Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant Activity and ROS-Dependent Apoptotic Effect of Scurrula ferruginea (Jack) Danser Methanol Extract in Human Breast Cancer Cell MDA-MB-231

Scurrula ferruginea (Jack) Danser is one of the mistletoe species belonging to Loranthaceae family, which grows on the branches of many deciduous trees in tropical countries. This study evaluated the antioxidant activities of S. ferruginea extracts. The cytotoxic activity of the selected extracts, which showed potent antioxidant activities, and high phenolic and flavonoid contents, were investigated in human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) and non-cancer human skin fibroblast cells (HSF-1184). The activities and characteristics varied depending on the different parts of S. ferruginea, solvent polarity, and concentrations of extracts. The stem methanol extract showed the highest amount of both phenolic (273.51 ± 4.84 mg gallic acid/g extract) and flavonoid contents (163.41 ± 4.62 mg catechin/g extract) and strong DPPH• radical scavenging (IC50 = 27.81 μg/mL) and metal chelation activity (IC50 = 80.20 μg/mL). The stem aqueous extract showed the highest ABTS•+ scavenging ability. The stem methanol and aqueous extracts exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB-231 cells with IC50 of 19.27 and 50.35 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the extracts inhibited the migration and colony formation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Morphological observations revealed hallmark properties of apoptosis in treated cells. The methanol extract induced an increase in ROS generation and mitochondrial depolarization in MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting its potent apoptotic activity. The present study demonstrated that the S. ferruginea methanol extract mediated MDA-MB-231 cell growth inhibition via induction of apoptosis which was confirmed by Western blot analysis. It may be a potential anticancer agent; however, its in vivo anticancer activity needs to be investigated.
Effect of Structure on the Interactions between Five Natural Antimicrobial Compounds and Phospholipids of Bacterial Cell Membrane on Model Monolayers

Monolayers composed of bacterial phospholipids were used as model membranes to study interactions of the naturally occurring phenolic compounds 2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde, and the plant essential oil compounds carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, and geraniol, previously found to be active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic microorganisms. The lipid monolayers consist of 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE), 1,2-dihexa- decanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) (DPPG), and 1,1',2,2'-tetratetradecanoyl cardiolipin (cardiolipin). Surface pressure–area (π-A) and surface potential–area (Δψ-A) isotherms were measured to monitor changes in the thermodynamic and physical properties of the lipid monolayers. Results of the study indicated that the five compounds modified the three lipid monolayer structures by integrating into the monolayer, forming aggregates of antimicrobial –lipid complexes, reducing the packing effectiveness of the lipids, increasing the membrane fluidity, and altering the total dipole moment in the monolayer membrane model. The interactions of the five antimicrobial compounds with bacterial phospholipids depended on both the structure of the antimicrobials and the composition of the monolayers. The observed experimental results provide insight into the mechanism of the molecular interactions between naturally-occurring antimicrobial compounds and phospholipids of the bacterial cell membrane that govern activities.
Model-based analysis of pattern motion processing in mouse primary visual cortex

Neurons in sensory areas of neocortex exhibit responses tuned to specific features of the environment. In visual cortex, information about features such as edges or textures with particular orientations must be integrated to recognize a visual scene or object. Connectivity studies in rodent cortex have revealed that neurons make specific connections within sub-networks sharing common input tuning. In principle, this sub-network architecture enables local cortical circuits to integrate sensory information. However, whether feature integration indeed occurs locally in rodent primary sensory areas has not been examined directly. We studied local integration of sensory features in primary visual cortex (V1) of the mouse by presenting drifting grating and plaid stimuli, while recording the activity of neuronal populations with two-photon calcium imaging. Using a Bayesian model-based analysis framework, we classified single-cell responses as being selective for either individual grating components or for moving plaid patterns. Rather than relying on trial-averaged responses, our model-based framework takes into account single-trial responses and can easily be extended to consider any number of arbitrary predictive models. Our analysis method was able to successfully classify significantly more responses than traditional partial correlation (PC) analysis, and provides a rigorous statistical framework to rank any number of models and reject poorly performing models. We also found a large proportion of cells that respond strongly to only one stimulus class. In addition, a quarter of selectively responding neurons had more complex responses that could not be explained by any simple integration model. Our results show that a broad range of pattern integration processes already take place at the level of V1. This diversity of integration is consistent with processing of visual inputs by local sub-networks within V1 that are tuned to combinations of sensory features.
Textile antenna for biological information monitoring

To accommodate condition changes in hospitalized patients, it is necessary to constantly monitor their biological information. In recent years, reducing the burden felt by the patients at the time of biological information monitoring to wear cable, the transmitter has been demanded. This study proposes the textile antenna attached to the hospital gown as a transmitting antenna for the QOL improvement of hospitalized patients. This paper reports the communication range of the designed textile antenna.
Online-to-Confidence-Set Conversions and Application to Sparse Stochastic Bandits

We introduce a novel technique, which we call online-to-confidence-set conversion. The technique allows us to construct highprobability confidence sets for linear prediction with correlated inputs given the predictions of any algorithm (e.g., online LASSO, exponentiated gradient algorithm, online least-squares, p-norm algorithm) targeting online learning with linear predictors and the quadratic loss. By construction, the size of the confidence set is directly governed by the regret of the online learning algorithm. Constructing tight confidence sets is interesting on its own, but the new technique is given extra weight by the fact having access tight confidence sets underlies a number of important problems. The advantage of our construction here is that progress in constructing better algorithms for online prediction problems directly translates into tighter confidence sets. In this paper, this is demonstrated in the case of linear stochastic bandits. In particular, we introduce the sparse variant of linear stochastic bandits and show that a recent online algorithm together with our online-to-confidence-set conversion allows one to derive algorithms that can exploit if the reward is a function of a sparse linear combination of the components of the chosen action. Appearing in Proceedings of the 15 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Statistics (AISTATS) 2012, La Palma, Canary Islands. Volume XX of JMLR: W&CP XX. Copyright 2012 by the authors.
Robust diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma by immunohistochemical detection of super-enhancer-driven EWSR1-ETS targets

Ewing sarcoma is an undifferentiated bone-associated cancer. Although molecular detection of pathognomonic EWSR1-ETS fusions such as EWSR1-FLI1 enables definitive diagnosis, substantial confusion can arise if molecular diagnostics are unavailable. Diagnosis based solely on the conventional immunohistochemical marker CD99 is unreliable due to its abundant expression in morphological mimics. This study aimed to identify novel diagnostic immunohistochemical markers for Ewing sarcoma. We analyzed 768 expression microarrays representing 21 tumor entities including Ewing-like sarcomas to nominate candidate biomarkers. These candidates were validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a tissue microarray (TMA) comprising 174 samples. Microarray, chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing (ChIP-Seq) data, and reporter assays were employed to analyze their EWSR1-FLI1-dependency. Our comparative expression analyses revealed that ATP1A1, BCL11B, and GLG1 constitute specific markers for Ewing sarcoma. Analysis of ChIP-Seq and microarray datasets showed that their expression is EWSR1-FLI1-dependent. This outcome corresponded to EWSR1-FLI1-binding to proximal super-enhancers, which showed high activity in reporter assays. Consistently, high ATP1A1, BCL11B, and GLG1 expressions were detected by IHC. Automated cut-off-finding and combination-testing in the TMA demonstrated that detection of high BCL11B and/or GLG1 expression is sufficient to reach 96% specificity for Ewing sarcoma. While 88% of tested Ewing-like sarcomas displayed strong CD99-immunoreactivity, none displayed combined high expression of BCL11B and GLG1. Collectively, we provide evidence that ATP1A1, BCL11B, and GLG1 are EWSR1-FLI1 targets, of which BCL11B and GLG1 offer a fast, simple and cost-efficient way to diagnose Ewing sarcoma by IHC. We anticipate that these markers will significantly reduce the number of misdiagnosed patients, and thus improve patient care.
Distinct roles for GABA across multiple timescales in mammalian circadian timekeeping

Significance Each day, over 50 billion synaptic signals, mediated by the neurotransmitter GABA, are sent between neurons in the central circadian pacemaker in the mammalian brain to time and coordinate daily events. Although GABA is the only signaling molecule sent and received by most, if not all of these neurons, its role is not well understood. Past studies have shown paradoxically that GABA can synchronize and desynchronize, as well as excite and inhibit, clock neurons. Through experiments and modeling characterizing the role of GABA in timekeeping, we propose the existence of two types of differentially regulated GABA signaling—fast signaling that regulates neuronal output, and slow signaling that modulates synchrony between neurons—a hypothesis that can explain many previous experimental results. The suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), the central circadian pacemakers in mammals, comprise a multiscale neuronal system that times daily events. We use recent advances in graphics processing unit computing to generate a multiscale model for the SCN that resolves cellular electrical activity down to the timescale of individual action potentials and the intracellular molecular events that generate circadian rhythms. We use the model to study the role of the neurotransmitter GABA in synchronizing circadian rhythms among individual SCN neurons, a topic of much debate in the circadian community. The model predicts that GABA signaling has two components: phasic (fast) and tonic (slow). Phasic GABA postsynaptic currents are released after action potentials, and can both increase or decrease firing rate, depending on their timing in the interspike interval, a modeling hypothesis we experimentally validate; this allows flexibility in the timing of circadian output signals. Phasic GABA, however, does not significantly affect molecular timekeeping. The tonic GABA signal is released when cells become very excited and depolarized; it changes the excitability of neurons in the network, can shift molecular rhythms, and affects SCN synchrony. We measure which neurons are excited or inhibited by GABA across the day and find GABA-excited neurons are synchronized by—and GABA-inhibited neurons repelled from—this tonic GABA signal, which modulates the synchrony in the SCN provided by other signaling molecules. Our mathematical model also provides an important tool for circadian research, and a model computational system for the many multiscale projects currently studying brain function.
On the influence of aggregate nature on concrete behaviour at high temperature

This paper presents some experimental results on the behaviour of concrete at high temperature. The main objective is to analyse the influence of the type of aggregates on several material properties, and particularly upon the thermal instability risk (spalling) of the concrete. Different levels of observations have been chosen: from the study of small elements for the assessment of the main concrete properties at high temperature to the study of slabs to analyse the fire behaviour of the concretes. Les travaux présentés dans cet article portent sur l’étude du comportement à haute température des bétons. Le principal objectif est d’analyser l’influence de la nature des granulats sur plusieurs paramètres du béton, et en particulier sur le risque d’instabilité thermique. Différentes échelles d’observation ont été adoptées: depuis l’étude de petits éléments pour la détermination des principales propriétés du matériau à haute température jusqu’à l’étude de dallettes pour analyser le comportement au feu des bétons.
Impacts of transported background pollutants on summertime western US air quality: model evaluation, sensitivity analysis and data assimilation

Abstract. The impacts of transported background (TBG) pollutants on western US ozone (O 3 ) distributions in summer 2008 are studied using the multi-scale Sulfur Transport and dEposition Modeling system. Forward sensitivity simulations show that TBG contributes ~30–35 ppb to the surface Monthly mean Daily maximum 8-h Average O 3 (MDA8) over Pacific Southwest (US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9, including California, Nevada and Arizona) and Pacific Northwest (EPA Region 10, including Washington, Oregon and Idaho), and ~10–17 ppm-h to the secondary standard metric "W126 monthly index" over EPA Region 9 and ~3–4 ppm-h over Region 10. The strongest TBG impacts on W126 occur over the grass/shrub-covered regions. Among TBG pollutants, O 3 is the major contributor to surface O 3 , while peroxyacetyl nitrate is the most important O 3 precursor species. W126 shows larger responses than MDA8 to perturbations in TBG and stronger non-linearity to the magnitude of perturbations. The TBG impacts on both metrics overall negatively correlate to model vertical resolution and positively correlate to the horizontal resolution. The mechanisms that determine TBG contributions and their variation are analyzed using trajectories and the receptor-based adjoint sensitivity analysis, which demonstrate the connection between the surface O 3 and O 3 aloft (at ~1–4 km) 1–2 days earlier. The probabilities of airmasses originating from Mt. Bachelor (2.7 km) and 2.5 km above Trinidad Head (THD) entraining into the boundary layer reach daily maxima of 66% and 34% at ~03:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), respectively, and stay above 50% during 09:00 a.m.–04:00 p.m. PDT for those originating 1.5 km above California's South Coast. Assimilation of the surface in-situ measurements significantly reduced the errors in the modeled surface O 3 during a long-range transport episode by ~5 ppb on average (up to ~17 ppb) and increased the estimated TBG contributions by ~3 ppb. Available O 3 vertical profiles from Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES), Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and THD sonde identified this transport event, but assimilation of these observations in this case did not efficiently improve the O 3 distributions except near the sampling locations, due to their limited spatiotemporal resolution and/or possible uncertainties.
Persistent right umbilical vein in a fetus with Noonan's syndrome: a case report

We present a case of persistent right umbilical vein with Noonan's syndrome. Persistence of the right umbilical vein with no intrahepatic portion is an uncommon finding with a review of the literature revealing only five other cases. In these cases drainage was directly into the right atrium, inferior vena cava (IVC) or IVC via the iliac vein. Of the reported cases Noonan's syndrome was confirmed in one case and suspected in a second. This report represents a third case of persistent right umbilical vein with confirmed Noonan's syndrome. Copyright © 2001 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Plantar flexor activation capacity and H reflex in older adults: adaptations to strength training.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the voluntary neural drive and the excitability of the reflex arc could be modulated by training, even in old age. To this aim, the effects of a 16-wk strengthening program on plantar flexor voluntary activation (VA) and on the maximum Hoffman reflex (H(max))-to-maximum M wave (M(max)) ratio were investigated in 14 elderly men (65-80 yr). After training, isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) increased by 18% (P < 0.05) and weight-lifting ability by 24% (P < 0.001). Twitch contraction time decreased by 8% (P < 0.01), but no changes in half relaxation time and in peak twitch torque were observed. The VA, assessed by twitch interpolation, increased from 95 to 98% (P < 0.05). Pretraining VA, also evaluated from the expected MVC for total twitch occlusion, was 7% higher (P < 0.01) than MVC. This discrepancy persisted after training. The interpolated twitch torque-voluntary torque relationship was fitted by a nonlinear model and was found to deviate from linearity for torque levels >65% MVC. Compared with younger men (24-35 yr), the H(max)- to M(max) ratio and nerve conduction velocity (H index) of the older group were significantly lower (42%, P < 0.05; and 29%, P < 0.001, respectively) and were not modulated by training. In conclusion, older men seem to preserve a high VA of plantar flexors. However, the impaired functionality of the reflex pathway with aging and the lack of modulation with exercise suggest that the decrease in the H(max)- to M(max) ratio and H index may be related to degenerative phenomena.
The Mental Health Recovery Measure Can Be Used to Assess Aspects of Both Customer-Based and Service-Based Recovery in the Context of Severe Mental Illness

Within clinical psychiatry, recovery from severe mental illness (SMI) has classically been defined according to symptoms and function (service-based recovery). However, service-users have argued that recovery should be defined as the process of overcoming mental illness, regaining self-control and establishing a meaningful life (customer-based recovery). Here, we aimed to compare customer-based and service-based recovery and clarify their differential relationship with other constructs, namely needs and quality of life. The study was conducted in 101 patients suffering from SMI, recruited from a rural community mental health setting in Portugal. Customer-based recovery and function-related service-based recovery were assessed, respectively, using a shortened version of the Mental Health Recovery Measure (MHRM-20) and the Global Assessment of Functioning score. The Camberwell Assessment of Need scale was used to objectively assess needs, while subjective quality of life was measured with the TL-30s scale. Using multiple linear regression models, we found that the Global Assessment of Functioning score was incrementally predictive of the MHRM-20 score, when added to a model including only clinical and demographic factors, and that this model was further incremented by the score for quality of life. However, in an alternate model using the Global Assessment of Functioning score as the dependent variable, while the MHRM-20 score contributed significantly to the model when added to clinical and demographic factors, the model was not incremented by the score for quality of life. These results suggest that, while a more global concept of recovery from SMI may be assessed using measures for service-based and customer-based recovery, the latter, namely the MHRM-20, also provides information about subjective well-being. Pending confirmation of these findings in other populations, this instrument could thus be useful for comprehensive assessment of recovery and subjective well-being in patients suffering from SMI.
Learning Entangled Single-Sample Gaussians

We introduce a new model of Gaussian mixtures, motivated by the setting where the data points correspond to ratings on a set of items provided by users who have widely varying expertise, and each user can rate an item at most once. In this mixture model, each item i has a true quality μi, each user has a variance (lack of expertise) σj2, and the rating of a user j on an item i consists of a single sample independently drawn from the Normal distribution N(μi, σj2). The aim is to learn the unknown item qualities μi's as precisely as possible. We study the single item case and obtain efficient algorithms for the problem, complemented by near-matching lower bounds; we also obtain preliminary results for the multiple items case. TEX root = paper.tex
Modelling of responses and rutting profile of a flexible pavement structure in a heavy vehicle simulator test

A flexible test road structure was tested in a heavy vehicle simulator test to monitor its performance behaviour. Water was added to the structure half-way through the test. The raised water level had a significant effect, decreasing the resilient modulus and increasing the rate of accumulation of permanent deformation. Numerical analyses to simulate the pavement responses have been carried out using both a two-dimensional multi-layer elastic method as well as three-dimensional finite element analysis, with material properties based on field and laboratory testing. Little difference was found between the two methods and both methods generally agreed well with the measurements. The observed accumulation of permanent deformation manifested on the surface as rutting was modelled using two simple work hardening material models; a stress-based model and a strain-based model. The stress-based model was found to be sensitive to slight response changes and had a closer fit than the strain-dependent model.
Direct assessment of substrate binding to the Neurotransmitter:Sodium Symporter LeuT by solid state NMR

The Neurotransmitter:Sodium Symporters (NSSs) represent an important class of proteins mediating sodium-dependent uptake of neurotransmitters from the extracellular space. The substrate binding stoichiometry of the bacterial NSS protein, LeuT, and thus the principal transport mechanism, has been heavily debated. Here we used solid state NMR to specifically characterize the bound leucine ligand and probe the number of binding sites in LeuT. We were able to produce high-quality NMR spectra of substrate bound to microcrystalline LeuT samples and identify one set of sodium-dependent substrate-specific chemical shifts. Furthermore, our data show that the binding site mutants F253A and L400S, which probe the major S1 binding site and the proposed S2 binding site, respectively, retain sodium-dependent substrate binding in the S1 site similar to the wild-type protein. We conclude that under our experimental conditions there is only one detectable leucine molecule bound to LeuT. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.19314. 001