Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Fabrication Process of Freestanding Metallic Microstructures Using Double Electroplating

A simple electroplating surface micromachining process for fabricating freestanding microstructures using UV lithography of thick photoresist and double electroplating is presented. Compared with the conventional surface micromachining process, this process can be used to fabricate various shapes of freestanding “out-of-plane” microstructure. Two different materials electroplated continuously in a single mold are used as a sacrificial and a structural layer, respectively. Shape of the sacrificial layer is determined by changing width and space of the patterned plating base electrodes. The released structure is obtained after selective etching of the sacrificial layer. The shape of released structure is automatically determined by shape of sacrificial layer. The gap and thickness of the structure are easily controlled by electroplating times. Using this process, a simple microactuator with inclined side-support beams is successfully fabricated. This technique can be applied to fabricate a novel type of surface micromachined actuating component.
A microplate assay for DNA damage determination (fast micromethod).

A rapid and convenient procedure for DNA damage determination in cell suspensions and solid tissues on single microplates was developed. The procedure is based on the ability of commercially available fluorochromes to interact preferentially with dsDNA in the presence of ssDNA, RNA, and proteins at high pH (>12.0), thus allowing direct measurements of DNA denaturation without sample handling or stepwise DNA separations. The method includes a simple and rapid 40-min sample lysis in the presence of EDTA, SDS, and high urea concentration at pH 10, followed by time-dependent DNA denaturation at pH 12.4 after NaOH addition. The time course and the extent of DNA denaturation is followed in a microplate fluorescence reader at room temperature for less than 1 h. The method requires only 30 ng DNA per single well and could conveniently be used whenever fast analysis of DNA integrity in small samples has to be done, e.g., in patients' lymphocytes after irradiation or chemotherapy (about 3000 cells per sample), in solid tissues or biopsies after homogenization (about 25 microg tissue per well), or in environmental samples for genotoxicity assessment.
Adaptive Bloom Filter: A Space-Efficient Counting Algorithm for Unpredictable Network Traffic

The Bloom Filter (BF), a space-and-time-efficient hash-coding method, is used as one of the fundamental modules in several network processing algorithms and applications such as route lookups, cache hits, packet classification, per-flow state management or network monitoring. BF is a simple space-efficient randomized data structure used to represent a data set in order to support membership queries. However, BF generates false positives, and cannot count the number of distinct elements. A counting Bloom Filter (CBF) can count the number of distinct elements, but CBF needs more space than BF. We propose an alternative data structure of CBF, and we called this structure an Adaptive Bloom Filter (ABF). Although ABF uses the same-sized bit-vector used in BF, the number of hash functions employed by ABF is dynamically changed to record the number of appearances of a each key element. Considering the hash collisions, the multiplicity of a each key element on ABF can be estimated from the number of hash functions used to decode the membership of the each key element. Although ABF can realize the same functionality as CBF, ABF requires the same memory size as BF. We describe the construction of ABF and IABF (Improved ABF), and provide a mathematical analysis and simulation using Zipf's distribution. Finally, we show that ABF can be used for an unpredictable data set such as real network traffic.
TNF Family Member B Cell-Activating Factor (BAFF) Receptor-Dependent and -Independent Roles for BAFF in B Cell Physiology1

The cytokine TNF family member B cell-activating factor (BAFF; also termed BLyS) is essential for B cell generation and maintenance. Three receptors have been identified that bind to BAFF: transmembrane activator, calcium modulator, and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI); B cell maturation Ag (BCMA); and BAFF-R. Recently, it was shown that A/WySnJ mice, which contain a dramatically reduced peripheral B cell compartment due to decreased B cell life span, express a mutant BAFF-R. This finding, together with normal or enhanced B cell generation in mice deficient for BCMA or TACI, respectively, suggested that the interaction of BAFF with BAFF-R triggers signals essential for the generation and maintenance of mature B cells. However, B cells in mice deficient for BAFF differ phenotypically and functionally from A/WySnJ B cells. Residual signaling through the mutant BAFF-R could account for these differences. Alternatively, dominant-negative interference by the mutant receptor could lead to an overestimation of the importance of BAFF-R. To resolve this issue, we generated BAFF-R-null mice. Baff-r−/− mice display strongly reduced late transitional and follicular B cell numbers and are essentially devoid of marginal zone B cells. Overexpression of Bcl-2 rescues mature B cell development in Baff-r−/− mice, suggesting that BAFF-R mediates a survival signal. CD21 and CD23 surface expression are reduced on mature Baff-r−/− B cells, but not to the same extent as on mature B cells in BAFF-deficient mice. In addition, we found that Baff-r−/− mice mount significant, but reduced, Ag-specific Ab responses and are able to form spontaneous germinal centers in mesenteric lymph nodes. The reduction in Ab titers correlates with the reduced B cell numbers in the mutant mice.
Comprehensive Morphologic Evaluation of the Hip in Patients with Symptomatic Labral Tear

A torn acetabular labrum is a well-documented source of hip pain, but the mechanism of injury is debated because the relationship between the bone morphology and labral tears is poorly understood. We compared hips with and without labral abnormalities to determine the relative incidence of morphologic abnormalities. The study group consisted of patients with a labral tear confirmed by arthroscopy or arthrotomy at the time of open débridement or periacetabular osteotomy. We compared the affected hip with the contra-lateral, unaffected hip to ascertain signs of hip dysplasia and impingement. We observed differences in the center edge angle, acetabular depth to width index, acetabular index of elevation, femoral head extrusion, lateral and superior subluxation, Sharp's angle, peak to edge distance, and acetabular retroversion. Similar differences occurred in the subgroup analyses. Symptomatic labral tears correlated with abnormal hip morphology as reflected by radiographic measurements of dysplasia and impingement. This relationship occurred in patients with hip dysplasia and patients without obvious femoral head uncovering. Our findings suggest abnormal hip morphology may be a risk factor for labral tears.Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Introduction of arbitrary sequences into genes by use of class IIs restriction enzymes.

Introduction of additional nucleotides or modification of sequences at locations where no convenient restriction endonuclease recognition site is available can be rather difficult, especially if one has to conserve a particular reading frame and new cleavage sites cannot simply be generated by taking advantage of the degeneracy of the genetic code. Overlap extension (1, can be very useful, however it has some limitations in fragment length and it can take some time to find optimal conditions for a particular reaction. Using inverse primers to amplify small plasmids followed by blunt-end ligation (3) also has some restrictions (e.g. amplification of a longer DNA sequence than necessary; use of polymerases with proof-reading activity). We wanted to insert a DNA sequence coding for four histidine residues and an enterokinase cleavage site between the signal sequence and the mature sequence of human placental alkaline phosphatase (4) for purification (5). We added the enterokinase recognition site in order to allow regeneration of the authentic N-terminus of the enzyme. a to this, using class UIs restriction endonucleases.
カラーテイスト配色ブック : tasteful color combinations

安らぎ・幸福 アクティブ・エネルギッシュ ワイルド・エキゾチック 神聖・ミステリアス ノスタルジック・哀愁 上品・洗練 信頼・ノーブル 優しさ・親しみ インテリジェンス 若さ・健全 豊か・健全 豊か・デラックス 伝統・安定 モダン・フューチャー ヒューマン・ナチュラル
Human Hormone Production in vitro

A new in vitro hormone-synthesizing cell system, line BeWO, derived from human gestational choriocarcinoma, has been permanently established; a high degree of synthesis of functional hormone has been maintained for 18 months in tissue culture. Predominantly glycolytic metabolism, dependent on the level of glucose in the medium, has been observed. Many facets of placental and tumor-cell metabolism, growth, and differentiation are found in this unique multipotential cell.
N-glycan-defective breast cancer cells induce a phenotypic switch in polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages.

PURPOSE To investigate the effect of N-glycan-defective mammary adenocarcinoma cells on the polarization of macrophages. METHODS N-glycan-defective breast cancer cells (MA782 cells) were prepared by swainsonine (SW) treatment and the cytotoxicity of SW to MA782 cells was evaluated using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The N-glycan-defective MA782 cells were co-cultured with bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) for 48 h in vitro, and then the BMDMs and the co-cultured supernatant were analyzed for macrophage phenotypic using FQRT-PCR, FCM and ELISA. RESULTS SW-treated MA782 cells expressed defective N-glycan on the cell surface in a dose-dependent manner (*p < 0.05). MTT assays showed that neither the 1 μg/mL nor 5 μg/mL SW treatments showed significant inhibition of MA782 cell growth in vitro. The expression of iNOS and agr-1 in the 5 μg/mL SW-treated group were 4.75-fold higher and 3.7-fold lower than that in the untreated group, respectively (*p < 0.05). Mean fluorescence intensity of CD16/32 expressed in the cells treated with 5 μg/mL SW was significantly higher in comparison with the untreated group (65 vs. 7, *p < 0.05), though the percentage of CD16/32-positive cells were not significantly different. Furthermore, the expression of CD206 and dectin-1 in the 5 μg/mL SW-treated group was significantly decreased (3.1±0.3% and 4.1±1.1%, respectively) in comparison with the untreated group (40±3% and 8.9±1.2%, respectively, both p < 0.05). In addition, the 5 μg/mL SW-treated group secreted more TNF-alpha (350 ±25 pg/mL) and less IL-10 (89±7.2 pg/mL) than the untreated group (80 ±3 pg/mL and 150 ±10 pg/mL, respectively, both p < 0.05). CONCLUSION N-glycan-defective MA782 cells can induce the differentiation of BMDM into proinflammatory M1 macrophages in vitro.
Efficacy evaluation of a new vaccine against bovine mastitis : field trials results

2. Deciding the composition of the Startvac vaccine Biofilm refers to the microbial communities attached to a solid surface and enclosed in a extracellular matrix. Some advantages of biofilm formation are that promote the catalytic functions, affords protection from the environmental challenges (UV exposure, metal toxicity, acid exposure, dehydratation and salinity, phagocytosis and several antibiotics and antimicrobial agents). S. aureus adhesins are involved in the establishment of infection through early attachment to host tissues (Clarke and Foster, 2006). A second step in virulence results in intercellular adhesion among bacterial cells and subsequent development of a biofilm, leading to chronic infections and bacterial resistance to phagocytosis (Monleon et al., 1997; Costerton et al., 1999; Kampen et al., 2005). A major constituent of the staphylococcal biofilm matrix is the poly-N-acetyl β-1,6 glucosamine surface polysaccharide, synthesized by proteins encoded by the intercellular adhesion ica operon (Cramton et al., 1999). Data on the specific role of biofilm matrix polysaccharides in the development of a protective immune response against S. aureus mastitis are limited. Recently, Pérez et al. (2009) found that bacterins from strong biofilm-producing bacteria triggered the highest production of antibodies to PNAG and conferred the highest protection against infection and mastitis in a immunization-challenge study in sheeps, compared with weak biofilm-producing bacteria, crude extract or purified PNAG, concluding that bacterins from strong biofilm bacteria, rather than purified polysaccharide could be a cost-efficient vaccination approach against S. aureus ruminant mastitis. The E. coli J5 strain included in the vaccine is a natural mutant strain that lacks the enzyme responsible for binding the outer polysaccharide to the core region of the LPS, so the core antigen is exposed in the external membrane of this strain. The interesting thing of this strain is that the core region of LPS is highly conserved among a broad spectrum of Gram-negative bacteria.
Autophagy of whole and partial chloroplasts in individually darkened leaves: A unique system in plants?

Chloroplasts are the characteristic organelle of photoautoprophs. To acquire carbohydrates, the majority of leaf nitrogen is distributed to chloroplasts as photosynthetic proteins. During age-related senescence or under starvation conditions, chloroplasts become a major source of carbon and nitrogen for recycling. While bulk degradation of the cytosol and organelles must occur by autophagy in plants, the role of autophagy in chloroplast degradation is still unclear. Our recent results confirm the role of autophagy in both partial and whole chloroplast degradation, at least during promoted senescence of individually-darkened leaves.
Switched capacitor single-slope capacitance to direct digital converter for differential capacitive sensors

A novel, simple and accurate Single-Slope Capacitance-to-Digital Converter (SSCDC) suitable for differential capacitive sensors is presented in this paper. Differential capacitive sensors have two capacitors that vary in a push-pull manner with-respect-to the measurand. In many such sensors, the relationship between capacitance and measurand is non-linear. The proposed SSCDC accepts the sensor capacitances having non-linear characteristics, and provides a linear digital output directly proportional to the measurand (without employing a dedicated ADC) for the full range of input. It also provides a faster conversion rate when compared to its Dual-Slope CDC counterpart. Simulation studies and experimental results obtained from a prototype built and tested prove the efficacy of the proposed scheme. The worst case non-linearity was within 0.3%.
Robot learning by observing humans activities and modeling failures

People needs are varied and different. Service robotics aims to help people to satisfy these needs, but not all the feasible programs can be preloaded into a robot. The robot have to learn new tasks depending on the circumstances. A solution to this challenge could be Robot Learning from Demonstration (RLfD) [3] [2]. In this paper, a RLfD framework is described in its entire pipeline. The data are acquired from a low cost RGB-D sensor, so the user can act naturally with no need of additional hardware. The information are subsequently elaborated to adapt to the robot structure and modeled to overcome the differences between human and robot. Experiments are performed using input data coming from a publicly available dataset of human actions, and a humanoid robot, an Aldebaran NAO, is shown to successfully replicate an action based on human demonstrations and some further trials automatically generated from the learned model.
Assessment of Statistical Moments of a Performance Function for Robust Design of Electromagnetic Devices

This paper proposes a statistical probability approach to evaluate the quality loss function of electromagnetic design problems, which is expressed in terms of the first two statistical moments, mean and variance. A univariate dimension reduction method is employed to calculate the statistical moments of a performance function and their sensitivities accurately, and efficiently. Finally, the method is integrated into the robust design optimization algorithm. The proposed method explores an optimum design with statistical information so that it can provide a more accurate solution than other robust design methods. The proposed method is tested with a mathematical model and a blushless DC motor, and its numerical accuracy and efficiency are examined by comparison with existing methods.
Mistargeting hippocampal axons by expression of a truncated Eph receptor

Topographic mapping of axon terminals is a general principle of neural architecture that underlies the interconnections among many neural structures. The Eph family tyrosine kinase receptors and their ligands, the ephrins, have been implicated in the formation of topographic projection maps. We show that multiple Eph receptors and ligands are expressed in the hippocampus and its major subcortical projection target, the lateral septum, and that expression of a truncated Eph receptor in the mouse brain results in a pronounced alteration of the hippocamposeptal topographic map. Our observations provide strong support for a critical role of Eph family guidance factors in regulating ontogeny of hippocampal projections.
Metal Nanoparticles Deposited on Porous Silicon Templates as Novel Substrates for SERS

In this paper, results on preparation of stable and uniform SERS solid substrates using macroporous silicon (pSi) with deposited silver and gold are presented. Macroporous silicon is produced by anodisation of p-type silicon in hydrofluoric acid. The as prepared pSi is then used as a template for Ag and Au depositions. The noble metals were deposited in three different ways: by immersion in silver nitrate solution, by drop-casting silver colloidal solution and by pulsed laser ablation (PLA). Substrates obtained by different deposition processes were evaluated for SERS efficiency using methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine 6G (R6G) at 514.5, 633 and 785 nm. Using 514.5 nm excitation and R6G the limits of detection (LOD) for macroporous Si samples with noble metal nanostructures obtained by immersion of pSi sample in silver nitrate solution and by applying silver colloidal solution to pSi template were 10–9 M and 10–8 M respectively. Using 633 nm laser and MB the most noticeable SERS activity gave pSi samples ablated with 30000 and 45000 laser pulses where the LODs of 10–10 M were obtained. The detection limit of 10–10 M was also reached for 4 mA cm–2-15 min pSi sample, silver ablated with 30000 pulses. Macroporous silicon proved to be a good base for the preparation of SERS substrates.
OLIG 2 ( BHLHB 1 ) , a bHLH Transcription Factor , Contributes to Leukemogenesis in Concert with LMO 1

OLIG2 (originally designated BHLHB1) encodes a transcription factor that contains the basic helix-loop-helix motif. Although expression of OLIG2 is normally restricted to neural tissues, overexpression of OLIG2 has been shown in patients with precursor T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia (pre-T LBL). In the current study, we found that overexpression of OLIG2 was not only found in oligodendroglioma samples and normal neural tissue but also in a wide spectrum of malignant cell lines including leukemia, non–small cell lung carcinoma, melanoma, and breast cancer cell lines. To investigate whether enforced expression of OLIG2 is oncogenic, we generated transgenic mice that overexpressed OLIG2 in the thymus. Ectopic OLIG2 expression in the thymus was only weakly oncogenic as only 2 of 85 mice developed pre-T LBL. However, almost 60% of transgenic mice that overexpressed both OLIG2 and LMO1 developed pre-T LBL with large thymic tumor masses. Gene expression profiling of thymic tumors that developed in OLIG2/LMO1 mice revealed upregulation of Notch1 as well as Deltex1 (Dtx1) and pre T-cell antigen receptor A (Ptcra), two genes that are considered to be downstream of Notch1 . Of note, we found mutations in the Notch1 heterodimerization or proline-, glutamic acid-, serine-, and threonine-rich domain in three of six primary thymic tumors. In addition, growth of leukemic cell lines established from OLIG2/LMO1 transgenic mice was suppressed by a ;-secretase inhibitor, suggesting that Notch1 up-regulation is important for the proliferation of OLIG2-LMO1 leukemic cells. (Cancer Res 2005; 65(16): 7151-8)
Structure of a Human Carcinogen-converting Enzyme, SULT1A1

Sulfonation catalyzed by sulfotransferase enzymes plays an important role in chemical defense mechanisms against various xenobiotics but also bioactivates carcinogens. A major human sulfotransferase, SULT1A1, metabolizes and/or bioactivates many endogenous compounds and is implicated in a range of cancers because of its ability to modify diverse promutagen and procarcinogen xenobiotics. The crystal structure of human SULT1A1 reported here is the first sulfotransferase structure complexed with a xenobiotic substrate. An unexpected finding is that the enzyme accommodates not one but two molecules of the xenobiotic model substrate p-nitrophenol in the active site. This result is supported by kinetic data for SULT1A1 that show substrate inhibition for this small xenobiotic. The extended active site of SULT1A1 is consistent with binding of diiodothyronine but cannot easily accommodate β-estradiol, although both are known substrates. This observation, together with evidence for a disorder-order transition in SULT1A1, suggests that the active site is flexible and can adapt its architecture to accept diverse hydrophobic substrates with varying sizes, shapes and flexibility. Thus the crystal structure of SULT1A1 provides the molecular basis for substrate inhibition and reveals the first clues as to how the enzyme sulfonates a wide variety of lipophilic compounds.
Haptic Manipulation of Serial-Chain Virtual Mechanisms

This paper presents an approach for providing realistic force feedback to users manipulating serial-chain virtual mechanisms. In the proposed approach, a haptic device controller is designed that penalizes users’ motion along the directions resisted by the virtual joints. The resisted directions span the nullspace the Jacobian of the virtual mechanism computed at the users’ hand, and are derived via a singular value decomposition-based algorithm. Haptic numerical performance is achieved by computing the resisted directions on the graphics processor, and by using them on the haptics processor to derive the control signal that restricts users’ motion as required by the virtual joints. The performance of the proposed approach is validated through experimental manipulations of links with unrestricted and with restricted motion within a planar virtual world.