Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of Plasmid R1 Replication: Functions Involved in Replication, Copy Number Control, Incompatibility, and Switch-off of Replication

A small derivative of plasmid R1 was used to integratively suppress a chromosomal dnaA(Ts) mutation. The strain obtained grew normally at 42°C. The integratively suppressed strain was used as recipient for various plasmid R1 derivatives. Plasmid R1 and miniplasmid derivatives of R1 could be established in the strain that carried an integrated R1 replicon, but they were rapidly lost during growth. However, plasmids also carrying ColE1 replication functions were almost completely stably inherited. The integratively suppressed strain therefore allows the establishment of bacteria diploid with respect to plasmid R1 and forms a useful and sensitive system for studies of interaction between plasmid R1 replication functions. Several of the chimeric plasmids caused inhibition of growth at high temperatures. All plasmids that inhibited growth carried one particular PstI fragment from plasmid R1 (the PstI F fragment), and in all cases the growth inhibition could be ascribed to repression of initiation of chromosome replication at 42°C, i.e., they carry a trans-acting switch-off function. Furthermore, the analogous PstI fragments from different copy mutants of plasmid R1 were analyzed similarly, and one mutant was found to lack the switch-off function. The different chimeric plasmids were also tested for their incompatibility properties. All plasmids that carried the switch-off function (and no other plasmids) also carried R1 incompatibility gene(s). Since the PstI F fragment, which is present on all these plasmids, is very small (0.35 × 106), it is suggested that the switch-off regulation of replication (by an inhibitor), incompatibility, and copy number control are governed by the same gene.
Carnitine level and several lipid parameters in venous blood of newborns, cord blood and maternal blood and milk.

To obtain a rather complex picture on fat metabolism in newborns, fundamental characteristics of this metabolism as well as the carnitine level in their blood was correlated with corresponding values from cord blood, maternal blood and milk. The concentrations of cholesterol (CHOL), triglycerides (TGL) and apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) in 4 days old infants were higher than in cord blood (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, resp.), but were only 50% of those in blood of the respective mothers. No differences in HDL-CHOL were observed, whereas the level of apolipoprotein A (Apo-A) in cord blood exceeded that in newborn blood (P < 0.05). The level of carnitine in milk was about twice as high as in maternal blood (P < 0.001) which was the consequence of the high acylcarnitine content in milk. Our results represent a basis for comparison of normal and pathologically altered metabolic situation, e.g. in hypotrophic newborns and potentially in newborns in need of parenteral nutrition.
Investigation of the Equivalent Circuit Parameters and Design of a Dual Polarised Dual Frequency Aperture Coupled Microstrip Antenna

This communication presents a simplified approach to the design of a single feed dual polarised, dual frequency (1.9 and 2.4 GHz) aperture coupled microstrip antenna. Using simulation and practical investigation, the coupling between the microstrip feed line and aperture, along with the coupling between the aperture and patch, is investigated and modelled using equivalent transformers. The results obtained are used to reduce the number of interdependent design parameters, thereby allowing initial approximate values to be determined more directly with only fine tuning subsequently required to obtain good matching at both frequencies. Excellent agreement is obtained for the simulation and practical results of the return loss and the gain of the antenna.
The prevalence and causes of visual impairment in Tehran: the Tehran Eye Study

Aims: To determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment in Tehran, Iran, through a population based study. Methods: In a population based, cross sectional study, 6497 Tehran citizens were sampled from 160 clusters using a stratified, random, cluster sampling strategy. The eligible people were enumerated through a door to door household survey in the selected clusters and were invited. All participants were transferred to a clinic for an extensive eye examination and interview. Visual impairment was determined using presenting and best corrected visual acuity (low vision: visual acuity of less than 6/18 to 3/60 in the better eye; blindness: visual acuity of less than 3/60 in the better eye). Results: Of those sampled, 4565 (70.3%) people participated in the study. The age and sex standardised prevalences of visual impairment on the basis of best corrected and presenting visual acuity were 1.39% (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07 to 1.71) and 2.52% (95% CI, 2.07 to 2.97), respectively. 15 people (0.28%; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.42) were blind with corrected vision while 22 (0.39%; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.56) were blind with presenting vision. Using the corrected and presenting vision, the prevalence of low visual impairment was 1.11% (95% CI, 0.84 to 1.39) and 2.13% (95% CI, 1.71 to 2.55), respectively. The causes of visual impairment according to the best corrected vision were cataract (36.0%), macular degeneration (20.0%), and amblyopia (10.7%). However, according to the presenting vision, uncorrected refractive errors were the most frequent primary cause (33.6%) and cataract (25.4%), macular degeneration (12.7%), and amblyopia (8.2%) were the other main causes of visual impairment in the study sample. The prevalence of visual impairment was associated with advancing age and lower education. Conclusion: The results indicate that the burden of visual impairment is important and, although easily preventable, uncorrected refractive errors and cataract have a major role as causes of visual impairment in this population. Results also highlight the need for visual impairment prevention programmes, with emphasis on treatment of refractive errors and cataract.
Measurement of absolute energy level and hyperfine structure of 87Rb 4D5/2 using double resonance optical pumping method

We have measured the absolute frequency and the uncertainty of the excited state transition, 5P<sub>3/2</sub>-4D<sub>5/2</sub>, in <sup>87</sup>Rb atom with a fs frequency comb, utilizing the double resonance optical pumping (DROP) method. The absolute energy level of 4D<sub>5/2</sub> state is determined by measuring the absolute frequency of the 5S<sub>1/2</sub>-5P<sub>3/2</sub> transition simultaneously. The hyperfine structure constants of the 4D<sub>5/2</sub> state are obtained with the magnetic dipole constant uncertainty reduced ten-fold compared to the previous result and with the electric quadrupole constant determined for the first time.
Refractive errors and strabismus in premature Asian infants with and without retinopathy of prematurity.

AIM In Caucasian populations, premature infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) have been reported to have higher risks of developing refractive errors and strabimus. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rate of these complications in Asian premature infants with and without ROP. METHODS A retrospective case review of all premature infants referred to the Singapore National Eye Centre for ophthalmology screening. These included all neonates born earlier than 34 weeks gestational age and less than 1500 grams in birth weight. Standardized ophthalmology examinations including cycloplegic refraction and fundus examination at regular intervals were performed to determine the presence of ROP, refractive errors, squints and other ocular abnormalities until the patients were 3 years old. RESULTS During 1991 to 1993, a total of 113 neonates were reviewed. Of these, 16 (14.2%) developed ROP. The risk of ROP was higher with lower birth weights and earlier gestational ages. At 1-year follow-up, the rate of myopia was 33.3% in babies with ROP compared to 3.7% in babies with no ROP (p < 0.001). The higher rates of myopia in babies with ROP remained with longer follow-up (33.3% and 25% in ROP group versus 3.4% and 3.8% in no ROP group, at 2 and 3 years respectively). There was no difference in rates of astigmatism or hyperopia throughout the 3 years. At 1 year follow-up, the rate of strabismus was 20% in the ROP group compared to 4.9% in the no ROP group (p = 0.07). However, this difference in rates of strabismus was not significant at 2 and 3 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION Premature babies with ROP had higher rates of myopia and strabismus than those without ROP. Long-term follow-up of these babies is important for early detection and treatment of these ocular problems.
The Current Level to Weld Closed Contacts

A model is developed to determine the peak current required to weld closed contacts. The model considers: (1) the total contact resistance of the closed contacts by including the expected constriction resistance as well as the resistance resulting from the high temperature of the contact spot; (2) the effect of the 'blow-off' force from the passage of the current through the contact spot; and (3) the reduction of the hardness of the contact metal in the vicinity of the high temperature at the contact spot. In general the model predicts the values found from experiment within the uncertainty of the material data given in the usual contact materials data tables.
Adenovirus-mediated Rescue of Lipoprotein Lipase-deficient Mice

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is the rate-limiting enzyme for the hydrolysis of triglycerides and the subsequent uptake of free fatty acids in extrahepatic tissues. Deficiency of LPL in humans (Type I hyperlipoproteinemia) is associated with massive chylomicronemia, low high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, and recurrent attacks of pancreatitis when not controlled by a strict diet. In contrast to humans, homozygous LPL knock-out mice (L0) do not survive suckling and die between 18 and 24 h after birth. In this study, an adenovirus-based protocol was utilized for the transient expression of LPL during the suckling period in an effort to rescue L0 mice. After a single intraperitoneal injection of 5×109 plaque-forming units of LPL-expressing virus immediately after birth, more than 90% of L0 mice survived the first days of life. 3% of L0 mice survived the entire suckling period and lived for up to 20 months, although LPL activity in mouse tissues and postheparin plasma was undetectable in all animals after 6 weeks of age. Adult LPL-deficient mice were smaller than their littermates until 2–3 months of age and exhibited very high triglyceride levels in the fed (4997 ± 1102 versus 113.4 ± 18.7 mg/dl) and fasted state (2007 ± 375 versus 65.5 ± 7.4 mg/dl). Plasma total cholesterol levels, free fatty acids, and ketone bodies were elevated in L0 mice, whereas plasma glucose was normal. Most strikingly, L0 mice lacked apoA-I-containing preβ-HDL particles as well as mature HDL resulting in undetectable HDL cholesterol and HDL-apoA-I levels. HDL deficiency in plasma was evident despite normal apoA-I mRNA levels in the liver and normal apoA-I protein levels in plasma, which were predominantly found in the chylomicron fraction. The absence of preβ-HDL and mature HDL particles supports the concept that the lipolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins is an essential step for HDL maturation.
Re-laparotomy after cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE To assess the rate, indications, and outcome of re-laparotomy after cesarean section in the early postoperative period. DESIGN A retrospective observational study during a 121-month period. SETTING A tertiary care university center. POPULATION A cohort of 3380 women who underwent cesarean section out of 18,609 parturients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incidence of re-laparotomy after cesarean section in the early postoperative period. RESULTS The incidence of re-laparotomy after cesarean section was 0.53% (18/3380). Of these 18 women, 12 (66%) were operated for hemorrhage, 3 (17%) for eventration, and 3 (17%) for formation of intra-abdominal abscess. Hysterectomy was required in one case (5.5%). We had no maternal mortalities. CONCLUSION Although the incidence of re-laparotomy after cesarean in the early postoperative period is low and the outcome is favorable, several measures must be undertaken to reduce the need for re-laparotomy.
Effect of ipsilateral subthalamic nucleus lesioning in a rat parkinsonian model: study of behavior correlated with neuronal activity in the pedunculopontine nucleus.

OBJECT The purpose of this study was to investigate the spontaneous behavioral changes and the alteration of neuronal activities in the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) after ipsilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) lesioning by kainic acid in a rat parkinsonian model created by lesioning with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). METHODS Assumptions about the mechanisms mediating the effects of lesioning of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway by 6-OHDA and the effects of STN lesioning were examined behaviorally by means of apomorphine-induced rotational behavior and forepaw-adjusting steps. The authors subsequently investigated the alteration of neuronal activities in the PPN to compare them with the behavioral changes in rat parkinsonian models. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated that STN lesioning induced behavioral improvement in rat parkinsonian models. This result, which confirms previously held assumptions, may account for the therapeutic effect of STN stimulation in Parkinson disease. The alteration of the neuronal activities in the PPN units also indicates that the PPN units are responsible for the improvement in motor symptoms observed after STN lesioning in rat parkinsonian models.
Convergences in Men's and Women's Life Patterns: Lifetime Work, Lifetime Earnings, and Human Capital Investment

The changes in women and men's work lives have been considerable in recent decades. Yet much of the recent research on gender differences in employment and earnings has been of a more snapshot nature rather than taking a longer comparative look at evolving patterns. In this paper, we use 50 years (1964-2013) of US Census Annual Demographic Files (March Current Population Survey) to track the changing returns to human capital (measured as both educational attainment and potential work experience), estimating comparable earnings equations by gender at each point in time. We consider the effects of sample selection over time for both women and men and show the rising effect of selection for women in recent years. Returns to education diverge for women and men over this period in the selection-adjusted results but converge in the OLS results, while returns to potential experience converge in both sets of results. We also create annual calculations of synthetic lifetime labor force participation, hours, and earnings that indicate convergence by gender in worklife patterns, but less convergence in recent years in lifetime earnings. Thus, while some convergence has indeed occurred, the underlying mechanisms causing convergence differ for women and men, reflecting continued fundamental differences in women's and men's life experiences.
120V/ns output slew rate enhancement technique and high voltage clamping circuit in high integrated gate driver for power GaN FETs

High power density is a key point that power converters endeavor to pursue. However, it is rare that gate driver of power converter can switch under high supply voltage with a fast operation frequency. In this paper, a half-bridge driver with the slew rate enhancement (SRE) technique is proposed and its switching frequency can be increased to 25MHz under a 700V supply voltage. Besides, the proposed high voltage clamping circuit ensures all circuits operating in a safe region without any overvoltage problems in the bootstrap operation. With specifically developed high voltage high speed (HVHS) process, high-side and low-side circuits can be well shielded by the isolation well which is embedded in the level shifter device to minimize chip size.
Tens of Gbps support with mmWave beamforming systems for next generation communications

The recent strong demands for higher data rate support to cope with the explosive mobile data crunch has initiated research on the next generation (5G) wireless mobile communication technologies that could provide with drastic capacity increase. One of the promising candidates is to use wide spectrum in the mmWave bands, where a breakthrough to overcome the unfavorable channel properties needs to be preceded. In this paper, we propose a novel hybrid beamforming scheme that jointly combines RF beamforming and baseband precoding as a key enabling technique to make efficient use of mmWave channel. The link level simulation results show that the proposed scheme can almost achieve the optimal performance with noticeably reduced implementation complexity. Furthermore, system level simulation results are provided pointing out the possibility of tens of Giga-bits/sec data rate support with the proposed scheme.
Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ Coactivator 1α or 1β Overexpression Inhibits Muscle Protein Degradation, Induction of Ubiquitin Ligases, and Disuse Atrophy*

Overexpression of the transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), like exercise, increases mitochondrial content and inhibits muscle atrophy. To understand these actions, we tested whether PGC-1α or its close homolog, PGC-1β, influences muscle protein turnover. In myotubes, overexpression of either coactivator increased protein content by decreasing overall protein degradation without altering protein synthesis rates. Elevated PGC-1α or PGC-1β also prevented the acceleration of proteolysis induced by starvation or FoxO transcription factors and prevented the induction of autophagy and atrophy-specific ubiquitin ligases by a constitutively active FoxO3. In mouse muscles, overexpression of PGC-1β (like PGC-1α) inhibited denervation atrophy, ubiquitin ligase induction, and transcription by NFκB. However, increasing muscle PGC-1α levels pharmacologically by treatment of mice with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-β-d-ribofuranoside failed to block loss of muscle mass or induction of ubiquitin ligases upon denervation atrophy, although it prevented loss of mitochondria. This capacity of PGC-1α and PGC-1β to inhibit FoxO3 and NFκB actions and proteolysis helps explain how exercise prevents muscle atrophy.
Blood Lymphocytes, Monocytes and NK Cells Modulate Their Expression of CD44, ICAM‐1, LFA‐1 and MHC Class II After Arrival Into Lymphoid Organs

Adhesion molecules expressed on surface membranes of lymphocytes and other leukocytes enable their entry into the lymphoid and other tissues. However, little is known about molecules that govern the transit of leukocytes through the parenchyma of lymphoid organs proper. We show that in comparison to blood leukocytes, the corresponding cells isolated from lymphoid organs, i.e., lymph nodes and spleen, have a significantly augmented expression of certain surface molecules. The helper and cytotoxic subsets of T cells, as well as B cells, display the increased expression of CD44, ICAM‐1 and LFA‐1, whereas B cells additionally show the augmented expression of MHC class II. In comparison with blood monocytes, splenic monocytes show the increased expression of ICAM‐1 and MHC class II molecules. When compared with blood NK cells, splenic NK cells only show the increased expression of ICAM‐1. The molecules, which we show to be up regulated upon the entry of leukocytes into lymphoid organs, could be involved in their retention within the tissue via cell–cell or cell‐extracellular matrix interactions and in control of their transit through lymphoid tissues.
Vasopressin improves survival after cardiac arrest in hypovolemic shock.

UNLABELLED Survival after hypovolemic shock and cardiac arrest is dismal with current therapies. We evaluated the potential benefits of vasopressin versus large-dose epinephrine in hemorrhagic shock and cardiac arrest on vital organ perfusion, and the likelihood of resuscitation. In 18 pigs, 35% of the estimated blood volume was withdrawn over 15 min and ventricular fibrillation was induced 5 min later. After 4 min of cardiac arrest and 4 min of standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a bolus dose of either 200 microg/kg epinephrine (n = 7), 0.8 unit/kg vasopressin (n = 7), or saline placebo (n = 4) was administered in a blinded, randomized manner. Defibrillation was attempted 2.5 min after drug administration, and all animals were subsequently observed for 1 h without further intervention. Spontaneous circulation was restored in 7 of 7 vasopressin animals, in 6 of 7 epinephrine pigs, and in 0 of 4 placebo swine. At 5 and 30 min after return of spontaneous circulation, median (minimum and maximum) renal blood flow after epinephrine was 2 (0-31), and 2 (0-48) mL. 100 g(-1). min(-1), respectively; and after vasopressin 96 (12-161), and 44 (16-105) mL. 100 g(-1). min(-1), respectively (P: <.01 between groups). Epinephrine animals developed a profound metabolic acidosis by 15 min after return of spontaneous circulation (mean arterial pH, 7.11 +/- 0.01), and by 60 min all epinephrine-treated animals had died. The vasopressin pigs had (P: = 0.015) less acidosis (pH = 7.26+/-0. 04) at corresponding time points, and all survived > or =55 min (P: < 0. 01). In conclusion, treatment of hypovolemic cardiac arrest with vasopressin, but not with large-dose epinephrine or saline placebo, resulted in sustained vital organ perfusion, less metabolic acidosis, and prolonged survival. Based on these findings, clinical evaluation of vasopressin during hypovolemic cardiac arrest may be warranted. IMPLICATIONS The chances of surviving cardiac arrest in hemorrhagic shock are considered dismal without adequate fluid replacement. However, treatment of hypovolemic cardiac arrest with vasopressin, but not with large-dose epinephrine or saline placebo, resulted in sustained vital organ perfusion and prolonged survival in an animal model of suspended infusion therapy.
Direct Administration of Interleukin-1 and Interferon-&ggr; to Rat Pancreas Leads to the In Vivo Production of Nitric Oxide and Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase and Inducible Cyclooxygenase

Introduction Proinflammatory cytokines may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). In vitro, the formation of nitric oxide (NO) catalyzed by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been shown to be involved in the cytotoxic effects of cytokines on pancreatic β cells. Cytokines have also been shown to cause the expression of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in isolated islets. Aims To describe a novel in vivo model that allows investigation of the effects of direct cytokine administration to the pancreas. Methodology and Results By using this method, we demonstrate that administration of interleukin-1β and interferon-&ggr; to rat pancreas results in the generation of NO in the treated pancreata as detected by NO trapping and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. β cells were identified as the source of the formed NO. Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction analyses showed that administration of cytokines to the pancreas leads to the expression of iNOS and COX-2 mRNA in the pancreas tissue as well as the islets isolated from such tissues. The compound phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone, which protects mice against streptozotocin-induced IDDM, inhibits NO formation and downregulates both iNOS and COX-2 mRNA levels.