Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Effect of synthesized GYY4137, a slowly releasing hydrogen sulfide donor, on cell viability and distribution of hydrogen sulfide in mice].

OBJECTIVE To improve a method of a new hydrogen sulfide slow-releasing donor, to observe its cellular toxicity in HepG2 cells and tissue distribution and metabolic pathway after administration of the donor by intraperitoneal injection in ICR mice and to afford experimental evidences for rationally using this donor in hydrogen sulfide research. METHODS We synthesized the new chemical compound which slowly released hydrogen sulfide. After administration of the donor, the cell toxicity was evaluated for cell viability using trypan blue staining in HepG2 cells and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in culture medium. After administration of this donor by intrasperitoneal injection, we measured the tissue hydrogen sulfide content in the liver, heart, kidney and brain using sensitive-sulfur electrode assay. RESULTS We successfully prepared the donor which could release hydrogen sulfide. The releasing ability of the donor solution stored at 4 °C or 20 °C did not change as compared with the freshly-prepared one. Treated at various concentrations of the donor (0.062 5, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mmol/L) for 24 hours in HepG2 cells, the cell viability and LDH leak from the cells were not different as compared with the controls. The donor (2 mmol/L) was administrated everyday and the culture medium was changed every 3 days. After 9 days, the cell viability and LDH leak did not change. Administration of the donor (200 μmol/kg) quickly increased the tissue hydrogen sulfide concentrations in the liver and heart and maintained about 20 min; the hydrogen sulfide level in the kidney elevated and maintained a longer time, then recovered after 2 hours, which implicated that the donor might exclude the kidney; the hydrogen sulfide concentration in the brain did not change in the present study, which suggested that the donor could not pass the blood-brain barrier. Long time (4 weeks) treatment with this compound might induce hepatic or cutaneous injury. CONCLUSION The new chemical compound is a relative stable, slow-releasing donor of hydrogen sulfide with low cellular toxicity, which may be used to study the regulatory role of hydrogen sulfide in the cellular physiological and pathophysiological mechanism of the animal model with acute diseases.
Ethics in the bank internet encounter: an explorative study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss some ethical issues in the internet encounter between customer and bank. Empirical data related to the difficulties that customers have when they deal with the bank through internet technology and electronic banking. The authors discuss the difficulties that customers expressed from an ethical standpoint.Design/methodology/approach – The key problem of the paper is “how does research handle the user's lack of competence in a web‐based commercial environment? ” The authors illustrate this ethical dilemma with data from a Danish Bank collected in 2002. The data have been structured by an advanced text analytic method, Pertex (by generation of intentionality of verbal actors from text). Findings – The authors can conclude that the experience of lack of competency in internet banking implies a severe damage on the experience of the ethics of the good life and of the respect for the basic ethical principles of customer autonomy, dignity, integrity and vulnerabili.
Beeinflussung von Betoneigenschaften durch Zusatz von Kunststoffdispersionen

Zusatze von wassrigen Kunststoffdispersionen verandern Festbetoneigenschaft, haben aber auch Einfluss auf die Verarbeitbarkeit des Frischbetons. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen geben Anhaltspunkte dafur, wie solche Betone bei extremen, aber in der Praxis zu erwartenden klimatischen Beanspruchungen reagieren.
DNA sequence analysis of the ribosomal DNA ITS2 region for the Anopheles punctulatus group of mosquitoes

The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) from the ribosomal DNA was sequenced and characterized for ten cryptic species in the Anopheles punctulatus group, the members of which are major vectors of malaria and filariasis in the south‐west Pacific. The length of the ITS2 ranged from 549 bp to 565 bp and displayed levels of sequence variation ranging from 2.3% to 24.3% due mainly to indels of simple sequences. The GC content varied from 61.3% to 70.9%. These values were higher than those found in other cryptic species of mosquitoes and comparable only to members of the An. dirus complex suggesting a possible link between this group of Asian mosquitoes and the An. punctulatus group. Optimal and suboptimal secondary structures were investigated and revealed structures where the 5′ region folded independently of the 3′ region. Due to the large level of sequence variation between species, the ITS2 region proved unsuitable for phylogenetic analysis.
Optical frequency division for ultralow phase noise microwave generation

A stable optical frequency is phase-coherently divided to generate ultralow-noise 10 GHz signals having phase noise below -100 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz and a white noise of -177 dBc/Hz at higher offset frequencies. We discuss the technical and fundamental challenges of this approach, along with potential for integration of the components in a portable and robust system.
Integration and sensory experience‐dependent survival of newly‐generated neurons in the accessory olfactory bulb of female mice

Newborn neurons generated by proliferative progenitors in the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) integrate into the olfactory bulb circuitry of mammals. Survival of these newly‐formed cells is regulated by the olfactory input. The presence of new neurons in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) has already been demonstrated in some mammalian species, albeit their neurochemical profile and functional integration into AOB circuits are still to be investigated. To unravel whether the mouse AOB represents a site of adult constitutive neurogenesis and whether this process can be modulated by extrinsic factors, we have used multiple in vivo approaches. These included fate mapping of bromodeoxyuridine‐labelled cells, lineage tracing of SVZ‐derived enhanced green fluorescent protein‐positive engrafted cells and neurogenesis quantification in the AOB, in both sexes, as well as in females alone after exposure to male‐soiled bedding or its derived volatiles. Here, we show that a subpopulation of SVZ‐derived neuroblasts acquires proper neurochemical profiles of mature AOB interneurons. Moreover, 3D reconstruction of long‐term survived engrafted neuroblasts in the AOB confirms these cells show features of fully integrated neurons. Finally, exposure to male‐soiled bedding, but not to its volatile compounds, significantly increases the number of new neurons in the AOB, but not in the main olfactory bulb of female mice. These data show SVZ‐derived neuroblasts differentiate into new functionally integrated neurons in the AOB of young and adult mice. Survival of these cells seems to be regulated by an experience‐specific mechanism mediated by pheromones.
A traffic-handling comparison of centralized and distributed ATM switching systems

A geographically distributed ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) switching architecture is described that exploits new possibilities offered by lightwave technology. Small modules that provide both an access and an ATM switching function are distributed over some extended geographical area and connected to a passive optical medium. Each module is equipped with some small number of electrooptic transmitters and receivers that provide access to the medium. Simulation results show that, as the nonuniformity becomes larger, it becomes unnecessary to speed up the optical channels or increase the fan-in/fan-out, and that the reconfiguration technique allows the traffic handling capability of a distributed switch to match that of a centralized switch. <<ETX>>
Attenuated DNA Damage Repair by Trichostatin A through BRCA1 Suppression

Abstract Zhang, Y. , Carr, T. , Dimtchev, A. , Zaer, N. , Dritschilo, A. and Jung, M. Attenuated DNA Damage Repair by Trichostatin A through BRCA1 Suppression. Radiat. Res. 168, 115–124 (2007). Recent studies have demonstrated that some histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors enhance cellular radiation sensitivity. However, the underlying mechanism for such a radiosensitizing effect remains unexplored. Here we show evidence that treatment with the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) impairs radiation-induced repair of DNA damage. The effect of TSA on the kinetics of DNA damage repair was measured by performing the comet assay and γ-H2AX focus analysis in radioresistant human squamous carcinoma cells (SQ-20B). TSA exposure increased the amount of radiation-induced DNA damage and slowed the repair kinetics. Gene expression profiling also revealed that a majority of the genes that control cell cycle, DNA replication and damage repair processes were down-regulated after TSA exposure, including BRCA1. The involvement of BRCA1 was further demonstrated by expressing ectopic wild-type BRCA1 in a BRCA1 null cell line (HCC-1937). TSA treatment enhanced radiation sensitivity of HCC-1937/wtBRCA1 clonal cells, which restored cellular radiosensitivity (D0 = 1.63 Gy), to the control level (D0 = 1.03 Gy). However, TSA had no effect on the level of radiosensitivity of BRCA1 null cells. Our data demonstrate for the first time that TSA treatment modulates the radiation-induced DNA damage repair process, in part by suppressing BRCA1 gene expression, suggesting that BRCA1 is one of molecular targets of TSA.
ESD protection design with the low-leakage-current diode string for RF circuits in BiCMOS SiGe process

The low-leakage-current diode string (LLCDS) in a BiCMOS SiGe process is proposed for on-chip ESD protection design in RF circuits. With an additional bias resistance, a voltage is applied to the n-well of diode string resulting in a significant reduction in the leakage current of the diode string under normal circuit operating conditions. The leakage current of LLCDS can be minimized under some selected bias resistance, which can be calculated from the derived equations. Such LLCDS can be used in the power-rail ESD clamp circuit, in cooperation with the small double diodes in the I/O pads, to achieve whole-chip ESD protection for RF ICs in SiGe process.
Characteristic Line of Planar Homography Matrix and Its Applications in Camera Calibration

In this paper, we employ the concept of characteristic line to show some useful properties of planar homography matrix. These properties relate the characteristic line of a planar homography matrix with Euler angles of the planar pattern. Based on the characteristic line, a new method of linear camera calibration is proposed and a strategy to select poses of planar pattern during taking calibration images is suggested. This strategy can help ensure accuracy of calibration. Experiment results including both simulated data and real images validate the method and strategy
The Manubrium as an External Guide for Centralizing Anterior Cervical Plates: Technique Tips and Initial Experience

Study Design. Technique tips and retrospective review of prospectively collected data. Objective. To describe a technique for centralizing cervical plates using the center of the manubrium as a primary external guide and its alignment with the mandible as a secondary guide. Summary of Background Data. Proper alignment of cervical plates is desirable to avoid improper placement of screws and possibly altered biomechanical performance. Large body habitus may portend suboptimal exposure, a limited utility of skin surface landmarks for level determination, and may make it difficult to reliably centralize plates in the coronal plane during anterior cervical surgery. Methods. We describe a technique that uses the center of the manubrium to determine the midline of the cervical spine and align a line drawn through the manubrium with the center of the mandible to provide a central axis for placing cervical plates along the entire cervical spine. We used anteroposterior fluoroscopy to validate that a line from the middle of the manubrium to the mandible bisected the spinous processes and midline of the vertebral bodies. We prospectively collected data on 39 consecutive patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with cervical plates using this technique. Results. The mean amount of angulation and translation about a midline axis were 2.24° ± 1.49° and 1.04 ± 0.86 mm, respectively. There were no statistical differences among 1-level, 2-level, and 3-level fusions (P > 0.05). The intraobserver correlation coefficient for the measurement technique was R = 0.90 (P = 0.0016). Conclusion. We validated that the midline of the cervical spine is in line with a straight bovie cord connecting the midline of the manubrium to the midline of the mandible using anteroposterior fluoroscopy. Using this line, we prospectively centered cervical plates with no significant difference between levels. These data may also serve as a benchmark for assessing cervical plate alignment.
Isolation, characterization, and expression of cDNA clones encoding the mouse Fc receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII)1.

We have isolated cDNA clones encoding a mouse low affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII) from a cDNA library of BALB/c splenic B cells activated with LPS and IL-4. The 2.2-kb cDNA clone encodes a 331 amino acid membrane glycoprotein that is homologous to human Fc epsilon RII (CD23) and a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins. COS7 cells transfected with the cDNA clones expressed a 45,000 m.w. protein that bound IgE and the anti-Fc epsilon RII mAb, B3B4. Fc epsilon RII mRNA was up-regulated in mouse B cells by culture with IL-4, but not in B cells cultured with IgE. Fc epsilon RII mRNA was detected in IgM+/IgD+ B cell lines, but not in pre-B cell lines or in B cell lines which have undergone differentiation to secrete Ig. The monocyte line P388D1, mast cell lines MC/9 and PT18, and peritoneal macrophages stimulated with IL-4 lacked detectable Fc epsilon RII mRNA, as did Thy-1.2+, CD4+, and CD8+ normal T cells and Thy-1.2+ T cells from Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-infected mice.
An Escherichia coli host strain useful for efficient overproduction of secreted recombinant protein.

Periplasmic secretion of overexpressed Bacillus stearothermophilus alpha-amylase was analyzed in batch and fed-batch cultivations of Escherichia coli MG1655:pCSS4-p and the mutant strain CWML2:pCSS4-p. Under all conditions investigated, growth and product formation of MG1655:pCSS4-p were severely impaired by heterologous protein expression and/or processing, while E. coli CWML2:pCSS4-p was found to be more robust and to accumulate 2- to 3-fold higher maximum alpha-amylase levels. While this strain is itself potentially interesting for applications, its properties also illustrate the potential of the selection procedure that was employed to obtain it from its progenitor MG1655 (Weikert, C. , Sauer, U. , Bailey, J. E. , 1997. Microbiol. 143: 1567-1574. Application of this procedure to existing industrial strains may lead to significantly improved process organisms.
Analysis of a shunt maximum power point tracker for PV-battery system

This paper first presents a maximum power point efficiency analysis of the conventional direct connection of PV panels to a battery. Next, an improved shunt maximum power point tracking (MPPT) which integrated a half-bridge converter with a full-bridge load is proposed. The configuration is designed such that the PV panel voltage equals the sum of capacitor voltage and battery. This capacitor voltage is controlled to achieve the MPPT of the PV panels. Some experimental results are reported to verify the proposed concept and analysis.
Effects of Rapeseed and Vetch as Green Manure Crops and Fallow on Nematodes and Soil-borne Pathogens.

In a rapeseed-squash cropping system, Meloidogyne incognita race 1 and M. javanica did not enter, feed, or reproduce in roots of seven rapeseed cultivars. Both nematode species reproduced at low levels on roots of the third crop of rapeseed. Reproduction of M. incognita and M. javanica was high on squash following rapeseed, hairy vetch, and fallow. The application of fenamiphos suppressed (P = 0.05) root-gall indices on squash following rapeseed, hairy vetch, and fallow; and on Dwarf Essex and Cascade rapeseed, but not Bridger and Humus rapeseed in 1987. The incorporation of 30-61 mt/ha green biomass of rapeseed into the soil 6 months after planting did not affect the population densities of Criconemella ornata, M. incognita, M. javanica, Pythium spp. , Rhizoctonia solani AG-4; nor did it consistently increase yield of squash. Hairy vetch supported larger numbers of M. incognita and M. javanica than rapeseed cultivars or fallow. Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica survived in fallow plots in the absence of a host from October to May each year at a level sufficient to warrant the use of a nematicide to manage nematodes on the following susceptible crop.
The RcsC sensor kinase is required for normal biofilm formation in Escherichia coli K‐12 and controls the expression of a regulon in response to growth on a solid surface

Bacteria are often found associated with surfaces as sessile bacterial communities called biofilms, and the formation of a biofilm can be split up into different stages each requiring the expression of specific genes. The production of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) is important for the maturation of biofilms and is controlled by the Rcs two‐component pathway in Escherichia coli (and other Gram‐negative bacteria). In this study, we show, for the first time, that the RcsC sensor kinase is required for normal biofilm development in E. coli. Moreover, using a combination of DNA macroarray technology and transcriptional fusion analysis, we show that the expression of > 150 genes is controlled by RcsC in E. coli. In silico analyses of the RcsC regulon predicts that 50% of the genes encode proteins that are either localized to the envelope of E. coli or have activities that affect the structure/properties of the bacterial surface, e.g. the production of colanic acid. Moreover, we also show that RcsC is activated during growth on a solid surface. Therefore, we suggest that the RcsC sensor kinase may play an important role in the remodelling of the bacterial surface during growth on a solid surface and biofilm formation.
Quantifying Reductions of Mass‐Failure Frequency and Sediment Loadings From Streambanks Using Toe Protection and Other Means: Lake Tahoe, United States 1

Abstract: Streambank erosion by mass‐failure processes represents an important form of channel adjustment and a significant source of sediment in disturbed streams. Mass failures regularly occur by a combination of hydraulic processes that undercut bank toes and geotechnical processes that cause bank collapse by gravity. Little if any quantitative information is available on the effectiveness of bank treatments on reducing erosion. To evaluate potential reduction in sediment loadings emanating from streambanks, the hydraulic and geotechnical processes responsible for mass failure were simulated under existing and mitigated conditions using a Bank‐Stability and Toe‐Erosion Model (BSTEM). Two critical erosion sites were selected from each of the three watersheds known to contribute the greatest amounts of fine sediment by streambank processes in the Lake Tahoe Basin. A typical high‐flow annual hydrograph was selected for analysis. Bank‐material strength data were collected for each layer as were species‐specific root‐reinforcement values. The effects of the first flow event on bank‐toe erosion were simulated using an excess shear‐stress approach. The resulting geometry was then exported into the bank‐stability submodel to test for the relative stability of the bank under peak flow and drawdown conditions. In this way, BSTEM was used iteratively for all flow events for both existing and mitigated conditions. On average, 13.6% of the material was eroded by hydraulic shear, the remainder by mass failures, which occurred about five times over the simulation period. Simulations with 1.0 m‐high rock‐toe protection showed a dramatic reduction in streambank erosion (69‐100%). Failure frequency for the simulation period was reduced in most cases to a single episode. Thus, an almost 90% reduction in streambank loadings was achieved by virtually eliminating the erosion of only 14% of the material that was entrained by hydraulic forces. Consequently, simulations show average load reductions of about an order of magnitude. Results stress the critical importance of protecting the bank toe‐region from steepening by hydraulic forces that would otherwise entrain previously failed and in situ bank materials, thereby allowing the upper bank to flatten (by failure) to a stable slope.
La prise en charge des personnes dépendantes

Nous essaierons a travers cet expose de determiner les prestations sociales pour permettre le maintien a domicile de la personne dependante par l'assistance d'une tierce personne. La tierce personne est une auxiliaire de vie. C'est une aide ou une substitution physique pour effectuer les gestes de la vie courante (se lever, se coucher, s'habiller, manger) dans des conditions normales de securite et de dignite telles que la personne l'aurait fait avant d'etre deficiente. Cette aide est distincte des soins para-medicaux. Nous verrons que le mode de calcul de la prise en charge par la solidarite nationale est basee sur le montant de la majoration tierce personne (930,05 ? /mois) et varie en fonction de l'âge, des conditions socio-professionnelles et de l'importance de la perte d'autonomie.
PECULIARITIES OF DIAGNOSIS IN THE PHYLLODES TUMOR

Phyllodes tumor (PT) is an uncommon and distinct category of breast cancer, being a particular form of intracanalicular fibroadenoma. A definitive diagnosis is difficult to make just based on imaging investigations and fine needle biopsy; also PTs are frequently misinterpreted as breast fibroadenomas. In the case of of a 26-year old woman with a suspected PT (based on clinical investigation) which was first diagnosed as a fibroadenoma using ultrasonography and preoperative biopsy, further investigation was needed. A limited resection was performed and the postoperative histopathology confirmed the diagnosis as PT.
GENETIC VARIATION AND COVARIATION IN FLORAL ALLOCATION OF TWO SPECIES OF SCHIEDEA WITH CONTRASTING LEVELS OF SEXUAL DIMORPHISM

The evolution of sexual dimorphism depends in part on the additive genetic variance–covariance matrices within females, within males, and across the sexes. We investigated quantitative genetics of floral biomass allocation in females and hermaphrodites of gynodioecious Schiedea adamantis (Caryophyllaceae). The G‐matrices within females (Gf), within hermaphrodites (Gm), and between sexes (B) were compared to those for the closely related S. salicaria, which exhibits a lower frequency of females and less‐pronounced sexual dimorphism. Additive genetic variation was detected in all measured traits in S. adamantis, with narrow‐sense heritability from 0.34–1.0. Female allocation and floral size traits covaried more tightly than did those traits with allocation to stamens. Between‐sex genetic correlations were all <1, indicating sex‐specific expression of genes. Common principal‐components analysis detected differences between Gf and Gm, suggesting potential for further independent evolution of the sexes. The two species of Schiedea differed in Gm and especially so in Gf, with S. adamantis showing greater genetic variation in capsule mass and tighter genetic covariation between female allocation traits and flower size in females. Despite greater sexual dimorphism in S. adamantis, genetic correlations between the two sexes (standardized elements of B) were similar to correlations between sexes in S. salicaria.