Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non‐invasive analysis of cell cycle dynamics in single living cells with Raman micro‐spectroscopy

Raman micro‐spectroscopy is a laser‐based technique which enables rapid and non‐invasive biochemical analysis of cells and tissues without the need for labels, markers or stains. Previous characterization of the mammalian cell cycle using Raman micro‐spectroscopy involved the analysis of suspensions of viable cells and individual fixed and/or dried cells. Cell suspensions do not provide cell‐specific information, and fixing/drying can introduce artefacts which distort Raman spectra, potentially obscuring both qualitative and quantitative analytical results. In this article, we present Raman spectral characterization of biochemical changes related to cell cycle dynamics within single living cells in vitro. Raman spectra of human osteosarcoma cells synchronized in G0/G1, S, and G2/M phases of the cell cycle were obtained and multivariate statistics applied to analyze the changes in cell spectra as a function of cell cycle phase. Principal components analysis identified spectral differences between cells in different phases, indicating a decrease in relative cellular lipid contribution to Raman spectral signatures from G0/G1 to G2/M, with a concurrent relative increase in signal from nucleic acids and proteins. Supervised linear discriminant analysis of spectra was used to classify cells according to cell cycle phase, and exhibited 97% discrimination between G0/G1‐phase cells and G2/M‐phase cells. The non‐invasive analysis of live cell cycle dynamics with Raman micro‐spectroscopy demonstrates the potential of this approach to monitoring biochemical cellular reactions and processes in live cells in the absence of fixatives or labels. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 1427–1438, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The ltalian-ness is in the family: A critical evaluation of the role of family in constructions of ethnicity and connections to homeland among two cohorts of second generation Italian-Australians

107 Introduction 108 Migration studies: historical perspective 110 Community and settlement 112 Core ‘family’ values Ethnicity and hybridity Transnational studies 118 Family revisited: making the role of family explicit through the concepts of ‘intimate culture’ and ‘familial habitus’ 120 Conclusion 122 CHAPTER FIVE KILLING PIGS AND TALKING TO NONNA: ‘WOG’ VERSUS ‘COSMOPOLITAN’ ITALIANITÁ AMONG SECOND GENERATION ITALIAN-AUSTRALIANS AND THE ROLE OF FAMILY 124 Journal article, accepted subject to minor revisions, in Ethnic and Racial Studies
Theoretical and numerical study of the effect of coupling a collector and reflector on the solar still effiency

With the aim of arising the temperature of water, the solar still will be augmented with a solar collector or/and a solar reflector. This work is an attempt to assess the changes made in the thermal balance when we added a solar collector and a solar reflector to a simple solar still. After having established the thermal balances of the various solar systems studied at instationary regime, the differential equations are solved by using 4th order Runge-Kutta method. The numerical results obtained show clearly the effect of coupling a solar still with a flat pat collector and an external reflector. The improvement of production resulting was estimated.
Volatility spillovers and connectedness among credit default swap sector indexes

ABSTRACT This article studies volatility spill-over effects and market connectedness using daily data of credit default swap spreads for U.S. companies over a period from 2007 to 2012. We quantify volatility spillovers by means of an unconditional analysis performed using the entire sample, and a conditional analysis which estimates the model using a rolling window. As our database contains the global financial crisis (GFC), we are able to determine how volatility spillovers spread in the economy during the recent market turmoil. Our unconditional results confirm that the Financials sector was a main contributor to the overall market volatility along with the Consumer Goods, Consumer Services and Basic Materials sectors. The conditional analysis clearly identifies that the Financials was the major feeding sector of volatility spill-over effects, and that the market volatility was successively driven by Technology and Basic Materials over a rather short period of time, followed by Consumer Goods and Consumer Services over a prolonged period of time. Our results illustrate indirect linkages between the sectors that conveyed shocks during the GFC.
Functional elements of the steroid hormone-responsive promoter of mouse mammary tumor virus

Transcription from the promoter of mouse mammary tumor virus is subject to induction by several classes of steroid hormones as well as to repression by a negative regulatory element present in the long terminal repeats of proviral DNA. In order to characterize the functional elements of the promoter that in some way must respond to these regulatory signals, a number of promoter mutations were constructed, including a set of linker-scanning mutations across the entire promoter region. Analysis of these mutated promoters with a transient-transfection assay defined at least three mutation-sensitive promoter elements that are required for both basal and hormone-induced transcription. One mutation-sensitive region contains a TATA element located at approximately position -30 with respect to the start of transcription. A second mutation-sensitive region contains two 10-base-pair direct repeats located between positions -60 and -38, within which are embedded three copies of octamer-related sequences; complete disruption of this region of the promoter leads to a more severe decrease in transcription than do any of the linker-scanning mutations, suggesting that the repeated sequences may be at least partially functionally redundant. Gel electrophoresis mobility shift assays were used to demonstrate specific binding of a nuclear protein to this region of the promoter. A third mutation-sensitive region contains a binding site for nuclear factor 1 (NF-1) located between positions -77 and -63. Site-directed mutations in the NF-1-binding site which increase the apparent affinity of NF-1 for the promoter in vitro do not decrease the hormone dependence of transcription, suggesting that transcriptional activation mediated by steroid hormone-receptor complexes cannot be explained by facilitation or stabilization of the interaction of promoter sequences with NF-1 and consistent with the idea that binding of NF-1 is not rate determining in transcription from the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter. None of the promoter mutations functionally separates basal from glucocorticoid-induced transcription, suggesting that hormone induction does not make the promoter independent of any of the DNA-binding factors required for its basal activity.
Development of Osmotically Controlled Oral Drug Delivery Systems of Tramadol Hydrochloride: Effect of Formulation Variables on In Vitro Release Kinetics

Aim: Numerous technologies have been used to control the systemic delivery of a pharmacologically active ingredient in a predetermined, predictable, and reproducible manner. One of the most interesting approaches is osmotically controlled oral drug delivery systems. By optimizing formulation and processing parameters, it is possible to develop osmotic systems to deliver drugs of diverse nature at a predetermined rate with high in vitro-in vivo correlation. The aim of the current study was to formulate elementary osmotic pump (EOP) device of freely water-soluble tramadol hydrochloride, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Materials and Methods: Formulations were prepared by wet granulation method, coated with cellulose acetate (CA)/ethyl cellulose solution containing varying amounts of dibutylphthalate as a plasticizer. Drug release was studied using USP Type II apparatus. The effect of different formulation variables on drug release, namely, type and concentration of osmogen and plasticizer, size of the delivery orifice, nature of the rate controlling membrane, and membrane weight gain was studied. Results: The formulation containing mannitol in the drug:osmogen ratio of 1:0.5 and lactose in the ratio 1:0.25, and 1:0.5 (drug:osmogen) showed more than 80% of drug release in 6 h with zero-order release pattern. The 4% CA solution in acetone with dibutylphthalate (15% w/w of polymer), with orifice diameter 480 μm, 565 μm, and 8% increase in weight on coating, were found to control the drug release. Drug release from the developed formulations was found to be independent of pH and agitation intensity. The manufacturing procedure was reproducible, and formulations were stable upto 3 months as per ICH guidelines. Conclusion: EOPs and process parameters of tramadol hydrochloride were developed based on osmotic technology.
Zinc, magnesium, and calcium ion supplementation confers tolerance to acetic acid stress in industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae utilizing xylose

Lignocellulosic biomass is a potential substrate for ethanol production. However, pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials produces inhibitory compounds such as acetic acid, which negatively affect ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Supplementation of the medium with three metal ions (Zn2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+) increased the tolerance of S. cerevisiae toward acetic acid compared to the absence of the ions. Ethanol production from xylose was most improved (by 34%) when the medium was supplemented with 2 mM Ca2+, followed by supplementation with 3.5 mM Mg2+ (29% improvement), and 180 μM Zn2+ (26% improvement). Higher ethanol production was linked to high cell viability in the presence of metal ions. Comparative transcriptomics between the supplemented cultures and the control suggested that improved cell viability resulted from the induction of genes controlling the cell wall and membrane. Only one gene, FIT2, was found to be up‐regulated in common between the three metal ions. Also up‐regulation of HXT1 and TKL1 might enhance xylose consumption in the presence of acetic acid. Thus, the addition of ionic nutrients is a simple and cost‐effective method to improve the acetic acid tolerance of S. cerevisiae.
A compact Hall-effect sensor array for the detection and imaging of single magnetic beads in biomedical assays

A 64-unit Hall-effect sensor array capable of detecting magnetic beads is implemented in 0.18 µm CMOS process. Two Hall sensor implementations, one using n-wells and another using MOS transistors, are analyzed. The n-well implementation can detect a single 4.5 µm bead in . 5 ms with a probability of error below 1% while the MOS implementation takes 2.5 ms to detect the same bead. Each array is compact so that individual beads can be detected and counted even if they do not land directly over a sensor. As a result, the array is capable of imaging magnetic beads, much like a digital camera, and thereby provides information about their individual locations and distribution.
Shunt MEMS switch requirements for Tunable Matching Network at 1.9 GHz in composite substrates

A theoretical approach for the specification of shunt MEMS switches suitable for Tunable Matching Networks (TMN) at 1.9GHz is presented. DC-contact fixed-fixed beam MEMS switches designed with series metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors at the grounding plane of a CPW transmission line provide the basic design block for the TMN. In the down-state, the MEMS switch makes an ohmic contact with the transmission line, as consequence, the down-state capacitance of the switch is dominated by the MIM capacitors. The proper dimensioning of the MIM capacitors enables to directly increase the capacitance ratio of the switch in order to operate at frequencies below 10 GHz. Based on predefined CPW transmission line configurations on composite substrates, the optimization of the capacitance ratio of the MEMS switch can be directly related to the geometry of the CPW transmission line.
Investigating the Perception of University Entrepreneurship Education

This study focused on a university-wide entrepreneurship education program. The program sought to expand the outcomes of entrepreneurship education to social and political contexts where the goals are not necessarily economic. Data revealed that university faculty and student community held many varied, often competing views of the program. For instance, business major students’ views were limited to the business sphere whereas non-business students and instructors asserted that entrepreneurship could be applied to both business and non-business endeavors. As presented in discussing the findings of this research, this difference suggests that the implementation of the program adopted a broader perspective of entrepreneurship but implicitly involved a consideration of economic ends (e.g., acquiring funds). Such instrumental orientation was also found to cause the possibility that popular notions of entrepreneurship and indeed the views of faculty and students may hinder the implementation of the program. Further, the university’s policy implementation was found to influence the research participants unequally, thus fueling competing views of the program.
Novel Addressable Test Structure for Detecting Soft Failure of Resistive Elements When Developing Manufacturing Procedures

A novel addressable test structure for detecting soft failures of resistive elements is proposed. Its architecture is much simpler than that of previous works, but all functions needed to analyze the electrical properties of detected failures, for example, the aging test with overcurrent, can be realized within the architecture. This makes it more powerful than previous designs. Since the addressable test structure proposed here also has a smaller footprint, it can realize cost effective evaluations.
Modulation of excitatory synaptic coupling facilitates synchronization and complex dynamics in a biophysical model of neuronal dynamics

In this paper, complex dynamical synchronization in a non-linear model of a neural system is studied, and the computational significance of the behaviours is explored. The local neural dynamics is determined by voltage-and ligand-gated ion channels and feedback between densely interconnected excitatory and inhibitory neurons. A mesoscopic array of local networks is modelled by introducing coupling between the local networks via weak excitatory-to-excitatory connectivity. It is shown that with modulation of this long-range synaptic coupling, the system undergoes a transition from independent oscillations to stable chaotic synchronization. Between these states exists a ‘weakly’ stable state associated with complex, intermittent behaviour in the temporal domain and clusters of synchronous regions in the spatial domain. The paper concludes with a discussion of the putative relevance of such processes in the brain, including the role of neuromodulatory systems and the mechanisms underlying sensory perception, adaptation, computation and complexity.
Biodegradable poly(ester amine) based on glycerol dimethacrylate and polyethylenimine as a gene carrier

Polyethylenimine (PEI) vectors are widely used in gene delivery because of their high transfection efficiency owing to a unique proton sponge effect. An increase in molecular weight increases transfection efficiency, but simultaneously results in increased toxicity. Therefore, the design and synthesis of new degradable gene delivery carriers having high transfection efficiencies and reduced cytotoxicity are necessary.
Constructivist research project needs assessment of rural drug court clients: A case study

This constructivist research project qualitativelyassessed the needs of both drug court clients and the treatment team in a rural California community utilizing the "hermeneutic dialectic process. " Due to the rapidly evolving nature of court-ordered treatment in the era of California's Proposition 36, this research provided an expansionist approach toward inquiry and.an observation of patterns rather than units. The goal of this project was to expose different perspectives, to solicit participation of the "subjects" rather than control over them, to provide enhancement of their ability to take action during and after this inquiry, and to reveal the implications of the needs of current drug court programs for social work practice. This research revealed a partnership between the judicial system and the treatment program that contains elements of shared power, flexibility and negotiation. The findings also identified the significance of the role of the judge in program effectiveness. The Big Bear drug court appeared to maintain equal or better success rates than other drug courts, despite a higher level of pre-drug court incarceration and arrest rates for some clients.
A new open-source SIMD vector libm fully implemented with high-level scalar C

Systems support mathematical functions like exp, sin, cos through mathematical libraries (libm). With increasingly parallel hardware, scalar libm functions do not suffice; implementations that work on vectors in an element-by-element (SIMD) fashion are required. Only few Open-Source implementations of vector libms exist. They are mostly written in assembly, which hinders portability and maintenance. As they depend on the scalar system libm for special case handling, the existing vector libms may induce a source of non-reproducibility. We present an Open-Source vector libm implemented with high-level scalar C that a modern compiler can translate to SIMD code. The error of all functions does not exceed 8ulp, while a performance gain of up to 278.5% is obtained. Our library is fully free-standing, i.e. it does not depend on any other system library.
Purification and characterization of major inhalant allergens from soybean hulls

Proteins responsible for respiratory allergy to soybean have been purified from an extract of soybean hulls. The purification procedure combined size exclusion and reverse‐phase HPLC. Two pure glycoproteins (S1 and S2) exhibiting IgE‐binding ability, as demonstrated by immunoblotting and ELISA techniques, were obtained. Both proteins displayed low molecular weight values on SDS‐PAGE (S1, 7.0 kD; S2 7.5 kD). Protein S1 showed charge microheterogeneity, rendering two bands at pH 6.1–6.2 on IEF, whereas S2 showed a single bund at pH 6.8. Amino acid composition analyses revealed a strong homology between S1 and S2 and, as a characteristic feature, a high percentage of hydrophobic residues, mainly leucine and isoleucine. Concerning the allergenic activity, both proteins were recognized by the specific IgE from 95% of patients who suffered asthma attacks during the asthma outbreaks of 1987 and 1988 in Cartagena (Spain), caused by soybean dust. Besides, proteins S1 and S2 were able to, separately, inhibit up to 75% the binding of specific IgE to the whole extract. Moreover, purified proteins totally crossreacted, even though protein S2 seemed to be slightly more active in all the immunochemical techniques employed. Results presented allow us to conclude that both proteins are isoallergens and to name them as Gly m IA (protein S2) and Gly m IB (protein S1), according to the IUIS‐allergen nomenclature system.
Role of Lysine 411 in Substrate Carboxyl Group Binding to the Human Reduced Folate Carrier, as Determined by Site-Directed Mutagenesis and Affinity Inhibition

Reduced folate carrier (RFC) is the major membrane transporter for folates and antifolates in mammalian tissues. Recent studies used radioaffinity labeling with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)-[3H]methotrexate (MTX) to localize substrate binding to residues in transmembrane domain (TMD) 11 of human RFC. To identify the modified residue(s), seven nucleophilic residues in TMD11 were mutated to Val or Ala and mutant constructs expressed in RFC-null HeLa cells. Only K411A RFC was not inhibited by NHS-MTX. By radioaffinity labeling with NHS-[3H]MTX, wild-type (wt) RFC was labeled; for K411A RFC, radiolabeling was abolished. When Lys411 was replaced with Ala, Arg, Gln, Glu, Leu, and Met, only K411E RFC showed substantially decreased transport. Nine classic diamino furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates with unsubstituted α- and γ-carboxylates (1), hydrogen- or methyl-substituted α-(2,3) or γ-(4,5) carboxylates, or substitutions of both α- and γ-carboxylates (6-9) were used to inhibit [3H]MTX transport with RFC-null K562 cells expressing wt and K411A RFCs. For wt and K411A RFCs, inhibitory potencies were in the order 4 > 5 > 1 > 3 > 2; 6 to 9 were poor inhibitors. Inhibitions decreased in the presence of physiologic anions. When NHS esters of 1, 2, and 4 were used to covalently modify wt RFC, inhibitory potencies were in the order 2 > 1 > 4; inhibition was abolished for K411A RFC. These results establish that Lys411 participates in substrate binding via an ionic association with the substrate γ-carboxylate; however, this is not essential for transport. An unmodified α-carboxylate is required for high-affinity substrate binding to RFC, whereas the γ-carboxyl is not essential.
Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 is required for maintaining the structure and function of the neuromuscular junction

The enzyme ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) is one of the most abundant proteins in the mammalian nervous system. In humans, UCH-L1 is also found in the ubiquitinated inclusion bodies that characterize neurodegenerative diseases in the brain, suggesting its involvement in neurodegeneration. The physiologic role of UCH-L1 in neurons, however, remains to be further elucidated. For example, previous studies have provided evidence both for and against the role of UCH-L1 in synaptic function in the brain. Here, we have characterized a line of knockout mice deficient in the UCH-L1 gene. We found that, in the absence of UCH-L1, synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) is markedly impaired. Both spontaneous and evoked synaptic activity are reduced; paired pulse-facilitation is impaired, and synaptic transmission fails to respond to high-frequency, repetitive stimulation at the NMJs of UCH-L1 knockout mice. Morphologic analyses of the NMJs further revealed profound structural defects—loss of synaptic vesicles and accumulation of tubulovesicular structures at the presynaptic nerve terminals, and denervation of the muscles in UCH-L1 knockout mice. These findings demonstrate that UCH-L1 is required for the maintenance of the structure and function of the NMJ and that the loss of normal UCH-L1 activity may result in neurodegeneration in the peripheral nervous system.
The People/Performance Balance in IPO Firms: The Effect of the Chief Executive Officer's Financial Orientation

Welbourne and Andrews (1996) studied IPO firms and found that Tobin's Q, at the time of the IPO, was lower for firms that they coded as having higher levels of human resource value (HR Value). However, those same firms were more likely to survive five years after the IPO. Given that finding, this study examines one factor that may influence the firm's choice between maximizing short-term financial performance (doing well at the IPO) or long-term performance (maximizing HR value). Using the theory of upper echelons (Hambrick & Mason, 1984), we show that the decision on how to balance these forces is shaped in part by the chief executive officer's (CEO) functional background. We focus on CEOs with primary training in finance because they will most closely identify with investment community pressures to perform well at the time of the IPO. In two different samples of IPO firms, we find that the CEO's financial background is associated with lower levels of human resource value, but, contrary to what we expected, having a finance-oriented CEO does not maximize short-term gains in the IPO.