Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utilization of Distinct Signaling Pathways by Receptors for Vascular Endothelial Cell Growth Factor and Other Mitogens in the Induction of Endothelial Cell Proliferation*

This study was initiated to identify signaling proteins used by the receptors for vascular endothelial cell growth factor KDR/Flk1, and Flt1. Two-hybrid cloning and immunoprecipitation from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) showed that KDR binds to and promotes the tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ). Neither placental growth factor, which activates Flt1, epidermal growth factor (EGF), or fibroblast growth factor (FGF) induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PLCγ, indicating that KDR is uniquely important to PLCγ activation in HUVEC. By signaling through KDR, VEGF promoted the tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, induced activation of Akt, protein kinase Cε (PKCε), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and promoted thymidine incorporation into DNA. VEGF activates PLCγ, PKCε, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase independently of one another. MEK, PLCγ, and to a lesser extent PKC, are in the pathway through which KDR activates MAPK. PLCγ or PKC inhibitors did not affect FGF- or EGF-mediated MAPK activation. MAPK/ERK kinase inhibition diminished VEGF-, FGF-, and EGF-promoted thymidine incorporation into DNA. However, blockade of PKC diminished thymidine incorporation into DNA induced by VEGF but not FGF or EGF. Signaling through KDR/Flk1 activates signaling pathways not utilized by other mitogens to induce proliferation of HUVEC.
Borgring: the discovery of a Viking Age ring fortress

Abstract A massive tenth-century AD ring fortress was recently identified at Borgring, south of Copenhagen in Denmark. The combination of high-resolution LiDAR mapping, geophysical survey and targeted small-scale excavation has demonstrated that the site belongs to a rare class of monuments—the Trelleborg-type ring fortress. Borgring is the first such monument to be found in Denmark in over six decades, and provides an opportunity to investigate a type-site of Viking Age military organisation and conflict. The authors argue that Borgring complements a varied group of fortification structures in late Viking Age Denmark, part of a military network close to contemporaneous European ideas of military kingship and defence.
An N-terminal di-proline motif is essential for fatty acid–dependent degradation of Δ9-desaturase in Drosophila

The Δ9-fatty acid desaturase introduces a double bond at the Δ9 position of the acyl moiety of acyl-CoA and regulates the cellular levels of unsaturated fatty acids. However, it is unclear how Δ9-desaturase expression is regulated in response to changes in the levels of fatty acid desaturation. In this study, we found that the degradation of DESAT1, the sole Δ9-desaturase in the Drosophila cell line S2, was significantly enhanced when the amounts of unsaturated acyl chains of membrane phospholipids were increased by supplementation with unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic and linoleic acids. In contrast, inhibition of DESAT1 activity remarkably suppressed its degradation. Of note, removal of the DESAT1 N-terminal domain abolished the responsiveness of DESAT1 degradation to the level of fatty acid unsaturation. Further truncation and amino acid replacement analyses revealed that two sequential prolines, the second and third residues of DESAT1, were responsible for the unsaturated fatty acid–dependent degradation. Although degradation of mouse stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) was unaffected by changes in fatty acid unsaturation, introduction of the N-terminal sequential proline residues into SCD1 conferred responsiveness to unsaturated fatty acid–dependent degradation. Furthermore, we also found that the Ca2+-dependent cysteine protease calpain is involved in the sequential proline–dependent degradation of DESAT1. In light of these findings, we designated the sequential prolines at the second and third positions of DESAT1 as a “di-proline motif,” which plays a crucial role in the regulation of Δ9-desaturase expression in response to changes in the level of cellular unsaturated fatty acids.
Cholesterol-mediated Degradation of 7-Dehydrocholesterol Reductase Switches the Balance from Cholesterol to Vitamin D Synthesis*

Cholesterol is detrimental to human health in excess but is also essential for normal embryogenesis. Hence, enzymes involved in its synthesis possess many layers of regulation to achieve balanced cholesterol levels. 7-Dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7) is the terminal enzyme of cholesterol synthesis in the Kandutsch-Russell pathway, converting 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC) to cholesterol. In the absence of functional DHCR7, accumulation of 7DHC and a lack of cholesterol production leads to the devastating developmental disorder, Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. This study identifies that statin treatment can ameliorate the low DHCR7 expression seen with common Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome mutations. Furthermore, we show that wild-type DHCR7 is also relatively labile. In an example of end-product inhibition, cholesterol accelerates the proteasomal degradation of DHCR7, resulting in decreased protein levels and activity. The loss of enzymatic activity results in the accumulation of the substrate 7DHC, which leads to an increased production of vitamin D. Thus, these findings highlight DHCR7 as an important regulatory switch between cholesterol and vitamin D synthesis.
Sex‐specific responses of bone metabolism and renal stone risk during bed rest

The purpose of this study was to directly assess sex differences in bone loss, bone biochemistry, and renal stone risk in bed rest. Bed rest simulates some spaceflight effects on human physiology and can be used to address the potential existence of sex‐specific effects on bone metabolism and renal stone risk in space. We combined data from the control subjects in five head‐down‐tilt bed rest studies (combined n = 50 men, 24 women) of differing durations (14–90 days). All subjects were healthy volunteers. Mean age was 35 ± 9 years for women and 33 ± 8 years for men. The main outcome measures were bone density and biochemistry, and renal stone risk chemistry. Before bed rest began, men had higher bone mineral density and content (P < 0.001), and excreted more biomarkers of bone resorption and calcium per day than did women (P < 0.05). These differences remained during bed rest. A number of urine chemistry analytes increased (e.g., calcium) or decreased (e.g., sodium, citrate, and urine volume) significantly for men and women during bed rest. These changes may predispose men to higher stone risk. Men and women do not have substantially different responses to the skeletal unloading of bed rest.
Genome Analysis Genome-Wide Reprogramming of Primary and Secondary Metabolism , Protein Synthesis , Cellular Growth Processes , and the Regulatory Infrastructure of Arabidopsis in Response to Nitrogen 1 [ w ]

Transcriptome analysis, using Affymetrix ATH1 arrays and a real-time reverse transcription-PCR platform for . 1,400 transcription factors, was performed to identify processes affected by long-term nitrogen-deprivation or short-term nitrate nutrition in Arabidopsis. Two days of nitrogen deprivation led to coordinate repression of the majority of the genes assigned to photosynthesis, chlorophyll synthesis, plastid protein synthesis, induction of many genes for secondary metabolism, and reprogramming of mitochondrial electron transport. Nitrate readdition led to rapid, widespread, and coordinated changes. Multiple genes for the uptake and reduction of nitrate, the generation of reducing equivalents, and organic acid skeletons were induced within 30 min, before primary metabolites changed significantly. By 3 h, most genes assigned to amino acid and nucleotide biosynthesis and scavenging were induced, while most genes assigned to amino acid and nucleotide breakdown were repressed. There was coordinate induction of many genes assigned to RNA synthesis and processing and most of the genes assigned to amino acid activation and protein synthesis. Although amino acids involved in central metabolism increased, minor amino acids decreased, providing independent evidence for the activation of protein synthesis. Specific genes encoding expansin and tonoplast intrinsic proteins were induced, indicating activation of cell expansion and growth in response to nitrate nutrition. There were rapid responses in the expression of many genes potentially involved in regulation, including genes for trehalose metabolism and hormone metabolism, protein kinases and phosphatases, receptor kinases, and transcription factors.
Diagnosis of cellular states of microbial organisms using proteomics

Two‐dimensional (2‐D) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has much to contribute to experimental analysis of the proteomes of microbial organisms, since this method separates most cellular proteins and allows synthesis rates to be determined quantitatively. Databases generated using 2‐D gels can grow to be very large from even just a few experiments, since each sample provides the data for a field (or column) in the database for several hundreds to even thousands of records (or rows), each of which represents a single polypeptide species. The value of such databases for generating an encyclopedia of how each of the cell's proteins behave in different conditions (protein phenotypes) has been recognized for some time. The potential exists, however, to glean even more valuable information from such databases. Because the measurements of each protein are made in the context of all other proteins, a comprehensive glimpse of the cell's physiological state is theoretically achievable with each 2‐D gel. By examining enough conditions (and 2‐D gels), expression patterns of subsets of proteins (proteomic signatures) can be found that correlate with the cell's state. This type of information can provide a unique contribution to proteomic analysis, and should be a major focus of such analyses.
MMP-9 from TNF alpha-stimulated keratinocytes binds to cell membranes and type I collagen: a cause for extended matrix degradation in inflammation?

Activated keratinocytes synthesize increased amounts of matrix metalloproteinases during inflammation. Incubation of mucosal keratinocytes with TNFalpha (24 h) increased their expression of MMP-9 mRNA, which was followed by the corresponding increase in the expression of MMP-9 protein. This stimulation was dose dependent and continued for several days after the initial exposure to TNFalpha. In contrast, the expression of MMP-2 was not influenced by TNFalpha. IFNgamma caused a significant dose-dependent inhibition in the TNFalpha-stimulated expression of MMP-9. TNFalpha did not markedly influence keratinocyte growth, while INFgamma potently inhibited cell growth. Cytokine-stimulated keratinocytes secreted most MMP-2 and MMP-9 extracellularly into the culture medium, but MMP-9 was also found in the membrane extract of keratinocytes. Furthermore, wild-type and recombinant MMP-9 were bound to noncollageneous and nonintegrin components of the mucosal keratinocyte cell surface. MMP-9 was not, however, found in the extracellular matrix deposited by the keratinocytes in culture. Type I and IV collagens and gelatin but no other purified extracellular matrix nor basement membrane proteins (types I and IV collagen, laminin-1 and -5, fibronectin) were able to bind MMP-9 from the conditioned medium. Binding of MMP-9 from keratinocyte conditioned medium was demonstrated along the collagen fibers using immunoelectron microscopy. These phenomena may participate in extended matrix degradation in chronic inflammation.
Advanced Computer Integrated Surgery Final Project Report Robotically Assisted Cochlear Imaging and Access

Cochlear implants are electronic devices that are used to restore hearing to individuals with severe-to-profound sensorineural loss via direct stimulation of the auditory nerve. Implantation requires the insertion of an electrode into human cochlea, which is associated with several challenges and severe complications. In this study, a new approach is developed that incorporates the cooperative control of a steady hand robot along with the intra-operative OCT imaging to generate virtual fixtures that enable the surgeon to insert the implant precisely inside the patient’s cochlea without causing trauma.
A new E-plane bend for SIW circuits and antennas using gapwave technology

The SIW (substrate integrated waveguide) technology makes use of metal vias in a dielectric substrate, electrically connecting two parallel metal plates, to make a waveguide. The main advantages of SIW are simple geometry, low manufacture cost and integratability with MMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuit) or other circuits. It is often required to have E-plane bend components in the whole SIW circuits or antenna systems for the integration, for example, in multilayer configurations. However, it is difficult to make an E-plane bend by using only SIW technology. We present a new solution to E-plane bend for SIW circuits and antennas by combining the SIW technology and the so-called gap waveguide (or gapwave) technology in the paper, with the latter also realized in PCB (printed circuit board) technology, and therefore keeping its above-mentioned advantages.
Explaining the Effect of Gender on Functional Transitions in Older Persons

Background: Women live longer but experience greater disability than men. The reasons for this gender difference in disability are not well understood. Objective: Our objectives were to determine if the higher prevalence of disability in women is due to greater incidence of disability, longer duration of disability, or both, and to identify factors that potentially explain these gender differences. Methods: 754 community-living persons aged 70 and older who were non-disabled (required no personal assistance) in four essential activities of daily living (ADLs) were assessed monthly for disability for up to 6 years. A multi-state extension of the proportional hazards model was used to determine the effects of gender on transitions between states of no disability, mild disability, severe disability, and death, and to evaluate potential mediators of these effects. Results: Women were more likely to make the transition from no disability to mild disability and less likely to make the transitions from mild to no disability and from both mild and severe disability to death. The gender difference in the transitions between no disability and mild disability was largely explained by differences in gait speed and physical activity, but gender difference in transitions to death persisted despite adjustment for multiple potential mediators. Conclusion: The higher prevalence of disability in women versus men is due to a combination of higher incidence and longer duration, resulting from lower rates of recovery and mortality among disabled women.
Francisella tularensis prevalence and load in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in an endemic area in Central Europe

A total of 7778 host‐seeking adult Dermacentor reticulatus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) ticks were examined for the prevalence of Francisella tularensis holarctica (Thiotrichales: Francisellaceae) in a natural focus of tularaemia in the floodplain forest–meadow ecosystem along the lower reaches of the Dyje (Thaya) river in South Moravia (Czech Republic) between 1995 and 2013. Ticks were pooled (10 specimens per pool) and their homogenates inoculated subcutaneously in 4‐week‐old specific pathogen‐free mice. Dead mice were sectioned, their spleens cultivated on thioglycollate–glucose–blood agar and impression smears from the spleen, liver and heart blood were Giemsa‐stained. Sixty‐four pools were positive for F. tularensis: the overall minimum infection rate (MIR) was 0.82%. Overall MIRs for the 4714 female and 3064 male D. reticulatus examined were 0.89 and 0.72%, respectively; MIRs fluctuated across years between 0.0 and 2.43%. The estimated bacterial load in infected ticks varied from 0.84 to 5.34 log10 infectious F. tularensis cells per tick (i.e. from about seven to 220 000 cells). Ticks with low loads were more prevalent; more than 1000 infectious cells were detected in 24 ticks (0.3% of all ticks and 37.5% of infected ticks). Monitoring of D. reticulatus for the presence and cell numbers of F. tularensis may be a valuable tool in the surveillance of tularaemia.
Galactomannan Enzymatic Immunoassay Cross-Reactivity Caused by Prototheca Species

ABSTRACT We report a reactive Aspergillus galactomannan enzymatic immunoassay against the serum of a patient with invasive Prototheca zopfii infection. Analysis of the supernatants of suspensions of P. zopfii and other Prototheca isolates revealed positive results as well. These data suggest cross-reactivity with the serum Aspergillus galactomannan assay in invasive protothecosis.
Mouse Models of Bleomycin‐Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a component of many interstitial lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic, progressive disease for which there is currently no effective therapy. Bleomycin has been widely used in rodents to model pulmonary fibrosis for the study of mechanisms involved in fibrogenesis and for evaluation of potential therapies. Bleomycin induces DNA strand breaks, resulting in pulmonary inflammation, injury, and subsequent interstitial fibrosis. This unit describes methods for delivering bleomycin, either directly into the lung or systemically, to create models of pulmonary fibrosis in rodents. Also described is a rapid and easy procedure for measuring lung collagen content to quantify the severity of fibrosis. Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 40:5.46. 1‐5.46. 17. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A compound control system for a PMLSM based on virtual instrument and digital signal processor

A compound control system for a permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM) has been developed based on Virtual Instrument (VI) and Digital Signal Processor (DSP). In the traditional motor control systems, DSP is mostly used as the core controller, which has received good results with the PID control. However, this kind of control system has several disadvantages such as operation ability is not high enough for complex algorithms; long time is needed to develop the interface of the system. To overcome these shortages, a novel control system is proposed based on using the DSP and LabVIEW. The novel control system with high capability has been verified by simulation and practical measurements.
Current Trends and Patterns of Female Migration: Evidence from Mexico 1

This study uses a new source of data to assess trends and patterns of female migration from Mexico. Data were collected from migrants interviewed in ten Mexican communities from 1987 through 1990, as well as from outmigrants from those communities who were later located in the United States. The first part of the analysis examines changes in migrant behavior throughout the 1980s by estimating trends in the probability of first-time and repeat migration and by assessing the impact of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) on these trends. In general, migration probabilities were lower for women than those reported elsewhere for men, but the evidence suggests that, like men, once women begin migrating, they are virtually assured of migrating on a second trip. Results from the departure models in the second half of the article suggest that recent female migration reflects access to the productive resources in Mexican society and a process of family migration whereby women migrate after their husbands and fathers legalized as part of IRCA.
CONTACT TIME, JUMP HEIGHT, AND REACTIVE STRENGTH INDEX DURING DROP JUMPS IN WATER, ON PADDED AND NONPADDED CONDITIONS

Twelve athletes, who routinely used plyometric exercises, performed drop jumps from 46 cm in water, on padded (5 cm thick wrestling mat), and unpadded conditions. GRF obtained via force platform and video analysis of markers placed along the leg were used to compare contact time (CT), flight time (FT), jump height calculated from flight time (JHFT) and video data (JHVIDEO), and reactive strength index (RSI) from both calculation techniques (RSIFT and RSIVIDEO). One-way Repeated Measures ANOVA indicated significant difference in CT but not FT. Two-way Repeated Measures ANOVA indicated differences in calculation technique for JH and RSI. Results indicate faults in current technique used to sample CT and JH when comparing plyometrics in and out of water.
Optical optimization of organic solar cells based on P3HT: PCBM interpenetrating blend

In this paper, the structure ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM/Al was optimized by developing a Matlab program based on the Transfer Matrix Formalism (Inspired by McGehee Group Matlab program) [1]. The program calculates optimal thicknesses of PEDOT and P3HT:PCBM layers giving the best short circuit current (JSC) value. Simulation results show clearly an improvement in optical performances for the optimized organic solar cell. Indeed, the energy dissipation profile (Q) is maximized and confined in the active layer which contributes to improve absorption efficiency ηA. This is confirmed by a clear improvement in the fraction of light absorbed in the organic cell after thicknesses optimization.
Capacity Planning and Production Scheduling for Aircraft Painting Operations

Long-term capacity planning and production scheduling present significant challenges for the aviation industry. Our research has integrated three different modeling methodologies to effectively forecast future demand for aircraft painting and then assess and manage the capacity that is needed to meet these requirements. First, an innovative forecasting approach was developed in which stochastic processes were used to model aircraft demand over a selected time interval. These demand forecasts were used as inputs to an integer programming model, which was used to find optimal monthly aircraft painting schedules. This approach supports for resource allocation that is based on optimal scheduling, rather than the existing heuristic-based methods. The optimal monthly schedules can then serve as inputs to a discrete event simulation model of the painting operation, which can be used to test the robustness of the optimal schedules under conditions of uncertain demand and processing times.
Microbial Degradation of the Multiply Branched Alkane 2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane (Squalane) byMycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium ratisbonense

ABSTRACT Among several bacterial species belonging to the generalGordonia, Mycobacterium,Micromonospora, Pseudomonas, andRhodococcus, only two mycobacterial isolates,Mycobacterium fortuitum strain NF4 and the new isolateMycobacterium ratisbonense strain SD4, which was isolated from a sewage treatment plant, were capable of utilizing the multiply branched hydrocarbon squalane (2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosane) and its analogous unsaturated hydrocarbon squalene as the sole carbon source for growth. Detailed degradation studies and high-pressure liquid chromatography analysis showed a clear decrease of the concentrations of squalane and squalene during biomass increase. These results were supported by resting-cell experiments using strain SD4 and squalane or squalene as the substrate. The degradation of acyclic isoprenoids and alkanes as well as of acids derived from these compounds was also investigated. Inhibition of squalane and squalene degradation by acrylic acid indicated the possible involvement of β-oxidation in the degradation route. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the biodegradation of squalane by using defined axenic cultures.