Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voltage‐dependent priming of rat vanilloid receptor: effects of agonist and protein kinase C activation

The responses of vanilloid receptor (VR) channels to changing membrane potential were studied in Xenopus oocytes and rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. In oocytes, capsaicin‐evoked VR currents increased instantaneously upon a step depolarization and thereafter rose biexponentially with time constants of ≈20 and 1000 ms. Similarly, upon repolarization the current abruptly decreased, followed by a biexponential decay with time constants of ≈4 and 200 ms. Qualitatively similar effects were observed in single channel recordings of native VR channels from DRG neurons and with endogenous VR activators, including heat (43 °C), H+, anandamide and protein kinase C (PKC). The magnitude of the time‐dependent current rise increased with membrane depolarization. This effect was accompanied by an increase in the relative proportion of the fast kinetic component, A1. In contrast, the time constants of the activation and deactivation processes were not strongly voltage dependent. Increasing the agonist concentration both reduced the magnitude of the current rise and increased its overall rate, without significantly altering the deactivation rate. In contrast, PKC both speeded the current rise and slowed its decay. These results suggest that voltage interacts with agonists in a synergistic manner to augment VR current and this mechanism will be enhanced under conditions of inflammation when VRs are likely to be phosphorylated.
Examining Change in Therapeutic Alliance to Predict Youth Mental Health Outcomes

The objective of the study was to examine the link between therapeutic alliance and youth outcomes. The study was conducted at a group home with 112 youth with a disruptive-behavior diagnosis. Therapeutic alliance was collected routinely via youth and staff report. Outcome data were collected using youth and staff reports of externalizing behavior as well as behavioral incidents occurring during care. Outcome data were collected following intake into services and at 6 and 12 months of care. Data were analyzed to examine (a) whether youth behavior problems at intake were predictive of therapeutic alliance and (b) whether changes in alliance were predictive of subsequent youth outcomes. These were conducted with a 6-month service-delivery model and replicated with a 12-month model. There was some support for the first hypothesis, that initial levels of youth externalizing behavior would be related to alliance ratings; however, most of the effects were marginally significant. The second hypothesis, that changes in therapeutic alliance would be related to subsequent youth outcomes, was supported for the 6-month model, but not the 12-month model. Changes in therapeutic alliance may be predictive of youth outcomes during care. Additional research into examining therapeutic alliance trajectories is warranted to improve mental health services for youth.
Binding characteristics of N-acetylglucosamine-specific lectin of the isolated chicken hepatocytes: similarities to mammalian hepatic galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-specific lectin.

Binding characteristics of N-acetylglucosamine- (GlcNAc) specific lectin on the chicken hepatocyte surface were probed by an inhibition assay using various sugars and glycosides as inhibitors. Results indicated that the binding area of the lectin is small, interacting only with GlcNAc residues whose 3- and 4-OH's are open. The combining site is probably of trough-type, since substitution with as large a group as monosaccharide is permitted on the C-6 side of GlcNAc, and on the C-1 side, the aglycon of GlcNAc can be very large (e.g., a glycoprotein). These binding characteristics are shared with the homologous mammalian lectin specific for galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine, suggesting that tertiary structure of the combining area of these two lectins is similar. This is understandable, since there is approximately 40% amino acid sequence identity in the carbohydrate recognition domain of these two lectins [Drickamer, K. , Mannon, J. F. , Binns, G. , & Leung, J. O. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 770-778]. A series of glycosides, each containing two GlcNAc residues separated by different distances (from 0.8 to 4.7 nm), were synthesized. Inhibition assay with these and other cluster glycosides indicated that clustering of two or more GlcNAc residues increased the affinity toward the chicken lectin tremendously. Among the ligands containing two GlcNAc residues, the structure which allows a maximal inter-GlcNAc distance of 3.3 nm had the strongest affinity, its affinity increase over GlcNAc (monosaccharide) amounting to 100-fold. Longer distances slightly diminished the affinity, while shortening the distance caused substantial decrease in the affinity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Analyses of anaesthesia with ketamine combined with different sedatives in rats.

The goal of this study was to establish an easy-to-perform, reliable, and safe protocol for intraperi - toneal injection anaesthesia in rats, as well as an easy method to assess anaesthesia depth under routine clini - cal conditions. Seventy Wistar rats (35 males and 35 females) were used to evaluate intraperitoneal anaesthesia with ketamine (75 mg/kg) combined with one of the following central nervous system depressors: acepromazine (2.5 mg/kg), diazepam (5 mg/kg), medetomidine (0.5 mg/kg), midazolam (5 mg/kg) and xylazine (2.5 mg/kg). Sig - nificant differences were found between the combinations in ataxia, recovery and righting parameters, as well as respiratory and heart rates and haemoglobin saturation by oxygen, whereas significant differences between sexes for the parameters of ataxia, hypnosis, recovery, righting and exploratory behaviour were observed upon waking. The best results for parameters such as induction, and maintenance and recovery from anaesthesia (more regular and stable) were observed with α 2 -agonists: ketamine/xylazine in males and ketamine/medetomidine in females.
Methods for collaboratively identifying research priorities and emerging issues in science and policy

1. There is a widely recognized gap between the data generated by researchers and the information required by policy makers. In an effort to bridge the gap between conservation policy and science, we have convened in several countries multiple groups of policy makers, practitioners and researchers to identify priority information needs that can be met by new research in the social and natural sciences.
ML3 Is a NEDD8- and Ubiquitin-Modified Protein1[C][W][OPEN]

A previously uncharacterized lipid-binding protein is modified by the ubiquitin-like protein NEDD8 and by ubiquitin. NEDD8 (NEURAL PRECURSOR CELL-EXPRESSED, DEVELOPMENTALLY DOWN-REGULATED PROTEIN8) is an evolutionarily conserved 8-kD protein that is closely related to ubiquitin and that can be conjugated like ubiquitin to specific lysine residues of target proteins in eukaryotes. In contrast to ubiquitin, for which a broad range of substrate proteins are known, only a very limited number of NEDD8 target proteins have been identified to date. Best understood, and also evolutionarily conserved, is the NEDD8 modification (neddylation) of cullins, core subunits of the cullin-RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligases that promote the polyubiquitylation of degradation targets in eukaryotes. Here, we show that Myeloid differentiation factor-2-related lipid-recognition domain protein ML3 is an NEDD8- as well as ubiquitin-modified protein in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and examine the functional role of ML3 in the plant cell. Our analysis indicates that ML3 resides in the vacuole as well as in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) bodies. ER bodies are Brassicales-specific ER-derived organelles and, similar to other ER body proteins, ML3 orthologs can only be identified in this order of flowering plants. ML3 gene expression is promoted by wounding as well as by the phytohormone jasmonic acid and repressed by ethylene, signals that are known to induce and repress ER body formation, respectively. Furthermore, ML3 protein abundance is dependent on NAI1, a master regulator of ER body formation in Arabidopsis. The regulation of ML3 expression and the localization of ML3 in ER bodies and the vacuole is in agreement with a demonstrated importance of ML3 in the defense to herbivore attack. Here, we extend the spectrum of ML3 biological functions by demonstrating a role in the response to microbial pathogens.
Use of Social Media in Disaster Relief during the Kuantan (Malaysia) Flood

Natural disasters, particularly hydro-meteorological (climate-related) disasters such as droughts, tsunamis, hurricanes, typhoons and floods, have increased in prevalence and severity in recent decades. During these disasters, the most pressing relief needs are food, water, sanitation and shelter. While relief organizations are increasingly utilizing the power of social media for informational tools such as disaster response crisis mapping, social media-derived relief efforts initiated by the general public have also increased in popularity. Compared to relief organizations, which have greater access to resources, relief efforts initiated by the general public are typically less organized and more personal and exploratory in nature. This teaching case provides a detailed examination of grassroots uses of social media aimed at soliciting disaster-related assistance. The case study describes three relief effort initiatives that solicited support for victims of the most recent Malaysian flood.
Electrical characterisation of dry electrodes for ECG recording

This paper reports the measurement of the properties of dry or pasteless conductive electrodes to be used for long-term recording of the human electrocardiogram (ECG). Knowledge of these properties is essential for the correct design of the input stage of associated recording amplifiers. Measurements were made on seven commercially available conductive carbon based electrodes at pressures of 5mmHg (0.67kPa) and 20mmHg (2.7kPa), located on the lower abdomen and chest of the body on seven subjects having different skin types. Parameter values were fitted to a two-time-constant based model of the electrode using data measured over a period of 10s. Values of resistance, ranging from 23kΩ to 1850kΩ and of capacitance ranging from 0. 01µF to 65µF were obtained for the components, while the values of the time-constants varied from 0.02s to 7.2s.
Complementarities of water-focused life cycle assessment and water footprint assessment.

We shed light on this argument andclarify the objectives of both approaches, their strengths andcomplementarities, in the hope that less energy can be investedin debating these approaches and more on applying anddeveloping them further.Both methodologies have the indirect goal to help theirpractitioners preserve water resources, however, the way theyachieve this diﬀers. The LCA methodology aims at quantifyingpotential environmental impacts generated by a human activityon a wide range of environmental issues (climate change,human respiratory impacts, land use, etc.). One of the potentialcauses of impact is water use. LCA therefore includes potentialimpacts from depriving human users and ecosystems of waterresources, as well as speciﬁc potential impacts from the emittedcontaminants aﬀecting water, through diﬀerent environmentalimpact pathways and indicators (mainly eutrophication,acidiﬁcation and toxicity to human and ecosystems). TheLCA methodology includes four phases: goal and scope,inventory accounting, impact assessment and interpretation.Quantitative impact indicators are at the core of the impactassessment phase.The WFA methodology addresses freshwater resourcesappropriation in a four-step approach including setting goalsand scope, water footprint accounting, sustainability assess-ment, and response formulation. The accounting phaseincludes the quantiﬁcation and mapping of freshwater usewith three distinct types of water use: the blue, gray and greenwater footprints. WFA is primarily designed to support betterwater management, including its use and allocation and hasplayed an important role in the awareness raising of waterissues in the past decade.Both WFA and LCA use quantitative indicators, but indiﬀerent phases of the assessment. This can be more easilyunderstood when comparing the frameworks of both method-ologies (see Figure 1). WFA particularly relies on water useindicators in the inventory phase, while LCA focuses on impactindicators in the impact phase. This is the primary source ofconfusion for practitioners as indicators are to be understood inthe right context.WFA deﬁnes the water footprint (WF) as a spatiotemporallyexplicit indicator of freshwater appropriation in the accountingphase. The “water footprint sustainability assessment” phasefocuses on a multifaceted analysis of the environmentalsustainability, economic eﬃciency and social equity of fresh-water use and allocation. Here, WFs are put into context, forexample by comparing WFs of activities or products to
Alternative inocula as activated sludge surrogate culture for a toxicity test

The use of activated sludge to assess the potential toxicity and environmental impact of chemicals and wastewaters suffers from several drawbacks related to the heterogeneity, absence of standardization, and health risk associated with this mixed‐sewage population. To search for reliable testing inoculum alternatives, the performance of two commercial inocula (BI‐CHEM® and BIOLEN M112), a garden‐soil inoculum and a pure culture of Pseudomonas sp. , was compared with an activated sludge inoculum (AS) in the inhibition respiration test ISO 8192‐1986 (E). The respiration rates of microbial inocula were assayed for the reference compound 3,5–dichlorophenol. The acute toxicity values (IC50) ranged from 6.7 mg/L (Pseudomonas sp.) to 22.7 mg/L (garden soil), overlapping the expected values for activated sludge microorganisms despite the bacterial diversity. The assayed microbial inocula also showed higher reproducibility than AS and an overall similarity of catabolic profiles obtained with Biolog EcoPlates was observed between AS and some mixed inocula. These results point to the potential ability of such inocula as surrogate cultures in relevant activated sludge–based bioassays. New, well‐defined, standardized, and safe tools will then be available for monitoring the ecological impact of hazardous substances and effluents, thus providing environmental protection. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 18: 37–44, 2003.
Sensitive Skin in the United States: Survey of Regional Differences

Background: Sensitive skin, a phenomenon claimed by the majority of female consumers across the industrialized world, is not well understood. Multiple studies investigating the biology of reported discomfort have been unable to establish reliable diagnostic criteria. The influence of geographical and cultural influences, including health and beauty product advertising, on perceptions of sensitive skin are increasingly being recognized. Objective: To evaluate southern American women for the perception of sensitive skin and compare to results of previous surveys in other regions of the US. Patients/Materials/Methods: A written questionnaire for self-reported perception of facial, genital, and body skin sensitivity was administered to 86 females in Mississippi (MS). Statistical analysis was performed on the data and compared with previous results. Results: Women in Mississippi reported any skin sensitivity at significantly higher rater than those in Ohio although they reported very or moderately sensitive skin at rates lower than other regions of the US. Conclusions: This study confirms previous studies that have shown that women across the industrialized world report some degree of skin sensitivity at fairly high levels and that environmental factors such as weather can contribute to the perception of sensitive skin. It is increasingly recognized that psychosocial influences as well as biological factors can contribute to skin sensitivity. Cultural contributions to the perception of skin sensitivity, particularly in women, are often ignored but should be considered as a likely component of sensitive skin perceptions.
Specific antigenicity of tumors and immunological tolerance in the rat induced by Friend, Gross, and Rauscher viruses.

Several lines of rat tumors grew only in Friend, Gross, and Rauscher virus-tolerant rats that had received injections of each of these viruses at birth. When the tumors were transplanted into the virus-tolerant rats that had received injections of the other types of murine leukemia virus, they grew initially, and then regressed. Tumors did not grow in normal rats. The same is true in the methylcholanthrene-induced tumors that had been given injections of murine leukemia viruses. It was deduced from these results that the transplantation antigen of tumor cells that were induced by infection with Friend, Gross, and Rauscher viruses may contain an antigen common to all three viruses and also an antigen that is individually specific, and that the host's immunological tolerance (induced by the neonatal injection of either Friend, Gross, or Rauscher virus) may consist of the tolerance common to all three viruses and, also, of the tolerance that is individually specific.
Error-related brain activity in young children: associations with parental anxiety and child temperamental negative emotionality.

BACKGROUND There is increasing interest in error-related brain activity in anxiety disorders. The error-related negativity (ERN) is a negative deflection in the event-related potential approximately 50 ms after errors compared to correct responses. Recent studies suggest that the ERN may be a biomarker for anxiety, as it is positively associated with anxiety disorders and traits in adults and older youth. However, it is not known if the ERN in young children is related to risk for anxiety disorders. We addressed this by examining the association of six-year olds' ERNs with two established risk factors for anxiety: parental anxiety disorder and child temperamental negative emotionality (NE). METHOD The ERN was assessed using a Go/No-Go task in a community sample of 413 six-year olds. In a prior assessment at age 3, child temperament was evaluated using a laboratory observational measure and parental psychopathology was assessed using semi-structured diagnostic interviews. RESULTS Children of mothers with anxiety disorders and children with greater temperamental NE (particularly fearfulness) exhibited significantly smaller ERNs than their peers. Paternal psychopathology, maternal mood and substance use disorders, and child positive emotionality were not associated with children's ERNs. CONCLUSION Both maternal anxiety disorders and child NE (particularly fearfulness) were significantly associated with children's ERNs. However, the direction of these associations was opposite to the relations between ERNs and anxiety in older youth and adults. These results suggest that there may be a difference between risk and disorder status in the relation of error-related brain activity to anxiety between early childhood and late childhood/ early adolescence.
Statistical physics of the freely jointed chain.

Using the method of constraints proposed by S. F. Edwards and A. G. Goodyear @J. Phys. A5, 965 ~1972! ; 5, 1188~1972! #, we do a complete calculation of the canonical partition function of a freely jointed chain ~FJC! from its classical Hamiltonian. We show how the constraints reduce the phase space of an ideal gas of monomers to the phase space of a FJC, and how they permit one to find the canonical partition function. By using this function, it is possible to study thermodynamical properties of FJC’s and to build other thermodynamical ensembles via Laplace transforms. Thus we define a grand canonical ensemble where the monomer number of the FJC can fluctuate; in this ensemble, the FJC of infinite length is the asymptotic state at low and high temperatures. The critical exponents g and n for FJC’s are calculated and found to be equal to the Gaussian polymer exponents. Connections between the properties of FJC’s and random walks on regular lattices are also discussed. @S1063-651X~96! 07106-1#
Migrant mu+ delta+ and static mu+ delta- B lymphocyte subsets.

Immunoglobulin isotype expression in isolated lymph node (LN), spleen and blood lymphocyte suspensions was assessed in rats. The proportion of mu+ delta- B cells in spleen (34%) was approximately twice that in blood and LN. Immunohistological examination of spleens showed the cells of the marginal zones to be predominantly mu+ delta-. On the other hand, mu+ delta+ B cells were mainly confined to the follicles in both spleen and LN. These follicles had a minor mu+ delta- component. The migratory properties of B cells with these two phenotypes were assessed by depleting lymphocytes migrating through the white pulp of rat spleen. This was achieved by placing a 32P-impregnated beta-emitting polythene strip over one half of the spleen. Examination of the nonirradiated half of the spleen, LN and peripheral blood after 12 days irradiation showed selective loss of delta + B cells. The mu + delta- cells of the splenic marginal zone were numerically unaltered. There was also a substantial residual mu + delta- B cell presence in the small lymphocyte compartment of follicles of LN and spleen in depleted animals. In addition, the blood selectively retained a mu + delta- B cell component. This was not derived from the spleen, as mu + delta- blood B cell numbers were sustained even where both halves of the spleen were irradiated. It is concluded that: (a) the major static B cell component of spleen and LN is mu + delta-, (b) that most if not all delta + B cells repeatedly migrate through the spleen and (c) there is a blood-born mu + delta- component which is resistant to depletion by splenic irradiation. ,
Weighted peak ratio for estimating stereo confidence level using color similarity

In this paper, we propose a new stereo confidence metric, weighted peak ratio. Unlike existing confidence metrics, it computes the confidence level using the costs of surrounding pixels and given weights based on the color similarity between the pixels. In the experimental results, the proposed confidence metric showed better performance in detecting outliers compared to the state-of-the-art confidence metric, average peak ratio. Especially, the proposed metric is effective in object boundary regions.