Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Redox Control of Ion Channel Activity in Vascular Endothelial Cells by Glutathione

Oxidized glutathione (GSSG) is endogenously formed within vascular endothelial cells. The bioactivity of GSSG results in the oxidation of protein thiol groups, leading to changes in protein structure‐function relationships. When ion channel protein thiols are the target of oxidation by GSSG, important changes in channel conductance, activity, and gating occur. In this review, we focus on two endothelial cell ion channels, the activities of which influence vascular cell signaling and the nitric oxide signaling pathway. The first channel is the GSSG‐operated cation channel that depolarizes the endothelial cell, leading to inhibition of capacitative Ca2+ entry. The second channel is the inositol 1,4,5‐triphosphate (IP3)‐operated Ca2+ channel that is responsible for the agonist‐stimulated release of Ca2+ from IP3‐sensitive endoplasmic reticulum. GSSG acts to deplete IP3‐sensitive Ca2+ stores, thereby attenuating the intracellular Ca2+ response to agonist stimulation. Together, these effects indicate that glutathione, which is formed endogenously within the cell, is a key physiological modulator of endothelial cell signaling.
“Hiya-Atsu” mouse: A device to augment GUIs with temperature

"Hiya-Atsu" mouse is a device that adds temperature expressions to the regular graphical user interface on PCs. By clicking or hovering the cursor over objects on screen, users can feel the temperature associated with the graphical objects. We implement a compact prototype to demonstrate the concept. We also examine the linkage between temperature and abstract values such as emotions or degree of urgency, and report preliminary feedback from the research.
Cost Function-Based Predictive Control for Power Converters

This paper presents a cost function-based predictive control strategy and its application to the control of power converters and drives. Discrete-time models of the system are used to predict the behavior of the controlled variables for all the possible switching states of the converter. A cost function defines the desired behavior of the system. The switching state that minimizes this function is selected and applied during the next sampling period. Different variables of the system can be controlled by defining an appropriate cost function, depending on the objective of each specific application
How Does Ocean Acidification Affect the Early Life History of Zostera marina? A Series of Experiments Find Parental Carryover Can Benefit Viability or Germination

Elevated partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) as a concomitant of global climate change may facilitate the establishment of future seagrass meadows and subsequently its benefit could be incorporated into techniques to increase restoration success. In five manipulative experiments, we determined how increased CO2 affects the maturation of flowers, and the development of seeds and seedlings for the foundation species Zostera marina. Experiments tested the development from both seeds collected from non-treated flowering shoots (direct) and seeds harvested from flowering shoots after CO2 exposure (parental carryover). Flowering shoots were collected along the western coast of Sweden near the island of Skafto. The seeds produced were used in experiments conducted at Kristineberg, Sweden and Dauphin Island, AL, United States. Experiments varied in temperature (16, 18°C) and salinity (19, 33 ppt), as well as duration and magnitude of elevated CO2 exposure. Environmental conditions among experiments, such as temperature (16, 18°C) and salinity (19, 33 ppt), as well as duration and magnitude of pCO2 exposure differed. Flowering maturation, spathe number, seed production, and indicators of seed quality did not appear to be affected by 39–69 days of exposure to CO2 conditions outside of natural variability (pCO2 = 1547.2 ± 267.60 μatm; pHT = 7.53 ± 0.07). Yet, seeds produced from these flowers showed twofold greater germination success. In another experiment, flowering shoots were exposed to an extreme CO2 condition (pCO2 = 5950.7 ± 1,849.82 μatm; pHT = 6.96 ± 0.15). In this case, flowers generated seeds that demonstrated a fivefold increase in an indicator for seed viability (sinking velocity). In the latter experiment, however, germination appeared unaffected. Direct CO2 effects on germination and seedling production were not observed. Our results provide evidence of a parental CO2 effect that can benefit germination or seed viability, but early benefits may not lead to bed establishment if other environmental conditions are not well suited for seedling development. Outcomes have implications for restoration; CO2 can be supplied to flowering shoot holding tanks to bolster success when the purpose is to redistribute seeds to locations where beds are extant and water quality is adequate.
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in chronic kidney disease: evidence and mechanisms of action.

In 1984, Loskutoff et al. ([1][1]) purified plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) from conditioned media of cultured endothelial cells. This 50-kd glycoprotein is the primary physiologic inhibitor of the serine proteases tissue-type and urokinase-type plasminogen activators (tPA and uPA,
Islet Oxygen Consumption and Insulin Secretion Tightly Coupled to Calcium Derived from L-type Calcium Channels but Not from the Endoplasmic Reticulum*

The aim of the study was to test whether the source of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) is a determinant of beta cell function. We hypothesized that elevations in cytosolic Ca2+ caused by the release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) have little physiologic impact on oxygen consumption and insulin secretion. Ca2+ release from the ER was induced in isolated rat islets by acetylcholine and response of oxygen consumption rate (OCR), NAD(P)H, cytosolic Ca2+, and insulin secretory rate (ISR) were measured. Glucose increased all four parameters, and thereafter acetylcholine further increased cytosolic Ca2+, OCR, and ISR. To assess the contribution of Ca2+ release from the ER in mediating the effects of acetylcholine, ER Ca2+ stores were first emptied by inhibiting the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, which subsequently reduced the effect of acetylcholine on cytosolic Ca2+ but not its effects on OCR or ISR. As predicted, OCR and ISR were acutely sensitive to changes in L-type Ca2+ channel activity; nimodipine completely inhibited glucose-stimulated ISR and suppressed OCR by 36%, despite only inhibiting cytosolic Ca2+ by 46%. Moreover, in the presence of nimodipine and high glucose, acetylcholine still elevated cytosolic Ca2+ levels above those observed in the presence of high glucose alone but did not significantly stimulate ISR. In conclusion, Ca2+ flux through L-type Ca2+ channels was tightly coupled to changes in OCR and ISR. In contrast, the results obtained support the notion that Ca2+ release from the ER has little or no access to the intracellular machinery that regulates OCR and ISR.
PVFS: a parallel file system

High-performance computers require a highly capable file system. PVFS is an open source parallel file system and joint collaboration led by Argonne National Laboratory, Clemson University, and Ohio Supercomputing Center. PVFS has been delivering features and high-performance on today's top high-end computers, while remaining easy to deploy on clusters of any size. Our previous BOF sessions have been focused on new developments. While we are still actively working on new features, this session will highlight the large and vibrant PVFS user community and a variety of their applications. Several notable users will share with attendees their experiences with PVFS. As always, PVFS developers will be present for an open forum discussion. Users, researchers, or the merely curious are all encouraged to attend.
Design of a micropower signal conditioning circuit for a piezoresistive acceleration sensor

The design and test of a micropower signal conditioning circuit for a piezoresistive accelerometer is presented. The circuit is intended for sensing human body motion in rate-adaptive cardiac pacemakers. A strategy is proposed to allow handling of the piezoresistive sensor with the desired level of consumption. Experimental results show the fabricated circuit is able to measure accelerations in the range from 0.04 g to 0.34 g with a total consumption of less than 3 /spl mu/A with supply voltages down to 2 V.
Administration or deprivation of nerve growth factor during development permanently alters neuronal geometry

We investigated whether the administration or deprivation of a neuronal growth factor during development can permanently alter the dendritic architecture of sensitive neurons. Nerve growth factor (NGF) or NGF antiserum treatment in the first 2–3 postnatal weeks markedly affected the survival, size, and dendritic arborization of mouse sympathetic ganglion cells acutely. Six months after the completion of treatment, the number of surviving neurons, cell body size, and higher order dendritic branching had changed considerably from their values at 3 weeks, suggesting that these parameters remain malleable throughout postnatal life. However, the number of primary dendrites, a fundamental determinant of organization within sympathetic ganglia, was permanently altered by the neonatal treatment protocol.
La diabetes mellitus y la cardioprotección

La diabetes mellitus (DM) es una enfermedad metabolica que constituye un poderoso factor de riesgo para las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV). El 80% aproximadamente de estos pacientes mueren de ECV y cerca del 75% corresponden a muertes por enfermedad arterial coronaria (EAC). En la DM existen diversas alteraciones que hacen mas susceptible al corazon al dano por isquemia-reperfusion (I/R). Por otra parte, la cardioproteccion constituye todas las intervenciones o estrategias que evitan o disminuyen el dano por I/R. Una de estas estrategias es el precondicionamiento por isquemia (PCI) el cual consiste en breves periodos de isquemia seguidos de un periodo isquemico prolongado, el cual tambien se puede inducir por farmacos. La cardioproteccion inducida por el PCI es inhibida en condiciones de DM. En esta revision se describen las alteraciones del metabolismo de los principales sustratos energeticos (acidos grasos y glucosa) que se presentan en condiciones de DM. Ademas se estudia la influencia que ejerce el fenomeno de la memoria metabolica en el curso de la DM y constituye en la actualidad uno de los principales factores que favorecen la susceptibilidad del paciente diabetico para desarrollar ECV, ya que induce complicaciones micro y macrovasculares; se describen tambien los mecanismos propuestos para la instalacion de la memoria metabolica y como este fenomeno inhibe el PCI en animales de experimentacion. Finalmente se presentan las estrategias para proteger al corazon diabetico de los efectos deletereos de la memoria metabolica. Se resalta la importancia de un diagnostico temprano de la enfermedad y del control de la glucemia
Increase in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels , renal function and cardiac disease in the oldest old

Background: the impact of renal function and its changes and the occurrence of cardiovascular events on changes in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels (NT-proBNP) is unknown in very old age. Objective: to assess whether increase in NT-proBNP levels over time is still associated with cardiac disease and mortality in very old age, independent of renal function. Methods: changes in NT-proBNP levels between age 85 and 90 years and their associations with incident cardiac disease, (cardiovascular) mortality and renal function were assessed in 252 nonagenarian participants from a population-based sample of the Leiden 85-plus Study. Results: median NT-proBNP increase over 5 years was 154 pg/ml (inter-quartile range: 29–549), while in the same period estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased by 5.8 ml/min/1.73 m (standard deviation 7.5). Participants with increasing NT-proBNP levels more frequently developed heart failure and atrial fibrillation (odds ratio 2.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–7.02 and 2.63, 95% CI 1.02–6.79, respectively, adjusted for eGFR at age 85 and change in eGFR) between age 85 and 90 years. Increasing NT-proBNP levels between age 85 and 90 years were associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality risk after age 90 years compared with not-increasing NT-proBNP levels (hazard ratio 1.62, 95% CI 1.04–2.51, adjusted for eGFR at age 90 years and change in eGFR). Conclusion: in the oldest old, increase in NT-proBNP is associated with incident heart failure and atrial fibrillation and risk for cardiovascular mortality, independent of decreasing renal function.
Mediterranean populations of the lesser white‐toothed shrew (Crocidura suaveolens group): an unexpected puzzle of Pleistocene survivors and prehistoric introductions

An earlier study revealed the strong phylogeographical structure of the lesser white‐toothed shrew (Crocidura suaveolens group) within the northern Palaearctic. Here, we aim to reconstruct the colonization history of Mediterranean islands and to clarify the biogeography and phylogeographical relationships of the poorly documented Middle East region with the northern Palaearctic. We performed analyses on 998‐bp‐long haplotypes of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of 143 samples collected around the Mediterranean basin, including islands and the Middle East. The analyses suggest that the Cypriot shrew belongs to the rare group of relict insular Pleistocene mammal taxa that have survived to the present day. In contrast, the Cretan, Corsican and Menorcan populations were independently introduced from the Middle East during the Holocene. The phylogeographical structure of this temperate Palaearctic species within the Middle East appears to be complex and rich in diversity, probably reflecting fragmentation of the area by numerous mountain chains. Four deeply divergent clades of the C. suaveolens group occur in the area, meaning that a hypothetical contact zone remains to be located in central western Iran.
Naïve and experienced judgments of stimuluS—Response compatibility: implications for interface design

Many design guidelines encourage maintaining stimulus—response compatibility whenever possible. Payne found that naïve judgments for different stimulus—response (S—R) mappings were not very accurate, and suggested that designers may not be able to predict whether a particular display-control configuration will lead to better performance than another. Three experiments were conducted to determine whether naïve judgments for two-choice tasks in which stimuli and responses involve left—right spatial information are sensitive to (a) the influence of S—R mode relations and (b) pure versus mixed presentation of compatible and incompatible mappings. Initial performance judgments for these conditions were not very accurate, nor were those for four-choice tasks of the type studied by Payne, but subjects' estimates of performance improved with relatively little experience using the different S—R configurations.
Molecular theory of layer contraction in smectic liquid crystals

The period of the layered structure in smectic A and smectic C liquid crystal phases has been calculated numerically by direct minimization of the mean-field free energy which takes into account the interaction between molecules in adjacent smectic layers. The smectic layer spacing is calculated for two systems characterized by conventional and anomalously weak layer contraction in the smectic C phase. It is then compared with the simple estimate based on the average projection of the molecular long axis on the smectic layer normal. For both systems, temperature variation of the average molecular projection is qualitatively similar to that of the calculated layer spacing although certain quantitative deviations exist.
COMPUTING EDUCATION RESEARCHGeek genes and bimodal grades

Bimodal Grades did very poorly, there is a second hump in the distribution, indicating a set of students with somewhat better performance. " I don't buy it. I don't see how the small blip high in that graph constitutes a bimodal distribution. I'd classify that graph as a highly skewed normal distribution. We also need to be wary of edge effects in grade distributions. Students can't score less than zero (a " fl oor effect "), or more than 100% (a " ceiling effect "), so peaks at either of those extremes are not necessarily evidence of bimodality. For example, take a look at Figure 3 (page 210) in a paper by Blonskis and Dagiene ˙ [1]. Some readers might describe that grade distribution as bimodal, but I would describe that grade distribution as being a normal distribution with a pronounced ceiling effect. (The Mc-Cracken et al. graph shows a fl oor effect.) If you think I'm being sophomoric about bimodality, then I recommend that you read an entertaining paper by Schil-ling et al., " Is Human Height Bimodal? [5] " As that paper makes clear, merely eye-balling a graph is a shaky way of establishing bimodality. While I think the frequency of the bimodal distribution is overstated in our community, I concede that many CS1 class grades show a skewed normal distribution where most students score low grades, and a few students score high grades (i.e. like the McCracken et al. graph). However, such a graph is to be expected in any demanding course with a relatively high failure rate − you don't need to invoke a geek gene, or learning edge momentum, to explain such a distribution. I wonder whether grade distributions are less a refl ection of the genuine programming ability of students and more a refl ection of the methods we use to grade those students. For example, Traynor, Bergin, and Gibson [6] provided an illuminating extract from an interview with a student, where the student described his approach to answering coding questions in an exam, when he didn't really know the answer: " … you usually get the marks by making the answer look correct. Like, if it's a searching problem, you MANY COMPUTER SCIENTISTS CLAIM that some students are born with an innate ability to program (the " geek gene "), while other students are doomed to struggle with programming. To justify their faith …
Effects of short‐term treatment with metformin on markers of endothelial function and inflammatory activity in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial

Objectives. The UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) showed that treatment with metformin decreases macrovascular morbidity and mortality independent of glycaemic control. We hypothesized that metformin may achieve this by improving endothelial function and chronic, low‐grade inflammation. Data on this issue are scarce and we therefore tested, in the setting of a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial, whether metformin can affect endothelial function and low‐grade inflammation.
Asynchronously sampled multi-harmonic signal estimation algorithm

In this paper a new asynchronously sampled multi-harmonic signal estimation algorithm is proposed. A phase sensitive frequency estimation algorithm is enhanced for harmonically distorted signals. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated on numerically generated data and on real harmonically distorted sampled signals. The algorithm is stable and accurate as long as the fundamental component amplitude is larger than any amplitude of harmonic components. Noise is a dominant factor in limiting algorithm accuracy.
Modeling the contribution of toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic processes to the recovery of Gammarus pulex populations after exposure to pesticides

Because aquatic macroinvertebrates may be exposed regularly to pesticides in edge‐of‐the‐field water bodies, an accurate assessment of potential adverse effects and subsequent population recovery is essential. Standard effect risk assessment tools are not able to fully address the complexities arising from multiple exposure patterns, nor can they properly address the population recovery process. In the present study, we developed an individual‐based model of the freshwater amphipod Gammarus pulex to evaluate the consequences of exposure to 4 compounds with different modes of action on individual survival and population recovery. Effects on survival were calculated using concentration–effect relationships and the threshold damage model (TDM), which accounts for detailed processes of toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics. Delayed effects as calculated by the TDM had a significant impact on individual survival and population recovery. We also evaluated the standard assessment of effects after short‐term exposures using the 96‐h concentration–effect model and the TDM, which was conservative for very short‐term exposure. An integration of a TKTD submodel with a population model can be used to explore the ecological relevance of ecotoxicity endpoints in different exposure environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1476–1488. © 2014 SETAC
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) induces cancer cell senescence by interacting with telomerase RNA component

Oxidative stress regulates telomere homeostasis and cellular aging by unclear mechanisms. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a key mediator of many oxidative stress responses, involving GAPDH nuclear translocation and induction of cell death. We report here that GAPDH interacts with the telomerase RNA component (TERC), inhibits telomerase activity, and induces telomere shortening and breast cancer cell senescence. The Rossmann fold containing NAD+ binding region on GAPDH is responsible for the interaction with TERC, whereas a lysine residue in the GAPDH catalytic domain is required for inhibiting telomerase activity and disrupting telomere maintenance. Furthermore, the GAPDH substrate glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) and the nitric oxide donor S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) both negatively regulate GAPDH inhibition of telomerase activity. Thus, we demonstrate that GAPDH is regulated to target the telomerase complex, resulting in an arrest of telomere maintenance and cancer cell proliferation.
Long-term effects of LCPUFA supplementation on childhood cognitive outcomes.

BACKGROUND The effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) intake on cognitive development is controversial. Most randomized trials have assessed cognition at 18 mo, although significant development of cognitive abilities (early executive function) emerge later. OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate cognition beyond 18 mo and longitudinal cognitive change from 18 mo to 6 y in children who were fed variable amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (0.32%, 0.64%, and 0.96% of total fatty acids) and arachidonic acid (ARA; 0.64%) compared with children who were not fed LCPUFA as infants. DESIGN Eighty-one children (19 placebo, 62 LCPUFA) who participated in a double-blind, randomized trial of LCPUFA supplementation as infants were re-enrolled at 18 mo and tested every 6 mo until 6 y on age-appropriate standardized and specific cognitive tests. RESULTS LCPUFA supplementation did not influence performance on standardized tests of language and performance at 18 mo; however, significant positive effects were observed from 3 to 5 y on rule-learning and inhibition tasks, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test at 5 y, and the Weschler Primary Preschool Scales of Intelligence at 6 y. Effects of LCPUFAs were not found on tasks of spatial memory, simple inhibition, or advanced problem solving. CONCLUSIONS The data from this relatively small trial suggest that, although the effects of LCPUFAs may not always be evident on standardized developmental tasks at 18 mo, significant effects may emerge later on more specific or fine-grained tasks. The results imply that studies of nutrition and cognitive development should be powered to continue through early childhood. This parent trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00266825.