Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stepwise up‐regulation of MicroRNA expression levels from replicating to reversible and irreversible growth arrest states in WI‐38 human fibroblasts

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs that regulate diverse genetic expression networks through their control of mRNA stability or translation. Their role in aging mechanisms has been proposed in various model systems. In this report, the expression profiling of 462 human miRNAs in the reversible growth arrest state of quiescence, and irreversible states of replicative senescence and hydrogen peroxide‐induced premature senescence, are compared to young replicating lung fibroblasts. Greater numbers of up‐regulated than down‐regulated miRNAs are observed when cells stop proliferating, particularly in premature senescence, somewhat less in replicative senescence, and less still in quiescence. Several altered miRNA expressions are shared by the three growth arrest states, including the up‐regulation of miR‐34a, ‐624, ‐638 and miR‐377, and the down‐regulation of miR‐365 and miR‐512‐5p. miRNAs up‐regulated in both permanent growth arrest states but not in quiescence include let‐7g, miR‐26a, ‐136, ‐144, ‐195 and miR‐200b. In each of the growth arrest states, miR‐34a and let‐7f have the most robust up‐regulation in H2O2‐induced premature senescence, followed by miR‐638 and miR‐663 in replicative senescence, and finally, miR‐331‐3p and miR‐595 in quiescence. Our comprehensive evaluation of miRNA target correlations with known biomarkers for replicative senescence suggests that miRNAs may repress pathways controlling not only cell cycle traverse and proliferation, but also insulin‐like signaling, DNA repair and apoptosis, all of which are cellular functions deficient in senescent human fibroblasts. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 109–119, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc
The effect of occupational exposure to lead on the non-enzymatic antioxidant system.

BACKGROUND The role of non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as uric acid, albumin, bilirubin, and α-tocopherol, in lead poisoning remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore the association between occupational exposure to lead and non-enzymatic antioxidant concentrations in serum and plasma. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study population consisted of 278 healthy male employees of lead-zinc plants, with 129 workers classified as having low lead exposure (blood lead level - PbB = 20-39.9 µg/dl) and 149 workers classified as having high lead exposure (PbB = 40-59.8 µg/dl). The control group was composed of 73 healthy male administrative workers. No one from this group had blood lead level or zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) level greater than normal levels, being 10 µ/dl and 2.5 µg/g of hemoglobin, respectively. In addition to the levels of PbB and ZPP, serum levels of uric acid (UA), albumin, thiol groups of albumin, and bilirubin were determined. The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and the plasma level of α-tocopherol were also evaluated. RESULTS Lead exposure indices were significantly elevated in the examined subgroups as compared with the controls. Serum uric acid levels were significantly elevated in both subgroups, particularly in the group with high exposure. Serum bilirubin concentration was significantly elevated in the group with high exposure compared with the control group, while in the group with low exposure, it showed only a non-significant trend towards an increase. In contrast, ferric-reducing ability of plasma was not significantly greater in the examined subgroups as compared with the control group. Nevertheless, levels of albumin, thiol groups of albumin, and α-tocopherol levels were significantly decreased in the exposed subgroups compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS Occupational exposure to lead interferes with the blood non-enzymatic antioxidant system.
Entrainment of the Neurospora Circadian Clock

Neurospora crassa has been systematically investigated for circadian entrainment behavior. Many aspects of synchronization can be investigated in this simple, cellular system, ranging from systematic entrainment and drivenness to masking. Clock gene expression during entrainment and entrainment without clock genes suggest that the known transcription/translation feedback loop is not alone responsible for entrainment in Neurospora.
Drug‐Target Residence Time—A Case for G Protein‐Coupled Receptors

A vast number of marketed drugs act on G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs), the most successful category of drug targets to date. These drugs usually possess high target affinity and selectivity, and such combined features have been the driving force in the early phases of drug discovery. However, attrition has also been high. Many investigational new drugs eventually fail in clinical trials due to a demonstrated lack of efficacy. A retrospective assessment of successfully launched drugs revealed that their beneficial effects in patients may be attributed to their long drug‐target residence times (RTs). Likewise, for some other GPCR drugs short RT could be beneficial to reduce the potential for on‐target side effects. Hence, the compounds’ kinetics behavior might in fact be the guiding principle to obtain a desired and durable effect in vivo. We therefore propose that drug‐target RT should be taken into account as an additional parameter in the lead selection and optimization process. This should ultimately lead to an increased number of candidate drugs moving to the preclinical development phase and on to the market. This review contains examples of the kinetics behavior of GPCR ligands with improved in vivo efficacy and summarizes methods for assessing drug‐target RT.
Carbohydrases of a rumen strain of Lactobacillus bifidus. 2. The intracellular alpha-1-6-glucosidase (isomaltodextrinase).

Bailey & Clarke (1959) gave an account of an extracellular dextranase secreted by several strains of LactobaciUu8 biJfdu8, two of which had been isolated from the rumen of a cow (Clarke, 1959). Hydrolysis of dextran by the dextranase was unusual in that it did not liberate glucose or isomaltose, which are the main products from the action of all other known dextranases on dextran (see Bailey & Clarke, 1959). Instead the enzyme hydrolysed dextran, by random cleavage of the oc-16-glucosidic links, to a mixture of isomaltotriose, -tetraose, -pentaose and higher isomaltodextrins. The organism itself grew readily in a medium containing isomalto-tetraose and -pentaose as sole carbohydrates, suggesting the presence of an intracellular enzyme capable of hydrolysing these short-chain isomaltodextrins. Such an enzyme would be of interest, as none of the other dextran-fermenting organisms would need to produce it. The present paper contains an account oT the a-l-6-glucosidase activity present in extracts prepared from Lb. bi;idu8 cells that had been grown on dextran.
Transient Analysis of THz-QCL Pulses Using NbN and YBCO Superconducting Detectors

We report the time-domain analysis of fast pulses emitted by a quantum cascade laser (QCL) operating at ~ 3.1 THz using superconducting THz detectors made from either NbN or YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) thin films. The ultrafast response from these detectors allows resolution of emission features occurring on a nanosecond time-scale, which is not possible with commercially available Ge or InSb bolometers owing to their much larger time constants. We demonstrate that the time-dependent emission can be strongly affected by relatively small variations in the driving pulse. The QCL output power-current relationship was determined, based on correlation of the time-dependent emission of radiation with current flow in the QCL, under different QCL bias conditions. We show that this relationship differs from that obtained using bolometric detectors that respond only to the integrated pulse energy. The linearity of the detectors, and their agreement with measurements using a Ge bolometer, was also established by studying the QCL emission as a function of bias voltage and excitation pulse length. This measurement scheme could be readily applied to the study of ultrafast modulation and mode-locking of THz-QCLs.
Optimized ABS in LTE-Advanced Heterogeneous Networks with Adaptive Macro Cell Transmission

Interference coordination in heterogeneous cellular networks is a major bottleneck. In LTE-A (release 10), enhanced inter cell interference coordination (eICIC) scheme is proposed as an effective solution. It notably involves the approach of almost blank subframes (ABS) consisting of muting the macro cell during a set of predefined subframes. This offers the opportunity to the overlay small cells to schedule their most interfered users during these blanked periods. Nevertheless, this muting has the disadvantage of decreasing the performance of the macro cell. In order to fully optimize the resource allocation and maximize the total throughput of the entire system, we require solving a global NP hard non convex optimization problem. In this paper, we propose an improved eICIC technique with adaptive macro cell transmission during ABS periods. In fact, the original global optimization problem is decomposed into disjoint tractable sub-problems by means of macro cell users grouping. The sub-problems are then optimally solved through a solution combining joint spatial beamforming and fair user scheduling algorithm. Compared to the conventional ABS, simulation results show that the proposed scheme considerably reduces the impact of ABS on the macro cell throughput without reducing the gains achieved at the small cell.
Commensurability and strong vortex pinning in nanopatterned Nb films

We present a study combining magnetization measurements and direct magneto-optical flux imaging on Nb films, which contain periodic arrays of nanoholes and have been grown on anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) substrates. The magnetization measurements reveal pronounced matching effects in the critical current over the entire temperature range from 4.2 K to Tc. The flux images do not reveal signatures of a domain (terraced) state. Instead, the flux profiles obtained from the images are consistent with the development of a conventional critical state with enhanced vortex pinning. Even though the critical current density in the patterned samples is largely enhanced as compared to the unpatterned reference samples, the self-fields corresponding to the critical state are substantially smaller than the first matching field, H1. For this reason, a domain state does not appear, and strong pinning arises in a state that is almost commensurate.
Progressive Segregation of Unmyelinated Axons in Peripheral Nerves, Myelin Alterations in the CNS, and Cyst Formation in the Kidneys of Myelin and Lymphocyte Protein‐Overexpressing Mice

Abstract: Myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL) is a putative tetraspan proteolipid that is highly expressed by Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes as a component of compact myelin. Outside of the nervous system, MAL is found in apical membranes of epithelial cells, mainly in the kidney and stomach. Because MAL is associated with glycosphingolipids, it is thought to be involved in the organization, transport, and maintenance of glycosphingolipid‐enriched membrane microdomains. In this report, we describe the generation and analysis of transgenic mice with increased MAL gene dosage. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the localization of MAL overexpression in the transgenic animals corresponded closely to the MAL expression pattern observed in wildtype animals, indicating correct spatial regulation of the transgene. Phenotypically, MAL overexpression led to progressive dissociation of unmyelinated axons from bundles in the PNS, a tendency to hypomyelination and aberrant myelin formation in the CNS, and the formation of large cysts in the tubular region of the kidney. Thus, increased expression of MAL appears to be deleterious to membranous structures in the affected tissues, indicating a requirement for tight control of endogenous MAL expression in Schwann cells, oligodendrocytes, and kidney epithelial cells.
Multipath routing protocols in Cognitive Radio Networks

Current spectrum allocations are statically configured and cannot adopt network changes dynamically. The emerging field of Cognitive Radio Networks can be used to fulfil the current demand of spectrum by utilizing the vacant portion of spectrum opportunistically. Secondary users (cognitive users) can use spectrum whenever primary users (licensed users) are idle. Recent researches in the emerging field mainly focus on spectrum sensing and spectrum allocation that allow an opportunistic use of the vacant portions of the licensed frequency bands by the CR users. Efficiently use of channel information collected by secondary users is the most important in order to provide packet delivery timely in CR environment. In this paper, we are analysing the performance of both AODV and the routing scheme which utilizes multiple channels and multiple paths for routing purpose, we called “MultiChannel-MultiPath AODV. The effect of sensing time and transmitting time on both routing protocols are studied. Through various simulations in ns-2, we have analysed the improvement of routing scheme that utilizes multiple channels and paths over AODV (Ad-Hoc On-Demand Distance Vector ) routing protocol. Packet delivery ratio, routing overhead and route discovery frequency (RREQ/sec) etc. are the metrics used for comparison. Finally, we have analysed the impact of primary user's arrivals and departures rate on secondary user's packet delivery ratio.
Comparison of hand gesture inputs of leap motion controller & data glove in to a soft finger

Gesture recognition devices in the market are getting popular today. Many of these devices are used different technologies to recognize gestures and generate an output to control different mechanisms. In this research, a data glove has developed to track the motion of the hand & compare its performance against Leap Motion Controller to control a Soft Finger mechanism. A data glove has developed to track the motion of the human hand using flex sensors, gyroscopes and vision data. Position, orientation, velocity & acceleration, bending angle of the fingers has extracted from the data. Similar data has extracted from the Leap Motion controller and then performance has compared. Then required parameters has extracted from the data set and fed into the virtual elastomer simulation and bending angle of a single Soft Finger has studied. The average percentage error between Leap Motion and the Data Glove for the bending angle was found to be 26.36% & 18.21% with respect to the standard finger behavior. Then the average standard deviation of the orientation has obtained for Yaw, Pitch & Roll separately for Leap Motion and Data Glove. The Leap Motion & Data Glove bending angle data has the fed to the finite element simulation and the average percentage error of the response generated has found to be 10.13% for the Leap Motion and 33.03% for the Data Glove. Therefore, Leap Motion Controller shows a high repeatability and high potential in using for Soft Finger type applications. Improvements to this system and material optimization could lead this mechanism to high precession applications.
The Effects of FK778 in Combination With Tacrolimus and Steroids: A Phase II Multicenter Study in Renal Transplant Patients

Background. In animal and in vitro models, FK778 inhibits acute rejection, modifies vasculopathy, and shows anti-viral activity. We report first efficacy and safety data of FK778 in human kidney transplant recipients at two concentration-controlled ranges. Methods. In a double-blind manner, 149 patients were randomized to a 12-week treatment with FK778 in combination with tacrolimus (Tac) and corticosteroids (S). Of the high-level group (H), 49 patients received 2×600 mg/day FK778 and continued on 150 mg/day, 54 patients of the low-level group (L) got 1×600 mg/day followed by 75 mg/day, and 46 patients received placebo (P). Subsequent FK778 doses were adjusted to trough levels of 100–200 &mgr;g/mL (H) and 10–100 &mgr;g/mL (L). The primary endpoint was the incidence of biopsy proven acute rejection (AR). Results. In 93% of the patients in group L, targeted plasma trough levels were reached by Day 3; in half of the patients in group H, the targeted levels were reached by Day 9. Graft survival at week 16 was 89.7%, 88.8%, and 91.3%, and the incidences of AR were 26.5%, 25.9%, and 39.1% for groups H, L, and P. For the subgroup of patients in which target levels were reached by week 2, incidences were 7.7%, 27.1%, and 39.1%, respectively. Anemia, the most frequently reported adverse event especially in group H, was reversible. Mean total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were reduced during FK778 treatment compared with group P. Conclusion. FK778 is pharmacologically active, well-tolerated, and safe. To fully benefit from this promising new drug, FK778 dosing will be optimized in subsequent studies.
Group comparisons of DSM-IV subtypes of chronic depression: validity of the distinctions, part 2.

The nosology of chronic depression in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV, American Psychiatric Association, 1994) is highly complex and requires clinicians to differentiate among several chronic course subtypes. This study replicates an earlier investigation (J. McCullough et al., 2000; see record 2000-05424-007) that found few differences among Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed. rev.; DSM-III-R; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) categories of chronic depression. In the present study, 681 outpatients with chronic major depression, double depression, recurrent major depression without full interepisode recovery, and chronic major depression superimposed on antecedent dysthymia were compared. Few differences were observed on a broad range of demographic, clinical, psychosocial, family history, and treatment response variables. The authors suggest that chronic depression should be viewed as a single, broad condition that can assume a variety of clinical course configurations.
ADS-B based collision avoidance radar for unmanned aerial vehicles

This paper describes an ADS-B based collision avoidance radar that allows small autonomous UAVs to detect cooperative and non-cooperative targets in air space co-located with manned air. The targeted host platforms are small UAVs with 3.3 m or shorter wing spans. This radar system is effective against all air traffic, with or without transponder-based collision avoidance systems such as TCAS or ADS-B. It is even effective for stationary structures such as high-rise buildings and towers. It is based on the standard ADS-B signal, so no additional spectrum is needed. This system can leverage many commercial off-the-shelf components in existing transponders. Furthermore, it does not require modifications to the existing air traffic control system in the Continental United States or worldwide. Therefore, it should be easier to get the FAA's approval. The development and manufacturing costs are relatively inexpensive.
How can we augment the few that remain? Using stable population dynamics to aid reintroduction planning of an iteroparous species

Restoration of depleted populations is an important method in biological conservation. Reintroduction strategies frequently aim to restore stable, increasing, self-sustaining populations. Knowledge of asymptotic system dynamics may provide advantage in selecting reintroduction strategies. We introduce interactive software that is designed to identify strategies for release of females that are immediately aligned with stable population dynamics from species represented by 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-stage life history strategies. The software allows managers to input a matrix of interest, the desired number of breeding females, and the desired management timeline, and calls upon stable population theory to give release strategies that are in concert with both stable population status and the management goals. We demonstrate how the software can aid in assessing various strategies ahead of a hypothetical restoration. For the purpose of demonstration of the tool only, we use published vital rates of an ungulate species, but remark that the selection of species for demonstration is not central to the use of this tool. Adaption of this tool to real-life restorations of any 2-, 3-, 4-, or 5-stage iteroparous species may aid in understanding how to minimize undesirable recovery complications that may naturally arise from transient population dynamics. The software is freely available at: https//cwhl.vet. cornell.edu/tools/stapopd.
An algebraic approach to designing consensus algorithm of networked high dimensional agents

In this paper, we deal with a consensus control problem for a group of high dimensional agents which are networked by digraphs. Assuming that the control input of each agent is constructed based on the weighted difference between its states and those of its neighbor agents, we aim to propose an algorithm on computing the weighting coefficients in the control input. The problem is reduced to designing Hurwitz polynomials with complex coefficients. Focusing on the case of three dimensional systems, we show that by using Hurwitz polynomials with complex coefficients, we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the consensus algorithm. The condition is a natural extension to second order consensus, and is reasonable and practical due to its comparatively less computation burden. Two numerical examples show effectiveness of the proposed condition and the consensus algorithm.
The ‘Dalhousie Serotonin cocktail’ for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder

We describe the successful treatment of five patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TR-MDD) with a combination pharmacotherapy of pindolol, tryptophan and nefazodone. Five TR-MDD outpatients who had previously not responded to at least four different antidepressant medication trials were initiated on 300 mg/day of nefazodone, 7.5 mg/day of pindolol and 1 g/day of tryptophan. Pindolol doses remained the same throughout the 20 weeks, while tryptophan and nefazodone dosages were gradually increased to 8 g/day and 450 mg/day, respectively. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) was used to evaluate outcome. By week 4, all cases demonstrated at least 50% decrease in HAM-D scores. At the end of the trial, the group mean HAM-D score had significantly decreased from 26.8 (± 1.9) to 1.8 (± 0.8) (p < 0.001). No significant adverse effects were reported. These results suggest that if serotonin availability and release is further enhanced by tryptophan in the presence of nefazodone and pindolol, an antidepressant effect may be produced in patients who are otherwise treatment-resistant. Due to limited sample size, an open design and an ‘unusually’ high successful efficacy rate of this preliminary study, controlled studies are required to confirm the efficacy of this treatment strategy.
The piezoresistive performance investigation of multifunctional genuine nanocomposites thin films

In this work, piezoresistive properties of thin films based on carbon nanomaterials dispersed in intrinsically conductive polymer were investigated. The high conductive multiwalled carbon nanotubes / graphene oxide and Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polymerized with poly (4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thin films were prepared and deposited on flexible polymer substrates (Kapton HN500, 125 μm) by solution drop casting. The influences of mixing ratio of MWCNT:GO to PEDOT:PSS and of the chemical reduction on the electromechanical thin film properties such as electrical conductivity and strain sensitivity were investigated. For the non-treated thin films, a negative resistance coefficient was observed for the applied strain force with low strain sensitivity around -1.9. This behavior was independent on the mixing ratio between the MWCNT:GO to PEDOT:PSS. However, and for the chemically reduced thin films, two strain regions were distinguished with sensitivity up to 92. In general, MWCNT:GO/ PEDOT:PSS films have potential as a high conductive, high strain sensitive material for advanced structural health monitoring and aerospace applications.