Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
mTOR Is Essential for Growth and Proliferation in Early Mouse Embryos and Embryonic Stem Cells

ABSTRACT TOR is a serine-threonine kinase that was originally identified as a target of rapamycin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and then found to be highly conserved among eukaryotes. In Drosophila melanogaster, inactivation of TOR or its substrate, S6 kinase, results in reduced cell size and embryonic lethality, indicating a critical role for the TOR pathway in cell growth control. However, the in vivo functions of mammalian TOR (mTOR) remain unclear. In this study, we disrupted the kinase domain of mouse mTOR by homologous recombination. While heterozygous mutant mice were normal and fertile, homozygous mutant embryos died shortly after implantation due to impaired cell proliferation in both embryonic and extraembryonic compartments. Homozygous blastocysts looked normal, but their inner cell mass and trophoblast failed to proliferate in vitro. Deletion of the C-terminal six amino acids of mTOR, which are essential for kinase activity, resulted in reduced cell size and proliferation arrest in embryonic stem cells. These data show that mTOR controls both cell size and proliferation in early mouse embryos and embryonic stem cells.
transistors driven by a drain select line ( DSL ) or a source select line ( SSL ) . This array constitutes a block , whose size is a key element in NAND

We review the state-of-the-art in the understanding of planar NAND Flash memory reliability and discuss how the recent move to three-dimensional (3D) devices has affected this field. Particular emphasis is placed on mechanisms developing along the lifetime of the memory array, as opposed to time-zero or technological issues, and the viewpoint is focused on the understanding of the root causes. The impressive amount of published work demonstrates that Flash reliability is a complex yet well-understood field, where nonetheless tighter and tighter constraints are set by device scaling. Three-dimensional NAND have offset the traditional scaling scenario, leading to an improvement in performance and reliability while raising new issues to be dealt with, determined by the newer and more complex cell and array architectures as well as operation modes. A thorough understanding of the complex phenomena involved in the operation and reliability of NAND cells remains vital for the development of future technology nodes.
Increased coupling of caveolin‐1 and estrogen receptor α contributes to the fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a form of inherited mental retardation in humans that results from expansion of a CGG repeat in the FMR1 gene. Interaction between estrogen receptor (ER) and lipid raft caveolae is critical for the estrogen signaling. Here, we tested the hypothesis that impaired ER–caveolae coupling contributes to the mental retardation of FXS.
Associations of Particulate Matter With Stroke Mortality: A Multicity Study in Japan

Objective: Evidence linking short-term exposure to outdoor air pollution with hemorrhagic stroke is inconclusive. Methods: We evaluated the effects of suspended particulate matter (SPM) on cardiovascular disease mortality, focusing on types of stroke, from March 2005 to December 2010, in five selected prefectures in western Japan. A multicity time-series analysis was used, and Asian dust was adjusted in the models. Results: Even after adjusting for Asian dust, the same-day SPM was positively associated with several types of stroke mortality. Following a 10-&mgr;g/m3 increase in SPM, rate ratios were 1.014 (90% confidence interval [CI]: 1.002 to 1.026) for stroke, 1.030 (90% CI: 1.004 to 1.056) for intracerebral hemorrhage, and 1.016 (90% CI: 1.003 to 1.030) for ischemic stroke mortality. Conclusions: Short-term exposure to outdoor air pollution may increase the risks of hemorrhagic stroke as well as ischemic stroke mortality.
Comparison of levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in edible oils and oil-based products—possible link to environmental factors

Food consumption has been widely reported to be the main source of human exposure to PCBs. A total of 47 samples of food products on sale in supermarkets in the United Kingdom were thus analyzed for PCBs to determine residual levels in oil and oil-based products. The objective was to compare the measured levels of total PCBs (ΣPCBs) in food products to those reported in various environmental compartments. Combined extraction and online clean up was achieved using Accelerated Solvent Extraction™ (ASE) to recover target analytes for analysis by GC-MSD (gas chromatography mass spectrometry). Σ PCBs (ng/g) in each product were in the ranges of 4.73–44.38 edible oil; 1.40–6.18 mayonnaise; 1.21–6.25 salad cream; 1.28–5.64 seafood sauce, and 0.97–15.08 exotic dressing. The level of human exposure to PCBs in all products was < 1 μg/kg body weight/day when considering a 70 kg male or 57 kg female, possibly reflecting the reported decline of PCBs in the environment.
Perceptions of Criminal Injustice, Symbolic Racism, and Racial Politics

This article examines the relationships between perceptions of criminal injustice, symbolic racism, and political outcomes. Building on a group conflict theory of social control and a group position theory of contemporary racism, the authors hypothesize that perceptions of criminal injustice against blacks undermines the legitimacy of social institutions, such as free markets and the legal system, and encourages support for progressive programs, such as affirmative action, to ameliorate the effects of racial discrimination. The authors further hypothesize that perceptions of criminal injustice undermine support for these progressive programs by fostering symbolic racist attitudes. Using data from the American National Election Studies, the authors find preliminary evidence for this perspective. Perceived police racial bias is negatively associated with symbolic racism, which, in turn, is negatively associated with affirmative action, equal opportunity policy, and government action to ensure equal opportunity and positively associated with support for the death penalty and crime spending.
Assessment of Air Quality During Mastoidectomy

Objectives. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) outlines specific requirements governing the use of respiratory protection for workers dealing with dust or other aerosolized compounds. Health care workers may be exposed to bone dust produced during otologic procedures, creating an occupational hazard. The purpose of this research was to quantify the total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) and respirable particulate matter (PM5) created during cortical mastoidectomy and investigate whether the concentration of aerosolized dust during mastoidectomy would require the use of a particulate respirator. Study Design. Cadaveric study to assess air quality during cortical mastoidectomy. Setting. Temporal bone laboratory. Methods. A simple mastoidectomy was performed on 3 cadaveric temporal bones. Suspended particulate concentration was measured using gravimetric filter methodology for TSPM and PM5. Concentration of particulate exposure was compared between mannequins positioned near the surgical field with a standard surgical mask, surgical respirator, or controls. Results. The average total particulate matter concentration during cortical mastoidectomy was 1.89 mg/m3. The average quantity of respirable particles was below detection levels. The calculated particulate exposure concentrations for TSPM and PM5 did not exceed OSHA’s requirement for respirator use. The particulate respirator prevented exposure to bone particulates compared with controls (P = .028). Conclusion. The concentration of bone dust produced during cortical mastoidectomy is below regulatory guidelines for use of particulate respirators. However, experimental studies show the use of a surgical respirator may decrease particulate exposure.
Relevance of Free tPA Assay Following Venous Occlusion in Patients with Venous Thromboembolic Disease

In idiopathic deep venous thrombosis, three different kinds of patients have been described according to the variation of fibrinolysis parameters after venous occlusion (VO) (1-4). Deter­ mination of euglobulin fibrinolytic activity (EFA), plasminogen activator inhibitor activity (PAI Act), total tPA antigen (tPA Ag) allowed (2, 4) to diffferentiate: Good responders (GR) to VO with at least a doubling of the EFA (diameter of the lysis area in mm) after VO (4). Poor responders (PR) to VO with less than a two fold increase in EFA. This group could be divided in: PR-I with a high PAI level resulting in rapid inhibition of tPA, normally released (normal increase in tPA Ag) PR-II with deficient tPA release from the vessel wall (abnor­ mal increase in tPA Ag, normal value of PAI Act). In this report we have studied in 80 patients with a history of venous thromboembolism the relevance of free one chain tPA determination in the three groups described above. We used an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay based on murine monoclonal antibody direct against the active site of single chain tPA (sctPA) as described by Holvoet et al. (5).
Adhesion and growth of cultured human gingival fibroblasts on periodontally involved root surfaces treated by Er:YAG laser.

BACKGROUND The application of Er:YAG laser irradiation, approved in 1997 to be used on dental hard tissues, has been investigated for periodontal therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze the biocompatibility of root surfaces treated by Er:YAG laser. METHODS Adhesion and growth of cultured human gingival fibroblasts on root surfaces treated by either irradiation with Er:YAG laser or curet were compared. Thirty single-rooted teeth extracted because of periodontal disease were used. Calculus deposits on all experimental surfaces were removed, and the teeth were divided into three groups according to the applied treatment: group A, root planing with Gracey curet no. 3/4; group B, two irradiations with laser (60 mJ/pulse, 10 Hz; 10" each with 10-second interval, 3 J/cm2); group C, two irradiations with laser (100 mJ/pulse, 10 Hz; 10" each with 10-second interval, 5 J/cm2). Fragments (5 mm x 6 mm) were obtained from the experimental surfaces. Then, 1 x 10(3) cells were seeded on the top of each fragment. One, 2, and 3 days after seeding the specimens were prepared for scanning electron microscopy analysis, and the cells on the electronmicrographs were counted. The data obtained in triplicate were statistically compared by the Kruskall-Wallis test complemented by the Dunn test (P < or = 0.05). RESULTS Human gingival fibroblasts adhered to and grew on all treated surfaces. Group B presented a significantly higher cell count than did the other two groups at days 1 and 2. Three days after seeding the cultured fibroblasts of groups A and B reached total confluence. The cell count of group B was significantly higher than that of group C. CONCLUSION The surfaces treated with 60 mJ/pulse Er:YAG laser irradiation promoted faster adhesion and growth than surfaces treated with either root planing or 100 mJ/pulse Er:YAG laser irradiation.
Human Uterus Retrieval From a Multi-Organ Donor

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a uterus can be retrieved for reproductive organ transplantation and to describe the surgical technique. METHODS: We participated in a local organ donor network retrieval team for over 6 months. Heart-beating, brain-dead multi-organ donors were identified through an existing donor network following routine protocols. RESULTS: After institutional review board and organ donor network approval of the uterus transplantation project, approximately 1,800 eligible organ donors were identified as required by legislation. Multi-organ procurement surgery took place in approximate 150 of these, with nine specifically consented for the uterus retrieval. Regularly performed multi-organ transplantation retrievals included the uterus without complications in eight donors. Pedicles used included the ovarian, uterine, or internal iliac vessels. After retrieval, serial histology sections throughout the period of cold ischemia, taken every 15–30 minutes, showed no signs of change over 12 hours of cold ischemia. CONCLUSION: The human uterus can be obtained from local organ donor networks using existing protocols. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III
Generalization ability of majority vote point classifiers for motor fault diagnosis

Recently a class of classifiers named Majority Vote Point (MVP) classifiers on account of lower VC dimension were shown to give better generalization performance than linear classifiers. As the work is recent, this paper first presents a brief overview on the MVP classifier, and discusses the unique properties, with pros and cons of the classifier. Further, the paper with help of a case study, presents effective MVP classifier based solutions for bearing fault diagnosis in induction motor(s). The case study is found to clearly re-validate the effectiveness of MVP classifier in machine fault diagnosis problems.
Association of genetic variations in CCR5 and its ligand, RANTES with clearance of hepatitis B virus in Korea

Immunogenetic factors may play a role in determining the susceptibility of an individual to viral infection. The aim of current study was to investigate the association of clearance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with promoter polymorphisms within the CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and its major ligand, regulated upon activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES) genes. Five chemokine system polymorphisms (CCR5 Δ32, CCR5 promoter 59029G/A, 59353C/T, RANTES −403G/A, and −28C/G) were studied in a total of 698 subjects. The carriage of each genetic variant was compared among “spontaneously recovered” group (n = 243), “chronic carrier” group (n = 349), and “unexposed” group (n = 106). CCR5 59029G promoter variant was associated with clearance of HBV infection in an acute phase (OR = 1.71, P = 0.006, dominant model; OR = 2.17, P < 0.001, recessive model) and amelioration of hepatic inflammation (P = 0.003) with the control of HBV replication (P = 0.04) in chronic carriers. Interestingly, CCR5 59029 was linked completely to CCR5 59353, and CCR5 Δ32 homozygosity or heterozygosity was not found in any Korean patient. No association was seen with RANTES polymorphisms at position −403 and −28. The CCR5 59029G/CCR5 59353T polymorphism may play a role in the clearance of HBV infection. J. Med. Virol. 78:1564–1571, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Teachers' Salaries in Latin America: How Much are They (Under or Over) Paid?

This paper documents the extent to which teachers are underpaid vis-a-vis workers in other professional and technical occupations in Latin America circa 2007. These labor earnings differences, attributed to observable socio-demographic and job characteristics, are assessed using a matching methodology (Nopo, 2008). Teachers' underpayment is found to be stronger than what has been previously reported in the literature, especially among pre-school and primary teachers. Nonetheless, behind the region averages there is an important cross-country heterogeneity. Teachers' underpayment is more pronounced among males, older workers, household heads, part-timers, formal workers, those who work in the private sector, and (mostly) among those with complete tertiary education. Two amenities of the teaching profession, namely the longer job tenure and the flexible job schedules within the year, are also explored. Even after accounting for the possible compensating differentials of these two amenities, teachers' underpayment vis-a-vis that of other professional and technicians prevail.
Further notes on the four resources model

An axiom of mid-century New Criticism holds that trying to recover authorial intent is a waste of time, so we will not discuss here what we “meant” or “intended” when we initially developed the model. Further, since 1990, we have ourselves individually and jointly applied, modified, and explicated it in different ways (see articles in Muspratt, Luke, & Freebody, 1997). These notes are not a naive attempt to assert some kind of discipline or remediation on the fields where the model is being used. After all, Foucault reminds us that texts and discourses have a way of taking on a life of their own, with local uptakes, interpretations, and convolutions made irrespective of their authors' intentions or the political contexts of their production. So it isn't surprising that the four categories have taken on such a life of their own through teachers', teacher educators', and researchers' work in Australia and elsewhere.
Retention of Relative Force in the Scaling of a Serial Force Pattern

The present study was designed to examine the retention of relative force in the scaling of a serial force pattern in finger-tapping sequences. On practice trials, 11 male college students tapped a force plate connected to strain gauges which provided feedback. On test trials, subjects recalled both the force pattern (100 g-100 g-100 g-300 g) and intertap interval (400 msec.) acquired during practice without feedback (recalled task) and then produced a halved (halved task) or doubled-force (doubled task) at the fixed intertap interval. Analysis showed that, although there was no difference for absolute forces between the recalled task and the halved task, the forces at the doubled task were three times as great as those at the recalled task. For relative forces, on the other hand, although there was no difference among the three tasks, the force ratios were closer to 1:1:1:2 than 1:1:1:3. This indicated that the scaling of force pattern was a more difficult adaptive task than that of the intertap interval in the previous study (Inui, Ishida, & Yamanishi, 1999).
Effect of Temperature on Growth and Survival of Bull Trout, with Application of an Improved Method for Determining Thermal Tolerance in Fishes

Abstract Elevated temperature is considered an important factor in the decline of the threatened bull trout Salvelinus confluentus, but the thermal requirements of this species have not been defined. We used the acclimated chronic exposure (ACE) method to assess the upper thermal limits and growth optima of bull trout fed daily to satiation over test temperatures ranging from 8°C to 28°C during 60-d trials. Survival of age-0 bull trout was at least 98% at 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18°C, but 0% at 22, 24, 26, and 28°C after 60 d. The predicted ultimate upper incipient lethal temperature for these trout was 20.9°C. Peak growth, as estimated by regression analysis, occurred at 13.2°C (95% confidence interval, 10.9–15.4°C). Feed consumption declined significantly (P < 0.001) at temperatures greater than 16°C, and fish held at temperatures of 22°C and above did not feed. Feed, lipid, and protein efficiencies were similar at 8–18°C but declined significantly (P < 0.001) at 20°C. Our results corroborate field inves.
What Are Climate Models Missing?

A better representation of the coupling between atmospheric water and circulation is necessary to reduce imprecision in climate model projections. Fifty years ago, Joseph Smagorinsky published a landmark paper (1) describing numerical experiments using the primitive equations (a set of fluid equations that describe global atmospheric flows). In so doing, he introduced what later became known as a General Circulation Model (GCM). GCMs have come to provide a compelling framework for coupling the atmospheric circulation to a great variety of processes. Although early GCMs could only consider a small subset of these processes, it was widely appreciated that a more comprehensive treatment was necessary to adequately represent the drivers of the circulation. But how comprehensive this treatment must be was unclear and, as Smagorinsky realized (2), could only be determined through numerical experimentation. These types of experiments have since shown that an adequate description of basic processes like cloud formation, moist convection, and mixing is what climate models miss most.
Proliferation of CECs requires dual signaling through both MAPK/ERK and PI 3-K/Akt pathways.

PURPOSE To analyze the intracellular signaling involved in the proliferation of choroidal endothelial cells (CECs) in vitro. METHODS Bovine CECs were cultured in endothelial growth medium (EGM) containing 2% fetal calf serum (FCS), 10 microg/ml bovine brain extract (BBE), and 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor (EGF) in fibronectin-coated plates. Cells were treated with various specific pharmacologic inhibitors of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K) pathways to analyze signaling involved in CEC proliferation. Activation of the MAPK and PI 3-K was detected by Western blot analysis, using specific antiphosphosignaling protein antibodies. RESULTS FCS, EGF, and BBE were all necessary to induce optimal CEC proliferation. Individually, these three components were not mitogenic. EGM-stimulated CEC proliferation involved the activation of the Raf/mitogen extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/p90(RSK) cascade. Inhibition of Ras resulted in a 92% reduction of CEC proliferation, whereas inhibition of ERK1/2 activity reduced it by only 46%. The PI 3-K/p70(S6K)/Akt pathway was also stimulated during CEC proliferation, and inhibition of PI 3-K activity resulted in a 94% reduction in CEC proliferation. Inhibition of PI 3-K/p70(S6K) activities also unexpectedly inhibited ERK activity, whereas the converse was not observed, suggesting that PI 3-K acted upstream from ERK and controlled this pathway for CEC proliferation. CONCLUSIONS CEC proliferation involves both ERK and PI 3-K. That PI 3-K signaling is a key component in cell proliferation can be demonstrated by controlling ERK activity. These data on the molecular mechanism and signaling of CEC proliferation may have major implications for developing more selective methods for antiangiogenic and antitumoral therapy.
Theoretical study of atomic and electronic structures of atomic wires on an H-terminated Si(100)2 x 1 surface.

Electronic structures of several atomic wires on an H-terminated Si(100)2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1 surface have been examined by using first-principles calculations within the local-density-functional approach. Several dangling-bond (DB) wires, which are constructed by extracting H atoms from the surface, have been examined and found to have different characteristics depending on their structures. Electronic states near the Fermi energy are localized around the wire on the atomic scale in DB wires along the dimer rows on the surface, while they are much more delocalized around a DB wire in the direction across the dimer rows. Ga adsorbate atomic wires, which are formed by Ga adsorbates around the above wires, have also been examined. Several metastable geometries of Ga adsorbates were found. It was found that formation of Ga dimers was stable on this surface.