Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resveratrol has protective effects against airway remodeling and airway hyperreactivity in a murine model of allergic airways disease

Background: New therapies for asthma which can address three main interrelated features of the disease, airway inflammation, airway remodeling and airway hyperreactivity, are urgently required. Resveratrol, a well known red wine polyphenol has received much attention due to its potential anti-aging properties. This compound is an agonist of silent information regulator two histone deacetylases and has many effects that are relevant to key aspects of the pathophysiology of asthma including inflammation, cell proliferation and fibrosis. Therefore, resveratrol may offer a novel asthma therapy that simultaneously inhibits airway inflammation, and airway remodeling which are the main contributors to airway hyperreactivity and irreversible lung function loss. Methods: We evaluated the effects of systemic resveratrol treatment in a murine model of chronic allergic airways disease which displays most of the clinicopathological features of severe human asthma. Wild-type Balb/c mice with allergic airways disease were treated with 12.5 mg/kg resveratrol or vehicle control. Airway inflammation was assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell counts and histological examination of lung tissue sections. Further, remodeling was assessed by morphometric analysis and lung function was assessed by invasive plethysmography measurement of airway resistance and dynamic compliance. Results: Mice treated with resveratrol exhibited reduced tissue inflammation as compared to vehicle treated mice (p < 0.05). Additionally, resveratrol treatment resulted in reduced subepithelial collagen deposition as compared to vehicle treated mice (p < 0.05) and attenuated airway hyperreactivity (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These novel findings demonstrate that treatment with resveratrol can reduce structural airway remodeling changes and hyperreactivity. This has important implications for the development of new therapeutic approaches to asthma.
Efficient and language-independent mobile programs

This paper evaluates the design and implementation of Omniware: a safe, efficient, and language-independent system for executing mobile program modules. Previous approaches to implementing mobile code rely on either language semantics or abstract machine interpretation to enforce safety. In the former case, the mobile code system sacrifices universality to gain safety by dictating a particular source language or type system. In the latter case, the mobile code system sacrifices performance to gain safety through abstract machine interpretation.Omniware uses software fault isolation, a technology developed to provide safe extension code for databases and operating systems, to achieve a unique combination of language-independence and excellent performance. Software fault isolation uses only the semantics of the underlying processor to determine whether a mobile code module can corrupt its execution environment. This separation of programming language implementation from program module safety enables our mobile code system to use a radically simplified virtual machine as its basis for portability. We measured the performance of Omniware using a suite of four SPEC92 programs on the Pentium, PowerPC, Mips, and Sparc processor architectures. Including the overhead for enforcing safety on all four processors, OmniVM executed the benchmark programs within 21% as fast as the optimized, unsafe code produced by the vendor-supplied compiler.
Proteomic Analysis of a Noninvasive Human Model of Acute Inflammation and Its Resolution: The Twenty-one Day Gingivitis Model

The 21-day experimental gingivitis model, an established noninvasive model of inflammation in response to increasing bacterial accumulation in humans, is designed to enable the study of both the induction and resolution of inflammation. Here, we have analyzed gingival crevicular fluid, an oral fluid comprising a serum transudate and tissue exudates, by LC−MS/MS using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and iTRAQ isobaric mass tags, to establish meta-proteomic profiles of inflammation-induced changes in proteins in healthy young volunteers. Across the course of experimentally induced gingivitis, we identified 16 bacterial and 186 human proteins. Although abundances of the bacterial proteins identified did not vary temporally, Fusobacterium outer membrane proteins were detected. Fusobacterium species have previously been associated with periodontal health or disease. The human proteins identified spanned a wide range of compartments (both extracellular and intracellular) and functions, including serum proteins, proteins displaying antibacterial properties, and proteins with functions associated with cellular transcription, DNA binding, the cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, and cilia. PolySNAP3 clustering software was used in a multilayered analytical approach. Clusters of proteins that associated with changes to the clinical parameters included neuronal and synapse associated proteins.
Manufacturing and Microstructural Evolution of Mechanuically Alloyed Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Superalloys

Mechanical alloying is a process in which mixtures of powders are severely deformed until they form atomic solutions. Inert oxides can also be introduced to form a dispersion of fine particles which help strengthen the consolidated product. Significant quantities of iron and nickel-base alloys, with unusual properties, are produced commercially using this process. The total true strain during mechanical alloying can be as large as 9; there is proof that this leads to mixing on an atomic scale and to the development of a uniform grain structure which is sub-micrometer in size. Following mechanical alloying, the particles are consolidated using standard powder metallurgical techniques. The consolidated metal has a large stored energy, approaching 1 J g ‐1 . This ought to make it easy to induce recrystallisation, but in practice the alloys fail to recrystallise except at very high temperatures close to melting. On the other hand, the recrystallisation temperature can be reduced dramatically by slightly deforming the consolidated product prior to heat treatment. It is in this context that the solution formation, microstructure and mechanical properties of such alloys are reviewed here.
Systems for collection of urine in the captive common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus

Two systems are described for the collection of 24 h urine samples from the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Using 84 adult animals, 1210 24-h samples were collected. Mean urinary excretion was 14·4±7·5 ml/24h (n=1210, mean±SD). No differences were observed between sexes (for 52 females, 24 h volume=15·1±8·0 ml; for 32 males, 24 h volume=12·5±6·0 ml). No significant differences were observed between pregnant and non-pregnant females with respect to 24 h urine volume, and bilateral gonadectomy did not influence subsequent urinary excretion in either sex. For 161 pairs of observations, the intake of drinking water (11·7±10·2 ml/24 h) and the volume of urine excreted (12·6±7·1 ml/24 h) showed a positive correlation r=0·406 d.f. 159, P<0·001: y=0·558x+4·247).
The Murine Receptor for Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Is Primarily Expressed in Tissues Actively Undergoing Remodeling

SUMMARY uPAR is a cellular receptor for urokinase plasminogen activator, an enzyme involved in extracellular matrix degradation during processes involving tissue remodeling. We have expressed a recombinant soluble form of murine uPAR and raised rabbit polyclonal antibodies to study the expression of uPAR by immunohistochemistry. The immunohistochemical localization of uPAR was determined in normal mouse organs and in tumors formed by the highly metastatic Lewis lung carcinoma. uPAR immunoreactivity was found in the lungs, kidneys, and spleen, and in endothelial cells in the uterus, urinary bladder, thymus, heart, liver, and testis. No uPAR immunoreactivity was detected in muscle. In general, strong uPAR immunoreactivity was observed in organs undergoing extensive tissue remodeling, as exemplified by trophoblast cells in placenta, and in migrating, but not resting, keratinocytes at the edge of incisional wounds. Staining was not detected in any tissue sections derived from uPAR-deficient mice, thus confirming the specificity of the immunohistochemical staining of uPAR in normal mouse tissues. In Lewis lung carcinoma, uPAR immunoreactivity was found in the tumor cells of the primary tumor and in lung metastases. (J Histochem Cytochem 49:237–246, 2001)
A key distribution scheme using elliptic curve cryptography in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have become increasingly popular in many applications across a broad range of fields. Securing WSNs poses unique challenges mainly due to their resource constraints. Traditional public key cryptography (PKC) for instance is considered to be too computationally expensive for direct implementation in WSNs. Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) allows one to reach the same level of security as traditional PKC using smaller key sizes. In this paper, a key distribution protocol was designed to securely provide authenticated motes with secret system keys using ECC based cryptographic functions. The designed scheme met the minimum requirements for a key distribution scheme to be considered secure and efficient in WSNs.
Detection and localization in colored noise via generalized least squares

A method for detection and localization of multiple signals in spatially colored noise by an arbitrary passive sensor array is presented. The method also enables exploitation of prior knowledge that the signals are uncorrelated so as to improve the performance and to allow detection and localization even if the number of signals exceeds the number of sensors. The estimation, based on the generalized least squares criterion, is both consistent and asymptotically efficient. The detection is performed via the minimum description length (MDL) principle and is proved to be consistent. Simulation results confirming the theoretical results are included.
Do ADP-activated platelets in vitro aggregate as discocytes ?

Thromb Haemost 2007; 98: 73–76 Ernst F. Lüscher had posed some interesting questions in 2000 about the time flow of the first platelet reactions after activation: shape change (SC) or aggregation (1). Regarding in-vivo studies – commencing on the observations of Bizzozero in 1882 (2) – Lüscher deduced from the literature and from own investigations (3, 4) that shape change which precedes aggregation would be an in-vitro artefact. Indeed, a plethora of ultra-structural studies dealt with the examination of aggregated platelets starting with the investigations of Born et al. 1980 (5), and Born and many others used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to support the view that the initial decrease in light transmission in platelet aggregometry was caused by platelet shape change.Yet, recent morphological findings could attribute aggregates of discoid platelets (designated discocytes) to the initial change in the aggregometer curve (6). More recently, a shear-dependent in-vitro aggregation of discoid platelets was demonstrated using differential interference contrast microscopy or scanning electron microscopy (7–9). These initially unstable aggregates arise under the formation of membrane tethers between platelets and an adhesive surface. Tether formation involves the adhesive function of glycoprotein Ib/V/IX complex on von Willebrand factor.The conversion of aggregates from discoid platelets into stable aggregates consisting of platelets showing shape change requires the release of ADP. Apart from a study investigating aggregation in a genetic defective mouse (10), until now no in-vitro aggregate formation between discoid mammalian platelets could be observed in the TEM. Inspired by the aforementioned implications (1) we investigated whether it is possible to demonstrate aggregation of discoid platelets in vitro. To induce aggregation we chose ADP, an agonist of platelets released from damaged cells, particularly erythrocytes, at sites of vascular injury (11). Lüscher initiated these investigations and inspiringly accompanied them up to his sudden death in April 2002. Results presented in this report indicate that already 1.5 seconds (s) after ADP-stimulation of discoid platelets in-vitro fibrinogen molecules initiated the first contacts between platelets still retaining their discoid shape. The contacts were seen at any site of the platelet surface. One second later, shape change took place, and focal contacts were formed on the platelet body associated with the constricting contractile gel. The existence of bridging fibrinogen molecules during the aggregation was confirmed by immunolabelling with anti-fibrinogen antibody. Thus, platelet aggregation appears to start with discoid platelet-fibrinogen contacts under the chosen in-vitro conditions, and the twostage process leads to formation of stable aggregates of platelets with a changed shape.
Protection of CD4+ T cells from hepatitis C virus infection‐associated senescence via ΔNp63–miR‐181a–Sirt1 pathway

T cell dysfunction has a crucial role in establishing and maintaining viral persistence. We have previously shown a decline in miR‐181a, which regulates CD4+ T cell responses via DUSP6 overexpression, in individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Here, we describe accelerated T cell senescence in HCV‐infected individuals compared with age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects. Mechanistic studies revealed that up‐regulation of transcription factor ΔNp63 led to the decline of miR‐181a expression, resulting in an overexpression of the antiaging protein Sirt1, in CD4+ T cells from HCV‐infected individuals. Either reconstituting miR‐181a or silencing ΔNp63 or Sirt1 expression in CD4+ T cells led to accelerated T cell senescence, as evidenced by an increased senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) expression, shortened telomere length, and decreased EdU incorporation; this suggests that HCV‐induced T cell senescence is counterregulated by the ΔNp63–miR‐181a–Sirt1 pathway. An increase of IL‐2 production was observed in these senescent CD4+ T cells and was driven by a markedly reduced frequency of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and increased number of Foxp3− effector T (Teff) cells upon manipulating the ΔNp63–miR‐181a–Sirt1 pathway. In conclusion, these findings provide novel mechanistic insights into how HCV uses cellular senescent pathways to regulate T cell functions, revealing new targets for rejuvenating impaired T cell responses during chronic viral infection.
Association of Adiposity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Exercise Practice with the Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes in Brazilian Elderly Women

Background: Diabetes incidence in people with advanced age is increasing at an alarming rate, and for this reason the screening of high-risk individuals such as elderly women is critically important. Objective: To analyze the association of adiposity, cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise practice with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in elderly Brazilian women. Methods: Participated of this cross sectional study 1,059 elderly women (mean 69.5 yr; SD 6.1), who self-reported family history of cardiovascular disease, smoking status, hypertension, and T2D diagnosed previously by a physician. The following independent variables were assessed: exercise practice, body mass index, waist circumference, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between each independent variable with T2D using adjusted-models. Results: T2D prevalence was 16%. General and central adiposity were directly associated with T2D, whereas cardiorespiratory fitness was inversely related with T2D. The joint effect of exercise practice and central adiposity showed that inactive women had higher odds ratio for T2D when compared with active ones, within the same WC group. Inactive women with WC ≥ 94.0 cm had an odds ratio of 5.8 (95%IC 1.3-25.3). Conclusions: A direct positive association was found between general and central adiposity, as well as an inverse relation between CRF and exercise practice with T2D. Elderly women who practice exercise regularly had lower odds for T2D. Health professionals should encourage individuals of all ages to engage on regular exercise practice, which could reduce body fatness and may be beneficial in reducing the prevalence of T2D in older ages.
Design and Development of Self Biased Cascode Circuit with its Implementation using 0.35µm Technology

Current mirror is the basic building block, which is widely used in analog VLSI design. For high performance analog circuit applications, sensitivity and temperature variation should be very less. Also it has the wide range of the working frequency. This paper describes the self biased cascode current mirror and analysis of pre-layout and post-layout simulation of the proposed circuit here. To support the analysis, the design is simulated using Eldo spice, IC Station and Design Architect (Mentor Graphics). To carry out the simulation, TSMC 0. 35µm technology is used. The proposed scheme has bandwidth of 159MHz and has an input current range of operation is 10µA.
Inter-frame space (IFS) based service differentiation for IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs

A novel channel access control for the IEEE 802.11 wireless standard is proposed to provide differentiated service in a wireless LAN. It relies on controlling the length of the inter-frame space (IFS) interval, during which a station has to detect a quiet channel before decrementing its backoff time. We derive a simple model to mathematically analyze the service differentiation achievable with arbitration IFS (AIFS), such as weight- or priorityproportional throughputs, and then verify its effectiveness via simulation. The simulation results confirmed the correctness of the proposed control scheme, and demonstrated its effectiveness. A small difference between stations' IFS values is shown to make substantial service differentiation between them. This, in turn, reduces the channel idle time which could be very long if the control relies on the commonly-used contention window size, rather than IFS. The proposed scheme, therefore, achieves higher channel utilization, especially when the total number of stations is not large.
Biomimetic bowtie array for beamwidth reduction

Using biomimetic concepts, the phase difference between adjacent elements (as close as λ/10 apart) is amplified to reduce the beamwidth of small size array. Although interelement inductance and capacitance can both be used for phase difference control, only the coupling capacitance is considered. A modified T-network circuit is introduced to model the interelement coupling and optimize parameter loading. As an example, a conformal bow-tie array is selected for design demonstration. Measurements are also provided to demonstrate that narrow beamwidth can be achieved by tuning interelement coupling.
Dual-grid BoR-FDTD technique applied for prime feed antenna study

This paper presents some studies on prime feed reflector antennas system using the dual-grid BoR-FDTD approach. The technique requires two consecutive simulation steps, where the stored data from the first simulation can be repeatedly used in the second simulation domain. This offers fast parametric study involving the feed structure to study its effect on overall antenna performance. Based on this study, antenna gain could drop by more than 1 dB if the feed position shifted > 0. 5λ0 from the reflector's focal point. The blockage due to feed structure does not significantly affect the radiation pattern performance for parabolic reflector system. However, for spherical reflector, the blockage effect is much notable.
Novel Fucolipids Accumulating in Human Adenocarcinoma

A series of glycolipids having the X determinant (Gal~1+4[Fuccr1+3]GlcNAc) at the terminus and a fucosyl a143 residue at the internal GlcNAc residue have been isolated and characterized from tumor tissues (Hakomori, S., Nudelman, E., Levery, S. B., and Kannagi, R. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259,4672-4680. A series of monoclonal antibodies that differentially recognize glycolipids with mono-, di-, and trifucosylated type 2 chain have been isolated and characterized. The antibody FH4 shows a remarkable preferential reactivity towards di-/or trifucosylated type 2 chain, i.e. it does not react with monofucosylated structures, including lactofucopentaosyl(II1)ceramide (II13FucnLc4), monofucosyl neolactonorhexaosylceramide (y2, V3FucnLc6), and monofucosyl neolactonoroctaosylceramide (zl, VI13FucnLcs), but reacts well with diand trifucosylated type 2 chain structures such as difucosyl neolactonorhexaosylceramide (II13V3Fuc2nLc6) and trifucosyl neolactonoroctaosylceramide (IIISV3VI13Fuc3nLce). Two other monoclonal antibodies, FH5 and ACFH18, preferentially react with trifucosylated type 2 chain structure (II13V3VI13Fuc3nLc6), although cross-reactivity with difucosylated type 2 chain (II13V3Fuc2nLce) was observed. They showed a minimal cross-reaction with monofucosylated type 2 chain. In contrast, the antibody FH1 does not react with II13FucnLc4 but reacts with V3FucnLc6, II13V3FUC~nLC6, and II13V3VI13Fuc3nLcs. Two monoclonal antibodies, FH2 and FH3, do not discriminate among various glycolipids having fucosylated type 2 chain, and their reactivities are ess ntially similar to previously established antibodies directed to the X determinant, such as anti-SSEA-1, WGHS 29, VEPS and 9, My-1, etc. This series of antibodies will be useful to detect the specific type of glycolipid with fucosylated type 2 chain accumulating in human cancer and in undifferentiated cells.
Flash mixing

By introducing novel methods for robust protocol design, to substitute for costly zero-knowledge schemes, we are able to produce a mixing scheme with significantly lower costs of operation than all previously known such schemes. The scheme takes a list of ElGamal encrypted messages, and produces as output a permuted list of encryptions of the same plaintext messages, such that corresponding items of the input and output cannot be correlated. For reasonably large inputs, the cost per participating server and element to be mixed is less than 200 modular multiplications, which is almost two orders of magnitude faster than the most efficient previously known method. The scheme has the novel feature of not requiring the knowledge of a secret key corresponding to the public key used to encrypt the messages constituting the input to the mix-network.