Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The motile cilium in development and disease: emerging new insights

In this paper, I review a collection of recently published papers that have provided significant new information about the biogenesis and functions of motile cilia. In vertebrates, the activity of motile cilia has been associated with a fascinating diversity of developmental and physiological processes. Despite the importance, much remains to be learned about the genetic control and cellular events that are involved in the differentiation of motile cilia. We also need to better understand the mechanisms by which cilia‐driven fluid flow is able to influence such a variety of developmental and physiological processes. The Foxj1 family of proteins has now been definitively established as master regulators of motile ciliogenesis. 1 , 2 Identification of the Kintoun/PF13 protein has shed light on the assembly of dynein arms, 3 whereas live imaging of ciliary motility has led to the discovery of an intriguing new role for motile cilia in otolith formation in the ear. 4
DNA and RNA isolation from canine oncologic formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues for downstream “-omic” analyses

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues represent a unique source of archived biological material, but obtaining suitable DNA and RNA for retrospective “-omic” investigations is still challenging. In the current study, canine tumor FFPE blocks were used to 1) compare common commercial DNA and RNA extraction kits; 2) compare target gene expression measured in FFPE blocks and biopsies stored in a commercial storage reagent; 3) assess the impact of fixation time; and 4) perform biomolecular investigations on archival samples chosen according to formalin fixation times. Nucleic acids yield and quality were determined by spectrophotometer and capillary electrophoresis, respectively. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays for the following genes: BCL-2–associated X protein, B-cell lymphoma extra large, antigen identified by monoclonal antibody Ki-67, proto-oncogene c-KIT (c-kit). Two internal control genes (Golgin A1 and canine transmembrane BAX inhibitor motif containing 4), together with direct sequencing of c-kit exons 8, 9, 11, and 17, were used as end points. Differences in DNA/RNA yield and purity were noticed among the commercial kits. Nucleic acids (particularly RNA) extracted from paraffin blocks were degraded, even at lower fixation times. Compared to samples held in the commercial storage reagent, archived tissues showed a poorer amplification. Therefore, a gold standard protocol for DNA/RNA isolation from canine tumor FFPE blocks for molecular investigations is still troublesome. More standardized storage conditions, including time between sample acquisition and fixation, fixation time, and sample thickness, are needed to guarantee the preservation of nucleic acids and, then, their possible use in retrospective transcriptomic analysis.
Comparison of energy yield data of fifteen PV module technologies operating in four different climates

The electrical performance and energy yield of 15 PV modules of different technologies were studied under four different climate conditions. Prior to outdoor exposure intensive laboratory tests were performed with regard to low-irradiance behavior, spectral dependence and temperature effects of the modules. Measurements according to IEC 61853-1 provided basic information about the non-linear behavior of PV modules. The spectral response was determined and the solar spectral irradiance was measured to gain detailed information about the spectral dependency of different technologies. The weather data was analyzed for each climatic region and the energy yield of each module was calculated and analyzed.
Cooperative interference mitigation with partial CSI in multi-user dual-hop MISO relay channels

This paper considers cooperative eigen beamforming with the use of partial channel information (e.g., transmit correlation) to maximize achievable sum-rate of multi-user dualhop multiple-input single-output relay channels. By exploiting the transmit correlation in a cooperative manner, the proposed scheme selects a pair of users whose transmit correlation have the largest phase difference of the desired and interference channel from the relay. It is analytically shown that the achievable sum-rate of selected two-users is maximized when the principal eigenvectors of the transmit correlation matrix of the desired and interference channel from the relay are orthogonal to each other. By generating an eigen-beam by the principal eigenvector of the transmit correlation matrix of own desired channel, the proposed scheme can provide the achievable sum-rate comparable to the full channel information-based minimum mean square error beamforming scheme in correlated channel environments. Finally, the proposed scheme is verified by computer simulation.
Analysis of the Passive Damping Losses in LCL-Filter-Based Grid Converters

Passive damping is the most adopted method to guarantee the stability of LCL-filter-based grid converters. The method is simple and, if the switching and sampling frequencies are sufficiently high, the damping losses are negligible. This letter proposes the tuning of different passive damping methods and an analytical estimation of the damping losses allowing the choice of the minimum resistor value resulting in a stable current control and not compromising the LCL-filter effectiveness. Stability, including variations in the grid inductance, is studied through root locus analysis in the z-plane. The analysis is validated both with simulation and with experiments.
Maximum Shortening Velocity and Myosin Heavy-chain Isoform Expression in Human Masseter Muscle Fibers

While human masseter muscle is known to have unusual co-expression of myosin heavy-chain proteins, cellular kinetics of individual fibers has not yet been tested. Here we examine if myosin heavy-chain protein content is closely correlated to fiber-shortening speed, as previously reported in other human muscles, or if these proteins do not correlate well to shortening speeds, as has been demonstrated previously in rat muscle. Slack-test recordings of single, skinned human masseter fibers at 15°C revealed maximum shortening velocities generally slower and much more variable than those recorded in human limb muscle. The slowest fiber recorded had a maximum shortening velocity (V0) value of 0.027 muscle lengths ·s-1, several times slower than the slowest type I fibers previously measured in humans. By contrast, human limb muscle controls produced V0 measurements comparable with previously published results. Analysis by gel electrophoresis found 63% of masseter fibers to contain pure type I MyHC and the remainder to co-express mostly type I in various combinations with IIA and IIX isoforms. Vo in masseter fibers forms a continuum in which no clear relationship to MyHC isoform content is apparent.
Functional adaptation of equine articular cartilage: the formation of regional biochemical characteristics up to age one year.

Biochemical heterogeneity of cartilage within a joint is well known in mature individuals. It has recently been reported that heterogeneity for proteoglycan content and chondrocyte metabolism in sheep develops postnatally under the influence of loading. No data exist on the collagen network in general or on the specific situation in the horse. The objective of this study was to investigate the alterations in equine articular cartilage biochemistry that occur from birth up to age one year, testing the hypothesis that the molecular composition of equine cartilage matrix is uniform at birth and biochemical heterogeneity is formed postnatally. Water content, DNA content, glycosaminoglycan content (GAG) and biochemical characteristics of the collagen network (collagen content, hydroxylysine content and hydroxylysylpyridinoline [HP] crosslinks) were measured in immature articular cartilage of neonatal (n = 16), 5-month-old foals (n = 16) and yearlings (n = 16) at 2 predefined differently loaded sites within the metacarpophalangeal joint. Statistical differences between sites were analysed by ANOVA (P<0.01), and age correlation was tested by Pearson's product moment correlation analysis (P<0.01). In neonatal cartilage no significant site differences were found for any of the measured biochemical parameters. This revealed that the horse has a biochemically uniform joint (i.e. the cartilage) at birth. In the 5-month-old foals and yearlings, significant site differences, comparable to those in the mature horse, were found for DNA, GAG, collagen content and hydroxylysine content. This indicates that functional adaptation of articular cartilage to weight bearing for these biochemical parameters takes place during the first months postpartum. Water content and HP crosslinks showed no difference between the 2 sites from neonatal horses, 5-month-old animals and yearlings. At both sites water, DNA and GAG decreased during maturation while collagen content, hydroxylysine content and HP crosslinks increased. We propose that a foal is born with a uniform biochemical composition of cartilage in which the functional adaptation to weight bearing takes place early in life. This adaptation results in biochemical and therefore biomechanical heterogeneity and is thought to be essential to resist the different loading conditions to which articular cartilage is subjected during later life. As collagen turnover is extremely low at mature age, an undisturbed functional adaptation of the collagen network of articular cartilage at a young age may be of significant importance for future strength and resistance to injury.
Convex, monotone systems are optimally operated at steady-state

We consider a special class of monotone systems for which the system equations are also convex in both the state and the input. For such systems we study optimal infinite horizon operation with respect to an objective function that is also monotone and convex. The main results state that, under some technical assumptions, these systems are optimally operated at steady state, i.e. there does not exist any time-varying trajectory over an infinite horizon that outperforms stabilizing the system in the optimal equilibrium. We draw a connection to recent results on dissipative systems in the context of Economic Model Predictive Control, where systems that are optimally operated at steady state have already been studied. Finally, we apply the main result to a problem in traffic control, where we are able to disprove the existence of improving periodic trajectories involving the alternation of congestion and free flow for freeway ramp metering.
The Glomerular Basement Membrane as a Model System to Study the Bioactivity of Heparan Sulfate Glycosaminoglycans

Abstract The glomerular basement membrane and its associated cells are critical elements in the renal ultrafiltration process. Traditionally the anionic charge associated with several carbohydrate moieties in the glomerular basement membrane are thought to form a charge selective barrier that restricts the transmembrane flux of anionic proteins across the glomerular basement membrane into the urinary space. The charge selective function, along with the size selective component of the basement membrane, serves to limit the efflux of plasma proteins from the capillary lumen. Heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans are anionically charged carbohydrate structures attached to proteoglycan core proteins and have a role in establishing the charge selective function of the glomerular basement membrane. Although there are a large number of studies in the literature that support this concept, the results of several recent studies using molecular genetic approaches to minimize the anionic charge of the glomerular basement membrane would suggest that the role of heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans in the glomerular capillary wall are still not yet entirely resolved, suggesting that this research area still requires new and novel exploration.
NVP‐BEZ235, a dual pan class I PI3 kinase and mTOR inhibitor, promotes osteogenic differentiation in human mesenchymal stromal cells

Osteoblasts are bone‐forming cells derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) that reside within the bone marrow. In response to a variety of factors, MSCs proliferate and differentiate into mature, functional osteoblasts. Several studies have shown previously that suppression of the PI3K and mTOR signaling pathways in these cells strongly promotes osteogenic differentiation, which suggests that inhibitors of these pathways may be useful as anabolic bone agents. In this study we examined the effect of BEZ235, a newly developed dual PI3K and mTOR inhibitor currently in phase I–II clinical trials for advanced solid tumors, on osteogenic differentiation and function using primary MSC cultures. Under osteoinductive conditions, BEZ235 strongly promotes osteogenic differentiation, as evidenced by an increase in mineralized matrix production, an upregulation of genes involved in osteogenesis, including bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP2, ‐4, and ‐6) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) superfamily members (TGFB1, TGFB2, and INHBE), and increased activation of SMAD signaling molecules. In addition, BEZ235 enhances de novo bone formation in calvarial organotypic cultures. Using pharmacologic inhibitors to delineate mechanism, our studies reveal that suppression of mTOR and, to a much lesser extent PI3K p110α, mediates the osteogenic effects of BEZ235. As confirmation, shRNA‐mediated knockdown of mTOR enhances osteogenic differentiation and function in SAOS‐2 osteoblast‐like cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that BEZ235 may be useful in treating PI3K/mTOR‐dependent tumors associated with bone loss, such as the hematologic malignancy multiple myeloma. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Are induced pluripotent stem cells the future of cell‐based regenerative therapies for spinal cord injury?

Despite advances in medical and surgical care, current clinical therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI) are limited. During the last two decades, the search for new therapies has been revolutionized by the discovery of stem cells, inspiring scientists and clinicians to search for stem cell‐based reparative approaches for many disorders, including neurotrauma. Cell‐based therapies using embryonic and adult stem cells in animal models of these disorders have provided positive outcome results. However, the availability of clinically suitable cell sources for human application has been hindered by both technical and ethical issues. The recent discovery of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells holds the potential to revolutionize the field of regenerative medicine by offering the option of autologous transplantation, thus eliminating the issue of host rejection. Herein, we will provide the rationale for the use of iPS cells in SCI therapies. In this review, we will evaluate the recent advancements in the field of iPS cells including their capacity for differentiation toward neural lineages that may allow iPS cells transplantation in cell‐based therapy for spinal cord repair. J. Cell. Physiol. 222: 515–521, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Research of multi-task principal-agent problems based on fairness preference and long-term performance

The principal-agent problem is an important issue in economic research.Traditional researches used to assume that the agent has only one task:the short-term profit mission and that the principal and the agent are perfectly rational.This paper is based on the chemical enterprise in our country,and it first considers the agent with multi-task objectives;then improves the model from the point of view of longterm performance;finally introduces the fairness preference theory into the model to make it more realistic significance.The result shows that:the optimal sharing coefficient that the principal gives the agent is closely related to the correlation between the multi-tasks and it shows a trend of decrease after increase with the increase of the jealousy preference strength and sympathy preference strength of the agent.This paper can provide some decision-making basis and reference to solve the principal-agent problems of chemical enterprise in reality.
Intrahippocampal infusion of the Ih blocker ZD7288 slows evoked theta rhythm and produces anxiolytic‐like effects in the elevated plus maze

Hippocampal theta rhythm has been associated with a number of behavioral processes, including learning and memory, spatial behavior, sensorimotor integration and affective responses. Suppression of hippocampal theta frequency has been shown to be a reliable neurophysiological signature of anxiolytic drug action in tests using known anxiolytic drugs (i.e., correlational evidence), but only one study to date (Yeung et al. ( 2012 ) Neuropharmacology 62:155–160) has shown that a drug with no known effect on either hippocampal theta or anxiety can in fact separately suppress hippocampal theta and anxiety in behavioral tests (i.e., prima facie evidence). Here, we attempt a further critical test of the hippocampal theta model by performing intrahippocampal administrations of the Ih blocker ZD7288, which is known to disrupt theta frequency subthreshold oscillations and resonance at the membrane level but is not known to have anxiolytic action. Intrahippocampal microinfusions of ZD7288 at high (15 µg), but not low (1 µg) doses slowed brainstem‐evoked hippocampal theta responses in the urethane anesthetized rat, and more importantly, promoted anxiolytic action in freely behaving rats in the elevated plus maze. Taken together with our previous demonstration, these data provide converging, prima facie evidence of the validity of the theta suppression model. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Control of single-phase UPQC in synchronous d-q reference frame

This paper deals with a single-phase unified power quality conditioner (UPQC) to enhance power quality problem in single-phase systems. A control approach based on synchronous d-q reference frame, for single-phase UPQC, is proposed. For orthogonality and thus to formulate d-q transformation for single-phase system an imaginary β-axis component is considered. In d-q frame, the fundamental component in distorted supply voltage and non-linear load current are achieved as DC variables. The representation of single-phase supply voltage and load current in d-q frame, in an actual hardware system, is also discussed in the paper. The proposed approach is utilized to mitigate harmonics in the supply voltage and load current simultaneously. The UPQC system performance is evaluated by simulation as well as digital signal processor based experimental studies.
Bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system: P-Ser-HPr and its possible regulatory function?

HPr of the bacterial phosphotransferase system is a histidine-containing phospho-carrier protein. It is phosphorylated at a single histidyl residue with phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and enzyme I and transfers the histidyl-bound phosphoryl group to a variety of factor III proteins. Recently, we described an HPr phosphorylated at a seryl residue (P-Ser-HPr), which is formed in an adenosine 5'-triphosphate dependent reaction catalyzed by a protein kinase [Deutscher, J., & Saier, M. -H. , Jr. (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80, 6790-6794]. Now we demonstrate that this P-Ser-HPr is an altered substrate of phosphorylated enzyme I and factor III proteins compared to unphosphorylated HPr. Thus, P-Ser-HPr of Streptococcus lactis is phosphorylated about 5000 times slower by PEP and enzyme I than HPr. The slow phosphorylation by PEP and enzyme I can be overcome when factor III protein specific for gluconate (factor III(Gct)) of Streptococcus faecalis is added. Most likely, a complex of P-Ser-HPr and factor III(Gct) is formed which then becomes phosphorylated as fast as free HPr. Factor III protein specific for lactose (factor III(Lac)) of Staphylococcus aureus also enhances the phosphorylation of P-Ser-HPr by enzyme I and PEP, but its effect is lower. Thus, P-Ser-HPr is phosphorylated 70-100-fold slower in the presence of factor III(Lac) than in the presence of factor III(Gct). The described interaction of P-Ser-HPr with enzyme I in the presence of different factor III proteins could account for the regulation of sugar uptake within the phosphotransferase system. Some of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system sugars like glucose are known to be taken up in preference to others, for example, lactose.
Salmonella serovar distribution in cobras (Naja kaouthia), snake-food species, and farm workers at Queen Saovabha Snake Park, Thailand

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the prevalence and serovar distribution of Salmonella isolates in cobras and their environment at a snake park. A total of 166 fecal or intestinal samples were examined, comprising 39 samples from captive cobras (Naja kaouthia), 70 from recently wild-caught cobras, 19 from wild-caught cobras that had been kept on the farm for over 3 months, 18 from mice (Mus musculus), 12 from frogs (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus), and 8 from farm workers. Specific serological identification was performed, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was utilized for DNA analysis. Out of all snakes (n = 128), 20 of the 30 animals used for snake food and 3 of the 8 samples from personnel were positive for Salmonella spp. There were 228 Salmonella isolates, with a total of 29 serovars from subspecies I and IIIb, composed of 24 serovars from cobras and 5 from the other sources. Salmonella Amsterdam was predominant in captive-born and captive cobras, followed by S. Poona and S. Bareilly, respectively (P < 0.05). Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- was the sole serovar detected from the mice, while 3 serovars including Ramatgan, I 4,[5],12:e,h:-, and rough strain were detected only from frogs (P < 0.001). Salmonella Derby was only detected in workers. On the basis of the PFGE results, evidence of movement of isolates between human beings and snakes, and between snakes and frogs, was found for S. Poona and S. Wandsworth, respectively. The study suggests that Salmonella spp. act as true residents in the intestinal tract of cobras with high risk of environmental contamination through fecal shedding.
Application of Microwave Data for Agriculture Area

The study was carried out for agricultural area in Poland for the years 2003-2007. The aim of the project was to examine the impact of soil-vegetation parameters on backscatter calculated from ENVISAT.ASAR under various polarizations and incidence angles. The extensive field measurements have been carried out simultaneously to satellite overpasses. Additionally to microwave acquisitions the optical data from TERRA.ASTER satellite have been used to distinguish different crop types. There has been applied two approaches: (1) for each of the class the equations for calculation of LAI and soil moisture from microwave data have been derived using statistical analyses, and the maps of LAI and soil moisture have been presented; (2) the semi empirical water-cloud model has been applied to describe the contribution of soil moisture and winter wheat descriptor as LAI on backscattering coefficient. The results show that presented methods can be implemented into monitoring of crop growth.