Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Escherichia coli proteins inducible by oxidative stress mediated by the superoxide radical

Two-dimensional gel analyses were made of proteins synthesized in Escherichia coli during various O2- -generating conditions. Nine proteins were constitutively synthesized over wild-type levels in superoxide dismutase (sodA sodB) double mutants. Addition of redox cycling agents such as paraquat and plumbagin at various concentrations induced up to 13 proteins in wild-type cells. Among these 13 were 5 of the 9 constitutively synthesized in the sodA sodB double mutants. Addition of these agents to the superoxide dismutase mutants in low micromolar concentrations induced an additional set of 14 proteins. The proteins induced included only five proteins that have been previously associated with stress responses, consisting of endonuclease IV (Nfo), three oxyR-regulated proteins, and one heat shock protein. O2- -mediated induction of the superoxide inducible (Soi) proteins in the wild type was independent of the oxyR+ gene for all but the three oxyR-regulated proteins. Analyses of proteins from three soi::lacZ gene fusions previously isolated (T. Kogoma, S. B. Farr, K. M. Joyce, and D. O. Natvig, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:4799-4803, 1988) indicated the specific loss of one of these induced proteins in each fusion strain and the constitutive expression of some Soi proteins.
A low-computation object grasping method by using primitive shapes and in-hand proximity sensing

We report on a novel low-computation object grasping method that can classify complex objects into primitive shapes and then select the object grasping posture based on predefined grasping postures associated with the approximated primitive shapes. In this approach, the object is not precisely modeled, and the grasping posture is selected from a small number of candidates without massive search; thus, the grasping posture for the object can be quickly derived. Because the object and primitive shape have geometrical discrepancy, the gripper is compliant and equipped with infrared proximity sensors on the fingers to compensate for the geometrical uncertainties and provide adequate contact between the object and the grippers. The methodology is experimentally evaluated with several types of objects in different postures.
Variable and constant regions are separated in the 10-kbase transcription unit coding for immunoglobulin kappa light chains.

UV transcription mapping with recombinant DNA probes containing immunoglobulin kappa light chain mRNA sequences has been used to determine the size of the transcription unit coding for kappa light chain m RNA and to establish the arrangement of variable and constant regions in this transcription unit. In relation to ribosomal RNA standards, the transcription of kappa light chain constant region sequences into nuclear RNA exhibits a UV target size of 9.6 kbases (kb). The kappa light chain variable region exhibits a UV target size of 7.6 kb indicating that it is separated by approximately 2.0 kb from the constant region in the kappa light chain transcription unit. The size of the primary transcript (i.e., the direct, unprocessed RNA product of transcription) predicted from the constant region target size concurs with our previous pulse-labeling results which showed that the largest presumptive nuclear RNA precursor to kappa light chain mRNA is approximately 10 kb. In addition, the UV target size of cytoplasmic kappa mRNA is indistinguishable from the target size of constant region sequences in nuclear RNA. These results suggest that the kappa light chain transcription unit is copied directly into a 10-kb nuclear RNA precursor in which the kappa variable and constant regions are separated by approximately 2 kb. Accordingly, it is proposed that the joining of immunoglobulin kappa light chain variable and constant regions occurs in the post-transcriptional processing of this large nuclear RNA precursor into kappa light chain mRNA.
Improving Short-term load forecasting for a local energy storage system

Short-term load forecasting is a crucial step for proper operation of a battery energy storage system. In this paper, an artificial neural network forecaster is used for hourly based forecasting of the distributed power generation and load consumption. This paper focusses on using mutual information for the selection of training data for the artificial neural network models of the forecaster. The proposed approach reduces the forecasting error, especially after transients in the input-output mapping. Simulations with real data sets are executed to verify the effectiveness of the method.
Chromosome band 17q21 in breast cancer: Significant association between beclin 1 loss and HER2/NEU amplification

Treatment success of breast cancer patients with trastuzumab alone or in combination depends not only on HER2/NEU amplification but also on PTEN and PI3K status and efficient cell death programs. In this pilot study, we found a significant association between loss of beclin 1 and HER2/NEU amplification (both on 17q21) in breast cancers. This finding was confirmed in two public copy number microarray datasets. Furthermore, there is a trend associating beclin 1 loss with TP53 mutations, PI3KCA gene gain, and PTEN mutations. Finally, the observation that beclin 1 gene loss predicted a response to trastuzumab alone or in combination with other drugs is worthy of further confirmation in larger cohorts. Our results suggest that, beclin 1 loss may contribute to genome instability and to a defective autophagy that may lead to tumoral cell death in presence of competent apoptosis or senescence pathways. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
VARIABLE SELECTION ON EUROSTA'S GALL SIZE, I: THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF VARIATION IN PHENOTYPIC SELECTION

Natural fluctuations in environmental conditions are likely to induce variation in the intensity or direction of natural selection. A long‐term study of the insect, Eurosta solidaginins Fitch (Diptera; Tephritidae), which induces stem galls on the perennial herb Solidago altissima (Asteraceae) was performed to explore the patterns of variation in phenotypic selection. The intensity of selection imposed by parasitoids and predators on gallmaking larvae, for gall size, was measured across 16 populations over the course of 4 generations, for a total of 64 population‐generations. Directional selection was quantified by i, the selection intensity, and variance selection by j‘, a measure of the intensity of selection on phenotypic variance. Size‐dependent attack by parasitoids caused upward directional selection (mean ip = 0.42; SE = 0.023), while size‐dependent bird attack favored larvae that induced smaller galls (mean ib = ‐0.07; SE = 0.013. The mean net directional selection intensity was 0.35 (SE = 0.030), which indicates that insects inducing larger galls are generally favored by selection. The opposing patterns of size‐dependent attack resulted in stabilizing selection in half the population generations, with an overall average. j‘ of ‐0.11 (SE = 0.078). The magnitude of directional selection was strongly influenced by the population mean gall size and weakly by the optimal gall size. The intensity of variance selection was strongly influenced by the shape of the fitness function, with sigmoidal and Gaussian‐like shapes causing greater depletion of phenotypic variance.
Intraventricular Infusion of Apolipoprotein E Ameliorates Acute Neuronal Damage after Global Cerebral Ischemia in Mice

The ability of intraventricular infusion of apolipoprotein E (apoE) to reduce neuronal damage after global cerebral ischemia was investigated in apoE-deficient and wild-type mice. ApoE (5 μg/mL lipid-conjugated derived from human plasma; 1 μL/h, continuous infusion) significantly reduced neuronal damage in the caudate nucleus and CA2 pyramidal cell layer by approximately 50% in apoE-deficient mice after global ischemia compared to vehicle infusion. In wild-type mice infused with apoE, there was a trend for ischemic neuronal damage to be reduced. ApoE-infused mice had a marked reduction in 4-hydroxynonenal immunoreactivity, as a marker of lipid peroxidation. The results show that the presence of apoE at or after the time of injury can be neuroprotective, possibly via an anti-oxidant mechanism.
Permittivity Model for Ferromagnetic Nanowired Substrates

This letter presents the influence of ferromagnetic nanowires on permittivity and losses on a so-filled membrane. For this purpose a theoretical permittivity model has been developed by considering geometrical parameters of the substrate such as the porosity of the membrane and the height of the nanowires. It has been validated by microstrip line measurements on a composite substrate filled with cobalt nanowires. The ferromagnetic nanowires enhance the permittivity, but give no further contribution to the losses beyond the ferromagnetic resonance. This is confirmed by measurements on a similar topology including non ferromagnetic copper nanowires.
Effective lens distortion correction for 3D range scannig systems

Nowadays lasers in the measurement industry are widely used. The accuracy of optical rangefinders, which detect a laser line directly from a taken frame, lies in precise laser line detection. By using a lens with a smaller focal length, a barrel distortion can occur. In this paper we would like to introduce an effective method for barrel distortion correction. The algorithm also includes a super-sampling method to prevent line discontinuities especially on image borders, where the influence of distortion effect is significant. The algorithm description also includes substantial speed-up of the whole process by using a correction matrix. A correction matrix is estimated only once for a specific frame dimension and user's parameters. Then the camera correction matrix is used in the mapping process. The paper also includes a time comparison between using a different super-sampling quality and the benefit of using the correction matrix.
Blood Pressure Categories and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Japan: The Jichi Medical School (JMS) Cohort Study

Few studies have reported on risk factors by blood pressure categories based on antihypertensive treatment in the general population. We examined the associations between blood pressure categories and other risk factors in Japan. Cross-sectional study, multicenter population-based study was designed. A total of 11,302 men and women were eligible. Data were obtained from April 1992 to July 1995 in 12 rural districts in Japan. Subjects were divided into three categories: normotensives (with blood pressure <140/90 mmHg), treated hypertensives (antihypertensive treatment regardless of current blood pressure), and nontreated hypertensives (blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg without hypertensive treatment). The proportions of normotensives, treated hypertensives, and nontreated hypertensives were 63%, 10%, and 27% among men, and 67%, 13%, and 20% among women, respectively. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, blood glucose, and body mass index were higher in treated or nontreated hypertensives than in normotensives. Fibrinogen, factor VIIc, and physical activity index were higher in treated hypertensives than in normotensives. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was higher in normotensives than in treated or nontreated hypertensives in women; but no tendency was shown in men. The proportions of dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and metabolic syndrome were significantly higher in treated and nontreated hypertensives than in normotensive men and women. In conclusion, cardiovascular risk factors were higher in hypertensives with or without treatment than in normotensives in a general population in Japan.
Cell locomotion and focal adhesions are regulated by the mechanical properties of the substrate.

portant interactions that modulate intracellular signaling pathways, as well as various cellular events from gene expression to cell locomotion (Juliano and Haskill, 1993). The full response to adhesion seems to involve not only the cross-linking of integrins but also mechanical input through these receptors (Craig and Johnson, 1996; Wang et al., 1993; Ingber, 1993; Chrzanowska-Wodnika and Burridge, 1996; Choquet et al., 1997). To explore this possibility, we have examined the motility and cytoskeletal organization of NRK epithelial cells and 3T3 fibroblasts cultured on substrates having varying mechanical properties (Pelham and Wang, 1997). Flexible, optically clear substrates were prepared by covalently linking type I collagen to polyacrylamide sheets. The flexibility of the substrate was manipulated by maintaining the acrylamide concentration at 10% while varying the bis-acrylamide contents between 0.03% and 0.26%. In this manner, we were able to maintain a constant chemical environment regardless of substrate flexibility. The Young's Modulus of the substrate, determined by measuring the extent of stretching in response to known applied forces, showed a 13-fold difference between sheets of 0.26% and 0.03% bis-acrylamide. When probed microscopically with a calibrated microneedle, the substrates showed 16-fold difference in compliance (-7.3 x 10-7 newtons/tm versus ~4.6 X 10-8 newtons/ym). On more rigid substrates, both NRK epithelial cells and 3T3 fibroblasts were well spread and appeared indistinguishable from those cultured on glass or plastic sur-
Pre-exercise Intake of Different Carbohydrates Modifies Ischemic Reactive Hyperemia After a Session of Anaerobic, But Not After Aerobic Exercise

Fernández, JM, Da Silva-Grigoletto, ME, Caballero-Villarraso, J, Gómez-Puerto, JR, Viana-Montaner, BH, Tasset-Cuevas, I, Túnez-Fiñana, I, Pérez-Martínez, P, López-Miranda, J, and Pérez-Jiménez, F. Pre-exercise intake of different carbohydrates modifies ischemic reactive hyperemia after a session of anaerobic, but not after aerobic exercise. J Strength Cond Res 24(6): 1623-1632, 2010-The acute ingestion of a supplement with different glycemic carbohydrates, including fructose, is a typical practice for athletes before exercising. Observational evidence suggests that different metabolic responses may modify the exercise-stimulated endothelium-dependent vasodilation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether endothelial reactivity, stimulated by anaerobic exercise (AnE) or aerobic exercise (AE), both performed with glycemic supplementation, is modified by the addition of fructose. Twenty physically trained men ingested an oral dose of glucose (G) or glucose plus fructose (F) 15 minutes before starting a 30-minute session of AnE (10 sets of 10 repetitions of half squat) or AE (cycling). The combination resulted in 4 randomized interventions in a crossover design in which all subjects performed all experimental conditions: G + AnE, F + AnE, G + AE, and F + AE. Ischemic reactive hyperemia (IRH), glycemia, plasma lipoperoxides (LPOs), nitric oxide (NO), and lactate were determined at baseline, exercise, and acute recovery time points. Immediately after AnE, IRH was 26.35% higher in F + AnE than in G + AnE (p < 0.05); this difference rose to 27.24% at the end of the recovery period (p < 0.05). The glycemic peak in F + AnE was lower than in G + AnE (p < 0.05), and there was a second peak during recovery (p < 0.05). There were no differences observed in LPO between anaerobic trials, but the NO bioavailability increased and was higher in F + AnE than in G + AnE after exercise and recovery (p < 0.05). Residual lactate was also higher under the F + AnE condition (p < 0.05). During AE, there were no differences in IRH, glycemia, or NO between groups, but LPO was significantly higher after F supplementation. These results suggest that the addition of fructose to a single G supplement ingested before a glycolitic exercise can modify the glucoregulation and increases ischemic reactive hyperemia.
Galanin and Glibenclamide Modulate the Anoxic Release of Glutamate in Rat CA3 Hippocampal Neurons

The effects of brief anoxic episodes on intracellularly recorded CA3 pyramidal neurons have been studied in the hippocampal slice preparation. Anoxia induced a depolarization occasionally preceded by a transient hyperpolarization associated with a fall in input resistance. The anoxic depolarization was due to the release of glutamate from presynaptic terminals since it was blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX) (1 μM) or by the broad spectrum excitatory amino acid antagonist kynurenate (1 mM). In the presence of TTX (1 μM) or kynurenate (1 mM), anoxia only induced a hyperpolarization which was due to activation of a K+ conductance. The anoxic depolarization was blocked by galanin, a hormone which activates ATP sensitive K+ (K + ATP) channels. Anoxic depolarization was increased by the potent sulfonylurea agent glibenclamide (GLIB) which blocks K + ATP channels. Bath applications of these agents had little effect when applied in oxygenated Krebs solution suggesting that their action may be mediated by K + ATP channels. Since excessive release of glutamate during anoxia is neurotoxic, agents such as galanin which activate K + ATP channels may provide tissue specific protection against anoxic damage.
Does Herding Behavior Reveal Skill? An Analysis of Mutual Fund Performance

This paper …nds that fund herding, de…ned as the tendency of a mutual fund to follow past aggregate institutional trades, is an important predictor of mutual fund performance. Examining actively managed U.S. equity mutual funds over the period 1990-2009, we …nd that funds with a higher herding tendency achieve lower future returns. The performance gap between herding and antiherding funds is persistent over various horizons and is more pronounced in periods of greater investment opportunities in the active management industry. We show that fund herding is negatively correlated with recently developed measures of mutual fund skill and provides distinct information for the predictability of mutual fund performance. Overall, our results suggest that fund herding reveals information about the cross-sectional distribution of skill in the mutual fund industry.
Biomarkers of Ovarian Reserve as Predictors of Reproductive Potential

Abstract The size of the oocyte pool, the ovarian reserve, can determine a woman's reproductive stage. Chronologic age, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, early follicular phase follicle-stimulating hormone levels, and early follicular phase inhibin B levels are correlated with ovarian reserve. Therefore, these biomarkers of ovarian reserve should serve as predictors of reproductive potential. Clinical and epidemiologic studies suggest that historical and laboratory biomarkers of ovarian reserve are associated with natural and treatment-related fertility. However, controversy remains as to their ability to predict reproductive potential. For infertile women undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment, these biomarkers tend to be highly specific but not sensitive for cycle failure (nonpregnancy). While these biomarkers are being used as “fertility tests” in the general population, their value as predictors of unassisted fertility is still uncertain. Among laboratory biomarkers, AMH appears to have the most promise; however, further studies are needed to refine cutoff values and to determine test characteristics in the prediction of natural fertility or infertility in the general population.
Intensive and Repetitive Training with Patient Active Participation though EMG-Controlled Robotic Hand Rehabilitation Device: Healthy Controls and Patients Validation

The objective of this work is to describe and test a hand rehabilitation device with particular attention to the key ingredients for a successful neuro-motor rehabilitation training, and in particular: i) adjunctive high duration and intensity therapy sessions; ii) functional orientation of the training; and iii) patient active involvement. The developed system is composed by a PC, the Gloreha hand rehabilitation glove along with its dedicated screen for visual feedback during movements execution, and the MYO armband for EMG signals recording. Two different control approaches have been designed and implemented taking into account the residual muscular activity of the users: EMG trigger controller, and EMG task-selection classifier. Multiple degrees-of-freedom hand functional movements were alternatively triggered (i.e., when the EMG activity overcomes a predefined threshold, the hand robotic rehabilitation device supports the patient-triggered task) or predicted (i.e., two cascaded artificial neural networks were exploited to detect the patient’s motion intention from the EMG signal window starting from the electrical activity onset up to the movement onset) depending on the selected approach by means of surface EMG signals. The proposed control approaches were tested on nine healthy control subjects (7 females; age range 16-93 years) and a pilot group of four chronic post-stroke patients. All participants, both from the control group and the patients pilot group successfully calibrated and triggered Gloreha during the testing session using the EMG trigger controller. The EMG task-selection classifier demonstrated an overall mean ± SD testing performance of 80% ± 13% and 67% ± 16%. for correctly predicting healthy users’ and pilot post-stroke patient motion respectively. In the control group, the classifier performance was negatively correlated with age, and the pilot patient behaved similarly to elder participants.
Cryogenic sapphire oscillator with exceptionally high frequency stability

Extremely high short-term frequency stability has been realised in oscillators based on liquid helium cooled sapphire resonators with a modified mounting structure. These oscillators have exhibited an Allan deviation of about 5.4/spl times/10/sup -16//spl tau//sup -1/2/ for integration times (/spl tau/) of 1 to 4 s and a minimum of 2.4/spl times/10/sup -16/ at 32 s.
Determination of nitrates by a novel ion chromatographic method: occurrence in leafy vegetables (organic and conventional) and exposure assessment for Italian consumers

A novel ion chromatographic method to detect nitrates in vegetables was developed, and the nitrate contents in green salad (a mixture of endive and prickly lettuce), lettuce, chicory, rocket and spinach were determined from Italian markets in 1996–2002. These leaf vegetables were included because they are currently supposed to provide most of the nitrate intake in the typical Italian diet. The highest content of nitrate was detected in chicory (6250 mg kg−1) and rocket (6120 mg kg −1), which are consumed in large quantities in some regions of Italy. Green salad and lettuce contained less nitrate (highest values = 4200 and 3300 mg kg−1, respectively), but because they are consumed more generally, they provided 60% of the total intake of nitrates. Only a few samples were above the legal limits, with seasonal variation. A significantly higher nitrate content was found in organically grown green salad and rocket than in those conventionally produced. These data indicate that the average intake of nitrates from leafy vegetables is below the acceptable daily intake, i.e. 3.7 mg nitrate ion kg−1 body weight day−1, but the total intake should be monitored to protect groups at risk, such as children and vegetarians.