Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ca 2 1-Dependent Activator Protein for Secretion Is Critical for the Fusion of Dense-Core Vesicles with the Membrane in Calf Adrenal Chromaffin Cells

Calcium-dependent activator protein for secretion (CAPS) is a neural/endocrine cell-specific protein that has been shown to function at the Ca-dependent triggering step of dense-core vesicle (DCV) exocytosis in permeabilized PC12 cells. To evaluate the function of CAPS under physiological conditions, we introduced affinity-purified anti-CAPS IgGs into calf adrenal chromaffin (AC) cells via a patch pipette and tested the kinetics of catecholamine secretion using both amperometric and membrane capacitance techniques. The antibodies reacted with a single major ;145 kDa protein in AC cells based on immunoblot analysis. AC cells stimulated with sequential trains of action potentials at 7 Hz resulted in successive secretory episodes of equivalent magnitude. When either of two different anti-CAPS IgGs or their Fab fragments were present, a rapid and progressive inhibition of catecholamine release ensued to a maximum of . 80%. The effect was specific because preabsorption of IgGs with the respective antigens ablated the inhibitory effect, and the IgGs had no effect on Ca currents. CAPS immunoneutralization not only reduced the number of amperometric spikes but markedly altered the kinetic characteristics of the residual events. The remaining spikes were much smaller (by 85%) and broader (by ;3.5-fold) than those in control cells, suggesting that CAPS plays a role in determining release of vesicle contents via the fusion pore. Anti-CAPS IgGs also slowed the rate of the initial exocytotic capacitance burst, representing the docked-and-primed vesicle pool, by ;90% but had no effect on the kinetics of rapid endocytosis. These results suggest that CAPS is a key component regulating the fusion of DCVs to the plasma membrane, and possibly fusion pore dilation, in catecholamine secretion from AC cells.
Efficacy of hCG and GnRH with Respect to Follicular Size and Presence of the Corpus Luteum in Cosynch Protocol Integrated with Norgestomet in Lactating Cows

Abstract Efficacies of hCG and GnRH with respect to follicular diameter in Cosynch protocol were investigated. Lactating cows (n=119) received injections of GnRH and PGF2 7 d apart. Norgestomet ear implant was inserted at GnRH administration and removed prior to PGF2 injections. Presence of the corpus luteum (CL) at GnRH and PGF2 injections, and diameter of preovulatory follicle [small (SPF) <8 mm or large (LPF) ≥8 mm] at PGF2 were determined with transrectal ultrasonography (USG). The animals were randomly treated with GnRH (0.01 mg; GPG, n=62) or hCG (1,500 IU; GPH, n=57) at timed artificial insemination (TAI) 56 h after injection of PGF2α. Pregnancies were diagnosed with USG 32-35 d after TAI. Pregnancies per TAI (P/TAI) were significantly (P<0.05) lower in GPH cows (28.1%; 16/57) compared to those in GPG animals (46.8%; 29/62). P/TAI with respect to follicular size did not differ between GPG and GPH cows, although P/TAI was numerically higher in LPF (30.0%; 15/50) than in SPF (14.3%; 1/7) in GPH cows. P/TAI in cows without CL at PGF2 was 2.5 (1.0-6.7) times higher (P<0.01) in GPG (20.0%; 3/15) compared to GPH (10.5%; 2/19). In conclusion, use of hCG in milieu of the second GnRH in Cosynch+progesterone insert protocol did not have any advantage in lactating cows.
The HCMV Gene Products US11 and US2 Differ in Their Ability to Attack Allelic Forms of Murine Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I Heavy Chains

Human cytomegalovirus downregulates the expression of human class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules by accelerating destruction of newly synthesized class I heavy chains. The HCMV genome contains at least two genes, US11 and US2, each of which encode a product sufficient for causing the dislocation of newly synthesized class I heavy chains from the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol. Based on a comparison of their abilities to degrade the murine class I molecules H-2Kb, Kd, Db, Dd, and Ld, the US11 and US2 gene products have non-identical specificities for class I molecules. Specifically, in human astrocytoma cells (U373-MG) transfected with the US11 gene, the Kb, Db, Dd, and Ld molecules expressed via recombinant vaccinia virus are rapidly degraded, whereas in US2-transfected cells, only Db and Dd are significantly destabilized. The diversity in HCMV-encoded functions that interfere with class I–restricted presentation likely evolved in response to the polymorphism of the MHC.
Experimental Study and Modeling of Supercritical Extraction of Nicotine from Tabacco Leaves

In this work, the solubility of nicotine extracted from tobacco leaves, found in the north of Iran, in supercritical carbon dioxide has been measured. Also the effects of pressure, temperature, extraction dynamic time, and the organic co-Solvent on the amount of nicotine extracted from tobacco leaves have been investigated. It should be stressed that in order to reduce significantly the number of experiments, the experiments have been specified based on the Taguchi experimental design. The results obtained from the experiments showed that at the specified pressure, temperature, volume of modifier and dynamic time, the maximum amount of nicotine can be extracted. The experimental data collected in this research has been correlated using the Redlich-Kwong (R.K) equation of state. The results showed that the conventional cubic R.K equation of state can accurately correlate the experimental solubility data with good accuracy.
Ultraschall zur Früherkennung von Parkinson

Eine frühe Diagnose der Parkinsonkrankheit ist enorm wichtig, da klinische Symptome erst sichtbar werden, wenn schon ein Großteil der betroffenen Nervenzellen unwiderruflich geschädigt ist. Neuere Arbeiten deuten darauf hin, daß mit der transkraniellen Sonografie (TCS) ein Werkzeug verfügbar ist, das die Manifestation einer genetischen Form der Parkinson-Krankheit bereits zu einem sehr frühen Zeitpunkt sichtbar machen kann. In TCS-Bildern des Mesencephalons weisen ca. 90% der Parkinson-Patienten eine erhöhte Echogenität im Bereich der Substantia Nigra auf, die in CToder MRT-Bildern so nicht erscheint. Momentan wird diese Hyperechogenität manuell segmentiert und die Größe der Region wird als früher Infikator für Parkinson verwendet. Um die inhärente Untersucherabhängigkeit zu vermindern, entwickeln und validieren wir in dieser Arbeit semi-automatische Merkmale, die als Bewertungskriterien für das Fortschreiten der Parkinson-Manifestation dienen. In einer klinischen Studie zeigen wir, daß einige dieser Merkmale signifikant mit dem Vorhandensein von spezifischen genetischen Mutationen korrelieren, die die Entstehung von Parkinson begünstigen.
Reconnaissance de sections et d'entités dans les décisions de justice : application des modèles probabilistes HMM et CRF

Une decision de justice est un document textuel rapportant le denouement d'une affaire judiciaire. Les juristes s'en servent regulierement comme source d'interpretation de la loi et de comprehension de l'opinion des juges. La masse disponible de decisions exige des solutions automatiques pour aider les acteurs du droit. Nous proposons d'adresser certains des defis lies a la recherche et l'analyse du volume croissant de decisions de justice en France dans un projet plus global. La premiere phase de ce projet porte sur l'extraction d'information des decisions dans l'objectif de construire une base de connaissances jurisprudentielles structurant et organisant les decisions. Une telle base facilite l'analyse descriptive et predictive de corpus de decisions. Cet article presente une application des modeles probabilistes pour la segmentation des decisions et la reconnaissance d'entites dans leur contenu (lieu, date, participants, regles de loi, .). Nos tests montrent l'avantage d'approches basees sur les champs aleatoires conditionnels (CRF) par rapport a des modeles plus simples et rapides bases sur les modeles caches de Markov (HMM). Nous presentons ici les aspects techniques de la selection et l'annotation du corpus d'apprentissage, et la definition de descripteurs discriminants. La specificite des textes est importante et doit etre prise en compte lors de l'application de methodes d'extraction d'information dans un domaine specifique.
Infliximab in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis: Two-year Follow-up

Objectives The role of infliximab in treating pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) is not defined. The authors previously have described their experience with the open label use of infliximab in nine children with moderate to severe UC. The aim of this study was to describe the outcome of these patients after a minimum 2-year follow-up and to describe the responses of eight additional patients to this medication. Methods The authors reviewed all pediatric patients with UC who received infliximab at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia from its first use until February 2003. Tolerance of the infusions and adverse events were recorded. Results Follow-up information for a minimum of 2 years was reviewed for the nine initial patients. A total of 73 infliximab infusions were administered to these patients. Seven of nine (78%) patients were considered to be responders to the initial dose of infliximab. Two of these patients became nonresponders within 9 months of the first dose of infliximab and underwent colectomy. Of the remaining five (56%) patients with sustained response, two continue to receive infliximab infusions and three are doing well without infliximab. One patient experienced an infusion reaction, and one experienced herpes zoster infection. We have treated eight additional UC patients with infliximab. Seven (88%) patients were considered responders. One responder experienced relapse within 2 months. Overall, a short-term improvement was seen in 14 of 17 (82%) patients, and sustained improvement in 10 of 16 (63%) patients followed up for more than 9 months. All five patients with severe or fulminant UC, unresponsive to 2 weeks of intravenous corticosteroid therapy, experienced improvement with infliximab. Infliximab was well tolerated. Conclusion Infliximab is associated with short- and long-term clinical improvement in children and adolescents with moderate to severe UC.
Results of pancreas transplantation with portal venous and enteric drainage.

PURPOSE The standard method for pancreatic transplantation involves drainage of exocrine secretions into the urinary bladder with venous outflow into the systemic circulation. Despite the high success rate associated with this approach, it often leads to complications, including chemical cystitis, reflux pancreatitis, metabolic acidosis, and hyperinsulinemia. The authors developed a new technique of pancreatic transplantation with portal drainage of endocrine secretions and enteric drainage of exocrine secretions (PE), which theoretically should be more physiologic. PROCEDURES All patients were insulin-dependent diabetics with end-stage renal disease who underwent combined kidney-pancreas transplantation. Between 1990 and 1994, 19 patients have been transplanted using intraperitoneal placement of the pancreas allograft with exocrine drainage into a Roux-en Y loop and venous drainage into the portal circulations (PE). A comparison group of all patients undergoing standard systemic-bladder (SB) transplantation between April 1989 and March 1993 (n = 28) also was studied. Patient follow-up ranges from 6 months to 5 years for the SB patients (mean = 2.5 years) and 6 months to 4 years for the PE patients (mean = 1.6 years). Routine follow-up includes documentation of the clinical course and detailed endocrine studies. FINDINGS Patient and graft actuarial survival at 1 and 3 years is no different for SB and PE patients. Urinary tract infections occurred in 89.3% of the SB patients (2.8/patient) versus 26.3% of the PE patients (0.25/patient, p < or = 0.0001). None of the PE patients experienced hematuria compared with 53.6% of the SB patients (p < or = 0.0001); however, two PE patients had melanotic episodes. The incidence of urinary retention and reflux pancreatitis was 32.1% versus 5.3% (p < or = 0.028) for SB and PE groups, respectively. Patients in the SB group required sodium bicarbonate therapy (mean = 55 mEq/day) although no PE patient required routine therapy; despite this, SB patients experienced more episodes of acidosis (44 vs. 5). Endocrine studies indicate no difference in glycosylated hemoglobin or fasting and stimulated glucose values throughout the follow-up period. In contrast, hyperinsulinemia was evident in both fasting and stimulated tests for the SB patients, with values consistently two- to fivefold higher than those of the PE group. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that PE and SB pancreas transplantation are equivalent in terms of patient and graft survival and suggest that the PE approach is associated with a decreased incidence of metabolic and bladder-related complications. In addition, the PE approach eliminates the state of peripheral hyperinsulinemia that characterizes the SB procedure. Continued follow-up will be necessary to determine if long-term outcomes will differ for patients with PE and SB grafts.
A printed H-plane horn antenna with loaded dielectric-metal composite lens in ka band

A printed H-plane horn antenna with loaded composite £-plane metal lens in Ka band is proposed and analyzed in this paper. The horn antenna is utilizing the Substrate Integrated Waveguide technique, which is fed by a balanced microstrip line. This antenna aperture is loaded with a series of metal-via arrays to achieve parallel metal surfaces with E-plane. The final Simulated results by CST Microwave Studio® indicate that the reflection coefficient of the antenna in 27.4–33.59GHz is lower than −10dB, the gain is 2.2dB higher than that of the antenna without the E-plane lens at 30GHz. This type of antenna can be widely used for antenna array in Ka band.
Long-term results of combined chemotherapy-radiotherapy approach in Hodgkin's disease: superiority of ABVD plus radiotherapy versus MOPP plus radiotherapy.

In an attempt to reduce some of the delayed sequelae associated with combined modality therapy in Hodgkin's disease, we randomly tested stages IIB, IIIA, and IIIB MOPP (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone) v ABVD (Adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine). In 232 previously untreated patients, three cycles of either combination preceded and followed extensive irradiation. The complete remission rate was 80.7% following MOPP and 92.4% following ABVD (P less than .02). The 7-year results indicated that ABVD was superior to MOPP in terms of freedom from progression (80.8% v 62.8%; P less than .002), relapse-free survival (87.7% v 77.2%; P = .06), and overall survival (77.4% v 67.9%; P = .03). Moreover, the comparative iatrogenic morbidity showed that irreversible gonadal dysfunction as well as acute leukemia occurred only in patients subjected to MOPP, while cardiopulmonary studies failed to document significant laboratory differences between the two treatment groups. Present findings indicate that ABVD followed by extensive irradiation represents a valid therapeutic alternative to the widely used alkylating agent-containing regimens plus radiotherapy.
Noise degradation of cascodes in broadband power amplifiers

This paper compares the noise performance of the common-source and the cascode topology. Although the cascode topology has several advantages over the common-source stage, the noise performance degrades due to the channel noise and the induced gate noise of the common-gate stage. To underline the theory two multi-decade GaN feedback power amplifiers were designed in common-source and cascode topology, using a submicron AlGaN/GaN MMIC technology on SiC substrate. Both designs achieve 13 dB gain and simultaneously good input and output matching. The 3 dB cutoff frequency of the common-source design is 12 GHz and the cascode feedback amplifier achieves even 17 GHz. At mid-band the common-source and the cascode design achieve a moderate noise figure of 3 dB and 4 dB while maintaining an output power over the complete frequency range of 28 dBm and 29 dBm respectively.
Influence of organic and inorganic soil amendments on plant growth in crude oil‐contaminated soil

Abstract Phytoremediation can be a viable alternative to traditional, more costly remediation techniques. Three greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate plant growth with different soil amendments in crude oil‐contaminated soil. Growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L., cultivar: Riley), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L., cultivar: Common), crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis cultivar: Large), fescue (Lolium arundinaceum Schreb., cultivar: Kentucky 31), and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam., cultivar: Marshall) was determined in crude oil‐contaminated soil amended with either inorganic fertilizer, hardwood sawdust, papermill sludge, broiler litter or unamended (control). In the first study, the addition of broiler litter reduced seed germination for ryegrass, fescue, and alfalfa. In the second study, bermudagrass grown in broiler litteramended soil produced the most shoot biomass, bermudagrass produced the most root biomass, and crabgrass and bermudagrass produced the most root length. In the third study, soil amended with broiler litter resulted in the greatest reduction in gravimetric total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) levels across the six plant treatments following the 14‐wk study. Ryegrass produced more root biomass than any other species when grown in inorganic fertilizer‐ or hardwood sawdust + inorganic fertilizer‐amended soil. The studies demonstrated that soil amendments and plant species selection were important considerations for phytoremediation of crude oil‐contaminated soil.
Strategies for formulating appropriate MDCT techniques when imaging the chest, abdomen, and pelvis in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE Our aim was to formulate appropriate MDCT chest and abdominopelvic CT scan protocols for pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Surface radiation dose measurements from a set of anthropomorphic phantoms (nominal 1 year old, 5 year old, and 10 year old) and an adult phantom were compared with standard CT dose index measurements. Image-noise values on axial 5-mm-thick anthropomorphic phantom images were obtained as a measure of image quality. RESULTS Peripheral CT dose index values obtained with the standard 16-cm acrylic phantom were within approximately 10% of the CT surface dose measurements for the pediatric anthropomorphic phantoms for both chest and abdominopelvic scan protocols. The noise value for the adult phantom image acquired using a typical clinical CT technique was identified, and targeting this level of noise for pediatric CT examinations resulted in a decrease in dose of 60-90%. Initially, 80 kVp was selected for use with very small children; however, beam-hardening artifacts were severe enough to cause us to abandon this option. Current pediatric protocols at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center rely on 100- and 120-kVp settings. The display field-of-view parameter can be used as a surrogate for patient size to develop clinical pediatric CT protocol charts. CONCLUSION CT dose index measurements obtained using the 16-cm standard acrylic phantom are sufficiently accurate for estimating chest and abdominopelvic CT entrance exposures for pediatric patients of the same approximate size as the anthropomorphic phantoms used in this study. Image-noise measurements can be used to adjust chest and abdominopelvic CT techniques for pediatric populations, resulting in a decrease in measured entrance dose by 60-90%.
Simulation, Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a MEMS Resettable Circuit Breaker

We describe a novel concept for a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resettable circuit breaker. The concept involves fabricating the circuit breaker and the reset switch using a single microcantilever. The MEMS resettable circuit breaker consists of a microcantilever that is pulled toward the bottom electrode by electrostatic actuation. The MEMS cantilever also has a thermal heater, and when a current passes through the heater, it overcomes the electrostatic actuation force thereby disconnecting the circuit. A detailed finite element analysis using thermal-electric-structural multiphysics phenomena was studied. Electrostatic-structural coupled-field analysis shows the circuit breaker switch has a pull-in voltage of about 31 V for a singlecrystal Si cantilever with a thickness of 2 μm, a length of 1000 μm, and a width of 500 μm. Thermal-electric coupledfield analysis shows the switch maximum temperature is 80.5 °C at a 50-mA current flow. Thermal-electric-structural sequential analysis shows the cantilever tip has a maximum upward displacement of 0.3 μm, which is just enough to open the switch. The impact of the initial film stress in the SiO2 insulation layer was also simulated, and the results show that the film stress has a significant impact on the initial cantilever position after release. Fabrication of the chips was done using two wafers, a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer, and a double-side polished silicon wafer. The SOI wafer device silicon layer was selected as cantilever material. Platinum was selected as heater material and chrome-gold was selected for bonding, trace, and electrostatic electrodes. Electrical testing results confirmed the proposed and simulated operation principle of the MEMS resettable circuit breaker. The results showed that the switch achieved good contact at an electrostatic switch-ON voltage of about 55 V. The measured circuit breaker current threshold is in the range of 45-55 mA.
Arterial stiffness as an independent predictor of longitudinal changes in cognitive function in the older individual

Background Cognitive decline significantly contributes to disability in older individuals. We previously demonstrated cross-sectionally that arterial stiffness [pulse wave velocity (PWV)] was associated with memory loss independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and of neuroimaging findings in older individuals without prior stroke. The present study aimed to evaluate PWV as a predictor of longitudinal changes in cognitive function in older individuals reporting memory problems. Participants and methods We studied 102 older individuals (mean age 79 ± 6 years; 31 men, 71 women) reporting memory problems. PWV was measured noninvasively by Complior. Traditional cardiovascular risk factor levels were measured. Global cognitive function was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (maximum score = 30) at baseline and at follow-up visit. Cerebral computed tomography evaluated the presence of microvascular damage or cortical atrophy. Individuals with prior stroke or atrial fibrillation were excluded. Results The baseline MMSE was 22.9 ± 5.5; 61% were hypertensive, 26.8% diabetic, 9.4% smokers, 10.5% taking statins, and 21.1% taking nitrates. The average PWV was 13.5 ± 2.2 m/s. After a median follow-up of 12 months, the average per-year decline in MMSE was 2.9 points or 12.1%. Multiple regression models showed that PWV independently predicted cognitive decline (model R2 = 0.50). PWV was the single strongest predictor of cognitive decline, explaining 15.2% of the total variance (each 1 m/s increase in PWV was associated with an average 0.74 per-year decrease in MMSE score, P < 0.001). Conclusion In older individuals, arterial stiffness (PWV) is a strong predictor of loss in cognitive function, independent of age, sex, education, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.