Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover trial of the efficacy of l‐arginine in the treatment of interstitial cystitis

Objectives To determine, in a double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover study, whether l‐arginine improves the symptoms of interstitial cystitis (IC), a chronic condition in which nitric oxide (NO) may be important, as previous open pilot studies suggested that l‐arginine reduced the pain and frequency associated with IC.
Using Thermodynamics to Predict the Outcomes of Nitrate-Based Oil Reservoir Souring Control Interventions

Souring is the undesirable production of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in oil reservoirs by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Souring is a common problem during secondary oil recovery via water flooding, especially when seawater with its high sulfate concentration is introduced. Nitrate injection into these oil reservoirs can prevent and remediate souring by stimulating nitrate-reducing bacteria (NRB). Two conceptually different mechanisms for NRB-facilitated souring control have been proposed: nitrate-sulfate competition for electron donors (oil-derived organics or H2) and nitrate driven sulfide oxidation. Thermodynamics can facilitate predictions about which nitrate-driven mechanism is most likely to occur in different scenarios. From a thermodynamic perspective the question “Which reaction yields more energy, nitrate driven oxidation of sulfide or nitrate driven oxidation of organic compounds? ” can be rephrased as: “Is acetate driven sulfate reduction to sulfide exergonic or endergonic? ” Our analysis indicates that under conditions encountered in oil fields, sulfate driven oxidation of acetate (or other SRB organic electron donors) is always more favorable than sulfide oxidation to sulfate. That predicts that organotrophic NRB that oxidize acetate would outcompete lithotrophic NRB that oxidize sulfide. However, sulfide oxidation to elemental sulfur is different. At low acetate HS− oxidation is more favorable than acetate oxidation. Incomplete oxidation of sulfide to S0 is likely to occur when nitrate levels are low, and is favored by low temperatures; conditions that can be encountered at oil field above-ground facilities where intermediate sulfur compounds like S0 may cause corrosion. These findings have implications for reservoir management strategies and for assessing the success and progress of nitrate-based souring control strategies and the attendant risks of corrosion associated with souring and nitrate injection.
The new German statutory minimum wage in comparative perspective: Employment effects and other adjustment channels

Germany was one of only seven EU member states without a statutory minimum wage before its new legislation took effect in January 2015. We explore the consequences for wage structure, employment and companies. The new wage floor brought significant increases for low-paid employees, with limited observable negative employment effects thus far. To explain these benign outcomes, we refer to institutionalist and behavioural theories and discuss a number of other adjustment channels for companies. Preliminary evidence suggests that companies in sectors highly affected have responded by reducing working hours and/or increasing work intensity and prices. Some have cut special payments and non-wage benefits, reduced labour turnover and attempted to absorb higher wages by hiring more qualified staff. Non-compliance may also constitute an adjustment channel.
Respiratory syncytial virus infections: characteristics and treatment

In this review, we describe the history, epidemiology and clinical manifestations of infections attributed to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children. At present, no cure exists for RSV infection but commonly employed palliative treatments include oxygen and inhaled β2‐adrenoceptor agonists, such as salbutamol, to relieve the wheezing and increased bronchiolar smooth muscle constriction. Adrenaline (epinephrine) has been found to be superior to the selective β2‐adrenoceptor agonists. Oral or inhaled corticosteroids should counteract the inflammatory response to RSV infection but their effectiveness is controversial. Inhaled ribavirin is the only licensed antiviral product approved for the treatment of RSV lower respiratory‐tract infection in hospitalized children, although its use is now restricted to high‐risk infants. Other treatments considered are nasopharyngeal suctioning, surfactant therapy, recombinant human deoxyribonuclease I, heliox (helium:oxygen) and inhaled nitric oxide. Prevention of infection by RSV antibodies is another strategy and, currently, palivizumab is the only safe, effective and convenient preventative treatment for RSV disease in high‐risk populations of infants and young children. Its cost‐effectiveness, however, has been questioned. Both live attenuated and subunit vaccines against RSV infection have been developed but so far there is no safe and effective vaccine available. Finding effective treatments and prophylactic measures remains a major challenge for the future.
Detection of phosphorylated forms of Moloney murine leukemia virus major capsid protein p30 by immunoprecipitation and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

We detected phosphorylation of the major Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) capsid polypeptide, p30, by using 32Pi-labeled virions. This was observed both on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels directly or on one-dimensional gels of viral lysates that had been immunoprecipitated with monospecific goat anti-p30 serum. The phosphorylation event had been difficult to detect because pp12 the major virion phosphoprotein incorporates almost all of the 32P label added to infected cells (Y. Yoshinaka and R. B. Luftig, Virology 116:181-195, 1982). When immunoprecipitates from M-MuLV lysates labeled with 32Pi were compared with those labeled with [35S]methionine, it was calculated that the degree of phosphorylation at the p30 domain of Pr65gag was only 0.22 to 0.54% relative to phosphorylation at the p12 domain. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of the 32P-labeled p30 immunoprecipitates showed that there were three phosphorylated p30 forms with isoelectric points (pIs) of 5.7, 5.8, and 6.0. These forms were generally more acidic than the [35S]methionine-labeled p30 forms, which had pIs of 6.0, 6.1, 6.3 (the major constituent with greater than 80% of the label), and 6.6. The predominant phosphoamino acid of the major phosphorylated p30 form (pI 5.8) was phosphoserine. Further, tryptic peptide analysis of this p30 form showed that only one peptide was predominantly phosphorylated. Based on a comparison of specific labeling of p30 tryptic peptides with [14C]serine, [35S]methionine, and 32Pi, we tentatively assigned the phosphorylation site to a 2.4-kilodalton NH2-terminal peptide containing triple tandem serines spanning the region from amino acids 4 to 24.
Evidence for a fundamental and pervasive shift away from nature-based recreation

After 50 years of steady increase, per capita visits to U.S. National Parks have declined since 1987. To evaluate whether we are seeing a fundamental shift away from people's interest in nature, we tested for similar longitudinal declines in 16 time series representing four classes of nature participation variables: (i) visitation to various types of public lands in the U.S. and National Parks in Japan and Spain, (ii) number of various types of U.S. game licenses issued, (iii) indicators of time spent camping, and (iv) indicators of time spent backpacking or hiking. The four variables with the greatest per capita participation were visits to Japanese National Parks, U.S. State Parks, U.S. National Parks, and U.S. National Forests, with an average individual participating 0.74–2.75 times per year. All four time series are in downtrends, with linear regressions showing ongoing losses of −1.0% to −3.1% per year. The longest and most complete time series tested suggest that typical declines in per capita nature recreation began between 1981 and 1991, are proceeding at rates of −1.0% to −1.3% per year, and total to date −18% to −25%. Spearman correlation analyses were performed on untransformed time series and on transformed percentage year-to-year changes. Results showed very highly significant correlations between many of the highest per capita participation variables in both untransformed and in difference models, further corroborating the general downtrend in nature recreation. In conclusion, all major lines of evidence point to an ongoing and fundamental shift away from nature-based recreation.
The Crystal Structure of an Oxidatively Stable Subtilisin-like Alkaline Serine Protease, KP-43, with a C-terminal β-Barrel Domain*

The crystal structure of an oxidatively stable subtilisin-like alkaline serine protease, KP-43 from Bacillus sp. KSM-KP43, with a C-terminal extension domain, was determined by the multiple isomorphous replacements method with anomalous scattering. The native form was refined to a crystallographic R factor of 0.134 (Rfree of 0.169) at 1.30-Å resolution. KP-43 consists of two domains, a subtilisin-like α/β domain and a C-terminal jelly roll β-barrel domain. The topological architecture of the molecule is similar to that of kexin and furin, which belong to the subtilisin-like proprotein convertases, whereas the amino acid sequence and the binding orientation of the C-terminal β-barrel domain both differ in each case. Since the C-terminal domains of subtilisin-like proprotein convertases are essential for folding themselves, the domain of KP-43 is also thought to play such a role. KP-43 is known to be an oxidation-resistant protease among the general subtilisin-like proteases. To investigate how KP-43 resists oxidizing reagents, the structure of oxidized KP-43 was also determined and refined to a crystallographic R factor of 0.142 (Rfree of 0.212) at 1.73-Å resolution. The structure analysis revealed that Met-256, adjacent to catalytic Ser-255, was oxidized similarly to an equivalent residue in subtilisin BPN′. Although KP-43, as well as proteinase K and subtilisin Carlsberg, lose their hydrolyzing activity against synthetic peptides after oxidation treatment, all of them retain 70–80% activity against proteinaceous substrates. These results, as well as the β-casein digestion pattern analysis, have indicated that the oxidation of the methionine adjacent to the catalytic serine is not a dominant modification but might alter the substrate specificities.
Supply chain coordination with flow networks

A mechanism for supply chain coordination models the entire supply chain with multiple members in four stages to satisfy customer demand with minimum total costs. Previous coordination mechanisms research applied restrictive assumptions on the number in the supply chain stages and members in each stage, disallowing a case of multi-product. Flow networks concept is proposes as a coordination mechanism for supply chains with multiple members, multiple stages and multi-products, where each product is composed of several basic components. A supply chain optimizer (SCO), actually an e-hub, gathers supply chain state information. After necessary computations, it informs members of the supply chain of optimal decisions for their orders. Results from sample cases using the mechanism show above 20% reduction in total costs of the supply chain.
The Social Cost Problem, Rights and the (Non)Empty Core

We revisit the “Coase theorem” through the lens of a cooperative game model which takes into account the assignment of rights among agents involved in a problem of social cost. We consider the case where one polluter interacts with many potential victims. Given an assignment or a mapping of rights, we represent a social cost problem by a cooperative game. A solution consists in a payoff vector. We introduce three properties for a mapping of rights. First, core compatibility indicates that the core of the associated cooperative games is nonempty. Second, Kaldor‐Hicks core compatibility indicates that there is a payoff vector in the core where victims are fully compensated for the damage once the negotiations are completed. Third, no veto power for a victim says that no victim has the power to veto an agreement signed by the rest of the society. We then demonstrate two main results. First, core compatibility is satisfied if and only if the rights are assigned either to the polluter or to the entire set of victims. Second, there is no mapping of rights satisfying Kaldor‐Hicks core compatibility and no veto power for a victim. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)(This abstract was borrowed f(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Intrathecal clonidine alleviates allodynia in neuropathic rats: interaction with spinal muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.

BACKGROUND Intrathecally administered clonidine increases release of spinal acetylcholine, which may be related to its analgesic action in neuropathic pain. The current study determined the role of spinal muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in the antiallodynic effect of intrathecally administered clonidine in spinal nerve-ligated rats. METHODS Allodynia was produced in rats by ligation of the left L5-L6 spinal nerves. Mechanical allodynia was determined by application of von Frey filaments to the left hindpaw. The effect of intrathecal injection of saline, two muscarinic receptor antagonists (atropine and scopolamine), and two nicotinic receptor antagonists (mecamylamine and hexamethonium) on the antiallodynic action produced by intrathecal administration of 20 microg clonidine was assessed in six groups of animals. Each group consisted of six to eight rats. RESULTS Intrathecal injection of saline or muscarinic or nicotinic receptor antagonists did not alter the withdrawal thresholds. The antiallodynic effect produced by intrathecally administered clonidine was attenuated in a dose-dependent manner by intrathecal treatment with muscarinic and nicotinic antagonists. Although nicotinic receptor antagonists only partially attenuated the effect of clonidine, blockade of spinal muscarinic receptors almost abolished the antiallodynic effect of clonidine. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that the analgesic effect of intrathecally administered clonidine on neuropathic pain is mediated by spinal muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Therefore, this study provides functional evidence that spinally released acetylcholine plays a role in the antiallodynic effect of intrathecally administered clonidine in neuropathic pain.
Automating Single Subunit Counting of Membrane Proteins in Mammalian Cells*

Background: Although powerful, single subunit counting is time-consuming, prone to user bias, and largely restricted to Xenopus expression. Results: PIF is an automated analysis program that identifies subunit stoichiometry of any fluorescently tagged membrane protein from TIRF recordings. Conclusion: PIF is accurate to more than 90% even in noisy data typical for mammalian expression system. Significance: The PIF approach is generalizable to any membrane protein and TIRF microscope. Elucidating subunit stoichiometry of neurotransmitter receptors is preferably carried out in a mammalian expression system where the rules of native protein assembly are strictly obeyed. Although successful in Xenopus oocytes, single subunit counting, manually counting photobleaching steps of GFP-tagged subunits, has been hindered in mammalian cells by high background fluorescence, poor control of expression, and low GFP maturation efficiency. Here, we present a fully automated single-molecule fluorescence counting method that separates tagged proteins on the plasma membrane from background fluorescence and contaminant proteins in the cytosol or the endoplasmic reticulum and determines the protein stoichiometry. Lower GFP maturation rates observed in cells cultured at 37 °C were partly offset using a monomeric version of superfolder GFP. We were able to correctly identify the stoichiometry of GluK2 and α1 glycine receptors. Our approach permits the elucidation of stoichiometry for a wide variety of plasma membrane proteins in mammalian cells with any commercially available TIRF microscope.
Burning through the pain: treatments for diabetic neuropathy

The rise in the global burden of diabetes is spurring an increase in the prevalence of its complications. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common and devastating complication of diabetes, with multiple clinical manifestations. The most common is a symmetrical length‐dependent dysfunction and damage of peripheral nerves. The management of DPN rests on three tenets: intensive glycaemic control, even though the evidence of benefit is questionable in people with type 2 diabetes; pathogenetic therapies; and symptomatic treatment. A number of pathogenetic treatments have been evaluated in phase III clinical trials, including α‐lipoic acid (stems reactive oxygen species formation), benfotiamine (prevents vascular damage) and aldose‐reductase inhibitors (reduce flux through the polyol pathway), protein kinase C inhibitors (prevent hyperglycaemia‐induced activation of protein kinase C), nerve growth factors (stimulate nerve regeneration) and Actovegin® (improves tissue glucose and oxygen uptake). However, none have gained US Food and Drug Administration or European Medicines Agency (EMA) approval, questioning the validity of current trial designs and the endpoints deployed to define efficacy. For painful diabetic neuropathy, clinical guidelines recommend: atypical analgesics for pain relief, including duloxetine and amitriptyline; the γ‐aminobutyric acid analogues gabapentin and pregabalin; opioids, including Tapentadol; and topical agents such as lidocaine and capsaicin. No single effective treatment exists for painful DPN, highlighting a growing need for studies to evaluate more potent and targeted drugs, as well as combinations. A number of novel potential candidates, including erythropoietin analogues and angiotensin II type 2 receptor anatagonists are currently being evaluated in phase II clinical trials.
Developing collaboration race and gender repertoire theory as applied to STEM policy

This paper develops a collaborative race and gender repertoire (CRGR) theory explaining how racial and gender awareness influence science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) collaboration behaviors and choices of team members. We are particularly interested in the application of CRGR in the STEM higher education context, which persists as a hotbed for diversity initiatives. Using the scientific technical human capital (STHC) model as a departure point, we cultivate the CRGR theory considering three primary factors: the collaborative norms of scientists; social exchange dynamics; and the development and use of racial and gender awareness. While theories abound specifically explaining the role of race and gender in educational, career and social outcomes, fewer of these theories consider the unique aspects of STEM culture and institutions - particularly collaboration and team based science, which are critical for STEM knowledge production. We assert that a specific theory accounting for the STEM context can motivate more strategic efforts to achieve substantive diversity; promote STEM production; and avoid public value failure.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, Volume VII

This is the seventh and final volume of the most authoritative reference on the Third United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III, 1973-1982). The volume provides the original text of the 1982 convention as fully integrated with the provisions of the 1994 Agreement on the Implementation of XI, in addition to an extensive subject index to Volumes I through VI of the series.
[Elective microscopic resection of dorsal penile nerves for primary premature ejaculation: a clinical observation].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of elective microscopic resection of dorsal penile nerves in the treatment of primary premature ejaculation (PPE). METHODS Seventy-eight PPE patients received elective microscopic resection of dorsal penile nerves, 5 branches in 9 cases, 6 in 17, 7 in 15, 8 in 14, 9 in 8, 10 in 6, 11 in 6, and 12 in 3. The patients were followed up for 12 months, and their intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) and sexual intercourse satisfaction scores were recorded before and after treatment. RESULTS Compared with the baseline, the IELT was significantly prolonged after surgery ([0.86 +/- 0.32] vs [6.65 +/- 3.9] min, P < 0.01), and the sexual intercourse satisfaction scores of the patients were dramatically increased (7.32 +/- 2.52 vs 12.32 +/- 3.76, P < 0.01), so were those of their sexual partners (4.46 +/- 1.36 vs 12.73 +/- 1.45, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Elective microscopic resection of dorsal penile nerves is safe and effective for the treatment of PPE.
Non-intrusive Quality Monitoring Method of VoIP Speech Based on Network Performance Metrics

With the increasing demand for IP telephony services using Voice over IP (VoIP) technology, techniques for monitoring speech quality in actual networks are required to manage the quality of VoIP services constantly. Since the speech quality of VoIP is affected by IP network performance factors, non-intrusive methods of monitoring the quality of service (QoS) by passively measuring network performance are being watched with keen interest. VQmon technology is one of the non-intrusive quality monitoring methods. Although the monitoring functions of the VQmon for post-arrived packet behavior events at VoIP-gateways are effective, the estimating algorithm does not take differences in the implementations of VoIP-gateway products into account. We therefore propose a non-intrusive method of monitoring QoS that works in conjunction with ITU-T Recommendation P.862 "PESQ" that takes the characteristics of VoIP-gateway products into consideration. We compared the performance of non-intrusive quality monitoring technology such as VQmon and the proposed method in terms of estimating the accuracy of speech quality and mouth-to-ear delay. The experimental results revealed that the proposed method outperforms the conventional one, achieving sufficient accuracy for quality monitoring of VoIP services.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells: A Novel Regulator of Vascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death in industrialised societies. The idea that the arterial smooth muscle cell (ASMC) plays a key role in regulating many vascular pathologies has been gaining importance, as has the realisation that not enough is known about the pathological cellular mechanisms regulating ASMC function in vascular remodelling. In the past decade endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) have been recognised as a stress response underlying many physiological and pathological processes in various vascular cell types. Here we summarise what is known about how ER stress signalling regulates phenotypic switching, trans/dedifferentiation and apoptosis of ASMCs and contributes to atherosclerosis, hypertension, aneurysms and vascular calcification.