Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heat shock proteins: friend and foe?

The heat shock proteins (Hsps) are families of proteins first described and later named due to their production by cells exposed to sudden elevations in temperature (Tissieres, Mitchell & Tracey, 1974). It is now apparent that Hsps are induced in all cells by many different environmental assaults including oxidative injury and infection with intracellular pathogens, and enable the cells to survive otherwise unfavourable conditions (Polla, 1988). Although cellular stress increases the synthesis of Hsps, many are also constitutively expressed and play an essential role in normal cell function. Hsps are classified into families according to molecular weight (Hsp90,70,60 and small Hsps) (Lindquist & Craig, 1986) and perform their functions by associating with, and functionally influencing, other proteins. For example, Hsp90 complexes with inactive steroid hormone receptors, probably performing a stabilizing function and preventing binding to DNA in the absence of hormone (Baulieu, 1987). Members of the Hsp70 and 60 families play roles in the folding and unfolding of proteins and in the assembly of oligomeric protein complexes (Cheng et al., 1989; Craig & Gross, 1991). These functions are anticipated to come to the fore during stressed conditions. The Hsp response is ubiquitous throughout the proand eukaryotic kingdoms, and Hsps are extraordinarily evolutionarily conserved molecules. The human homologue of the Hsp60 family, for example, has 40-50% sequence identity with the mycobacterial member, the 65-kDa antigen, and a further 20% conservative replacements (Jindal et al., 1989). For this reason Hsps would be predicted to be poorly immunogenic. Quite to the contrary, evidence suggests that Hsps may be some of the most important immunogens of infectious agents (see Verbon, Hartskeerl & Kolk, this issue). It has also been proposed that Hsps provide a link between immunity to infection and autoimmune disease. The evidence for, and anticipated consequences of, the immunogenicity of Hsps is discussed in this brief review.
Mandatory Testing of Drivers on the Basis of Age and Degenerative Diseases: Stakeholder Opinions

Concerns about the driving competence of older drivers have led to policy discussions about mandatory aged-based and disorder-based assessments. This study explored the attitudes, beliefs, and preferences of older adults, law enforcement officers, and licensing authorities toward reexamination of driving skills for persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) and at varying ages. With few exceptions, participants across all groups supported retesting drivers with AD. Moderate support was given for further evaluation of 90-year-olds and those with PD. Least endorsement was given for reassessment of 70-year-old drivers. Findings have implications for legislative changes to address drivers with AD and PD and at older ages.
Antibody responses in germ-free chickens to bacteria isolated from various sources.

The germ-free chickens were mono- or dicontaminated with various species of facultative anaerobes and obligate anaerobes isolated from chickens, humans, pigs, and fermentation products, and their sera were studied for agglutinins against these organisms. After contamination, gnotobiotic chickens developed relatively high titers of agglutinins against Streptococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens from a chicken and obligate anaerobes such as Bifidobacterium thermophilum (strain T 111), Bacteroides sp. (Au 21–27), and Fusobacterium (Sphaerophorus) sp. (EBF 59/96p) from chickens, Bacteroides sp. (A 269–5) from a human, and B. thermophilum (P 2–91) and Fusobacterium (Sphaerophorus) sp. (PNC 2–23) from pigs. On the contrary, little or no detectable agglutinins were observed against Bacteroides sp. (Ch 220–17) from a chicken, Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bifidobacterium bifidum from humans and Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum from fermentation products. Anti-Escherichia coli agglutinins were sensitive to 2-mercaptoethanol, but anti-B. thermophilum agglutinins were not.
A 2.24 mW 74 dBΩ-Gain, dc to 600 MHz-BW differential baseband amplifier for 60 GHz wireless applications

A low power, wideband and high linearity current-mode based differential baseband amplifier with a bandwidth from dc to 600 MHz applied for 60 GHz zero-IF RF receiver is presented. The wideband differential baseband amplifier is realized in a 90 nm CMOS process. A series-series feedback technique and a Q-enhanced active inductor are adopted in the current-mode baseband amplifier for achieving wideband and high linearity under a small current consumption. The measured maximum BW of 600 MHz, gain of 74 dBΩ and OIP3 of +12.5 dBV are realized with power consumption of only 2.24 mW under a supply voltage of 1.4 V. The measured performance shows the baseband amplifier fulfills the requirements for 60 GHz zero-IF RF transceivers.
El despliegue de la Ley de Dependencia en el País Vasco y la Comunidad de Madrid (2007-2012): el margen de la autonomía política

espanolLos intentos de cambio en las politicas de bienestar implican desafios de legitimidad y coordinacion que son especialmente relevantes en Estados descentralizados. Escenarios de gobierno multinivel revelan tensiones por capitalizar resultados de las politicas publicas y dificultan la cooperacion interadministrativa. Esta complejidad aumenta en tiempos de crisis y recortes en las politicas. La aprobacion y despliegue de la Ley de Promocion de la Autonomia Personal y Atencion a las Personas en Situacion de Dependencia ofrece un caso relevante como ejemplo. La implementacion de la Ley requeria mecanismos complejos de coordinacion entre los Gobiernos central, autonomicos y locales. En este proceso, las comunidades autonomas tomaron diferentes opciones tanto de cambio institucional como de politica publica, y el inicio de la crisis (2008) ahondo esas diferencias. Este articulo utiliza la tipologia de Hacker (2004) de cambio institucional incremental para interpretar y explicar como y por que dos casos —Pais Vasco y Comunidad de Madrid— desarrollan opciones de implementacion distintas para integrar una politica definida con una logica top-down por el Gobierno central con la politica de bienestar autonomica ya desplegada. EuskaraOngizate arloko politikak aldatzeko saioak legitimitate eta koordinaziorako erronka bilakatzen dira, eta bereziki garrantzitsu izaten dira deszentralizatutako Estatuen baitan. Maila anitzeko gobernuko egoeretan tentsioak agertzen dira politika publikoetako emaitzak kapitalizatzean, eta zaildu egiten dute administrazioen arteko lankidetza. Arazoaren konplexutasun hori larritu egiten da krisialdi eta politiken murrizketa gertaturiko garaietan. Horren adibide gisara, kasu adierazgarria da Norberaren Autonomia Sustatzeko eta Mendetasunaren Arretarako Legearen onarpen eta hedakuntza. Legea ezartzeko premiako gertatzen ziren Gobernu zentralaren, erkidego eta tokiko gobernuen koordinaziorako mekanismo konplexuak bideratzea. Prozesu horretan, autonomia-erkidegoek aukera desberdinak hartu zituzten bai erakundeen aldaketarako bai politika publikoen aldaketarako, eta krisialdia hastean (2008) larriagotu egin ziren alde horiek. Artikulu honetan aztergai hartzen da areagotzen den aldaketa instituzionalaren Hacker egilearen tipologia (2004), horren haritik interpretatu eta azaltzeko bi kasu desberdinetan —Euskadi eta Madrilgo Erkidegoa— jada ongizaterako politiken eskumenak banaturiko top-down logikari jarraikiz garatu izandako ezarpenerako bi ibilbide.
The reorganization of the human and rabbit heart in response to haemodynamic overload.

A myothermal/mechanical analysis on non-failing and failing human hearts and normal and pressure overloaded rabbit hearts is reported. Heat production is partitioned into tension-dependent and tension-independent components together with force measurements to provide information about calcium and cross-bridge cycling. In the non-failing human heart the cross-bridge force-time integral is 0.51 +/- 0.06 (ns). This value is increased to 0.97 +/- 0.09 (P less than 0.05 s) in failing hearts. In control as compared to pressure-overload rabbit hearts the cross-bridge force-time integral increases from 0.36 +/- 0.02 to 0.96 +/- 0.11 (P less than 0.05 s). The increase in force-time integral allows the heart muscle to develop force with greater economy (less high energy phosphate hydrolysis) but at the expense of velocity and power. The amount of calcium cycled following activation in non-failing human hearts is 32.2 +/- 8.17 nmoles.g-1. -beat-1. In the failing preparations calcium cycling is reduced to 16.7 +/- 1.72 nmoles.g-1. -beat-1. In pressure-overloaded hypertrophied, as compared with control rabbit hearts, the calcium cycled per beat is reduced from 43.0 +/- 7.3 to 17.6 +/- 3.4 nmoles.g-1. It is suggested that the alterations in cross-bridge cycling are more likely to be related to isoenzyme shifts in light chains or troponin T than to myosin isoforms. The calcium cycling changes are well correlated with changes in the sarcoplasmic reticular and sarcolemmal calcium transport proteins. The alterations in the contractile and excitation contractions coupling systems contribute to the functional changes observed in the failing human and pressure-overload rabbit hearts.
What does a diagnosis of brain death mean to family members approached about organ donation? A review of the literature.

BACKGROUND What a diagnosis of brain stem death (the term used in the United Kingdom) or brain death (the term used in the United States) means to the family members of potential organ donors is an important issue to explore as biomedicine moves to expand the range of end-of-life technologies that, potentially, blur the demarcation between life and death. OBJECTIVE To provide some insights into how a diagnosis of brain stem death or brain death may be perceived by family members approached about organ donation. METHODS A review of the literature regarding organ donation was carried out. RESULTS Although most publications do not focus specifically on the concept of brain death, those that do so made a valuable contribution, offering potential theoretical frameworks to aid our understanding of what the diagnosis of death by brain-based criteria means to family members of potential organ donors. The diagnosis of brain death is intricately linked to the issue of organ donation and may influence family members' decision making. Also, the perception that death has occurred differs from one person to another. CONCLUSIONS A sustained increase in the number of organs available for transplantation may never be achieved until the concepts of brain death, brain stem death, and now non-heart-beating death (1) are debated more widely within society; (2) a greater degree of consensus is reached within health care; and (3) bereaved family members approached to donate the organs of their deceased relative have a better understanding of what these diagnoses mean.
Multiple class image-based vehicle classification using soft computing algorithms

Automatic vehicle classification has expanded into a momentous topic of study due to its importance in autonomous navigation, traffic analysis, surveillance security systems, and transportation management. This paper presents multiclass image based classification of vehicles like bikes and cars using soft computing algorithms like artificial neural network decision tree and support vector machine as well. The objective of this paper is to automate the classification of vehicles from images. A good set of descriptor features that capture the most important properties of an object are used to identify the object uniquely. Different views of vehicle images are considered as important factor during classification process as six multiple class labels are created accordingly.
Untersuchungen zum Einfluss und zur Bioverträglichkeit von Perfluordekalin-gefüllten Poly(laktid-co-glykolid)-Mikrokapseln in einem Modell der Ratte

Seit Jahrzehnten wird intensiv an der Entwicklung artifizieller Sauerstofftransportsysteme zur routine- und notfallmasigen Versorgung von Patienten geforscht. Bis heute konnte sich kein Produkt, das bei einem signifikanten Erythrozytenverlust eine adaquate Gewebeoxygenierung aufrechterhalten kann, fur humanmedizinische Anwendungen in Europa durchsetzen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden der Einfluss und die Biovertraglichkeit von soliden und Perfluordekalin (PFD) gefullten Mikrokapseln untersucht. Zur Synthese der Kapselwand wurde Poly(laktid-co-glykolid) verwendet, wahrend die Beschichtung der Mikrokapseln mit Polyethylenglykol erfolgte. Der Einsatz dieser beiden Materialien ist vor allem bei der Entwicklung artifizieller Wirkstofftransporter verbreitet, wenngleich die bisher infundierten Mengen, im Vergleich zu den Dosierungen die im Rahmen dieser Arbeit appliziert wurden, sehr gering waren. Neben der beachtlichen Menge der infundierten Kapseln wurde zu deren Synthese auserdem ein fur Kapselsysteme bisher kaum eingesetzter Emulgator (Polyvinylalkohol) verwendet. Fur die Untersuchung der Effekte von beiden Kapseltypen und dem Emulgator wurden anasthesierten Ratten jeweils 10 ml/kg Korpergewicht der versuchsgruppenabhangigen Losungen in 60 min bzw. 30 min uber die Femoralvene infundiert. Alle Tiere uberlebten ausnahmslos eine Infusion beider Kapseltypen, wenngleich am Ende des Versuchs massive Gewebeschadigungen unabhangig von dem jeweiligen Kapseltyp auftraten; unter anderem indiziert durch signifikant erhohte Plasmaenzymaktivitaten. Zudem entwickelten die Tiere unabhangig von dem infundierten Kapseltyp eine moderate Azidose. Noch wahrend der Infusionsphase der PFD-gefullten Mikrokapseln kam es zu einem transienten systemischen Blutdruckabfall. Dieser wurde vermutlich durch vasoaktive Substanzen verursacht, die zum Einen durch eine Aktivierung des Komplementsystems, zum Anderen durch mechanische Scherkrafte freigesetzt wurden. Der eingesetzte Emulgator beeinflusste weder systemische Parameter, noch konnten bei der histologischen Untersuchung Gewebeschadigungen festgestellt werden. Die PFD-gefullten Mikrokapseln wiesen mit rund einer Stunde eine gegenuber den soliden Mikrokapseln langere intravasale Halbwertszeit auf. Die Abnahme unterlag, unabhangig von dem infundierten Kapseltyp, einer dosisunabhangigen Kinetik erster Ordnung. Prinzipiell konnte gezeigt werden, dass eine Infusion beider Kapseltypen moglich ist, jedoch mit zum Teil schwerwiegenden Nebenwirkungen einhergeht. Die Mikrokapseln besitzen das Potential, um nach Umsetzung gezielter Modifikationen weiter untersucht zu werden.
Reactive power planning with large-scale PV generation systems considering power fluctuation

To address the problems from large-scale PV integration, this paper proposes a novel method for optimal reactive power planning considering the fluctuation of PV output. A chance constrained programming based optimization model is formulated to minimize the annual equivalent operation cost. The basic probability constraints of network operation are employed to allocate shunt capacitors, while the annual power fluctuating cumulative probability curve (APFCPC) based chance constraint is added to determine the reactive power allocation of SVG. The proposed model is solved with LHS based PSO algorithm. Case study based on PV integrated system in Qinghai, China shows the validity and benefits of the proposed method.
Acoustic Simulation of a Special Switched Reluctance Drive by Means of Field–Circuit Coupling and Multiphysics Simulation

The approach presented in this paper consists of an energy-based field-circuit coupling in combination with multiphysics simulation of the acoustic radiation of electrical machines. The proposed method is applied to a special switched reluctance motor with asymmetric pole geometry to improve the start-up torque. The pole shape has been optimized, subject to low torque ripple, in a previous study. The proposed approach here is used to analyze the impact of the optimization on the overall acoustic behavior. The field-circuit coupling is based on a temporary lumped-parameter model of the magnetic part incorporated into a circuit simulation based on the modified nodal analysis. The harmonic force excitation is calculated by means of stress tensor computation, and it is transformed to a mechanical mesh by mapping techniques. The structural dynamic problem is solved in the frequency domain using a finite-element modal analysis and superposition. The radiation characteristic is obtained from boundary element acoustic simulation. Simulation results of both rotor types are compared, and measurements of the drive are presented.
Talking to children, foreigners, and retarded adults.

Speech addressed to different categories of listeners was examined in a study in which undergraduate women taught a block design task to either a 6-year-old child, a retarded adult, a peer who spoke English as a second language (foreigner), or a peer who was an unimpaired native speaker of English. The speech addressed to children differed from the speech addressed to native adults along every major dimension that emerged in this study: It was clearer, simpler, and more attention maintaining, and it included longer pauses. Speech addressed to retarded adults was similar in numerous ways to the speech addressed to 6-year-olds; in some ways (e.g., repetitiveness), it was even more babyish. However, speech to the retarded adults did differ in timing from the other styles of speaking in that it included fewer and somewhat shorter pauses. Speech addressed to foreigners was more repetitive than speech addressed to native speakers, but in all other ways it was very similar. There was some evidence that speakers fine-tuned their communications to the level of cognitive and linguistic sophistication of their particular listener; for example, speakers addressing the more sophisticated foreigners (relative to those addressing the less sophisticated foreigners) used speech that included fewer devices for clarifying, simplifying, and maintaining the listeners' attention. We discuss the hypothesis that baby talk (the speech addressed to children) is a prototypical special speech register from which other special registers are derived.
The software framework SMARTSOFT for implementing sensorimotor systems

Presents the software framework SMARTSOFT to implement sensorimotor systems. SMARTSOFT not only contains software components to support a modularized implementation but also structural rules and templates. These ensure that the implementation of modules is conforming with an overall multilayer system architecture. Since the provided structures allow the exact specification of the external behavior of modules in terms of interfaces and dependencies, the interaction with a symbolic task execution layer is explicitly supported. SMARTSOFT significantly eases the implementation and integration of new modules into a complex sensorimotor system which for example provides the opportunity even to compare and reuse different modules on a mobile platform. SMARTSOFT has already proven its usefulness within the collaborative research center (SFB 527) "Integration of Symbolic and Subsymbolic Information Processing in Adaptive Sensorimotor Systems".
Cbl Promotes Ubiquitination of the T Cell Receptor ζ through an Adaptor Function of Zap-70*

Triggering of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR)·CD3 complex induces its ubiquitination. However, the molecular events that lead to ubiquitin conjugation to these cell surface molecules have not been defined. Here we report that Cbl, a RING-type E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, promotes ubiquitination of TCRζ chain, which requires its functional variant Src homology 2 domain and an intact RING finger. The tyrosine kinase Zap-70, which binds to both TCRζ and Cbl, plays an adaptor role in these events. Mutations in TCRζ, Zap-70, or Cbl that disrupt the interaction between TCRζ and Zap-70 or between Zap-70 and Cbl reduce ubiquitination of TCRζ. Our results suggest a novel mechanism by which Cbl negatively regulates T cell development and activation by inducing ubiquitination of the TCR·CD3 components.
Different effects of angiopoietin‐2 in different vascular beds in the eye: new vessels are most sensitive

In this study, we used double transgenic mice with inducible expression of angiopoietin‐2 (Ang2) to investigate the role of Ang2 in the retinal and choroidal circulations and in three models of ocular neovascularization (NV). Mice with induced expression of Ang2 ubiquitously, or specifically in the retina, survived and appeared grossly normal. They also had normal‐appearing retinal and choroidal circulations, demonstrating that high levels of Ang2 did not induce regression of mature retinal or choroidal vessels. When Ang2 expression was induced soon after birth, there was increased density of the deep capillary bed on postnatal day (P) 11 that returned to normal by P18, the time that retinal vascular development is usually completed. In mice with ischemic retinopathy, induction of Ang2 during the ischemic period resulted in a significant increase in retinal NV, but induction of Ang2 at a later time point when ischemia (and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) was less, hastened regression of NV. In triple transgenic mice that coexpressed VEGF and Ang2, the increased expression of Ang2 inhibited VEGF‐induced NV in the retina. Increased expression of Ang2 also resulted in regression of choroidal neovascularization. These data suggest that ocular neovascularization, but not mature retinal or choroidal vessels, is sensitive to Ang2; a high Ang2/VEGF ratio promotes regression, while high Ang2 in the setting of hypoxia and/or concomitantly high Ang2 and VEGF stimulate neovascularization.
Variations in the diet of introduced Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) inferred using stable isotope analysis

The presence of introduced Norway rats Rattus norvegicus has raised concerns for the fate of the large least auklet Aethia pusilla colony situated at Sirius Point, Kiska Island, Alaska. Previous studies have documented extreme interannual variation in least auklet reproductive success and potential drastic population declines, both of which have been attributed to the varying abundance of, and predation by, Norway rats. A diet study would resolve the uncertainty that remains about the role of rats in the auklet's reproductive failure and the colony's decline. Our main objectives here were to quantify the variation in diet of introduced Norway rats and assess predation on least auklets. Using stable isotope analysis we document wide variability in rat diet dependent on location and provide direct evidence that Norway rats are preferentially preying on least auklets at Sirius Point. In conclusion, we hypothesize that the observed wide variability in rat diet will contribute to the persistence of rats on Kiska long after auklets have been extirpated. The persistence of rats enabled by their foraging plasticity will increase their effects by creating ecological traps within which prospecting individuals will fall and be depredated. This has large conservation consequences as it suggests that when seabirds are extirpated recolonization by prospecting birds is virtually impossible and island ecosystems will continue to be negatively affected and altered as long as introduced predators, such as rats, remain within them.