Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytoskeletal Reorganization Evoked by Rho-associated kinase- and Protein Kinase C-catalyzed Phosphorylation of Cofilin and Heat Shock Protein 27, Respectively, Contributes to Myogenic Constriction of Rat Cerebral Arteries*

Background: The myogenic response of cerebral arteries to intravascular pressure regulates blood flow to the brain. Results: Pressurization reduced smooth muscle G-actin and increased phospho-cofilin and -HSP27 content by a mechanism blocked by ROK or PKC inhibitors. Conclusion: ROK- and PKC-mediated control of cofilin and HSP27 contributes to actin polymerization in myogenic constriction. Significance: Knowledge of cytoskeletal dynamics is crucial for understanding myogenic control of cerebral arterial diameter. Our understanding of the molecular events contributing to myogenic control of diameter in cerebral resistance arteries in response to changes in intravascular pressure, a fundamental mechanism regulating blood flow to the brain, is incomplete. Myosin light chain kinase and phosphatase activities are known to be increased and decreased, respectively, to augment phosphorylation of the 20-kDa regulatory light chain subunits (LC20) of myosin II, which permits cross-bridge cycling and force development. Here, we assessed the contribution of dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and thin filament regulation to the myogenic response and serotonin-evoked constriction of pressurized rat middle cerebral arteries. Arterial diameter and the levels of phosphorylated LC20, calponin, caldesmon, cofilin, and HSP27, as well as G-actin content, were determined. A decline in G-actin content was observed following pressurization from 10 mm Hg to between 40 and 120 mm Hg and in three conditions in which myogenic or agonist-evoked constriction occurred in the absence of a detectable change in LC20 phosphorylation. No changes in thin filament protein phosphorylation were evident. Pressurization reduced G-actin content and elevated the levels of cofilin and HSP27 phosphorylation. Inhibitors of Rho-associated kinase and PKC prevented the decline in G-actin; reduced cofilin and HSP27 phosphoprotein content, respectively; and blocked the myogenic response. Furthermore, phosphorylation modulators of HSP27 and cofilin induced significant changes in arterial diameter and G-actin content of myogenically active arteries. Taken together, our findings suggest that dynamic reorganization of the cytoskeleton involving increased actin polymerization in response to Rho-associated kinase and PKC signaling contributes significantly to force generation in myogenic constriction of cerebral resistance arteries.
Nocturia: The circadian voiding disorder

Nocturia is a prevalent condition of waking to void during the night. The concept of nocturia has evolved from being a symptomatic aspect of disease associated with the prostate or bladder to a form of lower urinary tract disorder. However, recent advances in circadian biology and sleep science suggest that it might be important to consider nocturia as a form of circadian dysfunction. In the current review, nocturia is reexamined with an introduction to sleep disorders and recent findings in circadian biology in an attempt to highlight the importance of rediscovering nocturia as a problem of chronobiology.
Optimizing Matrix Computations for Learning and learning to optimize matrix computations

Matrix-vector notation is the predominant idiom in which machine learning formulae are expressed; some models, like Gaussian processes [5], would be extremely difficult to describe without it. Turning a matrix expression into a computer program is not always easy, however. Although good implementations of primitive matrix operations are available [2] as are packages like MATLAB [6], which provide a high-level interface to these primitives, two important tasks must still be carried out manually: (i) computing derivatives of matrix functions and (ii) turning a matrix expression into an efficient computer program. Not having tools to do this can and does harm research: even for the relatively simple example of fitting a linear regression model with gradient methods, the number of types and combinations of basis functions a researcher can experiment with is limited by the need to manually differentiate the objective function and write code for each version. We have addressed these issues by combining a symbolic matrix algebra engine with a superoptimizing compiler: an interesting learning problem in itself. We call our system Coconut. Coconut transforms matrix expressions into fast programs for computing them. For the most part, Coconut treats an expression symbolically and by maintaining the semantic structure of a matrix expression, high-level knowledge can be used to provide two powerful features: differentiation and simplification. Differentiation requires the recursive application of the rules of matrix calculus [3]. This blind application frequently results in large expressions that are inefficient to compute: the real power of Coconut is its ability to simplify expressions. We define simplification as the transformation of a source expression into one with equivalent output, but lower computational cost. To do this, Coconut is provided with a list of matrix identities (e.g., the matrix inversion lemma) and by matching identities to a source expression, a new set of equivalent expressions is generated. Performing this recursively gives rise to an infinite graph of equivalent matrix expressions, in which we would like to find the node with the minimum
The Cool ISM in Elliptical Galaxies. I. A Survey of Molecular Gas

We present preliminary results from a survey of CO emission from members of a volume-limited sample of non-cluster elliptical galaxies. Our intent is to compare the gas properties of these ellipticals to a sample of lenticulars selected using similar criteria. The data, although still sparse, suggest that the cool gas in ellipticals shows the same puzzling upper mass cutoff found in the lenticular galaxies. We find, however, significantly lower detection rates and possibly much lower H2/H I mass ratios in the ellipticals. The detection rate is higher among the lower mass galaxies, as has been found previously. This seems puzzling given that the deeper potential wells of the larger galaxies ought to make gas retention easier, but perhaps that effect is overwhelmed by feedback from the central supermassive black hole. As we have observed ~40% of our full sample, the conclusions are necessarily tentative at this time.
Making Decisions through Preference-Based Argumentation

Decision making is usually based on the comparative evaluation of different alternatives by means of a decision criterion. The whole decision process is compacted into a criterion formula on the basis of which alternatives are compared. It is thus, impossible for an end user to understand why an alternative is good, or better than another. Recently, some decision criteria were articulated in terms of a two-steps argumentation process: i) an inference step in which arguments in favor/against each option are built and evaluated, and ii) a comparison step in which pairs of alternatives are compared on the basis of "accepted" arguments. Thus, not only the best alternative is provided to the user but also the reasons justifying this recommendation. However, a two steps approach is not in accordance with the principle of an argumentation system, whose accepted arguments are intended to support the "good" options. Moreover, with such an approach it is difficult to define proof procedures for testing directly whether a given option may be the best one without computing the whole ordering. Finally, it is difficult to analyze how an ordering is revised in light of a new argument. This paper proposes a novel approach for argumentation-based decision making. We propose a Dung style system that takes as input different arguments and a defeat relation among them, and returns as outputs a status for each option, and a total preordering on a set of options. The status is defined on the basis of different inference mechanisms. The total preordering privileges the option that is supported by the strongest argument, provided that this argument survives to the attacks. The properties of the system are investigated.
Phase I Dose Escalation Pharmacokinetic Study in Healthy Volunteers of Resveratrol, a Potential Cancer Chemopreventive Agent

The red grape constituent resveratrol possesses cancer chemopreventive properties in rodents. The hypothesis was tested that, in healthy humans, p.o. administration of resveratrol is safe and results in measurable plasma levels of resveratrol. A phase I study of oral resveratrol (single doses of 0.5, 1, 2.5, or 5 g) was conducted in 10 healthy volunteers per dose level. Resveratrol and its metabolites were identified in plasma and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and quantitated by high-performance liquid chromatography-UV. Consumption of resveratrol did not cause serious adverse events. Resveratrol and six metabolites were recovered from plasma and urine. Peak plasma levels of resveratrol at the highest dose were 539 ± 384 ng/mL (2.4 μmol/L, mean ± SD; n = 10), which occurred 1.5 h post-dose. Peak levels of two monoglucuronides and resveratrol-3-sulfate were 3- to 8-fold higher. The area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) values for resveratrol-3-sulfate and resveratrol monoglucuronides were up to 23 times greater than those of resveratrol. Urinary excretion of resveratrol and its metabolites was rapid, with 77% of all urinary agent-derived species excreted within 4 h after the lowest dose. Cancer chemopreventive effects of resveratrol in cells in vitro require levels of at least 5 μmol/L. The results presented here intimate that consumption of high-dose resveratrol might be insufficient to elicit systemic levels commensurate with cancer chemopreventive efficacy. However, the high systemic levels of resveratrol conjugate metabolites suggest that their cancer chemopreventive properties warrant investigation. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(6):1246–52)
Graphene on Silicon Carbide Chip for Biosensing Applications

Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms, laid out in a hexagonal lattice. The material has remarkable properties that opened up several new research areas since its discovery in 2004. One promising field is graphene based biosensors, where researchers hope to create new devices that are smaller, cheaper and more reliable than those based on today’s technology. Among several manufacturing methods, graphene grown on silicon carbide is one of the promising ones for biosensing. A chip design has been developed in order to support research into graphene on silicon carbide as a base material for biosensors. Along with the chip, a holder for electrochemical measurements has been designed and an investigation into the requirements of a custom measurement device for the sensor has been undertaken.
Direct interactions promote eviction of the Sir3 heterochromatin protein by the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzyme

Significance Heterochromatin is a repressive mode of genetic storage that prevents cellular machineries from accessing DNA sequences. Here, we investigate how a protein machine, called SWI/SNF, can disrupt these heterochromatin structures and facilitate nuclear processes. We identify physical and functional interactions between SWI/SNF and a key heterochromatin protein, silent information regulator 3p (Sir3p). Heterochromatin is a specialized chromatin structure that is central to eukaryotic transcriptional regulation and genome stability. Despite its globally repressive role, heterochromatin must also be dynamic, allowing for its repair and replication. In budding yeast, heterochromatin formation requires silent information regulators (Sirs) Sir2p, Sir3p, and Sir4p, and these Sir proteins create specialized chromatin structures at telomeres and silent mating-type loci. Previously, we found that the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzyme can catalyze the ATP-dependent eviction of Sir3p from recombinant nucleosomal arrays, and this activity enhances early steps of recombinational repair in vitro. Here, we show that the ATPase subunit of SWI/SNF, Swi2p/Snf2p, interacts with the heterochromatin structural protein Sir3p. Two interaction surfaces are defined, including an interaction between the ATPase domain of Swi2p and the nucleosome binding, Bromo-Adjacent-Homology domain of Sir3p. A SWI/SNF complex harboring a Swi2p subunit that lacks this Sir3p interaction surface is unable to evict Sir3p from nucleosomes, even though its ATPase and remodeling activities are intact. In addition, we find that the interaction between Swi2p and Sir3p is key for SWI/SNF to promote resistance to replication stress in vivo and for establishment of heterochromatin at telomeres.
A Pretreatment Method for the Velocity of DVL Based on the Motion Constraint for the Integrated SINS/DVL

It is difficult for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to obtain accurate aided position information in many locations because of underwater conditions. The velocity accuracy from the Doppler velocity log (DVL) is a key element in deciding the AUV position accuracy when the integration system of Strapdown Inertial Navigation System/DVL/Magnetic Compass/Press Sensor (SINS/DVL/MCP/PS) is adopted. However, random noise and sudden noise in DVL caused by sound scattering, fishing populations, and seafloor gullies introduce level attitude errors and accumulate as position error. To restrain random noise, a velocity tracing method is designed based on the constant velocity model and the assumption of slow motion of AUV. To address sudden noise, a fault diagnosis method based on the χ 2 rule is introduced to judge sudden changes from innovation. When a sudden change occurs, the time update of the velocity from the tracing model is used for data fusion instead of the velocity from DVL. Simulation test results indicate that with this velocity tracing algorithm, random noise in the DVL can be effectively restrained. The level attitude accuracy and the level position accuracy are also improved with the time update of the velocity when the sudden change occurs.
Effect of fly ash on the unconfined compressive strength of black cotton soil

The strength of clayey soil can be altered by the addition of fly ash. Many factors of fly ash, such as reactivity, free lime content and silty nature, influence the strength of soil. This study examines the effect of varying fly ash content (at a constant percentage content of lime) and the effect of varying lime content (at a constant percentage content of fly ash) on the strength of black cotton soil. The study, conducted at constant percentage content of lime on the unconfined compressive strength of black cotton soil, with varying percentages of Neyveli fly ash and Vijayawada fly ash with and without curing, has shown that the effect of fly ash is mainly through pozzolanic reactivity and the silty character of fly ash. For Neyveli fly ash, having good reactivity, the pozzolanic reaction effect overrides the effect arising from its silty nature. For Vijayawada fly ash, having poor reactivity, the effect is similar to that of adding silt. It is noted that only reactive fly ash can increase the unconfin.
Development of Multimodal Biometric Framework for Smartphone Authentication System

Secret knowledge, like remembering password or token based authentication systems are deemed inconvenience and difficult to use for users such as password may be forgotten or token may be lost. So burdens like remembering password and stolen or forged token based authentication have raised a current trend of biometric authentication system. Now in this current tech world, everyone needs security everywhere to protect our personal gadgets. Now-a-days smartphone gradually becoming a vital tool to manipulate enormous applications which were being done in a computer before. So to keep it secured, biometric based approach can be applied for better convenience and ease of use for the user. In this paper, a novel hybrid multimodal approach for ear recognition and speech recognition has been presented for better robustness and efficiency which can be applied in various fields of applications like authentication in banking transactions. Here two techniques DWT (using haar wavelet) and GLCM have hybridized to extract both shape and texture information from ear images. Again MFCC technique has applied to extract features from speech signals. Afterwards fusion is applied to mix both of those ear and speech features. Those features can be easily and efficiently manipulated by applying Euclidean distance and Bhattacharya distance as the similarity or dissimilarity measures. This proposed approach is very convenient and simple to use, thereby its ease of use allows very fast feature extraction. General Terms Image Processing, Biometrics, Security, Authentication
The MgSiO3 system at high pressure: Thermodynamic properties of perovskite, postperovskite, and melt from global inversion of shock and static compression data

We present new equation‐of‐state (EoS) data acquired by shock loading to pressures up to 245 GPa on both low‐density samples (MgSiO3 glass) and high‐density, polycrystalline aggregates (MgSiO3 perovskite + majorite). The latter samples were synthesized using a large‐volume press. Modeling indicates that these materials transform to perovskite, postperovskite, and/or melt with increasing pressure on their Hugoniots. We fit our results together with existing P‐V‐T data from dynamic and static compression experiments to constrain the thermal EoS for the three phases, all of which are of fundamental importance to the dynamics of the lower mantle. The EoS for perovskite and postperovskite are well described with third‐order Birch‐Murnaghan isentropes, offset with a Mie‐Grüneisen‐Debye formulation for thermal pressure. The addition of shock data helps to distinguish among discrepant static studies of perovskite, and for postperovskite, constrain a value of K′ significantly larger than 4. For the melt, we define for the first time a single EoS that fits experimental data from ambient pressure to 230 GPa; the best fit requires a fourth‐order isentrope. We also provide a new EoS for Mg2SiO4 liquid, calculated in a similar manner. The Grüneisen parameters of the solid phases decrease with pressure, whereas those of the melts increase, consistent with previous shock wave experiments as well as molecular dynamics simulations. We discuss implications of our modeling for thermal expansion in the lower mantle, stabilization of ultra‐low‐velocity zones associated with melting at the core‐mantle boundary, and crystallization of a terrestrial magma ocean.
Arithmetic Fuzzy Models

It is well known that a fuzzy rule base can be interpreted in different ways. From a logical point of view, the conjunctive interpretation is preferred, while from a practical point of view, the disjunctive interpretation has been dominantly present. Each of these interpretations results in a specific fuzzy relation that models the fuzzy rule base. Basic interpolation requirements naturally suggest a corresponding inference mechanism: the direct image for the conjunctive interpretation and the subdirect image for the disjunctive interpretation. Interpolation then corresponds to solvability of some system of fuzzy relational equations. In this paper, we show that other types of fuzzy relations, which are closely related to Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) models, are of major interest as well. These fuzzy relations are based on addition and multiplication only, from which we get the name arithmetic fuzzy models. Under some mild requirements, these fuzzy relations turn out to be solutions of the same systems of fuzzy relational equations. The impact of these results is both theoretical and practical: There exist simple solutions to systems of fuzzy relational equations, other than the extremal solutions that have received all the attention so far, which are, moreover, easy to implement.
Identification of macrophage liver X receptors as inhibitors of atherosclerosis

Recent studies have identified the liver X receptors (LXRα and LXRβ) as important regulators of cholesterol metabolism and transport. LXRs control transcription of genes critical to a range of biological functions including regulation of high density lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism, hepatic cholesterol catabolism, and intestinal sterol absorption. Although LXR activity has been proposed to be critical for physiologic lipid metabolism and transport, direct evidence linking LXR signaling pathways to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease has yet to be established. In this study bone marrow transplantations were used to selectively eliminate macrophage LXR expression in the context of murine models of atherosclerosis. Our results demonstrate that LXRs are endogenous inhibitors of atherogenesis. Additionally, elimination of LXR activity in bone marrow-derived cells mimics many aspects of Tangier disease, a human high density lipoprotein deficiency, including aberrant regulation of cholesterol transporter expression, lipid accumulation in macrophages, splenomegaly, and increased atherosclerosis. These results identify LXRs as targets for intervention in cardiovascular disease.
Enantioselective Effects of Hydroxy Metabolites of Bupropion on Behavior and on Function of Monoamine Transporters and Nicotinic Receptors

Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant that also has usefulness as a smoking-cessation aid. Because hydroxybupropion, a major metabolite of bupropion, is believed to contribute to its antidepressant activity, this metabolite may also contribute to the smoking-cessation properties of bupropion. This study investigated the effects of hydrobupropion enantiomers on monoamine transporters and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes. Racemic bupropion and hydroxybupropion inhibit [3H]norepinephrine (NE) uptake with similar potency (IC50 values of 1.9 and 1.7 μM, respectively), but most of the latter activity resides in the (2S,3S)-hydroxy isomer (IC50 = 520 nM) rather than (2S,3R)-hydroxybupropion (IC50 > 10,000 nM). Similar results were found with [3H]dopamine (DA) uptake. The effects of bupropion and enantiomers of hydroxybupropion on human nAChR subtypes indicate that the (2S,3S) isomer is more potent than the (2S,3R) isomer or racemic bupropion as an antagonist of α4β2 (functional IC50 = 3.3 μM). In addition, (2S,3S)-hyroxybupropion and bupropion were considerably more potent than (2R, –3R)-hydroxybupropion in a mouse depression model (forced swimming test) and in antagonism of acute nicotine effects in mice. Together, our results suggest that clinical and behavioral effects of bupropion arise from actions at nAChR as well as DA and NE transporters. Furthermore, our data suggest that the (2S,3S)-hydroxybupropion isomer may be a better drug candidate for smoking cessation than bupropion because of its higher potency at the relevant targets.