Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visualizing G Protein‐Coupled Receptor‐Receptor Interactions in Brain Using Proximity Ligation In Situ Assay

G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest family of plasma membrane receptors, thus representing the more investigated drug targets in the design of new therapeutic strategies. The existence of receptor‐receptor interactions has revolutionized the field, since GPCR oligomerization might confer new intervention opportunities in pharmacotherapy. However, demonstrating the existence of such receptor‐receptor interactions in native tissue has been a bottleneck in GPCR pharmacology. Here, we discuss an experimental approach, the proximity ligation in situ assay (P‐LISA), which provides enough sensitivity to evaluate a receptor's close proximity within a named GPCR oligomer. Indeed, we provide a detailed step‐by‐step protocol for P‐LISA experiments visualizing receptor‐receptor interactions in brain slices. Additionally, we provide instructions for slide observation, data acquisition and quantification. Finally, we also discuss these critical aspects determining the success of the technique, namely the fixation process and the validation of the primary antibodies used. Overall, the P‐LISA is a powerful and straightforward technique to visualize receptor‐receptor interactions when performed under optimal conditions. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A metacognitive learning organizer to introduce learning strategies for PLE users and SRL students

Personal Learning Environment is a concept that is in line with Self-Regulated Learning. Building and using a PLE is a challenging task that requires students to have developed their metacognitive skills. In Self-Regulated Learning and lifelong learning, typical PLE scenarios, there is no guidance or tutoring. There is a need of helping the students to develop these skills, to learn how to manage time and how to evaluate their learning process in order to improve it. We propose the creation of an organizer with support for the development of metacognitive skills to help users meeting their learning goals.
Isolation, Characterization and Identification of Microorganisms from Spoilt Carrots Obtained from Ose Market Onitsha, Nigeria

Studies on the microorganisms associated with spoilt carrots obtained from Ose Market, Onitsha, Nigeria were carried out using standard cultural techniques. Nutrient agar, sabouraud dextrose agar and Eosin methylene blue agar were the growth media for the isolation of the heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and coliforms. The bacteria were identified as Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli and Corynebacterium bovis while the fungi was identified on the basis of their colonial and microscopic characteristics as Penicillium digitatum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus niger and Alternaria alternata. Escherichia coli was predominantly isolated among the bacterial isolates (50%) while Aspergillus niger occurred most frequently than the other fungal species (40%). These organisms may have been introduced to the carrots during growth, harvesting, handling, storage and distribution. The presence of the organisms is a public health risk because of the diseases known to be caused by them. It is therefore imperative that adequate hygienic practices must be put in place during the storage and handling of carrots. Spoilt carrots must also not be consumed as they contain a teaming population of bacteria and fungi, some of which are pathogenic to humans.
Considerations and requirements for tools supporting mobile teams

Product development processes increasingly happen in cooperations, where cooperation partners are dislocated in time and space. This leads to the fact that teamworkers have to be more and more mobile and brings us to the presumption that the support of spontaneous information exchange and mobile ad hoc interaction among team members will gain in importance. Some of the questions that have to be answered when building tools for supporting mobile teamwork as well as the requirements for such tools are discussed in the paper.
Subtransport Level: The Right Place for End-to-End Security Mechanisms

We argue that end-to-end authentication and privacy in loosely-coupled distributed systems are not only achievable by mechanisms at the host-to-host (i.e., subtransport) level under generally satisfiable conditions, but that this solution can be more advantageous than those based on security mechanisms at higher levels of the protocol hierarchy in terms of both functionality and performance. We introduce a model of communication security and a subtransport-level protocol called ADP the Authenticated Datagram Protocol, which provides end-to-end authentication and privacy consistently with the definitions of the model. We then discuss the advantages of the subtransport approach, and present some experimental results from the measurement of a prototype of ADP that confirm the expected performance benefits of this approach.
Intravenous Treatment With Coenzyme Q10 Improves Neurological Outcome and Reduces Infarct Volume After Transient Focal Brain Ischemia in Rats

Abstract: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) crosses the blood–brain barrier when administered intravenously and accumulates in the brain. In this study, we investigated whether CoQ10 protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury by measuring neurological function and brain infarct volumes in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia. In male Wistar rats, we performed transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 60 minutes, followed by reperfusion for 24 hours or 7 days. Forty-five minutes after the onset of occlusion (or 15 minutes before reperfusion), rats received a single intravenous injection of solubilized CoQ10 (30 mg·mL−1·kg−1) or saline (2 mL/kg). Sensory and motor function scores and body weights were obtained before the rats were killed by decapitation, and brain infarct volumes were calculated using tetrazolium chloride staining. CoQ10 brain levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. CoQ10 significantly improved neurological behavior and reduced weight loss up to 7 days after tMCAO (P < 0.05). Furthermore, CoQ10 reduced cerebral infarct volumes by 67% at 24 hours after tMCAO and 35% at 7 days (P < 0.05). Cerebral ischemia resulted in a significant reduction in endogenous CoQ10 in both hemispheres (P < 0.05). However, intravenous injection of solubilized CoQ10 resulted in its increase in both hemispheres at 24 hours and in the contralateral hemisphere at 7 days (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrate that CoQ10 is a robust neuroprotective agent against ischemia-reperfusion brain injury in rats, improving both functional and morphological indices of brain damage.
Nonmarket valuation of cultural and environmental impacts of sustainable city tourism in Vienna, Austria.

The main purpose of this paper is to monetarily assess the effect of cultural and natural goods and services on tourism in Vienna, Austria. By means of hedonic modelling, we investigate how the value of tourist places, cultural and natural monuments is capitalized in commercial housing prices. First, in the context of variable selection, main tourist attractions are identified. In the second section, by controlling for accessibility effects of transportation, the investigation area is defined. Using hedonic regression analyses, the tourists’ willingness to pay for the adjacency to monuments is quantified. Finally, results obtained are used to illustrate the influence of sustainable city tourism on the preservation of cultural and natural monuments. There are particular important trade-offs between preservation and new construction.
Second Trimester Maternal Serum Cystatin C Levels in Preeclamptic and Normotensive Pregnancies: A Small Case-Control Study

Background/Aims: Cystatin C (CC) is a marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and is elevated in cases of established preeclampsia (PE). It also has widespread presence in extracellular space and high levels in PE might reflect placental ischemia. The aim of this study was to measure CC levels in the second trimester in women who subsequently develop PE and in those who remained normotensive. Methods: Maternal serum taken at time of the anomaly scan from 15 women was analysed for CC and creatinine levels. Six women later developed PE and 9 remained normotensive. Results: Cystatin C levels were significantly higher in women who developed preeclampsia (mean value 0.76 vs. 0.53 mg/L, p = 0.008). However, creatinine levels showed no statistical difference (mean value 76.1 vs. 65.5 umol/L, p = 0.066). The range of CC was 0.41–0.55 mg/L in normotensive pregnancies and 0.50–1.26 mg/L in pregnancies with PE. Conclusion: This small observational study showed that serum CC is raised as early as the second trimester in women who subsequently develop PE in third trimester. Larger studies are needed to evaluate the potential role of CC as an early marker for the prediction of PE.
An Efficient Ascending-Bid Auction for Multiple Objects: Comment

Ausubel (2004) introduces a new ascending-bid auction rule for multiple homogeneous objects, called the Ausubel auction, which is a dynamic counterpart of the Vickrey auction. He claims that in the Ausubel auction with private values, sincere bidding by all bidders is an ex post perfect equilibrium. However, we show that this claim does not hold in general by providing a counterexample. We then modify the Ausubel auction so that sincere bidding by all bidders is an ex post perfect equilibrium.
Optimal nonlinear model predictive control based on Bernstein polynomial approach

In this paper, we compare the performance of Bernstein global optimization algorithm based nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) with a power system stabilizer and linear model predictive control (MPC) for the excitation control of a single machine infinite bus power system. The control simulation studies with Bernstein algorithm based NMPC show improvement in the system damping and settling time when compared with respect to a power system stabilizer and linear MPC scheme. Further, the efficacy of the Bernstein algorithm is also compared with global optimization solver BMIBNB from YALMIP toolbox in terms of NMPC scheme and results are found to be satisfactory.
Infant Acceptance of Primary Tastes and Fat Emulsion: Developmental Changes and Links with Maternal and Infant Characteristics

Previous studies on taste acceptance have been conducted taste-by-taste and with a cross-sectional design. The aim of this study was to longitudinally evaluate the acceptance of sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami solutions, and a fat emulsion comparatively in a birth cohort from 3 to 20 months old. The acceptance of each taste relative to water was defined using proportional variables that are based on ingestion (IR) or liking evaluated by the experimenter (LR). These data were analyzed with mixed models that accounted for age and subject effects (minimum 152 observations/age/taste; maximum 216). For saltiness, acceptance increased sharply between 3 and 12 months old. The trajectories of acceptance were parallel for sweetness, sourness, and the umami tastes between 3 and 20 months old, with sweetness being preferred. Between 12 and 20 months old, the acceptance of all tastes, except bitterness, decreased, and at 20 months old, only sweetness was not rejected. The acceptance of bitterness remained stable. For the fat emulsion, acceptance evolved from indifference to rejection. The acceptance of saltiness and umami tastes were lower in girls than boys at 20 months old. The acceptance of the fat emulsion was higher in infants who were born heavier and taller. At 20 months old, the fat emulsion acceptance was higher in infants who were born from mothers with a higher prepregnancy body mass index. Finally, the taste differential reactivity (the standard deviation of the IRs) significantly increased from 3 to 20 months old.
Acute Pyelonephritis in the Elderly

We did a prospective study of the clinical, laboratory, radiologic, and therapeutic features of acute, symptomatic, bacterial pyelonephritis in 35 consecutive elderly, noncatheterized patients who required hospitalization. Pyelonephritis had been identified as the most common cause of gram-negative bacteremia in elderly patients admitted to a community hospital. Appropriate antibiotic therapy and, of equal importance, a lack of serious associated medical illnesses contributed to the 97% survival. Two features appear to distinguish acute, symptomatic, bacterial pyelonephritis in elderly women from that in young women: an increased incidence of bacteremia and septic shock. We provide guidelines for the diagnostic evaluation and antibiotic therapy of acute, symptomatic, community-acquired, bacterial pyelonephritis in the elderly.
Bringing Balance to the Force? A Comparative Analysis of Institutionalisation Processes in the G20’s Mutual Assessment Process and the EU’s Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure

ABSTRACT Events from 2008 onwards have bought the old consensus on the sound money and finance paradigm (the ‘Great Moderation’) into bold relief. One manifestation of this crisis of belief is the increased focus on global imbalances, institutionally reflected in the creation of the Mutual Assessment Process (MAP) at the G20 level and subsequently the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure (MIP) at the European Union (EU) level. Comparing both newcomers to international macroeconomic policy coordination, this article analyses four features that shape (and we show, institutionalise) the process of paradigm contestation: presence, position, promotion and plausibility. We argue that although initially the G20’s MAP scored higher in terms of presence, position and promotion, it is the EU’s MIP, which heralds a more substantial shift in macroeconomic management. Collectively, both indicate the increased prominence of global imbalances as the subject of inter- or supranational management, and a broadening of the notion of necessary or legitimate economic governance.
Results of a randomized trial testing messages tailored to participant-selected topics among female college students: physical activity outcomes.

BACKGROUND A better understanding of identifying tailoring variables would improve message design. Tailoring to a behavior that a participant selects as one they would like to work on may increase message relevance, and thus effectiveness. This trial compared 3 groups: message tailored to physical activity as a participant-selected topic (choice), message tailored to physical activity as an expert-determined topic (expert), or nontailored message (comparison). METHODS 408 female college students received web-delivered computer-tailored messages on physical activity. Outcomes were immediate and 1-month follow-up changes in psychosocial, goal-related, and behavioral variables related to physical activity. RESULTS Participants were predominately non-Hispanic White (73.8%). Change in self-efficacy and goal commitment at immediate follow-up and vigorous physical activity at 1-month follow-up was greater in the expert versus comparison group. Change in goal commitment at immediate follow-up was lower in the choice versus expert group. In the expert group, those choosing physical activity as their selected topic perceived the goal to be easier at immediate follow-up compared with those receiving unmatched messages. CONCLUSIONS Findings supported tailoring to an expert-determined topic. However, based on the beneficial change in perceived goal difficulty when topics matched, future research should encourage synchrony between participant-selected topics and expert recommendations.
Bilateral lower extremity evaluation of deep venous thrombosis with color flow and compression sonography.

Recognition of the accuracy of CUS for diagnosis of DVT has led to increased requests for bilateral lower extremity CUS studies. Compared to unilateral lower limb CUS studies, these examinations are often requested when the clinical suspicion of DVT is less strong. We undertook a 15 month prospective study of bilateral lower extremity CUS examinations to determine the diagnostic yield of positive studies and any correlation with clinical parameters. Eighty‐six patients were studied; six patients (7%) had studies positive for acute DVT, and 78 patients (91%) had negative studies. Positive studies did not correlate with clinical parameters except erythema. Concurrently, 23% of unilateral lower limb sonographic studies were positive. Bilateral lower limb CUS is a low yield investigation, which may be indicated in view of the morbidity and mortality associated with DVT and pulmonary embolism.
Dynamics of Self-Esteem in “Poor-Me” and “Bad-Me” Paranoia

Abstract The dynamics of self-esteem and paranoia were examined in 41 patients with past or current paranoia and 23 controls using questionnaires and the Experience Sampling Method (a structured diary technique). For some analyses, patients were further divided into three groups: a) individuals who believed that persecution is underserved (“poor me”; PM), b) individuals who believed that persecution is justified (“bad me”; BM), and c) remitted patients. The results revealed that PM and especially BM patients had highly unstable psychological profiles. Beliefs about deservedness of persecution fluctuated over 6 days. BM beliefs were associated with low self-esteem and depression. Measured concurrently, paranoia predicted lower self-esteem in the BM patients. Prospectively, paranoia predicted lower subsequent self-esteem in BM patients but higher subsequent self-esteem in PM patients. Our results suggest that paranoia can serve a defensive function in some circumstances. The reasons for inconsistencies in self-esteem research in relation to paranoia are discussed.
Nicotine inhibits large conductance Ca2 + -activated K+ channels and the NO/-cGMP signaling pathway in cultured human endothelial cells

Objective. The effects of nicotine on endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation mediated by nitric oxide (NO) are controversial. Since endothelial NO synthesis has been shown to depend on the activity of large conductance Ca2 + -activated K+ channels (BKCa), the present study investigated whether nicotine alters BKCa single channel activity induced by the K+ channel opener NS1619, and to examine a possible interaction with the endothelial NO generation. Design. The patch-clamp technique was used to examine the BKCa activity. NO production was measured indirectly using a [3H]-cGMP-radioimmunoassay. All experiments were performed using cultured endothelial cells derived from human umbilical cord veins. Results.The BKCa opener NS1619 (10 µmol/l) significantly increased the BKCa open-state probability (NPo) from 0.011±0.007 (control) to 0.052±0.019. Co-perfusion with nicotine (1 µmol/l) significantly decreased NS1619 induced NPo (n = 14, p < 0.05). Intracellular cGMP levels were significantly increased, if cells were stimulated with NS1619 (+ 225%; n = 10, p < 0.05), which was blocked by Nicotine (1 µmol/l). Conclusions. The results of the present study demonstrate that BKCa activation by NS1619 plays an important role in the regulation of the NO-/cGMP-signaling-pathway. Endothelial dysfunction caused by nicotine may be connected with a decrease in BKCa-activity.
Non-HLA Antibodies Targeting Vascular Receptors Enhance Alloimmune Response and Microvasculopathy After Heart Transplantation

Background Non–human leukocyte antigen antibodies (Abs) targeting vascular receptors are implicated in the pathogenesis of renal allograft vascular rejection and in progressive vasculopathy in patients with systemic sclerosis. Methods We prospectively tested in 30 heart transplant recipients the impact of Abs directed against endothelin-1 type A (ETAR) and angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1R, cell-enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay) at time of transplantation and during the first posttransplantation year on cellular and Ab-mediated rejection (immunohistochemistry, C3d, and immunoglobulins) and microvasculopathy in endomyocardial biopsy. Results Cellular rejection, Ab-mediated rejection, and microvasculopathy was found in 40% and 13%, 57% and 18%, and 37% and 40% of biopsies at 1 month and 1 year posttransplantation, respectively. Maximum levels of AT1R and ETAR Abs were higher in patients with cellular (16.5±2.6 vs. 9.4±1.3; P=0.021 and 16.5±2.5 vs. 9.9±1.9; P=0.041) and Ab-mediated rejection (19.0±2.6 vs. 10.0±1.3; P=0.004 and 19.4±2.7 vs. 9.0±1.7; P=0.002), as compared with patients who had no rejection. Patients with elevated AT1R Abs (53% [16/30]) or ETAR Abs (50% [15/30]; pretransplantation prognostic rejection cutoff >16.5 U/L) presented more often with microvasculopathy (both, 67% vs. 23%; P=0.048) than patients without. Conclusions Elevated levels of AT1R and ETAR Abs are associated with cellular and Ab-mediated rejection and early onset of microvasculopathy and should be routinely monitored after heart transplantation.
Determinants of Russian Football Club Brands

Using data from the Russian Premier League, this paper estimates brand strength of a football club as the effect that club has on attendance when it is the visiting team. This objective measure of sports club brand contrasts with the subjective, survey-based measures common in the literature. The analysis then turns to the determinants of this measure of brand, tracking its evolution across seasons and relating it to the history of success of the club. The results confirm that greater success raises brand strength and that brand does not depreciate quickly over time.
Sevelamer attenuates the progression of coronary and aortic calcification in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease is frequent and severe in patients with end-stage renal disease. Disorders of mineral metabolism may contribute by promoting cardiovascular calcification. METHODS We conducted a randomized clinical trial comparing sevelamer, a non-absorbed polymer, with calcium-based phosphate binders in 200 hemodialysis patients. Study outcomes included the targeted concentrations of serum phosphorus, calcium, and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), and calcification of the coronary arteries and thoracic aorta using a calcification score derived from electron beam tomography. RESULTS Sevelamer and calcium provided equivalent control of serum phosphorus (end-of-study values 5.1 +/- 1.2 and 5.1 +/- 1.4 mg/dL, respectively, P = 0.33). Serum calcium concentration was significantly higher in the calcium-treated group (P = 0.002), and hypercalcemia was more common (16% vs. 5% with sevelamer, P = 0.04). More subjects in the calcium group had end-of-study intact PTH below the target of 150 to 300 pg/mL (57% vs. 30%, P = 0.001). At study completion, the median absolute calcium score in the coronary arteries and aorta increased significantly in the calcium treated subjects but not in the sevelamer-treated subjects (coronary arteries 36.6 vs. 0, P = 0.03 and aorta 75.1 vs. 0, P = 0.01, respectively). The median percent change in coronary artery (25% vs. 6%, P = 0.02) and aortic (28% vs. 5%, P = 0.02) calcium score also was significantly greater with calcium than with sevelamer. CONCLUSIONS Compared with calcium-based phosphate binders, sevelamer is less likely to cause hypercalcemia, low levels of PTH, and progressive coronary and aortic calcification in hemodialysis patients.