Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Genetic Sexing Strains in Lepidoptera: from Traditional to Transgenic Approaches

Abstract The sterile insect technique (SIT) is currently being used for the control of many agricultural pests, including some lepidopteran species. The SIT relies on the rearing and release of large numbers of genetically sterile insects into a wild population. The holokinetic chromosomes of Lepidoptera respond differently to radiation than do species where there is a localized centromere. This difference has enabled a variation of the SIT to be developed for Lepidoptera where a substerilizing dose of radiation is given to the insects before their release with the result that a certain level of sterility is inherited by the F1 offspring. The development of genetic sexing strains for fruit flies, enabling the release of males only, has resulted in enormous economic benefits in the mass rearing and has increased the efficiency of the field operations severalfold. This article outlines Mendelian approaches that are currently available to separate large numbers of males and females efficiently for different lepidopteran species and describes their difficulties and constraints. Successful transgenesis in several lepidopteran species opens up new possibilities to develop genetic sexing strains. The proposal to develop genetic sexing strains described in this article takes advantage of the fact that in Lepidoptera, the female is the heterogametic sex, with most species having a WZ sex chromosome pair, whereas the males are ZZ. This means that if a conditional lethal gene can be inserted into the W chromosome, then all females should die after the application of the restrictive condition. The assumptions made to accommodate this model are discussed, and the advantages to be gained for control programs are elucidated.
Fatty Acids and Derivatives as Antimicrobial Agents

The structural relationships of 30 straight-chain fatty acids and derivatives and their bactericidal properties were studied with 8 gram-negative and 12 grampositive organisms. Chain length, unsaturation (cis, trans), and functional group were all variables considered in this study. Our data indicate that C12 (lauric acid) is the most inhibitory saturated fatty acid against gram-positive organisms. Monoenoic acid (C18:1) was more inhibitory than saturated fatty acid, but was less active than dienoic derivatives (C18:2). Other unsaturated compounds were less active than C18:2. Alcohols and glyceryl esters were active only against gram-positive organisms. In general, esterification of the carboxyl group led to a compound which was less active; monoglycerides were the sole exception. Amine derivatives, contrary to results with fatty acids, esters, and amides, showed activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.
Atomic force microscopy developments for probing space charge at sub-micrometer scale in thin dielectric films

Charge injection and accumulation in dielectrics are phenomena at the origin of different kind of failure of devices. To improve the understanding of involved mechanisms, space charge measurement techniques have been successfully developed. However, their spatial resolution is incompatible with thin films or interfaces studies. In this paper, the contribution of techniques derived from Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to space charge measurement is investigated. First of all, localized charges injection is studied using classical Kelvin Force Microscopy (KFM). Secondly, we propose a new method called EFDC (Electrostatic Force Distance Curve) which allows direct measurement of electrostatic force induced by trapped charges. EFDC sensitivity to lateral localization of charges is demonstrated. Finally, comparing the results obtained by EFDC and KFM highlights the relative merit of each technique.
Effect of Human Body on 3-D Radiation Pattern and Efficiency of Mobile Handsets

Mobile handsets are used in proximity to user's body and this reduces the transmitted or received power of the handset. In this paper it is investigated how the human body affects the radiation characteristics, e.g. radiation pattern and total efficiency. The test handset is an active GSM mobile phone and the experiments are 3-D far-field radiation pattern measurements in an anechoic chamber at the 1800 MHz band. In particular it is studied how large differences occur in the results between different test persons when they hold the mobile phone as similarly as possible. Moreover, in the second experiment the measurements are performed so that the mobile phone is against the test user's head but the user does not hold the phone in his/her hand. The variation in the total radiated power (or efficiency) between the three test persons was only about 0.2 dB. The average body loss due to the user's head was 1.6 dB. The additional body loss due to the user's hand was 2.6 dB. The results for a phantom agreed well with the results for the test persons, when only the head was included in the measurements
DOAS measurement of glyoxal as an indicator for fast VOC chemistry in urban air

We present the first direct measurements of glyoxal (CHOCHO) in the atmosphere, and demonstrate that glyoxal measurements are possible by differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS). Glyoxal was routinely detected during the daytime in Mexico City, where mixing ratios ranged from <0.15 ppbv (detection limit) to 1.82 ppbv. These time‐resolved measurements resolve the rapid diurnal variation of glyoxal, and indicate the onset of volatile organic compound (VOC) oxidation about 1hr after sunrise. The atmospheric lifetime of glyoxal is determined to be 1.3 hr for overhead sun conditions. Then elevated glyoxal levels indicate a persistently active VOC chemistry during most of the day. Glyoxal forms from the oxidation of numerous VOCs, which foster the formation of ‘photochemical smog’ including ozone and aerosol particles; atmospheric levels are essentially unaffected by direct vehicle emissions in Mexico City. Satellite measurements of glyoxal seem feasible, making possible the better identification of photochemical hot spots in the Earth's atmosphere.
Hepatocellular carcinoma: radio-frequency ablation of medium and large lesions.

PURPOSE To study local therapeutic efficacy, side effects, and complications of radio-frequency (RF) ablation in the treatment of medium and large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions in patients with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS One-hundred fourteen patients who were under conscious sedation or general anesthesia had 126 HCCs greater than 3.0 cm in diameter treated with RF by using an internally cooled electrode. Eighty tumors were medium (3.1-5.0 cm), and 46 were large (5.1-9.5 cm). The mean diameter for all tumors was 5.4 cm. At imaging, 75 tumors were considered noninfiltrating, and 51 were considered infiltrating. RESULTS Complete necrosis was attained in 60 lesions (47.6%), nearly complete (90%-99%) necrosis in 40 lesions (31.7%), and partial (50%-89%) necrosis in the remaining 26 lesions (20.6%). Medium and/or noninfiltrating tumors were treated successfully significantly more often than large and/or infiltrating tumors. Two major complications (death, hemorrhage requiring laparotomy) and five minor complications (self-limited hemorrhage, persistent pain) were observed. The single death was due to a break in sterile technique rather than to the RF procedure itself. CONCLUSION RF ablation appears to be an effective, safe, and relatively simple procedure for the treatment of medium and large HCCs.
A study on the black start capability of VSC-HVDC using soft-starting mode

A good Black-Start scheme is important and necessary to resume power supply fast and efficiently after black out, and how to choose black-start power is the first thing to consider in the scheme. In this paper, the advantages of VSC-HVDC as black start power are analyzed. The ability of VSC-HVDC to soft energize major power system equipment is proved through simulation by software PSCAD/EMTDC. Simulation waveforms during soft energization are illustrated. These plots have described the good voltage and frequency characteristics of VSC-HVDC. Furthermore, the transition from black start control to normal power flow control is discussed. Simulation results indicate that by using soft energization, VSC-HVDC is an ideal black start power.
B-cell tolerance checkpoint violations in systematic lupus erythematosus

B cells play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the prototypic autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus. The presence of autoantibodies in lupus is indicative of a breach in B-cell tolerance to self. Studies conducted over the past 15 years indicate that tolerance checkpoints exist at various stages of B-cell development to ensure that self-reactive B cells are censored and do not produce autoantibodies. These include an early checkpoint operative at the immature B-cell stage in the bone marrow, with receptor editing and deletion as the two main mechanisms. Additional checkpoints exist in the periphery and include receptor revision and anergy at the mature naive stage, with further checkpoints being operative at the germinal center and memory B-cell stages. In a recent study, it has been shown that mice harboring the lupus susceptibility gene Sle1bz/Ly108z display defective tolerance both at the immature as well as the mature B-cell stage in the periphery. This, along with other studies conducte.
Sugar-sweetened beverage taxation: an update on the year that was 2017

It has now been four years since the implementation of the Mexican sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax at the beginning of 2014 – the first substantial, nationwide tax on SSB for health-related reasons. The enactment of this SSB tax, its robust evaluation and positive effects on reducing SSB purchases set a path for increasing global action in the years to follow. The implementation of SSB taxes as part of wider efforts to address obesity and diet-related chronic diseases was recognized to be at a tipping point in 2016. Unlike other recommended obesity prevention policies, such as restrictions on unhealthy food marketing to children, SSB taxes are fast becoming a norm in the USA and elsewhere around the globe, and the scientific evidence base is increasing and strengthening. Contradicting the view that SSB taxes are a progressive or left-wing preference, a recent study found that most SSB taxes are implemented by conservative or right-wing governments. A recent review on key policy lessons from health taxes does, however, highlight the importance of being clear about the primary goal of the tax as health taxes remain vulnerable to hostile lobbying. Earmarking health taxes for health spending was clearly found to increase both public and political support for their implementation. Here we provide an updated timeline of action (below and Fig. 1) and highlight evidence and lessons for the year that was 2017.
Early pregnancy in the ewe: effects of oestradiol and progesterone on uterine metabolism and on embryo survival.

The hormonal regulation of embryo development during early pregnancy in the ewe has been examined. Ovariectomized ewes received injections of oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) according to schedules designed to simulate endogenous ovarian secretion during the luteal phase of the previous oestrous cycle (priming P), around the time of oestrus (oestrous E2 ) and during early pregnancy (maintenance P, maintenance E2)' Embryos were transferred to the ewes on the 4th day after induced oestrus, and ewes were killed at 6 or 13 days after transfer to assess embryo development. Cytosol concentrations of oestradiol 'and progesterone receptors and RNA and protein metabolism in the endometrium and amounts of protein in uterine flushings were examined on the day of embryo transfer and 6 days after transfer.
Imaging of Cell–Cell Communication in a Vertical Orientation Reveals High-Resolution Structure of Immunological Synapse and Novel PD-1 Dynamics

The immunological synapse (IS) is one of the most pivotal communication strategies in immune cells. Understanding the molecular basis of the IS provides critical information regarding how immune cells mount an effective immune response. Fluorescence microscopy provides a fundamental tool to study the IS. However, current imaging techniques for studying the IS cannot sufficiently achieve high resolution in real cell–cell conjugates. In this study, we present a new device that allows for high-resolution imaging of the IS with conventional confocal microscopy in a high-throughput manner. Combining micropits and single-cell trap arrays, we have developed a new microfluidic platform that allows visualization of the IS in vertically “stacked” cells. Using this vertical cell pairing (VCP) system, we investigated the dynamics of the inhibitory synapse mediated by an inhibitory receptor, programed death protein-1, and the cytotoxic synapse at the single-cell level. In addition to the technique innovation, we have demonstrated novel biological findings by this VCP device, including novel distribution of F-actin and cytolytic granules at the IS, programed death protein-1 microclusters at the NK IS, and kinetics of cytotoxicity. We propose that this high-throughput, cost-effective, easy-to-use VCP system, along with conventional imaging techniques, can be used to address a number of significant biological questions in a variety of disciplines.
Contraction Stimulates Nitric Oxide–Independent Microvascular Recruitment and Increases Muscle Insulin Uptake

We examined whether contraction-induced muscle microvascular recruitment would expand the surface area for insulin and nutrient exchange and thereby contribute to insulin-mediated glucose disposal. We measured in vivo rat hindlimb microvascular blood volume (MBV) using contrast ultrasound and femoral blood flow (FBF) using Doppler ultrasound in response to a stimulation frequency range. Ten minutes of 0.1-Hz isometric contraction more than doubled MBV (P < 0.05; n = 6) without affecting FBF (n = 7), whereas frequencies >0.5 Hz increased both. Specific inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase with Nω-l-nitro-arginine-methyl ester (n = 5) significantly elevated mean arterial pressure by ∼30 mmHg but had no effect on basal FBF or MBV. We next examined whether selectively elevating MBV without increasing FBF (0.1-Hz contractions) increased muscle uptake of albumin-bound Evans blue dye (EBD). Stimulation at 0.1 Hz (10 min) elicited more than twofold increases in EBD content (micrograms EBD per gram dry tissue) in stimulated versus contralateral muscle (n = 8; 52.2 ± 3.8 vs. 20 ± 2.5, respectively; P < 0.001). We then measured muscle uptake of EBD and 125I-labeled insulin (dpm per gram dry tissue) with 0.1-Hz stimulation (n = 6). Uptake of EBD (19.1 ± 3.8 vs. 9.9 ± 1; P < 0.05) and 125I-insulin (5,300 ± 800 vs. 4,244 ± 903; P < 0.05) was greater in stimulated muscle versus control. Low-frequency contraction increases muscle MBV by a NO-independent pathway and facilitates muscle uptake of albumin and insulin in the absence of blood flow increases. This microvascular response may, in part, explain enhanced insulin action in exercising skeletal muscle.
A Curve-Fitting Approach to Estimate the Arterial Plasma Input Function for the Assessment of Glucose Metabolic Rate and Response to Treatment

For the quantification of dynamic 18F-FDG PET studies, the arterial plasma time–activity concentration curve (APTAC) needs to be available. This can be obtained using serial sampling of arterial blood or an image-derived input function (IDIF). Arterial sampling is invasive and often not feasible in practice; IDIFs are biased because of partial-volume effects and cannot be used when no large arterial blood pool is in the field of view. We propose a mathematic function, consisting of an initial linear rising activity concentration followed by a triexponential decay, to describe the APTAC. This function was fitted to 80 oncologic patients and verified for 40 different oncologic patients by area-under-the-curve (AUC) comparison, Patlak glucose metabolic rate (MRglc) estimation, and therapy response monitoring (ΔMRglc). The proposed function was compared with the gold standard (serial arterial sampling) and the IDIF. Methods: To determine the free parameters of the function, plasma time–activity curves based on arterial samples in 80 patients were fitted after normalization for administered activity (AA) and initial distribution volume (iDV) of 18F-FDG. The medians of these free parameters were used for the model. In 40 other patients (20 baseline and 20 follow-up dynamic 18F-FDG PET scans), this model was validated. The population-based curve, individually calibrated by AA and iDV (APTACAA/iDV), by 1 late arterial sample (APTAC1sample), and by the individual IDIF (APTACIDIF), was compared with the gold standard of serial arterial sampling (APTACsampled) using the AUC. Additionally, these 3 methods of APTAC determination were evaluated with Patlak MRglc estimation and with ΔMRglc for therapy effects using serial sampling as the gold standard. Results: Excellent individual fits to the function were derived with significantly different decay constants (P < 0.001). Correlations between AUC from APTACAA/iDV, APTAC1sample, and APTACIDIF with the gold standard (APTACsampled) were 0.880, 0.994, and 0.856, respectively. For MRglc, these correlations were 0.963, 0.994, and 0.966, respectively. In response monitoring, these correlations were 0.947, 0.982, and 0.949, respectively. Additional scaling by 1 late arterial sample showed a significant improvement (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The fitted input function calibrated for AA and iDV performed similarly to IDIF. Performance improved significantly using 1 late arterial sample. The proposed model can be used when an IDIF is not available or when serial arterial sampling is not feasible.
Virtual customer integration in the innovation process: Evaluation of the web platforms of multinational enterprises (MNE)

Integrating the customer in the innovation process is believed to be a powerful means to reduce failure rates and to increase the revenue from new products. Although many companies have launched programs to enable such integration, the understanding of the mechanisms behind successful programs remains limited. Furthermore, the benefit of integrating customers in the innovation process has to be weighed against the costs. Virtual customer integration has been discussed as a way to limit these costs and bring the benefits of potentially unlimited scalability. Using a sample of the Euro Stoxx 50 companies, we shed light on the various types of virtual customer integration platforms, their limitations, their benefits and the mechanisms that have to be put in place to make them succeed. Results indicate that only a limited number of platforms go beyond the sourcing of ideas. Especially the integration of the customer in the execution phase of the innovation process remains largely limited to digital goods.
Characterization of the sequence of colonization and nosocomial candidemia using DNA fingerprinting and a DNA probe

The objective of this hospital-based study was to determine the relationship between colonizing and infecting strains of Candida species and Torulopsis glabrata. Surveillance cultures from high-risk patients were paired with subsequent bloodstream isolates. Organisms were typed by using restriction endonuclease digestion of chromosomal DNA with BstNI and EcoRI, followed by Southern hybridization with a DNA probe (pBD4) derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sixteen patients for whom documented colonization preceded documented bloodstream infection were identified. The mean time between obtainment of surveillance isolates and obtainment of bloodstream isolates was 8 days, with a range of 1 to 423 days. For 15 (94%) of 16 patients, the DNA fingerprint pattern (using BstNI) of the surveillance isolate was identical to that of the bloodstream isolate. Isolates from 13 (81%) of 16 patients were unique to those patients. Typing by Southern hybridization with the pBD4 probe was less discriminating. We conclude that for a well-defined subset of hospitalized patients who were colonized by Candida species before developing nosocomial candidemia, the colonizing and infecting strains were identical, suggesting endogenous acquisition of infection. Restriction endonuclease digestion of chromosomal DNA was shown to be a discriminating and reproducible typing method for Candida species and T. glabrata.
1 Periodic nonuniform sampling in shift-invariant spaces

This paper reviews several ideas that grew out of observations of Djokovic and Vaidyanathan to the effect that a generalized sampling method for bandlimited functions, due to Papoulis, could be carried over in many cases to the spline spaces and other shift-invariant spaces. Papoulis’ method is based on sampling output of linear, time-invariant systems. Unser and Zerubia formalized Papoulis’ approach in the context of shift-invariant spaces. However, it is not easy to provide useful conditions under which the Unser-Zerubia criterion provides convergent and stable sampling expansions. Here we review several methods for validating the Unser-Zerubia approach for periodic nonuniform sampling, which is a very special case of generalized sampling. The Zak transform plays an important role.
Growth factor‐mediated altered expression and regulation of S‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase in a H‐ras transformed cell line capable of malignant progression

Mammalian S‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) is a regulatory activity, which is involved in the biosynthesis of polyamines. The polyamines, namely putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, are essential for mammalian cell proliferation. SAMDC expression was examined in a H‐ras transformed cell capable of metastasis formation. Serum stimulation of these cells resulted in increased SAMDC mRNA and enzyme activity expression. The effect of several physiologically relevant growth factors on SAMDC expression was also determined. SAMDC mRNA expression was increased in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulation but was unaffected by transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF‐beta1) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF). Increased SAMDC enzyme activity occurred in response to exposure to EGF, bFGF, TGF‐beta1, and PDGF. The EGF and bFGF mediated alterations in SAMDC mRNA expression were apparently not due to alterations in the transcriptional apparatus but occurred partly through post‐transcriptional mechanisms involving increased SAMDC message stability. EGF and bFGF were able both to cooperate with cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, to augment the expression of SAMDC mRNA. Furthermore, studies with NIH‐3T3 fibroblasts transfected with either the normal basic fibroblast growth factor coding sequence that lacks a known secretory signal sequence or a chimeric bFGF sequence that targets the growth factor to the secretory pathway revealed that increased SAMDC expression occurred only in those cells which contained the chimeric bFGF sequence that targets the growth factor to the secretory pathway suggesting that the increase in expression of SAMDC occurs through an autocrine mechanism. Increased ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) expression was found to occur in both types of bFGF transfected cells suggesting that altered ODC expression in response to bFGF stimulation may occur through both autocrine and intracrine mechanisms. In addition, a correlation was found to exist between SAMDC expression and regulation in response to growth factor stimulation and malignant potential. This correlation supports the view that growth factor induced alterations in SAMDC expression, although not sufficient on their own to induce metastasis, are important in the promotion and establishment of events important to the phenotype expressed by H‐ras transformed cells capable of malignant progression. J. Cell. Biochem. 84: 349–358, 2002. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.