Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient sideband suppression in 4D antenna arrays with multiple time modulation frequencies

A novel approach named multiple time modulation frequency (MTMF) is proposed for the effective suppression of sideband radiations in four-dimension (4D) antenna arrays. Each array element is operating at different frequencies and the sidebands of different units are avoided to be superimposed at the same frequencies. It results in the effective reduction of the maximum sideband levels. With the combination of MTMF and optimization strategy, a hybrid pattern synthesis approach is then proposed. This method is expected to pave the way of novel wireless systems with the lowest possible sideband radiations.
Berberine Differentially Modulates the Activities of ERK, p38 MAPK, and JNK to Suppress Th17 and Th1 T Cell Differentiation in Type 1 Diabetic Mice*

Berberine, an alkaloid derivative from Berberis vulgaris L. , has been used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diarrhea and diabetes, but the underlying mechanisms for treating diabetes are not fully understood. Recent studies suggested that berberine has many beneficial biological effects, including anti-inflammation. Because type 1 diabetes is caused by T cell-mediated destruction of β cells and severe islet inflammation, we hypothesized that berberine could ameliorate type 1 diabetes through its immune regulation properties. Here we reported that 2 weeks of oral administration of berberine prevented the progression of type 1 diabetes in half of the NOD mice and decreased Th17 and Th1 cytokine secretion. Berberine suppressed Th17 and Th1 differentiation by reducing the expression of lineage markers. We found that berberine inhibited Th17 differentiation by activating ERK1/2 and inhibited Th1 differentiation by inhibiting p38 MAPK and JNK activation. Berberine down-regulated the activity of STAT1 and STAT4 through the suppression of p38 MAPK and JNK activation, and it controlled the stability of STAT4 through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Our findings indicate that berberine targets MAPK to suppress Th17 and Th1 differentiation in type 1 diabetic NOD mice. This study revealed a novel role of ERK in Th17 differentiation through down-regulation of STAT3 phosphorylation and RORγt expression.
Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase: effects of affinity-purified adenylate cyclase on human polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions

Affinity-purified adenylate cyclase (AC) of Bordetella pertussis, free of contaminating pertussis toxin, was demonstrated to have biological effects on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). AC at doses of 25 and 50 micrograms/ml increased intracellular cAMP levels in the phagocytes 7.6- to 23.5-fold, respectively, above basal levels. AC inhibited PMN chemiluminescence, chemotaxis, and superoxide production in a dose-dependent manner. The 50% inhibitory dose for chemotaxis and chemiluminescence was 36.5 micrograms/ml; for superoxide generation it was 71.0 micrograms/ml. Although these PMN metabolic functions were impaired, no effect on phagocytic activity was observed.
Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are involved in sorbitol-induced apoptosis of human erithroleukaemia cells K562

In this study, we found that production of both reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species is a very early event related to treatment with hyperosmotic concentration of sorbitol. The production of nitric oxide (NO) was paralleled by the increase of the mRNA and protein level of the inducible form of the nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). ROS and RNS enhancement, process concomitant to the failure of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential (ΔΨ), was necessary for the induction of apoptosis as demonstrated by the protection against sorbitol-mediated toxicity observed after treatment with ROS scavengers or NOS inhibitors. The synergistic action of ROS and RNS was finally demonstrated by pre-treatment with rosmarinic acid that, by powerfully buffering both these species, prevents impairment of ΔΨ and cell death. Overall results suggest that the occurrence of apoptosis upon sorbitol treatment is an event mediated by oxidative/nitrosative stress rather than a canonical hyperosmotic shock.
Microwave absorption/reflection and magneto-transport experiments on high-mobility electron gas

We have performed simultaneous measurements of microwave absorption/reflection and magneto-transport characteristics of a high-mobility two-dimensional electrons in GaAs-AlGaAs heterostructure in the regime of microwave-induced resistance oscillations (MIROs). It is shown that the electrodynamic aspect of the problem is important in these experiments. In the absorption experiments, a broad cyclotron resonance line was observed due to a large reflection from the highly conductive electron gas. There were no additional features observed related to absorption at harmonics of the cyclotron resonance. In near-field reflection experiments, a very different oscillation pattern was revealed when compared to MIROs. The oscillation pattern observed in the reflection experiments is probably due to plasma effects occurring in a finite-size sample. The whole microscopic picture of MIROs is more complicated than simply a resonant absorption at harmonics of the cyclotron resonance. Nevertheless, the experimental observations are in good agreement with the model by Ryzhii et al. involving the photo-assisted scattering in the presence of a crossed magnetic field and dc bias. The observed damping factor of MIROs may be attributed to a change in the electron mobility as a function of temperature.
Input and output modality effects in immediate serial recall

In immediate recall tasks, visual recency is substantially enhanced when output interference is low (Cowan, Saults, Elliott, & Moreno, 2002; Craik, 1969) whereas auditory recency remains high even under conditions of high output interference. This auditory advantage has been interpreted in terms of auditory resistance to output interference (e.g., Neath & Surprenant, 2003). In this study the auditory-visual difference at low output interference re-emerged when ceiling effects were accounted for, but only with spoken output. With written responding the auditory advantage remained significantly larger with high than with low output interference. These new data suggest that both superior auditory encoding and modality-specific output interference contribute to the classic auditory-visual modality effect.
Testing the daily PRISM air temperature model on semiarid mountain slopes

Studies in mountainous terrain related to ecology and hydrology often use interpolated climate products because of a lack of local observations. One data set frequently used to develop plot‐to‐watershed‐scale climatologies is PRISM (Parameter‐elevation Regression on Independent Slopes Model) temperature. Benefits of this approach include geographically weighted station observations and topographic positioning modifiers, which become important factors for predicting temperature in complex topography. Because of the paucity of long‐term climate records in mountain environments, validation of PRISM algorithms across diverse regions remains challenging, with end users instead relying on atmospheric relationships derived in sometimes distant geographic settings. Presented here are results from testing observations of daily temperature maximum (TMAX) and minimum (TMIN) on 16 sites in the Walker Basin, California‐Nevada, located on open woodland slopes ranging from 1967 to 3111 m in elevation. Individual site mean absolute error varied from 1.1 to 3.7°C with better performance observed during summertime as opposed to winter. We observed a consistent cool bias in TMIN for all seasons across all sites, with cool bias in TMAX varying with season. Model error for TMIN was associated with elevation, whereas model error for TMAX was associated with topographic radiative indices (solar exposure and heat loading). These results demonstrate that temperature conditions across mountain woodland slopes are more heterogeneous than interpolated models (such as PRISM) predict, that drivers of these differences are complex and localized in nature, and that scientific application of atmospheric/climate models in mountains requires additional attention to model assumptions and source data.
Analysis of Replication in Distributed Database Systems

The authors develop an approximate analytical model to study the tradeoffs of replicating data in a distributed database environment. Several concurrency control protocols are considered, including pessimistic, optimistic, and semi-optimistic protocols. The approximate analysis captures the effect of the protocol on hardware resource contention and data contention. The accuracy of the approximation is validated through detailed simulations. It is found that the benefit of replicating data and the optimal number of replicates are sensitive to the concurrency control protocol. Under the optimistic and semi-optimistic protocols, replications can significantly improve response time with an additional MIPS (million instructions per second) requirement to maintain consistency among the replicates. The optimal degree of replication is further affected by the transaction mix (e.g. the fraction of read-only transactions), the communications delay and overhead, the number of distributed sites, and the available MIPS. Sensitivity analyses have been carried out to examine how the optimal degree of replication changes with respect to these factors. >
Differential Functional Roles of ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A3 in Mediating Metastatic Behavior and Therapy Resistance of Human Breast Cancer Cells

Previous studies indicate that breast cancer cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity and CD44 expression (ALDHhiCD44+) contribute to metastasis and therapy resistance, and that ALDH1 correlates with poor outcome in breast cancer patients. The current study hypothesized that ALDH1 functionally contributes to breast cancer metastatic behavior and therapy resistance. Expression of ALDH1A1 or ALDH1A3 was knocked down in MDA-MB-468 and SUM159 human breast cancer cells using siRNA. Resulting impacts on ALDH activity (Aldefluor® assay); metastatic behavior and therapy response in vitro (proliferation/adhesion/migration/colony formation/chemotherapy and radiation) and extravasation/metastasis in vivo (chick choroiallantoic membrane assay) was assessed. Knockdown of ALDH1A3 but not ALDH1A1 in breast cancer cells decreased ALDH activity, and knockdown of ALDH1A1 reduced breast cancer cell metastatic behavior and therapy resistance relative to control (p < 0.05). In contrast, knockdown of ALDH1A3 did not alter proliferation, extravasation, or therapy resistance, but increased adhesion/migration and decreased colony formation/metastasis relative to control (p < 0.05). This is the first study to systematically examine the function of ALDH1 isozymes in individual breast cancer cell behaviors that contribute to metastasis. Our novel results indicate that ALDH1 mediates breast cancer metastatic behavior and therapy resistance, and that different enzyme isoforms within the ALDH1 family differentially impact these cell behaviors.
Changes in Morphology and Spatial Position of Coiled Bodies during NGF-induced Neuronal Differentiation of PC12 Cells

Interphase nuclei are organized into structural and functional domains. The coiled body, a nuclear organelle of unknown function, exhibits cell type-specific changes in number and morphology. Its association with nucleoli and with small nuclear ribonucleo-proteins (snRNPs) indicates that it functions in RNA processing. In cycling cells, coiled bodies are round structures not associated with nucleoli. In contrast, in neurons, they frequently present as nucleolar “caps. ” To test the hypothesis that neuronal differentiation is accompanied by changes in the spatial association of coiled bodies with nucleoli and in their morphology, PC12 cells were differentiated into a neuronal phenotype with nerve growth factor (NGF) and coiled bodies detected by immunocytochemical localization of p80-coilin and snRNPs. The fraction of cells that showed coiled bodies as nucleolar caps increased from 1.6 ± 0.9% (mean ± SEM) in controls to 16.5 ± 1.6% in NGF-differentiated cultures. The fraction of cells with ring-like coiled bodies increased from 17.2 ± 5.0% in controls to 57.8 ± 4.4% in differentiated cells. This was accompanied by a decrease, from 81.2 ± 5.7% to 25.7 ± 3.1%, in the fraction of cells with small, round coiled bodies. SnRNPs remained associated with typical coiled bodies and with ring-like coiled bodies during NGF-induced recruitment of snRNPs to the nuclear periphery. Together with the observation that coiled bodies are also present as nucleolar caps in sensory neurons, the results indicate that coiled bodies alter their morphology and increase their association with nucleoli during NGF-induced neuronal differentiation. (J Histochem Cytochem 45:1523–1531, 1997)
Relinquishing Manual Control: Collaboration Requires the Capability to Understand Robot Intent

Collaboration between robots and humans means different things to different people in different applications. Collaboration could range from a robot and a human simply operating in the same area, to operations that require complex, interdependent decisions based on joint goals. Despite the level of coordination, all effective collaborations require understanding the control allocation processes, and human engagement or reengagement strategies. This is especially true as humans begin to relinquish manual control, and the robot becomes a team member rather than just a tool. The importance behind this paper is understanding the implications of relinquishing direct control and allowing it to make decisions that could affect the safety of users or bystanders. Also important is understanding when and how to facilitate appropriate engagement strategies. To build appropriate reliance and to calibrate trust, the robot should have a means to convey its reasoning processes or intent. Our research begins to show how user displays can facilitate the development of a shared situation awareness (SA) of the mission space. Shared SA can enhance the teaming effort which engenders and calibrates trust in the robotic system. This paper addresses a number of collaboration issues related to control allocation, including issues specific to relinquishing user control, reengagement strategies, and robot authority. Research specific to the US Army Applied Robotics for Installations and Base Operations (ARIBO) driverless vehicle project is provided to advance understanding of these control allocation issues. Specific findings have shown a relationship between reliance on a robot and access to different user controls. User reports have provided insight on the benefits and limitations integrating user displays to facilitate communication of robot intent. Our research on the impact of interfaces advances the science of human-robot interaction by extending the theory of shared mental models beyond the concept of human-only teams to human-robot teams.
Reactive oxygen species are the major antibacterials against Salmonella Typhimurium purine auxotrophs in the phagosome of RAW 264.7 cells

Intramacrophage survival appears to be a pathogenic trait common to Salmonellae and definition of the metabolic requirements of Salmonella within macrophages might provide opportunities for novel therapeutic interventions. We show that loss of PurG function in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SL1344 leads to death of the bacterium in RAW264.7 cells, which was due to unavailability of purine nucleotides but not thiamine in the phagosome of RAW264.7 cells. Phagosomal escape of purG mutant restored growth, suggesting that the phagosomal environment, but not the cytosol, is toxic to Salmonella purine auxotrophs. NADPH oxidase inhibition restored the growth of purG mutant in RAW264.7 cells, implying that the Salmonella‐containing vacuole acquires reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are lethal to purine auxotrophs. Under purine limiting conditions, purG mutant was unable to repair the damage caused by hydrogen peroxide or UV irradiation, suggesting that ROS‐mediated DNA damage may have been responsible for the attenuated phenotype of purG mutant in RAW264.7 cells and in mice. These studies highlight the possibility of utilizing the Salmonella purine nucleotide biosynthetic pathway as a prospective therapeutic target and also underline the importance of metabolic pathways in assembling a comprehensive understanding of the host–pathogen interactions inside phagocytic cells.
Classifying Software Requirements Using Kano's Model to Optimize Customer Satisfaction

Requirements elicitation is a critical and error-prone stage in software development where user requirements should be defined accurately to ensure the success of the software system. In a highly competitive market, businesses are focusing more on satisfying customer needs which largely affect customers decision to buy the software product, providing the potential for the success of the software in the market. This study aims to investigate whether eliciting and thus fulfilling most of the individual software requirements imply a high level of customer satisfaction and what type of requirements that define the perceived product quality and as a result customer satisfaction.
Unreported manifestations in two Dutch families with Bartsocas–Papas syndrome

Bartsocas–Papas syndrome (BPS) is a severe autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by neonatal or intrauterine death in most cases, severe popliteal webbing, oligosyndactyly, genital abnormalities, and typical face with short palpebral fissures, ankyloblepharon, hypoplastic nose, orofacial clefts, and small mouth. Until now at least 23 cases with this syndrome in 11 families were described, mostly from Mediterranean origin. We report on two Dutch families with six affected children having BPS. One of the patients was prenatally diagnosed by ultrasound examination. Additional unreported findings were omphalocele and aplasia of the urethra. The intrafamilial resemblance in severity is of importance for the genetic counseling of families and prenatal detection by ultrasound. We discuss possible pathogenic mechanisms and review similar cases from the literature. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Furin Directly Cleaves proMMP-2 in the trans-Golgi Network Resulting in a Nonfunctioning Proteinase*

Proprotein convertases play an important role in tumorigenesis and invasiveness. Here, we report that a dibasic amino acid convertase, furin, directly cleaves proMMP-2 within the trans-Golgi network leading to an inactive form of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). Co-transfection of COS-1 cells with both proMMP-2 and furin cDNAs resulted in the cleavage of the N-terminal propeptide of proMMP-2. The molecular mass of cleaved MMP-2 (63 kDa), detected in both cell lysates and conditioned medium, is between the intermediate and fully activated forms of MMP-2 induced by membrane type 1-MMP. Furin-cleaved MMP-2 does not possess proteolytic activity as examined in a cell-free assay. Treatment of transfected cells with a furin inhibitor resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of proMMP-2 cleavage; recombinant tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2, which binds to the active site of membrane type 1-MMP, had no inhibitory effect. Site-directed mutagenesis of amino acids in the furin consensus recognition motif of proMMP-2(R69KPR72↓) prevented propeptide cleavage, thereby identifying the scissile bond and characterizing the basic amino acids required for cleavage. Other experimental observations were consistent with intracellular furin cleavage of proMMP-2 in the trans-Golgi network. The furin cleavage site in other proMMPs was examined. MMP-3, which contains the RXXR furin consensus sequence, was cleaved in furin co-transfected cells, whereas MMP-1, which lacks an RXXR consensus sequence, was not cleaved. In conclusion, we report the novel observation that furin can directly cleave the RXXR amino acid sequence in the propeptide domain of proMMP-2 leading to inactivation of the enzyme.
On fractional nonlinear Schrödinger equation with combined power-type nonlinearities

We undertake a comprehensive study for the fractional nonlinear Schrodinger equation \begin{document}$ i\partial_t u - (-\Delta)^s u = \mu_1 |u|^{\alpha_1} u + \mu_2 |u|^{\alpha_2} u, \quad u(0) = u_0, $\end{document} where \begin{document}$ \frac{d}{2d-1} \leq s , \begin{document}$ 0 . Firstly, we establish the local and global well-posedness results for non-radial and radial \begin{document}$ H^s $\end{document} initial data, radial \begin{document}$ \dot{H}^{s_c}\cap \dot{H}^s $\end{document} initial data, where \begin{document}$ s_c = \frac{d}{2}-\frac{2s}{\alpha_2} $\end{document} . Secondly, we study the asymptotic behavior of global radial \begin{document}$ H^s $\end{document} solutions. Of particular interest is the \begin{document}$ L^2 $\end{document} -critical case and the results in this case are conditional on a conjectured global existence and spacetime estimate for the \begin{document}$ L^2 $\end{document} -critical fractional nonlinear Schrodinger equation. Thirdly, we obtain sufficient conditions about existence of blow-up radial \begin{document}$ \dot{H}^{s_c} \cap \dot{H}^s $\end{document} solutions, and derive the sharp threshold mass of blow-up and global existence for this equation with \begin{document}$ L^2 $\end{document} -critical and \begin{document}$ L^2 $\end{document} -subcritical nonlinearities. Finally, we obtain the dynamical behaviour of blow-up solutions in both \begin{document}$ L^2 $\end{document} -critical and \begin{document}$ L^2 $\end{document} -supercritical cases, including mass-concentration and limiting profile.
Measuring Respiratory Health in Longitudinal Social Science Surveys

Objectively assessing respiratory health in longitudinal social science surveys would involve collecting pulmonary function measures on research participants, either in clinic settings or at home. These measures include indicators of volume (e.g., maximal amount of air blown in the first second of a forced exhalation) and air flow (maximal speed air is exhaled during a forced exhalation). Equipment options include office spirometry, portable spirometry, or home peak flow monitoring. Each option has different equipment and personnel costs. The types of research questions that could be answered using pulmonary function measures in longitudinal household surveys are quite broad, ranging from effects of socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity on respiratory health to social/environmental factors that contribute to respiratory health to the long-term social and economic consequences of respiratory health problems. Currently, such data are lacking. Given the potential payoffs in scientific knowledge, adding these measures to population-based surveys merits serious consideration.
Cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory

Cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is a serine/threonine kinase with a multitude of functions. Although Cdk5 is widely expressed, it has been studied most extensively in neurons. Since its initial characterization, the fundamental contribution of Cdk5 to an impressive range of neuronal processes has become clear. These phenomena include neural development, dopaminergic function and neurodegeneration. Data from different fields have recently converged to provide evidence for the participation of Cdk5 in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. In this review, we consider recent data implicating Cdk5 in molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity. We relate these findings to its emerging role in learning and memory. Particular attention is paid to the activation of Cdk5 by p25, which enhances hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory, and suggests formation of p25 as a physiological process regulating synaptic plasticity and memory.