Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anode Glow Discharge Plasma Treatment of Titanium Plates Facilitates Adsorption of Extracellular Matrix Proteins to the Plates

Glow discharge plasma (GDP) supplied to an anode (GDP+) promotes calcium phosphate adsorption onto titanium better than that supplied to a cathode (GDP-). However, the adsorption of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is crucial for cell adhesion to titanium. Since GDP+ induced both inorganic adsorption and cell adhesion, we hypothesized that the inorganic adsorption in a culture medium might affect the adsorption of the ECM proteins. In this study, ECM proteins adsorbed on titanium with and without GDP were examined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. After 1 hr of incubation, increasing sodium adsorption on GDP+ specimens induced adsorption of ECM proteins as shown by NH+ and COO− signals without calcium adsorption. In contrast, since no specific adsorption of sodium on GDP-specimens was detected, GDP-did not contribute to the adsorption of ECM proteins. Thus, promotion of sodium adsorption of GDP+ was effective, at least in the initial ECM protein adsorption on a titanium surface.
A size-reduced CPW balun using a "X"-crossing structure

A novel sized-reduced CPW balun is proposed. It has an 180/spl deg/ phase inverting structure, which is a "X"-crossing between signal line and ground planes of CPW transmission line. A 3/spl lambda//4 CPW transmission line can be reduced to /spl lambda//4 in physical length while the electrical length is preserved. One of previous Wilkinson baluns shown (Lim et al., 2004) has a long 3/spl lambda//4 transmission section to form the Wilkinson structure having out of phase performance between output ports. The large Wilkinson balun is quite reduced by adopting the CPW phase inverting structure. Measured results show that the size-reduced CPW Wilkinson balun has better performances than the original Wilkinson balun.
Monitoring the nutritional and reproductive state of dairy cows through the presence of urea in milk

The effects of farm, parity (PO) and month of parturition on milk production, percentage of fat and protein, somatic cell count (SCC), and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) concentration were assessed on four specialized dairy farms using 120 cows. Also, the effects of MUN on gestation rate (GR) and artificial insemination rate (AIR) in early lactation were studied. The parameters of production and milk quality were similar among farms and were not influenced by the month of parturition. Farm D presented the highest MUN concentration. Concentration of MUN, percentages of fat and protein and SCC were not influenced by PO. Cows with a value of MUN between 10.1 and 13.0 mg/dL had the highest AIR and GR between days 55 and 70 postpartum and after 70 days in milk. These data suggested that MUN concentration was a useful parameter to predict the nutritional and reproductive stages of dairy cows.
The consumption side of sustainable fashion supply chain: Understanding fashion consumer eco‐fashion consumption decision

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between product‐ and store‐related attributes of eco‐fashion and fashion consumers’ eco‐fashion consumption decisions; and if such relationships are subject to the price premium level of eco‐fashion.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted with consumers in Hong Kong: in total, 216 consumers participated in the survey. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to check the validity and reliability of the scales. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis.Findings – The findings showed that only store‐related attributes of eco‐fashion positively influence consumers’ eco‐fashion consumption decision, yet, such relationship can be weakened by the price premium level of eco‐fashion.Research limitations/implications – Fashion consumers’ response to product‐ and store‐related attributes of eco‐fashion is still important in predicting fashion consumers’ eco‐fashion consumption decision. Fashion consumer environmenta.
hEYEbrid

We introduce hEYEbrid, a calibration-free method for spontaneous and long-term eye gaze tracking, with competitive gaze estimation. It is based on a hybrid concept that combines infrared eye images with corneal imaging. For this, two eye cameras are mounted on a glasses frame. In this way, the pupil can be tracked quickly with high precision. This information is translated into the corneal image, which is used to create a connection to the environment, acting like a scene camera. In a user study with 20 participants, we evaluated our approach against an extended version of the system, called 3C-hEYEbrid, and a state-of-the-art head-mounted Pupil Labs eye tracker. We show that hEYEbrid provides accurate gaze estimation in unconstrained environments and is robust against calibration drift (e.g. caused by taking off and putting on the device). In addition, we present a mobile and wearable implementation of hEYEbrid and 3C-hEYEbrid, that is also usable with a monocular Pupil Labs eye tracker. It connects the head-mounted device to a mobile phone, enabling gaze estimation in real time. hEYEbrid represents a significant step towards pervasive gaze-based interfaces.
Precautionary Decision Rules under Risk-Needed or Redundant ? A general representation result . Preliminary Version , June 19 , 2005

I give a general class of preference representations conforming with the von Neumann-Morgenstern axioms, time consistency and additivity of welfare over time on certain outcomes (certainty additivity). I discuss whether precautionary decision rules are needed and in what sense. By explicitly taking care of the gauge freedom allowed for Bernoulli utility my representation theorem allows to relate different setups in the literature. This way a general relation between intertemporal substitutability, risk aversion and a preference for the timing of uncertainty resolution is derived. I point out that only the difference between intertemporal substitutability and risk aversion is gauge invariant. This invariant is shown to characterize precautionarity.
Performance of sequential arm movements with and without advance knowledge of motor pathways in Parkinson's disease

Patients with Parkinson's disease are slower than normal subjects in executing sequential arm movements, and their bradykinesia worsens as the execution of motor sequences progresses. In parkinsonian and normal subjects, we studied the execution of two types of fast sequential arm movements. The subjects had to perform a motor sequence following with their arm a path marked by six targets on a screen In one experimental condition, they performed the motor sequence without advance knowledge of its path and executed each submovement in response to the consecutive appearance of the targets on the screen (unknown motor sequences). In the other condition, all the targets appeared simultaneously on the screen before the subject moved, and the subject internally determined when to execute each submovement (known motor sequences). Patients were slower than normal subjects in executing both sequences. Patients and normal subjects were faster in executing known than unknown sequences, but the patients' percentage of total movement time diminished less. During the unknown condition, both groups tended to lengthen submovement duration whereas, during the known condition, both groups tended to correct this trend. Patients performed submovements during both sequences with longer acceleration phases. The submovement symmetry ratio of the velocity profile changed according to the direction of movement (up or down). We conclude that these findings depend mainly on the mode of movement execution. They also suggest that patients with Parkinson's disease have more difficulty in executing internally determined than externally triggered sequential movements.
Calcium‐force relationships as detected with aequorin in two different vascular smooth muscles of the ferret.

The bioluminescent calcium indicator aequorin was chemically loaded into isolated strips of ferret portal vein and ferret aorta. Aequorin light emission (a function of [Ca2+]i) was recorded simultaneously with tension. Assuming an [Mg2+]i of 0.5 mM, [Ca2+]i was 1.8 X 10(‐7) M in the unstimulated portal vein at 22 degrees C where there was negligible resting tone. In contrast, in the unstimulated aorta at 22 degrees C where there was significant basal tone, the [Ca2+]i was 2.7 X 10(‐7) M. In both portal vein and aorta, potassium depolarization caused a monophasic rise in intracellular Ca2+ in parallel with the rise in tension, whereas phenylephrine caused an initial spike of light during the period of the force development which then fell to a much lower plateau level during the period of force maintenance. Calcium‐force curves were generated by plotting calibrated aequorin light against force while intracellular [Ca2+] was made to change either by increasing degrees of potassium depolarization or decreasing extracellular [Ca2+]. The steady‐state calcium‐force curve in the presence of phenylephrine was shifted to the left of the curve in the presence of potassium depolarization in both the portal vein and aorta. In the aorta there was a counter‐clockwise hysteresis in the calcium‐force relationship. In contrast, in the portal vein there was no demonstrable hysteresis, indicating that the apparent change in calcium sensitivity of the contractile apparatus in the presence of phenylephrine must be caused by a second messenger other than calcium.
Constraints and consumer response in product design

A good design attracts consumers to a product, communicates to them, and adds value to the product by increasing the quality of the usage experiences associated with it. This paper discusses constraints and consumer response in product design. The product design is determined by the set of goals and constraints applicable to the design project. Consumer behaviour presents response to products as comprising cognition and affect, which are followed by behaviour. Emphasis is placed on the aesthetic, semantic and symbolic aspects of cognitive response to design. The accompanying affective and behavioural responses are also discussed and the interaction between cognitive and affective response is considered. All aspects of response are presented as the final stage in a process of communication between the design team and the consumer. The good design criteria have been discussed in relation to consumer emotional responses and a selection of these has been given as examples.
International Accounting Standards for SMEs

This study analyses the financial reporting problems of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) located in two European countries – Croatia and Italy, reflecting different institutional and economic environments of a transitional economy and developed economy in stagnation. The survey explores the peculiarities of SMEs accounting from the cost/benefit aspect of accounting information, pointing out their specific needs comparing to the large entities. The SMEs accounting problems are analysed in the light of environmental factors, internationalisation process and under the pressure of accounting harmonisation goals. Thus, our contribution is a survey, by theoretical and empirical point of view, on International Accounting Standard (IAS/IFRS) applicability to SMEs, which is one of the most important topics of the current international debate among accounting scholars and professionals
Effects of treatment with 17beta-estradiol on the hypercholesterolemic rabbit middle cerebral artery.

OBJECTIVE The effects of acute and long-term treatment with 17beta-estradiol on the vasomotor responses of rabbit middle cerebral artery (RMCA) were investigated. METHODS For 8 weeks, male rabbits consumed standard chow (control group), standard chow+1% cholesterol (cholesterol group) or 1% cholesterol chow+17beta-estradiol (i.m. injection 700 microg per week) (estradiol group). The RMCA was precontracted with high K(+) solution and exposed to agonists. RESULTS Acute exposure to 17beta-estradiol strongly induced relaxation of the RMCA isolated from either control or cholesterol groups. This effect was endothelium independent. Incubation with 17beta-estradiol shifted the calcium contraction curve to the right. High cholesterol diet impaired the relaxation induced by acetylcholine and did not alter relaxation to sodium nitroprusside or to papaverine. Chronic treatment with 17beta-estradiol restored this impaired relaxation to acetylcholine. This protective effect of estradiol was significantly reduced in the presence of N(omega) nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a constitutive nitric oxide-synthase inhibitor and was not modified in the presence of aminoguanidine, an inducible nitric oxide-synthase inhibitor. Neither tetrabutylammonium, a blocker of calcium-activated K(+) channels, nor glibenclamide, a blocker of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels, affected concentration-response to acetylcholine in the RMCA of the estradiol group, whereas 4-aminopyridine, a blocker of voltage-dependent K(+) channels strongly inhibited this relaxation. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that acute effects of 17beta-estradiol in the RMCA is mediated through blockade of calcium entry into vascular smooth muscle cells, while chronic treatment with this hormone seems to be mediated by release of nitric oxide which activates voltage-dependent potassium channels.
SenSing and Signaling for PeroxiSome autoPhagic degradation (PexoPhagy) in yeaStS

yeast cells, similarly to cells of other eukaryotic organisms, possess intracellular organelles, including that of peroxisomes also known as microbodies . Enzymes of oxidative metabolism, mainly hydrogen peroxide generating oxidases, catalase, some enzymes of glyoxylic cycle and enzymes involved in catabolism of unusual carbon sources (n-alkanes, methanol) are located in peroxisomes. Especially important role is played by peroxisomes in methylotrophic yeasts, unique eukaryotic organisms capable to utilize one-carbon compound, methanol. Active proliferation and biogenesis of peroxisomes occur on methanol, so these organelles can occupy between 30 and 80% of cellular volume. After shift of methanol-grown cells into media with multicarbon substrates, such as glucose or ethanol, an excess of peroxisomes degrades in the specific process known as autophagic degradation of peroxisomes or pexophagy. There are 36 AuTophaGy related genes, known as ATG genes, which products are also involved in pexophagy. At the same time, not much is known on mechanisms of glucose and ethanol sensing and signaling which initia te pexophagy process. Proteins Pfk1(α-subunit of phosphofructokinase), Slt2 (mitogen-activating protein kinase) Gpr1 and Gpa2 (components of GPCr system) and Snf3 and Ggt2 (highand low-affinity glucose sensors) were found to be involved in signaling of glucose-induced pexophagy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, glucose sensing protein Gss1 was found to be important for glucose-induced pexophagy. Very few is known on mechanisms of ethanol sensing and signaling during pexophagy which is an important problem for future studies.
Capital Gains Taxes and IPO Under-Pricing

We identify initial public offerings (IPOs) as a setting to study the effect of capital gains taxes on asset prices. The initial (first-day) stock returns are a reasonable estimate of the short term taxable gains incurred by initial investors who bought shares at the offer price. If initial investors are able to shift the short-term capital gains tax burden from selling their shares to equity issuers or subsequent buyers, then the magnitude of IPO under-pricing should increase in short-term capital gains taxes. On the other hand, a historically lower long-term capital gains tax rate offers initial investors the benefit of deferring and reducing capital gains taxes by delaying the sale of their shares. If these tax savings are important, then the magnitude of IPO under-pricing should decrease in long-term capital gains tax rate. We provide empirical evidence supporting both predictions. Broadly speaking, our results suggest that taxes play an important role in valuing securities.
Theoretical Study of Structure and Vibrational Spectra of Molecular and Ionic Clusters Existing in Vapour over Rubidium Chloride

The geometrical structure and the vibrational spectra of dimer Rb2Cl2, trimer Rb3Cl3, tetramer Rb4Cl4 molecules and heptaatomic Rb4Cl3+, Rb3Cl4– ions were studied. The cluster molecules and ions had been detected in equilibrium vapour over rubidium chloride previously. The quantum chemical calculations by DFT with hybrid functional B3P86 and MP2 methods were performed. The effective core potential with Def2–TZVP (6s4p3d) basis set for rubidium atom and full electron aug–cc–pVTZ (6s5p3d2f) basis set for chlorine atom were used. The equilibrium configuration was confirmed to be rhomb of symmetry D2h for dimer Rb2Cl2, distorted cube (Td) for tetramer Rb4Cl4 and polyhedral (C3v) for heptaatomic ions Rb4Cl3+ and Rb3Cl4–. For the trimer molecule Rb3Cl3 two isomers have been revealed: hexagonal (D3h) and butterfly-shaped (C2v), the latter has lower energy and is proved to be predominant in equilibrium vapour in a broad temperature range.
An 11.0 bit ENOB, 9.8 fJ/conv.-step noise-shaping SAR ADC calibrated by least squares estimation

A noise-shaping SAR ADC implemented in 28 nm UTBB FDSOI is presented. A cascaded FIR-IIR loop filter topology is used, and implemented as an inverter-based switched-capacitor circuit. The loop filter also employs input buffers. To correct CDAC mismatch, an off-line calibration technique that estimates the CDAC calibration coefficients from a digitized test sequence is proposed and used. At 28 MS/s and Nyquist bandwidth of 1.75 MHz, the measured accuracy is 11.0 bit ENOB, and the Walden FOM 9.8 fJ/conv. -step.
Immunoglobulin G4-related inflammatory aortic aneurysm

1.1 The concept of immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing disease Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) is the rarest subclass of IgG, which is numbered 1 through 4 in the order of their discovery and serum concentration, and normally constitutes only 3 to 6% of the total IgG fraction (Oxelius, 2008). IgG4 antibody has unique structural and functional properties, and the production of IgG4 appears to be driven in part by T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines that mediate allergic responses and IgE production (Nirula et al., 2011). The presence of IgG4 autoantibody in bullous skin diseases and high serum IgG4 concentration in patients with atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma and bullous skin diseases have indicated that IgG4 plays an important role in these diseases (Jones et al., 1988; Jarvis et al., 2007). However, little attention had been paid to IgG4, before Hamano et al. revealed that serum IgG4 concentration was markedly elevated in patients with sclerosing pancreatitis (also called autoimmune pancreatitis) in 2001 (Hamano et al., 2001). Moreover, the same group also reported that the lesions of sclerosing pancreatitis and retroperitoneal fibrosis had abundant infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells (Hamano et al., 2002). Since then, many extrapancreatic lesions that share the same histopathological and immunohistochemical features as autoimmune pancreatitis have been reported in various organs, and the distinct clinicopathological disease entity, termed “IgG4-related sclerosing disease”, was established, because irrespective of origin of the organ, these lesions show common clinicopathological features (Kamisawa & Okamoto, 2008; Cheuk & Chan, 2010).
DISTRIBUTION OF 5‐AMINOLEVULINIC ACID‐INDUCED PORPHYRINS IN NODULOULCERATIVE BASAL CELL CARCINOMA

Abstract— Microscopic fluorescence photometry incorporating a light‐sensitive thermo‐electrically cooled charge‐coupled device (CCD) camera was employed to investigate the fluorescence distribution of 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA)‐induced porphyrins in 22 patients with a total number of 52 noduloul‐cerative basal cell carcinomas (BCC) after topical ALA application with or without dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)/ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or after intravenous administration of ALA. Both localization patterns and amounts of ALA‐induced porphyrins in the BCC were studied. The ALA‐induced porphyrins were localized only in the superficial layers of the noduloulcerative BCC lesions after topical application of 20% ALA alone for 3 h. However, both the penetration of ALA into deep lesions and the production of the ALA‐induced porphyrin fluorescence were increased after topical administration of 20% ALA and 20% DMSO/4% EDTA for 3 h. Prior treatment with 99% DMSO for 15 min further enhanced the ALA penetration into the BCC lesions after topical application of the ALA/DMSO/EDTA mixture and produced more ALA‐induced porphyrins by a factor of about three compared with those treated with ALA alone. The penetration of ALA into the deep BCC lesions could also be increased by prolonging the time of topical application of 20% ALA/4% EDTA to 29–48 h (without DMSO). Intravenous injection of ALA led to a more homogeneous distribution of the ALA‐derived porphyrins in the whole noduloulcerative BCC lesions.
Interleukin‐18: Biological properties and role in disease pathogenesis

Initially described as an interferon (IFN)γ‐inducing factor, interleukin (IL)‐18 is indeed involved in Th1 and NK cell activation, but also in Th2, IL‐17‐producing γδ T cells and macrophage activation. IL‐18, a member of the IL‐1 family, is similar to IL‐1β for being processed by caspase 1 to an 18 kDa‐biologically active mature form. IL‐18 binds to its specific receptor (IL‐18Rα, also known as IL‐1R7) forming a low affinity ligand chain. This is followed by recruitment of the IL‐18Rβ chain. IL‐18 then uses the same signaling pathway as IL‐1 to activate NF‐kB and induce inflammatory mediators such as adhesion molecules, chemokines and Fas ligand. IL‐18 also binds to the circulating high affinity IL‐18 binding protein (BP), such as only unbound free IL‐18 is active. IL‐18Rα may also bind IL‐37, another member of the IL‐1 family, but in association with the negative signaling chain termed IL‐1R8, which transduces an anti‐inflammatory signal. IL‐18BP also binds IL‐37 and this acts as a sink for the anti‐inflammatory properties of IL‐37. There is now ample evidence for a role of IL‐18 in various infectious, metabolic or inflammatory diseases such as influenza virus infection, atheroma, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or Crohn's disease. However, IL‐18 plays a very specific role in the pathogenesis of hemophagocytic syndromes (HS) also termed Macrophage Activation Syndrome. In children affected by NLRC4 gain‐of‐function mutations, IL‐18 circulates in the range of tens of nanograms/mL. HS is treated with the IL‐1 Receptor antagonist (anakinra) but also specifically with IL‐18BP. Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis or adult‐onset Still's disease are also characterized by high serum IL‐18 concentrations and are treated by IL‐18BP.