Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protein kinase C mediation of Ca(2+)-independent contractions of vascular smooth muscle.

Tumour-promoting phorbol esters induce slow, sustained contractions of vascular smooth muscle, suggesting that protein kinase C (PKC) may play a role in the regulation of smooth muscle contractility. In some cases, e.g., ferret aortic smooth muscle, phorbol ester induced contractions occur without a change in [Ca2+]i or myosin phosphorylation. Direct evidence for the involvement of PKC came from the use of single saponin-permeabilized ferret aortic cells. A constitutively active catalytic fragment of PKC induced a slow, sustained contraction similar to that triggered by phenylephrine. Both responses were abolished by a peptide inhibitor of PKC. Contractions of similar magnitude occurred even when the [Ca2+] was reduced to close to zero, implicating a Ca(2+)-independent isoenzyme of PKC. Of the two Ca(2+)-independent PKC isoenzymes, epsilon and zeta, identified in ferret aorta, PKC epsilon is more likely to mediate the contractile response because (i) PKC epsilon, but not PKC zeta, is responsive to phorbol esters; (ii) upon stimulation with phenylephrine, PKC epsilon translocates from the sarcoplasm to the sarcolemma, whereas PKC zeta, translocates from a perinuclear localization to the interior of the nucleus; and (iii) when added to permeabilized single cells of the ferret aorta at pCa 9, PKC epsilon, but not PKC zeta, induced a contractile response similar to that induced by phenylephrine. A possible substrate of PKC epsilon is the smooth muscle specific, thin filament associated protein, calponin. Calponin is phosphorylated in intact smooth muscle strips in response to carbachol, endothelin-1, phorbol esters, or okadaic acid. Phosphorylation of calponin in vitro by PKC (a mixture of alpha, beta, and gamma isoenzymes) dramatically reduces its affinity for F-actin and alleviates its inhibition of the cross-bridge cycling rate. Calponin is phosphorylated in vitro by PKC epsilon but is a very poor substrate of PKC zeta. A signal transduction pathway is proposed to explain Ca(2+)-independent contraction of ferret aorta whereby extracellular signals trigger diacylglycerol production without a Ca2+ transient. The consequent activation of PKC epsilon would result in calponin phosphorylation, its release from the thin filaments, and alleviation of inhibition of cross-bridge cycling. Slow, sustained contraction then results from a slow rate of cross-bridge cycling because of the basal level of myosin light chain phosphorylation (approximately 0.1 mol Pi/mol light chain). We also suggest that signal transduction through PKC epsilon is a component of contractile responses triggered by agonists that activate phosphoinositide turnover; this may explain why smooth muscles often develop more force in response, e.g., to alpha 1-adrenergic agonists than to K+.
Influence of Make-up on Facial Recognition

Make-up may enhance or disguise facial characteristics. The influence of wearing make-up on facial recognition could be of two kinds: (i) when women do not wear make-up and then are seen with make-up, and (ii) when women wear make-up and then are seen without make-up. A study is reported which shows that light make-up makes it easier to recognise a face, and heavy make-up makes it more difficult. Seeing initially a made-up face makes any subsequent facial recognition more difficult than initially seeing that face without make-up.
Control of herpes simplex virus type 1 mRNA synthesis in cells infected with wild-type virus or the temperature-sensitive mutant tsK

This paper deals with control of mRNA levels, assayed by in vitro translation, in cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). A particularly useful marker has been pyrimidine deoxyribonucleoside kinase (dPyK) mRNA, for which the enzymatically active product can be assayed quantitatively. Cells infected with the HSV-1 temperature-sensitive mutant tsK at the nonpermissive temperature (38.5 degrees C) or with wild-type HSV-1 in the continuous presence of cycloheximide contained no detectable dPyK mRNA. Upon temperature shift-down of tsK-infected cells to 31 degrees C, dPyK mRNA was produced, and this event was inhibited by actinomycin D but not cycloheximide. This result demonstrated that the defective polypeptide in tsK-infected cells was involved in transcription of the dPyK gene and could regain activity at 31 degrees C. Because tsK-infected cells synthesized mainly immediate early polypeptides at 38.5 degrees C, the involvement of this polypeptide class in synthesis of dPyK mRNA was investigated. Analysis of the kinetics of inductions of dPyK mRNA indicated that the temperature-sensitive lesion in tsK lies in an immediate early polypeptide which is directly responsible for activation of the dPyK gene at the transcriptional level.
User controlled object sharing between Java VM instances

String objects, the most commonly used objects in Java programs, are immutable (read-only) and easily identified. Previous analysis of sharing string objects in the Java Virtual Machine showed promising results, however it is clear that sharing a wider set of objects would result in better performance. Automatic object selection for sharing is non-trivial, because in the current state, only read-only objects can be shared. This attribute cannot easily be determined during runtime by an algorithm; the developer on the other hand can. This paper presents the development of an Application Programmer Interface (API) to allow programmers to use the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) internal sharing functionality. Furthermore, we present the usage of the sharing API using open-source software as real-world test cases. The evaluation shows that the balance between memory savings and start-up time overhead is reasonable.
Proteomic analysis of synovial fluid from the osteoarthritic knee: comparison with transcriptome analyses of joint tissues.

OBJECTIVE The pathophysiology of the most common joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA), remains poorly understood. Since synovial fluid (SF) bathes joint cartilage and synovium, we reasoned that a comparative analysis of its protein constituents in health and OA could identify pathways involved in joint damage. We undertook this study to perform a proteomic analysis of knee SF from OA patients and control subjects and to compare the results to microarray expression data from cartilage and synovium. METHODS Age-matched knee SF samples from 10 control subjects, 10 patients with early-stage OA, and 10 patients with late-stage OA were compared using 2-dimensional difference-in-gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (MS). MS with a multiplexed peptide selected reaction monitoring assay was used to confirm differential expression of a subset of proteins in an independent OA patient cohort. Proteomic results were analyzed by Ingenuity Pathways Analysis and compared to published synovial tissue and cartilage messenger RNA profiles. RESULTS Sixty-six proteins were differentially present in healthy and OA SF. Three major pathways were identified among these proteins: the acute-phase response signaling pathway, the complement pathway, and the coagulation pathway. Differential expression of 5 proteins was confirmed by selected reaction monitoring assay. A focused analysis of transcripts corresponding to the differentially present proteins indicated that both synovial and cartilage tissues may contribute to the OA SF proteome. CONCLUSION Proteins involved in the acute-phase response signaling pathway, the complement pathway, and the coagulation pathway are differentially regulated in SF from OA patients, suggesting that they contribute to joint damage. Validation of these pathways and their utility as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in OA is warranted.
Experimental Demonstration of a 98.8% Efficient Isolated DC–DC GaN Converter

This paper demonstrates the utilization of gallium nitride (GaN) devices to achieve an ultrahigh efficiency in an isolated dc–dc converter. This paper presents the design and implementation of high-efficiency magnetics necessary to realize such an ultrahigh efficiency converter. Synchronous rectification is also implemented to further improve the efficiency. Compared to an equivalent silicon MOSFET, GaN devices have low output charge, very low gate drive losses, and zero reverse recovery losses, this makes GaN devices more suitable for power converters to achieve high efficiency. A complete analytical loss modeling for an isolated full bridge dc–dc converter is discussed in this paper. Furthermore, the experimental demonstration of ultrahigh efficiency in a 2.4-kW isolated GaN converter is presented. Ultrahigh conversion efficiency allows the realization of a very compact dc–dc converter with a very small or no heat sink. The prototype converter has a power density of 7 kW/L and the measured efficiency is above 98.5% over a wide range of output power. The maximum measured efficiency of the converter is 98.8% at 50% of full load.
Protein transport in organelles: Protein transport into and across the thylakoid membrane

The chloroplast thylakoid is the most abundant membrane system in nature, and is responsible for the critical processes of light capture, electron transport and photophosphorylation. Most of the resident proteins are imported from the cytosol and then transported into or across the thylakoid membrane. This minireview describes the multitude of pathways used for these proteins. We discuss the huge differences in the mechanisms involved in the secretory and twin‐arginine translocase pathways used for the transport of proteins into the lumen, with an emphasis on the differing substrate conformations and energy requirements. We also discuss the rationale for the use of two different systems for membrane protein insertion: the signal recognition particle pathway and the so‐called spontaneous pathway. The recent crystallization of a key chloroplast signal recognition particle component provides new insights into this rather unique form of signal recognition particle.
Prognosis for gross motor function in cerebral palsy: creation of motor development curves.

CONTEXT Lack of a valid classification of severity of cerebral palsy and the absence of longitudinal data on which to base an opinion have made it difficult to consider prognostic issues accurately. OBJECTIVE To describe patterns of gross motor development of children with cerebral palsy by severity, using longitudinal observations, as a basis for prognostic counseling with parents and for planning clinical management. DESIGN Longitudinal cohort study of children with cerebral palsy, stratified by age and severity of motor function and observed serially for up to 4 years during the period from 1996 to 2001. SETTING Nineteen publicly funded regional children's ambulatory rehabilitation programs in Ontario. PARTICIPANTS A total of 657 children aged 1 to 13 years at study onset, representing the full spectrum of clinical severity of motor impairment in children with cerebral palsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Severity of cerebral palsy, classified with the 5-level Gross Motor Function Classification System; function, formally assessed with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). RESULTS Based on a total of 2632 GMFM assessments, 5 distinct motor development curves were created; these describe important and significant differences in the rates and limits of gross motor development among children with cerebral palsy by severity. There is substantial within-stratum variation in gross motor development. CONCLUSIONS Evidence-based prognostication about gross motor progress in children with cerebral palsy is now possible, providing parents and clinicians with a means to plan interventions and to judge progress over time. Further work is needed to describe motor function of adolescents with cerebral palsy.
Land Grabbing: A Gendered Understanding of Perceptions and Reactions from Affected Communities in Nguti Subdivision of South West Cameroon

This article examines the political economic processes and gendered consequences involved in large‐scale land acquisition (LSLA) in rural South West Cameroon. The study adopts a gender‐disaggregated approach to data collection to understand local perceptions and reactions to LSLA in the region. It shows how traditional cultural prescriptions have combined with contemporary land laws to masculinize power over land to the detriment of women. It argues that although men and women are both affected by LSLA projects, the impacts are much greater for women because what the state considers “empty land” is used by them to secure household food security. Second, it argues that amid societal discrimination over land‐ownership rights, perceived gender differences between men and women appear “rational” in the event of LSLA—men follow their ascribed roles in overt reactions, women being more covert and much less vocal in land‐related contests. New policies that promote rural women's land rights will not only empower them during land struggles, they will also provide communities with greater security to sustain ecologically viable livelihoods.
On the multipath order in wideband indoor propagation environments

The design of efficient wideband diversity systems and their accurate performance evaluation depends on a complete understanding of the number of multipath components, referred to as the multipath order, available in the communication channel. This paper characterizes the multipath order based on captured channel realizations from a comprehensive indoor measurement campaign performed on the MIT campus. The multipath orders are extracted from channel realizations observed at a set of center frequency and bandwidth pairs in a variety of locations. It is shown that changes in bandwidth significantly impact the multipath order, and in general the behavior is nonlinear. We first propose separate models which are only a function of bandwidth, for each center frequency. Then we develop a more general joint model which takes into account the variations caused by changes in both center frequency and bandwidth. These models are validated through statistical tests and are shown to accurately characterize the multipath order.
Vibrotactile force feedback for telemanipulation: Concept and applications

In telemanipulation and 3D virtual interactions it is important to transmit force sensation from the remote or virtual environment to the human operator. Due to the weak points (control issues, robustness, cost) of real force feedback devices, methods where force is rendered on non-native sensory channels have grounds. In this paper, the conceptual background of sensor-bridging type cognitive infocommunications based force reflecting schemes are discussed, and experimental infrastructure are introduced covering current application fields.
Monitoring the foreign exchange rate benchmark fix

ABSTRACT We develop a Manipulation Index (ManIx) that captures the potential manipulation intention of dealers during the World Markets/Reuters (WMR) benchmark (London Close) period at 4 pm London time through a unique algorithm and simulation. The application of this model (using a dataset with dealers’ identities) can identify banks that are prone to potential manipulative behavior. The results concerning the identified banks are validated by the regulatory investigations. Implementation of this algorithm allows regulators better direct their limited resources towards more targeted in-depth investigation.
Attribution of emotions to body postures: An independent component analysis study of functional connectivity in autism

The ability to interpret others' body language is a vital skill that helps us infer their thoughts and emotions. However, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been found to have difficulty in understanding the meaning of people's body language, perhaps leading to an overarching deficit in processing emotions. The current fMRI study investigates the functional connectivity underlying emotion and action judgment in the context of processing body language in high‐functioning adolescents and young adults with autism, using an independent components analysis (ICA) of the fMRI time series. While there were no reliable group differences in brain activity, the ICA revealed significant involvement of occipital and parietal regions in processing body actions; and inferior frontal gyrus, superior medial prefrontal cortex, and occipital cortex in body expressions of emotions. In a between‐group analysis, participants with autism, relative to typical controls, demonstrated significantly reduced temporal coherence in left ventral premotor cortex and right superior parietal lobule while processing emotions. Participants with ASD, on the other hand, showed increased temporal coherence in left fusiform gyrus while inferring emotions from body postures. Finally, a positive predictive relationship was found between empathizing ability and the brain areas underlying emotion processing in ASD participants. These results underscore the differential role of frontal and parietal brain regions in processing emotional body language in autism. Hum Brain Mapp 35:5204–5218, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A multi-scale fuzzy classification by knn. Application to the interpretation of aerial images

Proposes an algorithm of multi-scale fuzzy classification by knn, used on complex data (multimodal, various size classes.). The method uses potential functions, corresponding to membership degrees of classes. It introduces a scale factor, specific to each class, to weight these functions. This multi-scale analysis improves the learning and the system performances, by making the potentials consistent over the feature space. The analysis adapts itself, especially to small size classes usually neglected in classification systems.
Time-Consistent Carbon Pricing

In this paper we show that carbon pricing is subject to time-inconsistency and we investigate solutions to improve on the problem and restore the incentive for the private sector to invest in low-carbon innovation. We show that a superior price- investment equilibrium can be sustained in the long-term, if the policy-maker is enough forward looking and allowed to build reputation. In the short-term, time- inconsistency can be alleviated by complementing carbon pricing with project-based carbon price guarantees.
The Complementary Effect of National Park Fee Increases on Visitor Spending in Gateway Communities

In 2017, the US National Park Service faced a nearly $12 billion maintenance backlog. To address this backlog, they announced plans to increase entrance fees in 17 of the most visited parks. As fees are a component of the travel cost, we consider price change effects on demand for park entry. Demand for the 17 parks is shown to be inelastic. Recognizing that spending in gateway communities is complementary to national park visitation, we use Yellowstone National Park as a case study on entrance fee increase effects on gateway communities. We estimate a $3.4 million annual loss in gateway community spending by visitors as a result of reduced visitation by those visitors who choose not to purchase a 7-day pass. Acknowledging the diminishing effect of the fee increase on travel costs, we further explore alternative means of structuring fees based on examples of other countries.
C6. Probability of error of TDMA relay protocols over Weibull and Weibull-lognormal channels

This paper focuses on the analysis of the probability of error for several time-division multiple-access (TDMA) cooperative wireless two-stage relay protocols using amplify-and-forward (AF) over independent non-identically distributed Weibull and Weibull-lognormal fading channels with maximal ratio combining (MRC) reception. A closed-form expression for the moment-generating function (MGF) of a lower bound on the total end-to-end signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) is derived in terms of the tabulated Meijer's G-function. The MGF is then used to derive the probability of error for relaying with orthogonal channels. Simulation results are presented to show that the probability of error expression becomes tight at high SNR values thus verifying the lower bound approximation results.
5-Fluorouracil Treatment of Problematic Scars

Background: Keloids and hypertrophic scars can be uncomfortable, disfiguring, and aesthetically undesirable. Anecdotal reports suggest that low-dose intralesional fluorouracil can be used to treat these undesirable scars. Methods: Using a prospective case series protocol, both keloid and hypertrophic scar patients were included. Keloid patients underwent excision followed by a series of treatments with intralesional 5-fluorouracil into the healing scar to prevent recurrence (n = 32). The hypertrophic scar patients were treated with the same series of injections without scar excision to both control symptoms and improve scar appearance (n = 21). The primary outcome measures were scar volume and a symptom questionnaire. Patients were followed for 1 year after completing the injection treatments. Results: In the keloid group, the recurrence rate was 19 percent at 1-year follow-up for this group of patients who had failed previous corticosteroid injection therapy. In the hypertrophic scar group, 14 percent did not respond to the series of injections. In this group, there was a median volume decrease of 50 percent maintained for 1 year after injection therapy was terminated. Conclusions: Intralesional fluorouracil is a safe and effective means of controlling problem scars in terms of both recurrence and symptom control. Benefits were maintained for at least 1 year after completion of therapy. Intralesional 5-fluorouracil should be considered another option for patients suffering from problematic scars.
Emotion recognition based on correlation between left and right frontal EEG assymetry

The significant role of emotion recognition research has increased in last few years of human daily life. In this paper, we base on electroencephalogram (EEG) of the brain to recognize the internal emotion of participants. We use arousal and valence emotion elicitation process to calculate multidimensional direct information (MDI) between right and left hemisphere. The main contribution is recognizing internal emotion of people based on reading the signals from frontal asymmetry of brain so that four channels are used to represent frontal asymmetry of brain F3, F7, F4 and F8. The emotion elicitation process is focused on frontal EEG asymmetry base on using standard dataset. We test four basic emotions happy, sad, anger and relax. These emotions represent high arousal high valence, low arousal low valance, High arousal low valence and low arousal high valence in arousal and valance model. Statistical-based features from EEG signals of data inputs are extracted and used to calculate multidimensional direct information in order to find the correlation between left and right hemisphere to each emotion.
Dynamically phase‐cycled radial balanced SSFP imaging for efficient banding removal

Balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) imaging suffers from banding artifacts due to its inherent sensitivity to inhomogeneities in the main magnetic field. These artifacts can be removed by the acquisition of multiple images at different frequency offsets. However, conventional phase‐cycling is hindered by a long scan time. The purpose of this work is to present a novel approach for efficient banding removal in bSSFP imaging.