Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on the vasopressin-induced pituitary-adrenocortical activity and hypothalamic catecholamine levels.

In the present study the role of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in the vasopressin-induced ACTH and corticosterone secretion was investigated in conscious rats. Vasopressin (AVP 5 microg/kg i.p.) considerably augmented ACTH and corticosterone secretion. L-arginine (120 and 300 mg/kg i.p.) did not significantly alter the AVP-induced secretion of those hormones. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) blockers N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and its methyl ester (L-NAME) given i.p. 15 min before AVP markedly increased the AVP-induced ACTH secretion. L-NNA (2 mg/kg) more potently and significantly increased the AVP-induced ACTH secretion, whereas L-NAME elicited a weaker and not significant effect. Both those NOS antagonists intensified significantly and to a similar extent the AVP-induced corticosterone secretion. L-arginine (120 mg/kg i.p.) reversed the L-NNA-induced rise in the AVP-stimulated ACTH secretion and substantially diminished the accompanying corticosterone secretion. Neither vasopressin alone nor in combination with L-arginine and L-NAME evoked any significant alterations in the hypothalamic noradrenaline and dopamine levels. L-NNA (2 and 10 mg/kg i.p.) elicited a dose dependent and significant decrease in the hypothalamic noradrenaline level. The hypothalamic dopamine level was not significantly altered by any treatment. These results indicate that in conscious rats endogenous NO has an inhibitory influence on the AVP-induced increase in ACTH and corticosterone secretion. L-NNA is significantly more potent than L-NAME in increasing the AVP-induced ACTH secretion. This may be connected with a considerable increase by L-NNA of hypothalamic noradrenergic system activation which stimulates the pituitary-adrenal axis in addition to specific inhibition of NOS.
SmartPlug: Reducing energy costs with price-aware scheduling of electrical devices

In this paper, we propose the use of SmartPlug, a scheduler for electrical devices which can operate temporarily autonomous to a constant power supply (such as battery-driven devices). The objective of SmartPlug is to reduce efforts for energy by scheduling devices to times when the energy price is low. The freed resources could be sold on the intraday market if profitable. From a long-term view, the approach can synchronize energy producers/suppliers and consumers. SmartPlug combines market data, customer facilities and builds upon these components a price-based control mechanism (service). Our concept is applicable as an implementation demonstrates. Its usefulness was validated by a simulation over real market data. It shows noteworthy savings.
Performance of air-cathode microbial fuel cell with wood charcoal as electrodes

A cheap and locally available wood charcoal was used as the main electrode component of an air cathode MFC. The air cathode was build with fine charcoal powder and cement plaster as binder; while anode is a packed bed of charcoal granules. Mangrove estuary brackish water was inoculated in the anodic chamber as the fuel and source of exoelectrogens. The constructed fuel cell was monitored by measuring the potential. The MFC generated a stable power density at 33mW/m2 (0.5V) under load 200Ω after 72 hours operation. An open circuit voltage (OCV) of 0.7mV was obtained after 15 hours operating under open circuit. The result of power generation by the constructed fuel cell indicating that wood charcoal was able to be used as electrode in MFC and brackish water contained potential exoelectrogens. Further investigation and modification is required to increase the performance of the fuel cell.
Improved Type3-PLL to Mitigate Parasitic Amplitude Modulation Effects Caused by Time-Varying Plasma Sheath

Time-varying plasma sheath likely causes parasitic amplitude and phase modulation effects on communication signals. It can increase the carrier tracking error of tracking telemetry and command systems for hypersonic vehicles flying in near space, and it may lead to loss of lock under serious conditions. This paper comprehensively analyzes the influence mechanism of the amplitude modulation effects on the loss threshold of Type3-phase-locked loop (PLL) in phase-locked receivers. Analysis result shows that amplitude fading in time-varying plasma sheaths is similar to the Gaussian distribution unrelated to the fluctuant densities. The standard deviation of amplitude fading increases with the fluctuant intensity. The 8% fluctuant intensity of electron density begins to have a significant impact on the lock probability of Type3-PLL. On the basis of the analysis results and the amplitude modulation effects, Type3-PLL with a prefiltering (PF-Type3-PLL) method is proposed to mitigate the amplitude modulation effects. PF is placed before the discriminators of Type3-PLL to restrict the amplitude variation within a reasonable range. The tracking loop PF-Type3-PLL is tested with spatial–temporal fluctuant plasma sheath model and compared with the traditional Type3-PLL. Tracking results show that PF-Type3-PLL is more robust than the traditional Type3-PLL. The phase error jitter is significantly reduced when the fluctuant intensity is 8%, and the loss threshold is reduced by 4 dB. The robustness is also enhanced under different loop noise bandwidths (5–15 Hz).
A Large Bioactive BMP Ligand with Distinct Signaling Properties Is Produced by Alternative Proconvertase Processing

Mutations in an evolutionarily conserved processing site in bone morphogenetic proteins are associated with developmental disorders. Ligand Size Matters Ligands in the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family are critical in development and have been implicated in various pathological processes. The mature BMPs are generated by processing of proproteins. Akiyama et al. identified an alternative processing site in Glass bottom boat (Gbb), the Drosophila ortholog of vertebrate BMP5, 6, and 7. Processing at this site generated a larger ligand that they called Gbb38 and that was more active over a longer range in the developing wing disc than was its smaller counterpart. Mutations in this conserved processing site in three different members of the human BMP family were associated with various human development disorders. Thus, differential processing of BMP ligands may contribute to cell- and tissue-specific responses to BMP signaling. Dimers of conventional transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) ligands are composed of two 100– to 140–amino acid peptides that are produced through the proteolytic processing of a proprotein precursor by proconvertases, such as furin. We report the identification of an evolutionarily conserved furin processing site in the amino terminus (NS) of the Glass bottom boat (Gbb; the Drosophila ortholog of vertebrate BMP5, 6, and 7) proprotein that generates a 328–amino acid, active BMP ligand distinct from the conventional 130–amino acid ligand. Gbb38, the large ligand form of Gbb, exhibited greater signaling activity and a longer range than the shorter form Gbb15. The abundance of Gbb15 and Gbb38 varied among different tissues, raising the possibility that differential processing could account for tissue-specific behaviors of BMPs. In human populations, mutations that abolished the NS cleavage site in BMP4, BMP15, or anti-Müllerian hormone were associated with cleft lip with or without cleft palate (BMP4), premature ovarian failure (BMP15), and persistent Müllerian duct syndrome (anti-Müllerian hormone), suggesting the importance of NS processing during development. The identification of this large BMP ligand form and the functional differences between large and small ligands exemplifies the potential for differential proprotein processing to substantially affect BMP and TGF-β signaling output in different tissue and cellular contexts.
Coal Consumption and Economic Growth: Panel Cointegration and Causality Evidence from OECD and Non-OECD Countries

This paper examines the relationship between coal consumption and economic growth for 30 OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries and 32 non-OECD countries for 1990–2013 using a multivariate dependent panel analysis. For the analysis, we conducted the common factor defactorization process, unit root test, cointegration test, long-run cointegrating vector, and Granger causality test. Our results suggest the following: First, there is no long-run relationship between coal consumption and economic growth in OECD countries; however, in non-OECD countries, the relationship does exist. Second, excessive coal usage may hinder economic growth in the long run. Lastly, the growth hypothesis (coal consumption affects economic growth positively) is supported in the short run for non-OECD countries. As coal consumption has a positive effect on economic growth in the short run and a negative effect in the long run, energy conservation policies may have adverse effects only in the short run. Thus, non-OECD countries should gradually switch their energy mix to become less coal-dependent as they consider climate change. Moreover, a transfer of technology and financial resources from developed to developing countries must be encouraged at a global level.
Human polymorphism at microRNAs and microRNA target sites

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) function as endogenous translational repressors of protein-coding genes in animals by binding to target sites in the 3′ UTRs of mRNAs. Because a single nucleotide change in the sequence of a target site can affect miRNA regulation, naturally occurring SNPs in target sites are candidates for functional variation that may be of interest for biomedical applications and evolutionary studies. However, little is known to date about variation among humans at miRNAs and their target sites. In this study, we analyzed publicly available SNP data in context with miRNAs and their target sites throughout the human genome, and we found a relatively low level of variation in functional regions of miRNAs, but an appreciable level of variation at target sites. Approximately 400 SNPs were found at experimentally verified target sites or predicted target sites that are otherwise evolutionarily conserved across mammals. Moreover, ≈250 SNPs potentially create novel target sites for miRNAs in humans. If some variants have functional effects, they might confer phenotypic differences among humans. Although the majority of these SNPs appear to be evolving under neutrality, interestingly, some of these SNPs are found at relatively high population frequencies even in experimentally verified targets, and a few variants are associated with atypically long-range haplotypes that may have been subject to recent positive selection.
A role for the basic patch and the C terminus of RanGTP in regulating the dynamic interactions with importin beta, CRM1 and RanBP1.

Transport of macromolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm involves the recognition of intrinsic localization signals by either import or export receptors. The interaction of the receptors with their cargo is regulated by the small GTPase Ran in its GTP bound state. We have investigated the interaction of RanGTP with the import factor, importin beta, the export factor, CRM1, and the Ran binding protein, RanBP1, in solution. Importin beta specifically protected residues in the switch regions and basic patch region of Ran against proteolytic cleavage, whereas RanBP1 protected the C terminus. Moreover, the binding of importin beta induced a conformational change in the structure of Ran leading to an exposure of the C terminus and stimulated the binding of RanBP1. Mutating the basic patch (HRKK(142)) of Ran resulted in an increased binding of RanBP1 and weakened importin beta binding. In contrast to wild-type Ran, the mutant Ran could be released from importin beta independently of importin alpha. These data provide experimental support for a model in which the accessibility of the C terminus of Ran is influenced by an intramolecular interaction between the basic patch and the C-terminal acidic DEDDDL(216) motif. Binding of importin beta probably disrupts this interaction causing an exposure of the C-terminal extension, which is favorable for RanBP1 binding. Interestingly, basic patch mutations abolish CRM1 interaction, indicating that the determinants for RanGTP binding to the export factor, CRM1, is different from the import factor, importin beta.
Von Brüssel Bis Berlin. Ein Kritischer Blick Auf Die Deutschen Leistungsbilanzüberschüsse (From Brussels to Berlin: A Critical Look at the German Current Account Surpluses)

<b>German Abstract: </b> Deutschland verfügt über einen der weltweit höchsten Leistungsbilanzüberschüsse, gemessen am Bruttoinlandsprodukt. Damit zieht es massive Kritik seiner Handelspartner auf sich. Vom amerikani-schen Präsidenten Trump, über den Internationalen Währungsfonds bis hin zur Europäischen Kommission reichen die Vorwürfe, Deutschland gefährde mit seinen andauernden Leistungsbilanzüberschüssen die Stabilität des internationalen Handels. Das vorliegende Papier greift die kritischen internationalen Positionen auf und diskutiert mögliche Ursachen des Leistungsbilanzungleichgewichts. Schwerpunkt ist eine Auseinandersetzung mit dem Argument der Überersparnis (savings glut) als Ausdruck einer reifen Volkswirtschaft. Im Weiteren geht es um Wege zur Erhöhung der Konsumnachfrage und einer Ausweitung privater und staatlicher Investitionen. Als ein möglicher Schritt zu einer nachhaltigen Korrektur der Leistungsbilanzüberschüsse wird die Abschaffung der europäischen Schuldenbremse erörtert, die sich zugleich als eine Leistungsbilanzbremse erweisen kann. <b>English Abstract: </b> Germany has one of the highest current account surpluses in the world. This is criticised by its global trading partners and is subject to the European Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure as well as to the IMF and the new us-government. However, this phenomenon is interpreted quite disparately. The paper argues that periods of weak domestic demand and a saving surplus over investment has left lasting traces. How could Germany find out ways to increase domestic demand, especially its public and private investment, to reduce its surplus? Political actions should focus directly on the distortions and misallocations that potentially result from an imbalance. The article discusses Bernanke’s thesis of savings glut in mature economies. As a political consequence, this means turning away from the politics of European debt limits and installing a limit on balance on current account.
Lack of Predictive Value of Islet Cell Antibodies, Insulin Antibodies, and HLA-DR Phenotype for Remission in Cyclosporin-Treated IDDM Patients

The effect of immunosuppression on the humoral immune response to islet autoantigens and exogenously administered insulin and the predictive value of islet cell cytoplasmic antibodies (ICAs), insulin antibodies (IAs), and HLA-DR phenotype for remission during immunosuppression were studied in a prospective randomized double-blind trial of cyclosporin administration in 98 newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients. HLA-DR phenotype and glycosylated hemoglobin were determined at study entry, and insulin requirement, glucagon-stimulated C-peptide, ICAs, and IAs were measured at entry and after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo of follow-up. Cyclosporin therapy caused significant suppression of the prevalence and serum concentrations of ICAs and lAs. Cyclosporin-treated IDDM patients ICA+ at study entry had higher levels of stimulated C-peptide after 1 mo of study, but the increased (β-cell function was not associated with a higher frequency of insulin-free remission at 1 mo. ICA and IA status at entry did not predict cyclosporininduced remission as assessed by the prevalence of insulin-free remission or β-cell function at 3–12 mo of study, and significant decrements in the titers or total disappearance of ICAs were not associated with an increased prevalence or duration of non-insulinrequiring remission or higher stimulated C-peptide values. There was no correlation between the serum levels of ICAs and lAs at entry and β-cell function at 12 mo of follow-up. Although patients who were HLADR3/X seemed to respond better to cyclosporin therapy at 6 mo than patients who were HLA-DR3/4 or -DR4/X when analyzed cross-sectionally, a split-plot analysis of variance with time as the split-plot factor showed that the HLA-DR phenotype failed to identify patients with an overall better response to cyclosporin therapy. These data indicate that, although cyclosporin therapy inhibits the humoral immune response to islet components and exogenous insulin, significant decrements in ICA titers are not useful in monitoring efficacy of immunosuppression with cyclosporin, and the determination of ICA and IA status and immune response phenotype at diagnosis is of no predictive value for remission in selecting recent-onset IDDM patients for cyclosporin immunointervention.
A fast and accurate personal identification method based on human iris analysis

Iris recognition is one of the most reliable biometric technologies. In this paper, we presented a novel method for iris segmentation using a complex mapping procedure and best-fitting line in the new complex domain. We used an intensity threshold method with Canny edge detector to extract the rough region of the pupil. For the outer boundary a median filter with Prewitt Compass edge detector were used to find the rough region of the outer boundary. By selecting the bottom point of the pupil, which is not usually occluded by the eyelids and eyelashes, as a reference point, two sets of intersecting points between the horizontal lines and pupil's inner and outer boundaries were created. Each point set was map into a new complex domain using the complex inversion map and the best-fitting line was found on the range. Exact inner and outer boundaries of the iris were found by remapping the best-fitting lines to original domain. Lower part of the iris was used in the recognition approach. In order to reduce the feature vector dimensionality, the average of each 4times3 block of extracted 2D iris pattern was calculated and used as new feature information. We tested our proposed method by implementing a ground truth method. Experimental results show that the proposed method has an encouraging performance.
Noise robust time of arrival estimation method using hierarchical Bayesian based compressed sensing algorithm

A microwave radar system is a useful tool for all-weather type remote sensing, such as terrain surface measurement. It is well known fact that a resolution of time-of-arrival (TOA) is strictly determined by the frequency bandwidth of transmitted signal. As super-resolution technique beyond such limitation, a compressed sensing (CS) algorithm has come under spotlight because a sparse assumption is well established in typical radar situations. However, the original CS method suffers from lower TOA resolution in insufficient SNR level. To address with such problem, this paper introduces a hierarchical Bayesian based CS algorithm. This method introduces the stochastic model derived from cross-correlation response as a priori information for CS reconstruction as hyper-prior distribution. The results of numerical simulation show that the proposed method enhances an accuracy for signal reconstruction, even in lower SNR situations.
Breathing Intolerance Index: A New Indicator for Ventilator Use

Koga T, Watanabe K, Sano M, Ishikawa Y, Bach JR: Breathing intolerance index: A new indicator for ventilator use. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2006;85:24–30. Objectives:The purpose was to study the efficacy of a proposed breathing intolerance index for justifying ventilator use by patients with pulmonary or chest wall diseases and to compare with values obtained from healthy controls. Design:A total of 42 patients with lung/chest wall disease, including 11 ventilator users and 25 age-matched controls, were studied. The breathing intolerance index was defined as (Ti/Ttot) × (Vt/VC), where Ti = inspiratory time of one breath (in seconds), Ttot = total time of one breath (in seconds), Vt = tidal volume (in milliliters) at rest, and VC = vital capacity (in milliliters). A digital spirometer with custom computer software was used. Results:The examinations were completed uneventfully. The mean breathing intolerance index values of the 25 healthy volunteers, the 31 nonventilator user patients, and the 11 users of nocturnal noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation were 0.050 ± 0.009 (mean ± standard deviation), 0.087 ± 0.022, and 0.186 ± 0.038, respectively. The breathing intolerance indices of the ventilator users were significantly greater (P < 0.0001) than those of the other nonventilator user groups, and there was no overlap in values. Conclusions:Ventilator users have a significantly higher breathing intolerance index than nonventilator users. The index may be useful for justifying ventilator use.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nef Activates p21-Activated Kinase via Recruitment into Lipid Rafts

ABSTRACT The Nef protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is an important factor in AIDS pathogenesis. In addition to downregulating CD4 and major histocompatibility complex class I molecules from the cell surface, as well as increasing virion infectivity, Nef triggers activation of the T-cell receptor (TCR) cascade to facilitate virus spread. Signaling pathways that are induced by Nef have been identified; however, it is unclear how and in which subcellular compartment Nef triggers signaling. Nef recruits a multiprotein complex to activate the cellular Pak kinase that mediates downstream effector functions. Since a subpopulation of Nef is present in detergent-insoluble microdomains (lipid rafts) from where physiological TCR signaling is initiated, we tested whether lipid rafts are instrumental for Nef-mediated Pak activation. In flotation analysis, Nef-associated Pak activity exclusively fractionated with lipid rafts. Activation of Pak in the presence of Nef coincided with lipid raft recruitment of the kinase, which was otherwise excluded from detergent-insoluble microdomains. Experimental solubilization of lipid rafts interfered with the association of Pak activity with Nef. To analyze the importance of the raft localization for Nef function more rigorously, we generated a palmitoylated Nef (PalmNef). PalmNef was highly enriched in lipid rafts and associated with significantly higher levels of Pak activity than Nef. Notably, activation of Pak by its physiological activators, Cdc42 and Rac, also occurred in lipid rafts and required raft integrity. Together, these data suggest that Nef induces signal transduction via the recruitment of a signaling machinery including Pak into lipid rafts, thereby mimicking a physiological cellular mechanism to initiate the TCR cascade.