Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Working paper 11.09.2012 TALENT MANAGEMENT: THE CONSTRUCTION OF TALENT

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Neuron-to-Glia Signaling Mediated by Excitatory Amino Acid Receptors Regulates ErbB Receptor Function in Astroglial Cells of the Neuroendocrine Brain

Hypothalamic astroglial erbB tyrosine kinase receptors are required for the timely initiation of mammalian puberty. Ligand-dependent activation of these receptors sets in motion a glia-to-neuron signaling pathway that prompts the secretion of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), the neuropeptide controlling sexual development, from hypothalamic neuroendocrine neurons. The neuronal systems that may regulate this growth factor-mediated back signaling to neuroendocrine neurons have not been identified. Here we demonstrate that hypothalamic astrocytes contain metabotropic receptors of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 subtype and the AMPA receptor subunits glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2) and GluR3. As in excitatory synapses, these receptors are in physical association with their respective interacting/clustering proteins Homer and PICK1. In addition, they are associated with erbB-1 and erbB-4 receptors. Concomitant activation of astroglial metabotropic and AMPA receptors results in the recruitment of erbB tyrosine kinase receptors and their respective ligands to the glial cell membrane, transactivation of erbB receptors via a mechanism requiring metalloproteinase activity, and increased erbB receptor gene expression. By facilitating erbB-dependent signaling and promoting erbB receptor gene expression in astrocytes, a neuron-to-glia glutamatergic pathway may represent a basic cell–cell communication mechanism used by the neuroendocrine brain to coordinate the facilitatory transsynaptic and astroglial input to LHRH neurons during sexual development.
The Graph Rewriting and Transformation Language: GReAT

In this paper, we describe the language and features of our graph transformation tool, GReAT.We begin with a brief introduction and motivation, followed by an overview of the actual language, the modeling framework, and the tools that were written to support transformations. Finally, we compare GReAT to other similar tools, discuss additional functionality we are currently implementing, and describe some of our experiences with the tool thus far.
Immunoadjuvant Properties of the Rho Activating Factor CNF1 in Prophylactic and Curative Vaccination against Leishmania infantum

There is a need to develop new effective immunoadjuvants for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines against intracellular pathogens. The activation of Rho GTPases by bacterial cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (CNF1) elicits humoral protective responses against protein antigens. Here, we set out to investigate whether CNF1 activity initiates humoral immunity against co-administered parasite antigens and anti-microbial immune signaling. We report that co-administration of wild-type (WT) CNF1 with Leishmania (L.) promastigote antigens at the nasal mucosa triggered prophylactic and curative vaccine responses against this parasite. Vaccination of the mucosa with promastigote lysate antigens combined with WT CNF1 conferred protection against high inoculum L. infantum infection, which reached 82% in the spleen. Immune parameter analysis by antigen recall indicated robust T-helper (Th)1 polarization of immune memory cells, with high IL-2 and IFN-γ production combined with decreased IL-4 production. Additionally, we explored the curative effect of WT CNF1 on previously infected animals. We observed that PL combined with WT CNF1, but not the inactive C866S mutant CNF1 (mCNF1), induced a 58% decrease in the parasite burden in the spleen.
Effect of chromium (VI) on growth, element and photosynthetic pigment composition of Chlorella pyrenoidosa

The effects of Cr(VI) were investigated on the growth rate, element, photosyn- thetic pigment and amino acid composition of Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Cr(VI) is toxic to Chlorella pyrenoidosa. The influence of chromium on cell density and cell number followed very similar trends, indicating that these growth responses might be correlated. The EC 50 value for Cr(VI) were 2.0 mg dm -3 , the lethal concentration of chromium appears to be approximately 20 mg dm -3 for Chlorella pyrenoidosa. We have investigated the concentrations of chromium, calcium, mag- nesium and iron. The cells were fractionated into three fractions: cell wall fraction, membrane fraction, soluble fraction after the cells were disrupted. The amount of metals in whole cells and in each cell fraction was determined. Chromium uptake at each concentration was high within 3 days. Chlorella pyrenoidosa can accumulate chromium mainly (approximately 70%) in the cell wall. The concentrations of chromium and calcium show parallel changes with each other. A higher calcium concentration can be observed along with an increasing chromium concentration, both in the cell wall system and in the whole cells. Iron and magnesium concentration show a decreasing tendency. Cr(VI) caused a changes both in free amino acids and proline content. Both free amino acids and proline content increase with the increasing concentration of chro- mium. Chlorophyll a and b content show a decreasing , while OH-chlorophylls show increasing tendency. Rate of carotene β and α change grows with the increasing chromium concentration. The toxic properties of Cr(VI) can arise from the possibly free diffusion across cell membranes and strong oxidative potential. The toxicological impact of Cr(VI) originates from the action of this form itself as an oxidizing agent, as well as from the formation of free radicals during the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) occuring inside the cell. Acta Biol Szeged 50(1-2):19-23 (2006)
Classical Estimation of Multivariate Markov-Switching Models using MSVARlib

This paper introduces an upgraded version of MSVARlib, a Gauss and Ox- Gauss compliant library, focusing on Multivariate Markov Switching Regressions in their most general specification. This new set of procedures allows to estimate, through classical optimization methods, models belonging to the MSI(M)(AH)-VARX ``intercept regime dependent'' family. This research enhances the first package MSVARlib 1.1, which has been deeply inspired by the works of Hamilton and Krolzig. Not to mention the extension to a generalized multivariate regression framework, it notably augments the range of models with a possibly unlimited finite number of Markov states, offers automatic or manual intialization procedures and adds new statistical tests. The first part of this article provides the basic theoretical grounds of the related Markov-switching models. Following sections give some illustrations of the programs through univariate and multivariate examples. One is based on a non-linear reading of the american unemployment rate. A second study is focused on coincident stochastic models of US recessions and slowdowns. The paper concludes on possible extensions and new applications. Detailed guidelines in appendices and tutorial programs are provided to help the reader handling the Gauss package and the joined replication files.
Cellular Mechanism of the Nonmonotonic Dose Response of Bisphenol A in Rat Cardiac Myocytes

Background: The need for mechanistic understanding of nonmonotonic dose responses has been identified as one of the major data gaps in the study of bisphenol A (BPA). Previously we reported that acute exposure to BPA promotes arrhythmogenesis in female hearts through alteration of myocyte Ca2+ handling, and that the dose response of BPA was inverted U-shaped. Objective: We sought to define the cellular mechanism underlying the nonmonotonic dose response of BPA in the heart. Methods: We examined rapid effects of BPA in female rat ventricular myocytes using video-edge detection, confocal and conventional fluorescence imaging, and patch clamp. Results: The rapid effects of BPA in cardiac myocytes, as measured by multiple end points, including development of arrhythmic activities, myocyte mechanics, and Ca2+ transient, were characterized by nonmonotonic dose responses. Interestingly, the effects of BPA on individual processes of myocyte Ca2+ handling were monotonic. Over the concentration range of 10–12 to 10–6 M, BPA progressively increased sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release and Ca2+ reuptake and inhibited the L-type Ca2+ current (ICaL). These effects on myocyte Ca2+ handling were mediated by estrogen receptor (ER) β signaling. The nonmonotonic dose responses of BPA can be accounted for by the combined effects of progressively increased SR Ca2+ reuptake/release and decreased Ca2+ influx through ICaL. Conclusion: The rapid effects of BPA on female rat cardiac myocytes are characterized by nonmonotonic dose responses as measured by multiple end points. The nonmonotonic dose response was produced by ERβ-mediated monotonic effects on multiple cellular Ca2+ handling processes. This represents a distinct mechanism underlying the nonmonotonicity of BPA’s actions. Citation: Liang Q, Gao X, Chen Y, Hong K, Wang HS. 2014. Cellular mechanism of the nonmonotonic dose response of bisphenol A in rat cardiac myocytes. Environ Health Perspect 122:601–608; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1307491
Understanding the Poor Human Capital Contribution to Economic Growth in Algeria

This paper reviews the labor outcomes in Algeria and analyses what is required to spur economic growth through increased efficiency of physical and human capital. It takes the view that the main problems behind the low contribution of labor market in economic growth in Algeria lies with inefficient labor market institutions and education system, absence of economic diversification, low participation of private sector in the economy, and inefficient labor policy. It adopts the view that undesirable labor market structures have interacted with adverse shocks related to the crises of oil’s international prices in the middle of the 1980s. An important question concerns the reasons behind reluctance in Algeria to undertake reforms. The paper's thesis is that such reforms are not feasible when public sector is still offering higher wage than private sector without any consideration of labor productivity.
Adaptive Step Length Estimation Algorithm Using Low-Cost MEMS Inertial Sensors

In this paper we introduce a MEMS based pedestrian navigation system (PNS) which consists of the low cost MEMS inertial sensor. An adaptive step length estimation algorithm using the awareness of the walk or run status is presented. Future u-Health monitoring systems will be essential equipment for mobile users under the ubiquitous computing environment. It is well known that the cost of energy expenditure in human walk or run changes with the speed of movement. Also the accurate walking distance is an important factor in calculating energy expenditure in human daily life. In order to compute the walking distance precisely, the number of occurred steps has to be counted exactly and the step length should be exactly estimated as well. However the step length varies considerably with the movement's speed and status. Therefore, we recognize the movement status such as walk or run of a pedestrian using the small-sized MEMS inertial sensors. Based on the result, a step length is estimated adaptively. The developed method can be applied to PNS and health monitoring mobile system.
Language Independent Text Correction using Finite State Automata

Many natural language applications, like machine translation and information extraction, are required to operate on text with spelling errors. Those spelling mistakes have to be corrected automatically to avoid deteriorating the performance of such applications. In this work, we introduce a novel approach for automatic correction of spelling mistakes by deploying finite state automata to propose candidates corrections within a specified edit distance from the misspelled word. After choosing candidate corrections, a language model is used to assign scores the candidate corrections and choose best correction in the given context. The proposed approach is language independent and requires only a dictionary and text data for building a language model. The approach have been tested on both Arabic and English text and achieved accuracy of 89%.
Differential switching to IgG and IgA in active smoking COPD patients and healthy controls

Several studies have demonstrated the presence of B-cell follicles and autoantibodies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unclear against which antigens this B-cell response is directed and whether it contributes to development or worsening of disease. We assessed different B-cell subsets in blood and lung tissue from COPD patients and controls, and compared differences in B-cell responsiveness to stimulation with lung-specific antigens. Active smoking induced an adaptive immune response with relatively high levels of (class-switched) memory B-cells in blood and immunoglobulin (Ig)G memory B-cells in the lung. COPD smokers showed more switching to IgG, whereas healthy smokers switched more to IgA. COPD patients had higher levels of memory B-cells in the lung and stimulation with lung-specific antigens induced higher numbers of anti-decorin antibody-producing cells in COPD patients compared with healthy controls. Differential switching to IgG and IgA indicates that the adaptive immune response to smoke differs between COPD patients and healthy controls. A higher level of memory B-cells in the lungs of COPD patients may reflect an antigen-specific immune response, which could be directed against decorin, as suggested by the induction of anti-decorin antibody-producing cells in response to antigen-specific stimulation in COPD patients.
Surface photometry of new nearby dwarf galaxies

We present CCD surface photometry of 16 nearby dwarf galaxies, many of which were only recently discovered. Our sample is comprised of both isolated galaxies and galaxies that are members of nearby galaxy groups. The observations were obtained in the Johnson B and V bands (and in some cases in Kron-Cousins I). We derive surface brightness proles, total magnitudes, and integrated colors. For the 11 galaxies in our sample with distance estimates the absolute B magnitudes lie in the range of 10 > MB > 13. The central surface brightness ranges from 22.5 to 27.0 mag arcsec 2 . Most of the dwarf galaxies show exponential light proles with or without a central light depression. Integrated radial color gradients, where present, appear to indicate a more centrally concentrated younger population and a more extended older population.
Association of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Intron 16 Insertion/Deletion and Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor A1166C Gene Polymorphisms with Preeclampsia in South East of Iran

Some evidence suggests that a variety of genetic factors contributed in pathogenesis of the preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D and angiotensin II type1 receptor A1166C polymorphisms with preeclampsia. This study was performed in 125 preeclamptic pregnant women and 132 controls. The I/D Polymorphism of the ACE gene was assessed by polymerase chain reaction and the A1166C Polymorphism of the AT1R gene was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism. The genotype and allele frequencies of I/D polymorphism differed between two groups. The risk of preeclampsia was 3.2-fold in pregnant women with D allele (OR, 3.2 [95% CI, 1.1 to 3.8]; P = 0.01). The distribution of the AT1R gene A1166C polymorphism was similar in affected and control groups. Our results supported that presence of the I/D polymorphism of ACE gene is a marker for the increased risk of preeclampsia.
Effects of nonsense mutations on nuclear and cytoplasmic adenine phosphoribosyltransferase RNA

We have analyzed Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell mutants bearing nonsense codons in four of the five exons of the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (aprt) gene and have found a pattern of mRNA reduction similar to that seen in systems studied previously: a decrease in steady-state mRNA levels of 5- to 10-fold for mutations in exons 1, 2, and 4 but little effect for mutations in the 3'-most exon (exon 5). Nuclear aprt mRNA levels showed a similar decrease. Nonsense-containing aprt mRNA decayed at the same rate as wild-type mRNA in these cell lines after inhibition of transcription with actinomycin D. Nonsense-containing aprt mRNA is associated with polysomes, ruling out a model in which stable residual mRNA escapes degradation by avoiding translation initiation. A tetracycline-responsive form of the aprt gene was used to compare the stability of nonsense-containing and wild-type aprt mRNAs without globally inhibiting transcription. In contrast to measurements made in the presence of actinomycin D, after inhibition of aprt transcription with tetracycline, a nonsense-mediated destabilization of aprt mRNA was indeed demonstrable. The increased rate of decay of cytoplasmic aprt mRNA seen here could account for the nonsense-mediated reduction in steady-state levels of aprt mRNA. However, the low levels of nonsense-bearing aprt mRNA in the nucleus suggest a sensibility of mRNA to translation or translatability before it exits that compartment. Quantitation of the steady-state levels of transcripts containing introns revealed no accumulation of partially spliced aprt RNA and hence no indication of nonsense-mediated aberrancies in splicing. Our results are consistent with a model in which translation facilitates the export of mRNA through a nuclear pore. However, the mechanism of this intriguing nucleocytoplasmic communication remains to be determined.
Falling Head Over Heels:Investigating the higher-level cognitive and electrophysiological processes underlying gait control and fallsin older adults and stroke survivors

Falls are a common problem for Ireland’s older adults and stroke survivors, which have severe consequences for the individual and high care costs for the state. Current clinical interventions that focus solely on musculoskeletal function are not evidenced to be consistently effective in the long term, or in those older adults without muscle and bone impairments (Cadore, Rodriguez-Manas, Sinclair, & Izquierdo, 2013; Teasell, McRae, Foley, & Bhardwaj, 2002). The role of cognition in gait control and falls has become increasingly apparent, with higher-level executive functions exhibiting a clear relationship with falls and cognitive decline with ageing (Morris, Lord, Bunce, Burn, & Rochester, 2016). This research aims to address a gap in the literature by identifying the specific higher-level executive processes that play a role in gait control, and examining if these processes are impaired in older adults and stroke survivors with a high risk of falling. Behavioural and electrophysiological measures were used to examine walking gait in both single- and dual-task conditions, as well as cognitive performances and the associated event-related potentials in healthy young and older adult “fallers” and “non-fallers”, and also in a sample of stroke survivors. The results suggest that executive top-down processes (working memory in particular), play a role in gait control during dual-task walking generally, and that executive processes are relied upon more in older age. This work suggests that there may also be neural markers of “successful” ageing that differentiate fallers from non-fallers, and that there can be substantial recovery of both cognition and gait post-stroke. These findings support the resource capacity and compensatory theories of neurocognitive ageing, and suggest that executive neuropsychological tasks could be developed to offer alternative cognitive/neural fall screening assessments and rehabilitation programmes for stroke patients and the wider older adult population.
Lymphatic vascular integrity is disrupted in type 2 diabetes due to impaired nitric oxide signalling.

AIMS Lymphatic vessel dysfunction is an emerging component of metabolic diseases and can lead to tissue lipid accumulation, dyslipidaemia, and oedema. While lymph leakage has been implicated in obesity and hypercholesterolaemia, whether similar lymphatic dysfunction exists in diabetes has not been investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS To measure the lymphatic integrity of transgenic mice, we developed a new assay that quantifies the solute permeability of murine collecting lymphatic vessels. Compared with age-matched wild-type (WT) controls, the permeability of collecting lymphatics from diabetic, leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mice was elevated >130-fold. Augmenting nitric oxide (NO) production by suffusion of l-arginine rescued this defect. Using pharmacological tools and eNOS(-/-) mice, we found that NO increased WT lymphatic permeability, but reduced db/db lymphatic permeability. These conflicting actions of NO were reconciled by the finding that phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3), normally inhibited by NO signalling, was active in db/db lymphatics and inhibition of this enzyme restored barrier function. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we identified the first lymphatic vascular defect in type 2 diabetes, an enhanced permeability caused by low NO bioavailability. Further, this demonstrates that PDE3 inhibition is required to maintain lymphatic vessel integrity and represents a viable therapeutic target for lymphatic endothelial dysfunction in metabolic disease.
Influence of anxiety on health outcomes in COPD

Background Psychological functioning is an important determinant of health outcomes in chronic lung disease. To better define the role of anxiety in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a study was conducted of the inter-relations between anxiety and COPD in a large cohort of subjects with COPD and a matched control group. Methods Data were used from the FLOW (Function, Living, Outcomes, and Work) cohort of patients with COPD (n=1202) and matched controls without COPD (n=302). Anxiety was measured using the Anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results COPD was associated with a greater risk of anxiety in multivariable analysis (OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.072 to 3.18). Among patients with COPD, anxiety was related to poorer health outcomes including worse submaximal exercise performance (less distance walked during the 6-min walk test: −66.3 feet for anxious vs non-anxious groups; 95% CI −127.3 to −5.36) and a greater risk of self-reported functional limitations (OR 2.41; 95% CI 1.71 to 3.41). Subjects with COPD with anxiety had a higher longitudinal risk of COPD exacerbation in Cox proportional hazards analysis after controlling for covariates (HR 1.39; 95% CI 1.007 to 1.90). Conclusion COPD is associated with a higher risk of anxiety. Once anxiety develops among patients with COPD, it is related to poorer health outcomes. Further research is needed to determine whether systematic screening and treatment of anxiety in COPD will improve health outcomes and prevent functional decline and disability.