Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phosphorylation of phospholamban at threonine-17 reduces cardiac adrenergic contractile responsiveness in chronic pressure overload-induced hypertrophy.

Physiological hemodynamic stress, such as aerobic exercise, is intermittent and requires an increase in Ca2+ -dependent contractility through sympathetic nervous system activation. Pathological hemodynamic stress, such as hypertension, is persistent and requires sustained increases in cardiac function. Over time, this causes left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)-reduced responsiveness to sympathetic stimulation. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that blunted in vivo adrenergic contractile responsiveness in pressure overload (PO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy is caused by abnormalities in the abundance and/or basal phosphorylation state of Ca2+ regulatory proteins. PO, induced by aortic constriction, caused concentric LVH or dilated LVH. Only animals with dilation exhibited a decrease in baseline left ventricle function [fractional area change (FAC); measured with echocardiography]. All PO animals had a reduced contractile response to adrenergic agonists (increase in FAC with 40 microg.kg(-1). min(-1) dobutamine, control 0.30 +/- 0.04, n = 5 vs. banded 0.10 +/- 0.03, n = 10; P < 0.01). PO animals had reduced phospholamban (PLB) protein abundance (P = 0.07, not significant) and increased PLB phosphorylation at the calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII)-specific site (PLB-Thr17, P < 0.05) but not at the protein kinase A-specific site (PLB-Ser16). PLB-Thr17 phosphorylation was inversely correlated with dobutamine-induced increases in contractility in PO animals (r2 = 0.81, P < 0.05). Continuous induction of Ca2+ transients in isolated ventricular myocytes for 24 h increased phosphorylation at PLB-Thr17 and diminished inotropic responsiveness and PLB-Ser16 phosphorylation after exposure to isoproterenol (P < 0.05). These data show that reduced adrenergic responsiveness in feline PO hypertrophy and failure involves increases in basal PLB-Thr17 phosphorylation, suggesting that activation of CaMKII in PO hypertrophy contributes to defective adrenergic reserve in compensated LVH and early heart failure.
Understanding collaborative search for places of interest

Finding a place of interest (e.g., a restaurant, hotel, or attraction) is often related to a group information need, however, the actual multiparty collaboration in such searches has not been explored, and little is known about its significance and related practices. We surveyed 100 computer science students and found that 94% (of respondents) searched for places online; 87% had done so as part of a group. Search for place by multiple active participants was experienced by 78%, with group sizes typically being 2 or 3. Search occurred in a range of settings with both desktop PCs and mobile devices. Difficulties were reported with coordinating tasks, sharing results, and making decisions. The results show that finding a place of interest is a quite different group‐based search than other multiparty information‐seeking activities. The results suggest that local search systems, their interfaces and the devices that access them can be made more usable for collaborative search if they include support for coordination, sharing of results, and decision making.
Social dimensions of climate change : equity and vulnerability in a warming world

Climate change is widely acknowledged as foremost among the formidable challenges facing the international community in the 21st century. It poses challenges to fundamental elements of our understanding of appropriate goals for social and economic policy, such as the connection of prosperity, growth, equity, and sustainable development. This volume seeks to establish an agenda for research and action built on an enhanced understanding of the relationship between climate change and the key social dimensions of vulnerability, social justice, and equity. The volume is organized as follows. This introductory chapter first sets the scene by framing climate change as an issue of social justice at multiple levels, and by highlighting equity and vulnerability as the central organizing themes of an agenda on the social dimensions of climate change. Chapter two leads off with a review of existing theories and frameworks for understanding vulnerability, drawing out implications for pro-poor climate policy. Understanding the multilayered causal structure of vulnerability then can assist in identifying entry points for pro-poor climate policy at multiple levels. Building on such analytical approaches, chapters three and four, respectively, consider the implications of climate change for armed conflict and for migration. Those chapters are followed by a discussion of two of the most important social cleavages that characterize distinct forms of vulnerability to climate change and climate action: gender (chapter five) and ethnicity or indigenous identity (chapter six), in the latter case, focusing on the role of indigenous knowledge in crafting climate response measures in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Chapter seven highlights the important mediating role of local institutions in achieving more equitable, pro-poor outcomes from efforts to support adaptation to climate change. Chapter eight examines the implications of climate change for agrarian societies living in dry-land areas of the developing world, and chapter nine does the same for those living in urban centers. Chapter ten considers the role of social policy instruments in supporting pro-poor adaptation to climate change; and it argues for a focus on 'no-regrets' options that integrate adaptation with existing development approaches, albeit with modifications to take better account of the ways in which climate variables interact with other drivers of vulnerability. Finally, chapter eleven turns to the implications of climate policy and action for forest areas and forest people.
Pollution Abatement Costs, Regulation, and Plant-Level Productivity

We analyze the connection between productivity, pollution abatement expenditures, and other measures of environmental regulation for plants in three industries (paper, oil, and steel). We examine data from 1979 to 1990, considering both total factor productivity levels and growth rates. Plants with higher abatement cost levels have significantly lower productivity levels. The magnitude of the impact is somewhat larger than expected: $1 greater abatement costs appears to be associated with the equivalent of $1.74 in lower productivity for paper mills, $1.35 for oil refineries, and $3.28 for steel mills. However, these results apply only to variation across plants in productivity levels. Estimates looking at productivity variation within plants over time, or estimates using productivity growth rates show a smaller (and insignificant) relationship between abatement costs and productivity. Other measures of environmental regulation faced by the plants (compliance status, enforcement activity, and emissions) are not significantly related to productivity.
24 NRF 2 and Age-Dependent RPE Degeneration

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a single layer of epithelial cells lined between the neurosensory retina and choriocapillaris. It is part of the blood-retinal barrier and is a central component of the visual phototransduction pathway. RPE cells regenerate 11-cisretinal by RPE65 isomerase and its related enzymes and chaperones (Moiseyev et al., 2006; Xue et al., 2004). They are professional phagocytes and are responsible for the clearance of daily shed photoreceptor outer segments (POS) (Young, 1967; Young & Bok, 1969). The multi-step process of phagocytosis includes receptor-mediated binding of POS to the RPE (Finnemann et al., 1997), internalization (Feng et al., 2002; Finnemann & Silverstein, 2001), transport to lysosome and degradation. The importance of RPE phagocytosis has been clearly illustrated by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats, which carry a mutation in Mertk gene (D'Cruz et al., 2000). MERTK is a membrane-associated receptor tyrosine kinase and is activated upon binding of POS to the RPE (Feng et al. 2002). In RCS rats, loss-offunction mutation of Mertk causes defects in phagocytosis and consequently these animals develop inherited retinal dystrophy and photoreceptor apoptosis (Tso et al., 1994). In addition to their roles in the visual cycle, RPE cells provide vital support for the structure and function of the outer retina. They transport ions, water and nutrients between choroidal blood supply and the retina, and synthesize melanin which absorbs light and shields the retina. RPE-produced growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are indispensable for the choroidal vasculature (Saint-Geniez et al., 2009).
Time Series and Cross-Sectional Investigations of the Demand for Higher Education

This paper focuses on enrollment demand, making use of both aggregate and disaggregate data. In a time series analysis we explore the economic environment affecting freshman enrollments over time. Stratifying by type of school reveals significant differences among institutional segments. In particular, community college enrollments appear more sensitive to financial variables and the availability of alternative activities. To further investigate these differences, cross-sectional analysis is carried out using survey responses from students currently enrolled in each institutional segment. These results, obtained from linear discriminant analysis, show additional, important differences among segmental populations.
Grid-density based feature classification for speaker recognition

A new strategy of feature classification method for speaker recognition based on the grid-density clustering is presented. According to the concept of density-based and grid-distance-based distribution in the Mel-frequency cepstrum domain, the feature vectors of each speaker were self-adaptively classified into L clusters with less overlapped. With these convex and non-interwoven clusters, the Gaussian Mixture Model could statistically analyze and estimate the distinct feature classification for each speaker. Moreover, a new speaker recognition system was established by using GMM-UBM model. The experimental results showed that the clustering effect of the proposed method was superior to the K-means plus EM clustering method, and the proposed speaker recognition system achieves better classification performance in terms of verification accuracy and computational complexity.
Analisis Arus Kas Kegiatan Operasi dalam Mendeteksi Manipulasi Aktivitas Riil dan Dampaknya Terhadap Kinerja Pasar

This study aims to identify firm's tendency to execute real activities manipulation through cash flow from operating activities and its impact to market performance. The sample is drawn from firms in the biggest 50 firms with assets above 1 quintillions rupiahs for period of 2001 - 2006, which are published in Swa100. The research model is based on Roychowdhury's model (2003). Prior to test the hypotheses, this studitthe researcher employed regression model to determine normal and abnormal cash flow from operating activities. The result shows that firms tend to execute real activities manipulation through operating cash flow. Moreover, the impact of real activities manipulation on market performance shows firms which are more likely executing real activities manipulation have higher market performance than their counterparts. By controlling for industrial types of the companies, the result finds that manufacturing firms execute more real activities manipulation than non-manufacturing firms.
Neonatal Colonic Inflammation Increases Spinal Transmission and Cystathionine β-Synthetase Expression in Spinal Dorsal Horn of Rats with Visceral Hypersensitivity

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain and alteration of bowel movements. The pathogenesis of visceral hypersensitivity in IBS patients remains largely unknown. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is reported to play an important role in development of visceral hyperalgesia. However, the role of H2S at spinal dorsal horn level remains elusive in visceral hypersensitivity. The aim of this study is designed to investigate how H2S takes part in visceral hypersensitivity of adult rats with neonatal colonic inflammation (NCI). Visceral hypersensitivity was induced by neonatal colonic injection of diluted acetic acid. Expression of an endogenous H2S synthesizing enzyme cystathionine β-synthetase (CBS) was determined by Western blot. Excitability and synaptic transmission of neurons in the substantia gelatinosa (SG) of spinal cord was recorded by patch clamping. Here, we showed that expression of CBS in the spinal dorsal horn was significantly upregulated in NCI rats. The frequency of glutamatergic synaptic activities in SG was markedly enhanced in NCI rats when compared with control rats. Application of NaHS increased the frequency of both spontaneous and miniature excitatory post-synaptic currents of SG neurons in control rats through a presynaptic mechanism. In contrast, application of AOAA, an inhibitor of CBS, dramatically suppressed the frequency of glutamatergic synaptic activities of SG neurons of NCI rats. Importantly, intrathecal injection of AOAA remarkably attenuated visceral hypersensitivity of NCI rats. These results suggest that H2S modulates pain signaling likely through a presynaptic mechanism in SG of spinal dorsal horn, thus providing a potential therapeutic strategy for treatment for chronic visceral pain in patients with IBS.
On the performance of the minimum VaR portfolio

Alexander and Baptista [2002. Economic implications of using a mean-value-at-risk (VaR) model for portfolio selection: A comparison with mean–variance analysis. Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control 26: 1159–93] develop the concept of mean-VaR efficiency for portfolios and demonstrate its very close connection with mean–variance efficiency. In particular, they identify the minimum VaR portfolio as a special type of mean–variance efficient portfolio. Our empirical analysis finds that, for commonly used VaR breach probabilities, minimum VaR portfolios yield ex post returns that conform well with the specified VaR breach probabilities and with return/risk expectations. These results provide a considerable extension of evidence supporting the empirical validity and tractability of the mean-VaR efficiency concept.
Survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

According to the American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC, 5th edition) classification system, pT4 N0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) qualifies for stage IVA status, with its implied poor prognosis. However, preliminary observations suggested that patients with pT4 N0 OSCC might have better survival than other stage IVA categories. The authors sought to identify accurate prognosticators in patients with stage III/IVA OSCC.
Identification of small molecule agonists of the orphan nuclear receptors liver receptor homolog-1 and steroidogenic factor-1.

We report the identification of substituted cis-bicyclo[3.3. 0]-oct-2-enes as small molecule agonists of subfamily V orphan nuclear receptors (NR5A), liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1) and steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1). Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biochemical assays, compound 5a (GSK8470) was identified as a high-affinity ligand for LRH-1 and SF-1. In liver cells, 5a increased the expression of the LRH-1 target gene small heterodimer partner (SHP). Synthesis of analogues modified at three positions led to the development of compounds with functional selectivity between LRH-1 and SF-1.
Digital protection of LVDC and integration of Distributed generation

Depletion of commercial energy sources and many advantages of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), more research is emphasis on RES and its components. Generation by RES is generally distributed by using low voltage DC (LVDC) distribution. It is very essential to protect components of LVDC from fault and abnormal conditions. Switchgears/ Protection devices are used to isolate healthy part of electrical system from faulty network, by using various fault detection and control mechanism. Generally protection is given to the grid which integrates RES and existing grid provides power to load. At the occurrence of fault, faulty bus goes out of operation and source which is working in normal condition also disconnects from the load. So in order to maintain supply continuity, it is necessary to provide separate protection for each RES which acts as Distributed generation. The proposed scheme for protection of a LVDC Distribution system in a microgrid, automatically detects fault and isolates the faulty section. It integrates source of the faulty bus with another source and also cascade load at same time of integration. This helps in maintaining supply continuity to respective load and under utilization of RES/DG. To fulfill characteristics such as fast interrupting time and high short-circuit current withstanding capability, solid state/digital switches such as MOSFET, IGBT, etc can be used. The proposed said scheme is verified by MATLAB Simulation.
Mitogenic Signaling Mediated by Oxidants in Ras-Transformed Fibroblasts

NIH 3T3 fibroblasts stably transformed with a constitutively active isoform of p21Ras, H-RasV12 (v-H-Ras or EJ-Ras), produced large amounts of the reactive oxygen species superoxide (·O2−). ·O2− production was suppressed by the expression of dominant negative isoforms of Ras or Rac1, as well as by treatment with a farnesyltransferase inhibitor or with diphenylene iodonium, a flavoprotein inhibitor. The mitogenic activity of cells expressing H-RasV12 was inhibited by treatment with the chemical antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity was decreased and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was not activated in H-RasV12-transformed cells. Thus, H-RasV12-induced transformation can lead to the production of ·O2− through one or more pathways involving a flavoprotein and Rac1. The implication of a reactive oxygen species, probably ·O2−, as a mediator of Ras-induced cell cycle progression independent of MAPK and JNK suggests a possible mechanism for the effects of antioxidants against Ras-induced cellular transformation.
Quality by Design in Education (QbDE) - A Possible Futuristic Approach to Improve Current Status of Pharmaceutical Education in India*

1.0 Introduction An explosion of pharmacy education has happened in the last few decades. There has been spurt in number of institutions, number of students, and types of degrees and streams. The outcome of this growth has been both positive and negative. While the students have an easy choice to pursue pharmacy as a career, against the situation where only few privileged could get admission earlier, the uncontrolled growth in number of pharmacy institutions and ever enhancing number of sanctioned seats has unsettled the situation. The absence of quality teachers and training/research facilities in majority of institutions has lead to decline in the worth of the students, who have been reduced to status of a cheap labor. Other ills have also crept in pharmaceutical education, like offer of money by institutions to students for taking admission, award of degrees to non-attending students, non-payment of due salary to teachers, forcing teachers to pass the students, tendency of inspectors of statutory bodies to accept or seek financial alms from institutional managements, etc. The situation needs to be changed urgently, for which a systematic thought process and effort is needed. One possible way is to extend the Quality by Design concept, which recently has been implemented in pharmaceutical processing and manufacturing, to pharmaceutical education.
Peak Load Pricing in the Electric Utility Industry

In the electric utility industry cost minimization requires that heterogeneous electric generation technologies be used to produce electricity demands of different durations. In contrast to the conclusions of traditional peak-load pricing theory, the existence of a heterogeneous capital stock means that off-peak marginal cost prices almost always should include some marginal capacity costs, and that the profit maximizing regulated electric utility may set peak price above marginal cost and off-peak price below marginal cost in order to encourage the expansion of capital-intensive base load generating capacity.
The Supermarket Revolution in Developing Countries: Policies to Address Emerging Tensions Among Supermarkets, Suppliers and Traditional Retailers

Supermarkets (short for all modern retail) are spreading quickly in developing countries. The ‘take-off’ occurred as recently as the early to mid-1990s, driven by an avalanche of foreign direct investment (FDI) sparked by retail FDI liberalisation. A decade on, the power and dominance of supermarkets is already felt in the food markets of many developing countries, and tensions between supermarkets and traditional retailers, and supermarkets and their suppliers, are emerging as key policy and political debates. This paper analyses those tensions. It then reviews the US and Western European history and current experience in designing policies (regulations and support programmes) to address those tensions. It ends with an analysis of emerging policy approaches to the supermarket sector and the tensions its growth is creating in developing countries, and recommendations.Les supermarchés (terme adopté pour tous les modes de distribution modernes) s'étendent rapidement dans les pays en développement. Le «décollage » a eu lieu au milieu des années 1990, conduit par une avalanche d'IDE suscités par la libéralisation dans le commerce de détail. Une décennie plus tard, la puissance et la domination des supermarchés est déjà ressentie sur les marchés alimentaires de nombreux pays en développement, et les tensions entre supermarchés et détaillants traditionnels, entre supermarchés et fournisseurs, sont en train de devenir des éléments clés dans les débats politiques et dans les choix de politiques économiques. L'article analyse ces tensions. Il retrace ensuite l'histoire des Etats Unis et de l'Europe de l'ouest dans ce domaine et traite de l'expérience actuelle dans la définition des politiques (régulations et programmes d'appui) pour prendre en compte ces tensions. Il se termine par une analyse des nouvelles approches du secteur de la grande distribution, des tensions créées par sa croissance dans les pays en développement ainsi que par des recommendations.
Working conditions in international seafaring.

BACKGROUND Seafaring is a global profession and seafarers have their second home on board and live there for several months at a time. AIM To assess self-rated health status and the main characteristics of seafarers' working conditions. METHODS Questionnaire study concerning the most recent tour of duty. RESULTS A total of 6,461 seafarers in 11 countries responded. In general, the seafarers' self-rated health was good, but it declined significantly with age. Seafarers from South-East Asian countries spent longer time periods at sea, and had lower numbers of officers and older seafarers than found among seafarers from western countries. Most seafarers worked every day of the week, and on average for 67-70 h a week during periods of 2.5-8.5 months at sea. CONCLUSIONS Seafarers' self-rated health was generally good but varied significantly by country. Working conditions also differed by country but did not reflect working conditions in general. Further studies are necessary to describe more closely the influence of work schedules on the health and social life of seafarers.