Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potent Bystander Effect in Suicide Gene Therapy Using Neural Stem Cells Transduced with Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase Gene

Objective: The herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSVtk)/ganciclovir suicide gene therapy system has been considered as one of the most promising therapeutic strategies for malignant gliomas. We have been using HSVtk gene-transduced neural stem cells (NSCtk) that possess an ability to migrate toward a tumor mass for the treatment of experimental brain tumors. In the present study, we evaluated the potency of anti-tumor effect mediated by the bystander effect between NSCtk and C6 glioma cells in the HSVtk/ganciclovir suicide gene therapy system. Methods: NSCtk and C6 glioma cells were mixed at various ratios (NSCtk:C6 cell ratios of 1:1 to 1:64) and the bystander effect was evaluated both under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Results: In vitro co-culture experiment showed a complete tumor growth inhibition at the NSCtk:C6 ratios as low as 1:16. In vivo co-implantation study in the rat brain showed no visible tumors at the NSCtk:C6 ratios as low as 1:16 and all those rats survived more than 100 days. Conclusion: The results clearly demonstrated an extremely potent bystander effect between NSCtk and C6 cells, and the minimum number of NSCtk cells needed for the treatment of tumors was roughly estimated.
STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOR OF COMPOSITE RC BEAMS WITH EXTERNALLY BONDED CFRP

The overall objective of this paper is to establish the structural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with externally bonded carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) sheets. Four beams, three with bonded CFRP plates on the tension face, and two of which were provided with carefully designed external anchorages at the ends of the plates and along the span, were tested under four-point bending over a span of 4.8 m. The tests were carried out under displacement control. The beams were extensively instrumented to monitor strains, deflection, and curvature over the entire spectrum of loading to total failure, and to determine the structural response to load of the composite beams. The results show that bonding a CFRP plate on the tension face of a RC beam, without consideration of the end-anchorage stresses and the bond slip between the plate and the concrete substrate, can lead to significant degradation in the structural response of the plated beam. Carefully designed external anchorages, .
Gravitational Radiation from Intermediate-Mass Black Holes

Recent X-ray observations of galaxies with ROSAT, ASCA, and Chandra have revealed numerous bright off-center point sources that, if isotropic emitters, are likely to be intermediate-mass black holes, with M ~ 102-104 M☉. The origin of these objects is under debate, but observations suggest that a significant number of them currently reside in young high-density stellar clusters. There is also growing evidence that some Galactic globular clusters harbor black holes of similar mass, from observations of stellar kinematics. In such high-density stellar environments, the interactions of intermediate-mass black holes are promising sources of gravitational waves for ground-based and space-based detectors. Here we explore the signal strengths of binaries containing intermediate-mass black holes or stellar-mass black holes in dense stellar clusters. We estimate that a few to tens per year of these objects will be detectable during the last phase of their inspiral with the advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory detector, and up to tens per year will be seen during merger, depending on the spins of the black holes. We also find that if these objects reside in globular clusters, then tens of sources will be detectable with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna from the Galactic globular system in a 5 yr integration, and similar numbers will be detectable from more distant galaxies. The signal strength depends on the eccentricity distribution, but we show that there is promise for strong detection of pericenter precession and Lense-Thirring precession of the orbital plane. We conclude by discussing what could be learned about binaries, dense stellar systems, and strong gravity if such signals are detected.
Towards a Ready-to-Use Drivers' Vigilance Monitoring System

This paper presents a particular methodology to monitor the level of vigilance of an operator in the context of a complex human-machine system. The apparatus consider the instrumentation of a car with several sensors and HMI equipment, developed within the European project SENSATION. We present the SENSATION sensors used in this experiment, the methodology to monitor the level of vigilance and the Human Machine Interface (HMI). For the evaluation of this methodology some experiments were carried-out with car drivers in an on-road condition. Experiments show promising results for a reliable driverpsilas monitoring systems.
REVIEW OF DETERMINISTIC METHODS OF CALCULATION OF POLYCRYSTAL ELASTIC CONSTANTS

The paper is a critical review of non-stochastic (referred here as deterministic) methods of calculation of effective elastic constants of single phase statistically homogeneous polycrystals. The methods are briefly described. They are compared and grouped according to their basic assumptions. Their degree of generality is discussed. The analysis of their compliance with formal requirements is provided. Moreover, the possible but unknown completions and generalizations of some methods are considered. For most methods, example calculations are carried out for a special case of quasi-isotropic aggregate with cubic crystal symmetry. To make the paper self-contained, well-known essentials of the problem of effective constants are included.
Merging Incommensurable Possibilistic DL-Lite Assertional Bases

This short paper studies the problem of merging of different independent data sources linked to a lightweight ontology under the incommensurability assumption. In general, data are often provided by several and potentially conflicting sources of information having different levels of priority. To encode prioritized assertional bases, we use possibilistic DLLite logic. We investigate an egalitarist merging strategy that minimize dissatisfaction between the source involved in the merging process. We provide a safe way to merge incommensurable possibilistic DL-Lite assertional bases using the notion of compatible scales.
Interworking in heterogeneous wireless networks: Comprehensive framework and future trends

Interworking mechanisms are of prime importance to achieve ubiquitous access and seamless mobility in heterogeneous wireless networks. In this article we develop a comprehensive framework to categorize interworking solutions by defining a generic set of interworking levels and its related key interworking mechanisms. The proposed framework is used to analyze some of the most relevant interworking solutions being considered in different standardization bodies. More specifically, I-WLAN and GAN approaches for WLAN and cellular integration, solutions for WiMAX and 3GPP LTE/SAE interworking, and the forthcoming IEEE 802.21 standard are discussed from the common point of view provided by the elaborated framework.
Solving the Parity Problem with Rule 60 in Array Size of the Power of Two

In the parity problem, a given cellular automaton has to classify any initial configuration into two classes according to its parity. Elementary cellular automaton rule 60 can solve the parity problem in periodic boundary conditions with array size of the power of two. The spectral analysis of the configurations of rule 60 at each time step in the evolution reveals that spatial periodicity emerges as the evolution proceeds and the patterns with longer period split into the ones with shorter period. This phenomenon is analogous to the cascade process in which large scale eddies split into smaller ones in turbulence. By measuring the Lempel-Ziv complexity of configuration, we found the stepping decrease of the complexity during the evolution. This result might imply that a decision problem solving process is accompanied with the decline of complexity of configuration.
The YjbH Protein of Bacillus subtilis Enhances ClpXP-Catalyzed Proteolysis of Spx

ABSTRACT The global transcriptional regulator Spx of Bacillus subtilis is controlled at several levels of the gene expression process. It is maintained at low concentrations during unperturbed growth by the ATP-dependent protease ClpXP. Under disulfide stress, Spx concentration increases due in part to a reduction in ClpXP-catalyzed proteolysis. Recent studies of Larsson and coworkers (Mol. Microbiol. 66:669-684, 2007) implicated the product of the yjbH gene as being necessary for the proteolytic control of Spx. In the present study, yeast two-hybrid analysis and protein-protein cross-linking showed that Spx interacts with YjbH. YjbH protein was shown to enhance the proteolysis of Spx in reaction mixtures containing ClpXP protease but not ClpCP protease. An N-terminal truncated form of YjbH with a deletion of residues 1 to 24 (YjbHΔ1-24) showed no proteolysis enhancement activity. YjbH is specific for Spx as it did not accelerate proteolysis of the ClpXP substrate green fluorescent protein (GFP)-SsrA, a GFP derivative with a C-terminal SsrA tag that is recognized by ClpXP. Using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol release experiments, YjbH was found to contain zinc atoms. Zinc analysis of YjbHΔ1-24 revealed that the N-terminal histidine-rich region is indispensable for the coordination of at least one Zn atom. A Zn atom coordinated by the N-terminal region was rapidly released from the protein upon treatment with a strong oxidant. In conclusion, YjbH is proposed to be an adaptor for ClpXP-catalyzed Spx degradation, and a model of YjbH redox control involving Zn dissociation is presented.
Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in Men with Heroin Addiction

Thiol/disulphide homeostasis in men with heroin addiction Objective: Heroin addicts have increased oxidative stress which can disturb thiol/disulfide (SH/SS) homeostasis, causing disulfide formation. No study has determined the serum thiol amount and blood disulfide amount in heroin addicts. The aim of the study was to investigate dynamic SH/SS homeostasis in heroin addicts. Methods: Serum SH/SS statuses of 31 heroin addicts and 31 healthy controls were compared to determine the changes in SH/SS homeostasis in heroin addicts. Blood serum native thiol and total thiol (ToSH) levels were measured and the disulfide bond amount was calculated as the half value of the difference between native thiol and ToSH levels. For comparison t-test was used. Results: SH and ToSH levels were significantly lower (p<0.001 for both) in heroin addicts than in the healthy group whereas disulfide levels were significantly higher (p<0.001). Heroin addicts had significantly higher SS/ToSH and SS/SH ratios and significantly lower SH/ToSH ratios than healthy individuals. Conclusion: The results showed that SH and ToSH levels were decreased in heroin addicts and SH/SS homeostasis was also disturbed with a shift to the disulfide bond formation side. Results of this study could contribute to the knowledge about pathogenesis of heroin addiction and also to its management. We suggest that replacement of the thiol gap and reduction of excess SS might have positive effects in treatment results.
Triatominae as a model of morphological plasticity under ecological pressure.

The use of biochemical and genetic characters to explore species or population relationships has been applied to taxonomic questions since the 60s. In responding to the central question of the evolutionary history of Triatominae, i.e. their monophyletic or polyphyletic origin, two important questions arise (i) to what extent is the morphologically-based classification valid for assessing phylogenetic relationships? and (ii) what are the main mechanisms underlying speciation in Triatominae? Phenetic and genetic studies so far developed suggest that speciation in Triatominae may be a rapid process mainly driven by ecological factors.
Immobilization of Collagen on Hydroxyapatite and Its Interation with Cells

The adhesion of bone cells on substrate materials is generally measured by the removal torque and/or contact area between bone and implants. In this study, collagen was used as a surfacegrafting material on hydroxyapatite (HA) substrates to enhance the cell adhesion because the collagen is a major constituent of connective tissues and has been regarded as one of the most excellent coating materials for bone bonding. First, HA disks (10mmΦ x 1mm) were prepared and then collagen was immobilbized on the HA surface using an 3-APTES coupling agent to improve the adhesiveness of cells on HA disk surfaces. NIH 3T3 fibroblasts were seeded on the collagengrafted and non-grated HA disks and cultured in a Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum for 3 hrs to evaluate the cell adhesion on the HA samples. The fibroblasts on the collagen-grafted sample were more spread than those on the non-grafted sample. It is believed that collagen-grafted HA surface provides suitable sites for cell attaching due to the high biocompatibility of collagen.
Evaluation and management of hydronephrosis in the neonate

Purpose of review The prenatal detection of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) has permitted the early management of these conditions. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the management of neonates with antenatal hydronephrosis (ANH). Recent findings In spite of the continuous advances in the understanding of the genetic basis, clinical course, and outcomes of CAKUT, there are still many controversies regarding the clinical significance, postnatal evaluation, and management of neonates with ANH. Mild ANH will often resolve spontaneously, whereas moderate to severe ANH is frequently associated with CAKUT. Summary ANH is a surrogate marker of potential congenital renal anomalies, but usually cannot identify a specific disease. A multidisciplinary team approach is required to diagnose and treat these complex disorders. Currently nonsurgical management of CAKUT should be considered whenever possible for infants with ANH.
How users interact with biodiversity information using TaxonTree

Biodiversity databases have recently become widely available to the public and to other researchers. To retrieve information from these resources, users must understand the underlying data schemas even though they often are not content experts. Many other domains share this problem.We developed an interface, TaxonTree, to visualize the taxonomic hierarchy of animal names. We applied integrated searching and browsing so that users need not have complete knowledge either of appropriate keywords or the organization of the data.Our qualitative user study of TaxonTree in an undergraduate course is the first to describe usage patterns in the biodiversity domain. We found that tree-based interaction and visualization aided users' understanding of the data. Most users approached biodiversity data by browsing, using common, general knowledge rather than the scientific keyword expertise necessary to search using traditional interfaces. Users with different levels of interest in the domain had different interaction preferences.
Chimerism and bone marrow based therapies in transplantation

Composite tissue allotransplantation holds a great potential for providing increased knowledge of anatomy and microsurgical experience for life‐enhancing reconstructions. Many transplant cases around the world have made this a clinical reality at the present time. Composite tissue allotransplants contain multiple tissue types, including bone, muscle, vessels, nerves, skin, and immune cells and bear a huge antigenic load. Although immunosuppressive drugs are applied successfully to prevent allograft rejection, their side effects pose a barrier to worldwide use. Bone marrow therapy in many tolerance induction protocols, therefore, provides a guide to reaching the target of permanent immunotolerance. Multiple studies suggest that bone marrow is immunomodulatory and may facilitate allograft acceptance. In this review, bone marrow based therapy protocols of clinical and experimental models are presented in two major categories: solid organ and composite tissue transplantation. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2007.
Comparison of simulated and real network traffic results for multimedia streaming over WiMAX networks with QoS scheduling

Multimedia streaming is one of the main Internet services which tendency of significant growth stays unchanged. In this paper an empirical analysis for three most popular multimedia traffics (Videoconference, Video-on-Demand and Video-surveillance) has been conducted. The quality-of-service (QoS) performance has been evaluated in terms of distributed throughput for these three most popular internet services over a fixed Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network. Measurement scenarios relate to cases where the wireless broadband link is used as a backhaul connection to the Internet. Typical cases of deployment are femtocell and connecting of rural areas where wired connections, such as fiber, are too expensive to be deployed.
First-in-man use of polymer-free valsartan-eluting stents in small coronary vessels: a comparison to polymer-free rapamycin (2%)-eluting stents

Introduction. Orally administered angiotensin receptor antagonists administered after bare-metal stent implantation and even after drug-eluting stent implantation seem to lower in-stent restenosis rates.Whether valsartan-eluting stents are similarly effective was tested here in a first-in-man trial. Materials and methods. The efficacy of a polymer-free drug-eluting stent coated with 300 mcg valsartan was compared to a coating with a 2% rapamycin solution in small (≤ 2.5 mm) coronary vessels with and without oral valsartan on the basis of the YUKON Choice stent system (Translumina GmbH, Hechingen, Germany). Fifteen patients (eight males, mean age 64.4±7.7 years) were treated with YUKON Choice valsartan-eluting stents and 30 patients (24 males, mean age 65.7±8.4 years) received YUKON Choice rapamycin-eluting stents. Clopidogrel was given for six months in all patients. Results. Within the first 30 days, no adverse events occurred in either group. Binary in-stent restenosis rate was 30.8% (four in 13 angiographic controls) in the valsartan-eluting stent group and 35.0% (eight in 20 angiographic controls) in the rapamycin-eluting YUKON Choice stent group. Mean late lumen loss was 0.78±0.53 mm and 0.79±0.58 mm, respectively. Target lesion and target vessel revascularisation rate was 26.6% and 25.0%, respectively. No restenoses in rapamycin-eluting YUKON Choice stents appeared in 12 patients with adjunct oral valsartan administration. Conclusions. If polymer-free YUKON Choice stents are used in small vessels, valsartan-eluting stents show an identical efficacy as rapamycin-loaded stents. In patients with rapamycin-eluting YUKON Choice stents it seems that the efficacy can be increased by oral valsartan administration.
A Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer Survey of Coronal Forbidden Lines in Late-Type Stars

We present a survey of coronal forbidden lines detected in Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) spectra of nearby stars. Two strong coronal features, Fe XVIII λ974 and Fe XIX λ1118, are observed in 10 of the 26 stars in our sample. Various other coronal forbidden lines, observed in solar flares, also were sought but not detected. The Fe XVIII feature, formed at log T = 6.8 K, appears to be free of blends, whereas the Fe XIX line can be corrupted by a C I multiplet. FUSE observations of these forbidden iron lines at spectral resolution λ/Δλ ~ 15,000 provides the opportunity to study dynamics of hot coronal plasmas. We find that the velocity centroid of the Fe XVIII feature deviates little from the stellar rest frame, confirming that the hot coronal plasma is confined. The observed line widths generally are consistent with thermal broadening at the high temperatures of formation and show little indication of additional turbulent broadening. The fastest rotating stars, 31 Com, α Aur Ab, and AB Dor, show evidence for excess broadening beyond the thermal component and the photospheric v sin i. The anomalously large widths in these fast-rotating targets may be evidence for enhanced rotational broadening, consistent with emission from coronal regions extending an additional ΔR ~ 0.4-1.3 R* above the stellar photosphere, or represent the turbulent broadening caused by flows along magnetic loop structures. For the stars in which Fe XVIII is detected, there is an excellent correlation between the observed Röntgensatellit (ROSAT) 0.2-2.0 keV soft X-ray flux and the coronal forbidden line flux. As a result, Fe XVIII is a powerful new diagnostic of coronal thermal conditions and dynamics that can be utilized to study high-temperature plasma processes in late-type stars. In particular, FUSE provides the opportunity to obtain observations of important transition region lines in the far-UV, as well as simultaneous measurements of soft X-ray coronal emission, using the Fe XVIII coronal forbidden line.
Comparison of Free Light Chain Removal by Four Blood Purification Methods

Renal failure is a frequent complication in patients with multiple myeloma. Immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs) form casts in the distal tubules, resulting in renal obstruction, and are also directly toxic to proximal renal tubules. Removal of FLCs contributes to renal recovery. High cut‐off (HCO) membrane Theralite2100, protein leaking dialyzer PES210Dα, plasma separator Evacure1A20 and β2 microglobulin adsorption column LixelleS‐35 were compared in their FLC removal rate. Dialysis using Theralite2100 or Evacure1A20, diafiltration using PES210Dα and adsorption using LixelleS‐35 were performed in an in vitro circuit. The highest removal rate was obtained by Theralite2100 dialysis among the four blood purification methods. Albumin loss was also the greatest in Theralite2100 dialysis. The removal content of FLCs per 1 g albumin loss was better in PES210Dα diafiltration. The removal rate of FLCs by Evacure EC1A‐20 dialysis was the third highest. Adsorption of FLCs by the β2 microglobulin adsorption column Lixelle S‐35 was confirmed. In conclusion, Theralite2100 dialysis was the best in removal of FLCs. PES210Dα diafiltration can remove FLCs with smaller loss of albumin.
Methane oxidation linked to chlorite dismutation

We examined the potential for CH4 oxidation to be coupled with oxygen derived from the dissimilatory reduction of perchlorate, chlorate, or via chlorite (ClO−2) dismutation. Although dissimilatory reduction of ClO−4 and ClO−3 could be inferred from the accumulation of chloride ions either in spent media or in soil slurries prepared from exposed freshwater lake sediment, neither of these oxyanions evoked methane oxidation when added to either anaerobic mixed cultures or soil enriched in methanotrophs. In contrast, ClO−2 amendment elicited such activity. Methane (0.2 kPa) was completely removed within several days from the headspace of cell suspensions of Dechloromonas agitata CKB incubated with either Methylococcus capsulatus Bath or Methylomicrobium album BG8 in the presence of 5 mM ClO−2. We also observed complete removal of 0.2 kPa CH4 in bottles containing soil enriched in methanotrophs when co-incubated with D. agitata CKB and 10 mM ClO−2. However, to be effective these experiments required physical separation of soil from D. agitata CKB to allow for the partitioning of O2 liberated from chlorite dismutation into the shared headspace. Although a link between ClO−2 and CH4 consumption was established in soils and cultures, no upstream connection with either ClO−4 or ClO−3 was discerned. This result suggests that the release of O2 during enzymatic perchlorate reduction was negligible, and that the oxygen produced was unavailable to the aerobic methanotrophs.