Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide on Neurones of the Rat Suprachiasmatic Nuclei In Vitro

The suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus house the main circadian pacemaker in mammals. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is the most abundant neuropeptide in the SCN and has been shown to phase‐shift the electrical activity rhythm of SCN cells in vitro. However, the effects of VIP on the cellular activity of rat SCN neurones are unknown. In this study, we examined the acute effects of VIP on the extracellularly recorded spontaneous firing rate of SCN neurones in an in‐vitro hypothalamic slice preparation. Furthermore, with the use of receptor‐selective agonists and antagonists, we determined which receptors might mediate the effects of VIP in the SCN. Approximately 50% of cells responded to VIP; the main type of response was suppression in firing rate, although a few cells were activated. Suppression responses to VIP were mimicked by the VPAC2 receptor agonist Ro 25‐1553 and blocked by the selective VPAC2 receptor antagonist PG 99‐465. The PAC1 receptor agonist maxadilan evoked responses from 40% of SCN cells, and activations to this agonist were not altered by PG 99‐465. Responses to VIP were not blocked by antagonists to ionotropic glutamate receptors, but the duration of suppression was modulated by the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline. Our data indicate that VIP alters the electrical activity of rat SCN neurones in vitro, via both VPAC2 and PAC1 receptors.
Quality-Driven Business Process Refactoring

� Abstract≤Appropriate description of business processes through standard notations has become one of the most important assets for organizations. Organizations must therefore deal with quality faults in business process models such as the lack of understandability and modifiability. These quality faults may be exacerbated if business process models are mined by reverse engineering, e.g., from existing information systems that support those business processes. Hence, business process refactoring is often used, which change the internal structure of business processes whilst its external behavior is preserved. This paper aims to choose the most appropriate set of refactoring operators through the quality assessment concerning understandability and modifiability. These quality features are assessed through well-proven measures proposed in the literature. Additionally, a set of measure thresholds are heuristically established for applying the most promising refactoring operators, i.e., those that achieve the highest quality improvement according to the selected measures in each case.
Spectral Properties and Relaxation Dynamics of Surface Plasmon Electronic Oscillations in Gold and Silver Nanodots and Nanorods

The field of nanoparticle research has drawn much attention in the past decade as a result of the search for new materials. Size confinement results in new electronic and optical properties, possibly suitable for many electronic and optoelectronic applications. A characteristic feature of noble metal nanoparticles is the strong color of their colloidal solutions, which is caused by the surface plasmon absorption. This article describes our studies of the properties of the surface plasmon absorption in metal nanoparticles that range in size between 10 and 100 nm. The effects of size, shape, and composition on the plasmon absorption maximum and its bandwidth are discussed. Furthermore, the optical response of the surface plasmon absorption due to excitation with femtosecond laser pulses allowed us to follow the electron dynamics (electron−electron and electron−phonon scattering) in these metal nanoparticles. It is found that the electron−phonon relaxation processes in nanoparticles, which are smaller than t.
Change of universe functors in equivariant stable homotopy theory

One striking difference between nonequivariant and equivariant stable homotopy is that, in the equivariant context, one must specify those representations with respect to which spectra are to be stable. One may specify stability with respect only to trivial representations (thereby obtaining what is often called the naive equivariant stable category), with respect to all representations (thereby obtaining the full equivariant stable category), or with respect to any intermediate collection of representations closed under direct sums. The chosen family of representations is usually described by specifying an indexing universe. Change of universe functors transform spectra stable with respect to one set of representations into spectra stable with respect to a second set of representations. This is done either by restriction (that is, by forgetting the stability with respect to some representations) or by induction (that is, by altering the spectra so that they become stable with respect to a larger class of representations). The impact of these transformations on the equivariant homotopy groups of spectra should be viewed as an equivariant generalization of the passage between unstable and stable homotopy groups in the nonequivariant context. Three results concerning this impact are given. One describes when change of universe functors are isomorphisms of categories. The second completely describes the impact of an arbitrary induction functor on the first nonvanishing homotopy groups of a bounded-below spectrum. The third gives a spectral sequence which describes the behavior of an arbitrary induction functor on all the homotopy groups of an arbitrary spectrum. Introduction. This paper continues the study begun in [13] and [12] of the equivariant Hurewicz and suspension maps. In [12], it was shown that direct equivariant generalizations of the Freudenthal suspension theorem necessarily suffer from at least one of two defects—either their hypotheses are unduly restrictive, or they describe the effect of suspension only on the bottom nonvanishing homotopy groups rather than on the homotopy groups in a range of dimensions. One of the purposes of the present paper is to introduce a spectral sequence, promised in [12], which ameliorates this 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary 55M35, 55P42, 55P91, 55T99, 57S15; Secondary 55N91, 55P20, 55Q10, 55Q91.
Influence of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) genotype on interpretation of diagnostic tests for serum ACE activity.

BACKGROUND The discovery that an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene influences the circulating concentration of ACE may have implications for the proper use of serum ACE activity measurements in screening for sarcoidosis. AIM To determine whether the sensitivity of the serum ACE test improves if ACE genotype is taken into account. METHODS A retrospective determination of ACE genotype and clinical diagnosis was done in 54 patients with serum ACE activity above the upper limit of the reference range for the insertion (II) genotype. ACE was measured by radioenzymatic and spectrophotometric techniques, and genotype by PCR. RESULTS When serum ACE values determined diagnostically were related to the appropriate genotype-specific reference range, sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of sarcoidosis were 65-70% and 58% respectively, compared to 47-57% and 77% with a reference range unsegregated for genotype. CONCLUSION ACE genotyping may be helpful in determining the diagnostic significance of mildly elevated serum ACE activity in patients with the II and ID genotypes.
Enhancement of the repair of meniscal wounds in the red–white zone (middle third) by the injection of bone marrow cells in canine animal model

Bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) can differentiate into several cells that participate in the healing of meniscal wounds. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of injected BMSCs on the healing of meniscal wounds. Autologous BMSCs from eight adult dogs were injected into meniscal wounds (knee joints). After 12 weeks, the healing process was clinically and immunomorphologically evaluated using: (i) histochemical stains (haematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichrome and periodic acid–Schiff) and (ii) immunoperoxidase staining methods (CD3, CD79a, CD68, CD31 and alpha smooth‐muscle actin for T, B lymphocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells and smooth‐muscle lineage). Complete (six vs. three), partial (one vs. one) and no healing (one vs. four animals) of the meniscal wounds were observed in the injected and noninjected menisci. As compared with the noninjected menisci, examination of the tissues from the injected ones revealed: (i) marked angiogenesis (microvessel density: 3.22 ± 0.66 vs. 6.50 ± 2.10); (ii) chondrogenesis; (iii) prominent immune cell infiltrate (4.07 ± 0.78 vs. 9.56 ± 1.69, 8.33 ± 0.77 vs. 3.67 ± 1.00 and 4.38 ± 0.62 vs. 11.1 ± 1.43 for the total numbers of immune cells, lymphocytes and macrophages, respectively); and (iv) proliferation of the fibroblasts with marked deposition of collagen fibres (2.0 ± 0.84 vs. 2.66 ± 0.48). These values were statistically significantly higher for the injected menisci as compared with the noninjected ones (P ≥ 0.05). Autologous BMSCs can improve meniscal wound healing. Whether this improvement occurs through BMSC differentiation into cells operational in the repair process, the release of certain mediator or other unknown mechanisms mandates further investigations.
A study of morphological edge enhancement by double structuring element for ultrasound B-mode images [biomedical imaging]

We discuss new adaptive morphological operations using double structuring elements (DSEs) and apply them to boundary enhancement of ultrasound B-mode images with speckle pattern. The DSE is a combination of two different structuring elements. The DSE yields an edge-sharpening effect, changing with the local characteristics of the input image. A general single structuring element does not have the sharpening function. Our method improves contrast around the tissue boundary without speckle emphasis and does not generate overshoot nor undershoot around the boundary. We demonstrate its effectiveness in experiments using breast cancer images.
Structural Characterization of Complex Bacterial Glycolipids by Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry

Bacterial glycolipids are complex amphiphilic molecules which are, on the one hand, of utmost importance for the organization and function of bacterial membranes and which, on the other hand, play a major role in the activation of cells of the innate and adaptive immune system of the host. Already small alterations to their chemical structure may influence the biological activity tremendously. Due to their intrinsic biological heterogeneity [number and type of fatty acids, saccharide structures and substitution with for example, phosphate (P), 2-aminoethyl-(pyro)phosphate groups (P-Etn) or 4-amino-4-deoxyarabinose (Ara4N)], separation of the different components are a prerequisite for unequivocal chemical and nuclear magnetic resonance structural analyses. In this contribution, the structural information which can be obtained from heterogenous samples of glycolipids by Fourier transform (FT) ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometric methods is described. By means of recently analysed complex biological samples, the possibilities of high-resolution electrospray ionization FT-MS are demonstrated. Capillary skimmer dissociation, as well as tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis utilizing collision-induced dissociation and infrared multiphoton dissociation, are compared and their advantages in providing structural information of diagnostic importance are discussed.
A study on the option value of entrepreneurial decision-making

Since 1990s, the research of entrepreneurship has been focused on the entrepreneurial process and behavior instead of the personality traits of the entrepreneur. Distinguished from ordinary business operations, entrepreneurial activities are actions taken by entrepreneurs who identify, evaluate and exploit opportunities in the conditions of uncertainty. Within the framework of nonequilibrium analysis, and from the viewpoint of real option, this paper examines the value of real option chain in entrepreneurial process. The characteristic and formation mechanism of option value are demonstrated and appreciated through a theorized model, and a corresponding example is given at the last.
Detection of underwater signals by a California sea lion and a bottlenose porpoise: variation in the payoff matrix.

A sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and a porpoise (Tursiops truncatus) were trained to report the presence of a pure tone under water in yes–no psychophysical procedures. Signal probability was held constant at 0.50. For the sea lion signal strength and payoff matrix were varied concurrently while only payoff matrix was varied for the porpoise. Payoff matrix was manipulated by changing the amount of reinforcement (number of fish) consequent on the two different classes of correct responses—hits and correct rejections. In terms of the ratio of hits to correct rejections the matrix was varied over three values—1:1, 4:1, and 1:4. In the sea lion signal detection improved as signal intensity increased and was independent of the sea lion’s response bias. In the porpoise changes in response bias occurrred as a function of changes in the payoff matrix. Both the sea lion and the porpoise repeatedly demonstrated rapid acquisition of a stable response bias. These experiments demonstrate that varying the payoff mat.
A repeater optimization methodology for deep sub-micron, high-performance processors

As process technology scales down to deep sub-micron and the frequency of a high-performance processor increases beyond 300 MHz, coupling induced signal integrity problems become more severe. Ignoring coupling effects can lead to functional failures or speed degradation. As a result, the traditional approach of repeater insertion driven by propagation delay and slew rate optimization becomes inadequate. The authors propose a design methodology to select optimal repeaters for high-performance processors by considering not only the delay and slew rate, but also crosstalk effects. A concurrent decision diagram (CDD) is further suggested to achieve crosstalk constraints with various trade-offs.
Simplified determination of the lipid components of blood serum.

A simplified scheme of analysis is presented for the determination of free and esterified cholesterol, the phospholipids, and the neutral fats (triglycerides) of blood serum. The hydroxamic acid reaction is used to determine total esterified fatty acids. The phospholipids are determined after acid digestion of a trichloroacetic acid precipitate of protein-phospholipid, and both total and free cholesterol are determined by a modified ferric ammonium sulfate reagent. Complete details of methods and calculations are described and discussed.
Relation of Macromolecular Synthesis in Streptococci to Efficiency of Transformation by Markers of Homospecific and Heterospecific Origin

In previous studies with Streptococcus sanguis and S. pneumoniae as recipients and donors of transforming deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), it was found that heating recipients just prior to exposure to DNA caused an increase in the number of transformants induced by heterospecific DNA relative to that induced by homospecific DNA. In the present studies, S. sanguis recipients were found to recover from this effect of heat (48 C, 15 min) when incubated at 37 C before exposure to DNA. Inhibitors of nucleic acid synthesis, such as rifampin, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, actinomycin, and p-hydroxyphenylazo-uracil, but not inhibitors of protein synthesis, such as chloramphenicol and erythromycin, prevented recovery from the effect of heat. Inhibitors of nucleic acid synthesis caused changes in unheated cells similar to those observed with heat treatment; these changes included increased transformability by genetically hybrid DNA and by low-efficiency markers in homospecific DNA. The effect of a combination of heat and inhibitors on transformation by heterospecific DNA was greater than when single treatments were used. The most effective inhibitor used alone was rifampin: in treated recipient cells, the yield of transformants produced by a given amount of irreversibly bound heterospecific DNA was increased without a significant change in the yield of transformants produced by bound homospecific DNA. A cell being doubly transformed by homospecific and heterospecific DNA was enhanced specifically in its transformability with the latter as a consequence of rifampin treatment. Treatment with rifampin also increased co-transformation by linked heterospecific markers. The period during which recipient cells were sensitive to the effects induced by rifampin and fluorodeoxyuridine lasted from 10 to 20 min after DNA uptake.
Génération des prononciations de noms propres à l’aide des Champs Aléatoires Conditionnels (Pronunciation generation for proper names using Conditional Random Fields) [in French]

Dans cet article, nous proposons une approche de conversion graphème-phonème pour les noms propres. L'approche repose sur une méthode probabiliste : les Champs Aléatoires Conditionnels (Conditional Random Fields, CRF). Les CRFs donnent une prévision à long terme, n'exigent pas l'indépendance des observations et permettent l'intégration de tags. Dans nos travaux antérieurs, l'approche de conversion graphème-phonème utilisant les CRFs a été proposée pour les mots communs et différents paramétrages des CRFs ont été étudiés. Dans cet article, nous étendons ce travail aux noms propres. Par ailleurs, nous proposons un algorithme pour la détection de l'origine des noms propres. Le système proposé est validé sur deux dictionnaires de prononciations. Notre approche se compare favorablement aux JMM (Joint-Multigram Model, système de l'état de l'art), et tire profit de la connaissance de la langue d'origine du nom propre.
Long-term Immune Responses to Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in Children Previously Vaccinated With 7-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

Background: Seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has reduced incidence of vaccine-serotype pneumococcal diseases. Using a single dose of 13-valent pneumoccal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), we evaluated late immune responses 10 years after vaccination with PCV7 in infancy, compared with a PCV7-naïve cohort. Methods: In this open-label study, we administered 1 dose of PCV13 to children aged 11–14 years who had previously received PCV7 (PCV7/PCV13) or meningococcal group C conjugate vaccine (MnCC/PCV13) during infancy. We evaluated serotype-specific immunoglobulin G concentrations and opsonophagocytic activity prevaccination and 1 week and 1 month postvaccination. We recorded local reactions and systemic events for 4 days postvaccination and adverse events for 6 months. Results: Seventy-four subjects received PCV13 (PCV7/PCV13, n = 38; MnCC/PCV13, n = 36). Prevaccination with PCV13, >62.9% of subjects had immunoglobulin G concentrations ≥0.35 µg/mL for all serotypes except serotype 4 (28–29%); proportions increased at 1 month postvaccination to 100% for all serotypes except serotypes 3 (PCV7/PCV13, 94.7%; MnCC/PCV13, 97.0%) and 14 (MnCC/PCV13, 97.1%). Immunoglobulin G and opsonophagocytic activity concentrations for the 7 common and 6 additional serotypes were similar in both groups prevaccination and increased in both groups from prevaccination to 1 week and 1 month postvaccination. Local reactions and fever were mild or moderate; no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Late immune responses after a single dose of PCV13 were similar in children aged 11–14 years regardless of previous vaccination with PCV7 or MnCC. PCV13 was immunogenic, safe and well tolerated.
Neuromuscular Effects of Rocuronium Bromide in Patients in Statin Therapy for at least Three Months

Statins cause skeletal muscle myopathy. However, the neuromuscular effects of non‐depolarizing neuromuscular‐blocking agent in patients in long‐term statin therapy remain unclear. Hence, we investigated the neuromuscular effects of rocuronium and muscle injury in patients in long‐term statin therapy. Eighteen statin users using statins for at least 3 months were included in the statin group and 18 non‐statin users were included in the non‐statin group. General anaesthesia was induced with intravenous midazolam, etomidate, sufentanil and rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg (3ED95) for intubation. Anaesthesia was maintained with 1% propofol and remifentanil. The onset time and duration 10% T1 and 25% T1 of rocuronium were recorded. Blood samples were obtained before induction and 5 min., 1 hr, 2 hr, 4 hr, 12 hr and 24 hr after rocuronium administration to measure creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin and potassium. Myalgia was determined at 2 and 24 hr after surgery. There were no significant differences in the basic clinical characteristics between the two groups. The onset time of the statin group was significantly shorter than that of the non‐statin group (p = 0.02), while the duration 10% T1 and duration 25% T1 of the statin group were significantly longer than those of the non‐statin group (p = 0.006; p = 0.045). The myoglobin and CK concentrations increased after rocuronium administration as compared to baseline in both groups. CK concentration in the statin group was significantly higher than in the non‐statin group just at 24 hr (p = 0.000003). However, myoglobin showed no significant difference between the two groups. The onset time of rocuronium decreases and its duration time increases in patients in long‐term statin therapy.
The Strategic Impact of Information Technologies on Supply Chain and Business Performance

In this paper, the effect of a new supply chain design on the business performance was analyzed in the context of information technologies. For that purpose, by using case study method, a company that operates in fast-moving consumer goods industry (FMCG) in Turkey and possesses and uses a supporting tool named as SAP APO software as an information technology to perform supply chain operations was examined. Under the scope of the study, supply, production and distribution planning processes are modelled and implemented in short, medium and long terms. Implementation results demonstrate that restructuring of the supply chain by using information technologies has positive effects on business performances criterions like supply, production and distribution.
Unit Orthogonal Atom K-SVD Algorithm for Compressed Signals in Wireless Sensor Networks

In practical applications of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the collected sensory data contain noises that are superimposed during collection and transmission process. Additionally, with the deployment environment changed, the sparsity of sensory data could also be changed. It is necessary to design a novel dictionary learning method to address these issues. In this paper, the unit orthogonal atom K-SVD (UOA-KSVD) algorithm is proposed. The learned dictionary by this method has better sparse representation ability than those learned by other methods. What's more, it can suppress the negative influence of noises effectively. Furthermore, the sparse representation basis, which is trained by sensory data, is used as the base dictionary. And its ability of sparse representation is better than that of DCT matrix. The real temperature data from Intel Indoor project are used in simulation and the results prove the conclusion mentioned above.