Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway mediates effects of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor on differentiation of basal forebrain oligodendrocytes

Previous studies indicate that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), through the mediation of the trkB receptor, modulates the expression of differentiated traits in basal forebrain (BF) oligodendrocytes (OLGs). Specifically, BDNF up‐regulates the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP), proteolipid protein (PLP), and myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG; Du et al. [ 2006 ] Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 31:366–375). However, the signaling cascades mediating the effects of BDNF have not been defined. The current study employs biochemical and molecular biological approaches to examine the involvements of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, the phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3K) pathway, and the phospholipase C‐γ (PLC‐γ) pathway. Our results indicate that, in BF OLGs, BDNF activates the MAPK pathway and the PLC‐γ pathway but not the PI3K‐Akt signaling cascade. By using specific inhibitors and mutated dominant negative or constitutively active forms of MAPK kinase, we demonstrate that the MAPK pathway is mediating the effects of BDNF on expression of differentiated traits in BF OLGs. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activity-Dependent Development of Calcium Regulation in Growing Motor Axons

In cultured nerve cord explants from the crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), the normal impulse activity levels of growing motor axons determine their response to Ca2+ influx. During depolarization or Ca2+ ionophore application, normally active tonic motor axons continue to grow, whereas inactive phasic motor axons retract and often degenerate. To determine the role of Ca2+ regulation in this difference, we measured the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) with fura-2. Growth cones from tonic axons normally had a higher [Ca2+]i than those from phasic axons. When depolarized with 60 mm K+, growth cones and neurites from phasic axons had a [Ca2+]i three to four times higher than did those from tonic axons. This difference in Ca2+ regulation includes greater Ca2+-handling capacity for growing tonic axons; the increase in [Ca2+]i produced by the Ca2+ ionophore 4-bromo-A23187 (0.25 μm) is four to five times greater in phasic than in tonic axons, and the decline in [Ca2+]i at the end of a depolarizing pulse is three to four times faster in tonic axons than phasic ones. Blocking impulses in growing tonic axons for 2–3 d with tetrodotoxin reduces their capacity to regulate [Ca2+]i. Thus, growing tonic and phasic axons have differences in Ca2+ regulation that develop as a result of their different activity levels. These activity-dependent differences in Ca2+ regulation influence axon growth and degeneration and probably influence other neuronal processes that are mediated by changes in [Ca2+]i.
Reducing errors in the development, maintenance and utilisation of ontologies

Ontologies and ontology-based information systems are becoming more commonplace in knowledge management. For engineering applications such as product design, ontologies can be utilised for knowledge capture/reuse and frameworks that allow for the integration and collaboration of a wide variety of tools and methods as well as participants in design (marketing/sales, engineers, customers, suppliers, distributors, manufacturing, etc.) who may be distributed globally across time, location, and culture. With this growth in the use of ontologies, it is critical to recognise and address errors that may occur in their representation, maintenance and utilisation. Passing undetected and unresolved errors downstream can cause error avalanche and could diminish the acceptance, further development and promise of significant impact that ontologies hold for product design, manufacturing, or any knowledge management environment within an organisation. This paper categorises errors and their causal factors, summarises possible solutions in ontology and ontology-based utilisation, and puts forward an ontology-based Root Cause Analysis (RCA) method to help find the root cause of errors. Error identification and collection methods are described first, followed by an error taxonomy with associated causal factors. Finally, an error ontology and associated SWRL (Semantic Web Rule Language) rules are built to facilitate the error taxonomy, the root cause analysis and solution analysis for these errors. Ultimately, this work should reduce errors in the development, maintenance and utilisation of ontologies and facilitate further development and use of ontologies in knowledge management.
Modulation of Pro- and Antifibrinolytic Properties of Human Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells by Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGF- β1), Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α) and Interleukin β1 (IL-1β)

Summary A decreased fibrinolytic activity of serosal surfaces appears to be a major factor in the development of peritoneal fibrous adhesions. Serosal fibrinolysis is regulated by mesothelial release of tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor types 1 and 2 (PAI-1 and PAI-2). We investigated the influence of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor β (TGF- β1) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) on pro- and antifibrinolytic properties of mesothelial cells (HOMC) using a cell/fibrin clot assay. TGF-β1, TNF-α and IL-1β induced a dose dependent 2.9, 2.3 and 1.9-fold increase of PAI-1 antigen, respectively, whereas t-PA concentrations decreased to one third of the control values. This modified PAI-1/t-PA secretion pattern leads to a significant delay of fibrinolysis. Analysis of m-RNA levels revealed increased PAI-1 m-RNA concentrations after 12 h and decreased m-RNA concentrations for t-PA after 6 h. Serosal hypofibrinolysis during peritonitis may be explained at least in part by cytokine effects which thus may favor adhesion formation.
Goodness-of-Fit Tests for Random Partitions via Symmetric Polynomials

We consider goodness-of-fit tests with i.i. d. samples generated from a categorical distribution $(p_1,.,p_k)$. We test the null hypothesis whether $p_j=q_{\pi(j)}$ for some label permutation $\pi$. The uncertainty of label permutation implies that the null hypothesis is composite instead of being singular. In this paper, we construct a testing procedure using statistics that are defined as indefinite integrals of some symmetric polynomials. This method is aimed directly at the invariant signal of the problem, and avoids the need of matching the unknown labels. The asymptotic distribution of the testing statistic is shown to be chi-squared, and its power is proved to be nearly optimal under a local alternative hypothesis. Various degenerate structures of the null hypothesis are carefully analyzed in the paper. A two-sample version of the test is also studied.
Incremental development of statistical machine translation systems

Statistical Machine Translation produces results that make it a competitive option in most machine-assisted translation scenarios. However, these good results often come at a very high computational cost and correspond to training regimes which are unfit to many practical contexts, where the ability to adapt to users and domains and to continuously integrate new data (eg. in post-edition contexts) are of primary importance. In this article, we show how these requirements can be met using a strategy for on-demand word alignment and model estimation. Most remarkably, our incremental system development framework is shown to deliver top quality translation performance even in the absence of tuning, and to surpass a strong baseline when performing online tuning. All these results obtained with great computational savings as compared to conventional systems.
Targeting the intrinsic apoptosis pathway as a strategy for melanoma therapy

Melanoma drug resistance is often attributed to abrogation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Targeting regulators of apoptosis is thus considered a promising approach to sensitizing melanomas to treatment. The development of small‐molecule inhibitors that mimic natural antagonists of either antiapoptotic members of the BCL‐2 family or the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), known as BH3‐ or SMAC‐mimetics, respectively, are helping us to understand the mechanisms behind apoptotic resistance. Studies using BH3‐mimetics indicate that the antiapoptotic BCL‐2 protein MCL‐1 and its antagonist NOXA are particularly important regulators of BCL‐2 family signaling, while SMAC‐mimetic studies show that both XIAP and the cIAPs must be targeted to effectively induce apoptosis of cancer cells. Although most solid tumors, including melanoma, are insensitive to these mimetic drugs as single agents, combinations with other therapeutics have yielded promising results, and tests combining them with BRAF‐inhibitors, which have already revolutionized melanoma treatment, are a clear priority.
The Use of Biomedical Sensors to Monitor Capsule Formation Around Soft Tissue Implants

Piezoelectric sensors have been shown to respond reproducibly to changes in tissue mechanical properties surrounding an implant over a 4-month period. The vibrational amplitude at a frequency corresponding to the radial resonance shows a statistically significant change over time. The initial period of inflammation is marked by a significant reduction in amplitude, which is indicative of an increase in viscous dissipation of the tissue. As collagen displaces the cellular response, the amplitude continues to decrease. Finally, as the tissue matures, the capsule becomes stiffer, and the viscous dissipation lessens. These results are consistent with qualitative assessments of explanted capsules. Strain gauges encased in a monolithic block of silicone exhibited a greater degree of variability, yet show similar trends over time. The strain increases in the initial 4-week period and remains relatively steady over the following 4 weeks. Beyond 8 weeks, the gauges begin to extrude from the animal or suffer a loss of electrical continuity. Steps are being taken to improve the strain sensor longevity in the animals.
Characterization of the first Polish isolate of Neospora caninum from cattle

Neospora caninum was isolated from the brain of an apparently healthy calf born to a seropositive cow. The calf was killed 12 hrs after birth and homogenate of its brain was inoculated into Vero cells. Neospora-like tachyzoites were detected 66 days later. The identity of the parasite was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction amplification of N. canium-specific fragments using Np21 and Np6 primers. This first Polish isolate of N. caninum was designated NC-PolB1.
DESENVOLVIMENTO E CARACTERIZAÇÃO FÍSICO-QUÍMICA DE GELEIA COMUM E EXTRA DE GRAVIOLA COM PIMENTA

A producao de geleias e um processo bastante utilizado, porem algumas frutas com grande quantidade de nutrientes, como e o caso da graviola, sao ainda pouco exploradas comercialmente nesses processos. Neste trabalho teve-se como objetivo o desenvolvimento e caracterizacao de geleia de graviola ( Annona muricata ) com pimenta “dedo de moca” tipo extra e comum em tres concentracoes de pectina 0,5; 1,0 e 1,5%. As analises fisicas e quimicas foram analisadas quanto ao seu teor de solidos soluveis totais, umidade, vitamina C, Aw (atividade de agua), acidez e pH, teste de sinerese e coloracao expressa com valores de L*, a*, b*,croma e hue. A acidez e umidade foram influenciadas pela concentracao de pectina e tambem pela concentracao de acucar na geleia extra e comum. Apenas a geleia comum com 0,5% de pectina apresentou sinerese, devido a maior acidez. Houve diferenca significativa entre a geleia extra e comum na umidade e acidez e Aw e entre os parâmetros de cor na geleia extra e comum. Resultados demonstraram que a estrutura do gel e afetada pela concentracao do acucar, pectina e pela acidez.
Biofunctional Properties of Cultured Buttermilk Prepared by Incorporation of Fermented Paneer Whey

Fermentation of milk enhances its nutritional value through improved bioavailability of nutrients and production of bioactive substances which have biological functions. Cultured buttermilk, it is an important fermented milk in the world. It is obtained from pasteurized skim or partly skim milk cultured with Lactococci and Lactobacilli as well as aroma producing strains. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are able to produce bioactive peptides during milk fermentation (Nielsen, 2009). Looking to composition and characteristics of paneer whey, particularly its acidic nature and salty taste, the most appropriate product from among different dairy products for utilization of the this whey is cultured buttermilk. Whey produces high amounts of bioactive peptides when it gets fermented (Canli, 2005). In the present study, fresh samples of cultured buttermilk were analyzed for their selected biofunctional properties like ACE inhibitory, proteolytic, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
Does major depressive disorder in parents predict specific fears and phobias in offspring?

Evidence suggests a relationship between parental depression and phobias in offspring as well as links between childhood fears and risk for major depression. This study examines the relationship between major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders in parents and specific fears and phobias in offspring. Three hundred and eighteen children of parents with lifetime MDD, anxiety disorder, MDD+anxiety disorder, or neither were psychiatrically assessed via parent interview. Rates of specific phobias in offspring did not differ significantly across parental groups. Specific fears were significantly elevated in offspring of parents with MDD+anxiety disorder relative to the other groups (MDD, anxiety disorder, and controls, which did not differ). We failed to find increased phobias in offspring of parents with MDD without anxiety disorder. Elevated rates of specific fears in offspring of parents with MDD+anxiety disorder may be a function of more severe parental psychopathology, increased genetic loading, or unmeasured environmental influences. Depression and Anxiety 0:1–4, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
11C-methionine PET for differential diagnosis of low-grade gliomas

Management of low-grade gliomas continues to be a challenging task, because CT and MRI do not always differentiate from nontumoral lesions. Furthermore, tumor extent and aggressiveness often remain unclear because of a lack of contrast enhancement. Previous studies indicated that large neutral amino acid tracers accumulate in most brain tumors, including low-grade gliomas, probably because of changes of endothelial and blood-brain barrier function. We describe 11C-methionine uptake measured with PET in a series of 196 consecutive patients, most of whom were studied because of suspected low-grade gliomas. Uptake in the most active lesion area, relative to contralateral side, was significantly different among high-grade gliomas, low-grade gliomas, and chronic or subacute nontumoral lesions, and this difference was independent from contrast enhancement in CT or MRI. Corticosteroids had no significant effect on methionine uptake in low-grade gliomas but reduced uptake moderately in high-grade gliomas. Differentiation between gliomas and nontumoral lesions by a simple threshold was correct in 79%. Recurrent or residual tumors had a higher uptake than primary gliomas. In conclusion, the high sensitivity of 11C-methionine uptake for functional endothelial or blood-brain barrier changes suggests that this tracer is particularly useful for evaluation and follow-up of low-grade gliomas.
MEASUREMENT ANALYSIS FOR HANDOVER INITIATION PROCEDURE IN A HIGH SPEED TRAIN ENVIRONMENT

High speed train has been the most prominent transportation that been used by the public to save the travel time due to the road congestion especially during the peak hour. Most of people travel by trains for about forty to fifty minutes to reach their destination. In parallel with the development of high speed trains nowadays as the trains’ speed can reach up to 350km/h, there have been extensive researches to improve the data rates for mobile wireless communication. Higher data rate and reliable mobile communication are desirable when moving in high speed trains. The passengers on board usually play online application, surf internet, check emails, reading books and many more to kill time. As a solution, the latest LTE system seems to be a convincing platform to provide high data rates since it is expected to support high peak data rates of 1Gbps in downlink for low mobility and up to 100Mbps in high mobility environment. This paper provides the measurement analysis of current deployed network along high speed rail road. The results in this paper will be the pilot parameter to be analyzed further in order to improve mobile communication handover performance for high speed trains in LTE system.
Caffeine and micromolar Ca2+ concentrations can release Ca2+ from ryanodine-sensitive stores in crab and lobster striated muscle fibres

Ca2+ release mechanisms were studied in striated muscle from the walking legs of crabs using isometric tension recordings from isolated myofibrillar bundles. Caffeine-induced phasic contractions had properties consistent with Ca2+ release from a sarcoplasmic store, which could be optimally loaded in the presence of ATP at pCa 6.4­6.1. Ryanodine (10 µmol l-1) abolished the caffeine-induced contractions and in solutions with low Ca2+ buffering (0.1 mmol l-1 EGTA) itself caused phasic contractions, indicative of Ca2+ release. Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) was observed in a pCa 5.8 solution (buffered by 1 mmol l-1 EGTA) as a phasic contraction of variable nature, inhibited by ryanodine (10 µmol l-1), procaine (10 mmol l-1) or benzocaine (5 mmol l-1). Ca2+ release was measured as a function of releasing pCa by using the force­time integral of the caffeine-induced contraction as an estimate of the Ca2+ remaining in the store. After the Ca2+ store had been loaded for 2 min at pCa 6.6, CICR was measured in the presence of 1 mmol l-1 Mg2+, 1 mmol l-1 EGTA and 5 mmol l-1 ATP. The threshold pCa for CICR was 6.0­6.4 under these conditions and more than 90 % of stored Ca2+ was released in 1 min by pCa values in the range 3.5­5.3. Benzocaine totally inhibited the release and promoted extra Ca2+ loading. Preliminary experiments showed a similar caffeine-releasable store in lobster abdominal muscle, which was slightly less sensitive to free [Ca2+]. It is concluded that in crustacean muscle caffeine and micromolar [Ca2+] can release Ca2+ from a ryanodine-sensitive store, which in many respects is similar to the sarcoplasmic reticulum of vertebrate skeletal and cardiac muscle.
Asynchronously automatic languages and groups

Let A be a finite alphabet and let L ⊂ (A∗)n be an n-variable language over A. We say that L is regular if it is the language accepted by a synchronous n-tape finite state automaton, it is quasi-regular if it is accepted by an asynchronous n-tape automaton, and it is weakly regular if it is accepted by a non-deterministic asynchronous n-tape automaton. We investigate the closure properties of the classes of regular, quasi-regular, and weakly regular languages under first-order logic, and apply these observations to an open decidability problem in automatic group theory.
Alteration of Seed Fatty Acid Composition by an Ethyl Methanesulfonate-Induced Mutation in Arabidopsis thaliana Affecting Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase Activity

In characterizing the enzymes involved in the formation of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) in the Brassicaceae, we have generated a series of mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana that have reduced VLCFA content. Here we report the characterization of a seed lipid mutant, AS11, which, in comparison to wild type (WT), has reduced levels of 20:1 and 18:1 and accumulates 18:3 as the major fatty acid in triacylglycerols. Proportions of 18:2 remain similar to WT. Genetic analyses indicate that the fatty acid phenotype is caused by a semidominant mutation in a single nuclear gene, designated TAG1, located on chromosome 2. Biochemical analyses have shown that the AS11 phenotype is not due to a deficiency in the capacity to elongate 18:1 or to an increase in the relative [delta]15 or [delta]12 desaturase activities. Indeed, the ratio of desaturase/elongase activities measured in vitro is virtually identical in developing WT and AS11 seed homogenates. Rather, the fatty acid phenotype of AS11 is the result of reduced diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity throughout development, such that triacylglycerol biosynthesis is reduced. This leads to a reduction in 20:1 biosynthesis during seed development, leaving more 18:1 available for desaturation. Thus, we have demonstrated that changes to triacylglycerol biosynthesis can result in dramatic changes in fatty acid composition and, in particular, in the accumulation of VLCFAs in seed storage lipids.
Twentieth Century Glacier Change on Mount Adams, Washington, USA

Abstract Mount Adams is a large glacier-clad stratovolcano located in southern Washington, USA. We examined the area change of the 12 glaciers on the mountain during the 20th century using historical topographic maps and aerial photographs. The total glacier area decreased by 49% (31.5 km2 to 16.2 km2) from 1904 to 2006. The glaciers showed a period of retreat during the first half of the century, followed by either a slowing of retreat or an advance from the 1960s to the 1990s. Subsequently, the glaciers resumed their rapid retreat. Glaciers on Mt. Adams show similar trends to those on both Mt. Hood and Mt. Rainier. The qualitative correlation between area change and trends in winter precipitation and summer temperature indicate a largely temperature-driven glacier shrinkage as the climate warmed since the Little Ice Age of the late 19th Century. No century-scale trends were noted in precipitation but decadal-scale variations in winter precipitation appear to enhance or buffer the effects of temperature on glacier change.
Premedication in an autistic, combative child: Challenges and nuances

Children with autistic spectrum disorders are often encountered in anesthesia practice mainly for outdoor procedural sedation or anesthesia in endoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging suites. We describe a case of a 7-year-old autistic boy who required management of dental caries. He had a phobia to intravenous cannulation, displayed increasing anxiety and became combative on the day of surgery. With parental involvement and distraction, we succeeded in giving oral midazolam by concealing it, with the intent of avoiding intramuscular injection or unnecessary restraint. Lack of knowledge about the medical condition of such a patient can lead to inadequate preoperative preparation and use of restraint on the patient, which might cause anxiety or panic attacks in the operative room. To effectively manage children with special needs one needs to have clear guidelines on the management of uncooperative children, involve parents perioperatively, plan ahead with an emphasis on perioperative analgesia and sometimes incorporate the ethical use of restraint.