Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Natural β‐Glucosidase Inhibitors in Reducing Toxicity of Amygdalin in Persicae Semen

Amygdalin can be decomposed into hydrocyanic acid, which is the primary source of Persicae Semen toxicity, by gut flora. Here, the inhibitory activity of β‐glucosidase for test herb extracts was first determined and compared. In turn, optimization of the ratio of substrate and inhibitor in vitro and LD50 values of extracts, serum and liver contents of amygdalin in vivo was measured. Lycii Cortex was found to be the best inhibitory activity for β‐glucosidase. The ratio of amygdalin‐to‐Lycii Cortex extract of 7.19:8.18 (mmol L−1/mg mL−1) can be relatively suitable for inhibiting β‐glucosidase activity in test in vitro reaction system. After mixed with Lycii Cortex extract, the toxicity of Persicae Semen ethanol extract in mice is significantly reduced and more amygdalin can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The study provides useful information for reducing toxicity of Persicae Semen and suggests how to better use these natural β‐glucosidase inhibitors in the utilization of glycosides and aglycones. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subcellular sorting of small membrane-associated triple gene block proteins: TGBp3-assisted targeting of TGBp2.

We studied subcellular distribution of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged movement proteins encoded by the second and the third genes of poa semilatent hordeivirus (PSLV) triple gene block (TGB), 15K TGBp2 and 18K TGBp3. GFP-15K transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf epidermal cells was associated with the endomembrane system elements. GFP-18K appeared in the membrane bodies at cell periphery. Mutation analysis demonstrated that subcellular targeting of GFP-15K depended on the protein transmembrane segment(s), whereas the TGBp3 central hydrophilic region was responsible for targeting of GFP-18K. Coexpression of GFP-15K with the intact 18K protein induced drastic changes in the TGBp2 localization: GFP-15K appeared in the cell peripheral bodies similar to those in the cells expressing GFP-18K alone. Coexpression experiments with mutant forms of both proteins argue against involvement of direct interaction between small TGB proteins in the TGBp3-assisted targeting of TGBp2 to the cell peripheral compartments. This conclusion was further confirmed by similar effects on the PSLV 15K TGBp2 localization induced by TGBp3 proteins of PSLV and potato virus X, which have no detectable sequence similarity to each other.
Identification and characterization of a novel PPARα-regulated and 7α-hydroxyl bile acid-preferring cytosolic sulfotransferase mL-STL (Sult2a8)[S]

PPARα has been known to play a pivotal role in orchestrating lipid, glucose, and amino acid metabolism via transcriptional regulation of its target gene expression during energy deprivation. Recent evidence has also suggested that PPARα is involved in bile acid metabolism, but how PPARα modulates the homeostasis of bile acids during fasting is still not clear. In a mechanistic study aiming to dissect the spectrum of PPARα target genes involved in metabolic response to fasting, we identified a novel mouse gene (herein named mL-STL for mouse liver-sulfotransferase-like) that shared extensive homology with the Sult2a subfamily of a superfamily of cytosolic sulfotransferases, implying its potential function in sulfonation. The mL-STL gene expressed predominantly in liver in fed state, but PPARα was required to sustain its expression during fasting, suggesting a critical role of PPARα in regulating the mL-STL-mediated sulfonation during fasting. Functional studies using recombinant His-tagged mL-STL protein revealed its narrow sulfonating activities toward 7α-hydroxyl primary bile acids, including cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, and α-muricholic acid, and thus suggesting that mL-STL may be the major hepatic bile acid sulfonating enzyme in mice. Together, these studies identified a novel PPARα-dependent gene and uncovered a new role of PPARα as being an essential regulator in bile acid biotransformation via sulfonation during fasting.
Computer-aided forensic facial reconstruction

The reconstruction of facial features on the human skull for identification purposes has, in the past, utilized either two-dimensional drafting or three-dimensional sculpting techniques. We have developed two- and three-dimensional computer-aided routines to minimize errors introduced by limits of artistic ability or by inconsistencies in the application of techniques. These routines allow generalized facial features to be manipulated to conform to the size and shape of a specific skull. Subtle alterations of the surface form, texture, and color, based on age, sex, and race, enhance the individuality of the generated facial form.
Read optimized MRAM with separate read-write paths based on concerted operation of magnetic tunnel junction with correlated material

Summary form only given. We propose a technique based on connecting CM like VO2 in parallel with the MTJ in the read path of multi-port MRAMs. Utilizing insulator-metal transitions in CM, the proposed cell achieves 1.7X to 4.3X improvement in cell TMR (CTMR) along with 7% to 22% higher read disturb margin compared to a baseline cell. Due to the separation of read-write paths in multi-port MRAMs, the CM has no effect on the write operation. The proposed idea is not limited to VO2 and its benefits may be further enhanced by exploring other suitable CMs [6] or by tuning the properties like resistivities, critical currents and thermal stability by techniques like strain [7] or Cr doping [8].
Home Biases,Border Effects and Market Integration:An Empirical Study Based on Inter-provincial VAT Survey

This paper uses goods trade data between any two provinces of China in 2003—2005 to examine the home bias of trade and domestic integration of product markets in China.Within the framework of the border effect model,our empirical tests show that inter-provincial border effects do matter in China and there are home biases in inter-provincial trade.After output,international trade,government behavior,bilateral and multilateral trade barriers are controlled,border effects in our empirical models are mostly between 4 and 6,and there is no time trend during the study period.The conclusion is that domestic product market integration is not as bad as other researchers have found.
Maternal adiposity and blood pressure in pregnancy: varying relations by ethnicity and gestational diabetes

Objective: Greater maternal adiposity is a potentially modifiable risk factor for elevated blood pressure during pregnancy; however, the association has been little studied in Asian populations, and no study has evaluated potential differences in the adiposity-blood pressure relation between ethnic groups or interaction with gestational diabetes. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional evaluation of a Singapore mother-offspring cohort comprising 799 pregnant Chinese, Malay and Indian women. Data on body weight, height, skinfold thickness and glycaemia (oral glucose tolerance test) were collected during the 2nd trimester; peripheral SBP and DBP were measured using an oscillometric device and central pressures by noninvasive radial applanation tonometry. The associations between adiposity measures BMI and sum of skinfold thickness and blood pressure outcomes were examined by linear regression with adjustment for potential confounders. Results: Higher maternal BMI was associated with elevated peripheral and central pressures: the increases in pressure (mmHg) for each kg/m2 increase in BMI were 1.19 (95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.36) for peripheral SBP, 0.76 (0.63–0.89) for peripheral DBP, 1.02 (0.87–1.17) for central systolic pressure and 0.26 (0.16–0.37) for central pulse pressure. The associations were generally stronger in Chinese women (P-interaction = 0.03 for central pulse pressure) and individuals with gestational diabetes (P-interaction = 0.03 for DBP and P-interaction = 0.046 for central systolic pressure). Similar patterns of results were found when using skinfold thickness as the measure of adiposity. Conclusion: Maternal adiposity is associated with higher peripheral and central blood pressures during pregnancy. Stronger associations in Chinese women and individuals with gestational diabetes warrant further investigation.
Usefulness of Preoperative Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Cervical Carcinoma

This study investigated response rate, toxicity, and influence on intra- and postoperative complications of neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation in locally advanced (Figo IB2–IIIB) cervical carcinomas. Twenty-eight patients (median age 46.5 years, age range 29–73 years), diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinomas (n = 21), adenocarcinomas (n = 6), and undifferentiated carcinoma (n = 1), entered this study. The chemoradiation protocol included external radiotherapy to the pelvis (39.6 Gy), intra-arterial or intravenous infusion of cisplatin (70 mg/m2 on days 1 and 22), and 24-hour continuous intravenous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (700 mg/m2 on days 1–4 and 22–25). Two weeks after the end of chemoradiotherapy, the patients underwent restaging followed by suitable operation including pelvic lymphadenectomy. The median follow-up period in the surviving patients was 13.1 months. The response rate for chemoradiation was 93% (26/28). The 2-year disease free survival was 85.2%. Grade 3–4 neutropenia was observed in 14 patients (50%), 4 patients (14%) showed grade 3 anemia, and 5 patients (17.8%) showed grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia. Nineteen patients (67.8%) could undergo surgery after concurrent chemoradiation. Pathological examination revealed a complete response (pT0) in 7 patients, and 5 patients showed only microscopic residual disease (pTmic). In 4 patients, there were intraoperative complications: vesical lesions in 2 (10%) and small intestine lesions in 2 (10%). Neoadjuvant therapy with concurrent chemoradiation for locally advanced cervical carcinoma is effective, safe, and useful for increasing operability rates as well as decreasing intra- and postoperative complications. Therefore, neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation should be considered for treatment in patients with locally advanced cervical carcinomas who could not undergo primary operation.
In vivo real‐time imaging of nuclear‐cytoplasmic dynamics of dormancy, proliferation and death of cancer cells  

The in vivo visualization of dormancy, proliferation, as well as cell death is of great importance in understanding the cellular pathology of cancer. We describe here the use of fluorescent proteins to differentially label cells in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and high‐powered imaging technology to visualize the nuclear‐cytoplasmic dynamics of these phenomena of cancer in vivo. The implications of this technology for discovery of new visible targets at the cellular level for treatment of cancer are discussed.
What drives the vulnerability of rural communities to climate variability? Consensus and diverging views in the Congo Basin

The vulnerability of rural communities to climate variability and change in developing countries is widely recognized. However, the question of what factors drive their vulnerability remains subject to different interpretations. This study explored the perceptions of local key informants on the factors influencing the vulnerability of forest communities to droughts and excessive rains in five contrasting socio-ecological zones of the Congo Basin forest. Results from the local level were discussed by national stakeholders. The analysis showed that people agreed on the positive effect of most community assets (physical, natural, human, social and financial) on vulnerability reduction. Diverging views arose with regard to the effects of population density and institutions on vulnerability, as well as to whether the dependence of communities on forest products increased vulnerability. The perceptions of local respondents depended on local contexts and the roles of the respondents in communities. The divergent interpretations revealed in this study underline the challenges faced by adaptation policy-makers and project developers in reconciling the opposing views of multiple stakeholders. National adaptation plans should identify broad priorities that must be converted into specific adaptation plans at the local level.
Evidence for the Induction of Repetitive Action Potentials in Synaptosomes by K+‐Channel Inhibitors: An Analysis of Plasma Membrane Ion Fluxes

Abstract: The effects of four K+‐channel inhibitors on synaptosomal free Ca2+ concentrations and 86Rb+ fluxes are analysed. 4‐Aminopyridine, α‐dendrotoxin, charybdotoxin, and tetraethylammonium all increase the free Ca2+ concentration, although their potencies differ widely. In each case, the elevation in free Ca2+ concentration is reversed by the subsequent addition of tetrodotoxin. The transient 86Rb+ efflux from preequilibrated synaptosomes induced with high concentrations of veratridine is partially inhibited by 4‐aminopyridine and α‐dendrotoxin. In contrast, when 4‐aminopyridine or α‐dendrotoxin is added to polarized synaptosomes, an enhanced86Rb+ flux is seen, both for uptake and for efflux with no change in the total 86Rb+/K+ content of the synaptosomes and with only a slight time‐averaged plasma membrane depolarization (6.4 and 3.3 mV, respectively). The enhancements of flux by 4‐aminopyridine or α‐dendrotoxin are sensitive to ouabain and/or to tetrodotoxin. Furthermore, these flux changes show the same concentration dependencies as the blocked component of veratridine‐stimulated 86Rb+ efflux, the elevation of free Ca2+ concentration, and the facilitation of glutamate exocytosis that are elicited by 4‐aminopyridine or α‐dendrotoxin. It is concluded that these findings support the proposal of spontaneous, repetitive firing of synaptosomes evoked by K+‐channel inhibitors and that the enhanced 86Rb+ flux is a consequence of the activity of 4‐aminopyridine‐ and α‐dendrotoxin‐insensitive K+ channels during these action potentials.
Molecular Epidemiology of Cancer

Epidemiology is very successful in identifying environmental and lifestyle factors that increase or reduce risk of specific cancers, leading to cancer prevention strategies. However, the etiology of many types of cancer is still poorly understood, despite extensive use of questionnaires and interview‐based approaches in conventional epidemiologic studies. The integration of molecular techniques into epidemiology studies may provide new insights and has been referred to as molecular epidemiology. For instance, our ability to make connections between lifestyle and cancer risk is limited by difficulty in accurately measuring exposure to many carcinogens—newer molecular markers of exposure may provide better information. The completion of the Human Genome Project gives us knowledge of the genetic variations that presumably underlie the fact that a family history of cancer is a risk factor for most cancer types. Some of this excess risk has been explained over the last decade by identification of mutations in genes that give rise to a very high familial risk. Molecular epidemiologists are searching for genes that may give rise to much smaller increases in individual risk, but account for much of the residual risk associated with family history. These genes may also interact with environment and lifestyle factors such that cancer risk is not equally elevated in all persons exposed to an environmental factor (but not genetically susceptible), or all gene carriers (but not exposed to the environmental factor). Molecular markers may help to differentiate tumors with the same histologic appearance into different etiologic subtypes. Finally, response to treatment may be determined by molecular subtypes of the tumor, or inherited variation in drug metabolism. Examples will be given of how use of molecular techniques is informative in epidemiological studies of cancer and is predicted to lead to improvements in cancer incidence, early detection, and mortality.
A comparison study of road condition cognition by visual and torque feedback

The traffic accident becomes social trouble along with the driver's increase and diversification. To solve this problem, the driving support system that everyone can drive a vehicle always safely is required. Then, the electric vehicle(EV) come under the spotlight in recent years. In this paper, the comparison between torque feedback and visual feedback is conducted to show the validity of force feedback communication. First, driving force and slip ratio is estimated and road condition is culcuated. Second, the slipping restrain by the feedback of road condition in torque to driver with haptic pedal. Then visual indicator to show the road condition is also constructed. Finally, each strategy is evaluated by several numerical results.
A new Surface Accumulation Layer Transistor (SALTran) concept for current gain enhancement in bipolar transistors

In this paper we report a new Surface Accumulation Layer Transistor (SALTran) on SOI which uses the concept of surface accumulation of electrons near the emitter contact to significantly improve the current gain. Using two-dimensional device simulation, the performance of the proposed device has been evaluated in detail by comparing its characteristics with those of the previously published conventional lateral bipolar transistor (LBT) structure. From our simulation results it is observed that the proposed SALTran exhibits a high current gain of approximately 190 as compared to the conventional transistor which shows a current gain of only 30. We also demonstrate that the presence of the surface accumulation layer does not deteriorate the cut-off frequency as observed in the high-low emitter junction bipolar transistors. We have discussed the reasons for the improved performance of the SALTran including the complete fabrication procedure as implemented in the two-dimensional process simulator.
Aging Effect on the Ocular Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potentials

Objective: This study applied ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) tests in healthy subjects of various ages to measure the effect of aging on oVEMPs quantitatively. Study Design: Prospective study. Setting: University hospital. Subjects: Seventy healthy subjects with the ages ranging from 24 to 76 years were divided into 6 groups by decade. Each group consisted of 10 subjects in 1 decade except 20 subjects in the group of 60 to 69 years. Main Outcome Measures: All subjects underwent oVEMP tests using bone-conducted vibration stimuli. Results: All subjects in groups of 20-59 years showed 100% response rates of clear oVEMPs, while 22 (55%) of 40 eyes in group of 60-69 years and 8 (40%) of 20 eyes in group of ≥ 70 years had clear oVEMPs, exhibiting significant differences between those below and over 60 years of age. The mean nI and pI latencies also showed significantly prolonged in those over 60 years, whereas the mean nI-pI amplitude reduced significantly in subjects over 40 years. However, the asymmetry ratios of oVEMPs did not differ significantly among the age groups. Analyses between the age factor and characteristic parameters revealed that significant correlations existed between the age factor and the nI latency, pI latency and nI-pI amplitude, but not the nI-pI interval. Conclusion: Aging effect (> 60 years old) on the oVEMPs includes reduced response rate, prolonged nI and pI latencies, and decreased nI-pI amplitude. Thus, age factor should be taken into consideration when interpreting the oVEMP results.
A virtual resistance based reactive power sharing strategy for networked microgrid

Different from the traditional microgrid with a common ac bus, networked microgrid always suffers more serious reactive power sharing problems due to its complex inner configurations. In such a situation, the reactive power sharing errors among distributed generation (DG) units can't be eliminated effectively. Thus, an advanced reactive power sharing strategy that employs communication and virtual resistance control is hereby proposed for networked microgrid. First of all, the relation between reactive power output and virtual impedance regulation (VRR) is discussed. After that, communication is introduced to assign reactive power reference to each DG unit for their respective VRR, which is able to compensate the mismatch in network. The method is immune to the load change during the regulation stage, and also to the time delay in communication channels. From the small signal analysis, it also can be seen that in the designed regulation range, VRR has no significant effect on the system stability. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy are validated by the simulation and real time digital simulator (RTDS) test results from a 50 kVA networked microgrid system.
Walking Away From The Wire: Housing Mobility and Neighborhood Opportunity in Baltimore

Abstract Families using the Housing Choice Voucher Program rarely experience large gains in neighborhood or school quality when compared with unassisted poor renters. Research on housing mobility programs has reached mixed conclusions about whether vouchers can improve neighborhood and school quality, especially in the long term. We revisit these findings using new data from the partial remedy to the Thompson v. HUD desegregation case in Baltimore, known as the Baltimore Housing Mobility Program (BHMP). Through targeted vouchers, intensive counseling and innovative policy features, the BHMP helped families move to low-poverty, nonsegregated neighborhoods with higher performing school districts. We examine residential outcomes for the first 1,800 families that moved through the program for a period of up to 9 years. We find that BHMP families moved to more integrated and affluent neighborhoods, in school districts with more qualified teachers and fewer poor students—and most families stayed in these neighborhoods beyond their initial lease-up period. Eventually, a small proportion of families moved to neighborhoods that are less white, but still significantly less poor and less segregated than their original communities. We interpret these findings in light of past mobility programs and discuss policy implications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.