Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Copying You Copying Me: Interpersonal Motor Co-Ordination Influences Automatic Imitation

Moving in a co-ordinated fashion with another individual changes our behaviour towards them; we tend to like them more, find them more attractive, and are more willing to co-operate with them. It is generally assumed that this effect on behaviour results from alterations in representations of self and others. Specifically, through neurophysiological perception-action matching mechanisms, interpersonal motor co-ordination (IMC) is believed to forge a neural coupling between actor and observer, which serves to blur boundaries in conceptual self-other representations and causes positive views of the self to be projected onto others. An investigation into this potential neural mechanism is lacking, however. Moreover, the specific components of IMC that might influence this mechanism have not yet been specified. In the present study we exploited a robust behavioural phenomenon – automatic imitation – to assess the degree to which IMC influences neural action observation-execution matching mechanisms. This revealed that automatic imitation is reduced when the actions of another individual are perceived to be synchronised in time, but are spatially incongruent, with our own. We interpret our findings as evidence that IMC does indeed exert an effect on neural perception-action matching mechanisms, but this serves to promote better self-other distinction. Our findings demonstrate that further investigation is required to understand the complex relationship between neural perception-action coupling, conceptual self-other representations, and social behaviour.
Adipose Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Is Up-Regulated by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ and Altered Metabolic States

Adipose tissue is a metabolically responsive endocrine organ that secretes a myriad of adipokines. Antidiabetic drugs such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ agonists target adipose tissue gene expression and correct hyperglycemia via whole-body insulin sensitization. The mechanism by which altered gene expression in adipose tissue affects liver and muscle insulin sensitivity (and thus glucose homeostasis) is not fully understood. One possible mechanism involves the alteration in adipokine secretion, in particular the up-regulation of secreted factors that increase whole-body insulin sensitivity. Here, we report the use of transcriptional profiling to identify genes encoding for secreted proteins the expression of which is regulated by PPARγ agonists. Of the 379 genes robustly regulated by two structurally distinct PPARγ agonists in the epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT) of db/db mice, 33 encoded for known secreted proteins, one of which was FGF21. Although FGF21 was recently reported to be up-regulated in cultured adipocytes by PPARγ agonists and in liver by PPARα agonists and induction of ketotic states, we demonstrate that the protein is transcriptionally up-regulated in adipose tissue in vivo by PPARγ agonist treatment and under a variety of physiological conditions, including fasting and high fat diet feeding. In addition, we found that circulating levels of FGF21 protein were increased upon treatment with PPARγ agonists and under ketogenic states. These results suggest a role for FGF21 in mediating the antidiabetic activities of PPARγ agonists.
Incubating Isolated Mouse EDL Muscles with Creatine Improves Force Production and Twitch Kinetics in Fatigue Due to Reduction in Ionic Strength

Background Creatine supplementation can improve performance during high intensity exercise in humans and improve muscle strength in certain myopathies. In this present study, we investigated the direct effects of acute creatine incubation on isolated mouse fast-twitch EDL muscles, and examined how these effects change with fatigue. Methods and Results The extensor digitorum longus muscle from mice aged 12–14 weeks was isolated and stimulated with field electrodes to measure force characteristics in 3 different states: (i) before fatigue; (ii) immediately after a fatigue protocol; and (iii) after recovery. These served as the control measurements for the muscle. The muscle was then incubated in a creatine solution and washed. The measurement of force characteristics in the 3 different states was then repeated. In un-fatigued muscle, creatine incubation increased the maximal tetanic force. In fatigued muscle, creatine treatment increased the force produced at all frequencies of stimulation. Incubation also increased the rate of twitch relaxation and twitch contraction in fatigued muscle. During repetitive fatiguing stimulation, creatine-treated muscles took 55.1±9.5% longer than control muscles to lose half of their original force. Measurement of weight changes showed that creatine incubation increased EDL muscle mass by 7%. Conclusion Acute creatine application improves force production in isolated fast-twitch EDL muscle, and these improvements are particularly apparent when the muscle is fatigued. One likely mechanism for this improvement is an increase in Ca2+ sensitivity of contractile proteins as a result of ionic strength decreases following creatine incubation.
RNA interference knockdown of DNA methyl-transferase 3 affects gene alternative splicing in the honey bee

Studies of DNA methylation from fungi, plants, and animals indicate that gene body methylation is ancient and highly conserved in eukaryotic genomes, but its role has not been clearly defined. It has been postulated that regulation of alternative splicing of transcripts was an original function of DNA methylation, but a direct experimental test of the effect of methylation on alternative slicing at the whole genome level has never been performed. To do this, we developed a unique method to administer RNA interference (RNAi) in a high-throughput and noninvasive manner and then used it to knock down the expression of DNA methyl-transferase 3 (dnmt3), which is required for de novo DNA methylation. We chose the honey bee (Apis mellifera) for this test because it has recently emerged as an important model organism for studying the effects of DNA methylation on development and social behavior, and DNA methylation in honey bees is predominantly on gene bodies. Here we show that dnmt3 RNAi decreased global genomic methylation level as expected and in addition caused widespread and diverse changes in alternative splicing in fat tissue. Four different types of splicing events were affected by dnmt3 gene knockdown, and change in two types, exon skipping and intron retention, was directly related to decreased methylation. These results demonstrate that one function of gene body DNA methylation is to regulate alternative splicing.
Lack of interleukin‐6/glycoprotein 130/signal transducers and activators of transcription‐3 signaling in hepatocytes predisposes to liver steatosis and injury in mice

A deregulated cytokine balance is involved in triggering the sequence from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, ultimately leading to liver fibrosis and cancer. To better define the role of proinflammatory interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)‐type cytokines in hepatocytes we investigated the role of IL‐6 and its shared receptor, glycoprotein 130 (gp130), in a mouse model of steatohepatitis. IL‐6−/− mice were fed a choline‐deficient, ethionine‐supplemented (CDE) diet. Conditional gp130 knockout and knockin mice were used to achieve hepatocyte‐specific deletion of gp130 (gp130Δhepa), gp130‐dependent rat sarcoma (Ras)‐(gp130ΔhepaRas), and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)‐(gp130ΔhepaSTAT) activation. CDE‐treated IL‐6−/− mice showed a significant hepatic steatosis at 2 weeks after feeding. The mice rapidly developed elevated fasting blood glucose, insulin serum levels, and transaminases. To better define IL‐6‐dependent intracellular pathways, specifically in hepatocytes, we next treated gp130Δhepa mice with a CDE diet. These animals also developed a marked steatosis with hyperglycemia and displayed elevated insulin serum levels. Additionally, gp130Δhepa animals showed an imbalanced inflammatory response with increased hepatic tumor necrosis factor‐alpha and decreased adiponectin messenger RNA levels. Dissecting the hepatocyte‐specific gp130‐dependent pathways revealed a similar disease phenotype in gp130ΔhepaSTAT mice, whereas gp130ΔhepaRas animals were protected. In CDE‐treated mice lack of gp130‐STAT3 signaling was associated with immune‐cell‐infiltration, jun kinase‐activation, a blunted acute‐phase‐response, and elevated transaminases. Furthermore, gp130Δhepa and gp130ΔhepaSTAT mice showed beginning signs of liver fibrosis compared to gp130ΔhepaRas mice and controls. Conclusion:During CDE treatment mice lacking IL‐6 and gp130‐STAT signaling in hepatocytes are prone to hepatic metabolic changes and inflammation. This ultimately leads to progressive steatohepatitis with signs of liver remodeling. Thus, the presented model allows one to further dissect the role of IL‐6/gp130‐type signaling in hepatocytes during fatty liver degeneration to define new therapeutic targets in metabolic liver diseases. (HEPATOLOGY 2010.)
Adjusted Spectral Matched Filter for Target Detection in Hyperspectral Imagery

Supervised target detection and anomaly detection are widely used in various applications, depending upon the availability of target spectral signature. Basically, they are based on a similar linear process, which makes them highly correlated. In this paper, we propose a novel adjusted spectral matched filter (ASMF) for hyperspectral target detection, which aims to effectively improve target detection performance with anomaly detection output. Specifically, a typical case is presented by using the Reed-Xiaoli (RX) anomaly detector to adjust the output of supervised constrained energy minimization (CEM) detector. The adjustment is appropriately controlled by a weighting parameter in different detection scenarios. Experiments were implemented by using both synthetic and real hyperspectral datasets. Compared to the traditional single detection method (e.g., CEM), the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed ASMF can effectively improve its performance by utilizing the result from an anomaly detector (e.g., RX), particularly in situations with a complex background or strong anomalies.
Mixed Model Methods for Genomic Prediction and Variance Component Estimation of Additive and Dominance Effects Using SNP Markers

We established a genomic model of quantitative trait with genomic additive and dominance relationships that parallels the traditional quantitative genetics model, which partitions a genotypic value as breeding value plus dominance deviation and calculates additive and dominance relationships using pedigree information. Based on this genomic model, two sets of computationally complementary but mathematically identical mixed model methods were developed for genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) and genomic restricted maximum likelihood estimation (GREML) of additive and dominance effects using SNP markers. These two sets are referred to as the CE and QM sets, where the CE set was designed for large numbers of markers and the QM set was designed for large numbers of individuals. GBLUP and associated accuracy formulations for individuals in training and validation data sets were derived for breeding values, dominance deviations and genotypic values. Simulation study showed that GREML and GBLUP generally were able to capture small additive and dominance effects that each accounted for 0.00005–0.0003 of the phenotypic variance and GREML was able to differentiate true additive and dominance heritability levels. GBLUP of the total genetic value as the summation of additive and dominance effects had higher prediction accuracy than either additive or dominance GBLUP, causal variants had the highest accuracy of GREML and GBLUP, and predicted accuracies were in agreement with observed accuracies. Genomic additive and dominance relationship matrices using SNP markers were consistent with theoretical expectations. The GREML and GBLUP methods can be an effective tool for assessing the type and magnitude of genetic effects affecting a phenotype and for predicting the total genetic value at the whole genome level.
Patient's Satisfaction in Skeletal Class III Cases Treated With Two-Jaw Surgery Using Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire: Conventional Three-Stage Method Versus Surgery-First Approach

Objective:To compare the quality of life (QoL) of Class III patients between conventional three-stage method (CTM) and surgery-first approach (SFA) using Orthognathic QoL Questionnaire (OQLQ). Materials and Methods:The subjects consisted of 26 Class III patients treated with nonextraction and two-jaw surgery. They were divided into CTM group (N = 15) and SFA group (N = 11). They retrospectively rated the OQLQ scores of 4 domains (social relationship, facial esthetics, function, and awareness of dentofacial deformity) using 0 to 4 scale at initial (T0), just before surgery (T1), 3 month after surgery (T2), and at debonding (T3). Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were performed for statistical analysis. Results:After total OQLQ score of CTM group was deteriorated at T1 stage compared with T0 stage, it was improved at T2 and T3 stages (T0 = 53.9, T1 = 58.1, T2 = 23.5, and T3 = 11.6). Total OQLQ score of SFA group, however, was improved at T2 and T3 stages compared with T0 stage (T0 = 51.6, T2 = 23.1, and T3 = 11.4; T1 was omitted.). Orthognathic QoL Questionnaire scores and their amounts of change did not show any significant difference in each domain and at each stage between 2 groups (T0, T2, T3, &Dgr;T2 − T0, &Dgr;T3 − T2, &Dgr;T3 − T0; all P > 0.05). Both groups showed large change in effect size (ES) of all domains with descending order during T3 − T0: facial esthetics, oral function, social relationship, and awareness of dentofacial deformity (CTM group: −3.97, −3.40, −2.23, −1.25; SFA group: −2.83, −2.33, −1.76, −1.73) Conclusions:SFA might have an advantage over CTM group in terms of no deterioration stage of OQLQ score.
Multisensor Strategies to Assist Blind People: A Clear-Path Indicator

The development of electronic sensing devices for the visually impaired requires knowledge of the needs and abilities of this class of people. This paper presents a rough analysis that can be used to properly define the criteria to be adopted for the design of such devices. In particular, attention will be focused on clear-path indicators, highlighting their role in orientation and mobility tasks. A new device belonging to this class is presented. The detector is based on a multisensor strategy and adopts smart signal processing to provide the user with suitable information about the position of objects hindering his or her path. Experimental trials demonstrate the efficiency of the device developed.
Differential effects of genotoxic stress on both concurrent body growth and gradual senescence in the adult zebrafish

Among vertebrates, fish and mammals show intriguing differences in their growth control properties with age. The potential for unlimited or indeterminate growth in a variety of fish species has prompted many questions regarding the senescent phenomena that appear during the aging process in these animals. Using zebrafish as our model system, we have attempted in our current study to examine the growth phenomena in fish in relation to the onset of senescence‐associated symptoms, and to evaluate the effects of genotoxic stress on these processes. We observed in the course of these analyses that the zebrafish undergoes continuous growth, irrespective of age, past the point of sexual maturation with gradually decreasing growth rates at later stages. Animal population density, current body size and chronological age also play predominant roles in regulating zebrafish growth and all inversely influence the growth rate. Interestingly, the induction of genotoxic stress by exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) did not adversely affect this body growth ability in zebrafish. However, IR was found to chronically debilitate the regeneration of amputated caudal fins and thereby induce high levels of abnormal fin regeneration in the adult zebrafish. In addition, by resembling and mimicking the natural course of aging, IR treatments likewise enhanced several other symptoms of senescence, such as a decline in reproductive abilities, increased senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity and a reduction in melatonin secretion. Our current data thus suggest that during the lifespan of zebrafish, the onset of senescence‐associated symptoms occurs in parallel with continuous growth throughout mid‐adulthood. Moreover, our present findings indicate that genotoxic DNA damage may play a role as a rate‐limiting factor during the induction of senescence, but not in the inhibition of continuous, density‐dependent growth in adult zebrafish.
High fat challenges with different fatty acids affect distinct atherogenic gene expression pathways in immune cells from lean and obese subjects.

SCOPE Early perturbations in vascular health can be detected by imposing subjects to a high fat (HF) challenge and measure response capacity. Subtle responses can be determined by assessment of whole-genome transcriptional changes. We aimed to magnify differences in health by comparing gene-expression changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells toward a high MUFA or saturated fatty acids (SFA) challenge between subjects with different cardiovascular disease risk profiles and to identify fatty acid specific gene-expression pathways. METHODS AND RESULTS In a cross-over study, 17 lean and 15 obese men (50-70 years) received two 95 g fat shakes, high in SFAs or MUFAs. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell gene-expression profiles were assessed fasted and 4-h postprandially. Comparisons were made between groups and shakes. During fasting, 294 genes were significantly differently expressed between lean and obese. The challenge increased differences to 607 genes after SFA and 2516 genes after MUFA. In both groups, SFA decreased expression of cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake genes and increased cholesterol efflux genes. MUFA increased inflammatory genes and PPAR-α targets involved in β-oxidation. CONCLUSION Based upon gene-expression changes, we conclude that an HF challenge magnifies differences in health, especially after MUFA. Our findings also demonstrate how SFAs and MUFAs exert distinct effects on lipid handling pathways in immune cells.
Multipotent skin-derived precursors: adult neural crest-related precursors with therapeutic potential

We previously made the surprising finding that cultures of multipotent precursors can be grown from the dermis of neonatal and adult mammalian skin. These skin-derived precursors (SKPs) display multi-lineage differentiation potential, producing both neural and mesodermal progeny in vitro, and are an apparently novel precursor cell type that is distinct from other known precursors within the skin. In this review, we begin by placing these findings within the context of the rapidly evolving stem cell field. We then describe our recent efforts focused on understanding the developmental biology of SKPs, discussing the idea that SKPs are neural crest-related precursors that (i) migrate into the skin during embryogenesis, (ii) persist within a specific dermal niche, and (iii) play a key role in the normal physiology, and potentially pathology, of the skin. We conclude by highlighting some of the therapeutic implications and unresolved questions raised by these studies.
Quality and structural properties of gimp fancy yarns using the Design of Experiments

The structure and quality characteristics of gimp fancy yarns were studied using an experimental design of seven factors with eight experimental runs. Non-gimp projections were considered to be structural defects; thus, they were counted and their numbers, average areas, and average circularity ratios were measured to account for those defects. Assigning the effects to factors and interactions was completed by taking into account gimp yarn structure and its manufacturing process. It was found that using two threads for the core component of gimp yarn, rather than only one thread, was an advantage because two threads improved the structure and appearance of the fancy yarn. Moreover, suitable stiffness for the effect component may yield the best results. The overfeed ratio must be as small as possible to make yarn with corrugations. It was possible to improve the manufacturing process, to study properties of gimp fancy yarns, to build statistical models to quantify each of the defect features and to minimize variability and resources. Such improvements play a major role in improving the quality of fancy fabrics and clothes made from these fancy yarns.
Gorenstein model structures and generalized derived categories

Abstract In a paper from 2002, Hovey introduced the Gorenstein projective and Gorenstein injective model structures on R-Mod, the category of R-modules, where R is any Gorenstein ring. These two model structures are Quillen equivalent and in fact there is a third equivalent structure we introduce: the Gorenstein flat model structure. The homotopy category with respect to each of these is called the stable module category of R. If such a ring R has finite global dimension, the graded ring R[x]/(x2) is Gorenstein and the three associated Gorenstein model structures on R[x]/(x2)-Mod, the category of graded R[x]/(x2)-modules, are nothing more than the usual projective, injective and flat model structures on Ch(R), the category of chain complexes of R-modules. Although these correspondences only recover these model structures on Ch(R) when R has finite global dimension, we can set R = ℤ and use general techniques from model category theory to lift the projective model structure from Ch(ℤ) to Ch(R) for an arbitrary ring R. This shows that homological algebra is a special case of Gorenstein homological algebra. Moreover, this method of constructing and lifting model structures carries through when ℤ[x]/(x2) is replaced by many other graded Gorenstein rings (or Hopf algebras, which lead to monoidal model structures). This gives us a natural way to generalize both chain complexes over a ring R and the derived category of R and we give some examples of such generalizations.