Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biochemical properties of regulatory peptides derived from milk proteins.

Biologically active peptides derived from milk proteins are inactive within the sequence of the precursor proteins but can be released by enzymatic proteolysis. Based on structure-activity studies, peptides with a defined bioactivity show common structural features. Moreover, many milk protein-derived peptides reveal multifunctional bioactivities. Bioactive peptide fragments originating from milk proteins should be taken into account as potential modulators of various regulatory processes in the body. Opioid peptides are opioid receptor ligands with agonistic or antagonistic activities. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides can exert an antihypertensive effect. Immunomodulating casein peptides have been found to stimulate the proliferation of human lymphocytes and the phagocytic activities of macrophages. Antimicrobial peptides have been shown to kill sensitive microorganisms. Antithrombotic peptides inhibit the fibrinogen binding to a specific receptor region on the platelet surface and also inhibit aggregation of platelets. Casein phosphopeptides can form soluble organophosphate salts and may function as carriers for different minerals, especially calcium. In relation to their mode of action, bioactive peptides may reach target sites (e.g., receptors, enzymes) at the luminal side of the intestinal tract or after absorption, in peripheral organs. The physiological significance of bioactive peptides as exogenous regulatory substances is not yet fully understood. Nevertheless, several bioactive peptides derived from milk proteins have been shown to exert beneficial physiological effects. Milk-derived peptides were already produced on an industrial scale and as a consequence these peptides have been considered for application both as dietary supplements in "functional foods" and as drugs.
A Unifying Response Time Analysis Framework for Dynamic Self-Suspending Tasks

For real-time embedded systems, self-suspending behaviors can cause substantial performance/schedulability degradations. In this paper, we focus on preemptive fixed-priority scheduling for the dynamic self-suspension task model on uniprocessor. This model assumes that a job of a task can dynamically suspend itself during its execution (for instance, to wait for shared resources or access co-processors or external devices). The total suspension time of a job is upper-bounded, but this dynamic behavior drastically influences the interference generated by this task on lower-priority tasks. The state-of-the-art results for this task model can be classified into three categories (i) modeling suspension as computation, (ii) modeling suspension as release jitter, and (iii) modeling suspension as a blocking term. However, several results associated to the release jitter approach have been recently proven to be erroneous, and the concept of modeling suspension as blocking was never formally proven correct. This paper presents a unifying response time analysis framework for the dynamic self-suspending task model. We provide a rigorous proof and show that the existing analyses pertaining to the three categories mentioned above are analytically dominated by our proposed solution. Therefore, all those techniques are in fact correct, but they are inferior to the proposed response time analysis in this paper. The evaluation results show that our analysis framework can generate huge improvements (an increase of up to 50% of the number of task sets deemed schedulable) over these state-of-the-art analyses.
Willingness‐to‐Pay for Sporting Success of Football Bundesliga Teams

This study shows that fans and people living in the region of 28 Football Bundesliga teams from all three divisions are willing to support their team financially. Survey respondents were asked for their willingness-to-pay to avoid a negative outcome (e.g., relegation) and to achieve a positive outcome (e.g., promotion). Fan bonds are applied as an alternative payment vehicle within the contingent valuation method. The results show that different factors affect the decision to support the team and the actual amount of willingness-to-pay – for attendees and non-attendees. Public goods are particularly relevant for reporting a positive willingness-to-pay. Key Words: Contingent valuation method; Bundesliga; Fan bonds; Public goods; Sporting success; Willingness-to-pay
A Hardware-Accelerated Patch Search Engine for Image Completion

This paper proposes a GPU-accelerated patch search engine that efficiently Alls the unknown regions of an image caused by replacement or removal of part of the foreground. Previous approaches, such as inpainting and texture synthesis, are either fast, but not applicable for small-scale regions, or slow, but fills large regions with good quality. The algorithm in this paper is based on the patch-based best-fit searching strategy, in which a partly-known patch is filled by searching the known part of the image for a patch of pixels closely matching the known neighbors. This keeps the linear structure and texture of the image. Each patch is represented as a stream and processed in parallel in the GPU. We found that the exhaustive searching strategies used in previous work are the main cause of inefficiency; most matches are located in the neighborhood of the target patch. Inspired by this spatial continuity, we develop a very efficient search engine compared with previous work.
The effect of excitation angles in single-pulse controlled switched reluctance machines on acoustics and efficiency

To make the development process of electric machines more efficient, it is very important to assess the characteristics of a given machine design early in the design process. In the case of a Switched Reluctance Machine in single-pulse operation, the efficiency is mainly determined by the turn-on and turn-off angle. These parameters on the other hand have a significant impact on the acoustic behavior of the drive system. This paper compares different sets of excitation angles and investigates the validity of a late-single-pulse strategy for Switched Reluctance Machines in generator mode. Measurements confirm partly this control strategy and the underlying simplified simulation approach for the examined machine.
Regional neurochemical profiles in the human brain measured by 1H MRS at 7 T using local B1 shimming

Increased sensitivity and chemical shift dispersion at ultra‐high magnetic fields enable the precise quantification of an extended range of brain metabolites from 1H MRS. However, all previous neurochemical profiling studies using single‐voxel MRS at 7 T have been limited to data acquired from the occipital lobe with half‐volume coils. The challenges of 1H MRS of the human brain at 7 T include short T2 and complex B1 distribution that imposes limitations on the maximum achievable B1 strength. In this study, the feasibility of acquiring and quantifying short‐echo (TE = 8 ms), single‐voxel 1H MR spectra from multiple brain regions was demonstrated by utilizing a 16‐channel transceiver array coil with 16 independent transmit channels, allowing local transmit B1 (B1+) shimming. Spectra were acquired from volumes of interest of 1–8 mL in brain regions that are of interest for various neurological disorders: frontal white matter, posterior cingulate, putamen, substantia nigra, pons and cerebellar vermis. Local B1+ shimming substantially increased the transmit efficiency, especially in the peripheral and ventral brain regions. By optimizing a STEAM sequence for utilization with a 16‐channel coil, artifact‐free spectra were acquired with a small chemical shift displacement error (<5% /ppm/direction) from all regions. The high signal‐to‐noise ratio enabled the quantification of neurochemical profiles consisting of at least nine metabolites, including γ‐aminobutyric acid, glutamate and glutathione, in all brain regions. Significant differences in neurochemical profiles were observed between brain regions. For example, γ‐aminobutyric acid levels were highest in the substantia nigra, total creatine was highest in the cerebellar vermis and total choline was highest in the pons, consistent with the known biochemistry of these regions. These findings demonstrate that single‐voxel 1H MRS at ultra‐high field can reliably detect region‐specific neurochemical patterns in the human brain, and has the potential to objectively detect alterations in neurochemical profiles associated with neurological diseases. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Information updating and the bounce-back effect of stock market returns

Purpose - – Bounce-back effect of stock market returns has been found empirically using different approaches. However, few paper explains the underlying mechanism. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach - – This paper fills this gap and provides an explanation for bounce-back effect in stock market. Findings - – This paper contributes to the literature in threefold. The authors contribute a formal economic model to rationalize the bounce-back effect of stock market returns. It is based on a model of stock return with volatility feedback under the assumption of Markov-Switching market volatility. Originality/value - – The authors use the general Markov-Switching bounce-back model, developed by Bec
Prevalence of psychiatric disorders among older adults in long-term care homes: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Background: The population of older adults in long-term care (LTC) is expected to increase considerably in the near future. An understanding of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in LTC will help in planning mental health services for this population. This study reviews the prevalence of common psychiatric disorders in LTC populations. Methods: We searched electronic databases for studies on the prevalence of major psychiatric disorders in LTC using medical subject headings and key words. We only included studies using validated measures for diagnosing psychiatric disorders or psychiatric symptoms. Our review focused on the following psychiatric disorders: dementia, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), major depression, depressive symptoms, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and alcohol use disorders. We also determined the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the U.S. LTC population using data from the 2004 National Nursing Home Survey (NNHS). Results: A total of 74 studies examining the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and psychological symptoms in LTC populations were identified including 30 studies on the prevalence of dementia, 9 studies on behavioral symptoms in dementia, and 26 studies on depression. Most studies involved few LTC facilities and were conducted in developed countries. Dementia had a median prevalence (58%) in studies while the prevalence of BPSD was 78% among individuals with dementia. The median prevalence of major depressive disorder was 10% while the median prevalence of depressive symptoms was 29% among LTC residents. There were few studies on other psychiatric disorders. Results from the 2004 NNHS were consistent with those in the published literature. Conclusions: Dementia, depression and anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders among older adults in LTC. Many psychiatric disorders appear to be more prevalent in LTC settings when compared to those observed in community-dwelling older adults. Policy-makers and clinicians should be aware of the common psychiatric disorders in LTC and further research into effective prevention and treatments are required for this growing population.
Gut mucosal T cell lines from ankylosing spondylitis patients are enriched with alphaEbeta7 integrin.

OBJECTIVE An intriguing link between gut and synovial inflammation exists in patients with spondyloarthropathy (SpA), illustrated by the high frequency of microscopically inflammatory gut lesions observed in these patients. We hypothesise that aberrant homing of mucosal T cells might play a role in the induction/perpetuation of arthritis in SpA. Here, we analyse the expression of the homing molecules alpha4beta7 and alphaEbeta7 on mucosal T cells from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and controls, in view of the critical role of these receptors in the homing of mucosal lymphocytes. METHODS Colonic biopsy specimens were obtained from patients with AS (n = 23) and controls (n = 30). Biopsy specimens were immunostained, treated for extraction of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) and lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) or cultured in the presence of IL-2. The expression of the beta7 integrins was investigated. RESULTS In situ no differences were observed in alphaEbeta7 and alpha4beta7 integrin expression in isolated IEL and LPL, whether determined by flow cytometry or by immunohistochemical staining. In gut mucosal T cell lines, alphaEbeta7 expression was significantly higher in the mucosa of patients with AS compared with controls. Alpha4beta7 was highly expressed on T cells in both groups studied. Mucosal T cells either expressed only the alpha4beta7 integrin or co-expressed the alpha4beta7 and alphaEbeta7 integrins. Almost none of them expressed only the alphaEbeta7 integrin. CONCLUSION In gut mucosal T cell lines from patients with AS an increased expression of alphaEbeta7 was observed.
The history of the soldier's load

From the loads carried by the armies of antiquity to today’s modern forces, this article explores and critically analyses soldier load carriage over two millennia. Historical misconceptions appearing in some military documents and literature regarding the context and weight of the soldier’s load are also discussed. The author looks at how, even with changes in logistic practices, technology and the very nature of warfare, the soldier is still a beast of burden and suggests that relying on improved load carriage logistical aides and changes to equipment may not be the answer to this age-old problem.
Plasma concentration of urotensin II is raised in hypertension

Objectives Urotensin II is the most potent vasoconstrictor known. Its role in hypertension has not been investigated. Here, we studied the plasma levels in hypertensive and normotensive human subjects. Design A cross-sectional case–control study. Setting Hypertension clinic and research clinic of a university teaching hospital. Participants Sixty-two hypertensive outpatient subjects (52% male, aged 57 ± 13 years) and 62 normotensive controls (45% male, aged 54 ± 13 years) recruited from the general population. Main outcome measures Plasma urotensin II levels measured by radioimmunoassay, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Results Plasma urotensin II was 8.8 ± 0.9 pmol/l in normotensive controls and 13.6 ± 1.4 pmol/l in hypertensive subjects (P = 0.005). In multiple regression analysis, systolic blood pressure was related to plasma urotensin II (β = 0.31, P < 0.001) and age (β = 0.28, P = 0.001), accounting for 10 and 8%, respectively, of the variance in systolic blood pressure. There was no significant correlation with gender, renal function or diabetes. Conclusions Plasma urotensin II was raised in hypertensive patients compared to normotensive controls, and was directly related to systolic blood pressure. Our findings raise the possibility that urotensin II may have an aetiological role in hypertension and its complications.
Planar Antenna Array at D-Band Fed By Rectangular Waveguide for Future Automotive Radar Systems

Planar antennas are being used in frequencies up to 77 GHz for automotive radar because of their low profile and low-cost manufacturing. Also because of their flexibility when building phased and conformal arrays. In this paper a planar antenna around 140 GHz for the possible next generation of automotive radar is developed. This high frequency can provide narrower beams and better angular resolutions than the current sensor antennas. The structure is designed using a 3D electromagnetic simulator and is fabricated on a commercially available substrate. The fabrication consist of a common photolitography process which yields a very low-cost concept. In addition, this antenna can help to characterize the channel with planar systems, so the capabilities and limits of this technological approach can be tested. Experimental measurements were performed showing a gain of about 11 dBi and a return loss better than -10 dB over a band of 2 GHz.
3-D Integral Formulation Using Facet Elements for Thin Conductive Shells Coupled With an External Circuit

A volume integral formulation using facet elements to compute eddy currents in thin conductive shells is presented. The formulation is general and considers the field variation through the depth due to the skin effect. The formulation leads to an equivalent lumped elements circuit that can be coupled with an external circuit. The resolution of the circuit is achieved by the independent loops method. The formulation has been validated because of two numerical examples. Results are compared with an axisymmetric finite-element method (FEM) and another shell formulation implemented in a 3-D FEM.
Stress‐mediated inhibition of the classical nuclear protein import pathway and nuclear accumulation of the small GTPase Gsp1p

Stress modifies all aspects of cellular physiology, including the targeting of macromolecules to the nucleus. To determine how distinct types of stress affect classical nuclear protein import, we followed the distribution of NLS‐GFP, a reporter protein containing a classical nuclear localization sequence (NLS) fused to green fluorescent protein GFP. Nuclear accumulation of NLS‐GFP requires import to be constitutively active; inhibition of import redistributes NLS‐GFP throughout the nucleus and cytoplasm. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, starvation, heat shock, ethanol and hydrogen peroxide rapidly inhibited classical nuclear import, whereas osmotic stress had no effect. To define the mechanisms underlying the inhibition of classical nuclear import, we located soluble components of the nuclear transport apparatus. Failure to accumulate NLS‐GFP in the nucleus always correlated with a redistribution of the small GTPase Gsp1p. Whereas predominantly nuclear under normal conditions, Gsp1p equilibrated between nucleus and cytoplasm in cells exposed to starvation, heat, ethanol or hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, analysis of yeast strains carrying mutations in different nuclear transport factors demonstrated a role for NTF2, PRP20 and MOG1 in establishing a Gsp1p gradient, as conditional lethal alleles of NTF2 and PRP20 or a deletion of MOG1 prevented Gsp1p nuclear accumulation. On the basis of these results, we now propose that certain types of stress release Gsp1p from its nuclear anchors, thereby promoting a collapse of the nucleocytoplasmic Gsp1p gradient and inhibiting classical nuclear protein import.
Development of New Treatments for Congenital Nystagmus

Abstract: The use of ocular motor data as the basis for the development of both nonsurgical and surgical therapies for congenital nystagmus (CN) has been underway since the mid‐1960s. This paper presents three nonsurgical therapies (composite prisms, soft contact lenses, and afferent stimulation) and a new surgical therapy (four‐muscle tenotomy) hypothesized from analysis of ocular motor data. The expanded nystagmus acuity function test was developed to both predict and measure the effectiveness of CN therapies and for intersubject comparisons. Base‐out prisms may be used to damp CN during distance fixation in patients whose CN damps during near fixation and who are binocular (i.e., they have no strabismus). Soft contact lenses may be used in those whose CN damps with afferent stimulation of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. Cutaneous afferent stimulation (rubbing, vibration, or electricity) of the forehead or neck damps CN in some individuals. Finally, as first demonstrated in an achiasmic Belgian sheepdog and later in humans, tenotomy of the four horizontal rectus muscles and reattachment at their original sites may also damp CN. Taken together, these findings suggest the existence of one or more proprioceptive feedback loops acting to change the small‐signal gain of the extraocular plant. Four‐muscle tenotomy provides a needed therapeutic option for the many individuals with CN for whom other surgical therapies are contraindicated. Tenotomy may also prove useful in see‐saw nystagmus (it abolished it in the aforementioned canine) or other types of nystagmus; further studies of the latter are required.
A promoter of Epstein-Barr virus that can function during latent infection can be transactivated by EBNA-1, a viral protein required for viral DNA replication during latent infection

A viral promoter that functions on recombinant plasmids in cells immortalized by Epstein-Barr virus was identified and characterized. It is identical to that mapped on the viral genome by Bodescot et al. (M. Bodescot, M. Perricaudet, and P.J. Farrell, J. Virol. 61:3424-3430, 1987) which functions during the latent phase of the viral life cycle in some but not all cells to encode several latent viral gene products. Experiments with these plasmids indicated that this promoter requires the enhancer within oriP of Epstein-Barr virus in cis to function efficiently. They also indicated that it requires the EBNA-1 gene in trans to function efficiently. The EBNA-1 gene therefore positively affects both viral DNA replication (J.L. Yates, N. Warren, and B. Sugden, Nature [London] 313:812-815, 1985) and viral transcription.
Essays on inflation dynamics

We de ne the sources of ination persistence at the business cycle frequency as either intrinsic, extrinsic, or expectations-based. To disentangle these di¤erent sources of persistence we formulate an unobserved component model and estimate it using the Kalman lter and Bayesian estimation techniques. We nd that ination persistence, expressed as the half-life of a shock, can range from less than one quarter for intrinsic persistence, to several years for extrinsic or expectations-based persistence. This indicates that a signi cant part of the observed univariate ination persistence is inherited and that price-setting frictions such as indexation to past ination or backward-looking expectations are not the best way to match the empirical evidence. JEL classi cation: C11, C22, C32, E31
Cross-Border Cooperation and the European Administrative Space – Prospects from the Principle of Mutual Recognition

With the introduction of the territorial cohesion objective and under the redesign of the new cohesion policy, cross-border cooperation has become an increasingly important level of “horizontal” European integration. Representing at the same time a specific transnational pattern of the European Administrative Space (EAS), however, its practical functioning is still hindered by various factors amongst which the diverging national legal and administrative framework conditions of the participating actors represent the major obstacle with regards to the development of effective cross-border governance regimes. Based on the analysis of central challenges of practical cross-border governance, the article examines the question whether the application the principle of mutual recognition, initially developed for the free movement of goods in the non-harmonized area, could provide a basis for substantial improvement in European cross-border cooperation. Four fields of application are designed, allowing for a new quality of transnational administrative cooperation and a new understanding of the laboratory role that cross-border territories might play both for the EAS and further European integration.