Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chloride influx into citrus leaf slices.

The influx of 36Cl has been measured in slices of citrus leaves. The influx increases with increasing external chloride concentration. The shape of the influx v. concentration curve depends on the nature and concentration of the accompanying cations (Na+ and K+). There is no evidence for the two distinct chloride transport systems reported by other workers. Chloride influx was not stimulated by light under aerobic conditions and was sensitive to 2,4-dinitrophenol at uncoupling concentrations. Under anaerobic conditions influx was maintained by light but severely limited by dark conditions. 3-(chlorophenyl)-I,I-dimethylurea did not affect aerobic influx and only high levels (5 X 10-OM) affected the anaerobic influx in the light. It is proposed that chloride influx is normally dependent on oxidative phosphorylation but that cyclic photophosphorylation may provide an alternative energy source. The implications of these results are discussed with respect to ionic relations of whole leaves and salinity damage.
Molecular mechanisms of myosin light chain mutation-induced cardiomyopathies

of a dissertation at the University of Miami. In this proposal, I have studied the HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) and DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) disease causing mechanisms associated with mutations in the myosin regulatory (RLC) and essential (ELC) light chains. Specifically, four HCM mutations, RLC-A13T, RLC-K104E, ELC-A57G and ELC-M173V and one DCM mutation, RLC-D94A were studied. The RLC-A13T, RLC-K104E and ELC-A57G mutations were primarily investigated in transgenic (Tg) mice using in vitro and in vivo approaches, while RLC-D94A and ELC-M173V were studied in reconstituted system because of no Tg mice available in the laboratory (Specific Aims 1&2). In addition, the effects of RLC/ELC serine phosphorylation on the structure and function of the heart were examined (Specific Aim 3). Our studies indicated that RLC and ELC mutations lead to cardiomyopathy disease through different mechanisms and therefore resulted in different disease phenotypes. Specially, RLC mutations (exclude D94A) resulted in a classic HCM phenotype as left ventricular (LV) / septum hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. RLC mutations caused HCM or DCM through altering the secondary structure of the RLC, which further affected the structure (and function) of the lever arm domain imposing changes in the cross bridge cycling rate, myosin force generation ability and muscle relaxation. On the other hand, ELC mutations (e.g. A57G) caused a rare HCM phenotype as eccentric hypertrophy and systolic dysfunction. As for the RLC, ELC mutations also exert their detrimental effects through altering the structure (and function) of the ELC, especially its N-terminus. These changes further affect the N-ELC-actin interactions and the cross talk between the thin and thick filaments resulting in altered force generation and the calcium sensitivity of force (Special Aim 1&2). In Specific Aim 3, we have examined the rescue effects of Serine15 phosphorylation in the RLC and Serine 195 phosphorylation in the ELC. For RLC, we observed a myosin light chain kinase (MLCK)-induced phosphorylation was able to rescue the abnormally high IFS observed in the K104E fibers. However, compromised force generation observed in K104E myocardium was not restored upon K104E phosphorylation. The effects of phosphorylation on the A13T and D94A RLC mutants are still to be studied. For ELC, since no ELC specific kinase exists, Serine195 was mutated to Aspartic Acid (S195D) to mimic ELC phosphorylation. The S195D-ELC protein partially restored the reduced Vmax observed in M173V-ELC exchanged myosin and " corrected " the abnormally high calcium sensitivity of force in A57G-S195D and M173V-S195D exchanged porcine cardiac …
Determination of POD, CAT and PAL enzyme activity in leaves of Hippophae rhamnoides.

The activity change of peroxidase(POD),catalase(CAT) and Phenylalanine ammoni-alyase(PAL) in Hippophae rhamnoides was studied by applying different adversity concentration.The results showed that enzyme activity of seabuckthorn leaves was related to adversity and stress.From the changes in activity,it can be seen that the beginning of adversity and stress inhibited POD,CAT,PAL activity,which took a trend of decreasing first,then increasing,and then decreasing again.
VIBRATION CONTROL OF STRUCTURES USING MAGNETO-RHEOLOGICAL DAMPERS WITH H∞ METHOD

In this study, the vibration mitigation of the structures under the earthquake excitation using magneto-rheological (MR) damper is researched. For this purpose, one MR damper is installed to an eight story structure and the system performance is investigated. MR damper is installed between the second floor and the ground. The MR damper is a semi-active control device that can be controlled by only the voltage transmitted to the electromagnetic coils. Since the MR damper is a semi active device, damping force can be changed by applied voltage. Therefore, determination of the applied voltage is important for vibration reduction. A robust controller is designed for determination of the MR damper voltage. H∞ method and model reduction approach are used for robust control design and application. The performance of the proposed method is tested by numerical simulation on the semi active structural system with MR damper. The performance of the control algorithm and the effect of the MR damper arrangement is evaluated using earthquake (El-centro earthquake) data. The results are compared with situations in which MR damper is not connected and when the MR damper is situation of semi-active controlled. The evaluations are based on the displacement and acceleration responses. The simulation results showed that the arrangement of the MR damper connected between the second floor and the ground is effective in reducing the vibration amplitudes.
Pelagic food web interactions among benthic invertebrates and trout in mountain lakes

Summary 1. Benthic chironomid larvae and the amphipod Gammarus lacustris have been observed in the pelagic habitats of many mountain lakes. The main goal of this study was to determine if chironomid larvae and gammarids potentially affect predator–prey and nutrient dynamics in pelagic food webs of mountain lakes. 2. Eighty-six mountain lakes were surveyed in Alberta and eastern British Columbia during the years 1965–1984, 1991–2004 and 2005–2007. Pelagic chironomid larvae were found in 86% of these lakes, and pelagic gammarids were found in 29% of lakes. Densities of pelagic chironomid larvae were 92% lower in lakes with pelagic gammarids and 76% lower in lakes with trout (P < 0.05). Intraguild predation of trout on gammarids appeared to reduce predation pressure on chironomid larvae. Gammarids consumed in vitro about 1 chironomid per gammarid per day or about 20% of their body mass in chironomid biomass per day. 3. Concentrations of total dissolved P and N, particulate C, and chlorophyll-a increased with increasing densities of pelagic gammarids and chironomid larvae in situ (R2 = 0.14 ± 0.19 SD, P < 0.1) and in vitro (P < 0.001). 4. Our findings suggest that gammarids and chironomid larvae are linked as predators and prey in pelagic food webs, possibly stimulating phytoplankton abundance via nutrient release.
Transport, deposition and distribution of marine aerosols over southern Sweden during dry westerly storms.

The paper includes quantifications of the sea salt supplied to the Swedish west coast during two westerly storms. The dry deposition of salt was measured from the west coast to the east coast of southern Sweden, using needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris, L.) as deposition surfaces. The four major cations of seawater, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and the two major anions, chloride and sulfate were measured. The results showed that the relationship between the different ions of the pine needles was similar to that for seawater in most of the sites investigated. The total salt quantity deposited on a specific pine-needle area was determined. The quantities of sea salt decreased significantly from the west to the east coast. From the maximum content of 4900 mg * m-2 of exposed pine-needle area, measured near the western shore, the remainder on the east coast ranged from about 60 to 300 mg m-2. The west-east gradient of dry deposited salt corresponded well with the distribution gradient of the salt deposition from precipitation.
Effects of Long-term Graded L-arginine Supply on Growth Development, Egg Laying and Egg Quality in Four Genetically Diverse Purebred Layer Lines

The present study was conducted to examine effects of long-term graded L-arginine supply on growth development, egg laying and egg quality in four genetically diverse purebred layer lines. The study comprised a rearing trial from hatch to week 16 and a following laying performance trial from week 17 to 41. After hatch 150 one-day-old female chicks of each genotype were distributed to three diets. The experimental diets were equivalent to 70, 100 and 200% L-arginine of age-specific recommended level (National Research Council, 1994) and were offered ad libitum to chicks (hatch to week 7), pullets (week 8 to 16) and hens (week 17 to 41). However, hens’ diets were quite low in crude protein. After a pre-laying period from week 17 to 21 thirty-six pullets of each group were used further in the laying performance trial. Independent of chicken's genetic background, insufficient L-arginine supply caused lower body weight, daily weight gain and daily feed intake during the rearing (p<0.001) and induced lower laying intensity and daily egg mass production in the laying period (p<0.05). Parameters fitted to Gompertz function suggested higher adult body weight in L-arginine supplemented birds compared to insufficient supplied ones (p<0.01). Groups fed with insufficient L-arginine reached age of maximum daily weight gain later and showed lowest maximum daily weight gain (p<0.001). As a consequence of limitations in dietary L-arginine and crude protein, high performing genotypes decreased strongly in body weight, daily feed intake and performance compared to the low performing genotypes. In conclusion, L-arginine modified the amount of weight gain and feed intake, especially in growing chicks and pullets independent of genetic background. The high performing hens were more nutritionally stressed than the low performing ones, because concentrations of dietary crude protein were relatively low.
Novel high-throughput RNAi vectors for plant biotechnology

With 2 figures and 1 table Abstract The knockdown of genes through RNA interference (RNAi) inducing vectors with one promoter regulating a sense and antisense sequence of the target gene separated by a spacer/intron region has been rampant in plant kingdom. Those constructs are difficult to clone because of long homologies. This study is the first to successfully use RNAi constructs with two promoters in inverse orientation flanking a DNA sequence of the target gene in plants. Different double-promoter constructs containing a β-d-glucuronidase gene–targeting sequence with constitutive 35S promoters or inducible heat shock promoters GmHSP17.5-E (Glycine max) were tested. We were able to knock down the β-d-glucuronidase expression in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum after transformation with these new RNAi constructs. The change in gene expression was tested with molecular, histochemical and fluorimetric methods. The results showed a very high and reliable knockdown rate for constitutive promoters. Owing to their consistent knockdown and the uncomplicated cloning, these new RNAi vectors are of outstanding importance for genomics and plant biotechnology.
A Novel Approach for Squint-mode 3D InISAR Imaging Based on Cross-Range Scaling and Coordinates Transform with Two Antennas

The image distortion arises in the InISAR 3D imagery when the radar works in a squint-mode. To eliminate the error of coarse precision in traditional three-dimensional (3D) Interferometric Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (InISAR) imaging algorithms on squint-mode, this paper proposes a novel approach to reconstruct the 3D image of non-cooperative moving targets with two antennas, which uses the cross-range scaling to obtain the initial azimuth coordinate of the target. Additionally, Coordinates Transformation (CT) of Image Projection Plane (IPP) is applied to rectify the image distortion by correcting the acquired azimuth and range coordinates of the target. Finally, InISAR technique is used to attain the altitude coordinates of the target, and then 3D image of the target is formed by the obtained 3D coordinates. The effectiveness of 3D imaging and the accuracy of cross-range scaling of the proposed method are demonstrated by simulation experiments.
Research on Transformer Fault Diagnosis Based on SMOTE and Random Forest

The rapid development of artificial intelligence provides a new method with higher accuracy for transformer fault diagnosis, but the existing fault diagnosis models are not conducive to handling unbalanced data sets. In order to improve the accuracy of transformer fault diagnosis, a diagnosis method combining SMOTE and random forest is proposed. The SMOTE algorithm is used to expand the minority fault samples of transformer oil chromatography fault data set to balance the data quantity of each fault type. Then, the random forest classifier is used to identify the faults of the data that have not been expanded and the data that have been expanded by SMOTE respectively. The diagnosis results show that the accuracy of fault diagnosis can be significantly improved by using SMOTE to expand the unbalanced transformer oil chromatography fault data set before fault diagnosis. In addition, the results of several other fault diagnosis models are added to verify the above conclusion. At the same time, it is concluded that the random forest classifier is the model with the highest diagnostic accuracy among several fault diagnosis models, so it is an ideal choice for transformer fault diagnosis.
Síntese de Péptidos Antimicrobianos e Penetradores Celulares

The treatment and/or cure of genetic deseases, cancer or bacterial infections are considered a few of the greatest challenges in the field of medicine. In this context, peptides and proteins have been a subject of great interest and study in medicine and drug development, due to a large variety of possible applications. MAP (Membrane Active Peptides) present several advantages over small molecules, since they present higher specificity and affinity towards therapeutic targets, but also over proteins of higher molecular weight, in terms of synthesis viability, derivatization flexibility, low immunogenicity and physico-chemical characteristics compatible with their employment as therapeutic agents . MAP include Cell Penetrating Peptides (CPP), capable of efficiently transporting deoxyrribonucleic acid (DNA), proteins or other molecules to the interior of the cells (maintaining the integrity of the cell), and Antimicrobial Peptides (AMP), which are able to interact with bacteria, fungus or parasites, inhibiting their activity through destabilization of the cell‟s membranes. This work targeted the synthesis of modified derivatives of peptides with therapeutical interest, namely, of hLF(1-11) , a cationic AMP with potent broadspectrum activity, and of S4-PV , capable of acting as a CPP. To this end, classic or microwave-assisted Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) methodologies were employed. The peptides were successfully synthesized and next purified by reversephase liquid chromatography. The analysis of the final products was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Electro-Spray Ionization-Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry (ESI-IT MS), which provided confirmation that the target peptides were effectively obtained with excellent purity degrees.
Détection par piégeage du Ceratocystis fimbriata f. platani

Application of the technique of trapping Ceratocystis fimbriata f. platani for the study of the persistance in affected trees. The study of the persistance of Ceratocystis fimbriata f. platani in affected trees is achieved by trapping of the fungus which is carried out on small branches of London plane, stripped of their bark. If C. fimbriata is present in samples of wood to be tested, it becomes visible after a few days when numerous perithecia form on the trap. Trapping the fungus by this method has been systematically achieved with young, artificially inoculated trees: in many cases, C. fimbriata persists in the wood after a period of about 19 to 22 months.
Urban catchment hydrology overwhelms reach scale effects of riparian vegetation on organic matter dynamics

Summary 1. Urbanisation severely affects stream hydrology, biotic integrity and water quality, but relatively little is known about effects on organic matter dynamics. Coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) is a source of energy and nutrients in aquatic systems, and its availability has implications for ecosystem productivity and aquatic communities. In undisturbed environments, allochthonous inputs from riparian zones provide critical energy subsidies, but the extent to which this occurs in urbanised streams is poorly understood. 2. We investigated CPOM inputs, standing stocks, retention rates and retention mechanisms in urban and peri-urban streams in Melbourne, Australia. Six streams were chosen along a gradient of catchment urbanisation, with the presence of reach scale riparian canopy cover as a second factor. CPOM retention was assessed at baseflow via replicate releases of marked Eucalyptus leaves where the retention distance and mechanism were recorded. CPOM and small wood (>1 cm diameter) storage were measured via cores and direct counts, respectively, while lateral and horizontal CPOM inputs were assessed using riparian litter traps. Stream discharge, velocity, depth and width were also measured. 3. CPOM inputs were not correlated with urbanisation, but were significantly higher in ‘closed’ canopy reaches. Urbanisation and riparian cover altered CPOM retention mechanisms, but not retention distances. Urban streams showed greater retention by rocks; while in less urban streams, retention by small wood was considerably higher. CPOM and small wood storage were significantly lower in more urban streams, but we found only a weak effect of riparian cover. 4. These findings suggest that while riparian vegetation increases CPOM inputs and has modest/weak effects on storage, catchment scale urbanisation decreases organic matter availability. Using an organic matter budget approach, it appears likely that the increased frequency and magnitude of high flows associated with catchment urbanisation exerts an overriding influence on organic matter availability. 5. We conclude that to maintain both organic matter inputs and storage, the restoration and protection of streams in urban or rapidly urbanising environments relies on the management of both riparian vegetation and catchment hydrology.
Regulation of immune responses by apoptotic cells

Billions of cells die everyday as a result of normal tissue turnover, infection, trauma or injury. These dead cells are taken up, processed and presented to T cells by antigen presenting cells resulting in tolerance or immunity. Apoptotic cells induce tolerance; however, the precise mechanisms are still unknown. Previous studies have shown that direct infusion of apoptotic cells induce tolerance mediated by TRAILexpressing CD8 T cells. We hypothesized that immunologic tolerance induced by apoptotic cells is dependent on the activation status of apoptotic cells and mediated by direct killing of target cells by TRAIL-expressing CD8 T cells. Three different experimental systems were used to elucidate the mechanisms by which apoptotic cells regulate immune responses. Using a classical system of tolerance induction, we examined the immunological consequence of intravenous (i.v.) delivery of ex vivo-generated naive or activated apoptotic cells. Naive apoptotic cells induced tolerance when injected i.v. ; however, previously activated apoptotic cells induced immunity. Further analysis revealed a key role for CD154 in the tolerogenic or immunogenic nature of the naive or activated apoptotic cells, respectively, as tolerance resulted after i.v. injection of either naive or activated apoptotic CD154 cells, while co-injection of an agonistic anti-CD40 mAb with naive apoptotic T cells induced robust immunity. The infusion of large numbers of apoptotic cells has limited physiological relevance, so the investigation of the influence of apoptotic cells on the immune system turned to another experimental tolerance model where soluble peptide antigen is injected systemically to induce the peripheral deletion of a population of antigen-specific T cells. Using this system, we investigated how apoptotic cells generated in vivo leads to T cell tolerance. Following adoptive transfer of OT-II cells, wild-type mice injected with soluble OVA323-339 became unresponsive to subsequent CFA/OVA immunization.
Advanced Insulation Materials for Next Generation Packaging Technology

Build-up process is a highly effective for high-density integration of printed circuit boards. Ajinomoto Build-up Film® (ABF™)*11“Ajinomoto Build-up Film” is registered trademark in Japan, South Korea, United States and other countries. ® denote registered trademark in Japan. “ABF” is trademark. has become world-wide used insulation build-up material for manufacturing IC package substrates with Semi-Additive Process (SAP) because of their good resin flowability, insulation reliability, thickness uniformity, and SAP applicability. As the recent growth of new thinner and fine pattern packaging technology, such as 2.1D/Fan-Out (FO) type packaging technologies, we developed small-sized filler loaded ABF (Nano filler ABF) as a redistribution layer material and LE series as a film type molding compound. Using Nano filler ABF, we demonstrated 2/2 micrometers line and space Cu patterning and diameter 5 micrometers laser via for interlayer connection. LE performed quite low warpage on both of 12-inch wafer and large size panel owing to low CTE, low Young's modulus, high Tg, and consisting of special polymer.
Palmitoylation of BK channels

iv List of Figures. xv List of Tables. xix Chapter 1 – Introduction . 1 1.1 The evolution of the ion channel . 2 1.2 The potassium channel family . 5 1.2. 1 Potassium channels with phenotypic behaviour . 5 1.2. 2 The potassium channel family . 5 1.2. 3 The identification of a calciumand voltagesensitive K current . 8 1.3 The BK channel . 9 1.3. 1 Characteristics of the BK channel . 9 1.3. 2 The physiological role of the BK channel . 10 1.3. 3 The BK channel knock-out mouse . 11 1.3. 4 BK channel pharmacology . 12 1.4 The structural composition of the BK channel . 13 1.4. 1 The core region . 15 1.4. 1.1 The voltage sensing domain . 15
The Drosophila gustatory receptor genes: The molecular basis of taste perception and coding

THE DROSOPHILA GUSTATORY RECEPTOR GENES: THE MOLECULAR BASIS OF TASTE PERCEPTION AND CODING by Natasha Thorne Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Hubert Amrein, Ph.D., Supervisor ___________________________ Robin Wharton, Ph.D. ___________________________ Steven Crews, Ph.D. ___________________________ Hiro Matsunami, Ph.D. ___________________________ Dan Tracey, Ph.D. ___________________________ Fan Wang, Ph.D. An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology in the Graduate School of Duke University 2007 Copyright by Natasha Thorne 2007