Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brain Transplantation of Immortalized Human Neural Stem Cells Promotes Functional Recovery in Mouse Intracerebral Hemorrhage Stroke Model

We have generated stable, immortalized cell lines of human NSCs from primary human fetal telencephalon cultures via a retroviral vector encoding v‐myc. HB1.F3, one of the human NSC lines, expresses a normal human karyotype of 46, XX, and nestin, a cell type‐specific marker for NSCs. F3 has the ability to proliferate continuously and differentiate into cells of neuronal and glial lineage. The HB1.F3 human NSC line was used for cell therapy in a mouse model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) stroke. Experimental ICH was induced in adult mice by intrastriatal administration of bacterial collagenase; 1 week after surgery, the rats were randomly divided into two groups so as to receive intracerebrally either human NSCs labeled with β‐galactosidase (n = 31) or phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) (n = 30). Transplanted NSCs were detected by 5‐bromo‐4‐chloro‐3‐indolyl‐β‐d‐galactoside histochemistry or double labeling with β‐galactosidase (β‐gal) and mitogen‐activated protein (MAP)2, neurofilaments (both for neurons), or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (for astrocytes). Behavior of the animals was evaluated for period up to 8 weeks using modified Rotarod tests and a limb placing test. Transplanted human NSCs were identified in the perihematomal areas and differentiated into neurons (β‐gal/MAP2+ and β‐gal/NF+) or astrocytes (β‐gal/GFAP+). The NSC‐transplanted group showed markedly improved functional performance on the Rotarod test and limb placing after 2–8 weeks compared with the control PBS group (p < .001). These results indicate that the stable immortalized human NSCs are a valuable source of cells for cell replacement and gene transfer for the treatment of ICH and other human neurological disorders.
Effect of protein synthesis inhibition on gene expression during early development of Dictyostelium discoideum

Several genes which are deactivated on the initiation of development of Dictyostelium discoideum were identified by differential screening of various cDNA libraries. These genes have in common a decrease in the steady-state levels of their corresponding mRNAs on the onset of development and as development proceeds. When development was carried out in the absence of protein synthesis by inhibition with cycloheximide, the decrease in mRNA levels for most genes (V genes) was normal or slightly accelerated. For about 5% of the genes (H genes), however, cycloheximide caused an apparent induction of expression, as revealed by a slight or dramatic increase in mRNA levels, instead of the normal decrease. This effect was due to inhibition of protein synthesis and not to cycloheximide per se. The induction was found to be due to an enhancement of the transcription rate; normal rates of transcription for the H genes were dependent on continued protein synthesis during vegetative growth and development. Thus, two general regulatory classes exist for deactivation of gene expression on initiation of development, one of which is dependent on and one of which is independent of protein synthesis. Analysis of expression of these genes in mutant strains which are aggregation deficient allowed the classes to be subdivided further. Taken together, these characterizations allow several distinct regulatory mechanisms to be identified that are involved in the deactivation of gene expression on the onset of development in D. discoideum.
The added value of propensity score matching when using health‐related quality of life reference data

Direct comparisons of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes between non‐randomized groups might be biased, as outcomes are confounded by imbalance in pre‐treatment patient characteristics. Such bias can be reduced by adjusting on observed covariates. This is the setting of HRQoL comparisons with reference data, where age and gender adjustment is commonly used for this purpose. However, other observed covariates can be used to lessen this bias and yield more precise estimates. The objective of this study is to show that more accurate HRQoL comparisons with reference data can be obtained, accounting for few covariates in addition to age and gender by a propensity score matching approach. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can Regulations Make It More Difficult to Serve the Poor? The Case of Childcare Services in Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract Private and community-driven efforts can be an important resource to expand early childhood education and care (ECEC) services to poor children, under the right conditions and design. The regulations imposed on private ECEC provision, while having an impact on quality, may increase costs of provision and in return prices of services, reducing accessibility and affordability for poor households. This paper considers the impact of regulations on private ECEC in a highly regulated childcare market in a developing country. Using data from a recently fielded survey that sampled 141 private ECEC facilities in Istanbul, Turkey, the paper looks at the impact of fixed regulations on prices and poor children’s access to services, in particular the outdoor space requirement that was originally imposed on private providers in the 1960s and has over time become more difficult to fulfill in densely populated districts of the city. The paper estimates that controlling for other provider characteristics, in districts where such requirement is more binding, the price of childcare services increases by 376.2 TL per child per month and the percentage of children enrolled coming from poor backgrounds lowers by 15.1% points than in districts where such standard proves less challenging.
Complete Genome Sequence of Methanosaeta concilii, a Specialist in Aceticlastic Methanogenesis

ABSTRACT The genome sequence of the aceticlastic methanoarchaeon Methanosaeta concilii GP6, comprised of a 3,008,626-bp chromosome and an 18,019-bp episome, has been determined and exhibits considerable differences in gene content from that of Methanosaeta thermophila.
Management of Flap Striae

There have been no comprehensive investigations of striae after LASIK. The ophthalmic literature has few reports, and no one consistent therapy has been recommended. Striae are relatively uncommon; nevertheless, refractive surgeons need a systematic approach in prevention and therapy for striae. Careful flap handling and positioning can prevent many striae. Early recognition is very important and makes treatment significantly more likely to eliminate or reduce the striae. If the striae are identified within 24 hours, lifting and refloating will likely result in resolution of the striae. If the striae are more imbedded and have been present longer, additional techniques, such as those discussed, are helpful. New techniques will likely be developed because of an increase in lamellar procedures and an increase in the occurrence of striae.
Simian virus 40 (SV40) and human cancer: a review of the serological data

Serum antibodies are widely utilised as specific and sensitive markers of virus infections but they have been employed relatively infrequently in the investigation of simian virus 40 (SV40) as a human carcinogen. In the past few years, serological data have become available which allow an examination of whether SV40 is currently circulating in human communities and if SV40 infection is associated with human cancer. The development of EIA with virus‐like particles (VLPs) of SV40, BKV and JCV has facilitated serological studies. Sera from macaques naturally infected with SV40 cross‐react unambiguously with BKV and JCV VLPs. Tests of over 9000 human sera with different immunological assays reveal a common pattern of SV40 reactivity. A small proportion of sera react at low titers and this reactivity is unrelated to age or the geographic location of the donor, but correlates with the presence and titers of BKV and JCV antibodies. Absorption with BKV and JCV VLPs decreases or abolishes the SV40 reactivity of human sera. The SV40 reactivity of sera from patients with mesothelioma, osteosarcoma or lymphomas, cancers which are reported to be associated with SV40, was similar to that in their controls or other comparison groups. The SV40 reactivity of human sera appears to be almost entirely a result of cross‐reactivity with BKV and JCV antibodies. Serological data thus do not support the possibility that SV40 is circulating in human communities or that it is associated with human cancer. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compact Rat-Race Coupler Using Shunt-Stub-Based Artificial Transmission Lines

In this letter, a compact rat-race coupler is developed using shunt-stub-based artificial transmission lines (SSB ATLs). A conventional quarter-wavelength microstrip can be equivalent to an SSB ATL realized by two series high-impedance microstrips with the high-impedance branch-type shunt stubs. The circuit configuration of the SSB ATL is beneficial to miniaturize the circuit size using the folding technique. By integrating six SSB ATLs, a compact rat-race coupler can be implemented with a 3.9% circuit size of the conventional one. The measured results of the developed rat-race coupler are in a good agreement with the simulated results by full-wave electromagnetic simulator.
Improvement of the energy recovery of traction electrical drives using supercapacitors

In the paper the possibility of improving the energy recovered during the braking of railway vehicles and reduction of power peaks during accelerating are discussed. The energy available from the regenerative braking of the motor is stored into supercapacitor sets placed on board and reused subsequently for the acceleration of the train. This auxiliary storage system allows the reduction of the losses on the line, because the power peaks are shaved by supercapacitors and, hence, the rms power supplied is reduced. In addition, also the energy consumption of the train can be reduced respect to traditional convoys, especially if the characteristic duty-cycle presents many accelerations and braking periods as the case of subways trains. The set of supercapacitors needs the use of an intermediate dc/dc converter in order to harmonize the voltage with that of the dc-link of the drive and control the power flows of the supercapacitors. The mathematical model of the whole system and the control strategy of energy management are presented. The actual possibilities of the energy recovery are shown by means of numeric simulations and expressed in percentage respect to the energy drawn during accelerations. The control strategy has been experimentally validated on a scale system made of an asynchronous drive supplied by a dc source and a set of supercapacitors as auxiliary storage device.
Regulated temporal and spatial expression of the calcium‐binding proteins calcyclin and opn (osteopontin) in mouse tissues during pregnancy

In situ hybridization and northern/slot blot analyses were used to quantify the expression of calcyclin (2A9, 5B10), osteopontin (opn, secreted phosphoprotein, 2ar) and calmodulin mRNAs in mouse tissues that support pregnancy. High‐to‐moderate levels of the mRNAs of all three genes were detected at discrete locations in the uterus, decidua and placenta as a function of gestation time. Calmodulin expression was constant in these tissues; calcyclin mRNA was high during early pregnancy and declined after day 8–9 of gestation; and opn mRNA was undetectable before day 7, with maximal levels on days 9–12 in each of these tissues. Calcyclin, but not opn, expression was also observed in the chorioamnion after day 12. Calcyclin was expressed throughout the decidua on day 8 but became restricted to the primary (antimesometrial) decidual zone and decidua lateralis on day 9, and the decidua capsularis after day 9. By contrast, opn mRNA was localized on day 9 to the mesometrial triangle, which contains a large population of granulated metrial gland cells, and to the decidua basalis. These two genes may serve as markers for the two types of decidual tissue. We suggest that one function of OPN, which may be an indicator of cells in the decidua that have a bone marrow genealogy, is to mediate the flux of calcium from the maternal circulation to the developing embryo.
Competent Geometric Semantic Genetic Programming for Symbolic Regression and Boolean Function Synthesis

Program semantics is a promising recent research thread in Genetic Programming (GP). Over a dozen semantic-aware search, selection, and initialization operators for GP have been proposed to date. Some of these operators are designed to exploit the geometric properties of semantic space, while others focus on making offspring effective, that is, semantically different from their parents. Only a small fraction of previous works aimed at addressing both of these features simultaneously. In this article, we propose a suite of competent operators that combine effectiveness with geometry for population initialization, mate selection, mutation, and crossover. We present a theoretical rationale behind these operators and compare them experimentally to operators known from literature on symbolic regression and Boolean function synthesis benchmarks. We analyze each operator in isolation as well as verify how they fare together in an evolutionary run, concluding that the competent operators are superior on a wide range of performance indicators, including best-of-run fitness, test-set fitness, and program size.
Detection of Intracellular Glutathione Using ThiolTracker Violet Stain and Fluorescence Microscopy

Glutathione plays an important role in protecting mammalian cells from oxidative stress and cell death. Because reduced glutathione (GSH) represents the large majority of intracellular free thiols, cell‐permeant, thiol‐reactive fluorescent probes represent potentially useful indicators of intracellular GSH. The ThiolTracker Violet stain (a registered trademark of Invitrogen) is a bright fluorescent probe that is highly reactive to thiols and can be used as a convenient and effective indicator of intracellular GSH and general redox status by a variety of detection modalities. While this probe has been validated in flow cytometry and microplate fluorimetry assays, the following method will describe details on the use of the ThiolTracker Violet dye in traditional fluorescence microscopy, as well as high‐content imaging and analysis. Curr. Protoc. Cytom. 53:9.35. 1‐9.35. 8. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The relationship between the ionospheric and magnetic disturbances during the 28 March 2005 Sumatran earthquake

The paper investigates the ionospheric and geomagnetic responses during the 28 March 2005 earthquake in Sumatra using measurements from 7 GPS stations and a magnetometer station in the near zone of the epicenter. The earthquake occurred during low solar and geomagnetic activity. TEC oscillations of short periods in the range of 4.8 to 10 minutes were observed at GPS stations located to the northeast of the epicenter, while no significant disturbances were observed relatively east and south of the epicenter. The magnetic field measurements show rapid fluctuations of 4 to 5 seconds shortly after the earthquake, followed by a Pc5 pulsation of 4.8 minutes detected about 11 minutes after the earthquake. The comparison between the ionospheric and geomagnetic responses shows a good agreement in the period and time lag of the peak disturbance arrival, i.e. about 11 to 13 minutes after the earthquake.
Performance evaluation of digital beamforming strategies for satellite communications

Smart antennas are becoming one of the promising technologies to meet the rapidly increasing demands for more capacity of satellite communication systems. A main component in a smart antenna system is beamforming. Because of the limitations of analog beamforming, digital beamforming will be employed in future satellite communication systems. We evaluate the performance of various digital beamforming strategies proposed in the literature for satellite communications: 1) single fixed beam/single user, 2) single fixed beam/multiple users, 3) single adaptive beam/single user, and 4) single Chebyshev dynamic beam/multiple users. Multiple criteria including coverage, system capacity, signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), and computation complexity are used to evaluate these satellite communication beamforming strategies. In particular, a Ka-band satellite communication system is used to address the various issues of these beamforming strategies. For the adaptive beamforming approach, subarray structure is used to obtain the weights of a large 2D antenna array, and a globally convergent recurrent neural network (RNN) is proposed to realize the adaptive beamforming algorithm in parallel. The new subarray-based neural beamforming algorithm can reduce the computation complexity greatly, and is more effective than the conventional least mean square (LMS) beamforming approach. It is shown that the single adaptive beam/single user approach has the highest system capacity.
Distributed Angle Estimation for Wireless Sensor Network Localization

A novel distributed angle estimation method for wireless sensor network localization is proposed in this paper. The anchor emits two linear frequency modulation waves simultaneously using its equipped two antenna elements, while the angle of departure of the emitted waves can be estimated independently at each sensor. The method only relies on radio transceivers and requires no time or carrier frequency synchronization between the transceivers. It is also shown that the method can be improved to applied to mobile networks. Besides, the performance analysis and simulations are both presented to evaluate the proposed approach.
Immediate Breast Reconstruction With Anatomical Permanent Expandable Implants After Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: Aesthetic and Technical Refinements

Use of anatomic permanent expandable implant after skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) permits a 1-stage immediate breast reconstruction with an optimum breast shape. Preservation of most of the mammary skin after SSM on 1 side and anatomic prosthesis shape on the other makes breast reconstruction easier and enhances the quality of the esthetic results. The authors describe their experience with 40 immediate breast reconstructions after SSM performed over a period of 2 years explaining some technical details. The implant is placed in a submuscular pocket, or preferably, depending upon the condition of the muscles and skin flaps after mastectomy, in a submuscular-subfascial pocket. In this case, the undermining of the pocket is submuscular in its upper part under the major pectoralis muscle and subfascial in the lower part of the breast undermining the adipo-fascial tissues above the anterior serratus muscle. The submuscular dissection is done in continuity with the subfascial dissection to allow the complete closure of the soft tissues over the implant. In this case, the minor consistency of subfascial tissues compared with muscle in the inferior pole of the breast allows the easier and quicker distention of the soft tissue overlying the prosthesis during the inflation phase and ensures a good shape of the breast soon after surgery. Whenever possible, the mastectomy is performed through a periareolar skin incision that is closed with a purse-string suture. Finally, the authors discuss the indications of 2 different-shaped anatomic permanent expandable implants: full-height and short-height prostheses with different shape and fullness of the upper pole of the implant.
Behavioural determinants of the adoption of Financial Price Risk Management Tools by wheat farmers in England

Wheat farmers in England have little experience of Financial Price Risk Management (FPRM) strategies to stabilize income. On-farm advice and research is limited and adoption rates remain slow. Selling crops at prevailing market prices exposes farmers to volatile price movements that have increased in recent years. This research examines the behavioural intentions towards adoption of FPRM using a mixed method approach combining interviews, focus groups and a survey of 2273 farmers in England. Interviews and focus groups informed the national questionnaire which was based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Of the 802 responses there were 673 usable, giving a response rate of 29.6%. Constructs in the TPB model of attitude, social norm and perceived behavioural control were decomposed into sub-constructs and farmer specific data was collected. The results showed that whilst farmers were aware and concerned about volatility few had used FPRM tools. All three major constructs of TPB were significant as were the decomposed sub-constructs except risk and academic advice. Some Internal Farm Factors were also significant predictors of intention to adopt; age, education, size of arable area and whether the respondent had children. To provide further inference factor and cluster analyses were conducted and provided four categories of farmers (Strategic strategists, Passive strategists, Weakly insular, Strongly insular) each with distinctive characteristics and behavioural intent. This study has contributed to the literature by confirming the significance of the three major constructs of TPB as well as the sub-constructs. Post-hoc analysis contributes as it shows how such data can be further used in explaining behaviour. The study has contributed to agriculture in general by confirming farmers’ perceptions of volatility and negative attitudes towards the grain trade, in particular merchants. It also provides evidence to effectively target resources to increase adoption rates.
Structural learning approach to replacing unreliable units in a power system

Power supply failure will cause major social loss. Therefore, power supply systems have been required to be highly reliable. This research deals with a significant and effective method to decide the investment in a power system damage of the power supply on the society. In CMD2007 Korea, we proposed mean-variance approach to replacing unreliable units in a power system. This paper extends the method so as to solve a problem efficiently. In this research, we will propose the structural learning of a mutual connective neural network. The proposed method enables us to solve the problem defined in terms of mixed integer quadratic programming. In this research, an analysis is performed by using the concepts of the reliability and risks of units evaluated using a variance-covariance matrix and also the effect and expenses of replacement are measured. Mean-variance analysis is formulated as a mathematical programming with two objectives to minimize the risk and maximize the expected return. Finally, we employ a Boltzmann machine to solve the meanvariance analysis efficiently. The result of our method is exemplified using a power network system in Tokyo Metropolitan. By using this method, a more effective selection of results is obtained. In other words, the decision makers can select the expected investment rate and risk of each ward depending on the given total budget. For this reason, the effectiveness of the decision making process can be enhanced.