Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[The effect of polyporus umbellatus polysaccharide on the immunosuppression property of culture supernatant of S180 cells].

AIM To investigate the effect of polyporus umbellatus polysaccharide (PUPS) on the immunosuppression property of tumor cell line S180 culture supernatant. METHODS The inhibitory effects of the culture supernatant of S180 cells in the presence or absence of PUPS on the ConA-induced mouse splenocyte proliferation, IL-2 production, killer activity and the reactivity of CTLL-2 cells to IL-2 were detected by MTT colorimetry. The effect of the culture supernatant on the IL-2Ralpha expression on murine splenocytes was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS The culture supernatant of S180 cells could strongly inhibit immunity in terms of the above five indexes, while PUPS could reverse the immunosuppression. CONCLUSION PUPS can offset the immunosuppression of the supernatant from S180 cell culture, which may be mediated by down-regulating the synthesis and/or secretion of immunosuppressive substance by S180 cells.
In Situ Production of Crenarchaeol in Two California Hot Springs

ABSTRACT Crenarchaeol, a membrane-spanning glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) containing a cyclohexane moiety in addition to four cyclopentane moieties, was originally hypothesized to be synthesized exclusively by the mesophilic Crenarchaeota. Recent studies reporting the occurrence of crenarchaeol in hot springs and as a membrane constituent of the recently isolated thermophilic crenarchaeote “Candidatus Nitrosocaldus yellowstonii,” however, have raised questions regarding its taxonomic distribution and function. To determine whether crenarchaeol in hot springs is indeed synthesized by members of the Archaea in situ or is of allochthonous origin, we quantified crenarchaeol present in the form of both intact polar lipids (IPLs) and core lipids in sediments of two California hot springs and in nearby soils. IPL-derived crenarchaeol (IPL-crenarchaeol) was found in both hot springs and soils, suggesting in situ production of this GDGT over a wide temperature range (12°C to 89°C). Quantification of archaeal amoA gene abundance by quantitative PCR showed a good correspondence with IPL-crenarchaeol, suggesting that it was indeed derived from living cells and that crenarchaeol-synthesizing members of the Archaea in our samples may also be ammonia oxidizers.
Effects of sustained hypoxia on sternohyoid and diaphragm muscle during development

Sustained hypoxia is a dominant feature of respiratory disease. Despite the clinical significance, the effects of sustained hypoxia on the form and function of respiratory muscle during development are relatively underexplored. Wistar rats were exposed to 1 week of sustained hypoxia (ambient pressure 450 mmHg) or normoxia at various time points during development. Sternohyoid and diaphragm muscle contractile and endurance properties were assessed in vitro. Muscle succinate dehydrogenase and myosin heavy chain composition were determined. The role of reactive oxygen species in hypoxia-induced muscle remodelling was assessed. Sustained hypoxia increased sternohyoid muscle force and fatigue in early but not late development, effects that persisted after return to normoxia. Hypoxia-induced sternohyoid muscle fatigue was not attributable to fibre type transitions or to a decrease in oxidative capacity. Chronic supplementation with the superoxide scavenger tempol did not prevent hypoxia-induced sternohyoid muscle fatigue, suggesting that mechanisms unrelated to oxidative stress underpin hypoxia-induced maladaptation in sternohyoid muscle. Sustained hypoxia had no effect on diaphragm muscle fatigue. We conclude that there are critical windows during development for hypoxia-induced airway dilator muscle maladaptation. Sustained hypoxia-induced impairment of upper airway muscle endurance may persist into later life. Upper airway muscle dysfunction could have deleterious consequences for the control of pharyngeal airway calibre in vivo. There are critical windows during development for hypoxia-induced airway dilator muscle maladaptation http://ow.ly/t7iVj
Deacetylase Inhibitors and the Viral Transactivator TaxBLV Synergistically Activate Bovine Leukemia Virus Gene Expression via a cAMP-responsive Element- and cAMP-responsive Element-binding Protein-dependent Mechanism*

Efficient bovine leukemia virus (BLV) transcription requires the virus-encoded transactivator TaxBLV, which acts through three TaxBLV-responsive elements located in the 5′ long terminal repeat. It has been proposed that the binding of the CRE-binding protein (CREB) and the activating transcription factor (ATF) to the three imperfect cAMP-responsive elements (CREs) located in each TaxBLV-responsive element mediates TaxBLV transactivation. Here we demonstrated that deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) synergistically enhanced the transcriptional activation of the BLV promoter by TaxBLV in a CRE-dependent manner. TaxBLV was acetylated in vivo at its Nα terminus but not at internal lysine residues. Rather, HDACi potentiation of TaxBLV transactivation was mediated by an HDACi indirect action that requires new protein synthesis. Mechanistically, using a dominant-negative form of CREB, we showed that TaxBLV and HDACi synergistically activated BLV gene expression via a CREB-dependent mechanism. Moreover, electrophoretic mobility shift assay and Western blot experiments revealed that HDACi increased the in vitro DNA binding activity of CREB/ATF but did not alter CREB/ATF intranuclear presence. Remarkably, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that HDACi treatment increased the level of CREB bound to the BLV promoter in vivo. Our results together suggest that an increase in CREB/ATF occupancy of the viral CREs in response to HDACi potentiates TaxBLV transactivation of the BLV promoter.
The Power of Numbers: Base-Ten Threshold Effects in Reported Revenue

We provide evidence that managers have a revealed preference for reporting total revenue numbers just above base-ten thresholds (i.e., “round” numbers) of the form N × 10K. Examples are $10 million (1 × 107) and $4 billion (4 × 109). Our finding is consistent with a literature in psychology demonstrating that humans are susceptible to a cognitive bias associated with base-ten reference points. However, we also document several rational explanations for this revenue management behavior on the part of managers. First, analyst revenue forecasts also exhibit this regularity, especially in early forecasts when greater uncertainty can potentially induce analysts to rely to a greater extent on heuristics, suggesting that managers may be managing reported revenue numbers to meet externally-determined base-ten-influenced benchmarks. In addition, the effect that we document is stronger for firms that face greater pressure to report high revenue growth, while firms that exceed base-ten revenue thresholds for the first time benefit from increased press coverage. Finally, we show that the revenue growth needed to stretch for a base-ten threshold is not sustainable; firms that just exceed base-ten thresholds have lower subsequent revenue growth. Given that managers engage in extra, and, on average, unsustainable efforts to increase revenues to reach base-ten thresholds, our results suggest that revenue manipulation is even more pervasive than previously documented and that lenders, investors, auditors, and regulators should apply an extra degree of skepticism when a reported revenue number just exceeds a base-ten threshold.
Campaign Issue Knowledge and Salience: Comparing Reception from TV Commercials, TV News and Newspapers

Theory: The impact of media sources including televised political commercials, television news, and newspapers on candidate issue position knowledge and issuebased candidate evaluations is explored. Hypotheses: From previous research, we expect that citizens who recall political TV commercials and are more attentive to newspaper political coverage will have greater knowledge of candidates' stances on issues than those watching political news on TV. Citizens recalling political ads and those reading the newspaper are also expected to be more likely to evaluate the candidates using substantive issues. Methods: Regression analysis of the 1992 American National Election Study data. Results: Citizens recalling political advertising have the most accurate knowledge of the candidates' issue positions and are the most likely to use domestic and foreign issues to evaluate the presidential candidates. Consumption of negative advertising is also associated with greater issue knowledge and use of issues in evaluations late in the campaign.
Floral Scent Production in Clarkia (Onagraceae) (I. Localization and Developmental Modulation of Monoterpene Emission and Linalool Synthase Activity)

The flowers of many plants emit volatile compounds as a means of attracting pollinators. We have previously shown that the strong, sweet fragrance of Clarkia breweri (Onagraceae), an annual plant native to California, consists of approximately 8 to 12 volatile compounds[mdash]three monoterpenes and nine benzoate derivatives (R.A. Raguso and E. Pichersky [1994] Plant Syst Evol [in press]). Here we report that the monoterpene alcohol linalool is synthesized and emitted mostly by petals but to a lesser extent also by the pistil and stamens. Two linalool oxides are produced and emitted almost exclusively by the pistil. These three monoterpenes are first discernible in mature unopened buds, and their tissue levels are highest during the first 2 to 3 d after anthesis. Levels of emission by the different floral parts throughout the life span of the flower were correlated with levels of these monoterpenes in the respective tissues, suggesting that these monoterpenes are emitted soon after their synthesis. Activity of linalool synthase, an enzyme that converts the ubiquitous C10 isoprenoid intermediate geranyl pyrophosphate to linalool, was highest in petals, the organ that emits most of the linalool. However, linalool synthase activity on a fresh weight basis was highest in stigma and style (i.e. the pistil). Most of the linalool produced in the pistil is apparently converted into linalool oxides. Lower levels (0.1%) of monoterpene emission and linalool synthase activity are found in the stigma of Clarkia concinna, a nonscented relative of C. breweri, suggesting that monoterpenes may have other functions in the flower in addition to attracting pollinators.
Aspects in analysis and model-based sound synthesis of plucked string instruments

This thesis consists of an introduction and nine articles. The general framework of the articles is the analysis and synthesis of plucked string instruments. The articles document acoustical analysis and model-based sound synthesis of the tanbur, the kantele, the lute, and the ud that are all traditional or historical plucked string instruments. In addition, the author's contributions to the development of an integrated model-based plucked string synthesis system is presented. As a key study, the integrated system concentrates on model-based sound synthesis of the acoustic guitar. However, the sound synthesis models of other plucked string instruments are also implemented within the system. Finally, two alternative techniques that can be used in model-based sound synthesis are covered. The first technique focuses on the loop filter design based on a polynomial damping model. The second technique presents a synthesis model based on finite differences that can be used in real-time sound synthesis. %%%%Report / Helsinki University of Technology, Laboratory of Acoustics and Audio Signal Processing, ISSN 1456-6303; 66
An Optimized Low-Power Optical Memory Access Network for Kilocore Systems

SUMMARY An optimized low-power optical memory access network is proposed to alleviate the cost of microring resonators (MRs) in kilocore systems, such as the pass-by loss and integration di ﬃ culty. Compared with traditional electronic bus interconnect, the proposed network reduces power consumption and latency by 80% to 89% and 21% to 24%. More- over, the new network decreases the number of MRs by 90.6% without an increase in power consumption and latency when making a comparison with Optical Ring Network-on-Chip (ORNoC).
The Bright Futures Training Intervention Project: Implementing Systems to Support Preventive and Developmental Services in Practice

OBJECTIVES. The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility of implementing a bundle of strategies to facilitate the use of Bright Futures recommendations and to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified learning collaborative in improving preventive and developmental care. METHODS. Fifteen pediatric primary care practices from 9 states participated in a 9-month learning collaborative. Support to practices included a toolkit, 2 workshops, training in quality-improvement methods, monthly conference calls and data feedback, and a listserv moderated by faculty. Aggregated medical chart reviews and practice self-assessments on 6 key office system components were compared before and after the intervention. RESULTS. Office system changes most frequently adopted were use of recall/reminder systems (87%), a checklist to link to community resources (80%), and systematic identification of children with special health care needs (80%). From baseline to follow-up, increases were observed in the use of recall/reminder systems, the proportion of children's charts that had a preventive services prompting system, and the families who were asked about special health care needs. Of 21 possible office system components, the median number used increased from 10 to 15. Comparing scores between baseline and follow-up for each practice site, the change was significant. Teams reported that the implementation of office systems was facilitated by the perception that a component could be applied quickly and/or easily. Barriers to implementation included costs, the time required, and lack of agreement with the recommendations. CONCLUSIONS. This project demonstrated the feasibility of implementing specific strategies for improving preventive and developmental care for young children in a wide variety of practices. It also confirmed the usefulness of a modified learning collaborative in achieving these results. This model may be useful for disseminating office system improvements to other settings that provide care for young children.
Prospective evaluation of the negative predictive value of V/Q SPECT using 99mTc-Technegas

ObjectiveTo verify the negative predictive value of pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy with single photon emission computed tomography (V/Q SPECT) in ruling out pulmonary thromboembolism. MethodsV/Q SPECT using 99mTc-Technegas was performed on 584 patients to rule out pulmonary thromboembolism between October 2004 and July 2005. Pulmonary thromboembolism was defined as any clear-cut vascular mismatch, regardless of size. Indeterminate scans were defined as cases having matching vascular type defects with a corresponding X-ray abnormality, or cases with equivocal mismatches. Other patterns were considered negative for pulmonary thromboembolism. Outcome data was gathered >3 months after the scan. Absence of pulmonary thromboembolism was defined as any patient still alive at least 3 months after the scan, with no anticoagulation treatment and no proof of pulmonary thromboembolism by other techniques, either at the time of the scan or during follow-up, or death by other causes. ResultsOne hundred and eight patients (19%) had a positive pulmonary thromboembolism reading, 18 (3%) an indeterminate study, and 458 (78%) patients had a negative reading for pulmonary thromboembolism. There were 189 patients with an abnormal chest X-ray. The mean follow-up time was 165 days. Of the 458 patients classified as negative for pulmonary thromboembolism, patients receiving chronic anticoagulation for other causes were excluded from follow-up (n=53), which left 405 patients for final analysis. There were no pulmonary thromboembolism-related deaths in the negative group. Six patients were identified as false negatives. The negative predictive value is estimated at 98.5%. ConclusionSPECT pulmonary scintigraphy using 99mTc-Technegas demonstrates a high negative predictive value and a low indeterminate rate.
Quota Enforcement and Capital Investment in Natural Resource Industries

ABSTRACT We investigate the relationship between quota enforcement, compliance, and capital accumulation in ITQ regulated fisheries. Overextraction and overcapacity represent two of the main fisheries management challenges, and we aim to model and analyze the two jointly. In a stylized resource model, quota violating and complying firms invest in capital, buy quotas, and choose their harvest. We show that in the short run, more capacity increases illegal extraction, while a well-functioning quota market partially alleviates this effect. We also show how tougher enforcement yields a double benefit by directly improving compliance and indirectly reducing incentives to invest in capacity, which improves future compliance. Our analysis thus contributes to the literature on market-based management of renewable resources. JEL Codes: Q0, Q2, Q22, Q28.
C-reactive protein (CRP) measurement in canine serum following experimentally-induced acute gastric mucosal injury

To establish the diagnostic significance of canine C-reactive protein (CRP) in gastrointestinal disorders, the serum canine CRP concentration was measured in dogs with experimentally-induced acute gastric mucosal injury. Gastric injury was induced in one male and one female beagle by a single dose oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid (200 mg/kg body weight) or indomethacin (60 mg/kg body weight), or sodium chloride (1000 mg/kg body weight). CRP was measured prior to dose, and 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after the administration of the drugs, together with the total leucocyte counts and serum iron. Changes in the serum CRP in dogs with gastric injury were similar for the three test compounds, and reflected by the endoscopic findings. CRP values increased from 87 to 390 mg/l within 1 to 3 days after the compound administration but returned nearly to the predose levels within 14 days. Endoscopy revealed haemorrhagic erosion of the gastric mucosa in all dogs one day after dosing, with no evidence of the erosions observed after 7 days in many of the dogs. Changes of the total leucocyte and serum iron also occurred following gastric injury, but these changes were not as marked as those observed for CRP. The results of this study suggest that serum CRP level may be a useful indicator of a gastrointestinal mucosal injury in dogs.
Immobilization of Paecilomyces variotii tannase and properties of the immobilized enzyme

Tannase produced by Paecilomyces variotii was encapsulated in sodium alginate beads and used for the effective hydrolysis of tannic acid; the efficiency of hydrolysis was comparable to that of the free enzyme. The alginate beads retained 100% of their efficiency in the first three rounds of successive use and 60% in rounds 4 and 5. The response surface methodology showed that the best conditions to hydrolysis of tannic acid by immobilized tannase were: sodium alginate 5.2%, CaCl2 0.55 M and 9 h to curing time. The optimized process resulted in 2.4 times more hydrolysed tannic acid than that obtained before optimization. The optimum pH for the actions of both the encapsulated and the free enzymes was 5.5. The optimum temperature of the reaction was determined to be 40°C for the free enzyme and 60°C for the immobilized form. The immobilization process improved the stability at low pH.
Neural Correlates of Learning from Induced Insight: A Case for Reward-Based Episodic Encoding

Experiencing insight when solving problems can improve memory formation for both the problem and its solution. The underlying neural processes involved in this kind of learning are, however, thus far insufficiently understood. Here, we conceptualized insight as the sudden understanding of a novel relationship between known stimuli that fits into existing knowledge and is accompanied by a positive emotional response. Hence, insight is thought to comprise associative novelty, schema congruency, and intrinsic reward, all of which are separately known to enhance memory performance. We examined the neural correlates of learning from induced insight with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using our own version of the compound-remote-associates-task (CRAT) in which each item consists of three clue words and a solution word. (Pseudo-)Solution words were presented after a brief period of problem-solving attempts to induce either sudden comprehension (CRA items) or continued incomprehension (control items) at a specific time point. By comparing processing of the solution words of CRA with control items, we found induced insight to elicit activation of the rostral anterior cingulate cortex/medial prefrontal cortex (rACC/mPFC) and left hippocampus. This pattern of results lends support to the role of schema congruency (rACC/mPFC) and associative novelty (hippocampus) in the processing of induced insight. We propose that (1) the mPFC not only responds to schema-congruent information, but also to the detection of novel schemata, and (2) that the hippocampus responds to a form of associative novelty that is not just a novel constellation of familiar items, but rather comprises a novel meaningful relationship between the items—which was the only difference between our insight and no insight conditions. To investigate episodic long-term memory encoding, we compared CRA items whose solution word was recognized 24 h after encoding to those with forgotten solutions. We found activation in the left striatum and parts of the left amygdala, pointing to a potential role of brain reward circuitry in the encoding of the solution words. We propose that learning from induced insight mainly relies on the amygdala evaluating the internal value (as an affective evaluation) of the suddenly comprehended information, and striatum-dependent reward-based learning.