Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
βArrestins in Cardiac G Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling and Function: Partners in Crime or “Good Cop, Bad Cop”?

βarrestin (βarr)-1 and -2 (βarrs) (or Arrestin-2 and -3, respectively) are universal G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) adapter proteins expressed abundantly in extra-retinal tissues, including the myocardium. Both were discovered in the lab of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry co-laureate Robert Lefkowitz, initially as terminators of signaling from the β-adrenergic receptor (βAR), a process known as functional desensitization. They are now known to switch GPCR signaling from G protein-dependent to G protein-independent, which, in the case of βARs and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), might be beneficial, e.g., anti-apoptotic, for the heart. However, the specific role(s) of each βarr isoform in cardiac GPCR signaling and function (or dysfunction in disease), remain unknown. The current consensus is that, whereas both βarr isoforms can desensitize and internalize cardiac GPCRs, they play quite different (even opposing in certain instances) roles in the G protein-independent signaling pathways they initiate in the cardiovascular system, including in the myocardium. The present review will discuss the current knowledge in the field of βarrs and their roles in GPCR signaling and function in the heart, focusing on the three most important, for cardiac physiology, GPCR types (β1AR, β2AR & AT1R), and will also highlight important questions that currently remain unanswered.
Traditional and New Methods of Assessing Coping in Sport

Over recent years, a variety of different methods have been employed in sport to measure coping among athletes. A large volume of research has used traditional methods such as questionnaires and interviews. However, more recently researchers have adapted different techniques from the mainstream psychology literature such as concept maps, diaries, think aloud protocols. One method that has not been used in sport, but has potential is Ecological Momentary Assessment. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the various methods used to assess coping, illustrate how each method can be used, and discuss its strengths and limitations.
Toward the Successful Employment of Adults with Autism: A First Analysis of Special Interests and Factors Deemed Important for Vocational Performance

Abstract Background: Adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and with intelligence quotients in the normal range are disproportionately affected by unemployment. Objective: We sought to assess special interests that could bear potential for employment as well as factors deemed relevant for work performance in adults with ASD. Method: A newly compiled self-report online questionnaire was administered to high-functioning adults with ASD to assess special interests as well as factors that both interfere with and facilitate work performance. Results: Participants reported that they spent an average of 26 hours per week on their special interests, and their average level of proficiency was rated as very good. Although special interests were reported to be in the social sciences and the creative fields as often as they were in the natural sciences and technology/engineering, the most common approach taken within those fields was systemizing rather than a creative or knowledge-acquiring pursuit. Social interaction problems with coworkers and superiors as well as sensory issues were most often rated as interfering with work performance. In addition, mental underload was rated as an important factor that interfered with work performance, whereas excessive demands were not. Among the factors most often reported to facilitate work performance were employers’ and colleagues’ awareness of the individual’s ASD diagnosis. Conclusion: Our data suggest that special interests among individuals with ASD may bear important potential for employment. Given the focus on systemizing in this population, recent efforts to create job opportunities in the information technology sector specifically for high-functioning individuals with ASD are a promising start. However, these efforts should be expanded into other fields.
Measles Virus Host Invasion and Pathogenesis

Measles virus is a highly contagious negative strand RNA virus that is transmitted via the respiratory route and causes systemic disease in previously unexposed humans and non-human primates. Measles is characterised by fever and skin rash and usually associated with cough, coryza and conjunctivitis. A hallmark of measles is the transient immune suppression, leading to increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections. At the same time, the disease is paradoxically associated with induction of a robust virus-specific immune response, resulting in lifelong immunity to measles. Identification of CD150 and nectin-4 as cellular receptors for measles virus has led to new perspectives on tropism and pathogenesis. In vivo studies in non-human primates have shown that the virus initially infects CD150+ lymphocytes and dendritic cells, both in circulation and in lymphoid tissues, followed by virus transmission to nectin-4 expressing epithelial cells. The abilities of the virus to cause systemic infection, to transmit to numerous new hosts via droplets or aerosols and to suppress the host immune response for several months or even years after infection make measles a remarkable disease. This review briefly highlights current topics in studies of measles virus host invasion and pathogenesis.
Solutions to the Hard Problem of Consciousness

The invention provides a method and apparatus for removing suspended solids from liquids. In carrying out the method, a liquid containing suspended solids is delivered to a screen with a directional component across the screen surface and a directional component through the screen. The screen has openings that are large enough to pass a majority of the suspended solids, and the screen has the ability to hold a layer of the solids on the upstream side thereof. The flow of the liquid is controlled so that the coating is formed and maintained on the screen, and serves as a filtration medium. The invention also provides improved apparatus which comprises means defining a liquid filtration zone having a screen separating it into influent and effluent zones. The screen has openings large enough to pass the majority of suspended solids and has the ability to hold a layer of the solids on the upstream side. Means are provided for delivering liquids and suspended solids to the screen with a directional component parallel to the face of the screen and a directional component through the screen.
Fostering creativity in the classroom: General principles

This is a manuscript version of Cropley, A. J. (1995). Fostering creativity in the classroom: General principles. In M. Runco (Ed.), The creativity research handbook Vol. 1 (pp.83-114). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press. If you cite it, please use this reference. NOTE: The table on page 5 is an updated version of the table in the published version of the chapter. The figure on page 21 is also an updated (although somewhat simplified) version of the figure in the published version of the chapter.
Connectivity for the Frisbee Architecture

In this paper we investigate the k-connectivity threshold of distributed dense ad hoc heterogeneous wireless sensor network architecture. We consider the situation when sensors are deployed in the surveillance area according to a uniform distribution perturbed by a Gaussian noise. We derive analytically the minimum detection range which guarantees an emerging structure in the network, namely the connectivity, which becomes larger and larger as the number of sensors in the network increase. This allows the target track to be propagated almost surely throughout the network using the minimum possible amount of prime energy. We report the results of some simulation experiments which further support the theoretical results
Left atrial structure and function in atrial fibrillation: ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48.

AIMS The complex relationship between left atrial (LA) structure and function, electrical burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke risk is not well understood. We aimed to describe LA structure and function in AF. METHODS AND RESULTS Left atrial structure and function was assessed in 971 subjects enrolled in the echocardiographic substudy of ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48. Left atrial size, emptying fraction (LAEF), and contractile function were compared across AF types (paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent) and CHADS2 scores as an estimate of stroke risk. The majority of AF patients (55%) had both LA enlargement and reduced LAEF, with an inverse relationship between LA size and LAEF (R = -0.57, P < 0.001). With an increasing electrical burden of AF and higher CHADS2 scores, LA size increased and LAEF declined. Moreover, 19% of AF subjects had impaired LAEF despite normal LA size, and LA contractile dysfunction was present even among the subset of AF subjects in sinus rhythm at the time of echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS In a contemporary AF population, LA structure and function were increasingly abnormal with a greater electrical burden of AF and higher stroke risk estimated by the CHADS2 score. Moreover, LA dysfunction was present despite normal LA size and sinus rhythm, suggesting that the assessment of LA function may add important incremental information in the evaluation of AF patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION http://www.clinicaltrials. gov; ID = NCT00781391.
The Role of Protein Kinase C in Cerebral Ischemic and Reperfusion Injury

Background and Purpose— Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death in the United States, yet limited therapeutic options exist. The need for novel neuroprotective agents has spurred efforts to understand the intracellular signaling pathways that mediate cellular response to stroke. Protein kinase C (PKC) plays a central role in mediating ischemic and reperfusion damage in multiple tissues, including the brain. However, because of conflicting reports, it remains unclear whether PKC is involved in cell survival signaling, or mediates detrimental processes. Summary of Review— This review will examine the role of PKC activity in stroke. In particular, we will focus on more recent insights into the PKC isozyme-specific responses in neuronal preconditioning and in ischemia and reperfusion-induced stress. Conclusion— Examination of PKC isozyme activities during stroke demonstrates the clinical promise of PKC isozyme-specific modulators for the treatment of cerebral ischemia.
Do pretty sites sell better? : the effects of aesthetics on consumer buying behaviour: an experiment on consumer electronics webshops

It is hypothesised that while both types of aesthetics have a positive influence on the buying intentions of all types of visitors, classical aesthetics have a stronger positive effect on the buying intentions of utilitarian shoppers, and expressive aesthetics have a stronger positive effect on the buying intentions of hedonic shoppers. Using a randomised experiment which resulted in a dataset of over 500 cases, these hypotheses were tested using statistical analyses. These analyses lead to the conclusion that indeed a strong presence of either form of aesthetics has a positive influence on the buying intentions of both types of shoppers. Furthermore, evidence showed that the positive influence of classic aesthetics is stronger for utilitarian shoppers than for hedonic shoppers. However, no significant variation was found between the positive effects of expressive aesthetics on buying intentions of hedonic and utilitarian visitors. Lastly it can be concluded that the positive relationship between classic aesthetics and buying intentions is more significant for both types of shoppers than the positive relation between expressive aesthetics and buying intentions.
Probanden im sozialtherapeutischen Strafvollzug: Delinquenzbelastung, Biographie und Persönlichkeitsmerkmale

Zusammenfassung Nach wie vor ist umstritten, an welchen Risikofaktoren eine (sozial-)therapeutische Behandlung ansetzen muss, um das Rückfallrisiko bei Straftätern zu minimieren. Das bedeutet für die kriminologische Wirkungsforschung, dass eine möglichst umfassende und detaillierte Erfassung der Ausgangslage der Probanden zu Beginn der Therapie grundlegend ist. Die ersten Ergebnisse dieser Langzeitstudie zeigen, dass die Probanden einer der größten sozialtherapeutischen Anstalten im deutschen Strafvollzug – überwiegend Sexualstraftäter – hinsichtlich ihrer Vorstrafen polydelinquent sind und deutliche Dissozialitätsmerkmale in ihrer Biographie aufweisen. In der psychologischen Diagnostik ließen sich jedoch bisher nur wenige Auffälligkeiten abbilden.
MicroRNA Gene Polymorphisms and Environmental Factors Increase Patient Susceptibility to Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA fragments that naturally exist in the human body. Through various physiological mechanisms, miRNAs can generate different functions for regulating RNA protein levels and balancing abnormalities. Abnormal miRNA expression has been reported to be highly related to several diseases and cancers. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs have been reported to increase patient susceptibility and affect patient prognosis and survival. We adopted a case-control research design to verify the relationship between miRNAs and hepatocellular carcinoma. Methodology/Principal Findings A total of 525 subjects, including 377 controls and 188 hepatocellular carcinoma patients, were selected. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and real-time PCR were used to analyze miRNA146a (rs2910164), miRNA149 (rs2292832), miRNA196 (rs11614913), and miRNA499 (rs3746444) genetic polymorphisms between the control group and the case group. The results indicate that people who carry the rs3746444 CT or CC genotypes may have a significantly increased susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.88–4.30). In addition, when combined with environmental risk factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, interaction effects were observed between gene polymorphisms and environmental factors (odds ratio [OR] = 4.69, 95% CI = 2.52–8.70; AOR = 3.38, 95% CI = 1.68–6.80). Conclusions These results suggest that a significant association exists between miRNA499 SNPs and hepatocellular carcinoma. Gene-environment interactions of miRNA499 polymorphisms, smoking, and alcohol consumption might alter hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Ameliorates Behavioral Deficits and Reduces Oxidative Stress in 1‐Methyl‐4‐Phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐Tetrahydropyridine‐Induced Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathological process of Parkinson's disease (PD). The present study was designed to investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the oxidative stress in a mouse model of PD induced by 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP).
Proximal Femoral Stress Reaction in A Military Recruit - A Treatment Prospect

Introduction: Stress fractures occur in individuals in whom repetitive strenuous muscle and tendon force act on bone; that have not adapted to such forces. Under a constant load, osteoclast resorption and osteoblastic reconstruction of bone are in equilibrium, resulting in normal remodeling. If loading increases, additional bone resorption occurs. Increased osteoclastic activity at sites of stress may cause local weakening and predispose to micro damage. If allowed to progress, such micro fractures may progress to complete fractures. Case Report: A 30-year-old man presented with right thigh pain for 3 days without any history of significant trauma. He was a military recruit with history of running 5 miles a day for last 12 years and was running 20 miles a day for last 5 days before he developed pain. Examination revealed pain to palpation along the proximal medial and lateral right thigh. Range of motion was painful and limited. Radiograph of right hip showed fracture line in intertrochanteric region of femur. Conclusion: Here we have reported a case of stress fracture of proximal femur in intertrochanteric region which to our knowledge has not been reported in the literature so far. This fracture is important to recognize early as there are high chances of displacement resulting in increased risk of complications. We suggest immediate anatomical reduction and stable internal fixation to prevent complications and early mobilization to decrease the morbidity.
Introducing XCS to Coverage Directed test Generation

Coverage Directed test Generation (CDG) is rife with challenges and problems, despite the relative successes of machine learning methodologies over the years in automating it. This paper introduces the use of the eXtended Classifier System (XCS) in simulation-based digital design verification. It argues for the use of this novel genetics-based machine learning technique to perform effective CDG by learning the full mapping between coverage results and test generator directives. Using the resulting production rules, efficient test suites can be constructed, and inference on the validity of the verification environment can be made. There is great potential in using XCS for design verification and this paper forms an initial attempt to highlight the associated advantages. The technique requires no domain knowledge to setup and satisfies important CDG requirements. Once matured, it is expected to be utilized seamlessly in any industrial level simulation-based verification process.
An Evolutionary Algorithm for Identification of Non-Stationary Linear Plants With Time Delay

The identification of time delay in the linear plant is one of the important tasks. It is especially hard problem when the plant is non-stationary. New possibility in this field is opened by application of an evolutionary algorithm. The method of identification proposed in the paper is based on three classes of input signals. In the first case we can obtain and operate on the whole unit step response. In the second way we operate on a random signal of control, and in the last we have the stairs input signal. The identification without and with disturbances is considered.
Over 30 million psychedelic users in the United States

We estimated lifetime prevalence of psychedelic use (lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin (magic mushrooms), mescaline, and peyote) by age category using data from a 2010 US population survey of 57,873 individuals aged 12 years and older. There were approximately 32 million lifetime psychedelic users in the US in 2010; including 17% of people aged 21 to 64 years (22% of males and 12% of females). Rate of lifetime psychedelic use was greatest among people aged 30 to 34 (total 20%, including 26% of males and 15% of females).
The Role of the Immune Response in Chlamydia trachomatis Infection of the Male Genital Tract: A Double-Edged Sword

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the world, with more than 100 million cases reported annually. While there have been extensive studies into the adverse effects that CT infection has on the female genital tract, and on the subsequent ability of these women to conceive, studies into the consequences on male fertility have been limited and controversial. This is in part due to the asymptomatic nature of the infection, where it is estimated that 50% of men with Chlamydia fail to show any symptoms. It is accepted, however, that acute and/or persistent CT infection is the causative agent for conditions such as urethritis, epididymitis, epididymo-orchitis, and potentially prostatitis. As with most infections, the immune system plays a fundamental role in the body’s attempts to eradicate the infection. The first and most important immune response to Chlamydia infection is a local one, whereby immune cells such as leukocytes are recruited to the site of infections, and subsequently secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as interferon gamma. Immune cells also work to initiate and potentiate chronic inflammation through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the release of molecules with degradative properties including defensins, elastase, collagenase, cathespins, and lysozyme. This long-term inflammation can lead to cell proliferation (a possible precursor to cancer), tissue remodeling, and scarring, as well as being linked to the onset of autoimmune responses in genetically disposed individuals. This review will focus on the ability of the immune system to recognize and clear acute and persistent chlamydial infections in the male genital tract, and on the paradoxical damage that chronic inflammation resulting from the infection can cause on the reproductive health of the individual.
Web impact factors and search engine coverage

Search engines index only a proportion of the web and this proportion is not determined randomly but by following algorithms that take into account the properties that impact factors measure. A survey was conducted in order to test the coverage of search engines and to decide whether their partial coverage is indeed an obstacle to using them to calculate web impact factors. The results indicate that search engine coverage, even of large national domains is extremely uneven and would be likely to lead to misleading calculations.
Building a linguistic corpus from bee dance data

This paper discusses the problems and possibility of collecting bee dance data in a linguistic \textit{corpus} and use linguistic instruments such as Zipf's law and entropy statistics to decide on the question whether the dance carries information of any kind. We describe this against the historical background of attempts to analyse non-human communication systems.
Tfap2a Promotes Specification and Maturation of Neurons in the Inner Ear through Modulation of Bmp, Fgf and Notch Signaling

Neurons of the statoacoustic ganglion (SAG) transmit auditory and vestibular information from the inner ear to the hindbrain. SAG neuroblasts originate in the floor of the otic vesicle. New neuroblasts soon delaminate and migrate towards the hindbrain while continuing to proliferate, a phase known as transit amplification. SAG cells eventually come to rest between the ear and hindbrain before terminally differentiating. Regulation of these events is only partially understood. Fgf initiates neuroblast specification within the ear. Subsequently, Fgf secreted by mature SAG neurons exceeds a maximum threshold, serving to terminate specification and delay maturation of transit-amplifying cells. Notch signaling also limits SAG development, but how it is coordinated with Fgf is unknown. Here we show that transcription factor Tfap2a coordinates multiple signaling pathways to promote neurogenesis in the zebrafish inner ear. In both zebrafish and chick, Tfap2a is expressed in a ventrolateral domain of the otic vesicle that includes neurogenic precursors. Functional studies were conducted in zebrafish. Loss of Tfap2a elevated Fgf and Notch signaling, thereby inhibiting SAG specification and slowing maturation of transit-amplifying cells. Conversely, overexpression of Tfap2a inhibited Fgf and Notch signaling, leading to excess and accelerated SAG production. However, most SAG neurons produced by Tfap2a overexpression died soon after maturation. Directly blocking either Fgf or Notch caused less dramatic acceleration of SAG development without neuronal death, whereas blocking both pathways mimicked all observed effects of Tfap2a overexpression, including apoptosis of mature neurons. Analysis of genetic mosaics showed that Tfap2a acts non-autonomously to inhibit Fgf. This led to the discovery that Tfap2a activates expression of Bmp7a, which in turn inhibits both Fgf and Notch signaling. Blocking Bmp signaling reversed the effects of overexpressing Tfap2a. Together, these data support a model in which Tfap2a, acting through Bmp7a, modulates Fgf and Notch signaling to control the duration, amount and speed of SAG neural development.