Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemical Composition of Essential Oils of Thymus and Mentha Species and Their Antifungal Activities

The potential antifungal effects of Thymus vulgaris L. , Thymus tosevii L. , Mentha spicata L. , and Mentha piperita L. (Labiatae) essential oils and their components against 17 micromycetal food poisoning, plant, animal and human pathogens are presented. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodestillation of dried plant material. Their composition was determined by GC-MS. Identification of individual constituents was made by comparison with analytical standards, and by computer matching mass spectral data with those of the Wiley/NBS Library of Mass Spectra. MIC’s and MFC’s of the oils and their components were determined by dilution assays. Thymol (48.9%) and p-cymene (19.0%) were the main components of T. vulgaris, while carvacrol (12.8%), α-terpinyl acetate (12.3%), cis-myrtanol (11.2%) and thymol (10.4%) were dominant in T. tosevii. Both Thymus species showed very strong antifungal activities. In M. piperita oil menthol (37.4%), menthyl acetate (17.4%) and menthone (12.7%) were the main components, whereas those of M. spicata oil were carvone (69.5%) and menthone (21.9%). Mentha sp. showed strong antifungal activities, however lower than Thymus sp. The commercial fungicide, bifonazole, used as a control, had much lower antifungal activity than the oils and components investigated. It is concluded that essential oils of Thymus and Mentha species possess great antifungal potential and could be used as natural preservatives and fungicides.
Recent advances in the treatment of adult T-cell leukemia-lymphomas

Recent advances in treatment for adult T‐cell leukemia‐lymphoma (ATL) are reviewed herein. It is currently possible to select a therapeutic strategy for ATL and predict prognosis by classification of patients by clinical subtypes and clinicopathological factors. Although the overall survival (OS) of patients with ATL has increased marginally because of advances in chemotherapy, further prolongation of survival might be difficult with conventional chemotherapy alone. Promising results have been reported for antiviral therapy using zidovudine and interferon‐α, and, indeed, antiviral therapy is currently the standard treatment for patients with ATL in western countries. Remarkably, the 5‐year OS rates are 100% for both the smoldering‐type and chronic‐type ATL. Recently, treatments for ATL have included allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and molecular targeted therapies. Furthermore, the anti‐CCR4 monoclonal antibody mogamulizumab has been shown to have marked cytotoxic effects on ATL cells, especially in the leukemic type of ATL. In the lymphoma type of ATL, the response rate may be improved by combining mogamulizumab with chemotherapy. It should be recognized that prevention of infection from carriers of human T‐cell leukemia virus type‐I and transfer of the virus from mother to infant are crucial issues for the eradication of ATL.
How Realistic Should Avatars Be?An Initial fMRI Investigation of Activation of the Face Perception Network by Real and Animated Faces

Abstract. Increased interaction with characters in games and online necessitates a better understanding of how different characteristics of these agents impact media users. This paper investigates a possible neurological underpinning for a common research finding – namely, that animated characters designed to be comparatively more human, more real, and more similar to the people they represent elicit more positive self-reported evaluations. The goal of this study was to examine the extent to which these results might be due to differential processing of character features in brain networks recruited for face recognition. There is some evidence that parts of the face network may be specifically tuned for real human faces. An experiment was conducted where participants viewed photographs of faces of actual agents (humans and animals) or colored drawings of matched agents (cartoon humans and animals). Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) activation.
Your Data Center Is a Router: The Case for Reconfigurable Optical Circuit Switched Paths

The rising tide of data-intensive, massive scale cluster computing is creating new challenges for traditional, hierarchical data center networks. In response to this challenge, the research community has begun exploring novel interconnect topologies to provide high bisection bandwidth—examples include Fat trees [2, 12, 8], DCell [9], and BCube [10], among a rapidly growing set of alternatives, many adapted from earlier solutions from the telecom and supercomputing areas. We argue that these solutions may provide too much— full bisection bandwidth on packet timescales—at too high a cost—literally tons of wiring and thousands of switches. In this work, we suggest that research should take a look back not only at historical topologies, but also historical technologies. More specifically, we suggest that a hybrid packet-switched/circuit-switched network can provide the functions and ease-of-use of today’s allpacket networks, while providing high bandwidth for a large class of applications at lower cost and lower network complexity. Taking advantage of this network requires, however, a philosophical change to the design of data center networks. We propose to augment the electrical switch architecture with an optical circuit-switched network. Implementing this approach requires a network re-design to provide substantial pre-optical queueing at the nodes, treating the entire data center as one large virtually output-queued router. We explain this argument briefly, and expand upon our proposed solution in the sections that follow.
Hitting and return times in ergodic dynamical systems

Given an ergodic dynamical system (X, T,μ), and U C X measurable with μ(U) > 0, let μ(U)τ U (x) denote the normalized hitting time of x ∈ X to U. We prove that given a sequence (U n ) with μ(U n ) → 0, the distribution function of the normalized hitting times to U n converges weakly to some subprobability distribution F if and only if the distribution function of the normalized return time converges weakly to some distribution function F, and that in the converging case, (=) F(t)= ∫ 0 t (1-F(s))ds, t ≥ 0. This in particular characterizes asymptotics for hitting times, and shows that the asymptotics for return times is exponential if and only if the one for hitting times is also.
Bandwidth-aware routing algorithms for networks-on-chip platforms

General purpose routing algorithms for a network-on-chip (NoC) platform may not be able to provide sufficient performance for some communication intensive applications. This may be because of low adaptivity offered by a general purpose routing algorithm resulting in some links getting highly congested. In this study the authors demonstrate that it is possible to design highly efficient application-specific routing algorithms which distribute traffic more uniformly by using information regarding applications communication behaviour (communication topology and communication bandwidth). The authors use off-line analysis to estimate expected load on various links in the network. The result of this analysis is used along with the available routing adaptivity in each router to distribute less traffic to links and paths which are expected to be congested. The methodology for application-specific routing algorithms is extended to incorporate these features to design highly adaptive deadlock-free routing algorithms which also distribute traffic more uniformly and reduce network congestion. The authors discuss architectural implications and analyse area and power overheads of the proposed approach on the design of a table-based NoC router.
Pursuit of communal values in an agentic manner: a way to happiness?

The present research studies the association between traits, values, and life satisfaction. While values should influence the direction of an individual’s goals and behavior, his/her traits impact effort-expenditure, efficiency, and persistence in goal-pursuit. We apply the framework of the “Big Two” of agency and communion (Bakan, 1966) for distinguishing the content of values and traits. While agentic content refers to qualities relevant for goal-attainment, such as assertiveness, competence or persistence, communal content refers to qualities relevant for the establishment and maintenance of social relationships, such as being friendly, helpful, or fair. We predict that high scores on communal values and high scores on agentic traits are associated with life satisfaction. We test these predictions in two studies conducted in different countries (Germany and Russia) with different cultural background. The findings support our reasoning: across both countries we find positive associations of communal values and agentic traits with life satisfaction; and individuals high in communal values and high in agentic traits are most satisfied with their lives. In Russia, the association of communal values with life satisfaction is moderated by agentic traits; in Germany, however, there is a main effect of communal values.
Hyaluronic Acid Induces Survival and Proliferation of Human Myeloma Cells through an Interleukin-6-mediated Pathway Involving the Phosphorylation of Retinoblastoma Protein*

Originating from a post-switch memory B cell or plasma cell compartment in peripheral lymphoid tissues, malignant myeloma cells accumulate in the bone marrow of patients with multiple myeloma. In this favorable microenvironment their growth and survival are dependent upon both soluble factors and physical cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix contacts. In this report we show that hyaluronan (HA), a major nonprotein glycosaminoglycan component of the extracellular matrix in mammalian bone marrow, is a survival and proliferation factor for human myeloma cells. The effect of HA is mainly mediated through a gp 80-interleukin 6 (IL-6) receptor pathway by a CD44-independent mechanism, suggesting that HA retains and concentrates IL-6 close to its site of secretion, thus favoring its autocrine activity. In addition, we show that HA-mediated survival and proliferation of myeloma cells is associated with a down-regulation in the expression of p27 kip1 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and a hyperphosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb). These data suggest that HA could be an important component in the myeloma cell physiopathology in vivo by potentiating autocrine and/or paracrine IL-6 activities.
Stability and failure of symmetrically laminated plates

This paper describes a numerical and experimental study on the stability and failure behaviour of rectangular symmetric laminated composite plates. The plates are simply supported along the unloaded edges and clamped along the loaded ends, and they are subjected to uniaxial in-plane compression. The finite element method was employed for the theoretical study. The study examines the effect of the plate`s stacking sequence and aspect ratio on the stability and failure response of rectangular symmetric laminated carbon fibre reinforced plastics composite plates. The study also includes the effect of the unloaded edge support conditions on the postbuckling response and failure of the plates. Extensive experimental investigation were also carried out to supplement the finite element study. A comprehensive comparison between theory and experimental data are presented and discussed in this contribution.
Bicaudal D2 facilitates the cytoplasmic trafficking and nuclear import of HIV-1 genomes during infection

Significance Following envelope-mediated fusion, the HIV-1 viral core, which houses the viral RNA and proteins required for virus reverse transcription and integration, must traffic toward the nucleus for subsequent nuclear import of the viral genome. In this study we examined the role of BICD2, a known dynein adaptor protein, for its role during the postentry trafficking of HIV-1 virions. We show that BICD2 binds viral capsid and mediates the postentry trafficking of HIV-1. Moreover, we also show that depletion of BICD2 sensitizes the virus to detection by innate immune sensing, revealing this BICD2 is necessary for the virus to avoid detection by innate sensing mechanisms in macrophages. Numerous viruses, including HIV-1, exploit the microtubule network to traffic toward the nucleus during infection. Although numerous studies have observed a role for the minus-end microtubule motor dynein in HIV-1 infection, the mechanism by which the viral core containing the viral genome associates with dynein and induces its perinuclear trafficking has remained unclear. Here, we report that the dynein adapter protein bicaudal D2 (BICD2) is able to interact with HIV-1 viral cores in target cells. We also observe that BICD2 can bind in vitro-assembled capsid tubes through its CC3 domain. We observe that BICD2 facilitates infection by promoting the trafficking of viral cores to the nucleus, thereby promoting nuclear entry of the viral genome and infection. Finally, we observe that depletion of BICD2 in the monocytic cell line THP-1 results in an induction of IFN-stimulated genes in these cells. Collectively, these results identify a microtubule adapter protein critical for trafficking of HIV-1 in the cytoplasm of target cells and evasion of innate sensing mechanisms in macrophages.
A Micronutrient Fortified Beverage Given at Different Dosing Frequencies Had Limited Impact on Anemia and Micronutrient Status in Filipino Schoolchildren

This study evaluated the effects of a multi-micronutrient fortified juice drink given in different frequencies of consumption on hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of schoolchildren. Hb was measured in 2423 schoolchildren aged 6- to 9-years-old at baseline. All anemic children (n = 246) were randomly allocated into groups: Daily dose (HD: high dose), 5X/week (MD: Moderate Dose), 3X/week (LD: Low Dose) and unfortified (Control). Pre- and post-study measurements of micronutrients were collected from 228 children. At the endpoint, significant Hb increases were observed in all groups, but there was no significant difference between groups. There was a significant reduction in anemia prevalence in all groups from 100% to 36% (Control), 30% (LD), 23% (MD) and 26% (HD). No dose-response effect was observed in Hb in this population. Most likely, this resulted from better than expected micronutrient status and lower than expected severity of anemia and micronutrient deficiencies in this cohort. It is unlikely that the addition of a fortified beverage to school feeding programs in this population would have a positive impact. Whether such an intervention would be cost-effective as a preventative approach needs to be assessed. This study demonstrates the importance of targeting such interventions to appropriate populations.
Acute Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation: Insights From the Acute Study of Clinical Effectiveness of Nesiritide in Decompensated Heart Failure (ASCEND-HF) Trial

Background Patients with acute heart failure (AHF) frequently have atrial fibrillation (AF), but how this affects patient-reported outcomes has not been well characterized. Methods and Results We examined dyspnea improvement and clinical outcomes in 7007 patients in the Acute Study of Clinical Effectiveness of Nesiritide in Decompensated Heart Failure (ASCEND-HF) trial. At baseline, 2677 (38.2%) patients had current or a history of AF and 4330 (61.8%) did not. Patients with a history of AF were older than those without (72 vs. 63 years) and had more comorbidities and a higher median left ventricular ejection fraction (31% vs. 27%, P<0.001). Compared to those without AF, patients with AF had a similar mean ventricular rate on admission (81 vs. 83 beats per minute [bpm]; P=0.138) but a lower rate at discharge (75 vs. 78 bpm; P<0.001). There was no difference in dyspnea improvement between patients with and without AF at 6 hours (P=0.087), but patients with AF had less dyspnea improvement at 24 hours (P<0.001). Compared to patients without AF, patients with AF had a higher 30-day all-cause mortality rate (4.7% vs. 3.3%; P=0.005), a higher 30-day HF rehospitalisation rate (7.2% vs. 5.3%; P=0.001), and a higher coprimary composite outcome of 30-day death or readmission (11.6% vs. 8.6%; P<0.001). This difference persisted after adjustment for prognostic variables (adjusted odds ratio=1.19; (95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.38; P=0.029). Conclusions Among patients admitted to the hospital with AHF, current or a history of AF is associated with less dyspnea improvement and higher morbidity and mortality at 30-days, compared to those not in AF. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00475852.
Near-optimal training sequences for MIMO OFDM systems with nulled subcarriers

In MIMO OFDM systems, the quality of channel estimation becomes important, especially for a large number of antennas. On the other hand, it is desirable to minimise the overhead, making the design of training sequences a crucial task. Although this problem has been solved efficiently for OFDM systems using all subcarriers, it is still an open question for systems with nulled subcarriers (such as IEEE802.11a and IEEE802.11n), where some of the subcarriers are left unmodulated in order to fit specified spectrum masks. In this paper we present a numerical method for designing MIMO OFDM training sequences for arbitrary systems using nulled subcarriers. It is shown that substantial gains can be had over simple training sequences, such as only transmitting on non-overlapping subcarriers. The performance of these new training sequences are measured in both mean-squared error and bit-error rate
Soil bacterial and fungal community responses to nitrogen addition across soil depth and microhabitat in an arid shrubland

Arid shrublands are stressful environments, typified by alkaline soils low in organic matter, with biologically-limiting extremes in water availability, temperature, and UV radiation. The widely-spaced plants and interspace biological soil crusts in these regions provide soil nutrients in a localized fashion, creating a mosaic pattern of plant- or crust-associated microhabitats with distinct nutrient composition. With sporadic and limited rainfall, nutrients are primarily retained in the shallow surface soil, patterning biological activity. We examined soil bacterial and fungal community responses to simulated nitrogen (N) deposition in an arid Larrea tridentata-Ambrosia dumosa field experiment in southern Nevada, USA, using high-throughput sequencing of ribosomal RNA genes. To examine potential interactions among the N application, microhabitat and soil depth, we sampled soils associated with shrub canopies and interspace biological crusts at two soil depths (0–0.5 or 0–10 cm) across the N-amendment gradient (0, 7, and 15 kg ha−1 yr−1). We hypothesized that localized compositional differences in soil microbiota would constrain the impacts of N addition to a microhabitat distribution that would reflect highly localized geochemical conditions and microbial community composition. The richness and community composition of both bacterial and fungal communities differed significantly by microhabitat and with soil depth in each microhabitat. Only bacterial communities exhibited significant responses to the N addition. Community composition correlated with microhabitat and depth differences in soil geochemical features. Given the distinct roles of soil bacteria and fungi in major nutrient cycles, the resilience of fungi and sensitivity of bacteria to N amendments suggests that increased N input predicted for many arid ecosystems could shift nutrient cycling toward pathways driven primarily by fungal communities.
Genome Analysis of Conserved Dehydrin Motifs in Vascular Plants

Dehydrins, a large family of abiotic stress proteins, are defined by the presence of a mostly conserved motif known as the K-segment, and may also contain two other conserved motifs known as the Y-segment and S-segment. Using the dehydrin literature, we developed a sequence motif definition of the K-segment, which we used to create a large dataset of dehydrin sequences by searching the Pfam00257 dehydrin dataset and the Phytozome 10 sequences of vascular plants. A comprehensive analysis of these sequences reveals that lysine residues are highly conserved in the K-segment, while the amino acid type is often conserved at other positions. Despite the Y-segment name, the central tyrosine is somewhat conserved, but can be substituted with two other small aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine or histidine). The S-segment contains a series of serine residues, but in some proteins is also preceded by a conserved LHR sequence. In many dehydrins containing all three of these motifs the S-segment is linked to the K-segment by a GXGGRRKK motif (where X can be any amino acid), suggesting a functional linkage between these two motifs. An analysis of the sequences shows that the dehydrin architecture and several biochemical properties (isoelectric point, molecular mass, and hydrophobicity score) are dependent on each other, and that some dehydrin architectures are overexpressed during certain abiotic stress, suggesting that they may be optimized for a specific abiotic stress while others are involved in all forms of dehydration stress (drought, cold, and salinity).
A logic-model semantics for SCR software requirements

This paper presents a simple logic-model semantics for Software Cost Reduction (SCR) software requirements. Such a semantics enables model-checking of native SCR requirements and obviates the need to transform the requirements for analysis. The paper also proposes modal-logic abbreviations for expressing conditioned events in temporal-logic formulae. The Symbolic Model Verifier (SMV) is used to verify that an SCR requirements specification enforces desired global requirements, expressed as formulae in the enhanced logic. The properties of a small system (an automobile cruise control system) are verified, including an invariant property that could not be verified previously. The paper concludes with a discussion of how other requirements notations for conditioned-event-driven systems could be similarly checked.
Association between polymorphism of the G-protein β3 subunit C825T and essential hypertension: an updated meta-analysis involving 36,802 subjects.

PURPOSE The G-protein β3-subunit gene C825T polymorphism (GNB3-C825T) has been reported to be associated with essential hypertension (EH), but results from previous studies are conflicting. The present study aimed at investigating the association between this polymorphism and risk of EH using a meta-analysis on the published studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS PubMed, Embase, CBM (China Biological Medicine Database), Wanfang and VIP databases were searched to identify eligible studies published in English and Chinese before March 2013. Data were extracted using standardized methods. The association was assessed by the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Begg's test was used to measure publication bias. RESULTS A total of 40 case-control studies containing 16,518 EH patients and 20,284 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Overall, a significant association was found between GNB3 C825T polymorphism and risk of EH when all studies were pooled with a random-effects model for T versus C (OR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.04-1.19). In the subgroup analysis, the same association was found in overall Caucasian (T versus C, OR=1.16, 95% CI 1.08-1.24) and Chinese populations (TT versus CC, OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.06-1.57). No associations were detected between GNB3-C825T and the risk of EH overall in Asian and Japanese people. CONCLUSIONS Meta-analysis results suggest that the GNB3-C825T polymorphism is associated with risk of EH in the overall population, the Caucasians and the Chinese. The effect of the variants on the expression levels and the possible functional role of the variants in EH should be addressed in further studies.