Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ancient Continental Lithosphere Dislocated Beneath Ocean Basins Along the Mid‐Lithosphere Discontinuity: A Hypothesis

The documented occurrence of ancient continental cratonic roots beneath several oceanic basins remains poorly explained by the plate tectonic paradigm. These roots are found beneath some ocean‐continent boundaries, on the trailing sides of some continents, extending for hundreds of kilometers or farther into oceanic basins. We postulate that these cratonic roots were left behind during plate motion, by differential shearing along the seismically imaged mid‐lithosphere discontinuity (MLD), and then emplaced beneath the ocean‐continent boundary. Here we use numerical models of cratons with realistic crustal rheologies drifting at observed plate velocities to support the idea that the mid‐lithosphere weak layer fostered the decoupling and offset of the African continent's buoyant cratonic root, which was left behind during Meso‐Cenozoic continental drift and emplaced beneath the Atlantic Ocean. We show that in some cratonic areas, the MLD plays a similar role as the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary for accommodating lateral plate tectonic displacements.
The channel of death

The proapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family have been proposed to participate in the formation of a channel that releases these apoptogenic factors when mitochondria receive apoptotic signals. A recent study provides the first direct, biophysical measurement of a potentially apoptosis-specific mitochondrial channel, which is regulated by Bcl-2 family members and may play a primary role in the release of the proapoptotic factors.
Immunological and Regenerative Aspects of Hepatic Mast Cells in Liver Allograft Rejection and Tolerance

The precise roles of mast cells in liver allograft rejection and tolerance are still unknown. This study aimed to explore the roles of mast cells in immune regulation and liver regeneration for tolerance induction by using rat models of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor c-Kit, which are critical to the migration and development of not only stem cells but also mast cells, significantly increased in the tolerogenic livers as compared with rejected livers. The significant elevation of mast cell tryptase, high-affinity IgE receptor, and histamine suggested the activation of mast cells in liver allografts at the tolerogenic phase after OLT. Immunohistochemical analysis using confocal microscope clearly showed colocalization of mast cells, Foxp3+ Tregs, γδ T cells, and recipient-derived hepatic progenitor cells with higher expression of SCF, IL-9, IL-10, TGF-β1, and IL-17 related to immunoregulation and liver regeneration in the donor grafts of a tolerogenic OLT model. Cross-talk among mast cells and other cells was evaluated by in vitro studies demonstrating that syngeneic bone marrow−derived mast cells (BMMCs) co-cultured with naïve splenocytes or primary hepatocytes significantly increased the population of splenic γδ T cells by mitogen stimulation or by mast cell degranulation, and also significantly induced the hepatocyte proliferation, respectively. Our results suggested that mast cells in the donor grafts may play important roles in the induction/maintenance of immune tolerance and liver regeneration resulting in the replacement of hepatic cells from donor to recipient.
Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Causes Hypertension and Cardiac Dysfunction in Humans and Is Actively Metabolized by Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase

Objective—Plasma levels of an endogenous nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), are elevated in chronic renal failure, hypertension, and chronic heart failure. In patients with renal failure, plasma ADMA levels are an independent correlate of left ventricular ejection fraction. However, the cardiovascular effects of a systemic increase in ADMA in humans are not known. Methods and Results—In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 12 healthy male volunteers, we compared the effects of intravenous low-dose ADMA and placebo on heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance at rest and during exercise. We also tested the hypothesis that ADMA is metabolized in humans in vivo by dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) enzymes. Low-dose ADMA reduced heart rate by 9.2±1.4% from 58.9±2.0 bpm (P <0.001) and cardiac output by 14.8±1.2% from 4.4±0.3 L/min (P <0.001). ADMA also increased mean blood pressure by 6.0±1.2% from 88.6±3.4 mm Hg (P <0.005) and SVR by 23.7±2.1% from 1639.0±91.6 dyne · s · cm−5 (P <0.001). Handgrip exercise increased cardiac output in control subjects by 96.8±23.3%, but in subjects given ADMA, cardiac output increased by only 35.3±10.6% (P <0.05). DDAHs metabolize ADMA to citrulline and dimethylamine. Urinary dimethylamine to creatinine ratios significantly increased from 1.26±0.32 to 2.73±0.59 after ADMA injection (P <0.01). We estimate that humans generate approximately 300 &mgr;mol of ADMA per day, of which approximately 250 &mgr;mol is metabolized by DDAHs. Conclusions—This study defines the cardiovascular effects of a systemic increase in ADMA in humans. These are similar to changes seen in diseases associated with ADMA accumulation. Finally, our data also indicate that ADMA is metabolized by DDAHs extensively in humans in vivo.
Connectivity among marine communities: a multi-species approach to determining the major drivers of larval connection between populations of coastal species in New Zealand

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Inverse relationship between alcohol consumption and active Helicobacter pylori infection: the Bristol Helicobacter project

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to examine whether smoking or consumption of alcohol or coffee is associated with active Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.METHODS:This was a cross-sectional population study conducted as part of a randomized controlled trial of H. pylori infection eradication in southwest England. A total of 10,537 subjects, recruited from seven general practices, underwent 13C-urea breath testing for active infection with H. pylori and provided data on smoking, usual weekly consumption of alcohol, and daily intake of coffee.RESULTS:Smoking or coffee consumption were not related to active H. pylori infection. Total alcohol consumption was associated with a small, but not statistically significant, decrease in the odds of infection. After adjustment for age, sex, ethnic status, childhood and adult social class, smoking, coffee consumption, and intake of alcoholic beverages other than wine, subjects drinking 3–6 units of wine/wk had an 11% lower risk of H. pylori infection compared with those who took no wine: OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.80–0.99. Higher wine consumption was associated with a further 6% reduction in the risk of infection: OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.64–1.07. Intake of 3–6 units of beer (but no greater intake) was associated with a similar reduction in the risk of infection when compared to no beer intake (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.75–0.91). CONCLUSIONS:This study indicates that modest consumption of wine and beer (approximately 7 units/wk) protects against H. pylori infection, presumably by facilitating eradication of the organism.
Observational and predictive uncertainties for multiple variables in a spatially distributed hydrological model

In this study, uncertainty in model input data (precipitation) and parameters is propagated through a physically based, spatially distributed hydrological model based on the MIKE SHE code. Precipitation uncertainty is accounted for using an ensemble of daily rainfall fields that incorporate four different sources of uncertainty, whereas parameter uncertainty is considered using Latin hypercube sampling. Model predictive uncertainty is assessed for multiple simulated hydrological variables (discharge, groundwater head, evapotranspiration, and soil moisture). Utilizing an extensive set of observational data, effective observational uncertainties for each hydrological variable are assessed. Considering not only model predictive uncertainty but also effective observational uncertainty leads to a notable increase in the number of instances, for which model simulation and observations are in good agreement (e.g., 47% vs. 91% for discharge and 0% vs. 98% for soil moisture). Effective observational uncertainty is in several cases larger than model predictive uncertainty. We conclude that the use of precipitation uncertainty with a realistic spatio‐temporal correlation structure, analyses of multiple variables with different spatial support, and the consideration of observational uncertainty are crucial for adequately evaluating the performance of physically based, spatially distributed hydrological models.
Cognitive and Prepulse Inhibition Deficits in Psychometrically High Schizotypal Subjects in the General Population: Relevance to Schizophrenia Research

Abstract Schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder share common clinical profiles, neurobiological and genetic substrates along with Prepulse Inhibition and cognitive deficits; among those, executive, attention, and memory dysfunctions are more consistent. Schizotypy is considered to be a non-specific “psychosis-proneness,” and understanding the relationship between schizotypal traits and cognitive function in the general population is a promising approach for endophenotypic research in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. In this review, findings for executive function, attention, memory, and Prepulse Inhibition impairments in psychometrically defined schizotypal subjects have been summarized and compared to schizophrenia patients and their unaffected first-degree relatives. Cognitive flexibility, sustained attention, working memory, and Prepulse Inhibition impairments were consistently reported in high schizotypal subjects in accordance to schizophrenia patients. Genetic studies assessing the effects of various candidate gene polymorphisms in schizotypal traits and cognitive function are promising, further supporting a polygenic mode of inheritance. The implications of the findings, methodological issues, and suggestions for future research are discussed. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1–14)
Functional and Structural MRI Studies on Impulsiveness: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorders

Impulsive behavior is characterized a tendency to initiate behavior without sufficient/adequate consideration of consequences. It typically refers to ill-conceived, premature or inappropriate behavior that may be self-destructive or harmful to other individuals (Chamberlain and Sahakian, 2007). Pathological impulsiveness is associated with impaired performance on neuropsychological tests of attention and executive function and with neuroimaging evidence for structural and/or functional correlates, particular in frontal lobe regions (Congdon and Canli, 2005; Crews and Boettiger, 2009; Rubia et al., 2007). Impulsive behavior is a major component of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, ADHD, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, and borderline and antisocial personality disorders. The notion of impulsiveness incorporates a multidimensional construct consisting of a range of inter-related factors including noveltyseeking and reckless behavior, lack of planning ability and self-control whereby mechanistic relations evolve from its role in initiating action (Barratt and Patton, 1983; Moeller et al., 2001). The construct incorporates motor impulsiveness, inability to tolerate delays, lack of planning and an incapacity for self-control. Impulsiveness, with or without aggressiveness, has been associated with a range of personality disorders and other psychopathologies (Haden and Shiva, 2008; Krishnan-Sarin et al., 2007; Palomo et al., 2007a; Reynolds, 2006; Shiva et al., 2009), with impulse control difficulties often of primary diagnostic importance (e.g., Pfefferbaum & Wood, 1994; Quirk and McCormick, 1998). A variety of linear regression analyses based upon several selfreport questionnaire studies including a range of cognitive-emotional personal attributes have indicated that impulsiveness is predicted by negative affect, amotivation and depressiveness and counterpredicted by positive affect and internal locus of control in healthy volunteers (Palomo et al., 2008a, b; but see also Miller et al., 2009). Cyders et al. have discussed the influence of positive urgency, acting rashly under extreme positive affect, and negative urgency as central risk factors for impulsive and maladaptive behavior (see also Cyders and Smith, 2008a, b; Cyders et al., 2009, 2010; Zapolsky et al., 2009).
Genome-wide targets of selection: female response to experimental removal of sexual selection in Drosophila melanogaster

Despite the common assumption that promiscuity should in general be favored in males, but not in females, to date there is no consensus on the general impact of multiple mating on female fitness. Notably, very little is known about the genetic and physiological features underlying the female response to sexual selection pressures. By combining an experimental evolution approach with genomic techniques, we investigated the effects of single and multiple matings on female fecundity and gene expression. We experimentally manipulated the mating system in replicate populations of Drosophila melanogaster by removing sexual selection, with the aim of testing differences in short term post-mating effects of females evolved under different mating strategies. We show that monogamous females suffer decreased fecundity, a decrease that was partially recovered by experimentally reversing the selection pressure back to the ancestral promiscuous state. The post-mating gene expression profiles of monogamous females differ significantly from promiscuous females, involving 9% of the genes tested. These transcripts are active in several tissues, mainly ovaries, neural tissues and midgut, and are involved in metabolic processes, reproduction and signaling pathways. Our results demonstrate how the female post-mating response can evolve under different mating systems, and provide novel insights into the genes targeted by sexual selection in females, by identifying a list of candidate genes responsible for the decrease in female fecundity in the absence of promiscuity.
Serum chemokine CXC ligand 10 (CXCL10) predicts fibrosis progression after liver transplantation for hepatitis C infection

The recurrence of liver fibrosis after liver transplantation (LT) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is responsible for graft loss and patient mortality. Although the contribution of the immune system to fibrosis recurrence is anticipated, systematic studies evaluating immune parameters as predictive markers of allograft fibrosis are lacking. The infiltration of immune cells into the graft is governed by chemokines. Here we assessed the predictive value of serum levels of chemokines [chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9), CXCL10, CXCL11, and chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2)] with respect to fibrosis recurrence after LT in 90 HCV‐infected organ recipients. Chemokines were determined within the first and third years after LT and were correlated with histological fibrosis progression in protocol biopsy samples at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years (median follow‐up = 3 years). The association of chemokines with fibrosis progression was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses and by Cox regression analysis. The results for the analyzed chemokines showed that CXCL10 levels in the first year after LT were strongly associated with early fibrosis recurrence (P = 0.005) independently of risk confounders (including the donor age, HCV viral load, HCV genotype, acute rejection, and inflammatory activity). As assessed by Cox regression analysis, a CXCL10 serum level ≤ 140 pg/mL was significantly predictive of the absence of F2 fibrosis (P = 0.001), whereas a level ≤ 220 pg/mL early after LT predicted the absence of F3 fibrosis during follow‐up (P = 0.035). Conclusion: CXCL10 is an independent biomarker of the recurrence of significant fibrosis after LT for HCV infection. These results might guide patients' care after transplantation and help us to select optimal candidates for antiviral therapy post‐LT. (HEPATOLOGY 2011;53:596‐603)
Extracellular proteolysis in structural and functional plasticity of mossy fiber synapses in hippocampus

Brain is continuously altered in response to experience and environmental changes. One of the underlying mechanisms is synaptic plasticity, which is manifested by modification of synapse structure and function. It is becoming clear that regulated extracellular proteolysis plays a pivotal role in the structural and functional remodeling of synapses during brain development, learning and memory formation. Clearly, plasticity mechanisms may substantially differ between projections. Mossy fiber synapses onto CA3 pyramidal cells display several unique functional features, including pronounced short-term facilitation, a presynaptically expressed long-term potentiation (LTP) that is independent of NMDAR activation, and NMDA-dependent metaplasticity. Moreover, structural plasticity at mossy fiber synapses ranges from the reorganization of projection topology after hippocampus-dependent learning, through intrinsically different dynamic properties of synaptic boutons to pre- and postsynaptic structural changes accompanying LTP induction. Although concomitant functional and structural plasticity in this pathway strongly suggests a role of extracellular proteolysis, its impact only starts to be investigated in this projection. In the present report, we review the role of extracellular proteolysis in various aspects of synaptic plasticity in hippocampal mossy fiber synapses. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that among perisynaptic proteases, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)/plasmin system, β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and metalloproteinases play a crucial role in shaping plastic changes in this projection. We discuss recent advances and emerging hypotheses on the roles of proteases in mechanisms underlying mossy fiber target specific synaptic plasticity and memory formation.
The Cambridge Cookie-Theft Corpus: A Corpus of Directed and Spontaneous Speech of Brain-Damaged Patients and Healthy Individuals

Investigating dierences in linguistic usage between individuals who have suered brain injury (hereafter patients) and those who haven’t can yield a number of benets. It provides a better understanding about the precise way in which impairments aect patients’ language, improves theories of how the brain processes language, and oers heuristics for diagnosing certain types of brain damage based on patients’ speech. One method for investigating usage dierences involves the analysis of spontaneous speech. In the work described here we construct a text corpus consisting of transcripts of individuals’ speech produced during two tasks: the Boston-cookie-theft picture description task (Goodglass and Kaplan, 1983) and a spontaneous speech task, which elicits a semi-prompted monologue (where the participant answers general non-intrusive questions about their lives and hobbies), and/or free speech (where an initial question is asked and no secondary prompting is required). Interviews with patients from 19yrs to 89yrs were transcribed, as were interviews with a comparable number of healthy individuals (20yrs to 89yrs). Structural brain images of 32% of the patients and 18% of the healthy individuals are also available. This unique data source provides a rich resource for future research in many areas of language impairment and has been constructed to facilitate analysis with natural language processing and corpus linguistics techniques.
SIRT1 in B[a]P-induced lung tumorigenesis

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a carcinogen in cigarette smoke. We found that B[a]P induced SIRT1 in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cell. SIRT1 was overexpressed in the lung of B[a]P-exposed mice and in human lung cancer biopsies. SIRT1 up-regulated TNF-α and β-catenin and down-regulated the membrane fraction of E-cadherin. In addition, SIRT1 promoted invasion, migration and tumorigenesis of BEAS-2B cells in nude mice upon B[a]P exposure. Thus, SIRT1 is involved in B[a]P-induced transformation associated with activation of the TNF-α/β-catenin axis and is as a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer.
The Mean Width of Circumscribed Random Polytopes

Abstract For a given convex body $K$ in ${{\mathbb{R}}^{d}}$ , a random polytope ${{K}^{(n)}}$ is defined (essentially) as the intersection of $n$ independent closed halfspaces containing $K$ and having an isotropic and (in a specified sense) uniform distribution. We prove upper and lower bounds of optimal orders for the difference of the mean widths of ${{K}^{(n)}}$ and $K$ as $n$ tends to infinity. For a simplicial polytope $P$ , a precise asymptotic formula for the difference of the mean widths of ${{P}^{(n)}}$ and $P$ is obtained.
Calibration of multi-axis MEMS force sensors using the shape from motion method

This paper presents a new design of a two-axis MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) capacitive force sensor with strict linearity and a new sensor calibration method for micro-sensors. Precise calibration of multi-axis micro force sensors is difficult for several reasons, including the need to apply many known force vectors at precise orientations at the micro force scale, and the risk of damaging the small, fragile MEMS device. In this paper the shape from motion method is introduced for micro force sensors resulting in a rapid and effective calibration technique. Structural-electrostatic coupled field simulations are conducted in order to optimize the sensor design, which is calibrated with the shape from motion method as well as the least squares method for comparison purposes. Calibration results demonstrate that the shape from motion method is an effective, practical, and accurate method for calibrating multiaxis micro force sensors