Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional Recovery from Desensitization of Vanilloid Receptor TRPV1 Requires Resynthesis of Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate

Capsaicin and other naturally occurring pungent molecules have long been used as topical analgesics to treat a variety of chronic pain conditions. The analgesic effects of these compounds involve long-term desensitization of nociceptors after strong stimulation. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we studied the recovery from desensitization of the vanilloid receptor TRPV1. We showed that prolonged applications of capsaicin led to nearly complete desensitization of the channel and that its functional recovery from desensitization required a high concentration of intracellular ATP. Nonhydrolyzable ATP analogs did not substitute for ATP to promote recovery. Neither inhibition nor activation of protein kinases prevented recovery of the channel from desensitization. In contrast, blockade of lipid kinases, in particular phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase, abolished recovery, as did activation of membrane receptors that stimulate hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate (PIP2). Additional experiments using the PIP2-sensitive inward rectifier potassium channel Kir2.1 as a biosensor showed a high degree of temporal correlation between the two channels on both functional suppression after capsaicin stimulation and subsequent recovery. These data suggest that depletion of PIP2 occurs concomitantly with activation of TRPV1 and its replenishment in the membrane determines recovery of the channel from desensitization. In addition to revealing a new role of phosphoinositide signaling in regulation of nociception, our results provide novel insight into the topical mechanisms of the analgesic effects of capsaicin and the strategies to improve its effectiveness.
Beyond Independent Agreement: A Tournament Selection Approach for Quality Assurance of Human Computation Tasks

Quality assurance remains a key topic in human computation research field. Prior work indicates independent agreement is effective for low difficulty tasks, but has limitations. This paper addresses this problem by proposing a tournament selection based quality control process. The experimental results from this paper show that the human are better at identifying the correct answers than producing them themselves.
Family study of fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE To assess for familial aggregation of fibromyalgia (FM) and measures of tenderness and pain, and for familial coaggregation of FM and major mood disorder (major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder). METHODS Probands meeting the American College of Rheumatology criteria for FM and control probands with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and no lifetime diagnosis of FM were recruited from consecutive referrals to 2 community-based rheumatology practices. Probands were ages 40-55 years and had at least 1 first-degree relative age 18 years or older who was available for interview and examination. All probands and interviewed relatives underwent a dolorimeter tender point examination and a structured clinical interview. Interviewed relatives were asked about first-degree relatives who were not available for interview, using a structured family interview. Logistic and linear regression models, adjusting for the correlation of observation within families, were applied to study the aggregation and coaggregation effects. RESULTS Information was collected for 533 relatives of 78 probands with FM and 272 relatives of 40 probands with RA. FM aggregated strongly in families: the odds ratio (OR) measuring the odds of FM in a relative of a proband with FM versus the odds of FM in a relative of a proband with RA was 8.5 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.8-26, P = 0.0002). The number of tender points was significantly higher, and the total myalgic score was significantly lower in the relatives of probands with FM compared with the relatives of probands with RA. FM coaggregated significantly with major mood disorder: the OR measuring the odds of major mood disorder in a relative of a proband with FM versus the odds of major mood disorder in a relative of a proband with RA was 1.8 (95% CI 1.1-2.9, P = 0.013). CONCLUSION FM and reduced pressure pain thresholds aggregate in families, and FM coaggregates with major mood disorder in families. These findings have important clinical and theoretical implications, including the possibility that genetic factors are involved in the etiology of FM and in pain sensitivity. In addition, mood disorders and FM may share some of these inherited factors.
Evaluation of Antioxidant Activities and Antimutagenicity of Turmeric Oil: A Byproduct from Curcumin Production

Curcumin removed turmeric oleoresin (CRTO) was extracted with hexane and concentrated to get turmeric oil, and that was fractionated using silica gel column chromatography to obtain three fractions. These fractions were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Turmeric oil contained aromatic turmerone (31.32%), turmerone (15.08%) and curlone (9.7%), whereas fractions III has aromatic turmerone (44.5%), curlone (19.22%) and turmerone (10.88%) as major compounds. Also, oxygenated compounds (5,6,8-10) were enriched in fraction III. Turmeric oil and its fractions were tested for antioxidant activity using the β-carotene-linoleate model system and the phosphomolybdenum method. The fraction III showed maximum antioxidant capacity. These fractions were also used to determine their protective effect against the mutagenicity of sodium azide by means of the Ames test. All the fractions and turmeric oil exhibited a markedly antimutagenicity but fraction III was the most effective. The antioxidant effects of turmeric oil and its fractions may provide an explanation for their antimutagenic action.
Streaming of Complex 3D Scenes for Remote Walkthroughs

We describe a new 3D scene streaming approach for remote walkthroughs. In a remote walkthrough, a user on a client machine interactively navigates through a scene that resides on a remote server. Our approach allows a user to walk through a remote 3D scene, without ever having to download the entire scene from the server. Our algorithm achieves this by selectively transmitting only small parts of the scene and lower quality representations of objects, based on the user's viewing parameters and the available connection bandwidth. An online optimization algorithm selects which object representations to send, based on the integral of a benefit measure along the predicted path of movement. The rendering quality at the client depends on the available bandwidth, but practical navigation of the scene is possible even when bandwidth is low.
On taxonomy of evolutionary computation problems

Taxonomy is the practice of classifying members of a group based on their measurable characteristics. In evolutionary computation the problem of telling when two problems are similar is both challenging and important. An accurate classification technique would yield large benefits by permitting a researcher to rationally choose algorithm and parameter setting based on past experience. A good classification technique would also permit the selection of diverse test suites that would give a useful sense of the proper domain of application of a new technique. This study uses a standard taxonomic technique, hierarchical clustering, on a set of taxonomic characters derived from a comparative study using graph based evolutionary algorithms. The result is a cladogram that classifies the problems used in a reasonable fashion. Based on this we then argue that the technique given here can be used to provide an objective, automatic, extensible classification tool for any collection of evolutionary problems and discuss possible methods for improving the technique.
Weber's Test and Recruitment

RECRUITMENT is a symptom which is present in lesions of the organ of Corti, typically found in Meniere's disease. When threshold stimuli are applied to the ears they are heard at different loudness levels, one ear hears the tone of similar threshold intensity louder than the other. But at a higher level above threshold, depending on the severity of the cochlear lesion, similar intensity tones are heard as of equal loudness in both ears, the affected ear being said to have recruited. It is quite possible for both ears to be recruiting; any inequality of recruiting would show as recruitment of the more affected ear by the balancing methods of testing. In Meniere's disease this inequality of labyrinth function is an essential to the production of the vertiginous attack. It must be remembered that the cochlea, vestibular apparatus and semicircular canals are in one continuous endolymphatic system. Recruitment is related to the manner in which the hair cells are innervated. The peripheral cells, those nearer the middle of the basilar membrane, are connected to the vestibular nerve by fewer nerve fibres than those placed nearer the modiolus. In a similar manner these peripheral cells receive less vascular connections than the inner cells because the vessels are terminal ones.
Left or right kidney in hand-assisted donor nephrectomy? A randomised controlled trial

Disclaimer/Complaints regulations If you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: http://uba.uva. nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible.
Relationship of military deployment recency, frequency, duration, and combat exposure to alcohol use in the Air Force.

OBJECTIVE With today's new military deployment environment, characterized by more frequent and longer deployments, significant attention has focused on the effects of deployment on problem behaviors, including alcohol use. The current study examined the relationship between aspects of deployment and alcohol use. METHOD The data for the current study were collected as part of the Air Force Community Assessment survey, an anonymous Web-based survey of Air Force members. The survey was administered to a stratified random sample of 56,137 active duty Air Force members across 80 bases worldwide; 78% were male and 22% were female. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test measured the rate of alcohol problems. Deployment histories were collected using a series of questions that asked respondents about various aspects and characteristics of their recent deployments. RESULTS Logistic regression was used to examine the impact of various aspects of deployment on problem drinking. After controlling for demographic variables related to the likelihood of problem drinking, both a higher frequency of deployment and a greater total cumulative length of time deployed since September 11, 2001, were associated with a higher likelihood of problem drinking. For each increase in deployment frequency category the odds that an Air Force member was a problem drinker increased by 14%, and for each additional year spent deployed the odds increased by 23%. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate a significant relationship between deployment and problem drinking. However, most members who deployed multiple times remained resilient. This points to the need for future research on protective factors that foster resiliency.
Phytochrome Chromophore Biosynthesis : Both 5-Aminolevulinic Acid and Biliverdin Overcome Inhibition by Gabaculine in Etiolated Avena sativa L. Seedlings.

Etiolated Avena sativa L. seedlings grown in the presence of gabaculine (5-amino-1,3-cyclohexadienylcarboxylic acid) contained reduced levels of phytochrome as shown by spectrophotometric and immunochemical assays. Photochromic phytochrome levels in gabaculine-grown plants were estimated to be 20% of control plants, while immunoblot analysis showed that the phytochrome protein moiety was present at approximately 50% of control levels. Gabaculine-grown seedlings administered either 5-aminolevulinic acid or biliverdin exhibited a rapid increase of spectrophotometrically detectable phytochrome. Phytochrome concentrations estimated immunochemically did not similarly increase throughout treatment with either compound. Similar experiments with 5-amino[4-(14)C] levulinic acid showed radiolabeling of phytochrome with kinetics that paralleled the spectrally detected increase. These results are consistent with (a) the intermediacy of both 5-aminolevulinic acid and biliverdin in the biosynthetic pathway of the phytochrome chromophore and (b) the lack of coordinate regulation of chromophore and apoprotein synthesis in Avena seedlings.
Genetic Architecture of Mitochondrial Editing in Arabidopsis thaliana

We have analyzed the mitochondrial editing behavior of two Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, Landsberg erecta (Ler) and Columbia (Col). A survey of 362 C-to-U editing sites in 33 mitochondrial genes was conducted on RNA extracted from rosette leaves. We detected 67 new editing events in A. thaliana rosette leaves that had not been observed in a prior study of mitochondrial editing in suspension cultures. Furthermore, 37 of the 441 C-to-U editing events reported in A. thaliana suspension cultures were not observed in rosette leaves. Forty editing sites that are polymorphic in extent of editing were detected between Col and Ler. Silent editing sites, which do not change the encoded amino acid, were found in a large excess compared to nonsilent sites among the editing events that differed between accessions and between tissue types. Dominance relationships were assessed for 15 of the most polymorphic sites by evaluating the editing values of the reciprocal hybrids. Dominance is more common in nonsilent sites than in silent sites, while additivity was observed only in silent sites. A maternal effect was detected for 8 sites. QTL mapping with recombinant inbred lines detected 12 major QTL for 11 of the 13 editing traits analyzed, demonstrating that efficiency of editing of individual mitochondrial C targets is generally governed by a major factor.
Human G Protein–Coupled Receptor Gpr-9-6/Cc Chemokine Receptor 9 Is Selectively Expressed on Intestinal Homing T Lymphocytes, Mucosal Lymphocytes, and Thymocytes and Is Required for Thymus-Expressed Chemokine–Mediated Chemotaxis

TECK (thymus-expressed chemokine), a recently described CC chemokine expressed in thymus and small intestine, was found to mediate chemotaxis of human G protein–coupled receptor GPR-9-6/L1.2 transfectants. This activity was blocked by anti–GPR-9-6 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 3C3. GPR-9-6 is expressed on a subset of memory α4β7high intestinal trafficking CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes. In addition, all intestinal lamina propria and intraepithelial lymphocytes express GPR-9-6. In contrast, GPR-9-6 is not displayed on cutaneous lymphocyte antigen–positive (CLA+) memory CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes, which traffic to skin inflammatory sites, or on other systemic α4β7−CLA− memory CD4/CD8 lymphocytes. The majority of thymocytes also express GPR-9-6, but natural killer cells, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and neutrophils are GPR-9-6 negative. Transcripts of GPR-9-6 and TECK are present in both small intestine and thymus. Importantly, the expression profile of GPR-9-6 correlates with migration to TECK of blood T lymphocytes and thymocytes. As migration of these cells is blocked by anti–GPR-9-6 mAb 3C3, we conclude that GPR-9-6 is the principal chemokine receptor for TECK. In agreement with the nomenclature rules for chemokine receptors, we propose the designation CCR-9 for GPR-9-6. The selective expression of TECK and GPR-9-6 in thymus and small intestine implies a dual role for GPR-9-6/CCR-9, both in T cell development and the mucosal immune response.
Comparing Adjoint- and Ensemble-Sensitivity Analysis with Applications to Observation Targeting

Abstract The sensitivity of numerical weather forecasts to small changes in initial conditions is estimated using ensemble samples of analysis and forecast errors. Ensemble sensitivity is defined here by linear regression of analysis errors onto a given forecast metric. It is shown that ensemble sensitivity is proportional to the projection of the analysis-error covariance onto the adjoint-sensitivity field. Furthermore, the ensemble-sensitivity approach proposed here involves a small calculation that is easy to implement. Ensemble- and adjoint-based sensitivity fields are compared for a representative wintertime flow pattern near the west coast of North America for a 90-member ensemble of independent initial conditions derived from an ensemble Kalman filter. The forecast metric is taken for simplicity to be the 24-h forecast of sea level pressure at a single point in western Washington State. Results show that adjoint and ensemble sensitivities are very different in terms of location, scale, and magnitud.
Biofeedback for pelvic floor dysfunction in constipation

Pelvic floor dyssynergia is one of the commonest subtypes of constipation, and the conventional treatment (dietary fibre and laxatives) is often unsatisfactory. Recently biofeedback training has been introduced as an alternative treatment. The authors review the evidence for this approach and conclude that, although controlled studies are few and open to criticism, about two thirds of patients with pelvic floor dyssynergia should benefit from biofeedback training Chronic constipation is a common self reported gastrointestinal problem that affects between 2% and 34% of adults in various populations studied. Among the subtypes of constipation, obstructed defecation seems particularly common, occurring in about 7% of the adult population.1 In most people with this conditionan inappropriate (paradoxical) contraction or a failed relaxation of the puborectal muscle and of the external anal sphincter often occurs during attempts to defecate (fig 1). This paradoxical contraction of the pelvic floor muscles during straining at defecation is considered a form of maladaptive learning and is generally defined (without specifying the underlying pathophysiological mechanism) as outlet dysfunction constipation or, more precisely, pelvic floor dyssynergia.2 Fig 1 Anorectal manometric tracings of a normal subject (upper tracing) and a patient with pelvic floor dyssynergia (lower tracing) during straining at defecation (arrows). Note that the normal subject relaxes the anal sphincter, whereas the patient displays a paradoxical contraction of the sphincter Cardinal symptoms of pelvic floor dyssynergia are straining at stools and feelings of incomplete evacuation, and the diagnostic criteria, recently updated in the Rome II report, include those for functional constipation (see box)3 plus at least two out of three investigations (radiology, manometry, and electromyography) showing inappropriate contraction or failure to relax the pelvic floor muscles during attempts to defecate.2 #### Summary points Obstructed defecation is a common subtype of constipation that may not be responsive to treatment with laxatives and dietary …
Noise-Robust Speech Recognition

The presence of noise in the real world is a major problem in the every day usage of speech recognition systems since it normally leads to a significant performance decrease. The main problem is the mismatch between training and operational data. This paper tries to give an overview about the different techniques and algorithms used to improve accuracy for recognizing speech in a noisy environment. In practice ASR systems use a combination of several of this methods to achive better recognition rates. In general we can seperate the techniques into two classes. The first one concentrates to on the compensation of noise during the preprocessing stage (feature mapping). This can be done by extracting features in a way that the feaure vectors are not affected by the noise. The other possibility is to actively reduce the noise by filtering or transforming the data. The second class of techniques tries to adapt the recognizer model to compensate the influence of noise. This paper briefly describes examples for all mentioned classes of techniques.
Air quality as respiratory health indicator — a critical review

As part of the European Public Health project IMCA II validity and practicability of “air pollution” as a respiratory health indicator were analyzed. The definitions of air quality as an indicator proposed by the WHO project ECOEHIS and by IMCA I were compared. The public availability of the necessary data was checked through access to web-based data-bases. Practicability and interpretation of the indicator were discussed with project partners and external experts. Air quality serves as a kind of benchmark for the good health-related environmental policy. In this sense, it is a relevant health indicator. Although air quality is not directly in the responsibility of health policy, its vital importance for the population’s health should not be neglected. In principle, data is available to calculate this IMCA indicator for any chosen area in Europe. The indicator is relevant and informative, but calculation and interpretation need input from local expert knowledge. The European health policy is well advised to take air quality into account. To that end, an interdisciplinary approach is warranted. The proposed definition of air quality as a (respiratory) health indicator is workable, but correct interpretation depends on expert and local knowledge.
A model for Application Slowdown Estimation in on-chip networks and its use for improving system fairness and performance

In a network-on-chip (NoC) based system, the NoC is a shared resource among multiple processor cores. Network requests generated by different applications running on different cores can interfere with each other, leading to a slowdown in performance of each application. The degree of slowdown introduced by this interference varies for each application, as it depends on (1) the sensitivity of the application to NoC performance, and (2) network traffic induced by other applications running concurrently on the system. In modern systems, NoC interference is largely uncontrolled, and therefore some applications unfairly slow down much more than others. This can lead to overall system performance degradation, prevent fair progress of different applications, and cause starvation of unfairly-treated applications. Our goal is to accurately model the slowdown of each application executing on the system due to NoC interference at runtime, and to use this information to improve system performance and reduce unfairness. To this end, we propose the NoC Application Slowdown (NAS) Model, the first online model that accurately estimates how much network delays due to interference contribute to the overall stall time of each application. The key idea of NAS is to determine how the delays induced at each level of network data transmission overlap with each other, and to use the overlap information to calculate the net impact of the delays on application stall time. Our model determines the application slowdowns at runtime with a very low error rate, averaging 4.2% over 90 multiprogrammed workloads for an 8×8 mesh network. We use NAS to develop Fairness-Aware Source Throttling (FAST), a mechanism that employs slowdown predictions to control the network injection rates of applications in a way that minimizes system unfairness. Our results over a variety of multiprogrammed workloads show that FAST improves average system fairness and performance by 9.5% and 5.2%, respectively.