Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interleukin 6 signaling maintains the stem-like properties of bladder cancer stem cells

Background The relapse and metastasis of bladder cancer are due to its strong resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs after surgery as a result of the expansion and self-renewal of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the biology of bladder CSCs are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of interleukin 6 (IL6)/IL6 receptor (IL6R) in the stem-like characteristics of bladder CSCs. Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect IL6 expression in the supernatant and cells of bladder CSCs, respectively. Following that, self-renewal, stem cell-associated gene expression, invasion, metastasis, and tumorigenicity were assessed by sphere-forming assay, qRT-PCR, invasion and transwell assays, and tumor-forming experiment in NOD/SCID mice, respectively. Finally, Western blot and qRT-PCR were employed to examine the IL6 signaling pathway in regulating the stem-like properties of bladder CSCs. Results The spheres, originating from the bladder cancer cell lines RT4 and J82, possessed a higher expression of stem-associated genes. The expression levels of IL6 were elevated in the supernatant and cells of the bladder CSCs. IL6R was also up-regulated in the bladder CSCs. Recombinant IL6 promoted the stem-like properties of the bladder CSCs, including self-renewal, expression of stem-associated genes, invasion, migration, and tumorigenicity. Mechanistically, IL6 exerted its biological effects by binding to IL6R, which enhanced the phosphorylation of STAT3 and triggered its activation. Furthermore, these effects were alleviated by the FDA-approved drug tocilizumab. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that IL6/IL6R/STAT3 maintains the stem-like properties of bladder CSCs. Furthermore, IL6R may serve as a potential therapeutic target for CSCs in bladder cancer.
The Hall coefficient: a tool for characterizing graphene field effect transistors

Graphene field effect transistors are considered as a candidate for future high-frequency applications. For their realization, the optimal combination of substrate, graphene preparation, and insulator deposition and composition is required. This optimization must be based on an in-depth characterization of the obtained graphene insulator metal (GIM) stack. Hall effect measurements are frequently employed to study such systems, thereby focussing primarily on the charge carrier mobility. In this work we show how an analysis of the sheet Hall coefficient can reveal further important properties of the GIM stack, like, e.g., the interface trap density and the spacial charge inhomogeneity. To that end, we provide an extensive description of the GIM diode, which leads to an accurate calculation of the sheet Hall coefficient dependent on temperature and gate voltage. The gate dependent inverse sheet Hall coefficient is discussed in detail before we introduce the concept of an equivalent temperature, which is a measure of the spacial charge inhomogeneity. In order to test the concept, we apply it to evaluate already measured Hall data taken from the literature. This evaluation allows us to determine the Drude mobility, even at the charge neutrality point, which is inaccessible with a simple one band Hall mobility analysis, and to shed light on the spacial charge inhomogeneity. The formalism is easily adaptable and provides experimentalists a powerful tool for the characterization of their graphene field effect devices.
Germline features associated with immune infiltration in solid tumors

Given the clinical success of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) across a diverse set of solid tumors, and the emerging role for different immune infiltrates in contributing to response to ICB, a comprehensive assessment of the properties that dictate immune infiltrations may reveal new biological insights and inform the development of new effective therapies. Multiple studies have examined somatic and functional immune properties associated with different tumor infiltrates; however, germline features that associate with specific immune infiltrates in cancers have been incompletely characterized. Here, we analyzed over 7 million autosomal germline variants in the TCGA cohort (5788 European-ancestry samples across 30 cancer types) and tested for pan-cancer association with established immune-related phenotypes that describe the tumor immune microenvironment. We identified: one SNP associated with the fraction of follicular helper T cells in bulk tumor; 77 unique candidate genes, some of which are involved in cytokine-mediated signaling (e.g. CNTF and TRIM34) and cancer pathogenesis (e.g. ATR and AKAP9); and subnetworks with genes that are part of DNA repair (RAD51 and XPC) and transcription elongation (CCNT2) pathways. We found a positive association between polygenic risk for rheumatoid arthritis and absolute fraction of infiltrating CD8 T cells. Overall, we identified multiple germline genetic features associated with specific tumor-immune phenotypes across cancer, and developed a framework for probing inherited features that contribute to variation in immune infiltration.
Optical channel model for system outage probability analysis based on PMD measurements of installed WDM links and its components

The opportunity to address special future client interfaces, i.e. IP router interfaces, and to reduce CapEx and OpEx in network domains with highly aggregated traffic are arguments for network operators to insist on the principal option to employ 40G in their backbone network. The fiber infrastructure of most network operators is adequate for a 40G introduction if parameters such as chromatic dispersion, fiber attenuation, nonlinear fiber effects are considered. Already the transition from 2.5Gbit/s to 10Gbit/s per channel the Polarization Modem Dispersion (PMD) for many operators proved to be a limiting factor. The heterogeneous distribution of PMD of cable and fiber segments enabled the operators to install 10 G systems by measuring and selecting the fibers. The migration towards 40G is limited mainly by the PMD of the fiber infrastructure. Again the heterogeneous distribution of PMD values means that only fraction of the possible links are feasible for 40G transmission. To extend the usable part of the infrastructure it is very important to define accurately the PMD limit which is acceptable for 40 G transmission.
Evaluation of renal perfusion by Doppler ultrasonography and the effect of Ulinastatin to it in a porcine model of septic shock

Objective To develop a reliable and noninvasive method to evaluate the renal perfusion in a porcine model of septic shock and investigate the effect of UTI on it. Methods Thirty-two healthy male domestic pigs were randomly assigned to one of four groups: a sham group (SH, n=5); a septic shock group (SS, n=9); a septic shock group treated with vancomycin (15mg/kg) (VAN, n=9) and a septic shock group treated with UTI (50,000U/kg) + vancomycin (UTI, n= 9). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of kidney at the baseline and the end of protocol (24h) were performed. The spectrum of interlobar or arcuate artery was selected to calculate the corrected resistive index (cRI). Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) microbubbles were bolus injected via venous catheter. The peak intensity (Pi) and area under curve (AUC) were calculated by a time-intensity curve (TIC). Results cRI increased significantly at the end of the protocol except the SH groups, significant difference was found between each experimental group and the SH group. Linear regression was found between the cardiac output (CO) and Pi (Pi = 7.082 × CO + 5.026, R2=0.752, F=84.878, P < 0.001). The AUC decreased significantly post-injury in the SS and VAN group. All above parameters were improved by the UTI treatment, significant differences were found between the UTI and SS or VAN group respectively (P<0.05). Conclusions Septic shock occasionally accompanies with a significant low perfusion in renal microcirculation and UTI can improve it significantly.
Aberrant Within- and Between-Network Connectivity in Chemotherapy Treated Breast Cancer Patients: A Longitudinal Resting State Functional MRI Study

Background Previous studies have found abnormal structural and functional brain alterations in breast cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy. However, the network-level brain changes following chemotherapy remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamic changes of large-scale intra- and inter- network functional connectivity in chemotherapy-treated breast cancer patients. Methods Eighteen breast cancer patients were evaluated with resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), neuropsychological tests and blood examination before postoperative chemotherapy (t0), one week after completing chemotherapy (t1) and six months after completing chemotherapy (t2). Nineteen age- and education level-matched healthy controls (HC) were also recruited. Independent component analysis (ICA) was performed to assess network component using rs-fMRI data. The functional network changes were then correlated with cognitive assessment scores and blood biochemical indexes. Results One-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed significantly changed within-network functional connectivity, which mainly located in the default mode network (DMN), frontoparietal network, visual network and self-referential network. Post-hoc test showed that most within-network functional connectivity decreased one week after chemotherapy and increased six months after chemotherapy. As for the between-network functional connectivity, the posterior DMN-SMN connectivity showed the same tendency. These within- and between-network functional connectivity changes were associated with blood biochemical indexes and cognitive assessment scores. Conclusions These results indicated that network-level connectivity alterations may serve as a potential biomarker of chemotherapy related cognitive impairment, providing insights for further functional recovery treatment.
Characterization Of Fiber-Optic Links For Microwave Signal Transmission

The performance of a commercially available 1. 3μm, single mode fiber-optic link is characterized in terms of parameters relevant to microwave and RF engineers. In particular, key link performance parameters are evaluated such as insertion loss, input/output VSWR, bandwidth, noise, compression point, intermodulation distortion (IMD) and dynamic range. A description of performance limitation factors is included for each of these parameters.
GaAs-compatible surface-micromachined RF MEMS switches

A MEMS switch has been developed for microwave applications. The switch has an actuation of 30 V, a response time of 20 /spl mu/s, and mechanical robustness to withstand 10/sup 9/ actuations. An RF performance with >50 dB isolation below 2 GHz and <0.2 dB insertion loss from DC to 40 GHz has been measured.
Properties of maximum length sequence and nonlinear Volterra slice otoacoustic emissions

Evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAEs) are produced by the cochlea and provide an objective and non-invasive measure of cochlear function. A new technique, based on Maximum Length Sequences (MLSs) enables stimulus rates of up to 5000 clicks/s to be used, and gives increased speed and sensitivity of testing. Volterra slice otoacoustic emissions (VSOAEs) can be extracted from the response using this technique. These represent nonlinear temporal interaction components and are more sensitive to changes in cochlear pathology than the conventional response. Conventional EOAE amplitude differs between ears and sexes; female subjects having responses of greater amplitude than male subjects and right ears larger responses than left ears. As a pre-requisite to clinical use it is necessary to establish if these differences occur with the Maximum length sequence otoacoustic (MLSOAE) technique and with VSOAEs and whether they change with stimulus rate, order or slice. The relationship between VSOAEs, Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs), Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and the input/output function (I/O) for click-evoked OAEs (CEOAEs) recorded at the conventional rate (40 clicks/s) was also investigated to assess if these measures of cochlear nonlinearity were related to one another. In the first set of experiments 80 ears of normally hearing adults were tested. MLSOAEs were recorded at eight stimulus rates and two stimulus levels. For the second and third experiments 45 ears of normally hearing adults were tested. SOAEs, DPOAEs, the input/output function (I/O) for CEOAEs at the conventional rate (40 clicks/s) and at four stimulus levels, and VSOAEs at three stimulus rates were recorded. Female subjects were found to have statistically significantly larger MLSOAEs than male subjects and gave larger amplitude responses in their right ears. This sex difference was observed with VSOAEs. A rate effect was also demonstrated with the amplitude of the MLSOAEs decreasing with an increase in rate. The VSOAE amplitude was greater for the second order compared with the third order response, and slice one had a greater amplitude than slice two. VSOAEs of higher amplitude were obtained in SOAE-positive ears. There was a significant relationship between the slope of the I/O function of the CEOAE and the VSOAEs. The study has provided normative data for MLSOAE testing and for VSOAEs. The data obtained suggest that the amplitude (CEOAE I/O function) and temporal (VSOAEs) nonlinearities arise from the same generators, whereas the frequency domain nonlinearities (SOAEs & DPOAEs) have different generators. MLSOAEs and VSOAEs have great potential for clinical use.
A 20-year update on the state of seaweed resources in Italy

Abstract This article presents an update of the situation regarding the seaweed resources of Italy 20 years after the first assessment. A search for companies working with seaweed in Italy was conducted. In addition, the literature published over the last 20 years on seaweed biodiversity, alien species, harvests, industrial processing and biomass use was carefully examined and the results are discussed. There are a great many floristic studies, tackling both indigenous and non-indigenous species, although some geographical areas are less studied than others. The number of studies of the use of biomass has increased in the last decade. However, it is apparent that despite the considerable know-how concerning seaweed species, their properties and potential applications, Italy is still behind in seaweed exploitation compared to other countries.
Seismic Design of Rocking Shallow Foundations: Displacement-Based Methodology

AbstractThis paper proposes a direct displacement-based design (DDBD) methodology for seismic design of rocking shallow foundations for ordinary bridges under earthquake loads. A multilinear model is developed to represent the backbone curve of the nonlinear moment-rotation behavior. In addition, a new empirical relationship is proposed that correlates the initial rotational stiffness to the moment capacity of a rocking foundation; this correlation is proposed as an alternative to calculation of stiffness based upon elasticity theory. In the proposed design procedure, a bridge system consisting of a deck mass, a rocking foundation, and a damped elastic column is integrated into a single element from which the equivalent linear damping and period can be determined. The DDBD methodology uses the equivalent system damping and period along with a design displacement response spectrum to determine the seismic displacement demand. The approach is checked by comparing displacements predicted by this method to th.
Simultaneous Heat and Water Model of a Freezing Snow-Residue-Soil System II. Field Verification

ABSTRACT Frozen soil has a major effect in many hydrologic and erosion situations, but it is very difficult to predict, especially on tilled agricultural soils with crop residue and intermittent show cover. A Simultaneous Heat And Water (SHAW) model to provide this predictability by simulating the interrelated heat, water and solute transfer through snow, crop residue and soil was presented in a companion paper (Part I). Detailed climatic, soil temperature, water content and frost depth data were collected for six diverse tillage-residue conditions during two winters to verify the model predictions. When compared to measured values, simulated soil temperatures were excellent, simulated frost depths were quite good, and simulated soil water profiles were good. Minimal calibration was necessary because the model uses fundamental equations for heat and water transfer with readily definable site parameters.
Experimental Investigation of the Energy Efficiency of an Electric Vehicle in Different Driving Conditions

Energy efficiency of electric vehicles (EVs) and the representativeness of different driving cycles are important aspects to address EVs performance in real-world driving conditions. This paper presents the results of an explorative tests campaign carried out at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission to investigate the impact of different driving cycles on the energy consumption of an electric vehicle available on the market. The vehicle is a battery electric city-car which has been tested over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), the current version of the World-wide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC) and the Worldwide Motorcycle emission Test Cycle (WMTC). The tests are performed at different ambient temperatures (namely +23 °C and −7 °C) with and without the use of the Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system (in cooling and heating mode, respectively). The NEDC test was chosen being the driving cycle prescribed by the legislative type-approval procedure, while the WMTC and WLTC were chosen to investigate the energy demand of substantially different driving cycles, characterized by higher accelerations and a longer high speed phase duration. To further investigate the impact of the HVAC system on the energy consumption also some preliminary tests on the Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) test procedure are presented. The results of these tests are compared with the fuel consumption and gaseous emissions results of one hybrid
Development and evaluation of backcross progenies of improved Saccharum spp. for yield and quality traits

Forty one improved Saccharum officinarum , 29 improved S. spontaneum , 27 improved S. robustum and 37 commercial hybrid clones were utilized in this genetic base broadening programme. PIO 88-100, PIO 90-202, PIO 00845, PIO 88-100, PIO 88-110, PIR 88 3350, PIR 88-327, PIR 96-258 and PIR 96-285 were good combiners for quality and yield traits. The programme created abundant genetic variability with genetic improvement for quality and yield parameters in the nobilized populations and the derivatives showed significant differences for cane yield and quality traits. Frequency distributions for yield and quality characters tended towards normality. The correlations among the characters indicated that there was a possibility of introgressing desirable characters from the improved germplasm. Backcross progenies exhibited higher values for most of the yield-related traits analyzed in comparison with the improved parents. In the improved S. officinarum x improved S. spontaneum group, even though there was an increase in number of millable canes, cane weight also increased considerably in first generation (31.5%). This resulted in higher cane yield which ranged from 52.4 t/ha to 101.25 t/ha in the population. About 12% of the BC1 families exhibited 23.5% higher cane yield. In the improved S. officinarum x improved S. robustum group, first stage nobilized hybrids showed an improvement of 12.25 % and 8.50% for sucrose % at 300 and 360 days over the improved S. robustum parents. BC1 showed improvement for both yield and quality parameters with an improvement of 21.91% and 14.79 % for sucrose % at 300 and 360 days respectively. The study also suggested further back crossing (BC2, BC3 and BC4) with commercial hybrids in this group to generate new gene pool for future breeding.
Dynamic livestock modelling for on-farm decision support

The study described in this thesis focuses on the development and use of models that simulate herd dynamics in livestock. The models can be used to calculate the herd-specific technical and economic consequences of various management strategies. The thesis is composed of four parts. (1) Existing models from the literature simulating herd dynamics were described and discussed, including their possible role in on-farm decision support. (2) A modelling approach was developed to support decisions with respect to production, reproduction and replacement in swine herds. In this, probabilistic modelling using probability distributions was used to simulate herd dynamics and to evaluate various management strategies. (3) The approach developed for swine herds was modified and transformed to model similar decisions in dairy herds. Special attention was paid to the calving pattern of the herd. The model can be used to evaluate strategies in order to change a herd's calving pattern. Additionally, a method was worked out to determine the optimum herd calving pattern, which was based on the developed model and linear programming. (4) The possible path leading from the developed prototypes towards a successful implementation in the field as part of an integrated decision support system was discussed.
Searching Synergy : stakeholder views on developing a sustainable medicinal plant chain in Uttaranchal-India

Medicinal plants are fascinating phenomena. Through the different dimensions of health care traditions local cultural practices biodiversity issues or their potential for employment and income generation they have attracted increasing attention during the last decade. Worldwide alternative herbal based health care body care and food products are growing in popularity leading to an increased demand for medicinal plant material. With its ancient extensive knowledge systems of the use of plants for health care purposes India has frequently been a focal point of research as well as trade in medicinal plants. The central question in the joint research initiative of KIT CSD and IAMR has been whether the increased growth in demand for medicinal plant material can be linked to sustainable development in rural India generating income and employment and enhancing agricultural diversification. To bring light to bear on these questions field research was conducted in Uttaranchal a Himalayan state that has recently been described as the “Herbal State of India”. (excerpt)