Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Signal transduction of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in a smooth muscle cell line

1 The effects of cannabinoid (CB) receptor stimulation on membrane currents in single cells from the Syrian hamster vas deferens cell line DDT1MF‐2 were investigated using the whole cell patch clamp technique. 2 The CB receptor agonist CP55,940 evoked a concentration‐dependent transient outward current. The selective CB1 receptor ligand SR141716 (1 μm), but not the selective CB2 receptor ligand SR144528 (1 μm), inhibited the outward current. Pertussis toxin (100 ng ml−1 for 20 h) completely abolished the outward current. 3 Western blotting with an antibody against the rat (r)CB1 receptor showed a band characteristic for the CB1 receptor around 63 kDa in DDT1MF‐2 cells. 4 The reversal potential for the outward current measured using a voltage ramp protocol was −84 ± 5 mV. The current was inhibited by the Ca2+‐dependent K+ channel blockers iberiotoxin (10 nm) and charybdotoxin (10 nm). 5 Removal of Ca2+ from the bathing solution, or the addition of 0.1 mm Cd2+ completely abolished the outward current evoked by 10 μm CP55,940. 6 The sarcoplasmic Ca2+ pump inhibitor thapsigargin reduced the outward current evoked by 10 μm CP55,940 in a concentration‐dependent manner. 7 The mitogen‐activating protein kinase (MAP kinase) inhibitor PD98059, but not the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122, inhibited the outward current evoked by 10 μm CP55,940. 8 The adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ22,536 (100 μm) and 8‐Br‐cyclic AMP (10 μm) significantly reduced the outward current evoked by 10 μm CP55,940. 9 Our data suggest that CB1 receptor stimulation in DDT1MF‐2 cells leads to activation of a large conductance Ca2+‐dependent K+ channel through a Gi/Go protein‐mediated rise in [Ca2+]i, for which both inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and activation of MAP kinase are required. In addition, the cannabinoid‐induced increase in [Ca2+]i is likely to arise from capacitive Ca2+ entry.
Located and temporal based services for nature-society interaction regulation

With the surge of mobile devices and applications, knowledge base browsing and querying facilities must be adapted to new kinds of users and services. Space and time databases are concerned and, as such, are the subject of this paper. Within a mobile context, data retrieval services must take the location of the call into consideration as regards space and time, insofar many pieces of information do depend on „where‟ and „when‟ constraints. We present here with a general object model dedicated to specifying time properties. The novel aspects of our proposal consist of three main points. First, the temporal object model stands as a pivot model, and all the more leverages interoperability between software applications, since it extends common standards such as ISO 19108 and iCalendar. Second, we accompany the object model with a formal grammar close to natural languages, which helps end users in managing and checking temporal object instances. Last, our proposal focuses on intensional temporal expressions instead of extensional sets of concrete calendar dates. This allows to express semantic aspects – namely for periodic (cyclic) events – which remain hidden and not computable when only series of dates are given. We evoke two kinds of applications for which our model is beneficial; one concerns services called by human users and the other addresses calls placed by software agents e.g., in a multi agent system for instance within a simulation context.
Energy Dispersive X-ray Diffraction (Edxd) Investigation Of Amorphous Poly(phenylacetylene) (Ppa)

The application of wide-angle x-ray diffraction in energy-dispersive modality (EDXD) to the investigation of the static structure of amorphous poly(phenylacetylene) (PPA) is discussed. The structural investigation was carried out through the systematic comparison of the measured functions (the reduced interference function and the radial distribution function) and the same functions calculated from three-dimensional theoretical models, suitably optimized. Possible configurations and conformations, coming from the combination of the polymeric repeating units, were analyzed separately. Consistent with the literature, a general agreement for a cis-transoidal head-to-tail configuration was achieved. Possible coexistence of trans-transoidal head-to-head with cis-transoidal head-to-tail configuration is also discussed. Several simple models were investigated to gain information about the chain packing. Moreover, a first quantitative investigation of the dependence of the interference function upon mechanical compression of PPA was performed.
Improving Pronoun Resolution Using Statistics-Based Semantic Compatibility Information

In this paper we focus on how to improve pronoun resolution using the statistics-based semantic compatibility information. We investigate two unexplored issues that influence the effectiveness of such information: statistics source and learning framework. Specifically, we for the first time propose to utilize the web and the twin-candidate model, in addition to the previous combination of the corpus and the single-candidate model, to compute and apply the semantic information. Our study shows that the semantic compatibility obtained from the web can be effectively incorporated in the twin-candidate learning model and significantly improve the resolution of neutral pronouns.
Intra-abdominal bleeding from a seromuscular tear of an ascending rectosigmoid intramural hematoma after stapled hemorrhoidopexy.

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) is an accepted procedure for third-degree hemorrhoids; however, recent data show that the complication rate and need for additional hemorrhoid treatment are higher for SH than for conventional hemorrhoidectomy. One of the most serious complications of SH is rectal bleeding, which occurs in 4.2%–7.5% of patients.1 Only a few cases of intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage have been reported. We report the second case of intra-abdominal hemorrhage without rectal bleeding after SH, which was performed without intraoperative complications or technical difficulties.
Epidermal growth factor receptor and angiogenesis: Opportunities for combined anticancer strategies

Tumor‐induced angiogenesis is essential for malignant growth. This mini review focuses on the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) and their receptors in this process, and the rationale to combine inhibitors of these growth factors as anticancer therapy. Concomitantly, targeting the VEGF(R) and the EGF(R) signaling pathway may circumvent the problem of acquired resistance to EGFR inhibitors. By targeting both pathways, the antiangiogenic effect may be more pronounced, which may lead to greater antitumor activity. Preliminary efficacy data from clinical trials encourage further exploration of this combined anticancer strategy. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Viral Interferon Regulatory Factor

ABSTRACT Interferons (IFNs) are a family of multifunctional cytokines with antiviral activities. The K9 open reading frame of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) exhibits significant homology with cellular IFN regulatory factors (IRFs). We have investigated the functional consequence of K9 expression in IFN-mediated signal transduction. Expression of K9 dramatically repressed transcriptional activation induced by IFN-α, -β, and -γ. Further, it induced transformation of NIH 3T3 cells, resulting in morphologic changes, focus formation, and growth in reduced-serum conditions. The expression of antisense K9 in KSHV-infected BCBL-1 cells consistently increased IFN-mediated transcriptional activation but drastically decreased the expression of certain KSHV genes. Thus, the K9 gene of KSHV encodes the first virus-encoded IRF (v-IRF) which functions as a repressor for cellular IFN-mediated signal transduction. In addition, v-IRF likely plays an important role in regulating KSHV gene expression. These results suggest that KSHV employs an unique mechanism to antagonize IFN-mediated antiviral activity by harboring a functional v-IRF.
Efficient CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing with low off-target effects in zebrafish

Gene modifications in animal models have been greatly facilitated through the application of targeted genome editing tools. The prokaryotic CRISPR/Cas9 type II genome editing system has recently been applied in cell lines and vertebrates. However, we still have very limited information about the efficiency of mutagenesis, germline transmission rates and off-target effects in genomes of model organisms. We now demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis in zebrafish is highly efficient, reaching up to 86.0%, and is heritable. The efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9 system further facilitated the targeted knock-in of a protein tag provided by a donor oligonucleotide with knock-in efficiencies of 3.5-15.6%. Mutation rates at potential off-target sites are only 1.1-2.5%, demonstrating the specificity of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The ease and efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9 system with limited off-target effects make it a powerful genome engineering tool for in vivo studies.
Immunogold labeling of perform and serine esterases in granulated metrial gland cells

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells are cytolytic lymphocytes known to produce a pore‐forming protein, named perforin or cytolysin, that lyses target cells by creating large pores on the target plasma membrane. Besides perforin, the granules of CTL and NK cells contain a family of serine esterases. Perforin has also been localized in granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells of the murine embryo implantation site by light microscopic immunostaining. Ultrastructural immunogold labeling with antibodies against perforin and a serine esterase (MTSP 1 or granzyme A) shows that GMG cells contain both perforin and serine esterases in the fine granular matrix of their granules. Perforin has been located in all of the granules, whereas gold particles corresponding to serine esterases have been found in most of the granules. Results from the double immunogold technique indicate that perforin and serine esterases colocalize to most of the same granules in GMG cells. This study supports the view that GMG cells are related to cytolytic lymphocytes. —Zheng, L. M. ; Ojcius, D. M. ; Liu, C. ‐C. , Kramer, M. D. ; Simon, M. M. ; Parr, M. L. ; Young, J. D. ‐E. Immunogold labeling of perforin and serine esterases in granulated metrial gland cells. FASEB J. 5: 79–85; 1991.
Deletion of TGF‐β signaling in myeloid cells enhances their anti‐tumorigenic properties

By crossing LysM‐Cre and TGF‐β type II receptor (Tgfbr2) floxed mice we achieved specific deletion of Tgfbr2 in myeloid cells (Tgfbr2MyeKO mice). S.c. ‐injected (LLC, EL4‐OVA) and implanted (MMTV‐PyMT) carcinoma cells grow slower in Tgfbr2MyeKO mice. The number of CD45+ cells in the tumor tissue was the same in both genotypes of mice, but upon analysis, the percentage of T cells (CD45+CD3+) in the KO mice was increased. By flow cytometry analysis, we did not detect any differences in the number and phenotype of TAMs, CD11b+Gr1+, and DCs in Tgfbr2MyeKO compared with Tgfbr2MyeWT mice. ELISA and qRT‐PCR data showed differences in myeloid cell functions. In Tgfbr2MyeKO TAMs, TNF‐α secretion was increased, basal IL‐6 secretion was down‐regulated, TGF‐β did not induce any VEGF response, and there was decreased MMP9 and increased MMP2 and iNOS expression. TGF‐β did not have any effect on CD11b+Gr1+ cells isolated from Tgfbr2MyeKO mice in the regulation of Arg, iNOS, VEGF, and CXCR4, and moreover, these cells have decreased suppressive activity relative to T cell proliferation. Also, we found that DCs from tumor tissue of Tgfbr2MyeKO mice have increased antigen‐presented properties and an enhanced ability to stimulate antigen‐specific T cell proliferation. We conclude that Tgfbr2 in myeloid cells has a negative role in the regulation of anti‐tumorigenic functions of these cells, and deletion of this receptor decreases the suppressive function of CD11b+Gr1+ cells and increases antigen‐presenting properties of DCs and anti‐tumorigenic properties of TAMs.
Sobolev Duals for Random Frames and Sigma-Delta Quantization of Compressed Sensing Measurements

Quantization of compressed sensing measurements is typically justified by the robust recovery results of Cand\`es, Romberg and Tao, and of Donoho. These results guarantee that if a uniform quantizer of step size $\delta$ is used to quantize $m$ measurements $y = \Phi x$ of a $k$-sparse signal $x \in \R^N$, where $\Phi$ satisfies the restricted isometry property, then the approximate recovery $x^#$ via $\ell_1$-minimization is within $O(\delta)$ of $x$. The simplest and commonly assumed approach is to quantize each measurement independently. In this paper, we show that if instead an $r$th order $\Sigma\Delta$ quantization scheme with the same output alphabet is used to quantize $y$, then there is an alternative recovery method via Sobolev dual frames which guarantees a reduction of the approximation error by a factor of $(m/k)^{(r-1/2)\alpha}$ for any $0 < \alpha < 1$, if $m \gtrsim_r k (\log N)^{1/(1-\alpha)}$. The result holds with high probability on the initial draw of the measurement matrix $\Phi$ from the Gaussian distribution, and uniformly for all $k$-sparse signals $x$ that satisfy a mild size condition on their supports.
Divergence caching in client-server architectures

Proposes a new mechanism, divergence caching, for reducing access and communication charges in accessing online database servers. The objective is achieved by allowing tolerant read requests, namely requests that can be satisfied by out-of-date data. We propose two algorithms based on divergence caching-static and dynamic. The first is appropriate when the access pattern to an object in the database is fixed and known, and the latter is appropriate in other cases. We analyze these algorithms in the worst case and the expected case. <<ETX>>
The Lowest Prevalence of Cholelithiasis in the Americas - An Autopsy-based Study

OBJECTIVES: This study used autopsy to evaluate the prevalence of cholelithiasis and its associated risk factors in a population of healthy, young subjects who suffered a violent or natural death. METHODS: This study is a prospective evaluation of autopsies of 446 individuals from 2011 to 2013 in Brazil. Of that sample, 330 (74%) subjects died from violent deaths and 116 (26%) died naturally. The presence of biliary calculi, previous cholecystectomy, gender, age, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI) and alcohol use were evaluated. RESULTS: In the natural death group, 6.9% (95% CI 3.39 to 13.28) (3.08% of the male subjects and 11.76% of the female subjects) exhibited evidence of gallbladder disease. In the violent death group, only 2.12% (95% CI 0.96 to 4.43) (2.17% of the male subjects and 1.85% of the female subjects) of the subjects exhibited evidence of gallbladder disease. Age was correlated with the prevalence of gallbladder disease, but BMI was correlated with only gallbladder disease in the natural death group. CONCLUSIONS: This population has the lowest prevalence of cholelithiasis in the Americas. Dietary habits, physical activity, ethnicity, alcohol consumption and genetic factors may be responsible for this low prevalence.
Business Cycle Phenomena in Overlapping Generations Economies with Stochastic Production

This paper analyzes economic fluctuations in an overlapping generations economy with productive capital in which random shocks in aggregate productivity are present. Under specific assumptions we obtain an explicit solution of the model. Applying random dynamical systems theory, we can prove that the long-run behavior of the economy is uniquely described by an asymptotically stable random fixed point. The statistical properties of the aggregates output, consumption, capital stock, and real wage are investigated numerically. We find that our artificial economy displays several real world business cycle phenomena.
Comments on a Shifted Cyclic Reduction Algorithm for Quasi-Birth-Death Problems

A shifted cyclic reduction algorithm has been proposed by He, Meini, and Rhee [SIAM J. Matrix Anal. Appl. , 23 (2001), pp. 673--691] for finding the stochastic matrix G associated with discrete-time quasi-birth-death (QBD) processes. We point out that the algorithm has quadratic convergence even for null recurrent QBDs. We also note that the approximations (to the matrix G) obtained by their algorithm are always stochastic when they are nonnegative.
Smoking and Its Relation to Metabolic Status among Chinese Adults: Analysis of a Nationwide Survey

OBJECTIVE To update the estimated prevalence rates of smoking and examine major metabolic diseases associated with smoking status in Chinese adults. METHODS Using a complex, multistage, probability sampling design, we recruited a nationally representative sample of 98,658 Chinese adults aged ⋝18 years in 2010. Information on current, former, never, and passive smoking status was obtained using a standard questionnaire. All estimates were weighted to represent the overall Chinese adult population. RESULTS The estimated proportion of current smokers was 28.3% for Chinese adults aged ⋝18 years. The corresponding values of former and passive smokers were 5.1% and 21.4%, respectively. Additionally, former smokers were found to have a less favorable metabolic risk profile among all categories of smoking status in both men and women. The prevalence of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension also increased with a greater number of smoking pack-years in men. CONCLUSION The prevalences of current smoking and passive smoking remain high in Chinese adults.
Size and Surface Control of Optical Properties in Silicon Nanoparticles

Si-nanoparticles (NP) are attracting steadily growing interest due to their intriguing sizedependent optical properties. The most challenging task in preparing Si-NP is to succeed in controlling the particle size and size distribution and the surface properties. To this respect, the method of laser synthesis of Si-NP from gas phase reactants appears as an ideal tool, being a very versatile and controllable synthesis technique, but the collected Si-NP are strongly agglomerated. Here we report on attempts to decrease the agglomeration of the Si NP by following two complementary strategies: - investigation and control of nanoparticle formation and growth during the synthesis process; - dispersion of the agglomerates and termination of the particle surfaces by controlled chemical etching followed by surface passivation and stabilization treatments. The properties of as-prepared and processed Si NP will be presented and discussed.
Accelerating the Mass-Adoption of Augmented Reality through High-Fidelity Prototyping

So far, Augmented Reality (AR) systems have been confined to research prototypes and niche applications. However, recent advances in AR research make it seem feasible that AR can go beyond this stage. We envision that it can find broad adoption on consumer devices; therefore, ubiquitously enriching peoples’ life. It is very likely that mobile phones are going to be the first delivery platform of AR for the masses. They already include cameras (one of the preconditions for doing AR) and they are already being carried on a daily basis by many people. As a result, several research groups and companies have recently been focussing their efforts on this target platform. Most of the time, these efforts consist of porting existing AR applications and tracking algorithms to mobile phones. While this approach helps to make AR popular, we doubt that these efforts alone are sufficient for a mass-adoption of AR. In this paper, we present an alternative, complementary research strategy for achieving this goal. Fundamentally, current mobile phones have not been designed to run AR applications. Therefore, the user interfaces and applications that can run on them can achieve a low-fidelity only. As a result, it is inherently very difficult to create compelling user experiences on current mobile phones. We believe in a different approach: by simulating the capabilities of future, powerful mobile phones, we can create rich, high-fidelity user interfaces and applications. These explorations can help to convince mobile phone companies to create mobile phones with specialized AR hardware. As a result, the mass-adoption of AR would be accelerated. The rest of this paper is structured as follow: Section 2 presents a brief overview of tracking technology for AR, since tracking is the main technical constraint for running AR applications. Section 3 details the motivation and our plan for creating high-fidelity prototypes. Section 4 draws conclusions and details future work. 2. Tracking for AR
Backward Plan Construction for Planning with Partial Observability

We present algorithms for partially observable planning that iteratively compute belief states with an increasing distance to the goal states. The algorithms handle nondeterministic operators, but restrict to problem instances with a finite upper bound on execution length, that is plans without loops. We discuss an implementation of the algorithms which uses binary decision diagrams for representing belief states. It turns out that generation of new belief states from existing ones, corresponding to the use of conditional branches in the plans, can very naturally be represented as standard operations on binary decision diagrams. We also give a preliminary experimental evaluation of the algorithms.
Universität Des Saarlandes Fachrichtung 6.1 – Mathematik a Generic Approach to Diffusion Filtering of Matrix-fields a Generic Approach to Diffusion Filtering of Matrix-fields

Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI), is a image acquisition method, that provides matrix-valued data, so-called matrix fields. Hence image processing tools for the filtering and analysis of these data types are in demand. In this artricle we propose a generic framework that allows us to find the matrix-valued counterparts of the Perona-Malik PDEs with various diffusivity functions. To this end we extend the notion of derivatives and associated differential operators to matrix fields of symmetric matrices by adopting an operator-algebraic point of view. In order to solve these novel matrix-valued PDEs successfully we develop truly matrix-valued analogs to numerical solution schemes of the scalar setting. Numerical experiments performed on both synthetic and real world data substantiate the effectiveness of our novel matrix-valued Perona-Malik diffusion filters.