Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen peroxide induces intracellular calcium oscillations in human aortic endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND Because the vascular endothelium is exposed to oxidant stress resulting from ischemia/reperfusion and from the products of polymorphonuclear leukocytes or monocytes, studies were performed to examine the effect of hydrogen peroxide (1 micromol/L to 10 mmol/L) on endothelial Ca2+ signaling. METHODS AND RESULTS At low concentrations (1 to 10 micromol/L), hydrogen peroxide did not affect intracellular Ca2+ concentration in subconfluent, indo 1-loaded human aortic endothelial monolayers. At a concentration of 100 micromol/L hydrogen peroxide, intracellular free Ca2+ gradually increased from 125.3+/-6.8 to 286.3+/-19.9 nmol/L over 4.2+/-0.9 minutes before repetitive Ca2+ oscillations were observed, consisting of an initial large, transient spike of approximately 1 micromol/L followed by several spikes of decreasing amplitudes at a frequency of 0.7+/-0.1 min-1 over 12.0+/-1.1 minutes. After these oscillations, intracellular Ca2+ reached a plateau of 543.4+/-64.0 nmol/L, which was maintained above baseline levels for >5 minutes and then partially reversible on washout of hydrogen peroxide in most monolayers. Intracellular Ca2+ oscillations were typically observed when monolayers were exposed to 100 to 500 micromol/L hydrogen peroxide. Higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (1 and 10 mmol/L) increased intracellular Ca2+ but only rarely (2 of 6 monolayers at 1 mmol/L) or never (at 10 mmol/L) stimulated intracellular Ca2+ oscillations. Removal of Ca2+ from the buffer either before hydrogen peroxide stimulation or during an established response did not block intracellular Ca2+ oscillations in response to 100 micromol/L hydrogen peroxide, but prior depletion of an intracellular Ca2+ store with either caffeine, histamine, or thapsigargin abolished Ca2+ oscillations. CONCLUSIONS Hydrogen peroxide induces concentration-dependent intracellular Ca2+ oscillations in human endothelial cells, which results from release of an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store. Because oxidant production appears to occur in the micromolar range in the postischemic/anoxic endothelium and is associated with impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation, the effects of micromolar concentrations of hydrogen peroxide on endothelial Ca2+ signaling described in the present study may be important in the pathogenesis of postischemic endothelial dysfunction.
On Equivalence of Likelihood-Based Confidence Bands for Fatigue-Life and Fatigue-Strength Distributions

Fatigue data arise in many research and applied areas and there have been statistical methods developed to model and analyze such data. The distributions of fatigue life and fatigue strength are often of interest to engineers designing products that might fail due to fatigue from cyclic-stress loading. Based on a specified statistical model and the maximum likelihood method, the cumulative distribution function (cdf) and quantile function (qf) can be estimated for the fatigue-life and fatigue-strength distributions. Likelihood-based confidence bands then can be obtained for the cdf and qf. This paper provides equivalence results for confidence bands for fatigue-life and fatigue-strength models. These results are useful for data analysis and computing implementation. We show (a) the equivalence of the confidence bands for the fatigue-life cdf and the fatigue-life qf, (b) the equivalence of confidence bands for the fatigue-strength cdf and the fatigue-strength qf, and (c) the equivalence of confidence bands for the fatigue-life qf and the fatigue-strength qf. Then we illustrate the usefulness of those equivalence results with two examples using experimental fatigue data.
Image-Based Modeling Reveals Dynamic Redistribution of DNA Damage into Nuclear Sub-Domains

Several proteins involved in the response to DNA double strand breaks (DSB) form microscopically visible nuclear domains, or foci, after exposure to ionizing radiation. Radiation-induced foci (RIF) are believed to be located where DNA damage occurs. To test this assumption, we analyzed the spatial distribution of 53BP1, phosphorylated ATM, and γH2AX RIF in cells irradiated with high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation and low LET. Since energy is randomly deposited along high-LET particle paths, RIF along these paths should also be randomly distributed. The probability to induce DSB can be derived from DNA fragment data measured experimentally by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. We used this probability in Monte Carlo simulations to predict DSB locations in synthetic nuclei geometrically described by a complete set of human chromosomes, taking into account microscope optics from real experiments. As expected, simulations produced DNA-weighted random (Poisson) distributions. In contrast, the distributions of RIF obtained as early as 5 min after exposure to high LET (1 GeV/amu Fe) were non-random. This deviation from the expected DNA-weighted random pattern can be further characterized by “relative DNA image measurements. ” This novel imaging approach shows that RIF were located preferentially at the interface between high and low DNA density regions, and were more frequent than predicted in regions with lower DNA density. The same preferential nuclear location was also measured for RIF induced by 1 Gy of low-LET radiation. This deviation from random behavior was evident only 5 min after irradiation for phosphorylated ATM RIF, while γH2AX and 53BP1 RIF showed pronounced deviations up to 30 min after exposure. These data suggest that DNA damage–induced foci are restricted to certain regions of the nucleus of human epithelial cells. It is possible that DNA lesions are collected in these nuclear sub-domains for more efficient repair.
Stress and Permeability Heterogeneity within the Dixie Valley Geothermal Reservoir: Recent Results from Well 82-5

We collected borehole televiewer, temperature and flowmeter logs and conducted a hydraulic fracturing test in a well (82-5) that penetrated the SFZ within the known boundaries of the geothermal field but which failed to encounter significant permeability. Although stuck drill pipe prevented direct access to the SFZ, borehole breakouts and cooling cracks indicated a {approximately}90 degree rotation in the azimuth of the least horizontal principal stress (Shmin) in well 82-5 at about 2.7 km depth. This rotation, together with the low (Shmin) magnitude measured at 2.5 km depth in well 82-5, is most readily explained through the occurrences of one or more normal faulting earthquakes in the hanging wall of the SFZ in the northern part of the reservoir. The orientation of (Shmin) below 2.7 km (i.e., {approximately}20 to 50 m above the top of the SFZ) is such that both the overall SFZ and natural fractures directly above the SFZ are optimally oriented for normal faulting failure. If these fracture and stress orient ations persist into the SFZ itself, then the existence of a local stress relief zone (i.e., anormalously high (Shmin) magnitude) is the most likely explanation for the very low fault zone permeability encountered in well 82-5.
Gender Differences in Human Single Neuron Responses to Male Gender Differences in Human Single Neuron Responses to Male Emotional Faces Emotional Faces

Well-documented differences in the psychology and behavior of men and women have spurred extensive exploration of gender’s role within the brain, particularly regarding emotional processing. While neuroanatomical studies clearly show differences between the sexes, the functional effects of these differences are less understood. Neuroimaging studies have shown inconsistent locations and magnitudes of gender differences in brain hemodynamic responses to emotion. To better understand the neurophysiology of these gender differences, we analyzed recordings of single neuron activity in the human brain as subjects of both genders viewed emotional expressions. This study included recordings of single-neuron activity of 14 (6 male) epileptic patients in four brain areas: amygdala (236 neurons), hippocampus ( n = 270), anterior cingulate cortex ( n = 256), and ventromedial prefrontal cortex ( n = 174). Neural activity was recorded while participants viewed a series of avatar male faces portraying positive, negative or neutral expressions. Signiﬁcant gender differences were found in the left amygdala, where 23% ( n = 15 / 66) of neurons in men were signiﬁcantly affected by facial emotion, vs. 8% ( n = 6 / 76) of neurons in women. A Fisher’s exact test comparing the two ratios found a highly signiﬁcant difference between the two ( p < 0 . 01). These results show speciﬁc differences between genders at the single-neuron level in the human amygdala. These differences may reﬂect gender-based distinctions in evolved capacities for emotional processing and also demonstrate the importance of including subject gender as an independent factor in future studies of emotional processing by single neurons in the human amygdala.
[Decision making and executive function in severe traumatic brain injured patients: validation of a decision-making task and correlated features].

OBJECTIVE At the chronic stage, severe traumatic brain injured (TBI) patients experience difficulty in making decisions. Several studies have demonstrated the involvement of the prefrontal cortex, in particular the orbitofrontal region, in decision-making. The aim of the present study was to validate a decision-making task in this population and to ascertain whether the components of their dysexecutive syndrome may affect their decision-making and lead to difficulties for social rehabilitation. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifteen TBI patients and 15 controlled subjects matched for age, sex and years of education were assessed by a battery of executive tests (GREFEX) and by the gambling task (GT). RESULTS The TBI subjects performed significantly worse than the controlled group in five out of six GREFEX tests. The TBI choices are significantly more disadvantageous than the choices of the control group when considering the three last blocks of 20 cards of the GT. The GT total score correlated significantly with execution time of the Stroop interference condition and the Trail Making Task B, as well as with the two measures (correct sequence span and number of crossed boxes) of the double condition of Baddeley's task. CONCLUSION We postulate that executive functioning (supervisory attentional system) influence performance in the gambling task through mechanisms of inhibitory control, divided attention and working memory. Thus, this task seems to be determined by multiple factors; the process of decision-making may depend on frontal integrity.
A novel buried lightly doped drain CMOS design for optimizing hot carrier versus device performance

A novel and unique buried lightly doped drain (BLDD) design for nMOSFET technology is demonstrated in this paper. This design significantly reduces the maximum electric field at the drain edge thus lowering hot carrier degradation while minimizing the impact on key transistor parameters. This unique buried LDD design could be used to improve current as well as future CMOS device technologies. Although sub 90 nm technologies require less hot carrier protection, but still could benefit from this approach as a way to reduce gate-assisted band-to-band tunneling, which increases transistor and diode leakage of these devices
Using Sentinel-1A DInSAR interferometry and Landsat 8 data for monitoring water level changes in two lakes in Crete, Greece

Abstract Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) methodology has been successfully employed to detect water level changes and produce corresponding water level variation maps. In this study, Agia and Kournas lakes, located in Western Crete, Greece, were used as pilot areas to monitor water level change with means of SAR interferometry and auxiliary Earth Observation (EO) data. The water level variation was monitored for the period 2015–2016, using Sentinel-1A imageries and corresponding stage water level data. Landsat 8 data were additionally used to study vegetation regime and surface water extent and how these parameters affect interferograms performance. The results highlighted the fact that the combination of SAR backscattering intensity and unwrapped phase can provide additional insight into hydrological studies. The overall analysis of both interferometric characteristics and backscattering mechanism denoted their potential in enhancing the reliability of the water-level retrieval scheme and optimizing the capture of hydrological patterns spatial distribution.
Image of Synthetic Biology and Nanotechnology: A Survey among University Students

This study explores the image of synthetic biology and nanotechnology in comparison to agricultural biotechnology and communication technology by examining spontaneous associations with, and deliberate evaluations of, these technologies by university students. Data were collected through a self-completion online questionnaire by students from two universities in Switzerland. The survey aimed to capture implicit associations, explicit harm-benefit evaluations and views on regulation. The data suggest overall positive associations with emerging technologies. While positive associations were most pronounced for nanotechnology, agricultural biotechnology was attributed with the least favorable associations. In contrast to its positive result in the association task, respondents attributed a high harm potential for nanotechnology. Associations attributed to synthetic biology were demonstrated to be more positive than for agricultural biotechnology, however, not as favorable as for nanotechnology. Contrary to the evaluations of nanotechnology, the benefit-examples of synthetic biology were evaluated particularly positively. Accordingly, the investigated technologies enjoy different esteem, with synthetic biology and nanotechnology both showing a more “exciting” image. Even though, the image of nanotechnology was demonstrated to be more pronounced it was also more heterogeneous across tasks while agricultural biotechnology remains contested. For all technologies, the predominant spontaneous concerns pertain to risks rather than an immoral nature inherent to these technologies. Our data suggest that harm-benefit analyses reveal only one aspect of the attitude toward emerging technologies. Survey questions addressing spontaneous associations with these technologies are a valuable addition for our picture of the image of emerging technologies.
N-best speech hypotheses reordering using linear regression

We propose a hypothesis reordering technique to improve speech recognition accuracy in a dialog system. For such systems, additional information external to the decoding process itself is available, in particular features derived from the parse and the dialog. Such features can be combined with recognizer features by means of a linear regression model to predict the most likely entry in the hypothesis list. We introduce the use of concept error rate as an alternative accuracy measurement and compare it withy the use of word error rate. The proposed model performs better than human subjects performing the same hypothesis reordering task.
Rostral hindbrain patterning involves the direct activation of a Krox20 transcriptional enhancer by Hox/Pbx and Meis factors

The morphogenesis of the vertebrate hindbrain involves the generation of metameric units called rhombomeres (r), and Krox20 encodes a transcription factor that is expressed in r3 and r5 and plays a major role in this segmentation process. Our knowledge of the basis of Krox20 regulation in r3 is rather confusing, especially concerning the involvement of Hox factors. To investigate this issue, we studied one of the Krox20 hindbrain cis-regulatory sequences, element C, which is active in r3-r5 and which is the only initiator element in r3. We show that element C contains multiple binding sites for Meis and Hox/Pbx factors and that these proteins synergize to activate the enhancer. Mutation of these binding sites allowed us to establish that Krox20 is under the direct transcriptional control of both Meis (presumably Meis2) and Hox/Pbx factors in r3. Furthermore, our data indicate that element C functions according to multiple modes, in Meis-independent or -dependent manners and with different Hox proteins, in r3 and r5. Finally, we show that the Hoxb1 and Krox20 expression domains transiently overlap in prospective r3, and that Hoxb1 binds to element C in vivo, supporting a cell-autonomous involvement of Hox paralogous group 1 proteins in Krox20 regulation. Altogether, our data clarify the molecular mechanisms of an essential step in hindbrain patterning. We propose a model for the complex regulation of Krox20, involving a novel mode of initiation, positive and negative controls by Hox proteins, and multiple direct and indirect autoregulatory loops.
Novel Validated Stability-Indicating UPLC Method for the Estimation of Naproxen and its Impurities in Bulk Drugs and Pharmaceutical Dosage Form

A novel, reversed-phase ultra-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the determination of related substances in Naproxen (NAP) bulk drugs and dosage forms. The related substances included degradation and process-related impurities. The method was developed using the Waters Acquity BEH C18 column using the gradient program with mobile phase A of a pH 7.0 phosphate buffer and methanol in the ratio of 90: 10 (v/v) and mobile phase B as methanol and acetonitrile in the ratio of 50:50 (v/v). Naproxen and its impurities were monitored at 260 nm. Naproxen was subjected to the stress conditions of oxidative, acid, base, hydrolytic, thermal, humidity, and photolytic degradations. The degradation products were well-resolved from the main peak and its impurities, proving the stability-indicating power of the method. The performance of the method was validated according to the present ICH guidelines for specificity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, linearity, accuracy, precision, ruggedness, and robustness.
Effect of Estrogen on Hyperprolactinemia-Induced Glucose Intolerance in SHN Mice

Abstract The effects of prolactin (PRL) on circulating levels of glucose and insulin, and of estradiol on hyperprolactinemia-induced glucose intolerance of tissues were studied in pituitary-grafted SHN mice (PG mice) and sham-operated controls. Pituitary grafting (PG) decreased blood glucose levels in male mice at 1 and 3 months after the operation but did not alter those in females. PG had little effect on serum insulin levels in males, but increased those in females. In female mice at 2 months after PG, blood glucose levels were significantly higher at 1, 2, and 4 hr after glucose load when compared with those in controls. In contrast, there was no significant difference in blood glucose levels after glucose load between male PG and control mice. The rate at which blood glucose levels decreased was slower in female PG mice than in controls during the 30 min after insulin injection, whereas there was no difference in the rate after insulin injection between male PG and control mice. In ovariectomized (Ovx) mice, no significant difference was found in the blood glucose levels after a glucose load between PG and control groups at 2 months after PG. In Ovx mice treated daily with estrogen, however, a PG-dependent high level of blood glucose was observed after glucose load. These results suggest that hyperprolactinemia decreases glucose tolerance via an increase in insulin resistance in female SHN mice and that estrogen is essential to the expression of the PRL effect.
Direct in vivo monitoring of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ and cytosolic cAMP dynamics in mouse skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle contraction depends on the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), but the dynamics of the SR free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]SR), its modulation by physiological stimuli such as catecholamines, and the concomitant changes in cAMP handling have never been directly determined. We used two-photon microscopy imaging of GFP-based probes expressed in mouse skeletal muscles to monitor, for the first time in a live animal, the dynamics of [Ca2+]SR and cAMP. Our data, which were obtained in highly physiological conditions, suggest that free [Ca2+]SR decreases by ∼50 μM during single twitches elicited through nerve stimulation. We also demonstrate that cAMP levels rise upon β-adrenergic stimulation, leading to an increased efficacy of the Ca2+ release/reuptake cycle during motor nerve stimulation.
An Overview of Reversible Data Hiding Schemes based on Difference Expansion Technique

Reversible data hiding is a type of data hiding techniques whereby the host image can be recovered exactly. Being lossless makes this technique suitable for medical and military applications. Difference expansion (DE) is one of the most important techniques which are used for reversible data hiding. This technique received more attention over the years because of its high efficiency and simplicity. The aim of this paper is to present a review of reversible DE-based data hiding techniques proposed so far in order to define the purpose of DE-based data hiding, reflecting recent progress, and provide some research issues for the future. Many researchers tried to improve its performance in terms of hiding capacity and visual perceptibility. However, some of the modified techniques need more improvements to be applicable. DE technique is still a promising technique and it is expected that more serious trials to improve it will be revealed during the next few years.
Scheduling Tests on Vehicle Prototypes using Constraint Programming

In this paper, we address the problem of scheduling tests on vehicle prototypes using Constraint Programming. The problem originates in the automotive industry where a manufacturer must perform several hundreds of tests on prototypes before starting mass production of a vehicle. Each test must be allocated to an appropriate prototype with respect to hardware requirements. Further, it is necessary to observe various test dependencies. The manufacturer is interested in reducing the number of prototypes to save test costs and in minimizing the makespan in order to start the production as early as possible. We formulate the problem using Constraint Programming with the makespan being the primary objective. The number of prototypes is a parameter which must be specified before starting the optimization procedure. Using exemplary input data given from a car manufacturer, we solve this single objective optimization problem several times for different values of our parameter to determine the relation between the number of prototypes and the corresponding makespan. We are able to either find the optimal solution or at least a good feasible solution within a reasonable computational time even for our largest problem size comprising about five hundreds tests and more than one hundred prototypes.