Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bonded planar double-metal-gate NMOS transistors down to 10 nm

Thanks to bonding, metal-gate etching without any out-of-gate Si consumption, and self-aligned transfer of alignment marks, we have processed the first 10-nm-gate-length DG MOS transistors with metal gates. These devices exhibit excellent short-channel effects control and high-performance characteristics. Their saturation current is very sensitive to the access resistance increase caused by film thinning required to respect the scaling rules. Moreover, their electrical properties can be tuned between LSTP and HP by independently biasing the two gates.
Quantificação da microbiota e diversidade ecológica da meso e macrofauna do solo sob diferentes usos no município de Urutaí (região Sudeste Goiano)

A fauna edáfica exerce forte influencia sobre a rizosfera e a atividade microbiana do solo exercendo papel fundamental na conservação da biodiversidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a apresentação de metodologias utilizadas e caracterização da diversidade ecológica da microbiota, meso e macrofauna em diferentes usos de solo. Duas metodologias foram realizadas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em campo, com cinco repetições por cada uso do solo representadas por: i) Floresta Antropizada; ii) Fruticultura; iii) Olericultura; iv) Piscicultura e v) Eucalipto. Amostras de solo foram coletadas para quantificação da microbiota do solo (ufc/g de solo) nas repetições utilizando o método da diluição em série. Utilizou-se o método “Pit fall” para quantificação da abundância da meso e macrofauna. Os valores de abundância permitiram calcular os parâmetros o índice de Chao, Shannon, Simpson e índice de Fisher. Na primeira metodologia avaliou-se a número de ufc/g de solo e na segunda metodologia a abundância de espécies. As variáveis dependentes foram analisadas utilizando análise de variância e teste Tukey. A primeira metodologia apontou estatisticamente como maior o número de ufc/g de solo no solo oriundo de Olericultura, muito superior aos demais usos. A segunda metodologia apontou como mais abundante a ordem Hymenoptera, que apresentou a maior número unidade das mesmas espécies de organismos capturados em todos os usos do solo. O uso de solo com plantio de Eucalipto apresentou estatisticamente maior riqueza de espécies, não havendo diferença significativa dos usos de solo para o parâmetro índice de Shannon, Fisher e Simpson. Através dessas metodologias foi possível a verificação das relações ecológicas da população da microbiota do solo, meso e macrofauna e as relações de equilíbrio ecológico entre os indivíduos ocupantes. O impacto das ações promovidas pelo homem podem ser traduzidos pela implementação de metodologias que descrevam e reflitam através de parâmetros de diversidade as relações ecológicas de uso inadequado do solo.
Preoperative Probiotics Decrease Postoperative Infectious Complications of Colorectal Cancer

Background:The objective is to elucidate the effects of oral bifid triple viable probiotics among patients with colorectal cancer. Methods:Sixty patients undergoing radical colorectal resection were randomly assigned to 3-day (days −5 to −3) preoperative probiotics (group A, n = 30) or placebo (group B, n = 30) treatment. The alteration of intestinal flora was evaluated by fecal cultures of Escherichia coli, Bifidobacterium longum and intestinal fungi; the gut barrier function by serum endotoxins and D-lactic acids and the immune and stress responses by peripheral blood immunoglobins, interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein. Postoperative infections were documented physically, radiologically and microbiologically. Results:Inverted Bifidobacterium/Escherichia ratios were preoperatively and postoperatively present in group B (both P < 0.05). Bifidobacterium counts increased significantly, whereas Escherichia counts decreased significantly on postoperative days 3 to 5 (P < 0.05), along with reversing the Bifidobacterium/Escherichia ratio inversion until postoperative days 3 to 5 in group A. Group A also had lower levels of endotoxins, D-lactic acids, serum interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein but higher levels of serum IgG and sIgA (all P < 0.05) than group B. The incidences of postoperative infectious complications were 3.3% to 6.7% and 3.3% to 30% in groups A and B (overall, 10.0% versus 33.3%, P < 0.05), respectively. Conclusion:The preoperative oral bifid triple viable probiotics minimize the postoperative occurrence of infectious complications, with possible mechanisms attributed to the maintenance of the intestinal flora and restriction of bacterial translocation from the intestine. It was representative of the enhancement of systemic/localized immunity and concurrent attenuation of systemic stress response.
Role of nitrosative stress in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular dysfunction

Here we overview the role of reactive nitrogen species (nitrosative stress) and associated pathways in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. Increased extracellular glucose concentration, a principal feature of diabetes mellitus, induces a dysregulation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen generating pathways. These processes lead to a loss of the vascular endothelium to produce biologically active nitric oxide (NO), which impairs vascular relaxations. Mitochondria play a crucial role in this process: endothelial cells placed in increase extracellular glucose respond with a marked increase in mitochondrial superoxide formation. Superoxide, when combining with NO generated by the endothelial cells (produced by the endothelial isoform of NO synthase), leads to the formation of peroxynitrite, a cytotoxic oxidant. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species trigger endothelial cell dysfunction through a multitude of mechanisms including substrate depletion and uncoupling of endothelial isoform of NO synthase. Another pathomechanism involves DNA strand breakage and activation of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP). PARP‐mediated poly(ADP‐ribosyl)ation and inhibition of glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase importantly contributes to the development of diabetic vascular complications: it induces activation of multiple pathways of injury including activation of nuclear factor kappa B, activation of protein kinase C and generation of intracellular advanced glycation end products. Reactive species generation and PARP play key roles in the pathogenesis of ‘glucose memory’ and in the development of injury in endothelial cells exposed to alternating high/low glucose concentrations.
Echovirus plays major roles in the natural recombination of Coxsackievirus B3

Coxsakievirus B3 (CVB3) is a member of enterovirus B (EVB) group, which can cause serious heart diseases such as viral myocarditis. In order to analyze the evolution of CVB3, we performed a recombination analysis of all viral genomes of enterovirus B, and found that there were 19 putative recombination events that produced CVB3. A total of 11 serotypes were found to be involved in the generation of CVB3 progeny virus. These recombination events involved echovirus, EcoV (which includes EcoV6, EcoV9, EcoV14, EcoV15, EcoV17, EcoV21, EcoV24, and EcoV25), CVB4, CVB5, and EVB81, as major or minor parents. The most active, EcoV, which was involved in the 14 of 19 recombination events, acts as one of the parental viruses for CVB3 strains among molecular evolution and recombination events in circulating CVB3. Our study indicates that, EcoV plays major roles in CVB3 recombination, and is involved in the production of 11 new CVB3 recombinant strains.
Birth Order Effects on Personality and Achievement Within Families

We investigated birth order effects on personality and achievement in four studies (N = 1,022 families) including both student and adult samples. Control over a wide range of variables was effected by collecting within-family data: Participants compared their siblings (and themselves) on a variety of personality and achievement dimensions. Across four diverse data sets, first-borns were nominated as most achieving and most conscientious. Later-borns were nominated as most rebellious, liberal, and agreeable. The same results obtained whether or not birth order was made salient (to activate stereotypes) during the personality ratings. Overall, the results support predictions from Sulloway's niche model of personality development, as well as Zajonc's confluence model of intellectual achievement.
Beyond technicalities: Expanding engineering thinking

Engineering appears to be at a turning point. It is evolving from an occupation that provides employers and clients with competent technical advice to a profession that serves the community in a socially responsible manner. Traditional engineering education caters to the former ideal, whereas increasingly both engineers themselves and their professional societies aspire to the latter. Employers are also requiring more from their engineering employees than technical proficiency. A new educational approach is needed to meet these changing requirements. It is no longer sufficient, nor even practical, to attempt to cram students full of technical knowledge in the hope that it will enable them to do whatever engineering task is required of them throughout their careers. A broader, more general approach is required that not only helps students to understand basic engineering principles but also gives them the ability to acquire more specialized knowledge as the need arises.
Effect of melatonin on photic-independent and photic-dependent testicular growth in juvenile and adult male golden hamsters.

Four-week-old male hamsters were implanted with either empty or melatonin filled Silastic capsules that totaled 100 mm in length. The animals were maintained on either LD 6:18 or LD 14:10, and testicular development was monitored until the animals were 10 weeks old. Testicular development was not influenced by either the photoperiod or melatonin treatment and at 10 weeks of age the testes of all the animals had reached a size comparable to that observed in sexually mature animals. Exposure of hamsters to LD 6:18 beyond 10 weeks of age resulted in complete testicular regression. In contrast to juvenile hamsters, testicular growth was suppressed by melatonin treatment in adult hamsters transferred from a nonstimulatory LD 6:18 light cycle to a stimulatory LD 14:10 photoperiod. These results suggest that melatonin treatment via hormone filled Silastic capsules does not influence photic-independent testicular growth, but does influence photicdependent testicular recrudescence.
Novel Polyanions Inhibiting Replication of Influenza Viruses

ABSTRACT Novel sulfonated derivatives of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (NSPAHs) and N-sulfonated chitosan (NSCH) have been synthesized, and their activity against influenza A and B viruses has been studied and compared with that of a series of carrageenans, marine polysaccharides of well-documented anti-influenza activity. NSPAHs were found to be nontoxic and very soluble in water, in contrast to gel-forming and thus generally poorly soluble carrageenans. In vitro and ex vivo studies using susceptible cells (Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells and fully differentiated human airway epithelial cultures) demonstrated the antiviral effectiveness of NSPAHs. The activity of NSPAHs was proportional to the molecular mass of the chain and the degree of substitution of amino groups with sulfonate groups. Mechanistic studies showed that the NSPAHs and carrageenans inhibit influenza A and B virus assembly in the cell.
Lymphocyte distribution in mouse submandibular lymph nodes in response to acute treadmill exercise.

The submandibular lymph nodes (LN), part of the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT), are involved in local immune responses in the eye, upper respiratory tract (URT), and oral mucosa. Although athletes have been reported to be at increased risk for URT and ocular infections, little is known about the impact of exercise on LN included in the NALT. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of intense acute exercise on submandibular lymphocyte distribution. Female C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to a nonexercised control condition or a single session of treadmill exercise (32 m.min-1, 8 degrees grade for 90 min) and sacrificed immediately, 2, and 24 h after exercise. Running resulted in a significant increase in plasma corticosterone immediately following exercise compared with other times (p < 0.001). Percentages and total numbers of CD3+ and CD4+CD8- T lymphocytes in submandibular LN were significantly lower 24 h after exercise compared with controls. The percentage of pan-NK and CD19+ B cells increased immediately and 24 h after exercise, respectively, but the total numbers were not affected. The results suggest that decreased percentages and absolute numbers of T cells in submandibular LN following a single session of intense exercise may be partially mediated by increased corticosterone concentrations and may have consequences for ocular health among athletes.
PERSPECTIVE METAZOAN COMPLEXITY AND EVOLUTION: IS THERE A TREND?

The notion that complexity increases in evolution is widely accepted, but the best‐known evidence is highly impressionistic. Here I propose a scheme for understanding complexity that provides a conceptual basis for objective measurement. The scheme also shows complexity to be a broad term covering four independent types. For each type, I describe some of the measures that have been devised and review the evidence for trends in the maximum and mean. In metazoans as a whole, there is good evidence only for an early‐Phanerozoic trend, and only in one type of complexity. For each of the other types, some trends have been documented, but only in a small number of metazoan subgroups.
Prognostic Value of Histologic and Immunohistochemical Features in Feline Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumors

Feline cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs) have been histologically classified as mastocytic (well differentiated or pleomorphic) and atypical/poorly granulated. Their biologic behavior ranges from benign to malignant, but prognostic factors are not well defined. Histologic classification, number of tumors, mitotic index, cytoplasmic granularity, and infiltration by eosinophils or lymphocytes were evaluated retrospectively in 25 feline cutaneous MCTs. Immunohistochemistry was applied to assess KIT (CD117) pattern and immunoreactivity score, telomerase expression (human telomerase reverse transcriptase), and proliferation index (MIB-1/Ki67 index). Case outcome was obtained via telephone interviews. The tumors comprised 15 mastocytic well-differentiated, 7 mastocytic pleomorphic, and 3 atypical/poorly granulated MCTs. Immunohistochemically, CD117 was expressed in 13 of 25 tumors (52%), and telomerase reverse transcriptase was expressed in 15 of 22 (68%), with no correlation to histologic classification. Mitotic index, KIT immunoreactivity score, and Ki67 index were significantly higher in mastocytic pleomorphic MCTs than in the other 2 categories. Five cats (20%) died of tumor-related causes. Multiplicity of lesions, pleomorphic phenotype, KIT immunoreactivity score, and mitotic and Ki67-indices correlated with an unfavorable outcome. Mitotic index was the strongest predictive variable. These results suggest that histologic classification, CD117/KIT immunohistochemistry, and proliferation indices may help to identify potentially aggressive cases of feline cutaneous MCT. Aberrant KIT protein localization and telomerase immunoreactivity warrant further exploration as potential prognostic markers.
Indocyanine green MS/MS investigations using femtosecond laser-pulse photodissociation and collision-induced dissociation

The dissociation reactions of indocyanine green (also known as cardiogreen) have been studied in a Fourier-transform ion-cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer by the application of unimolecular, collision-induced dissociation and photodissociation using femtosecond laser pulses. Ions were prepared by electrospray ionization (ESI) in various solvents. Depending on the properties of the solvent mixture, the mono sodiated molecule could be measured through cation exchange in various compositions. Using a mixture of methanol/water/formic acid as solvent, protonated ions, formed by exchange of sodium, are predominantly observed. A mixture of isopropanol/formic acid leads to the addition of a further sodium cation to the molecule yielding an intense bi-sodiated ion signal. The photodissociation of the stored ions was achieved using pulses at a wavelength of 790 nm and approximately 150 fs pulse duration. The results show that only fs-photodissociation leads to the fragmentation of the different molecular structures, while in case of sodiated indocyanine green collision induced dissociation fails completely to observe any fragments. In all other investigated ion structures, the collision-induced-dissociation spectra show unspecified and little intense spectra. It is shown that fs-photodissociation mass spectrometry is the only method that leads to substance specific fragmentation for this sample. Furthermore, indocyanine green is known to form aggregation products. In the ion-cyclotron resonance experiment, the reactions of a dimeric cluster were also investigated. The necessary condition and the interference of the fragmentations with those of the monomer are discussed.
Efficient Differentiation of TBX18+/WT1+ Epicardial-Like Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Small Molecular Compounds

The epicardium promotes neovascularization and cardiomyocyte regeneration by generating vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and producing regenerative factors after adult heart infarction. It is therefore a potential cell resource for repair of the injured heart. However, the epicardium also participates in fibrosis and scarring of the injured heart, complicating its use in regenerative medicine. In this study, we report coexpression of TBX18 and WT1 in the majority of epicardial cells during mouse embryonic epicardial development. Furthermore, we describe a convenient chemically defined, immunogen-free, small molecule-based method for generating TBX18+/WT1+ epicardial-like cell populations with 80% homogeneity from human pluripotent stem cells by modulation of the WNT and retinoic acid signaling pathways. These epicardial-like cells exhibited characteristic epicardial cell morphology following passaging and differentiation into functional SMCs or cardiac fibroblast-like cells. Our findings add to existing understanding of human epicardial development and provide an efficient and stable method for generating both human epicardial-like cells and SMCs.
Quantification of Myocardial Scar in Cardiomyopathy Patients 2 with or without Conduction Defects : Correlation with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance and Arrhythmogenesis 4 Strauss : ECG-Estimated Scar in Cardiomyopathy 6

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (DGS, JACL, JMM, GG, RGW, GFT, KCW), 12 Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD Duke Clinical Research Institute (DGS, GSW), Durham, NC, 14 Department of Clinical Physiology (DGS, HA), Lund University Hospital, Sweden Memorial Hospital Research Center (RHS), Long Beach, CA 16 Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute (EM), Los Angeles, CA. 18 Address Reprint Requests and Correspondence: Katherine C. Wu, MD 20 Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital 600 N. Wolfe Street / Carnegie 568 22 Baltimore, MD 21287 Phone: 410-502-7283 / Fax: 410-502-0231 24 Email: kwu@jhmi.edu 26
Placebo‐Controlled Trial of Cyclosporin‐A in HIV‐1 Disease: Implications for Solid Organ Transplantation

Objective: Earlier open‐label clinical trials have provided conflicting data on the effects of cyclosporin‐A (CsA) on the clinical course and immune status of patients with HIV disease. With the prospects for wider use of CsA in the setting of solid organ transplantation in HIV‐infected persons, data on the safety and immunologic activity of this agent are needed. We report here the results of a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial to assess the safety and immunologic activity of CsA administration in early HIV disease. Methods: Twenty‐eight patients with confirmed HIV infection, CD4 cell counts greater than 500 × 106/L, and plasma HIV RNA >600 copies/mL were randomized to receive 2 mg/kg of CsA (Neoral) twice daily or identical placebo for 12 weeks. Subjects were stratified for the presence or absence of stable concomitant antiviral therapy. The primary end point was the effect of therapy on immune activation as assessed by the levels of soluble interleukin‐2 receptors. Secondary end points included safety and effects of treatment on plasma HIV RNA, CD4 cell count, and other markers of immune activation and function. Results: The low dose of CsA used in this study did not suppress immune activation or increase circulating CD4 cell counts. Delayed‐type hypersensitivity responses were not affected; however, lymphocyte proliferative responses tended to decrease. CsA‐treated patients experienced a small but significant rise in plasma HIV RNA levels. Conclusions: Low‐dose CsA has no benefit in patients with stable early HIV disease, and its administration may be associated with an increase in plasma HIV RNA. The use of CsA in HIV‐infected patients undergoing organ transplantation should be undertaken with caution
Effet néfaste du lévamisole sur la trypanosomose expérimentale de la souris

La souche de souris NMRI et 4 souches consanguines, BALB/c, A/J, CBA et C57B1/6, presentant divers degres de sensibilite a l'infection par la souche Dinderesso/80/CRTA/3 de Trypanosama (Nannomanas) congolense, ont ete traitees par le levamisole. Cette substance immunomodulatrice, dans les conditions utilisees, retablit les fonctions immunes deprimees. Contre toute attente, le levamisole n'a pas eu une influence benefique sur le cours de l'infection mais plutot un effet aggravant. Le traitement au levamisole augmente la mortalite chez toutes les souches, sauf les BALB/c, et accroit la parasitemie chez trois des cinq souches de souris utilisees. Les auteurs discutent les causes possibles des phenomenes observes qui confirment que les mecanismes protecteurs mis en ouvre par le systeme immun dans les trypanosomoses africaines sont encore mal definis. Ils recommandent une certaine prudence et une evaluation approfondie de l'emploi du levamisole dans les aires de trypanosomose bovine endemique
Replacement of valsartan and candesartan by telmisartan in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes: metabolic and antiatherogenic consequences.

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) are widely used in the treatment of hypertension and have been shown to restore impaired intracellular insulin signaling and reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes (1–3). Telmisartan has a unique property that activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) (4–6). We studied the effect of this unique property of telmisartan on insulin resistance and circulating levels of adiponectin and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes. The study comprised 18 participants with hypertensive type 2 diabetes (9 men and 9 women) aged 36–79 years (64 ± 12, …