Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of miR-15 Protects Against Cardiac Ischemic Injury

Rationale: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Because endogenous cardiac repair mechanisms are not sufficient for meaningful tissue regeneration, MI results in loss of cardiac tissue and detrimental remodeling events. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression in a sequence dependent manner. Our previous data indicate that miRNAs are dysregulated in response to ischemic injury of the heart and actively contribute to cardiac remodeling after MI. Objective: This study was designed to determine whether miRNAs are dysregulated on ischemic damage in porcine cardiac tissues and whether locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified anti-miR chemistries can target cardiac expressed miRNAs to therapeutically inhibit miR-15 on ischemic injury. Methods and Results: Our data indicate that the miR-15 family, which includes 6 closely related miRNAs, is regulated in the infarcted region of the heart in response to ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice and pigs. LNA-modified chemistries can effectively silence miR-15 family members in vitro and render cardiomyocytes resistant to hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte cell death. Correspondingly, systemic delivery of miR-15 anti-miRs dose-dependently represses miR-15 in cardiac tissue of both mice and pigs, whereas therapeutic targeting of miR-15 in mice reduces infarct size and cardiac remodeling and enhances cardiac function in response to MI. Conclusions: Oligonucleotide-based therapies using LNA-modified chemistries for modulating cardiac miRNAs in the setting of heart disease are efficacious and validate miR-15 as a potential therapeutic target for the manipulation of cardiac remodeling and function in the setting of ischemic injury.
On the Design of Campus Parking Systems With QoS Guarantees

Parking spaces are resources that can be pooled together and shared, particularly when there exist complementary daytime and nighttime users. We provide solutions to two design questions. First, given a quality of service requirement, how many spaces should be set aside as contingency during the day for nighttime users? Next, how can we replace the first-come-first-served access method by one that aims for optimal efficiency while keeping user preferences private?
Brain stem pursuit pathways: dissociating visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive inputs during combined eye-head gaze tracking.

Eye-head (EH) neurons within the medial vestibular nuclei are thought to be the primary input to the extraocular motoneurons during smooth pursuit: they receive direct projections from the cerebellar flocculus/ventral paraflocculus, and in turn, project to the abducens motor nucleus. Here, we recorded from EH neurons during head-restrained smooth pursuit and head-unrestrained combined eye-head pursuit (gaze pursuit). During head-restrained smooth pursuit of sinusoidal and step-ramp target motion, each neuron's response was well described by a simple model that included resting discharge (bias), eye position, and velocity terms. Moreover, eye acceleration, as well as eye position, velocity, and acceleration error (error = target movement - eye movement) signals played no role in shaping neuronal discharges. During head-unrestrained gaze pursuit, EH neuron responses reflected the summation of their head-movement sensitivity during passive whole-body rotation in the dark and gaze-movement sensitivity during smooth pursuit. Indeed, EH neuron responses were well predicted by their head- and gaze-movement sensitivity during these two paradigms across conditions (e.g., combined eye-head gaze pursuit, smooth pursuit, whole-body rotation in the dark, whole-body rotation while viewing a target moving with the head (i.e., cancellation), and passive rotation of the head-on-body). Thus our results imply that vestibular inputs, but not the activation of neck proprioceptors, influence EH neuron responses during head-on-body movements. This latter proposal was confirmed by demonstrating a complete absence of modulation in the same neurons during passive rotation of the monkey's body beneath its neck. Taken together our results show that during gaze pursuit EH neurons carry vestibular- as well as gaze-related information to extraocular motoneurons. We propose that this vestibular-related modulation is offset by inputs from other premotor inputs, and that the responses of vestibuloocular reflex interneurons (i.e., position-vestibular-pause neurons) are consistent with such a proposal.
NuSTAR SPECTROSCOPY OF GRS 1915+105: DISK REFLECTION, SPIN, AND CONNECTIONS TO JETS

We report on the results of spectral fits made to a NuSTAR observation of the black hole GRS 1915+105 in a “plateau” state. This state is of special interest because it is similar to the “low/hard” state seen in other black holes, especially in that compact, steady jets are launched in this phase. The 3–79 keV bandpass of NuSTAR, and its ability to obtain moderate-resolution spectra free from distortions such as photon pile-up, are extremely well suited to studies of disk reflection in X-ray binaries. In only 15 ks of net exposure, an extraordinarily sensitive spectrum of GRS 1915+105 was measured across the full bandpass. Ionized reflection from a disk around a rapidly spinning black hole is clearly required to fit the spectra; even hybrid Comptonization models including ionized reflection from a disk around a Schwarzschild black hole proved inadequate. A spin parameter of a = 0.98 ± 0.01 (1σ statistical error) is measured via the best-fit model; low spins are ruled out at a high level of confidence. This result suggests that jets can be launched from a disk extending to the innermost stable circular orbit. A very steep inner disk emissivity profile is also measured, consistent with models of compact coronae above Kerr black holes. These results support an emerging association between the hard X-ray corona and the base of the relativistic jet.
Design Analysis of High Gain Wideband L-Probe Fed Microstrip Patch Antenna

A new high gain wideband L-probe fed inverted EE-H shaped slotted (LEE-H) microstrip patch antenna is presented in this paper. The design adopts contemporary techniques; L-probe feeding, inverted patch structure with air-fllled dielectric, and EE-H shaped patch. The integration of these techniques leads to a new patch antenna with a low proflle as well as useful operational features, as the broadband and high gain. The measured result showed satisfactory performance with achievable impedance bandwidth of 21.15% at 10dB return loss (VSWR • 2) and a maximum gain of 9.5dBi. The antenna exhibits stable radiation pattern in the entire operating band.
Amotl2 is essential for cell movements in zebrafish embryo and regulates c-Src translocation

Angiomotin (Amot), the founding member of the Motin family, is involved in angiogenesis by regulating endothelial cell motility, and is required for visceral endoderm movement in mice. However, little is known about biological functions of the other two members of the Motin family, Angiomotin-like1 (Amotl1) and Angiomotin-like2 (Amotl2). Here, we have identified zebrafish amotl2 as an Fgf-responsive gene. Zebrafish amotl2 is expressed maternally and in restricted cell types zygotically. Knockdown of amotl2 expression delays epiboly and impairs convergence and extension movement, and amotl2-deficient cells in mosaic embryos fail to migrate properly. This coincides with loss of membrane protrusions and disorder of F-actin. Amotl2 partially co-localizes with RhoB-or EEA1-positive endosomes and the non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Src. We further demonstrate that Amotl2 interacts preferentially with and facilitates outward translocation of the phosphorylated c-Src, which may in turn regulate the membrane architecture. These data provide the first evidence that amotl2 is essential for cell movements in vertebrate embryos.
Amplitude spectral area: predicting the success of electric shock delivered by defibrillators with different waveforms.

OBJECTIVES Prolonged ventricular fibrillation (VF) is associated with a low rate of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) following electric shock. Moreover, electric shock that does not reestablish spontaneous circulation causes myocardial dysfunction even if ROSC is subsequently achieved. Amplitude spectral area (AMSA), calculated by analysis of VF waveforms immediately before electric shock, is considered to predict the outcome of electric shock. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of AMSA in relation to waveforms of defibrillators in prehospital settings. METHODS The AMSA values of 81 patients with VF confirmed by ambulance crews were compared according to the type of defibrillators with different waveforms and between those with and without ROSC. RESULTS With a biphasic defibrillator, the mean AMSA was significantly different between the 14 patients who achieved ROSC (25.3 ± 9.5 mV-Hz) and the 43 subjects who did not achieve ROSC (15.4 ± 8.1 mV-Hz; p = 0.0006). No significant difference was seen in the corresponding values when a monophasic defibrillator was used, at 19.1 ± 2.4 mV-Hz for 3 ROSC patients and 16.1 ± 7.5mV-Hz for 21 non-ROSC patients. CONCLUSION AMSA may serve as a predictive measure for ROSC following electric shock delivered by a biphasic defibrillator.
Carbon 13 and D kinetic isotope effects in the reactions of CH4 with O(1 D) and OH: New laboratory measurements and their implications for the isotopic composition of stratospheric methane

Measurements of the 13C and D kinetic isotope effects (KIE) in methane, 13CKIE = k(12CH4)/k(13CH4) and DKIE = k(12CH4)/k(12CH3D), in the reactions of these atmospherically important methane isotopomers with O(1D) and OH have been undertaken using mass spectrometry and tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy to determine isotopic composition. For the carbon kinetic isotope effect in the reaction with the OH radical, 13CKIEOH = 1.0039 (±0.0004, 2σ) was determined at 296 K, which is significantly smaller than the presently accepted value of 1.0054 (±0.0009, 2 σ). For DKIEOH we found 1.294 (± 0.018, 2σ) at 296 K, consistent with earlier observations. The carbon kinetic isotope effect in the reaction with O(1D) 13CKIEO(1D), was determined to be 1.013, whereas the deuterium kinetic isotope effect is given by DKIEO(1D) = 1.06. Both values are approximately independent of temperature between 223 and 295 K. The room temperature fractionation effect 1000(KIE-1) in the reaction of O(1D) with 12CH4 versus CH4 is thus ≈ 13‰, which is an order of magnitude greater than the previous value of 1‰. In combination with recent results from our laboratory on 13CKIE and DKIE for the reaction of CH4 with Cl, these new measurements were used to simulate the effective kinetic isotope effect for the stratosphere with a two-dimensional, time dependent chemical transport model. The model results show reasonable agreement with field observations of the 13CH4/12CH4 ratio in the lowermost stratosphere, and also reproduce the observed CH3D/CH4 ratio.
Mast cells inhibit intramacrophage Francisella tularensis replication via contact and secreted products including IL-4

Francisella tularensis is an intracellular, Gram-negative bacterium that is the causative agent of pulmonary tularemia. The pathogenesis and mechanisms related to innate resistance against F. tularensis are not completely understood. Mast cells are strategically positioned within mucosal tissues, the major interface with the external environment, to initiate innate responses at the site of infection. Mast cell numbers in the cervical lymph nodes and the lungs progressively increased as early as 48 h after intranasal F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS) challenge. We established a primary bone marrow-derived mast cell–macrophage coculture system and found that mast cells significantly inhibit F. tularensis LVS uptake and growth within macrophages. Importantly, mice deficient in either mast cells or IL-4 receptor displayed greater susceptibility to the infection when compared with corresponding wild-type animals. Contact-dependent events and secreted products including IL-4 from mast cells, and IL-4 production from other cellular sources, appear to mediate the observed protective effects. These results demonstrate a previously unrecognized role for mast cells and IL-4 and provide a new dimension to our understanding of the innate immune mechanisms involved in controlling intramacrophage Francisella replication.
Using Firing-Rate Dynamics to Train Recurrent Networks of Spiking Model Neurons

Recurrent neural networks are powerful tools for understanding and modeling computation and representation by populations of neurons. Continuous-variable or "rate" model networks have been analyzed and applied extensively for these purposes. However, neurons fire action potentials, and the discrete nature of spiking is an important feature of neural circuit dynamics. Despite significant advances, training recurrently connected spiking neural networks remains a challenge. We present a procedure for training recurrently connected spiking networks to generate dynamical patterns autonomously, to produce complex temporal outputs based on integrating network input, and to model physiological data. Our procedure makes use of a continuous-variable network to identify targets for training the inputs to the spiking model neurons. Surprisingly, we are able to construct spiking networks that duplicate tasks performed by continuous-variable networks with only a relatively minor expansion in the number of neurons. Our approach provides a novel view of the significance and appropriate use of "firing rate" models, and it is a useful approach for building model spiking networks that can be used to address important questions about representation and computation in neural systems.
Computation-aware scheme for software-based block motion estimation

Many fast block-matching algorithms (BMAs) reduce the computational complexity of motion estimation by sophisticatedly inspecting a subset of checking points, and stop only when all those checking points have been examined. This means that the searching process for each current block cannot be interrupted, even when it is performed in a software-based computation environment. Our main goal is to allow the searching process to stop once a specified amount of computation has been performed. A novel computation-aware scheme is proposed, which first dynamically determines the target amount of computation power allocated to a frame, and then allocates this to each block in a computation-distortion-optimized manner. We propose a rate-control-like procedure and a predicted computation-distortion benefit heuristic to realize this scheme. Conventional BMAs, such as full-search block matching, three-step search, new three-step search, four-step search, and diamond search, can be transformed into their corresponding computation-aware BMA versions. In our simulations, the resulting computation-aware BMAs not only exhibit higher efficiency than conventional BMAs, but also allow the motion estimation to terminate after any specified amount of computation has been performed (in units of checking points).
CB1 cannabinoid receptor‐mediated neurite remodeling in mouse neuroblastoma N1E‐115 cells

The morphological remodeling of neuronal cells influences neurogenesis and brain functions. We hypothesize that psychoactive and neurotoxic effects of cannabinoids may be mediated, at least in part, by their morphoregulatory activities. In the present study, mouse neuroblastoma N1E‐115 cells were used as an in vitro model to investigate cannabinoid‐induced neurite remodeling effects and to identify the involvement of cannabinoid receptors in this neurite remodeling process. Using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence microscopy, the endogenously expressed CB1, but not CB2, cannabinoid receptors were detected in morphologically differentiated N1E‐115 cells. Activation of these natively expressed CB1 cannabinoid receptors by cannabinoid agonist HU‐210 led to a concentration‐dependent inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity. Importantly, HU‐210 treatment induced neurite retraction in a concentration‐dependent manner. Pretreatment of N1E‐115 cells with a CB1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) suppressed HU‐210‐induced inhibition of forskolin‐stimulated cAMP accumulation, indicating that the knocking down of functional CB1 cannabinoid receptor expression was achieved. Antisense ODN pretreatment also abolished HU‐210‐induced neurite retraction, demonstrating the involvement of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in mediating the neurite remodeling effects of HU‐210. In addition, reversing HU‐210‐induced intracellular cAMP declination by 8‐Br‐cAMP partially prevented HU‐210‐induced neurite retraction, indicating the involvement of cAMP‐dependent signaling pathways in mediating the neurite remodeling function of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in N1E‐115 cells. These data demonstrate that neurite remodeling is a newly discovered function of CB1 cannabinoid receptors. This morphoregulatory function of CB1 cannabinoid receptors might be a new mechanism that mediates the psychoactive and neurotoxic effects of cannabinoids in developing and adult brain. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:346–353, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stratigraphic control on laterally persistent cementation, Book Cliffs, Utah

Field data from the Upper Cretaceous Blackhawk Formation in the Book Clitfs (Utah–Colorado) demonstrate the presence of laterally extensive carbonate cements beneath major marine flooding surfaces. The occurrence of firmgrounds, compaction around concretions, and high minus-cement porosities indicate that cementation occurred during early diagenesis. It is proposed that the early cementation associated with these marine flooding surfaces occurred as a result of reduced sediment accumulation rates or non-depositional hiatuses linked to abrupt deepening during marine flooding. These reduced sediment accumulation rates extended sediment residence time within early diagenetic zones, leading to enhanced early cementation in shallow marine sandstones and mudstones.
Spatial and time-dependent patterns of selenium (Se) release from selected Se fertiliser granules

The spatial and time-dependent patterns of selenium (Se) release from similar-sized granules of 4 Se fertilisers, 3 containing sodium selenate (Unitech Agsel, Ravensdown A, and Ravensdown B) and the fourth containing sodium selenate and barium selenate (Selcote Ultra), were evaluated using ryegrass grown on a Se-deficient soil under glasshouse conditions. Four granules (2–3 mm diameter) from each of the 4 fertiliser types having uniform shape and similar weight were placed on the soil surface of trays (0.51 m length, 0.42 m width, 0.15 m depth) at a distance 0.10 m from 2 adjacent sides of the trays, and the Se content of herbage in concentric rings around each granule was periodically measured over 1 year. The amount of Se applied to the trays, calculated by adding herbage Se to the residual fertiliser Se in soil at the end of the trial, was 12–31 g Se/ha. Soil Se concentration at the end of the trial for the Selcote Ultra and Ravensdown A treatments and herbage Se concentration at 10 harvests for all fertiliser treatments decreased exponentially with increased distance from the granules. Herbage Se concentration reached the level considered deficient to animals (0.05 mg/kg) at the centre of the tray (0.12 m from the granules) 4 months after Unitech Agsel application (7% of paddock area). By 9 months all plants in this treatment became deficient in Se. In contrast, 7% of the sward area in the Ravensdown A treatment, and 41% of the sward area in the Ravensdown B and Selcote Ultra treatments, were deficient in Se at this time, but the average herbage Se concentration for the entire tray was above the deficiency level for these 3 fertiliser treatments. The efficiency of the fertilisers in increasing herbage Se concentration per unit weight of Se applied for the first 3 months was: Unitech Agsel ≥ Ravensdown B ≥ Ravensdown A > Selcote Ultra. During the last 3 months, this order was: Selcote Ultra = Ravensdown A > Ravensdown B > Unitech Agsel.
Extracting causal graphs from an open provenance data model

The open provenance architecture approach to the challenge was distinct in several regards. In particular, it allows different components of the challenge workflow to independently record documentation, and for the workflow to be executed in different environments, made possible by an open, well‐defined data model and architecture. Another noticeable feature is that we distinguish between the data recorded about what has occurred, process documentation, and the provenance of a data item, which is all that caused the data item to be as it is. In this view, provenance is obtained as the result of a query over process documentation. This distinction allows us to tailor the system to best address the separate requirements of recording and querying documentation. Other notable features include the explicit recording of causal relationships between both events and data items, an interaction‐based world model, intensional definition of data items in queries rather than relying on explicit naming mechanisms, and styling of documentation to support non‐functional application requirements such as reducing storage costs or ensuring privacy of data. In this paper, we describe how each of these features aid us in answering the challenge's provenance queries. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk Factors for Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection in Pediatric Intensive Care Units

Objective. We sought to identify risk factors for central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) to describe children who might benefit from adjunctive interventions. Design. Case-control study of children admitted to the medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) or cardiac ICU from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2007. Setting. Children's Hospital Boston is a freestanding, 396-bed quaternary care pediatric hospital with a 29-bed medical-surgical ICU and a 24-bed cardiac ICU. Patients. Case patients were patients with CLABSI who were identified by means of prospective surveillance. Control subjects were patients with a central venous catheter who were matched by ICU admission date. Methods. Multivariate conditional logistic regression models were used to identify independent risk factors for CLABSI and to derive and to validate a prediction rule. Results. Two hundred three case patients were matched with 406 control subjects. Independent predictors of CLABSI included duration of ICU central access (odds ratio [OR] for 15 or more days, 18.41 [95% confidence interval {CI} 4.10-82.56]; P < .001), central venous catheter placement in the ICU (OR for 2 or more ICU-placed catheters, 8.63 [95% CI, 2.63-28.38]; P = .001), nonoperative cardiovascular disease (OR, 7.44 [95% CI, 2.13-25.98]; P = .012), presence of gastrostomy tube (OR, 3.48 [95% CI, 1.55-7.79]; P = .003), receipt of parenteral nutrition (OR, 3.12 [95% CI, 1.55-6.32]; P= .002), and receipt of blood transfusion (OR, 2.55 [95% CI, 1.21-5.36]; P = .014). By use of risk factors known before central venous catheter placement, our model predicted CLABSI with a positive predictive value of 54% and a negative predictive value of 79%. Conclusions. Duration of central access, receipt of parenteral nutrition, and receipt of blood transfusion were confirmed as risk factors for CLABSI among children in the ICU. Newly identified risk factors include presence of gastrostomy tube, nonoperative cardiovascular disease, and ICU placement of central venous catheter. Children with these risk factors may be candidates for adjunctive interventions for CLABSI prevention.