Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrin β1 is involved in the signaling of glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor

Glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a potent neurotrophic factor for the substantia nigra (SN) dopamine (DA) neurons. The transmembrane signaling of GDNF is mediated by a unique receptor system, including the ligand binding receptor GDNF family receptor α (GFRα) and the transmembrane signaling receptor Ret or neural cell adhesion molecule‐140 (NCAM‐140). Here, we found that another transmembrane cell adhesion molecule, integrin, a heterodimer consisting of α and β subunits, also mediates the transmembrane signaling of GDNF. The results showed that the level of phosphorylated Src homology 2 domain containing (Shc), which was associated with the cytoplasmic domain of integrin β1, increased after GDNF administration. Coimmunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that integrin β1 could form a complex with GFRαl. The simulation of molecular modeling showed that four H‐bonds were formed between integrin β1 and GFRα. These data indicate that integrin β1 is involved in the transmembrane signaling of GDNF and suggest that integrin β1 may be an alternative signaling receptor for GDNF. J. Comp. Neurol. 509:203–210, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The csgD mRNA as a hub for signal integration via multiple small RNAs

The transcription factor CsgD governing the production of curli fimbriae and cellulose is a key player in the complex regulatory circuit that decides whether Escherichia coli form biofilms. The csgD gene itself is tightly controlled at the level of transcription by a large array of DNA‐binding proteins, but what happens after transcription is less understood. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Jørgensen et al. (2012 ), Mika et al. (2012 ) and Thomason et al. (2012 ) report on small RNAs (McaS, RprA and GcvB) that together with the RNA‐chaperone Hfq regulate the mRNAs of csgD and other biofilm genes, and illustrate the burgeoning concept that the 5′ region of bacterial mRNA serves as a hub for sRNA‐mediated signal integration at the post‐transcriptional level.
Demand and Supply Factors in the Term Structure of Interest Rates

This paper corrects the no arbitrage condition in Vasicek (1977) by pointing out that the instantaneous spot rate is logically zero. The corrected no arbitrage condition admits an extremely simple solution, which allows the latent state factors to be accurately identified from the observable yields and unambiguously interpreted as the demand and supply factors. This solution can be interpreted as a continuous time version of the preferred habitat hypothesis of Modigliani and Sutch (1966), because the demand and supply factors are equivalent, by a uniform scale, to the preferred habitats of randomly arrived lenders and borrowers.
Comparative proteomics of human embryonic stem cells and embryonal carcinoma cells

Pluripotent human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be differentiated in vitro into a variety of cells which hold promise for transplantation therapy. Human embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs), stem cells of human teratocarcinomas, are considered a close but malignant counterpart to human ESCs. In this study, a comprehensive quantitative proteomic analysis of ESCs and ECCs was carried out using the iTRAQ method. Using two‐dimensional LC and MS/MS analyses, we identified and quantitated ∼1800 proteins. Among these are proteins associated with pluripotency and development as well as tight junction signaling and TGFβ receptor pathway. Nearly ∼200 proteins exhibit more than twofold difference in abundance between ESCs and ECCs. Examples of early developmental markers high in ESCs include β‐galactoside‐binding lectin, undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor‐1, DNA cytosine methyltransferase 3β isoform‐B, melanoma antigen family‐A4, and interferon‐induced transmembrane protein‐1. In contrast, CD99‐antigen (CD99), growth differentiation factor‐3, cellular retinoic acid binding protein‐2, and developmental pluripotency associated‐4 were among the highly expressed proteins in ECCs. Several proteins that were highly expressed in ECCs such as heat shock 27 kDa protein‐1, mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase‐1, nuclear factor of κ light polypeptide gene enhancer in B‐cells inhibitor like‐2, and S100 calcium‐binding protein‐A4 have also been attributed to malignancy in other systems. Importantly, immunocytochemistry was used to validate the proteomic analyses for a subset of the proteins. In summary, this is the first large‐scale quantitative proteomic study of human ESCs and ECCs, which provides critical information about the regulators of these two closely related, but developmentally distinct, stem cells.
Energy-Sampled Data Modeling of a Cascade H-Bridge Multilevel Converter for Grid-connected PV Systems

This paper presents an energy-sampled data model of a cascade H-bridge multilevel converter for single-phase multi-string grid-connected photovoltaic systems. Based on this model a control scheme for the power converter is obtained. The achievement of the DC-AC conversion with an efficient PV energy extraction, low harmonic distortion and output unity power factor is validated with simulation results
Wireless Power Transfer Strategies for Implantable Bioelectronics

Neural implants have emerged over the last decade as highly effective solutions for the treatment of dysfunctions and disorders of the nervous system. These implants establish a direct, often bidirectional, interface to the nervous system, both sensing neural signals and providing therapeutic treatments. As a result of the technological progress and successful clinical demonstrations, completely implantable solutions have become a reality and are now commercially available for the treatment of various functional disorders. Central to this development is the wireless power transfer (WPT) that has enabled implantable medical devices (IMDs) to function for extended durations in mobile subjects. In this review, we present the theory, link design, and challenges, along with their probable solutions for the traditional near-field resonant inductively coupled WPT, capacitively coupled short-ranged WPT, and more recently developed ultrasonic, mid-field, and far-field coupled WPT technologies for implantable applications. A comparison of various power transfer methods based on their power budgets and WPT range follows. Power requirements of specific implants like cochlear, retinal, cortical, and peripheral are also considered and currently available IMD solutions are discussed. Patient's safety concerns with respect to electrical, biological, physical, electromagnetic interference, and cyber security from an implanted neurotech device are also explored in this review. Finally, we discuss and anticipate future developments that will enhance the capabilities of current-day wirelessly powered implants and make them more efficient and integrable with other electronic components in IMDs.
An Analytical Delay Model for Mechanical Stress Induced Systematic Variability Analysis in Nanoscale Circuit Design

Strain engineering for performance enhancement is an integral part of a state-of-the-art CMOS process flow. However, use of stressors makes the performance of CMOS devices layout dependent. Performance variability arising due to the use of stressor materials is often referred to as Layout Dependent Effect (LDE) variability. The existing delay models do not take LDE into consideration and, therefore, results into unaccounted change in performance and degraded design robustness. In this paper we propose an analytical delay model for Inverter, 2-input NAND and NOR gates while considering LDE variability due to the use of strain engineered devices. We compare our derived model with TCAD calibrated HSPICE simulation results and observe that our model estimates delay well for varying transistor sizes, load capacitances and input signal transition times.
Penalized maximum likelihood reconstruction for x-ray differential phase-contrast tomography.

PURPOSE The purpose of this work is to propose a cost function with regularization to iteratively reconstruct attenuation, phase, and scatter images simultaneously from differential phase contrast (DPC) acquisitions, without the need of phase retrieval, and examine its properties. Furthermore this reconstruction method is applied to an acquisition pattern that is suitable for a DPC tomographic system with continuously rotating gantry (sliding window acquisition), overcoming the severe smearing in noniterative reconstruction. METHODS We derive a penalized maximum likelihood reconstruction algorithm to directly reconstruct attenuation, phase, and scatter image from the measured detector values of a DPC acquisition. The proposed penalty comprises, for each of the three images, an independent smoothing prior. Image quality of the proposed reconstruction is compared to images generated with FBP and iterative reconstruction after phase retrieval. Furthermore, the influence between the priors is analyzed. Finally, the proposed reconstruction algorithm is applied to experimental sliding window data acquired at a synchrotron and results are compared to reconstructions based on phase retrieval. RESULTS The results show that the proposed algorithm significantly increases image quality in comparison to reconstructions based on phase retrieval. No significant mutual influence between the proposed independent priors could be observed. Further it could be illustrated that the iterative reconstruction of a sliding window acquisition results in images with substantially reduced smearing artifacts. CONCLUSIONS Although the proposed cost function is inherently nonconvex, it can be used to reconstruct images with less aliasing artifacts and less streak artifacts than reconstruction methods based on phase retrieval. Furthermore, the proposed method can be used to reconstruct images of sliding window acquisitions with negligible smearing artifacts.
HDLs activate ADAM17‐dependent shedding

The tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF) converting enzyme (ADAM17) is a metalloprotease that cleaves several transmembrane proteins, including TNF and its receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2). We recently showed that the shedding activity of ADAM17 is sequestered in lipid rafts and that cholesterol depletion increased the shedding of ADAM17 substrates. These data suggested that ADAM17 activity could be regulated by cholesterol movements in the cell membrane. We investigated if the membrane cholesterol efflux induced by high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs) was able to modify the shedding of ADAM17 substrates. HDLs added to different cell types, increased the ectodomain shedding of TNFR2, TNFR1, and TNF, an effect reduced by inhibitors active on ADAM17. The HDLs‐stimulated TNF release occurred also on cell‐free isolated plasma membranes. Purified apoA1 increased the shedding of TNF in an ABCA1‐dependent manner, suggesting a role for the cholesterol efflux in this phenomenon. HDLs reduced the cholesterol and proteins (including ADAM17) content of lipid rafts and triggered the ADAM17‐dependent cleavage of TNF in the non‐raft region of the membrane. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that HDLs alter the lipid raft structure, which in turn activates the ADAM17‐dependent processing of transmembrane substrates. J. Cell. Physiol. 214: 687–693, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE MULTICOMPARTMENT MICROFLUIDIC PLATFORMS TO INVESTIGATE TRAUMATIC AXONAL INJURY

ii Acknowledgments.iv List of Tables.xii List of Figures.xiii 1 Chapter 1: Introduction.1 1.1 Compartmentalized studies of axons and soma.2 1.2 Microtechnology in neurobiology and neuroscience.3 1.2.1 Microfluidic platforms for in vivo injury models.6 1.2.1.1 Injury mode: Physical.6 1.2.2 Microfluidic platforms for in vitro injury models.7 1.2.2.1 Injury mode: Physical.7 1.2.2. 2 Injury mode: Chemical.8 1.3 Specific Aims.10 1.4 Organization of the Thesis.10 2 Chapter 2: Microfluidic Multi-Compartment Chamber Devices in Neuroscience and Neuroengineering.12 2.
Multiple mediators of plant programmed cell death: Interplay of conserved cell death mechanisms and plant‐specific regulators

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a process aimed at the removal of redundant, misplaced, or damaged cells and it is essential to the development and maintenance of multicellular organisms. In contrast to the relatively well‐described cell death pathway in animals, often referred to as apoptosis, mechanisms and regulation of plant PCD are still ill‐defined. Several morphological and biochemical similarities between apoptosis and plant PCD have been described, including DNA laddering, caspase‐like proteolytic activity, and cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have emerged as important signals in the activation of plant PCD. In addition, several plant hormones may exert their respective effects on plant PCD through the regulation of ROS accumulation. The possible plant PCD regulators discussed in this review are integrated in a model that combines plant‐specific regulators with mechanisms functionally conserved between animals and plants. BioEssays 25:47–57, 2003. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subtype Specific Prognostic Nomogram for Patients With Primary Liposarcoma of the Retroperitoneum, Extremity, or Trunk

Objective:To determine the prognostic significance of histologic subtype in a large series of patients with primary liposarcoma (LS) and to construct a LS-specific postoperative nomogram for disease-specific survival (DSS). Summary Background Data:Nomograms, used to define and predict outcome following operative intervention, may contain variables not conventionally used in standard staging systems. A 12-year DSS postoperative nomogram for all sarcomas has already been established. Methods:From a single-institution prospective sarcoma database, patients with primary extremity, truncal, or retroperitoneal LS treated between 1982 and 2005 were identified. Histology was reviewed by a sarcoma pathologist and divided into 5 subtypes. A nomogram predictive of 5- and 12-year DSS was developed. Results:Of 801 patients with primary LS resected with curative intent, 369 (46%) presented with well-differentiated, 143 (18%) dedifferentiated, 144 (18%) myxoid, 81 (10%) round cell, and 64 (8%) pleomorphic histology. The median tumor burden was 15 cm (range, 1–139 cm). At last follow-up, 560 patients were alive with a median follow-up time of 45 months (range, 1–264 months) and 51 months for surviving patients. The 5- and 12-year DSS rates were 83% (95% confidence interval [CI], 80%–86%) and 72% (95% CI, 67%–77%), respectively. The nomogram was drawn on the basis of a Cox regression model. The independent predictors of DSS were age, presentation status, histologic variant, primary site, tumor burden, and gross margin status. The nomogram was internally validated using bootstrapping and shown to have excellent calibration. The concordance index was 0.827 compared with 0.776 for the general sarcoma postoperative nomogram for 12-year DSS. Conclusion:The LS-specific nomogram based on histologic subtype provides more accurate survival predictions for patients with primary LS than the previously established generic sarcoma nomogram. DSS nomograms aid in more accurate counseling of patients, identification of patients appropriate for adjuvant therapy, and stratification of patients for clinical trials and molecular analysis.
[A comparative study of C19 steroid-induced hypertension and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension].

In order to evaluate the hypertensinogenic action of 19-hydroxyandrostenedione (19-OH-AD), which has been reported to be an amplifier of mineralocorticoid, the changes in several humoral factors were observed in 19-OH-AD treated rats as compared to those in DOCA hypertensive rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were castrated at 11 weeks of age, and the experiments were begun at 12 weeks of age. The rats were divided into 3 groups. The control group (n = 8) was given an s.c. injection of 0.2 ml of sesame oil. The 19-OH-AD group (n = 10) was injected s.c. with 10 mg of 19-OH-AD dissolved in 0.2 ml of sesame oil, and the DOCA group (n = 8) was injected s.c. with 10 mg of DOCA dissolved in 0.2 ml of sesame oil three time weekly. The urine was collected for a period of 24 hours, and the urine volume, and urinary excretions of electrolytes, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), kinin and catecholamine were measured before and after the start of the experiment. The systolic blood pressure (S.B.P.) was measured by the tail-cuff method. The S.B. P. values before and at 9 weeks after the start of the experiments were 136.7 +/- 3.8 and 156.0 +/- 2.6 mmHg in the 19-OH-AD group, and 140.6 +/- 5.6 and 179.3 +/- 5.5 mmHg in the DOCA group, respectively. Body weight, which was elevated in both groups, was higher in the 19-OH-AD group than in the DOCA group. Water intake and urine volume were significantly (p less than 0.001) increased only in the DOCA group. The urinary Na/K ratio was significantly (p less than 0.001) elevated in the DOCA group as compared to that in the other two groups. However, there was no significant difference in urinary Na/K ratio between the control and 19-OH-AD groups. The urinary PGE2 and kinin excretions were significantly (p less than 0.01) increased in the DOCA group but did not change appreciably in the 19-OH-AD group. The urinary catecholamine excretion was significantly increased in the DOCA group. However, there were no differences in the catecholamine excretion between the control and 19-OH-AD groups. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Passive two-phase cooling for automotive power electronics

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of a passive two-phase cooling strategy as a means of cooling automotive power electronics. The proposed cooling approach utilizes an indirect cooling configuration to alleviate some reliability concerns and to allow the use of conventional power modules. An inverter-scale proof-of-concept cooling system was fabricated and tested using the refrigerants hydrofluoroolefin HFO-1234yf and hydrofluorocarbon HFC-245 fa. Results demonstrated that the system can dissipate at least 3.5 kW of heat with 250 cm3 of HFC-245fa. An advanced evaporator concept that incorporates features to improve performance and reduce its size was designed. Simulation results indicate the concept's thermal resistance can be 58% to 65% lower than automotive dual-side-cooled power modules. Tests were also conducted to measure the thermal performance of two air-cooled condensers-plain and rifled finned tube designs. The results combined with some analysis were then used to estimate the required condenser size per operating conditions and maximum allowable system (i.e., vapor and liquid) temperatures.
Protective effect of different antioxidant agents in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes

Skin cells can respond to UVB-induced damage either by tolerating it, or restoring it through antioxidant activation and DNA repair mechanisms or, ultimately, undergoing programmed cell death, when damage is massive. Nutritional factors, in particular, food antioxidants, have attracted much interest because of their potential use in new preventive, protective, and therapeutic strategies for chronic degenerative diseases, including skin inflammation and cancer. Some polyphenols, present in virgin olive oil, well tolerated by organism after oral administration, show a variety of pharmacological and clinical benefits such as antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuro-protective activities. Here, the protective effects of antioxidant compounds against UV-induced apoptosis have been described in HaCaT cell line. Human keratinocytes were pre-treated with antioxidants before UVB exposure and their effects have been evaluated by means of ultrastructural analyses. After UVB radiation, a known cell death trigger, typical apoptotic features, absent in control condition and in antioxidant alone-treated cells, appear. An evident numerical decrease of ultrastructural apoptotic patterns and TUNEL positive nuclei can be observed when natural antioxidants were supplied before cell death induction. These data have been confirmed by molecular investigation of caspase activity. In conclusion, this paper highlights antioxidant compound ability to prevent apoptotic cell death in human keratinocytes exposed to UVB, suggesting, for these molecules, a potential role in preventing skin damage.
Efficient decentralized active balancing strategy for smart battery cells

Among series-connected cells in large battery packs, such as those found in electric vehicles, a charge imbalance develops over time due to manufacturing and temperature variations. Therefore, active balancing strategies can be employed in Battery Management Systems (BMSs) to attain a charge balance among cells by transferring charge between them, maximizing the usable capacity of the battery pack. Recently, decentralized BMS architectures with smart battery cells have been developed, in which balancing strategies can operate by local cooperation between the cells without requiring global coordination. In this paper, we propose a decentralized active balancing strategy for smart cells where we identify boundary cells having special properties. These boundary cells enable to divide the global balancing problem into independent subproblems, where local decisions on charge transfers eventually converge to a globally balanced battery pack. The proposed strategy is implemented in a simulator framework and compared with two decentralized state-of-the-art strategies. Our results show significantly improved performance and scalability of the proposed strategy in terms of charge transfer losses and communication overhead between cells, while maintaining a comparable time to balance.
Developmental Strategies of Organizational Productivity

In this article the authors briefly explore the limitations of current perspectives on managing productivity improvement in organizations. Included in this discussion is a model that defines appropriate strategies of productivity improvement in terms of its relationship to goal congruency and cause-effect relationships. The conclusion of this discussion is that traditional notions of productivity defined in terms of efficiency criteria are relevant only when goals can be specifically stated and when cause-effect relationships are clearly evident.
Modeling and identification of irrigation station with sprinkling : Takagi-Sugeno approach

the spray under pressure is an effective save on water. This task should be automated and controlled in order to limit the water waste and the facilities of damages. For this reason, it's necessary to find a mathematical model describing the irrigation process. In order to facilitate this step the TakagiSugeno fuzzy model is the best approaches of nonlinear systems representation. Various techniques are used in the literature of such systems; the clustering technique is one of the best solutions. In this paper, we'll model the irrigation station with the T-S algorithm and use the fuzzy c-means (FCM) algorithm and present the results of simulation Keywords— Irrigation Station; T-S modeling; FCM algorithm; clusters.