Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantification of human cells in NOD/SCID mice by duplex real-time polymerase-chain reaction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was the development of a fast and reliable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay which quantifies the proportion of human cells in immunodeficient chimeric mice, for example transplanted with human hematopoietic stem cells. DESIGN AND METHODS We developed a TaqMan chemistry-based, real-time duplex PCR assay to quantify human and murine DNA in a single-tube reaction in parallel (HUmu PCR). Two independent sets of primers and exonuclease probes, located in the tumor necrosis factor-a gene of both species, were selected to amplify specifically human and murine genomic DNA. Serial dilutions of defined numbers of human cells in mouse cells served to construct calibration curves. The test was applied to NOD/SCID mice transplanted with CD34(+) cells isolated from human cord blood and compared to FACS analysis. RESULTS Analysis of DNA from human cells diluted stepwise into a fixed number of murine cells - and vice versa - led to calibration curves with good correlation for human and murine cells (r(2)>0.99) with a detection limit of 2% human cells. Results obtained with the HUmu PCR paralleled those of FACS analysis. However, in contrast to FACS analysis, which requires fresh single cell suspensions, the HUmu PCR can be carried out on already stored samples, even from solid organs and, moreover, the quantity of material required for analysis is very low. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS The HUmu PCR presented here is the first real-time PCR assay for simultaneous quantification of human and murine cells. It is extremely fast, accurate and is an interesting alternative method for quantifying the proportion of human DNA in organs of chimeric mice.
The Fruits of Legitimacy: Why Some New Ventures Gain More from Innovation Than Others.

Abstract This article examines rewards to product introduction by new ventures. The authors argue that the new ventures that gain the most from innovation are those that adopt strategies that give them legitimacy in the eyes of stakeholders. New ventures can gain legitimacy by creating associations with established entities; such associations can be internal or external to the firm. The authors test these ideas by examining the stock market gains of all products introduced between 1982 and 2002 by all public firms in the U.S. biotechnology industry. The results show that new ventures that acquire legitimacy externally by forming alliances with established firms gain more from their new products than new ventures that do not form such alliances. Among new ventures that do not form alliances, those that acquire legitimacy internally by creating a history of product launches or by hiring reputed executives or scientists gain more from their new products than those that do not. In relative terms, it pays more.
Linear and nonlinear system identification of autonomic heart-rate modulation

The authors' findings show that system identification provides a useful, noninvasive, and quantitative means for evaluating cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms. With combinations of linear and nonlinear identification, new insights about the cardiovascular regulatory dynamics were obtained. System identification provides a new way of studying and monitoring cardiovascular function. Instead of just studying the signals generated by the cardiovascular regulatory system, the signals are analyzed to characterize quantitatively the mechanisms that generate them. System identification is a type of "inverse modeling"in which the physiologic signals are used to create a model of cardiovascular regulation for the specific individual from whom the data are obtained. As such, system identification would appear to be a desirable means for evaluating effects of physiologic alterations resulting from pharmacological interventions, changes in environment such as changes in gravitational field, physiologic stresses such as hypoxia and exercise, and disease processes. System identification may also prove to be an attractive means to study closed-loop regulation in other physiologic systems, ranging in size from biochemical pathways to intact multi-organ systems.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO 1 Degrade Hydrazones

Hydrazones are natural and synthetic compounds containing a C N-N moiety. Here we found that the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 produced NAD or NADP -dependent hydrazone dehydrogenase (HDH), which converts hydrazones to the corresponding hydrazides and acids rather than to the simple hydrolytic product aldehydes. Gene cloning indicated that the HDH is part of the group X aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) family, which is distributed among bacteria, although the physiological roles of the ALDH family remain unknown. The PAO1 strain upregulated HDH in the presence of the hydrazone adipic acid bis(ethylidene hydrazide) (AEH). Gene disruption of the HDH-encoding hdhA (PA4022) decreased growth rates in culture medium containing AEH as the sole carbon source, and this effect was more obvious in the double gene disruption of hdhA and its orthologous exaC (PA1984), indicating that these genes are responsible for hydrazone utilization. Recombinant proteins of group X ALDHs from Escherichia coli, Paracoccus denitrificans, and Ochrobactrum anthropi also acted as HDHs in that they produced HDH activity in the cells and degraded hydrazones. These findings indicated the physiological roles of group X ALDHs in bacteria and showed that they comprise a distinct ALDH subfamily.
The Radiographic Restoration of the Ventricular System after Third Ventriculostomy

Ten adult patients were treated by third ventriculostomy for idiopathic aqueductal stenosis. Idiopathic aqueductal stenosis was diagnosed according to MR imaging; aqueductal stenosis secondary to tumor, hemorrhage, and/or infection was excluded. Following a third ventriculostomy under a flexible neuroendoscope, all patients were reviewed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, and MR images with ventricular measurements were repeated for evaluation of the radiographic restoration of the ventricular system. The ventricular structures arranged in order of restoration were the size of the III ventricle, the upward deviation of the brain stem, and the size of the lateral ventricle in response to third ventriculostomy. The restoration of the whole ventricle steadied within two years. Our results contribute new information regarding restoration of the ventricular system under aqueductal stenosis and produce evidence that third ventriculostomy is a reasonable treatment based upon the patient's physiological condition.
Novel role of Rac-Mid1 signaling in medial cerebellar development

Rac signaling impacts a relatively large number of downstream targets; however, few studies have established an association between Rac pathways and pathological conditions. In the present study, we generated mice with double knockout of Rac1 and Rac3 (Atoh1-Cre;Rac1flox/flox;Rac3−/−) in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). We observed impaired tangential migration at E16.5, as well as numerous apoptotic CGNs at the deepest layer of the external granule layer (EGL) in the medial cerebellum of Atoh1-Cre;Rac1flox/flox;Rac3−/− mice at P8. Atoh1-Cre;Rac1flox/flox;Rac3−/− CGNs differentiated normally until expression of p27kip1 and NeuN in the deep EGL at P5. Primary CGNs and cerebellar microexplants from Atoh1-Cre;Rac1flox/flox;Rac3−/− mice exhibited impaired neuritogenesis, which was more apparent in Map2-positive dendrites. Such findings suggest that impaired tangential migration and final differentiation of CGNs have resulted in decreased cerebellum size and agenesis of the medial internal granule layer, respectively. Furthermore, Rac depleted/deleted cells exhibited decreased levels of Mid1 and impaired mTORC1 signaling. Mid1 depletion in CGNs produced mild impairments in neuritogenesis and reductions in mTORC1 signaling. Thus, a novel Rac-signaling pathway (Rac1-Mid1-mTORC1) may be involved in medial cerebellar development. Summary: Double knockout of Rac1 and Rac3 in cerebellar granule neurons impairs their tangential migration and final differentiation. Rac depleted cells exhibit decreased levels of Mid1 and impaired mTORC1 signaling.
Visual-verbal consistency of image saliency

When looking at an image, humans shift their attention towards interesting regions, making sequences of eye fixations. When describing an image, they also come up with simple sentences that highlight the key elements in the scene. What is the correlation between where people look and what they describe in an image? To investigate this problem, we look into eye fixations and image captions, two types of subjective annotations that are relatively task-free and natural. From the annotations, we extract visual and verbal saliency ranks to compare against each other. We then propose a number of low-level and semantic-level features relevant to the visualverbal consistency. Integrated into a computational model, the proposed features effectively predict the consistency between the two modalities on a large dataset with both types of annotations, namely SALICON [1].
PeARS: a Peer-to-peer Agent for Reciprocated Search

This paper presents PeARS (Peer-to-peer Agent for Reciprocated Search), an algorithm for distributed Web search that emulates the offline behaviour of a human with an information need. Specifically, the algorithm models the process of 'calling a friend', i.e. directing one's query to the knowledge holder most likely to answer it. The system allows network users to index and share part of their browsing history in a way that makes them 'experts' on some topics. A layer of distributional semantics agents then performs targeted information retrieval in response to user queries, in a fully automated fashion.
A comparative study of microstructure during solidification within ultrafine interconnects of different sizes and geometries

Microstructures in ultrafine interconnects are needed to be considered when the size of the interconnects has shrunk down to as small as a few microns. In this work, a phase field model is used to simulate the dendritic microstructure formation during solidification in solder joints of 8-24 μm standoff heights. The influences of the size and geometry of the joints on the microstructural features are investigated. It is found that the widths of the dendrites in the joints with different standoff height are similar. However, the dendrites occupy the joint more quickly in a smaller joint. The geometry of the joints is found to influence the microstructural formations. A 90° primary arm that present in the rectangular joint is not found in the hourglass-shaped joint. The geometry effects are also found when two or three nuclei are placed in the joints. In addition, a mechanical modeling on the simulated microstructure is carried out to investigate the geometry effects on the mechanical properties. It is found that the stress distributions in the joints with microstructure included are not as homogeneous as those of the joints that ignore microstructure. Therefore, microstructures, as well as size and geometry of the joints, are recommended to be taken into consideration to enable reliable ultrafine interconnects.
A Large and Giant Bifurcation Aneurysm Model in Canines : Technical Note and Proof of Feasibility

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine canines were involved. Bilateral CCAs were exposed. The left CCA was divided and its distal segment was swung to the right side. Using the right CCA and the distal segment of the left CCA, either a bifurcation or a terminal arterial structure was constructed. Bilateral external jugular veins were also exposed. A 30-mm vein segment was harvested from each side. Each vein graft was split and unfolded to make 2 venous sheets. These sheets were then joined top-tobottom so as to form a single cylinder in such a way that original adventitial side of the venous sheets was on the exterior surface. In 2 instances, pieces of polytetrafluoroethylene were employed along with the venous sheets. The combined vein graft was then incorporated into the arterial anastomosis. Lastly, the top of the venous pouch was closed. No medications for anticoagulant or antiplatelet were used throughout the study period. Follow-up imaging studies were performed.
Sagittal Alignment Comparison of Bryan Disc Arthroplasty With ProDisc-C Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Study Design A prospective, randomized study of the radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing single-level cervical arthroplasty with Bryan disc and ProDisc-C prosthesis. Objective The purpose of this trial was to compare the alignment changes of Bryan disc arthroplasty (modified techniques) with ProDisc-C arthroplasty. Summary of Background Data Aggravation of kyphosis is the known challenge after Bryan disc arthroplasty. Both Bryan disc arthroplasty with modified techniques and ProDisc-C arthroplasty were reported to avoid the postoperative local kyphosis. There have been no studies comparing the alignment changes after Bryan disc arthroplasty with ProDisc-C arthroplasty. Methods We conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial enrolling patients with cervical disc disease. Ultimately 20 patients received Bryan disc arthroplasty with modified surgical techniques and 26 patients received ProDisc-C arthroplasty. Functional spinal unit (FSU) and overall cervical alignment (Cobb angle of C2/7) were compared at final follow-up. Results (1) FSU angle: the FSU angle was maintained for the Bryan disc group (from 0.8 to 0.6 degrees) without statistical significance; the FSU angle increased 2.9 degrees for the ProDisc-C group (from −0.3 to 2.6 degrees) with statistical significance. (2) Overall alignment: the overall alignments did not change for both Bryan disc and ProDisc-C groups. Conclusions Bryan disc arthroplasty with modified techniques can maintain the lordosis of FSU, whereas ProDisc-C arthroplasty can restore the lordosis of FSU. For the patients with preoperative FSU kyphosis, ProDisc-C arthroplasty may be a better choice to restore the lordosis.
MACROECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION FROM PAKISTAN

Income inequalities and poverty are the main causes of international migration. The Pakistani workers were found in several countries of the world. Nearly half a million economic workers are working overseas, mostly in Middle Eastern countries because of oil boom. The outflow of workers varied in the year 1973 through 2005. The fluctuation behavior of international migration in Pakistan was mainly attributed to the economic conditions of home as well as the host countries. Pakistan is over populous country mired with unemployment, abject poverty and inflation. The unemployment rate in the country is nearly 9 percent, nearly one third of the population lives below poverty line which is further exacerbated with 10-12 percent food inflation. In the early 1970s, lots of unskilled workers left the country to Middle Eastern countries. There is hardly any study which documented the determinants of migration in Pakistan. This paper investigated the determinants of international migration in Pakistan. The time series data were analyzed to identify the determinants of migration. The stationary properties of each time series used in the study were tested and each was found to be integrated of order one. Therefore, Cointegration and vector error correction models were used to establish the long run and short run relationship among the parameters of the determinants. The analysis revealed that the migration from Pakistan was found positively related with inflation and unemployment rate in the country and was negatively related with real wage rate. Thus inflation, unemployment and declining wage rate were the push factors for international migration from Pakistan. Moreover, the findings of the research paper showed that the international migration was also influenced by the inflow of the remittances positively. The size and amount
Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia due to an antibody against a labile component of human platelet antigen‐3b (Bakb)

Summary. We report the second case of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia due to anti‐human platelet antigen (HPA)‐3b (Bakb) antibody. The infant was severely affected with intracranial haemorrhage. Most importantly, we were able to detect this antibody only by using fresh, unfixed platelets as antigen. This antibody was detectable neither by conventional mixed passive haemagglutination, platelet immunofluorescence test using fixed platelets, nor by monoclonal antigen immobilization of platelet antigen assay using solubilized platelets. We assume that this antibody reacts only with fresh platelets and that the antigen is a labile component of HPA‐3b (Bakb).
Reconfigurable Four-Parasitic-Elements Patch Antenna for High-Gain Beam Switching Application

A reconfigurable beamforming of a four-parasitic-elements patch antenna (FPPA) for WiMAX application is presented. The proposed FPPA is successfully capable to steer the radiation pattern in azimuth planes (0 <sup>°</sup>, 45 <sup>°</sup>, 135 <sup>°</sup>, 225 <sup>°</sup>, and 315 <sup>°</sup> angles) and in elevation plane (0 <sup>°</sup>, 13 <sup>°</sup>, 15 <sup>°</sup>, 10 <sup>°</sup>, and 12 <sup>°</sup>). This is realized in the unique form of four parasitic elements encircling the center main radiator. The activation of the parasitic required a shorting pin to the ground that indicates on state condition, and vice versa. It is discovered in CST simulation software that the specified location of the pins are really significant to ensure the parasitic performs either as a reflector or director. Moreover, each of the shorting pins is linked to the RF p-i-n diode BAR5002v switch. Also, the FPPA is fabricated on a 130-mm square Taconic substrate. The proposed antenna design has a maximum gain of 8.2 dBi at all desired angles with a half-power beamwidth of 58 <sup>°</sup>.
Prebend Prices in First-Millennium b.c. Babylonia

The prebend was a central feature of the Mesopotamian priesthood from at least the second millennium b.c. onwards.1 Temples delegated various acts of worship to particular individuals against the promise of an income; the prebend (Babylonian isqu, “share”) was the legal title that regulated this agreement, outlining a person’s stake in the cult and confirming his right of remuneration. As the levels of specialization among the priesthood increased and the attitudes towards its internal hierarchy changed, the system became gradually more complex and extensive over time. By the beginning of the Neo-Babylonian period (ca. seventh century b.c.) the prebendal system reached its mature phase. Large temples employed dozens of different types of prebendal priests whereas smaller shrines operated on a more modest scale, but at all levels prebends were used to recruit and organize the clergy. Under normal circumstances, priests transmitted these legal titles to their sons, but prebends could also be sold to others against a sum of silver. In fact, there are over 150 cuneiform texts from the period between ca. 700 and 150 b.c. that inform us about the prices that were paid in Babylonian cities to acquire prebends in local sanctuaries. It is the aim of this article to assemble this data and analyze the underlying price developments. As the prebend functioned as a ticket to the priesthood, the price behavior of prebends tells us something of the economic and social dynamics that affected the clergy of Babylonian temples in its last long phase of existence. The data will be discussed in three parts. The first part, by Reinhard Pirngruber, deals with the evidence from Hellenistic Uruk. The second part, by Caroline Waerzeggers, takes a few steps back in time and focuses on the evidence from the earlier Neo-Babylonian period. The third part draws some conclusions about long-term trends through a comparison of the two data sets. Our decision to work back in time is motivated by the quality and nature of the surviving documentation. The Hellenistic evidence relates to a single city and archival context, which allows us to study the price behavior of prebends in a specific urban environment during several consecutive centuries, whereas the Neo-Babylonian corpus offers a more refracted view on the matter. The two appendices at the end of the article contain the raw data on which the price analyses of Parts I–III are based.
Sequential Activation of the MEK-Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase and MKK3/6-p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathways Mediates Oncogenic ras-Induced Premature Senescence

ABSTRACT In primary mammalian cells, oncogenic ras induces premature senescence, depending on an active MEK-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. It has been unclear how activation of the mitogenic MEK-ERK pathway by ras can confer growth inhibition. In this study, we have found that the stress-activated MAPK, p38, is also activated during the onset of ras-induced senescence in primary human fibroblasts. Constitutive activation of p38 by active MKK3 or MKK6 induces senescence. Oncogenic ras fails to provoke senescence when p38 activity is inhibited, suggesting that p38 activation is essential for ras-induced senescence. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that p38 activity is stimulated by ras as a result of an activated MEK-ERK pathway. Following activation of MEK and ERK, expression of oncogenic ras leads to the accumulation of active MKK3/6 and p38 activation in a MEK-dependent fashion and subsequently induces senescence. Active MEK1 induces the same set of changes and provokes senescence relying on active p38. Therefore, oncogenic ras provokes premature senescence by sequentially activating the MEK-ERK and MKK3/6-p38 pathways in normal, primary cells. These studies have defined the molecular events within the ras signaling cascade that lead to premature senescence and, thus, have provided new insights into how ras confers oncogenic transformation in primary cells.
Role of macrophages in natural resistance to virus infections

INTRODUCTION . THE MONONUCLEAR PHAGOCYTE SYSTEM . ASSESSMENT OF VIRUS-MACROPHAGE INTERACTIONS IN VITRO . Sources of Macrophages . In Vitro Studies ofVirus-Macrophage Interactions . Adsorption . Direct assay of virus growth . Indirect assays of virus growth . (i) Infectious center assays . (ii) Cytopathology . (iii) Immunofluorescence . (iv) Electron microscopy. (v) Tracer techniques . ASSESSMENT OF VIRUS-MACROPHAGE INTERACTIONS IN VIVO . General Markers of Pathogenicity . Morbidity and mortality . Virus clearance and virus growth . Histological lesions . Modulations of the Function of the Mononuclear Phagocyte System . Macrophage blockade . Macrophage stimulation . Macrophage transfer . ASPECTS OF MACROPHAGE-DEPENDENT RESISTANCE TO VIRUS INFECTIONS . Virus Strainand Virus Type-Related Resistance . Geneticaly Determined Resistance . Age-Related Resistance . Role ofNonspecifically Stimulated and Activated Macrophages in Resistance CONCLUDING REMARKS . SUMMARY . LITERATURE CITED . 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6