Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
No Measurable Calcium Isotopic Fractionation During Crystallization of Kilauea Iki Lava Lake

In order to investigate possible Ca isotopic fractionation during basaltic magma differentiation, we measured Ca isotopic compositions of lavas recovered from Kilauea Iki lava lake at Hawaii. This set of lavas record the whole crystal fractionation history of basaltic magma, ranging from olivine accumulation/fractionation to multiple phase crystallization, including plagioclase and clinopyroxene. Our results show no detectable Ca isotopic variation in all measured Kilauea lavas at a precision of ±0.07‰ for 44Ca/40Ca (δ44/40Ca = 0.80 ± 0.08, 2 SD, n = 19). Using such observation and published intermineral Ca isotopic fractionation factors, a Monte Carlo approach is used to estimate the mineral‐melt 44Ca/40Ca fractionation factors. We found that Ca isotopic fractionation between clinopyroxene and basaltic melt is small, with Δ44/40Cacpx‐melt = 0.04 ± 0.03 at 1200 °C. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first estimated mineral‐melt Ca isotopic fractionation factor reported. We use this estimated Δ44/40Cacpx‐melt and intermineral Ca isotopic fractionation factors to investigate Ca isotopic effects during mantle partial melting under 1–2 GPa. Our simulations show that the largest 44Ca/40Ca effect, up to +0.3‰, is achieved in large degree melting residues during fractional and dynamic melting. In contrast, partial melts show negligible 44Ca/40Ca isotopic effect, <0.07‰.
Illusion and well-being: a social psychological perspective on mental health.

Many prominent theorists have argued that accurate perceptions of the self, the world, and the future are essential for mental health. Yet considerable research evidence suggests that overly positive selfevaluations, exaggerated perceptions of control or mastery, and unrealistic optimism are characteristic of normal human thought. Moreover, these illusions appear to promote other criteria of mental health, including the ability to care about others, the ability to be happy or contented, and the ability to engage in productive and creative work. These strategies may succeed, in large part, because both the social world and cognitive-processing mechanisms impose niters on incoming information that distort it in a positive direction; negative information may be isolated and represented in as unthreatening a manner as possible. These positive illusions may be especially useful when an individual receives negative feedback or is otherwise threatened and may be especially adaptive under these circumstances. Decades of psychological wisdom have established contact with reality as a hallmark of mental health. In this view, the well-adjusted person is thought to engage in accurate reality testing, whereas the individual whose vision is clouded by illusion is regarded as vulnerable to, if not already a victim of, mental illness. Despite its plausibility, this viewpoint is increasingly difficult to maintain (cf. Lazarus, 1983). A substantial amount of research testifies to the prevalence of illusion in normal human cognition (see Fiske& Taylor, 1984;Greenwald, 1980; Nisbett & Ross, 1980; Sackeim, 1983; Taylor, 1983). Moreover, these illusions often involve central aspects of the self and the environment and, therefore, cannot be dismissed as inconsequential. In this article, we review research suggesting that certain illusions may be adaptive for mental health and well-being. In particular, we examine evidence that a set of interrelated positive illusions—namely, unrealistically positive self-evaluations, exaggerated perceptions of control or mastery, and unrealistic optimism—can serve a wide variety of cognitive, affective, and social functions. We also attempt to resolve the following para
Emergence of Vocal Developmental Sequences in a Predictive Coding Model of Speech Acquisition

Learning temporal patterns among primitive speech sequences and being able to control the motor apparatus for effective production of the learned patterns are imperative for speech acquisition in infants. In this paper, we develop a predictive coding model whose objective is to minimize the sensory (auditory) and proprioceptive prediction errors. Temporal patterns are learned by minimizing the former while control is learned by minimizing the latter. The model is learned using a set of synthetically generated syllables, as in other contemporary models. We show that the proposed model outperforms existing ones in learning vocalization classes. It also computes the control/muscle activation which is useful for determining the degree of easiness of vocalization.
Time-Minimal Control of Dissipative Two-Level Quantum Systems: The Generic Case

The objective of this article is to complete preliminary results from the work of Bonnard and Sugny (2009) and Sugny et al. (2007), concerning the time-minimal control of dissipative two-level quantum systems whose dynamics is governed by the Lindblad equation. The extremal system is described by a 3D-Hamiltonian depending upon three parameters. We combine geometric techniques with numerical simulations to deduce the optimal solutions.
The $Q$ -Norm Complexity Measure and the Minimum Gradient Method: A Novel Approach to the Machine Learning Structural Risk Minimization Problem

This paper presents a novel approach for dealing with the structural risk minimization (SRM) applied to a general setting of the machine learning problem. The formulation is based on the fundamental concept that supervised learning is a bi-objective optimization problem in which two conflicting objectives should be minimized. The objectives are related to the empirical training error and the machine complexity. In this paper, one general Q-norm method to compute the machine complexity is presented, and, as a particular practical case, the minimum gradient method (MGM) is derived relying on the definition of the fat-shattering dimension. A practical mechanism for parallel layer perceptron (PLP) network training, involving only quasi-convex functions, is generated using the aforementioned definitions. Experimental results on 15 different benchmarks are presented, which show the potential of the proposed ideas.
Detection of the High-Level Aminoglycoside Resistance Gene aph(2")-Ib in Enterococcus faecium

ABSTRACT A new high-level gentamicin resistance gene, designatedaph(2")-Ib, was cloned from Enterococcus faecium SF11770. The deduced amino acid sequence of the 897-bp open reading frame of aph(2")-Ib shares homology with the aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes AAC(6′)-APH(2"), APH(2")-Ic, and APH(2")-Id. The observed phosphotransferase activity is designated APH(2")-Ib.
Relationship between hypoxia and response to antiangiogenic therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer remains a major public health problem worldwide. Despite the introduction of antiangiogenic drugs for the treatment of metastatic disease, a large number of issues remains unresolved. In particular, studies on predictive biomarkers of response and pathways of resistance to these agents are lacking, making it difficult to accurately select candidates for treatment. Hypoxia is the prime driving force for tumor angiogenesis and a vicious cycle between hypoxia and angiogenesis can be observed in tumors. Anti-angiogenic drugs act inhibiting tumor vasculature and, as consequence, inducing hypoxia. However, hypoxia could, in turn, induce an increase of metastatic potential of cells and a series of phenomena that could induce drug resistance. In the present review biological mechanisms of hypoxia and its relation with angiogenesis, and resistance to antiangiogenic therapy will be discussed. Moreover, data from clinical trials on antiangiogenic drugs in metastatic colorectal cancer will be reviewed, and the role of hypoxia in monitoring the response to treatment will be analysed. Combination strategies using anti-angiogenic and hypoxia inhibiting drugs are also discussed as they constitute promising field of research.
PilZ domain is part of the bacterial c-di-GMP binding protein

Recent studies identified c-di-GMP as a universal bacterial secondary messenger regulating biofilm formation, motility, production of extracellular polysaccharide and multicellular behavior in diverse bacteria. However, except for cellulose synthase, no protein has been shown to bind c-di-GMP and the targets for c-di-GMP action remain unknown. Here we report identification of the PilZ ("pills") domain (Pfam domain PF07238) in the sequences of bacterial cellulose synthases, alginate biosynthesis protein Alg44, proteins of enterobacterial YcgR and firmicute YpfA families, and other proteins encoded in bacterial genomes and present evidence indicating that this domain is (part of) the long-sought c-di-GMP-binding protein. Association of the PilZ domain with a variety of other domains, including likely components of bacterial multidrug secretion system, could provide clues to multiple functions of the c-di-GMP in bacterial pathogenesis and cell development.
Meta-analysis of the literature on Alcoholics Anonymous: sample and study characteristics moderate findings.

OBJECTIVE Reviews of research on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) have speculated how findings may differ when grouped by client and study characteristics. A meta-analytic review by Emrick et al. in 1993 provided empirical support for this concern but did not explore its implications. This review divided results of AA affiliation and outcome research by sample origin and global rating of study quality. The review also examined the statistical power of studies on AA. METHOD Meta-analytic procedures were used to summarize the findings of 74 studies that examined AA affiliation and outcome. Results were divided by whether samples were drawn from outpatient or inpatient settings and a global rating of study quality that jointly considered use of subject selection and assignment, reliability of measurement and corroboration of self-report. Efficacy of dividing study results was examined by changes in magnitude of correlations and unexplained variance. RESULTS AA participation and drinking outcomes were more strongly related in outpatient samples, and better designed studies were more likely to report positive psychosocial outcomes related to AA attendance. In general, AA studies lacked sufficient statistical power to detect relationships of interest. CONCLUSIONS AA experiences and outcomes are heterogeneous, and it makes little sense to seek omnibus profiles of AA affiliates or outcomes. Well-designed studies with large outpatient samples may afford the best opportunity to detect predictors and effects of AA involvement.
Indirect multi-trophic interactions mediated by induced plant resistance: impact of caterpillar feeding on aphid parasitoids

Cotton produces insecticidal terpenoids that are induced by tissue-feeding herbivores. Damage by Heliothis virescens caterpillars increases the terpenoid content, which reduces the abundance of aphids. This effect is not evident in Bt-transgenic cotton, which is resistant to H. virescens. We determined whether induction of terpenoids by caterpillars influences the host quality of Aphis gossypii for the parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes and whether this interaction is influenced by Bt cotton. The exposure of parasitoids to terpenoids was determined by quantifying terpenoids in the aphids. We detected several terpenoids in aphids and found a positive relationship between their concentrations in plants and aphids. When L. testaceipes was allowed to parasitize aphids on Bt and non-Bt cotton that was infested or uninfested with H. virescens, fewer parasitoid mummies were found on infested non-Bt than on Bt cotton. Important parasitoid life-table parameters, however, were not influenced by induced resistance following H. virescens infestation, or the Bt trait. Our study provides an example of a tritrophic indirect interaction web, where organisms are indirectly linked through changes in plant metabolites.
The relationship between puberty and social emotion processing

Aims Adolescence is the transitional stage of physical, psychological and social development between childhood and adulthood. The social brain, the network of brain regions involved in understanding other people's mental states and emotions, undergoes structural and functional changes during adolescence. This network includes the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), the anterior temporal cortex (ATC), the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS). The timing of this development coincides with puberty, and it is hypothesised that pubertal hormones may contribute to the observed changes. We used functional MRI (fMRI) to investigate how pubertal development relates to both brain activity during a social emotion task, and functional connectivity between social brain network regions. Method 42 females aged 11.0 to 13.7 years underwent fMRI scanning while reading scenarios pertaining to either social or basic emotions. Social emotions (e.g. guilt, embarrassment) require the representation of another person's mental state, while basic emotions (e.g. fear, disgust) do not. Puberty measures taken for each participant included: visual physician Tanner stage assessment; self-assessment questionnaire; and salivary hormone levels for testosterone, oestradiol and DHEA. The functional images were analysed and differences in mean brain activity as well as psychophysiological interactions were explored. Results are significant at p<0.001 (uncorrected), and survive small volume correction (SVC) at p<0.05. Results Increased testosterone levels (independent of age) were associated with higher activity in the left ATC, during social relative to basic emotion processing. Both oestradiol and DHEA were positively correlated with left ATC activity (but did not survive SVC). More advanced age (independent of pubertal hormone levels) was associated with reduced activity in the DMPFC during social relative to basic emotion processing. Participants in later stages of puberty had increased functional connectivity between the DMPFC and other social brain network regions. Conclusion We have shown that changing patterns of functional brain activity in the female adolescent social brain correlate with increasing pubertal hormones, independent of age. The increased functional connectivity seen with advancing puberty suggests developing integration of the social brain network. These findings imply a role for pubertal hormones in the development of the social brain network.
Evidence that Yih1 resides in a complex with ribosomes

Adjusting protein synthesis by phosphorylating eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) is a major mechanism by which eukaryotes adapt to and overcome stress. The eIF2α kinase Gcn2 is essential for overcoming amino acid starvation in all eukaryotes. We have shown that to sense starvation, the Gcn2 RWD domain must directly contact its effector protein, Gcn1, and both must bind to the ribosome, suggesting that starvation is sensed within a Gcn1–Gcn2–ribosome complex. The mammalian protein IMPACT, highly expressed in neurons, and its yeast orthologue yeast IMPACT homologue (Yih1) harbour an RWD domain with Gcn1‐binding activity. We have shown that Yih1 downregulates Gcn2 by competing with Gcn2 for Gcn1‐binding. Here, we provide evidence that Yih1 forms a complex with ribosomes. In velocity sedimentation assays, overexpressed glutathione S‐transferase (GST)‐tagged Yih1 cosedimented with polyribosomes independently of Gcn1. Reduction of polyribosomes to monosomes concomitantly decreased GST–Yih1 sedimentation in the heavy fractions where polyribosomes are normally found. Furthermore, GST–Yih1 coprecipitated large ribosomal protein Rpl39 independently of Gcn1. GST–Yih1 overexpression did not significantly affect Gcn1–ribosome or Gcn2–ribosome cosedimentation. myc‐tagged Yih1 expressed from its own promoter cosedimented with polyribosomes independently of Gcn1, indicating that Yih1–ribosome interaction occurs under physiological conditions. GST–IMPACT cosedimented with yeast ribosomes and coprecipitated Rpl39 in a Gcn1‐independent fashion, suggesting that Yih1/IMPACT–ribosome association is evolutionarily conserved. Moreover, GST–IMPACT coprecipitated actin as found for GST–Yih1. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that IMPACT/Yih1 associates with ribosomes and that these ribosomes may simultaneously carry Gcn1 and Gcn2. Close physical proximity of Yih1 to the Gcn1–Gcn2–ribosome complex would allow cells to quickly inhibit Gcn2 whenever or wherever necessary.
Survival of Group B Streptococcus Type III in Mononuclear Phagocytes: Differential Regulation of Bacterial Killing in Cord Macrophages by Human Recombinant Gamma Interferon and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor

ABSTRACT Phagocytic and killing capacities of resident and cytokine-activated human macrophages against group BStreptococcus (GBS) type III were studied. Evidence is presented that monocyte-derived macrophages from cord and adults ingest serum-opsonized GBS but that killing of bacteria was negligible in resident cells. Treatment of adult macrophages with recombinant human gamma interferon (rhIFN-γ; 100 U/ml) or recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF; 200 U/ml) resulted in significant increases of killing of GBS (P< 0.01 for each). The killing capacity of cord macrophages treated with rhGM-CSF was also enhanced compared to that of untreated cells (P < 0.01). However, treatment with rhIFN-γ resulted in only a moderate increase in the capacity of cord macrophages to kill GBS (P > 0.1). These results mirrored the effect of rhIFN-γ on candidacidal capacities of cord and adult macrophages, reported earlier from our laboratory. These data indicate differential modulation of neonatal macrophages by rhGM-CSF and rhIFN-γ. We suggest that administration of rhGM-CSF to neonates with invasive GBS disease may enhance host resistance to these bacteria.
Glucose-6-phosphate-dependent pyruvate kinase in Streptococcus mutans

Pyruvate kinase of Streptococcus mutans JC 2 had an absolute and specific requirement for glucose-6-phosphate. Inorganic phosphate was a strong inhibitor. The enzyme required K+ or NH4+ and Mg2+ or Mn2+. S. mutans FIL and E 49, Streptococcus bovis ATCC 9809, and Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 13419 had also glucose-6-phosphate-dependent pyruvate kinases, whereas Streptococcus sanguis NCTC 10904 had an enzyme activated by fructose-1,6-diphosphate.
Integration of reward signalling and appetite regulating peptide systems in the control of food‐cue responses

Understanding the neurobiological substrates that encode learning about food‐associated cues and how those signals are modulated is of great clinical importance especially in light of the worldwide obesity problem. Inappropriate or maladaptive responses to food‐associated cues can promote over‐consumption, leading to excessive energy intake and weight gain. Chronic exposure to foods rich in fat and sugar alters the reinforcing value of foods and weakens inhibitory neural control, triggering learned, but maladaptive, associations between environmental cues and food rewards. Thus, responses to food‐associated cues can promote cravings and food‐seeking by activating mesocorticolimbic dopamine neurocircuitry, and exert physiological effects including salivation. These responses may be analogous to the cravings experienced by abstaining drug addicts that can trigger relapse into drug self‐administration. Preventing cue‐triggered eating may therefore reduce the over‐consumption seen in obesity and binge‐eating disorder. In this review we discuss recent research examining how cues associated with palatable foods can promote reward‐based feeding behaviours and the potential involvement of appetite‐regulating peptides including leptin, ghrelin, orexin and melanin concentrating hormone. These peptide signals interface with mesolimbic dopaminergic regions including the ventral tegmental area to modulate reactivity to cues associated with palatable foods. Thus, a novel target for anti‐obesity therapeutics is to reduce non‐homeostatic, reward driven eating behaviour, which can be triggered by environmental cues associated with highly palatable, fat and sugar rich foods.
Synchronized excitability in a network enables generation of internal neuronal sequences

Hippocampal place field sequences are supported by sensory cues and network internal mechanisms. In contrast, sharp-wave (SPW) sequences, theta sequences, and episode field sequences are internally generated. The relationship of these sequences to memory is unclear. SPW sequences have been shown to support learning and have been assumed to also support episodic memory. Conversely, we demonstrate these SPW sequences were present in trained rats even after episodic memory was impaired and after other internal sequences – episode field and theta sequences – were eliminated. SPW sequences did not support memory despite continuing to ‘replay’ all task-related sequences – place- field and episode field sequences. Sequence replay occurred selectively during synchronous increases of population excitability -- SPWs. Similarly, theta sequences depended on the presence of repeated synchronized waves of excitability – theta oscillations. Thus, we suggest that either intermittent or rhythmic synchronized changes of excitability trigger sequential firing of neurons, which in turn supports learning and/or memory. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.20697. 001
Microcystin congener- and concentration-dependent induction of murine neuron apoptosis and neurite degeneration.

Cyanobacterial microcystins (MCs) represent a toxin group with > 100 variants, requiring active uptake into cells via organic anion-transporting polypeptides, in order to irreversibly inhibit serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatases. MCs are a human health hazard with repeated occurrences of severe poisonings. In the well-known human MC intoxication in Caruaru, Brazil (1996), patients developed signs of acute neurotoxicity, e.g., deafness, tinnitus, and intermittent blindness, as well as subsequent hepatotoxicity. The latter data, in conjunction with some animal studies, suggest that MCs are potent neurotoxins. However, there is little data to date demonstrating MC neuron-specific toxicity. MC exposure-induced cytotoxicity, caspase activity, chromatin condensation, and microtubule-associated Tau protein hyperphosphorylation (epitopes serine199/202 and serine396) were determined. Neurite degeneration was analyzed with confocal microscopy and neurite length determined using image analysis. MC-induced apoptosis was significantly increased by MC-LF and MC-LW, however, only at high concentrations (≥ 3μM), whereas significant neurite degeneration was already observed at 0. 5μM MC-LF. Moreover, sustained hyperphosphorylation of Tau was observed with all MC congeners. The concentration- and congener-dependent mechanisms observed suggest that low concentrations of MC-LF and MC-LW can induce subtle neurodegenerative effects, reminiscent of Alzheimer's disease type human tauopathies, and thus should be taken more seriously with regard to potential human health effects than the apical cytotoxicity (apoptosis or necrosis) demonstrated at high MC concentrations.
Simulating Affective Communication with Animated Agents

This paper introduces a model of interaction between users and animated agents as well as inter-agent interaction that supports basic features of affective communication. As essential requirements for animated agents’ capability to engage in and exhibit affective communication we motivate reasoning about emotions and emotion expression, personality, and social role awareness. Our implemented, entirely web-based system demonstrates animated agents based on our model of affective communication. Agents are able to give natural responses and therefore come across as believable and even interesting conversational partners.