Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ERK1/2 protein and mRNA levels in human blood are linked to smoking behavior

From studies in cultured cells and animal models, nicotine and alcohol are known to regulate extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). Alterations of ERK1/2 are thought to contribute to the drugs' rewarding effects. Accumulating evidence supports the importance of ERK1/2 in the molecular pathophysiology of depression and affective regulation in the hippocampus. We recently showed that the expression and phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element (CRE)‐binding protein (CREB) in human buffy coat were associated with smoking behavior. Because ERK1/2 is known to effect phosphorylation of CREB, the aim of the present study was to further elucidate whether cigarette smoking leads to alterations in terms of ERK1/2 in human buffy coat as well. In a comparison of 53 smokers with 146 non‐smoking controls, we found significantly higher levels of ERK1/2 protein (P = 0.004). In contrast, phospho‐ERK1/2, phospho‐/total‐ERK1/2 ratio, mRNA‐ERK1 and mRNA‐ERK2 were not significantly different. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant relation among the number of cigarettes smoked daily (R2 = 0.266, P = 0.003), the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence score (R2 = 0.149, P = 0.032) and the mRNA expression of ERK1. Moreover, our analysis suggests that the mRNA expression of ERK2 might be linked to mood (model summary: R2 = 0.087, P = 0.019; mRNA‐ERK2: P = 0.026). Given that the ERK1/2 signaling pathway plays an important role in the physiology and pathophysiology of affective and addictive behavior, our findings provide a rationale basis for additional mechanistic studies that may lead to the development of novel signaling pathway selective therapeutics in humans.
Sterilization of Teeth by Gamma Radiation

Clinical simulations and restorative materials research and development conducted in vitro require the use of large numbers of extracted teeth. The simultaneous need for infection control procedures and minimal alterations of structure and properties of the tissue prompted this study of gamma irradiation as a method to eliminate microbes associated with extracted teeth and their storage solutions. Evaluations of potential change in structure of dentin were conducted in terms of permeability, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and optical properties. The dose required for sterilization by gamma irradiation was established by means of a tooth model inoculated with Bacillus subtilis (108 organisms/mL). Sterilization occurred at a dose above 173 krad with use of a Cesium (Cs137) radiation source. Gamma irradiation did not affect permeability of crown segments of dentin. A comparative evaluation of the effects of four sterilization methods on dentin disks was based on FTIR and ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV/VIS/NIR) spectra before and after sterilization by (1) gamma irradiation; (2) ethylene oxide; (3) dry heat; and (4) autoclaving. No detectable changes were found with gamma irradiation, but all other methods introduced some detectable change in the spectra. This suggests that common methods of sterilization alter the structure of the dentin, but gamma irradiation shows promise as a method which both is effective and introduces no detectable changes as measured by FTIR, UV/VIS/NIR, or permeability.
Cost Modeling and Estimation in Agile Software Development Environments using Influence Diagrams

Software development according to agile principles seeks to promote adaptive processes, teamwork and collaboration throughout the life-cycle of a project. In contrast, traditional software development focuses on the various phases and activities of the life-cycle while seeking for repeatable, predictable processes to maximize productivity and quality. Additionally, project management in conventional development processes aims to plan and predict the future, whereas in agile development environments, aims to adapt according to any future change. In this paper we investigate, through modeling with Influence Diagrams, the benefit of switching from traditional software development to agile in terms of productivity, expected value and cost. Additionally, we examine how software costs might differentiate if traditional or agile development methodologies are followed. We explore the factors that contribute in successful software development and draw our main conclusions through hypothetical and real case scenarios recorded in agile surveys on Information Technology practices. One of our main conclusions includes verification of the need for a skillful manager and small development team to lead to successful agile projects.
High Impact IS Papers and Researchers in the Pacific Asia Region

As research in information systems (IS) becomes increasingly popular, it is interesting to know the impact of research from the Pacific Asia region and who has contributed more high impact papers. With the assistance of SSCI/SCIE database of Web of Science and Google Scholar, this study investigates the impact of Pacific Asian researchers and their papers by the citation numbers of their published papers in 21 IS journals. Common keywords and theories adopted in the most cited papers are also examined. The results indicate that scholars in Hong Kong, Australia, and Singapore are major contributors in the region. MIS Quarterly publishes most highly cited papers. Papers co-authored across regions are more likely to create high citations. Our findings provide insights into how research reports from Pacific Asian authors have influenced the development of knowledge in information systems.
Microvascular specializations promoting rapid interstitial solute dispersion in nucleus tractus solitarius.

Nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), an aggregate of several individual nuclear groups in the dorsal medulla oblongata, is involved in virtually all autonomic functions as the first synaptic site in the brain for many peripheral viscerosomatic inputs. We found morphological evidence that dorsocaudal subregions of rat NTS (approximately 800 microns caudal from obex) had fenestrated capillaries and enlarged Virchow-Robin (perivascular) spaces that were similar to those in area postrema but unlike capillaries elsewhere in the medulla oblongata. Complexes of microvessels, consisting of up to 10 small vessels with smooth muscle layers (luminal diameters of 10-45 microns) and several capillaries (average luminal diameter of 4.5 microns), were located in the dorsal midline of NTS within large Virchow-Robin spaces measuring some 2,000 microns 2 in area. In physiological studies, we determined that most of NTS had a definable blood-brain barrier [permeability-surface area (PS) products for a neutral amino acid near 0], but medial and lateral aspects of the commissural subnucleus of NTS had PS products of 16-63 microliters.g-1.min-1 for alpha-[14C]aminoisobutyric acid 12 s after intravenous injection. Microvascular differentiations permitting such brisk tracer influx from blood resemble those of area postrema and appear to afford the rich neuropil of commissural NTS with a constant stream of blood-borne information for expediting its regulation of viscerosensory and autonomic functions.
Dye coupling without gap junctions suggests excitatory connections of γ‐aminobutyric acidergic neurons

After injections of the low‐molecular‐weight tracer neurobiotin into the preeminential nucleus of the brain of the mormyrid fish Gnathonemus petersii, we observed that retrogradely labeled, large fusiform projection neurons (LFd cells) of the deep granular layer of the electrosensory lobe (ELL) were surrounded by 30–50 labeled satellite granular cells. More superficially located projection cells, including large fusiform cells in the superficial granular layer (LFs) and large ganglionic (LG) cells in the ganglionic layer, were never surrounded by labeled satellites. LFd‐satellite cells have a small soma (diameter 5–8 μm), a few small dendrites, and an apical axon that terminates in the plexiform and ganglionic layers of the ELL. They contact LFd projection neurons with dendrodendritic, dendrosomatic, and somatodendritic puncta adhaerentia‐like appositions, designated here as “neurapses. ” In the electron microscope, these contacts resemble synapses without presynaptic vesicles. Because no gap junctions were found between LFd and satellite granule cells, we suggest that the neurapses allow the passage of neurobiotin, though not biocytin or biotinylated dextran amine. These contacts may provide the intermediate substrate for the postulated, but so far unknown, excitatory connection between primary afferent input and LFd projection neurons, via γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ergic granular cells. We suggest that certain puncta adhaerentia‐like contacts might not be only adhesive structures and that LFd‐satellite granular cells might both excite LFd projection cells via neuraptic contacts of their dendrites and cell bodies and inhibit more superficial LF and LG cells via their GABAergic axonal synapses. Our results suggest that puncta adhaerentia‐like contacts could be responsible in some cases for the electrical coupling found electrophysiologically in local inhibitory circuits. J. Comp. Neurol. 468:151–164, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efficiency analysis of a limit-cycle class-D amplifier with a random Gaussian excitation

Limit-cycle amplifiers have shown promising potentials for linear and efficient amplification of high crest-factor signals. In this paper, the efficiency of a class-D amplifier in a limit cycle loop has been evaluated for a random Gaussian input in terms of the input power level, limit cycle amplitude and output load admittance. Multisine representation of the Gaussian signal has been used to calculate the output power and power loss. Results are in good agreement with efficiency evaluations of a 65nm CMOS voltage mode class-D amplifier.
On the Evolution of the Cardiac Pacemaker

The rhythmic contraction of the heart is initiated and controlled by an intrinsic pacemaker system. Cardiac contractions commence at very early embryonic stages and coordination remains crucial for survival. The underlying molecular mechanisms of pacemaker cell development and function are still not fully understood. Heart form and function show high evolutionary conservation. Even in simple contractile cardiac tubes in primitive invertebrates, cardiac function is controlled by intrinsic, autonomous pacemaker cells. Understanding the evolutionary origin and development of cardiac pacemaker cells will help us outline the important pathways and factors involved. Key patterning factors, such as the homeodomain transcription factors Nkx2.5 and Shox2, and the LIM-homeodomain transcription factor Islet-1, components of the T-box (Tbx), and bone morphogenic protein (Bmp) families are well conserved. Here we compare the dominant pacemaking systems in various organisms with respect to the underlying molecular regulation. Comparative analysis of the pathways involved in patterning the pacemaker domain in an evolutionary context might help us outline a common fundamental pacemaker cell gene programme. Special focus is given to pacemaker development in zebrafish, an extensively used model for vertebrate development. Finally, we conclude with a summary of highly conserved key factors in pacemaker cell development and function.
A hybrid Pareto-based local search for multi-objective flexible job shop scheduling problem

This paper presents a hybrid Pareto-based local search (PLS) algorithm for solving the multi-objective flexible job shop scheduling problem. Three minimization objectives-the maximum completion time (makespan), the total workload of all machines, and the workload of the critical machine are considered simultaneously. In this study, several well-designed local search approaches are proposed, which consider the problem characteristics and thus can hold fast convergence ability while keep rich population diversity. Then, an external Pareto archive is developed to memory the Pareto optimal solutions found so far. In addition, to improve the efficiency of the scheduling algorithm, a speed-up method is devised to decide the domination status of a solution with the archive set. Experimental results on two well-known benchmarks show the efficiency of the proposed hybrid algorithm. It is concluded that the PLS algorithm is superior to the very recent algorithms in term of both search quality and computational efficiency.
Size of Hiatus Hernia Correlates With Severity of Kyphosis, Not With Obesity, in Elderly Japanese Women

Goals To investigate whether there is a relationship between hiatus hernia (HH) and kyphosis or obesity in elderly Japanese persons. Background The causes of HH in the elderly are unclear. Study We enrolled 147 consecutive patients aged over 50 years in this study. Endoscopic assessment of the size of HH was performed by using a modified Makuuchi classification with grades from 1 (no HH) to 4 (>3 cm). The gastroesophageal flap valve (GEFV) was also graded from I to IV. Kyphosis was evaluated from a lateral photograph by measuring the modified Cobb angle (CA) and calculating the kyphosis index (KI). Body mass index (BMI) was used to evaluate obesity. Results In women, there were significant differences of both the CA (analysis of variance, P<0.0001) and KI (Kruskal-Wallis test, P<0.01) between each grade of HH. Differences of the CA (P<0.001) and KI (P<0.001) were also seen between the grades of GEFV. None of these differences were detected in men. In women, the CA (r=0.556, P<0.0001) and KI (P<0.0001) were positively correlated with age, but this was not so in men. Neither sex showed an association between BMI and the grade of either HH or GEFV. However, there was a weak negative correlation between age and BMI in women (r=−0.223, P<0.05) and men (r=−0.334, P<0.05). Conclusions The size of HH is associated with the severity of kyphosis, not with obesity, in elderly Japanese women. Age is a risk factor for both kyphosis and HH.
Epidemiology of IDDM in Switzerland: Increasing incidence rate and rural-urban differences in Swiss men born 1948-1972

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in Switzerland by undertaking a retrospective analysis of the registry of the Swiss army, which contains updated medical files for all male Swiss citizens. Nationwide data for IDDM epidemiology have not been available in Switzerland. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Every male Swiss citizen is obliged to enlist in the Swiss military service at 19 years of age, when a personal, continuously updated medical file is established. Diabetes is an exclusion condition for military service and is clearly marked in the file. A total number of 514,747 files, corresponding to birth year cohorts 1948-1950, 1955-1957, 1962-1964, and 1970-1972, have been manually checked for the diagnosis of IDDM. RESULTS IDDM was identified in 926 cases in the four groups of three age-cohorts. The incidence at ≤15 years (per 100,000/year) was 4.5 in the age cohorts 1948-1950 and 7.2 in the age cohorts 1970-1972 (P < 0.005). An additive age-cohort Poisson regression model fits the nationwide incidences adequately, neither a period effect nor age X cohort interactions being required. In the oldest age cohorts, the age-specific incidence of IDDM was calculated up to the age of 43 and was ∼7/ 100,000/year in men between 20 and 40. In these age cohorts, we found an ∼50% higher risk to develop IDDM at age ≤19 for men living in an urban region and a significantly (P < 0.005) increased incidence between 20 and 40 years in rural regions compared with urban regions. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of IDDM in Switzerland is comparable to other countries in central Europe and has been increasing in the last 20 years. This is in accordance to most recent epidemiological studies worldwide. In addition, the data suggest exogenous factors inducing IDDM at a younger age in urban regions.
The power of staying put : non-violent resistance against armed groups in Colombia

In irregular civil wars, armed groups strategically aim to conquer, preserve and control territories. Local civilians inhabiting these territories respond in a wide variety of forms. Although the two dominant responses seem to be to collaborate with the strongest actor in town or flee the area, civilians are not stuck inexorably within this dichotomous choice. Collectively defying armed groups by engaging in organized nonviolent forms of noncooperation, self-organization and disruption is another option. However, given huge disproportionality of force, it is still unclear why ordinary unarmed civilians choose to defy fully armed opponents, let alone how they manage to coordinate and act collectively, and even achieve results that often go against the strategic interests of the armed groups. This monograph examines this puzzle through a detailed case study of one instance of sustained and organized civil resistance led by ordinary peasants against state and nonstate repressive actors in Colombia’s longstanding civil war: the case of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó (PCSJA). Building on interview and archival material collected during fieldwork, a dataset on civilian victimization, and secondary literature, this monograph describes and analyzes the emergence of the PCSJA, focusing on the key choices made to launch its civil resistance campaign; the methods of nonviolent action used; the evolution of peasants’ preference for nonviolent organizing and noncooperation; and the capacity for collective action. An improved knowledge of this form of civil resistance can serve as a solid basis for the diffusion of these strategies both in other areas of Colombia and abroad, as well as for the design of post-conflict reconstruction strategies. 1 I am immensely grateful to the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó and residents of nearby villages for sharing with me their experiences, inviting me to visit them and hosting me in their hamlets during my fieldwork trips. What I have learned from and with them is just incommensurable. I would also like to thank FOR and Operazione Colomba for helping me get in touch with the Community, and Diego Gambetta, Bela Greskovits, Donatella della Porta, Sidney Tarrow and Elisabeth Wood for helping me carry out the larger project this monograph is part of and guiding me through the intricacies of field research in conflict-affected areas. Last but not least, I am grateful to ICNC, especially to Maciej Bartkowski and Amber French for their support, edits and comments throughout the elaboration of this monograph.
Magnetar-Like Emission from the Young Pulsar in Kes 75

We report the detection of magnetar-like x-ray bursts from the young pulsar PSR J1846–0258, at the center of the supernova remnant Kes 75. This pulsar, long thought to be exclusively rotation-powered, has an inferred surface dipolar magnetic field of 4.9 × 1013 gauss, which is higher than those of the vast majority of rotation-powered pulsars, but lower than those of the approximately 12 previously identified magnetars. The bursts were accompanied by a sudden flux increase and an unprecedented change in timing behavior. These phenomena lower the magnetic and rotational thresholds associated with magnetar-like behavior and suggest that in neutron stars there exists a continuum of magnetic activity that increases with inferred magnetic field strength.
A Comparative Analysis of Income Distribution Patterns in New York and Ohio - Preliminary Observations and Hypotheses

The problem of income and wealth inequality, together with persistently high poverty rates, in the U.S. is getting a great deal of attention recently. As part of a series of researches on regional income inequality and poverty issues, this paper aims to present a preliminary result of the author’s statistical analysis of income distribution patterns in the State of Ohio. Applying some of well-known statistical tools such as the Gini coefficient and the linear interpolation method to publicly available state level personal income tax data from 1986 to 2013, the paper attempts to show a snapshot of historical income distribution patterns in Ohio. The preliminary result in this paper shows that income distribution in Ohio has broadly followed national trends of worsening income inequality, especially since the 1980s. However, unlike many Eastern cities or states (such as New York City and New York State) where FIRE (finance, insurance, real estate) sector has been predominant in their industrial structure, Ohio state seems to have its own structural causes of unequitable income distribution. These structural causes may include drastic corporate offshoring, introduction of labor saving technologies in the remaining goods-producing industries, and the continual dis-industrialization process reinforced by a particular set of trade policies. With these hypotheses in mind, the author will seek to identify relative significance of structural factors lain behind this particular regional income inequality pattern in Ohio in following up papers. In addition, later research will also include an analysis of differential gross earnings by industries, county-level income distribution patterns and poverty rates, which may show potentially vast regional divides and variations within the state of Ohio.
Regulation of thyroid hormone metabolism during fasting and refeeding in chicken.

Fasting and refeeding have considerable effects on thyroid hormone metabolism. In the present study, 8-day-old meat-type cockerels were subjected to a 2-day starvation period followed by 3 days' refeeding. Blood and tissue samples were collected at the start of the experiment, at 4, 24, and 48 h of starvation, and at 4, 8, 24, 48, and 72 h of refeeding. This study demonstrates that in chicken, fasting decreased plasma T(3) and TSH levels and increased plasma T(4) concentrations. This was accompanied by increased hepatic type III deiodinase (D3) and decreased renal D3 activity. There were no changes in hepatic or renal type I deiodinase (D1). Refeeding restored normal plasma T(3), T(4), and TSH levels, while hepatic D3 and renal D3 activities returned to prefasting levels. Again hepatic D1 was not affected, but renal D1 was lower than the ad libitum values during the entire refeeding period. These results confirm that liver D3 is involved in the regulation of plasma T(3) during fasting and refeeding in the chicken. Northern blot analysis demonstrated increased hepatic D3 mRNA levels during the first day of starvation that disappeared by the end of the second day; refeeding had no additional effects. These results suggest that in fasted chickens the rapid upregulation of hepatic D3 occurs predominantly at a pretranslational level, whereas the drop in hepatic D3 activity after refeeding is probably regulated at a posttranslational level. In addition, renal D3 may play a role in the regulation of local T(3) availability.