Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional expression of TRAIL and TRAIL‐R2 during human megakaryocytic development

The expression and function of surface TRAIL and TRAIL receptors were investigated in primary megakaryocytic cells, generated in serum‐free liquid phase from peripheral human CD34+ cells. The surface expression of both TRAIL and “death receptor” TRAIL‐R2 became detectable starting from the early phase of megakaryocytic differentiation (day 6 of culture) and persisted at later (days10–14) culture times. On the other hand, “death receptor” TRAIL‐R1, “decoy receptors” TRAIL‐R3, and TRAIL‐R4 were barely detectable or undetectable at any time point examined. Addition of recombinant TRAIL at day 6 of culture increased the rate of spontaneous apoptosis of CD34+/CD41dim megakaryoblasts and it significantly decreased the total output of mature megakaryocytic cells evaluated after additional 4–8 days of culture. Conversely, addition in culture of TRAIL‐R2‐Fc chimera, which blocked the interaction between endogenous TRAIL and TRAIL‐R2 on the surface of cultured megakaryocytic cells, increased the total megakaryocytic cell count. In addition, recombinant TRAIL promoted a small but reproducible increase of maturation in the surviving megakaryocytic cell population, evaluated by both phenotypic analysis and morphology. A similar pro‐maturation effect was observed when TRAIL was added to bone marrow‐derived CD61+ megakaryocytic cells. Thus, our data suggest a role of TRAIL as a regulator of megakaryocytopoiesis. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
[Study on the directed inducing process of cartilage cells differentiated from human marrow mesenchymal stem cells].

OBJECTIVE To study the feasibility of constructing tissue engineered cartilage cells by differentiated human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSC) cultured in vitro. METHODS The MSC were isolated from the rib by density gradient centrifuge, then induced into chondrogenic differentiation by adding dexamethasone, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), ascorbic acid, insulin and bovine serum albumin. RESULTS Some cells were degenerated and disappeared after cultured in vitro. But the residual cells were surviving and have secreted metachromatic matrix, which is positive with toluidine blue staining Collagen II antigens expression is positive, which is one of the cartilage cells characteristics. CONCLUSION MSC can be induced to cartilage cells in vitro, MSC can be used as functional cells for constructing tissue engineered cartilage.
Monarchies, Wars, and Estates in England, France, and Spain, c. 1580 - c. 1640

In comparing parliamentary institutions, we must avoid the assumption that they were the natural adversaries of monarchy, or that the English Parliament had distinctive status or privilege in the sixteenth century. In England, France, and Spain, monarchies required money on a scale that parliaments found incomprehensible. These needs clashed with the priorities of assemblies. The assemblies did not try to increase their power at royal expense, but tried rather to avoid making commitments that were inconsistent with their priorities.
Effect of PWM schemes on integrated battery charger for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: Performance, power factor, and efficiency

Most eco-friendly vehicles can adopt a concept of an integrated battery charger (IBC), which utilizes a motor drive system for charging a high voltage battery pack. The IBCs inevitably require an additional boost inductor when the common mode inductance of the motor/generator (M/G) is too small to satisfy a condition for continuous conduction mode operation. In this paper, the IBC system with the additional boost inductor for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) is analyzed and system performance according to the pulse-width-modulated (PWM) switching schemes, such as interleaved PWM scheme and synchronous PWM scheme, is discussed in terms of efficiency, power factor, and current distortion factor. Contrary to general multi-phase boost power factor correction converters, the synchronous PWM scheme results in a higher efficiency than the interleaved PWM scheme. The effects of the PWM switching scheme on the IBC system are experimentally demonstrated on a prototype, which consists of a hybrid power control unit for PHEVs and two interior permanent magnet motors.
Mapping of Streptococcus faecalis plasmids pAD1 and pAD2 and studies relating to transposition of Tn917

Plasmids pAD1 (37.8 megadaltons) and pAD2 (17.1 megadaltons) of Streptococcus faecalis strain DS16 have been mapped with restriction enzymes. The location of a hemolysin-bacteriocin determinant on the conjugative pAD1 plasmid was derived from analyses of transposon insertions. Electron microscope and hybridization analyses located Tn917(Em) and the streptomycin (Sm) and kanamycin (Km) resistance determinants on the nonconjugative pAD2 plasmid. It was shown previously that the erythromycin (Em) resistance associated with Tn917 is inducible and that transposition from pAD2 to pAD1 is also stimulated by exposure of cells to low concentrations of Em. Here we show that inducing concentrations of Em also increase the conjugative transfer potential of pAD1; this is possibly related to a mild and short-lived inhibitory stress placed on the cells before full induction of resistance. Selection of Em-resistant transconjugants arising from matings between DS16 and a plasmid-free recipient gave rise to transconjugants which primarily harbor stable pAD1::pAD2 cointegrates. A 30-min exposure of donors to Em (0.5 microgram/ml) before mating resulted in a severalfold increase in the number of such transconjugants. However, a small fraction (e.g., 3 of 40) of these Emr Smr Kmr transconjugants harbored pAD1::Tn917 and pAD2 molecules. Since we believe pAD2 is incapable of being mobilized by pAD1 without being covalently linked, it is likely that transfer in these cases involved cointegrates representing structural intermediates in the transposition of Tn917 from pAD2 to pAD1. It follows that such intermediates probably had two copies of Tn917 and readily resolved after transfer. (These cointegrates are different from the stable cointegrates which were shown to have only a single copy of Tn917; the latter are assumed not to be related to transposition.) Two variants with altered Tn917 transposition properties were derived. One of them transposed at an elevated frequency, whereas the other showed no detectabel transposition. In neither case was transposition influenced by Em exposure; however, both remained inducible for Em resistance.
Application of cluster analysis in short‐term wind power forecasting model

At present, the method of predicting wind power generation is mainly based on data integration calculation. Although this method is simple, it has shortcomings in short-term and ultra-short-term predictions owing to low accuracy. In this study, the clustering analysis data processing method is used to pre-process the meteorological wind power generation data, thus improving the data quality. This method builds model samples based on historical data with similar numerical weather prediction (NWP) characteristic parameters of the original sample data and forecast date, takes the NWP information of the forecast date as the basis of similarity measurement, and extracts effective data for the neural network prediction model after the improved clustering processing. Therefore, short-term wind power prediction analysis can be performed. Herein, the proposed data processing method is combined with the neural network model to create a software product that is applied to a wind farm in northeast China. The combined clustering data processing method of the wind power prediction model improved power prediction by ∼12% compared with that of the traditional continuous model. This demonstrates an obvious improvement in the prediction accuracy, thereby further proving the validity of the proposed method.
Late Maastrichtian–Paleocene chronostratigraphy from Seymour Island, James Ross Basin, Antarctic Peninsula: Eustatic controls on sedimentation

The Paleocene (66–56 Ma) was a critical time interval for understanding the geological history in high palaeolatitudes after the end of Cretaceous event (recovery from mass extinction, palaeoclimate, global sea level changes, among others). The sedimentary succession from Seymour Island (Antarctic Peninsula) provides key reference material from this important phase of the early Cenozoic. A detailed age model is proposed for the Lopez de Bertodano Formation (LBF), Sobral Formation (SF) and Cross Valley–Wiman Formation (CVWF) based on a new magnetostratigraphic section which integrates previous dinoflagellate cyst biostratigraphy, Iridium anomaly (K-Pg boundary), U-Pb zircon dating (airfall tuff) and strontium isotope values from macrofossils. The new composite magnetostratigraphic section, which includes the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary, has been correlated to the GPTS from C29r up to C24r. The top of the LBF is confirmed as latest Maastrichtian to earliest Danian (~65.4 Ma) in age. The overlying SF is mostly Danian in age (~65.2– ~63 Ma) and CVWF is Selandian–Thatenian (~61.3–56.9 Ma). LBF, SF and CVWF are unconformity-bounded units (alloformations) that record the geological evolution of the James Ross Basin during a period of relative decreasing tectonism but coeval with volcanic activity. Unconformity based internal units have been recognized, dividing each formation into allomembers (LBF: Molluscan and Cenozoic; SF: A, B and C; CVWF: Diaz, Aranado, Bahia Pinguino). The new age model allows correlation of base-level changes with eustatic sea-level fluctuations. The bases of the SF and CVWF are correlated with the 65.3 and 61.5 Ma sea level lowstands. Citation:Montes M, Beamud E, Nozal F, et al. Late Maastrichtian–Paleocene chronostratigraphy from Seymour Island, James Ross Basin, Antarctic Peninsula: Eustatic controls on sedimentation. Adv Polar Sci, 2019, 30(3): 303-327, doi: 10.13679/ j.advps. 2018.0045
Evolving Labor Relations in the Women’s Apparel Industry

Charles Whalen’s book identifies avenues leading to the revitalization of industrial relations as an academic discipline. The contributors, a stellar assemblage of the field’s leading scholars, demonstrate there is much work to be done: the scope and intellectual content of industrial relations need to be reconsidered; academic and social institutions must be reshaped; and new conceptual and practical issues demand attention.
Residual Efficacy of Three Spinosad Formulations Against Psorophora columbiae Larvae in Small Rice Plots

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the residual efficacy of both a briquette and a granular formulation (2 rates) of a numbered spinosad compound against Psorophora columbiae larvae in small rice plots. Comparisons were also made between the numbered compounds and labeled granular and briquette formulations of methoprene. Both rates of the spinosad granules had the highest initial efficacy (100% control), with the spinosad briquette being the least effective. However, 1 wk after treatment, the spinosad briquette was equally effective to both spinosad granules, suggesting a slow release in the briquette. The experimental briquette and the high rate of the experimental granules had the most residual activity, providing over 80% control for 33 days posttreatment. The granular methoprene formulation was the least residually effective compound, providing only 12% control at 7 days posttreatment.
Stance balance control with orthoses in a group of children with spastic cerebral palsy

Although ankle‐foot orthoses (AFOs) are frequently prescribed to correct skeletal malalignment in children with spastic diplegia, their effect on standing balance abilities has not been documented. This study investigated balance differences related to the presence of pathology and orthotic conditions during conditions of unexpected stance perturbation by comparing four children aged between 3 and 15 years with spastic cerebral palsy and four control children matched for years of independent walking experience. Electromyographic and kinematic data were collected and compared between groups and in three orthotic conditions (no AFOs, solid AFOs, dynamic AFOs). Results revealed that balance responses of children with spasticity were characterized by: increased coactivation of muscles as opposed to distal to proximal recruitment, decreased presence of upright posture in stance, increased use of‘on‐toes’strategies, and different sway characteristics compared with the typically developing children. In both groups of children, the use of solid AFOs during perturbed stance resulted in: decreased activation of gastrocnemius muscles, disorganized muscle‐response patterns, decreased use of ankle strategies, and increased joint angular velocities at the knee compared with conditions without AFOs or with dynamic AFOs. These preliminary results support the use of dynamic AFOs to correct skeletal malalignment in children with spastic diplegia.
The Effect of Erythromycin and Fluvoxamine on the Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Lidocaine

Inhibitors of CYP3A4 (cytochrome P450 3A4) have a minor effect on lidocaine pharmacokinetics. We studied the effect of coadministration of the antidepressant fluvoxamine (CYP1A2 inhibitor) and antimicrobial drug erythromycin (CYP3A4 inhibitor) on lidocaine pharmacokinetics in a double-blind, randomized, three-way crossover study. Nine volunteers ingested daily 100 mg fluvoxamine and placebo, 100 mg fluvoxamine and 1500 mg erythromycin, or their corresponding placebos for 5 days. On day 6, 1.5 mg/kg lidocaine was administered IV over 60 min. Concentrations of lidocaine and its major metabolite monoethylglycinexylidide were measured for 10 h. Fluvoxamine alone decreased the clearance of lidocaine by 41% (P < 0.001) and prolonged its elimination half-life from 2.6 to 3.5 h (P < 0.01). During the combination of fluvoxamine and erythromycin, lidocaine clearance was 53% smaller than during placebo (P < 0.001) and 21% smaller than during fluvoxamine alone (P < 0.05). During the combination phase the half-life of lidocaine (4.3 h) was longer than during the placebo (2.6 h; P < 0.001) or fluvoxamine (3.5 h; P < 0.01). We conclude that inhibition of CYP1A2 by fluvoxamine considerably reduces elimination of lidocaine and may increase the risk of lidocaine toxicity. Concomitant use of both fluvoxamine and a CYP3A4 inhibitor such as erythromycin can further increase plasma lidocaine concentrations by decreasing its clearance.
Efficient numerical method for computing per-unit-length impedance of transmission lines with lossy substrate

For recent VLSI circuits, the clock frequency and integration density have continuously increased. Thus, accurate estimate of the per-unit-length resistance and inductance of interconnect has become important for maintaining the signal integrity [1]. In order to design for the transmission lines successfully, it is necessary that correctness of the selected formulas or numerical methods can take into account AC loss due to the skin and proximity effects [2]. The integral equation method is an effective tool for calculating the per-unit-length impedance or current density distributions in the rectangular cross section of metallic lines [3]. Considering that the increase in resistance due to the eddy current flowing in lossy semiconductor substrate has attracted attention nowadays [4], it is advantageous if we can extend the powerful integral equation solutions to this case. In view of the above, we propose an efficient numerical method for computing per-unit-length impedance of multiconductor transmission lines having rectangular cross section backed by lossy substrate. This is a straightforward extension of the present authors' recent work [5]. In the process of the moment method, discretization of the cross section was performed according the skin effect by the use of nonuniform grid, which remarkably saves the computational cost. With keeping the advantage of this solution, we generalize the geometry of the line with regard to the number of conductors and the existence of lossy semi-infinite substrate. The effect of the substrate is taken into account in terms of a correction to the kernel function of the logarithmic type. The appeared Sommerfeld integral in the kernel can be analytically evaluated using the Struve and Neumann functions in the quasi-static regime.
Efferent projections of the deep mesencephalic nucleus (pars lateralis) in the rat

The projections of the lateral part of the deep mesencephalic nucleus (DMN) were traced by autoradiography and retrograde horseradish peroxidase (HRP) techniques. At the level of the DMN, projections from its lateral part crossed the midline and terminated in the medial and lateral part of the contralateral DMN. Furthermore, two labeled tracts passed rostrally from the lateral part of the DMN. One tract coursed dorsolaterally from the lateral DMN to terminate in the ipsilateral lateral thalamic nucleus. The second tract coursed ventrally and rostrally over the substantia nigra toward the ipsilateral zona incerta. At the caudal part of the zona incerta these fibers divided into two bundles. One bundle coursed superiorly to terminate bilaterally in the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus. The second bundle of fibers passed anteriorly to enter the ipsilateral zona incerta. Some of these fibers terminated upon neurons of the zona incerta and the ventromedial part of the subthalamic nucleus. The remaining fibers within the zona incerta coursed anteriorly to enter the internal capsule. These fibers terminated in the entopeduncular nucleus and medial part of the globus pallidus. These findings indicate that the lateral part of the DMN is likely to be involved in the ascending activating system of the reticular formation by connections with thalamic nuclei. Furthermore, the lateral part of the DMN may play a part in suprasegmental motor control via connections with rostral brain stem motor centers.
Childhood predictors of adult criminality: are all risk factors reflected in childhood aggressiveness?

BACKGROUND Early aggressive behaviour is one of the best predictors of adult criminality. AIM To assess the degree to which family background variables, parental beliefs and behaviour and child intelligence predict child aggression and adult criminality. METHOD Data were used from the Colombia County Longitudinal Study, a longitudinal study of 856 children in third grade in New York, in 1959-60. Adult measures of criminal behaviour, child measures taken at age eight, child peer-nominated aggression, child's peer-nominated popularity, child's IQ and parental measures at eight years were used. RESULTS Aggressive children were less intelligent, less popular, rejected more by their parents, had parents who believed in punishment, were less identified with their parents' self-image and were less likely to express guilt. As adults, more aggressive children with parents who were less well educated, experienced more marital disharmony and who seldom attended church were most at risk for arrest. However, after the effect of early aggression was controlled, most effects disappeared and only parents having a strong belief in punishment added significantly to risk of arrest by age 30; the only fact that then reduced the risk of arrest was having parents who attended church often. Both parental authoritarianism and child IQ reduced the risk of conviction for arrested children. DISCUSSION Level of aggression at age eight is the best predictor of criminal events over the next 22 years. A clear implication is that the risk for criminality is affected by much that happens to a boy before he is eight years old. Preventive interventions need to target risk factors that appear to influence the development of early aggression.
Genetic alteration and expression of the phosphoinositol‐3‐kinase/Akt pathway genes PIK3CA and PIKE in human glioblastomas

Glioblastomas frequently carry genetic alterations resulting in an aberrant activation of the phosphoinositol‐3‐kinase (Pi3k)/protein kinase B (Akt) signalling pathway, including most notably phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) mutation, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification and rearrangement, as well as carboxyl‐terminal modulator protein (CTMP) hypermethylation [Knobbe et al., (2004) Hypermethylation and transcriptional downregulation of the carboxyl‐terminal modulator protein gene in glioblastomas. J Natl Cancer Institute, 96, 483–486]. Here, we investigated two further Pi3k/Akt pathway genes, namely PIK3CA (3q26.3) and phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase enhancer (PIKE) (CENTG1, 12q14), for genetic alteration and aberrant expression in a series of 97 primary glioblastomas. Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of PIK3CA revealed somatic mutations in five tumours (5%). Twelve glioblastomas (12%) showed amplification of PIKE with invariable co‐amplification of the adjacent CDK4 gene. All tumours with PIKE amplification as well as the vast majority of glioblastomas without amplification demonstrated increased expression of PIKE‐A but not PIKE‐S/L transcripts as compared with non‐neoplastic brain tissue. Taken together, our data support an important role of PIK3CA and PIKE gene aberrations in the molecular pathogenesis of primary glioblastomas.
What does it take to help the poor.

But while the international community agrees that something needs to be done how best to go about it remains the subject of vigorous debate. No one questions that human capital—in the form of better health status and higher levels of educational attainment—is a major building block for sustaining the productivity growth that would in turn spur broad-based economic growth in developing countries. But inefficiencies in the public provision of these services—due for instance to corruption or a lack of skilled workers—have led some to question whether just increasing public spending is the best route especially given the role of other factors (such as income per capita) in determining social indicators. For that reason we undertook a study to try to help policymakers evaluate the effects of different policies on social indicators and growth. This article examines our results which show that while higher spending on health and education is worthwhile poor governance and macroeconomic instability may offset the positive impact of social spending on growth and human development. But first it is helpful to review what past research has taught us. (excerpt)
Toward Objective Measures of Auditory Co-Immersion in Virtual and Augmented Reality

“Co-immersion” refers to the perception of real or virtual objects as contained within or belonging to a shared multisensory scene. Environmental features such as lighting and reverberation contribute to the experience of coimmersion even when awareness of those features is not explicit. Objective measures of co-immersion are needed to validate user experience and accessibility in augmented-reality applications, particularly those that aim for “face-toface” quality. Here, we describe an approach that combines psychophysical measurement with virtual-reality games to assess users’ sensitivity to room-acoustic differences across concurrent talkers in a simulated complex scene. Eliminating the need for explicit judgments, Odd-one-out tasks allow psychophysical thresholds to be measured and compared directly across devices, algorithms, and user populations. Supported by NIH-R41-DC16578.