Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Von Willebrand Factor in Cultured Human Vascular Endothelial Cells from Adult and Umbilical Cord Arteries and Veins

Summary Endothelial cells were cultured from various human arteries and veins, obtained from adult individuals and from umbilical cords. We compared the storage and secretion of von Willebrand factor by endothelial cells from umbilical veins with that of endothelial cells cultured from a number of adult vessels, including aorta, arteria iliaca, vena saphena magna and vena cava. There were no differences in the way the cultured endothelial cells handled the von Willebrand factor they synthesized. Endothelial cells from the various vessels responded to stimuli in secreting stored von Willebrand factor. The cells also responded to thrombin and ionophore A23187 in producing enhanced amounts of prostacyclin. Thus, cultured umbilical vein endothelial cells have properties that are very similar to those of cultured endothelial cells of various other origins. It is concluded that foetal venous cells provide a representative model for studies of endothelial cell von Willebrand factor biosynthesis and prostacyclin production.
White Clover Morphology Changes with Stress Treatments

The plasticity of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) results in changes in plant habit in response to different environmental stresses. The objective of this research was to characterize those morphological changes associated with plasticity in white clover clones derived from ‘Osceola’, ‘Grassland Huia’, and SRVR germplasm. Clones were exposed to treatments in the following two-way factorial design: no clipping or clipping on 7-d intervals and barrier to stolon rooting or no barrier. In a three-season greenhouse test, 90 clones were measured for leaf dry weight (DW), stolon DW, stolon length, root DW, and apex number. Generated parameters were herbage DW (leaf DW + stolon DW), biomass DW (root DW + herbage DW), leaf-to-stem ratio (leaf DW ÷ stolon DW), and herbage-to-root ratio (herbage DW ÷ root DW). Plant means were significantly reduced for all traits and ratios with repeated clipping. The rooting barrier significantly reduced apex number, root DW, and the leaf-to-stem ratio while increasing the stolon DW and the herbage-to-root ratio. The interaction of root barrier and repeated clipping was significant for apex number, root DW, and the herbage-to-root ratio. Near zero correlations for the same measurements made on the same clone grown with different stress treatments suggest genetic differences in the magnitude of plasticity. Path analysis further described changes in relationships among traits for plants exposed to different stresses. The magnitude of plasticity appeared to be a clone-specific phenomenon that may frustrate verifying gain with selection for progenies of selections evaluated in different environments.
The FTD‐like syndrome causing TREM2 T66M mutation impairs microglia function, brain perfusion, and glucose metabolism

Genetic variants in the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) increase the risk for several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Homozygous TREM2 missense mutations, such as p.T66M, lead to the FTD‐like syndrome, but how they cause pathology is unknown. Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we generated a knock‐in mouse model for the disease‐associated Trem2 p.T66M mutation. Consistent with a loss‐of‐function mutation, we observe an intracellular accumulation of immature mutant Trem2 and reduced generation of soluble Trem2 similar to patients with the homozygous p.T66M mutation. Trem2 p.T66M knock‐in mice show delayed resolution of inflammation upon in vivo lipopolysaccharide stimulation and cultured macrophages display significantly reduced phagocytic activity. Immunohistochemistry together with in vivo TSPO small animal positron emission tomography (μPET) demonstrates an age‐dependent reduction in microglial activity. Surprisingly, perfusion magnetic resonance imaging and FDG‐μPET imaging reveal a significant reduction in cerebral blood flow and brain glucose metabolism. Thus, we demonstrate that a TREM2 loss‐of‐function mutation causes brain‐wide metabolic alterations pointing toward a possible function of microglia in regulating brain glucose metabolism.
Feature Selection Using Rough Set For Improving the Performance of the Supervised Learner

Prediction plays a significant role in the human life to predict the situation, climate, finance, outcome of the particular event or activities, etc. This predication can be achieved by the classifier which is formally known as supervised learner. The classifier can be built using the dataset and its performance is based on the attributes or features present in the dataset which are highly relevant to the predictive target attributes. The feature selection process removes the redundant and irrelevant features from the dataset to improve the performance of the classifier. This paper proposes a rough set-based feature selection method to remove the redundant and irrelevant features in order to improve the performance the classifier. The proposed method is tested on the various datasets with the various supervised learning algorithms and it is evident that the proposed method producing the better performance than the other methods compared.
MRI tumor response and clinical outcomes after LINAC radiosurgery on 50 patients with recurrent malignant gliomas.

Background The place of radiosurgery (RS) as an option in the treatment of recurrent malignant glioma is still debated on in the absence of prospective randomized trials. Objective To assess the clinical outcome and MRI response after radiosurgery of recurrent malignant glioma. Methods We evaluated 50 consecutive patients treated in a single institution. Between 2001 and 2008, 34 glioblastoma (GBM) and 16 anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO) patients were treated with linear accelerator (Linac) RS for recurrence. Results The median marginal dose was 15 Gy and the median gross tumor volume (GTV) was 6.64 ml. No patient had acute (< 3 months) neurological morbidity after RS. Ten patients (20%) were reoperated on after RS, histopathological findings included necrosis alone in 3 cases (6%). The median overall survival was 21.5 months for GBM and 57.9 months for AO. The median survival after RS was 9.5 months for GBM and 32.9 months for AO. The median progression-free survival after RS was 6.7 months for GBM and 18 months for AO. MRI volume modifications after RS showed a transitory reduction or stabilization of disease linked to significantly improved survival in 58.8% of patients with GBM, 81.1% of patients with AO. Pathological subtype (AO versus GBM), MRI response, KPS >70, marginal dose > 13 Gy, largest diameter of GTV < 25 mm and GTV < 7 ml were the main prognostic factors, associated with improved survival or PFS from RS. Conclusion The magnitude of the survival increase compared to historical RPA classes may not be due to selection bias alone. Linac RS in selected patients with recurrent malignant glioma was well tolerated, effective and can be considered as one of several re-treatment options.
Reconnection events in two-dimensional Hall magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

The statistical study of magnetic reconnection events in two-dimensional turbulence has been performed by comparing numerical simulations of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and Hall magnetohydrodynamics (HMHD). The analysis reveals that the Hall term plays an important role in turbulence, in which magnetic islands simultaneously reconnect in a complex way. In particular, an increase of the Hall parameter, the ratio of ion skin depth to system size, broadens the distribution of reconnection rates relative to the MHD case. Moreover, in HMHD the local geometry of the reconnection region changes, manifesting bifurcated current sheets and quadrupolar magnetic field structures in analogy to laminar studies, leading locally to faster reconnection processes in this case of reconnection embedded in turbulence. This study supports the idea that the global rate of energy dissipation is controlled by the large scale turbulence, but suggests that the distribution of the reconnection rates within the turbulent system is sensitive to the microphysics at the reconnection sites.
Communication in context: Interpreting promises in an experiment on competition and trust

Significance Does competition increase deception? Competition is likely to induce inflated promises, but are these promises believed, and are they followed through? We argue that the question requires care in the definition of deception. We report on an experiment where competition does indeed inflate promises, but the promises are neither believed literally nor discarded. Bigger promises are interpreted by both sides as signals of equitable intentions, without being meant or read literally. Behavior does not follow the letter of the promise, but we argue that the deviation is not perceived as deception—the language code has changed. Analyses of competition, deception, and trust need to take into account the shared understanding of the message itself. How much do people lie, and how much do people trust communication when lying is possible? An important step toward answering these questions is understanding how communication is interpreted. This paper establishes in a canonical experiment that competition can alter the shared communication code: the commonly understood meaning of messages. We study a sender–receiver game in which the sender dictates how to share $10 with the receiver, if the receiver participates. The receiver has an outside option and decides whether to participate after receiving a nonbinding offer from the sender. Competition for play between senders leads to higher offers but has no effect on actual transfers, expected transfers, or receivers’ willingness to play. The higher offers signal that sharing will be equitable without the expectation that they should be followed literally: Under competition “6 is the new 5. ”
A new high speed and high efficiency GaN HEMT switching cell for envelope tracking modulators

This paper presents a new high-speed and high-power switching circuit based on GaN HEMTs, well suited for envelope tracking supply modulators. The proposed switching cell operates up to 100MHz switching frequencies and provides output voltages up to 50V with high efficiency. This new topology takes advantage of a minimum number of components for reducing switching power losses. Moreover, this circuit acts like an inverting threshold comparator with rising and falling times in the order of one nanosecond. A theoretical analysis of static operation and a design approach are described and validated with measurements performed on a hybrid demonstration board.
Ouabain Induces Nitric Oxide Release by a PI3K/Akt-dependent Pathway in Isolated Aortic Rings From Rats With Heart Failure

Background: Ouabain occurs in nanomolar concentrations in myocardial infarction and heart failure (HF). However, the effects of ouabain in vascular function in HF conditions were not investigated yet. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of acute administration of 3 nM ouabain in isolated aortic rings from rats with HF 4 weeks after myocardial infarction. Methods and Results: Rats were submitted to sham operation or coronary artery occlusion. In HF rats, left ventricular positive and negative derivatives of intraventricular pressure reduced and left ventricular end diastolic pressure increased. Phenylephrine responses increased in HF rings when compared with controls. Ouabain incubation for 45 minutes reduced phenylephrine-induced contraction in both groups. Endothelial removal increased more phenylephrine response in ouabain-treated rings of sham rats. Ouabain potentiated the effect of L-NAME in both groups but more in sham rats. Wortmannin increased the phenylephrine response only in HF rings. The effect of tetraethylammonium was potentiated by ouabain only in HF rings. Ouabain increased phenylephrine-stimulated nitric oxide production in rings from both groups but increased the activation of Akt only in vessels from HF rats. Conclusions: Results demonstrate that low ouabain concentration can decrease vascular reactivity of aortic rings from HF rats. Ouabain was able to increase nitric oxide production in HF rats by triggering a signal transduction PI3K/Akt-dependent pathway and increasing an endothelium-hyperpolarizing factor release.
Melatonin regulates the transcription of βAPP‐cleaving secretases mediated through melatonin receptors in human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells

Melatonin is involved in the control of various physiological functions, such as sleep, cell growth and free radical scavenging. The ability of melatonin to behave as an antioxidant, together with the fact that the Alzheimer‐related amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) triggers oxidative stress through hydroxyl radical‐induced cell death, suggests that melatonin could reduce Alzheimer's pathology. Although the exact etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains to be established, excess Aβ is believed to be the primary contributor to the dysfunction and degeneration of neurons that occurs in AD. Aβ peptides are produced via the sequential cleavage of β‐secretase β‐site APP‐cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and γ‐secretase (PS1/PS2), while α‐secretase (ADAM10) prevents the production of Aβ peptides. We hypothesized that melatonin could inhibit BACE1 and PS1/PS2 and enhance ADAM10 expression. Using the human neuronal SH‐SY5Y cell line, we found that melatonin inhibited BACE1 and PS1 and activated ADAM10 mRNA level and protein expression in a concentration‐dependent manner and mediated via melatonin G protein‐coupled receptors. Melatonin inhibits BACE1 and PS1 protein expressions through the attenuation of nuclear factor‐κB phosphorylation (pNF‐κB). Moreover, melatonin reduced BACE1 promoter transactivation and consequently downregulated β‐secretase catalytic activity. The present data show that melatonin is not only a potential regulator of β/γ‐secretase but also an activator of α‐secretase expression through the activation of protein kinase C, thereby favoring the nonamyloidogenic pathway over the amyloidogenic pathway. Altogether, our findings suggest that melatonin may be a potential therapeutic agent for reducing the risk of AD in humans.
Pulse position/width collaborative control for reducing EMI noise and ripple voltage in switching DC-DC converter

A novel method for “pulse position/width collaborative control” in a switching DC-DC converter-for reducing both electro-magnetic-interference (EMI) noise and output ripple voltage-is proposed. A switching DC-DC converter inherently produces large EMI noise because of its periodical switching-control operation. Pulse-position modulation (PPM) is one method for reducing EMI noise by spreading the switching control signal. As a trade-off, however, output ripple voltage increases because the variation of pulse density causes fluctuation of output voltage. The proposed control method reduces EMI noise by spreading pulse positions and compensates pulse-density variation by controlling pulse widths collaboratively. Unlike conventional PPM, the proposed control method reduces ripple voltage. Model-based simulations and experimental measurements confirmed the advantage of the proposed control method; namely, EMI noise is reduced by 12 dB, while output ripple voltage is decreased by 58%.
Overview of Innovative Mouse Models for Imaging Neuroinflammation

Neuroinflammation demands a comprehensive appraisal in situ to gain in‐depth knowledge on the roles of particular cells and molecules and their potential roles in therapy. Because of the lack of appropriate tools, direct visualization of cells has been poorly investigated up to the present. In this context, reporter mice expressing cell‐specific fluorescent proteins, combined with multiphoton microscopy, provide a window into cellular processes in living animals. In addition, the ability to collect multiple fluorescent colors from the same sample makes in vivo microscopy uniquely useful for characterizing many parameters from the same area, supporting powerful correlative analyses. Here, we present an overview of the advantages and limitations of this approach, with the purpose of providing insight into the neuroinflammation field. We also provide a review of existing fluorescent mouse models and describe how these models have been used in studies of neuroinflammation. Finally, the potential for developing advanced genetic tools and imaging resources is discussed. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Dynamic Attention as a Predictor of Driving Performance in Clinical Populations: Preliminary Results

Existing tests (e.g., useful field of view; UFOV) that are commonly used to evaluate visual attention when predicting at-risk drivers do not have a dynamic component. In this project, the authors developed a brief computerized test of dynamic visual attention (multiple object tracking; MOT). Estimates of threshold tracking speed from the brief MOT test showed good agreement with those determined by a full psychometric function (n = 41, r = 0.876, p < 0.001). The brief MOT test was then implemented in a clinical driving assessment program; participants with poorer MOT scores had higher error scores on the road test (n = 15, r = -0.670, p = 0.006).
Coupling interface circuit design for experimental characterization of the narrowband power line communication channel

This paper presents the design of an appropriate coupling interface circuit for measuring indoor power line transmission channel characteristics in CENELEC/FCC/ARIB low-frequency bands. This coupling circuit prevents the powerful and damaging 50 Hz/220 V current from entering sensitive measurement equipments while allowing narrowband PLC signals reception. It also guarantees impedance matching and instruments protection from very large voltage spikes and fast transients. Tests following EN 50065-2-3 standard [1] are done to verify that the proposed coupling interface provides a high safety level and is in compliance with immunity requirements.
Depth Dependent Relationships between Temperature and Ocean Heterotrophic Prokaryotic Production

Marine prokaryotes play a key role in cycling of organic matter and nutrients in the ocean. Using a unique dataset (>14,500 samples), we applied a space-for-time substitution analysis to assess the temperature dependence of prokaryotic heterotrophic production (PHP) in epi- (0–200 m), meso- (201–1,000m) and bathypelagic waters (1,001–4,000 m) of the global ocean. Here, we show that the temperature dependence of PHP is fundamentally different between these major oceanic depth layers, with an estimated ecosystem-level activation energy (Ea) of 36 ± 7 kJ mol–1 for the epipelagic, 72 ± 15 kJ mol–1 for the mesopelagic and 274 ± 65 kJ mol–1 for the bathypelagic realm. We suggest that the increasing temperature dependence with depth is related to the parallel vertical gradient in the proportion of recalcitrant organic compounds. These Ea predict an increased PHP of about 5, 12 and 55% in the epi-, meso- and bathypelagic ocean, respectively, in response to a water temperature increase by 1oC. Hence, there is indication that a major thus far underestimated feedback mechanism exists between future bathypelagic ocean warming and heterotrophic prokaryotic activity.
Closed Form of Optimum Cooperative Distributed Relay Amplifying Matrix

This paper presents a closed form of an optimal cooperative amplify-and-forward (AF) relay amplifying matrix for a distributed relay network of M-source-M-destination pairs and N relays, called a cooperative distributed AF relay network. The objective of this paper is to derive closed forms of minimum mean square error (MMSE)-based and zero-forcing (ZF)-based optimal AF relay amplifying matrices for the cooperative distributed AF relay network under the transmitter power constraint (TPC) at the relays, the receiver power constraint (RPC) at the destinations, and the no-power constraint (NPC) condition. Additionally, by substituting the derived optimum AF relay amplifying matrices into the original cost functions (CFs), the behavior of the optimum CFs and the total optimum signal component power (SCP) at the destinations are compared to each other for different cases. Finally, using the MMSE criterion, a novel relay selection scheme is proposed for the cooperative distributed AF relay network.
Mechanistic Studies of Advanced Glycosylation End Product Inhibition by Aminoguanidine

Aminoguanidine-HCl inhibits the formation of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) in vitro and in vivo, but the mechanism by which this occurs has not been determined. Aminoguanidine inhibited glucose-derived AGE formation on RNase A by 67–85% at aminoguanidine-glucose molar ratios of 1:5 to 1:50 without affecting the concentration of Amadori products. Fast–atom-bombardment mass spectrometry of RNase peptides incubated with glucose alone or with glucose plus aminoguanidine showed that aminoguanidine inhibited the formation of AGEs without forming an adduct with glycosylated peptide. These data suggest that the primary mechanism of aminoguanidine action is reaction with Amadori-derived fragmentation products in solution. These findings are relevant to the potential clinical use of aminoguanidine in the prevention of diabetic complications.
Klimawirkungen und Nachhaltigkeit ökologischer und konventioneller Betriebssysteme - Untersuchungen in einem Netzwerk von Pilotbetrieben: Forschungsergebnisse 2013-2014

Im vorliegenden Abschlussbericht wird uber die im Projektverbund "Klimawirkungen und Nachhaltigkeit okologischer und konventioneller Betriebssysteme - Untersuchungen in einem Netzwerk von Pilotbetrieben" durchgefuhrten Arbeiten berichtet. Die Projekte werden im Rahmen des "Bundesprogramms Okologischer Landbau und andere Formen nachhaltiger Landwirtschaft" vom Bundesministerium fur Ernahrung und Landwirtschaft uber die Bundesanstalt fur Landwirtschaft und Ernahrung unter den Forderkennzeichen 06OE160 (Technische Universitat Munchen) und 06OE353 (Thunen- Institut) gefordert. Der Bericht enthalt Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen der Jahre 2013 und 2014. Erkenntnisse aus den ersten vier Projektjahren wurden bereits im Thunen Report 8 (2013) publiziert. Der projektubergreifende Charakter des Forschungsberichts ist fachlich begrundet und erfolgt in Abstimmung aller Projektpartner und fordernden Institutionen. Projektziele und Vorgehensweise sowie die Ergebnisse der am Projekt beteiligten Arbeitsgruppen werden in eigenstandigen Artikeln dargestellt. An ausgewahlten Pilotbetrieben wird gezeigt, welche betrieblichen Optimierungsansatze in den Bereichen Tiergesundheit und Tierwohl und der Ressourceneffizienz (Nahrstoff-, Energie- und Landnutzungseffizienz) vorstellbar sind. Grundlage hierfur sind Monitoringdaten und modellgestutzte Analysen, erste Auswertungen zu Tiergesundheit und Tierwohl nach dem 'Welfare Quality Assessment protocol for cattle' sowie zum Arzneimitteleinsatz in der Milchviehhaltung. Im Teil 'Wissenschafts-Praxis-Transfer' wird untersucht, ob die Daten und die neu entwickelten Beratungsinstrumente betriebliche Entwicklungsprozesse wirksam unterstutzen.