions and variable depths of 25, 50, and/or 75 mm and a 50 mm tray with a variable radius of the corners. The distribution of the material thickness in the trays was visualized, showing the locations that were most affected by the deep drawn process. The OTR results indicate that the calculated OTR, based on a homogeneous material distribution, can be used as a rough approximation of the measured OTR. However, detailed analysis of crystallization and unequal thinning, which is also related to the tray design, remains necessary to explain the deviation of the measured OTR as compared to the predicted one.
Existence of Multiagent Equilibria with Limited Agents

Multiagent learning is a necessary yet challenging problem as multiagent systems become more prevalent and environments become more dynamic. Much of the groundbreaking work in this area draws on notable results from game theory, in particular, the concept of Nash equilibria. Learners that directly learn an equilibrium obviously rely on their existence. Learners that instead seek to play optimally with respect to the other players also depend upon equilibria since equilibria are fixed points for learning. From another perspective, agents with limitations are real and common. These may be undesired physical limitations as well as self-imposed rational limitations, such as abstraction and approximation techniques, used to make learning tractable. This article explores the interactions of these two important concepts: equilibria and limitations in learning. We introduce the question of whether equilibria continue to exist when agents have limitations. We look at the general effects limitations can have on agent behavior, and define a natural extension of equilibria that accounts for these limitations. Using this formalization, we make three major contributions: (i) a counterexample for the general existence of equilibria with limitations, (ii) sufficient conditions on limitations that preserve their existence, (iii) three general classes of games and limitations that satisfy these conditions. We then present empirical results from a specific multiagent learning algorithm applied to a specific instance of limited agents. These results demonstrate that learning with limitations is feasible, when the conditions outlined by our theoretical analysis hold.
Stereo audio classification for audio enhancement

Stereo audio enhancement and upmixing techniques require spatial analysis of the mixture in order to work optimally for different types of contents. In this paper a method is proposed which classifies the time-frequency regions in stereo audio data into six different classes. The individual classes represent special cases of a generic stereo signal model which is introduced and characterized in the paper. Finally, the developed classifier is tested using realistic stereo audio data.
Novel Techniques for Concrete Curing

Minimizing shrinkage and cracking are important aspects of concrete curing. As the use of high-performance concrete with low water-cementitious material ratio (w/cm) has become more prevalent, some novel techniques have been developed to combat autogenous shrinkage. Internal water curing is often the most effective curing method for high-strength and high-performance concretes with low w/cm. The use of presaturated lightweight aggregate in internal water curing can counteract self-dessication. Another method to prevent self-dessication is the use of superabsorbent polymers. Internal sealing is another effective curing approach. The addition of a water-soluble chemical during mixing can reduce water evaporation from the hardening concrete and water loss to underlying concrete. Research has shown that these methods can be very effective in preventing concrete shrinkage and cracking.
Electrophysiological characteristics of the human atria after cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND In animal models, induced atrial fibrillation shortens the atrial effective refractory period (ERP) and reverses its physiological adaptation to rate. It is not clear whether this process, known as "electrical remodeling," occurs in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS We determined the ERPs, at 5 pacing cycle lengths (300 to 700 ms) and in 5 right atrial sites, after internal cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation in 25 patients (14 in pharmacological washout and 11 on amiodarone). The ERPs were 195.5+/-18.8 ms in the washout and 206.3+/-17.9 ms in the amiodarone patients (P<0.0001). ERPs were closely correlated with the stimulation rates (r=0.95 in the washout and r=0.94 in the amiodarone group), and slope values indicating a normal (>/=0.07) or nearly normal (0.05 to 0.06) adaptation of ERP to rate were found in 77% of the 84 paced sites. The mean ERP was shorter in the lateral wall (198.1+/-17.9 ms) than in the atrial roof (203.3+/-21.5 ms) and in the septum (210.5+/-20.0 ms) (P<0.03). After 4 weeks of sinus rhythm, the mean ERP, determined again in 8 patients (4 in wash-out and 4 on amiodarone), was significantly increased compared with the basal study (221. 4+/-21.4 versus 197.8+/-18.3 ms, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS After cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation, (1) atrial ERP adaptation to rate was normal or nearly normal in the majority of the cases, (2) a significant dispersion of refractoriness between different right atrial sites was present, and (3) ERPs were significantly increased after 4 weeks of sinus rhythm in both washout and amiodarone patients.
TOWARD A SIMPLE PHONEME BASED SPEECH RECOGNITION SYSTEM

This paper presents a simple speech recognition system using Gaussian mixtures as phoneme models. The proposed architecture does not follow the integrated search strategy. Instead we use a modular design. We propose two modiflcations to the Viterbi decoding algorithm in order to be applicable to our phoneme models. Both strategies have been imple- mented and tested on two corpora. Experiments have proved our phoneme recognition system reliability and its good recognition performance.
Compact and accurate MOST model for analog circuit hand calculations

A simple model for the MOS transistor small-signal drain-source resistance, /spl tau//sub ds/, is presented that accurately predicts analog circuit performance. It is ideal for first-order analog circuit hand calculations. The drain current, I/sub ds/, has exactly the same form as the conventional square-law model. The channel length modulation parameter, X, is modified based on two dimensional analysis to produce a simple model that matches measured devices to within 5% even for short devices. <<ETX>>
Adaptive Scheduling for Task Farming with Grid Middleware

Scheduling in metacomputing environments is an active field of research as the vision of a Computational Grid becomes more concrete. An important class of Grid applications are long-running parallel computations with large numbers of somewhat independent tasks (Monte Carlo simulations, parameter-space searches, etc.). A number of Grid middleware projects are available to implement such applications, but scheduling strategies are still open research issues. This is mainly due to the diversity of both Grid resource types and their availability patterns. The purpose of this work is to develop and validate a general adaptive scheduling algorithm for task farming applications along with a user interface that makes the algorithm accessible to domain scientists. The authors’ algorithm is general in that it is not tailored to a particular Grid middleware and it requires very few assumptions concerning the nature of the resources. Their first testbed is NetSolve as it allows quick and easy development of the algorithm by isolating the developer from issues such as process control, I/O, remote software access, or fault-tolerance.
Streptomycin-Induced Inflammation Enhances Escherichia coli Gut Colonization Through Nitrate Respiration

ABSTRACT Treatment with streptomycin enhances the growth of human commensal Escherichia coli isolates in the mouse intestine, suggesting that the resident microbial community (microbiota) can inhibit the growth of invading microbes, a phenomenon known as “colonization resistance. ” However, the precise mechanisms by which streptomycin treatment lowers colonization resistance remain obscure. Here we show that streptomycin treatment rendered mice more susceptible to the development of chemically induced colitis, raising the possibility that the antibiotic might lower colonization resistance by changing mucosal immune responses rather than by preventing microbe-microbe interactions. Investigation of the underlying mechanism revealed a mild inflammatory infiltrate in the cecal mucosa of streptomycin-treated mice, which was accompanied by elevated expression of Nos2, the gene that encodes inducible nitric oxide synthase. In turn, this inflammatory response enhanced the luminal growth of E. coli by nitrate respiration in a Nos2-dependent fashion. These data identify low-level intestinal inflammation as one of the factors responsible for the loss of resistance to E. coli colonization after streptomycin treatment. IMPORTANCE Our intestine is host to a complex microbial community that confers benefits by educating the immune system and providing niche protection. Perturbation of intestinal communities by streptomycin treatment lowers “colonization resistance” through unknown mechanisms. Here we show that streptomycin increases the inflammatory tone of the intestinal mucosa, thereby making the bowel more susceptible to dextran sulfate sodium treatment and boosting the Nos2-dependent growth of commensal Escherichia coli by nitrate respiration. These data point to the generation of alternative electron acceptors as a by-product of the inflammatory host response as an important factor responsible for lowering resistance to colonization by facultative anaerobic bacteria such as E. coli. Our intestine is host to a complex microbial community that confers benefits by educating the immune system and providing niche protection. Perturbation of intestinal communities by streptomycin treatment lowers “colonization resistance” through unknown mechanisms. Here we show that streptomycin increases the inflammatory tone of the intestinal mucosa, thereby making the bowel more susceptible to dextran sulfate sodium treatment and boosting the Nos2-dependent growth of commensal Escherichia coli by nitrate respiration. These data point to the generation of alternative electron acceptors as a by-product of the inflammatory host response as an important factor responsible for lowering resistance to colonization by facultative anaerobic bacteria such as E. coli.
Using Relevancer to Detect Relevant Tweets: The Nepal Earthquake Case

Ali Hürriyetoǧlu Centre for Language Studies Radboud University P.O. Box 9103, NL-6500 HD, Nijmegen, the Netherlands a.hurriyetoglu@let.ru. nl Antal van den Bosch Centre for Language Studies Radboud University P.O. Box 9103, NL-6500 HD, Nijmegen, the Netherlands a.vandenbosch@let.ru. nl Nelleke Oostdijk Centre for Language Studies Radboud University P.O. Box 9103, NL-6500 HD, Nijmegen, the Netherlands n.oostdijk@let.ru. nl
Electromigration reliability comparison of Cu and Al interconnects

Under similar test conditions, the electromigration reliability of Al and Cu metallization interconnect trees demonstrates significant differences because of the differences in interconnect architectural schemes. In Cu technology, the low critical stress for void nucleation at the interface of the Cu and the inter-level diffusion barrier, such as Si/sub 3/N/sub 4/, leads to asymmetric failure characteristics based on via position in a line. Unlike Al technology, a (jL) product filtering algorithm with a classification of separate via-above and via-below treatments is required for Cu interconnect trees. Using the best estimates of material parameters and an analytical model, we have compared electromigration lifetimes of Al and Cu dual-damascene interconnect lines. A reliability CAD tool, SysRel, has been used to simulate full-chip reliability of the same circuit layout with different interconnect technologies. In typical circuit operating conditions, Al bamboo lines have the best lifetime followed by Cu via-below, Cu via-above, and Al polygranular type lines.
The Depletion and Restoration of Post-Heparin Lipolytic Activity in the Human Forearm 1

Summary Post-heparin lipolytic activity (PHLA) was measured in venous blood in the human forearm during the constant infusion of heparin into the brachial artery. PHLA appeared rapidly and then diminished despite the continued administration of heparin, The replenishment of PHLA appears to be rapid in that a second infusion of heparin, 1 hr after the first infusion had ended, led to a further, though reduced release of PHLA. Prior 1-hr infusions of insulin in physiological concentrations did not appear to augment the release of PHLA.
The emergence of the social brain network: Evidence from typical and atypical development

Several research groups have identified a network of regions of the adult cortex that are activated during social perception and cognition tasks. In this paper we focus on the development of components of this social brain network during early childhood and test aspects of a particular viewpoint on human functional brain development: “interactive specialization. ” Specifically, we apply new data analysis techniques to a previously published data set of event-related potential (ERP) studies involving 3-, 4-, and 12-month-old infants viewing faces of different orientation and direction of eye gaze. Using source separation and localization methods, several likely generators of scalp recorded ERP are identified, and we describe how they are modulated by stimulus characteristics. We then review the results of a series of experiments concerned with perceiving and acting on eye gaze, before reporting on a new experiment involving young children with autism. Finally, we discuss predictions based on the atypical emergence of the social brain network.This work was funded by UK Medical Research Council Programme Grants (G9901005 and G9715587) to M.H. J. and S.B.C. T.F. was supported by a Wellcome Trust Research Fellowship (073985/Z/03/Z).