Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduced Glycosaminoglycan Sulfation Diminishes the Agrin Signal Transduction Pathway

Proteoglycans consist of a protein core complexed to glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains, are abundant in skeletal muscle cell membranes and basal lamina, and have important functions in neuromuscular synapse development. Treatment with chlorate results in the undersulfation of heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate GAGs in cell culture. In addition, chlorate treatment decreases the frequency of spontaneous acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering in skeletal muscle cell culture. AChRs and other molecules cluster to form the postsynaptic component of neuromuscular synapses. Chlorate treatment is shown here to decrease the frequency of agrin-induced AChR clustering and agrin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the AChR β-subunit. These data suggest that reduced GAG chain sulfation decreases the frequency of AChR clustering by diminishing the agrin signal transduction pathway.
Regulation of Neuropeptide Y Y1 Receptors by Testosterone in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Rat Testis

It is well established that testosterone and neuropeptide Y (NPY), via its Y1 receptor (Y1R), are involved in the central control of the gonadotrope axis in male rats. Here we examined if a similar interaction also occurs in the male peripheral reproductive target organ, the testes. Expression of the Y1R transcript and protein and changes in testicular microcirculation were studied in normal rats and 12 days following hypophysectomy with and without testosterone substitution (1 or 25 mg s.c.). In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed strong expression of, respectively, Y1R messenger RNA (Y1R mRNA) and Y1R-like immunoreactivity (Y1R-LI) in vascular smooth muscles in the testes of control and hypophysectomized rats treated with testosterone, but was not seen without testosterone substitution. In parallel, control animals and hypophysectomized, testosterone-supplemented rats showed a strong (approximately 40%) decrease in testicular blood flow following intratesticular (i.t.) injection of the Y1-R agonists, [Leu31, Pro34]NPY, [D-Arg25]NPY or NPY, an effect which was completely blocked by prior intravenous administration of the Y1R antagonist, BIBP3226. No significant change in testicular blood flow following i.t. injection of NPY was seen in hypophysectomized rats without testosterone substitution. These findings suggest that the high levels of Y1R mRNA and Y1R-LI in the testes reflect expression of functional Y1Rs mediating vasoconstriction, and that testosterone regulates expression of functional Y1Rs.
Fingering instability in thin wetting films.

We report on a new hydrodynamic instability which occurs at the spreading edge of a thin wetting film. A drop of aqueous surfactant solution placed on a glass surface moistened with a thin layer of water spreads by propagating fingers, whose velocity and shape depend on the thickness of the ambient water layer and on the surfactant concentration. The two fluids are miscible and show negligible viscosity difference, ruling out a Saffman-Taylor instability. We propose that the Marangoni effect, which is fluid flow induced by gradients in surface tension, drives the instability.
Versatile RHDV virus‐like particles: Incorporation of antigens by genetic modification and chemical conjugation

Virus‐like particles have proved to be excellent molecular scaffolds, yet the individual characteristics and immune responses generated against each VLP requires the development of a wide range of capsids for use as vaccines, molecular delivery vessels, and nanoscale templates. Here we describe the development of Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV)‐like particles as a rapidly versatile molecular workbench, overcoming limitations imposed by established genetic antigen incorporation procedures with chimeric VLP. Production of the RHDV capsid protein in a baculovirus system led to the self‐assembly of VLP which were recovered at over 99% purity and manipulated both genetically and chemically. Fusion of small peptide sequences to RHDV VLP was well tolerated, forming chimeric capsids that enhanced the presentation of foreign peptide to hybridoma T helper cells 700‐fold. Rapid and simple conjugation techniques employing the hetero‐bifunctional chemical linker sulfo‐SMCC enabled both small peptides and whole proteins to be conjugated to the surface of RHDV VLP, overcoming limitations imposed on VLP formation and yield experienced with chimeric VLP. Administration of VLP/ovalbumin conjugate provoked high titre ovalbumin‐specific antibody in mice, demonstrating the immune stimulatory properties of the capsid were conferred to conjugated foreign antigen. VLP facilitated delivery of conjugated antigen to dendritic cells, eliciting proliferative responses in naïve TCR transgenic T helper cells that were at least 10‐fold greater than ovalbumin antigen delivered alone. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;98: 968–977. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative genetics and behavioural correlates of digit ratio in the zebra finch

A recent study on a captive zebra finch population suggested that variation in digit ratio (i.e. the relative length of the second to the fourth toe) might be an indicator of the action of sex steroids during embryo development, as is widely assumed for human digits. Zebra finch digit ratio was found to vary with offspring sex, laying order of eggs within a clutch, and to predict aspects of female mating behaviour. Hence, it was proposed that the measurement of digit ratio would give insights into how an individual's behaviour is shaped by its maternal environment. Studying 500 individuals of a different zebra finch population I set out to: (1) determine the proximate causes of variation in digit ratio by means of quantitative genetics and (2) to search for phenotypic and genetic correlations between digit ratio, sexual behaviour and aspects of fitness. In contrast to the earlier study, I found no sexual dimorphism in digit ratio and no effect of either laying order or experimentally altered hatching order on digit ratio. Instead, I found that variation in digit ratio was almost entirely additive genetic, with heritability estimates ranging from 71 to 84%. The rearing environment (from egg deposition to independence) explained an additional 5–6% of the variation in digit ratio, but there was no indication of any maternal effects transmitted through the egg. I found highly significant phenotypic correlations (and genetic correlations of similar size) between digit ratio and male song rate (positive correlation) as well as between digit ratio and female hopping activity in a choice chamber (negative correlation). Rather surprisingly, the strength of these correlations differed significantly between subsequent generations of the same population, illustrating how quickly such correlations can appear and disappear probably due to genotype–environment interactions.
Implementation of a 4/sup th/-generation 1.8GHz dual-core SPARC V9 microprocessor

This fourth-generation processor combines two enhanced third-generation cores using an advanced 90nm dual-V/sub t/ dual-gate-oxide technology. Hardware additions feature expanded caches and inclusion of a 2 MB level 2 cache and a level 3 tag. The chip operates at 1.8GHz while dissipating <100W at 1.1V.
AlGaN/GaN/GaN:C Back-Barrier HFETs With Breakdown Voltage of Over 1 kV and Low $R_{\scriptscriptstyle{\rm ON}} \times A$

A systematic study of GaN-based heterostructure field-effect transistors with an insulating carbon-doped GaN back barrier for high-voltage operation is presented. The impact of variations of carbon doping concentration, GaN channel thickness, and substrates is evaluated. Tradeoff considerations in on-state resistance versus current collapse are addressed. Suppression of the off-state subthreshold drain-leakage currents enables a breakdown voltage enhancement of over 1000 V with a low on-state resistance. Devices with a 5-μm gate-drain separation on semi-insulating SiC and a 7-μm gate-drain separation on n-SiC exhibit 938 V and 0.39 mΩ·cm<sup>2</sup> and 942 V and 0.39 m Ω·cmcm<sup>2</sup>, respectively. A power device figure of merit of ~ 2.3 × 10<sup>9</sup> V<sup>2</sup>/Ω·cm<sup>2</sup> was calculated for these devices.
Developmental programming of aortic and renal structure in offspring of rats fed fat‐rich diets in pregnancy

Evidence from human and animal studies suggests that maternal nutrition can induce developmental programming of adult hypertension in offspring. We have previously described a model of maternal dietary imbalance in Sprague‐Dawley rats whereby administration of a maternal diet rich in animal lard programmes the development of increased blood pressure, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, obesity and mesenteric artery endothelial dysfunction in adult offspring. To further characterize the mechanism of hypertension in this model we have examined vascular and renal structure in adult offspring of Sprague‐Dawley rats fed a control diet (OC) or lard‐rich diet (OHF) during pregnancy and suckling followed by a control diet post‐weaning. To gain further insight, we assessed aortic reactivity and elasticity in an organ bath preparation and renal renin and Na+,K+‐ATPase activity. Plasma aldosterone concentration was also measured. Stereological examination of the aorta in OHF demonstrated reduced endothelial cell volume and smooth muscle cell number compared with OC. Adult OHF animals showed increased aortic stiffness and reduced endothelium‐dependent relaxation. Renal stereology showed no differences in kidney weight, glomerular number or volume in OHF compared with OC, but renin and Na+,K+‐ATPase activity were significantly reduced in OHF compared with controls. Programmed alterations to aortic structure and function are consistent with previous observations that exposure to maternal high fat diets produces systemic vascular changes in the offspring. Despite normal renal stereology, altered renal Na+,K+‐ATPase and renin activity offers further insight into the mechanism underlying the increased blood pressure characteristic of this model.
The Arabidopsis Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatase PP2C5 Affects Seed Germination, Stomatal Aperture, and Abscisic Acid-Inducible Gene Expression1[C][W]

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an important phytohormone regulating various cellular processes in plants, including stomatal opening and seed germination. Although protein phosphorylation via mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) has been suggested to be important in ABA signaling, the corresponding phosphatases are largely unknown. Here, we show that a member of the Protein Phosphatase 2C (PP2C) family in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), PP2C5, is acting as a MAPK phosphatase. The PP2C5 protein colocalizes and directly interacts with stress-induced MPK3, MPK4, and MPK6, predominantly in the nucleus. Importantly, altered PP2C5 levels affect MAPK activation. Whereas Arabidopsis plants depleted of PP2C5 show an enhanced ABA-induced activation of MPK3 and MPK6, ectopic expression of PP2C5 in tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) resulted in the opposite effect, with the two MAPKs salicylic acid-induced protein kinase and wound-induced protein kinase not being activated any longer after ABA treatment. Moreover, depletion of PP2C5, whose gene expression itself is affected by ABA treatment, resulted in altered ABA responses. Loss-of-function mutation in PP2C5 or AP2C1, a close PP2C5 homolog, resulted in an increased stomatal aperture under normal growth conditions and a partial ABA-insensitive phenotype in seed germination that was most prominent in the pp2c5 ap2c1 double mutant line. In addition, the response of ABA-inducible genes such as ABI1, ABI2, RD29A, and Erd10 was reduced in the mutant plants. Thus, we suggest that PP2C5 acts as a MAPK phosphatase that positively regulates seed germination, stomatal closure, and ABA-inducible gene expression.
102 Rule Model Order Reduction of Integrated Circuit Based on Truncation Balanced Reduction Algorithm

Model order reduction (MOR) is a powerful tool simulate very large scale system. To integrated circuit system, passive and stability are major criteria. The paper presents the truncation balanced reduction (TBR) which can guarantee passive and stability algorithm based on the Hankel singular parameters. About how to select the truncated states, the paper presents the 102 rule with an example.
Pilot test of an emotional education intervention component for sexual risk reduction.

OBJECTIVE Emotions are key predictors of sexual risk behavior but have been largely ignored in theory-based intervention development. The present study aims to evaluate whether the addition of an emotional education intervention component to a traditional social-cognitive safer sex intervention increases intervention efficacy, compared with both a social-cognitive only intervention and a no intervention control condition. METHODS Young adults were randomized in small groups to receive the social-cognitive-emotional (SCE) intervention, the social-cognitive (SC) intervention, or standard of care. RESULTS Analyses of data from 176 participants indicated that intervention arms reported similar increased condom use compared with the no intervention control arm at 3 months' postintervention (β = .06, p = .41, d = 0.08). However, at 6 months' postintervention, individuals in the SCE intervention arm reported increased condom use compared with both the SC intervention (β = .27, p = .04, d = 0.38) and control arms (β = .37, p < .01; d = 0.56), demonstrating preliminary evidence that the addition of an emotional education component may facilitate sustained behavior change. CONCLUSIONS An emotional education intervention module has the potential to facilitate sustained behavior change at delayed follow-up. Additional research is necessary to replicate findings in a larger sample and to determine the mediators of emotional education intervention efficacy.
Differentiation of the Properties of the Branching Isozymes from Maize (Zea mays)

The multiple forms of branching enzyme (BE) from developing maize (Zea mays) endosperm were purified by modification of previous procedures such that amylase activity could be eliminated completely from the BE preparation. Three distinct assays for BE activity (phosphorylase a stimulation assay, BE linkage assay, and iodine stain assay) were used to characterize and differentiate the properties of the BE isoforms. This study presents the first evidence that the BE isoforms differ in their action on amylopectin. BEI had the highest activity in branching amylose, but its rate of branching amylopectin was less than 5% of that of branching amylose. Conversely, BEII isoforms had lower rates in branching amylose (about 9–12% of that of BEI) and had higher rates of branching amylopectin (about 6-fold) than BEI. The implication of these findings to the mechanism of amylopectin synthesis in vivo are discussed.
The essentially tame local Langlands correspondence, I

1. Let F be a non-Archimedean local field; we assume throughout that the residue field kp of F is finite, of characteristic p. Let Wp be the Weil group of F, formed relative to some separable algebraic closure of F. For each integer n ^ 1, let Sn(F) be the set of equivalence classes of irreducible smooth (complex) representations of Wp of dimension n. Likewise, let An(F) be the set of equivalence classes of irreducible supercuspidal representations of the group GLn(F). The Langlands correspondence gives a bijection
Fanconi anemia complementation group C is required for proliferation of murine primordial germ cells

Summary: Fanconi anemia is a polygenic trait hypothesized to be a DNA damage repair disease. We show that all three Fanconi anemia loci that have been cloned are expressed in the embryonic gonad during the period of primordial germ cell proliferation. Mice mutant for the Fanconi anemia complementation group C locus (Fancc) have reduced germ cell numbers as early as embryonic day E12.5, suggesting the Fancc protein functions prior to meiosis in both sexes. Depletion in the mutant occurs at a time when all three loci would be expressed in a wild‐type gonad, implying a function in the early germline. Determination of the mitotic index of primordial germ cells by BrdU incorporation shows that germ cells in Fancc−/− mice proliferate significantly more slowly than littermate controls. This study demonstrates Fancc is required for mitotic proliferation of primordial germ cells. genesis 27:117–123, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Audiovisual phonological mismatch produces early negativity in auditory cortex

During silent reading, visual information provided by letters is converted to auditory information in the mind. The purpose of this study was to identify the primary locus for auditory verbal imagery in the brain. Neuromagnetic recording was obtained from 10 right-handed study participants, who were instructed to identify infrequently occurring phonological mismatches between a random-ordered sequence of syllable sounds and a visually presented syllabogram sequence. The activity difference in early latency, calculated by subtracting the averaged responses to matched syllables from the averaged responses to mismatched syllables, showed a spatiotemporal profile strikingly similar to that of mismatch negativity. Auditory imagery of forthcoming verbal sounds may establish a memory trace as a template for imagery-based mismatch negativity generation in the auditory cortex.
Bridge condition modelling and prediction using dynamic Bayesian belief networks

The development of a condition-based deterioration modelling methodology at bridge group level using Bayesian belief network (BBN) is presented in this paper. BBN is an efficient tool to handle complex interdependencies within elements of engineering systems, by means of conditional probabilities specified on a fixed model structure. The advantages and limitations of the BBN for such applications are reviewed by analysing a sample group of masonry bridges on the UK railway infrastructure network. The proposed methodology is then extended to develop a time dependent deterioration model using a dynamic Bayesian network. The condition of elements within the selected sample of bridges and a set of conditional probabilities for static and time dependent variables, based on inspection experience, are used as input to the models to yield, in probabilistic terms, overall condition-based deterioration profiles for bridge groups. Sensitivity towards various input parameters, as well as underlying assumptions, on the point-in-time performance and the deterioration profile of the group are investigated. Together with results from ‘what if’ scenarios, the potential of the developed methodology is demonstrated in relation to the specification of structural health monitoring requirements and the prioritisation of maintenance intervention activities.
The "Smoothie" data base model for the correct modeling of non-linear distortion in FET devices

Currently available data base model implementations fail to correctly model intermodulation products at small to medium signal power levels. In this paper we present the "Smoothie" data base model for FET devices. The model is implemented within Agilent's Advanced Design System (ADS) and is based on the smoothing splines approximation of the device Y-parameters. All four the main functions (i.e. the port currents and charges) are found by analytical integration of the Y-parameters smoothing spline approximations. The use of the smoothing splines approximation compared to the conventional spline interpolation reduces the influence of measurement noise and yields to well behaved continuous higher order derivatives, which are essential in the simulation of circuit linearity. By choosing a proper set of splines control parameters, the user can influence the tradeoff between closeness and smoothness of the approximation. In this work we give an overview of the capabilities of "Smoothie" and compare it to the HP Root data base model.
A method for the evaluation of wide dynamic range cameras

We propose a multi-component metric for the evaluation of digital or video cameras under wide dynamic range (WDR) scenes. The method is based on a single image capture using a specifically designed WDR test chart and light box. Test patterns on the WDR test chart include gray ramps, color patches, arrays of gray patches, white bars, and a relatively dark gray background. The WDR test chart is professionally made using 3 layers of transparencies to produce a contrast ratio of approximately 110 dB for WDR testing. A light box is designed to provide a uniform surface with light level at about 80K to 100K lux, which is typical of a sunny outdoor scene. From a captured image, 9 image quality component scores are calculated. The components include number of resolvable gray steps, dynamic range, linearity of tone response, grayness of gray ramp, number of distinguishable color patches, smearing resistance, edge contrast, grid clarity, and weighted signal-to-noise ratio. A composite score is calculated from the 9 component scores to reflect the comprehensive image quality in cameras under WDR scenes. Experimental results have demonstrated that the multi-component metric corresponds very well to subjective evaluation of wide dynamic range behavior of cameras.
Population structure and evolutionary dynamics of wild-weedy-domesticated complexes of common bean in a Mesoamerican region

The diversity, structure, genetic flow, and evolutive relationships within and among three wild-weedy-domesticated complexes and a wild population isolated from crops of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were analyzed under traditional agriculture, within a region of the Mesoamerican center of domestication. Their diversity was compared with the diversity of a local commercial variety and a breeding line. A morphological marker and 37 polymorphic ISSR loci were used. Total genetic diversity within the wild, weedy, and domesticated populations across the complexes was very similar (0.24, 0.22, and 0.26, respectively). Weedy populations within each complex were more closely related to the domesticated than to the wild populations, suggesting they originated from introgression of wild-type alleles into the domesticated populations or predominant gene flow from domesticated to wild populations. The wild population in closest proximity to the crop within its complex was more similar to the domesticated and weedy populations of its complex than to the rest of the wild populations, suggesting displacement of the wild genetic diversity by gene flow from the domesticated population within its complex. The high values of differentiation among wild, weedy, and domesticated populations within each complex suggest high autogamy or genetic drift. However, the values of gene flow among populations within the complexes were close to one, theoretically sufficient to counteract genetic drift and/or autogamy. We therefore assume that human selection is the most important evolutionary mechanism for maintaining the high wild-domesticated differentiation by negative farmer selection of cultivated plants with morphological characters that suggest introgression. Farmers may influence the magnitude and characteristics of gene flow among populations within each complex by the management of the distance between the crops and the wild populations, the diversity within the landraces sown, and the tolerance and harvesting of weedy populations. The high geographic differentiation of the wild populations, together with the local differences in human selection practices and agronomic management, could have generated multiple evolutionary lineages after domestication. Domesticated populations within complexes were between two and four times more diverse than the local commercial variety and four and nine times more diverse than the breeding line. New conservation and breeding strategies are suggested to maintain and use the gene pools from these complexes.