Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detailed Investigations on the Solid Cell Culture and Antimicrobial Activities of the Iranian Arnebia euchroma

In pursuit of strong shikalkin-producing cell lines, seeds of the Iranian Arnebia euchroma were collected from Dena altitudes in the central Zagross. Chemical analysis showed that the dried root of the plant contained about 8.5% (w/w) shikalkin pigment. The root explants of the young plantlets, obtained from the germinated seeds, were used for establishing callus. Then, parameters effective on proliferation and pigment production of the resulting calli were studied in detail. Accordingly, two modified media called mLS and mM9 were optimized for propagation and pigment production, respectively. Using these media, the biomass of the A.euchroma calli was increased to 600%, and the pigment production reached to a maximum of 16.3 mg per gram of the wet biomass in a period of a subculture (21 days). Parallel to these experiments, the antimicrobial activity of shikalkin pigment was examined on some fungi and Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Results indicated that the pigment was almost ineffective on fungi and Gram-negative bacteria, but it was meaningfully effective against Micrococcus luteus.
Using artificial physics to control agents

We introduce a novel framework called "artificial physics", which provides distributed control of large collections of agents. The agents react to artificial forces that are motivated by natural physical laws. This framework provides an effective mechanism for achieving self-assembly, fault-tolerance, and self-repair. Examples are shown for various regular geometric configurations of agents. A further example demonstrates that self-assembly via distributed control can also perform distributed computation.
Extracellular regulators of axonal growth in the adult central nervous system

Robust axonal growth is required during development to establish neuronal connectivity. However, stable fibre patterns are necessary to maintain adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) function. After adult CNS injury, factors that maintain axonal stability limit the recovery of function. Extracellular molecules play an important role in preserving the stability of the adult CNS axons and in restricting recovery from pathological damage. Adult axonal growth inhibitors include a group of proteins on the oligodendrocyte, Nogo-A, myelin-associated glycoprotein, oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein and ephrin-B3, which interact with axonal receptors, such as NgR1 and EphA4. Extracellular proteoglycans containing chondroitin sulphates also inhibit axonal sprouting in the adult CNS, particularly at the sites of astroglial scar formation. Therapeutic perturbations of these extracellular axonal growth inhibitors and their receptors or signalling mechanisms provide a degree of axonal sprouting and regeneration in the adult CNS. After CNS injury, such interventions support a partial return of neurological function.
Comparison of UCE- and RGi-based junction temperature measurement of multichip IGBT power modules

The internal gate resistor RGi of an IGBT power module is the most promising temperature sensitive electrical parameter for real-time junction temperature measurement in a working voltage source inverter. This paper investigates RGi-based junction temperature measurement and compares it with the widespread UCE-method that is used for device characterization in laboratory setups. It is found that both methods have similar averaging properties when measuring the junction temperature of paralleled IGBT single chips. However, in case of a centered internal gate resistor the RGi-method measures a higher temperature than the area-averaging UCE-method. Especially at steep lateral temperature profiles the RGi-measured temperature is closer to the chip peak temperature than the UCE-measured one. This deviation is investigated in thermal equilibrium and during the cooling down process using thermal impedance measurement, an IR-camera and a finite element simulation.
Tomlinson-Harashima Precoding for Broadcast Channels with Uncertainty

We consider the design of Tomlinson-Harashima (TH) precoders for broadcast channels in the presence of channel uncertainty. For systems in which uplink-downlink reciprocity is used to obtain a channel estimate at the transmitter, we present a robust design based on a statistical model for the channel uncertainty. We provide a convex formulation of the design problem subject to two types of power constraints: a set of constraints on the power transmitted from each antenna and a total power constraint. For the case of the total power constraint, we present a closed-form solution for the robust TH precoder that incurs essentially the same computational cost as the corresponding designs that assume perfect channel knowledge. For systems in which the receivers feed back quantized channel state information to the transmitter, we present a robust design based on a bounded model for the channel uncertainty. We provide a convex formulation for the TH precoder that maximizes the performance under the worst-case channel uncertainty subject to both types of power constraints. We also present a conservative robust design for this type of channel uncertainty that has reduced computational complexity for the case of power constraints on individual antennas and leads to a closed-form solution for the total power constraint case. Simulation studies verify our analytical results and show that the robust TH precoders can significantly reduce the rather high sensitivity of broadcast transmissions to errors in channel state information.
A Tale of Two Prices: Liquidity and Asset Prices in Multiple Markets

This paper investigates the liquidity effect in asset pricing by studying the liquidity-premium relationship of an American depositary receipt (ADR) and its underlying share. Using the [Amihud, Yakov, 2002. Illiquidity and stock returns: cross-section and time series effects. Journal of Financial Markets 5, 31-56] measure, the turnover ratio and trading infrequency as proxies for liquidity, we show that a higher ADR premium is associated with higher ADR liquidity and lower home share liquidity, in terms of changes in these variables. We find that the liquidity effects remain strong after we control for firm size and a number of country characteristics, such as the expected change in the foreign exchange rate, the stock market performance, as well as several variables measuring the openness and transparency of the home market.
Association of Rgs7/Gβ5 complexes with girk channels and GABAB receptors in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons

In the hippocampus, signaling through G protein‐coupled receptors is modulated by Regulators of G protein signaling (Rgs) proteins, which act to stimulate the rate of GTP hydrolysis, and consequently, G protein inactivation. The R7‐Rgs subfamily selectively deactivates the Gi/o‐class of Gα subunits that mediate the action of several GPCRs. Here, we used co‐immunoprecipitation, electrophysiology and immunoelectron microscopy techniques to investigate the formation of macromolecular complexes and spatial relationship of Rgs7/Gβ5 complexes and its prototypical signaling partners, the GABAB receptor and Girk channel. Co‐expression of recombinant GABAB receptors and Girk channels in combination with co‐immunoprecipitation experiments established that the Rgs7/Gβ5 forms complexes with GABAB receptors or Girk channels. Using electrophysiological experiments, we found that GABAB‐Girk current deactivation kinetics was markedly faster in cells coexpressing Rgs7/Gβ5. At the electron microscopic level, immunolabeling for Rgs7 and Gβ5 proteins was found primarily in the dendritic layers of the hippocampus and showed similar distribution patterns. Immunoreactivity was mostly localized along the extrasynaptic plasma membrane of dendritic shafts and spines of pyramidal cells and, to a lesser extent, to that of presynaptic terminals. Quantitative analysis of immunogold particles for Rgs7 and Gβ5 revealed an enrichment of the two proteins around excitatory synapses on dendritic spines, virtually identical to that of Girk2 and GABAB1. These data support the existence of macromolecular complexes composed of GABAB receptor‐G protein‐Rgs7‐Girk channels in which Rgs7 and Gβ5 proteins may preferentialy modulate GABAB receptor signaling through the deactivation of Girk channels on dendritic spines. In contrast, Rgs7 and Girk2 were associated but mainly segregated from GABAB1 in dendritic shafts, where Rgs7/Gβ5 signaling complexes might modulate Girk‐dependent signaling via a different metabotropic receptor(s). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wavelet-based denoising: A brief review

The denoising of Gaussian additive white noise is a classical problem in signal and image processing. In this paper, we classify the most important wavelet denoising methods into different categories and give a brief overview of each method classified. In general, the recently developed block matching and 3D filtering (BM3D) algorithm performs much better than other existing methods published in the literature. We recommend using this method for image denoising because it is currently one of the state-of-the-art denoising methods. The non-local means method and the optimal spatial adaptation (OSA) method are also very successful methods in image denoising.
On the association of glycoprotein Ib and actin-binding protein in human platelets

Glycoprotein (GP) Ib was purified from lysates of human platelets prepared in the presence or absence of inhibitors of the endogenous calcium-activated neutral protease (CANP) by immunoaffinity chromatography, employing the GPIb-specific murine monoclonal antibody, AP1, coupled to Sepharose CL4B. When derived from lysates prepared in the presence of EDTA or leupeptin, the eluate from the AP1-affinity column contained a 240,000-260,000-mol-wt protein in addition to GPIb. In SDS PAGE, this protein was stained by Coomassie Blue R, but not by the periodic acid-Schiff reagent, and it was not labeled with 125I in intact platelets by the lactoperoxidase-catalyzed method. When derived from lysates prepared in the absence of CANP inhibitors, the eluate contained only GPIb and its proteolytic derivative, glycocalicin. A change in the electrophoretic mobility of GPIb consistent with its association with the 240,000-260,000-mol-wt protein was confirmed by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. By an immunoblot technique involving transfer of proteins eluted from the AP1-affinity column and separated by SDS PAGE onto a nitrocellulose membrane, the 240,000-260,000-mol-wt protein bound polyclonal goat antibody raised against rabbit macrophage actin-binding protein (ABP). On the basis of these results, we conclude the GPIb is tightly associated with ABP under conditions in which the endogenous CANP is inhibited, and that this apparent transmembrane complex of GPIb-ABP can be isolated in lysates of nonactivated human platelets.
Risks of the emerging coronavirus, fathead minnow nidovirus (order: Nidovirales), on representative Great Lakes fish species

RISKS OF THE EMERGING CORONAVIRUS, FATHEAD MINNOW NIDOVIRUS (ORDER: NIDOVIRALES), ON REPRESENTATIVE GREAT LAKES FISH SPECIES By Ashley Marie Baird Since the initial isolation of the fathead minnow nidovirus (FHMNV), it has continued to be found in fathead minnows from several Midwestern states including Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois (Batts et al, 2012). Additionally, it has also been isolated from more species including hatchery raised muskellunge (chapter 2), golden shiner (McCann, 2012) and creek chub (Warg, personal communication). Previous work determined the muskellunge FHMNV isolate (MUS-WL) to be distinctly different from the index strain (chapter 2) which raised concerns regarding its host range and pathogenicity to muskellunge. Experimental infections via intraperitoneal (IP) injection were performed to screen the susceptibility of representative Great Lakes native cyprinids and piscivores to FHMNV. Any susceptible species were then screened for susceptibility to FHMNV by immersion techniques to mimic more natural modes of infection. Additional studies were performed to assess the pathogenicity of FHMNV to muskellunge specifically, including determination of the intraperitoneal median lethal dose (IP-LD50), and experimental infections by both immersion and ingestion of FHMNV infected fathead minnows. Details of the disease course including viral shedding and tissues targeted were also investigated. Clinical signs of susceptible species included petechial hemorrhages throughout the eyes, fins and skin, gill pallor, and liver pallor. Histopathologic analysis revealed lesions in the kidneys, spleen and liver of infected fish. FHMNV appears to cause major risks to native cyprinids, the baitfish industry, and muskellunge rehabilitation
Nutritional quality of fermented defatted soya and flaxseed flours and their effect on texture and sensory characteristics of wheat sourdough bread

The use of soya and flaxseed flours fermented with Pediococcus acidilactici for wheat sourdough bread production was investigated. The protein digestibility, biogenic amine contents of soya and flaxseed sourdoughs, texture and sensory features of bread were studied. The fermentation with P. acidilactici significantly improved soya and flaxseed protein extraction and increased protein digestibility on an average by 13.5%. The concentrations of histamine (3.8 ± 2.3 and 4.0 ± 0.2 mg/kg), tyramine (4.6 ± 0.7 and 19.3 ± 1.8 mg/kg) and putrescine (66.4 ± 1.3 and 11.3 ± 3.0 mg/kg) do not present a health risk for consumers due to their relatively low levels in fermented plant products. The flaxseed sourdoughs influenced a 17.5% higher specific volume and a 4.6% lower crumb hardness of bread than those of soya sourdoughs, and did not disimprove sensory properties of bread. However, the fermented soya additives decreased acceptability of bread because of intensive taste and odour.
A Systems Biology Approach Investigating the Effect of Probiotics on the Vaginal Microbiome and Host Responses in a Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of Post-Menopausal Women

A lactobacilli dominated microbiota in most pre and post-menopausal women is an indicator of vaginal health. The objective of this double blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study was to evaluate in 14 post-menopausal women with an intermediate Nugent score, the effect of 3 days of vaginal administration of probiotic L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 (2.5×109 CFU each) on the microbiota and host response. The probiotic treatment did not result in an improved Nugent score when compared to when placebo. Analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics profiling revealed that the relative abundance of Lactobacillus was increased following probiotic administration as compared to placebo, which was weakly associated with an increase in lactate levels. A decrease in Atopobium was also observed. Analysis of host responses by microarray showed the probiotics had an immune-modulatory response including effects on pattern recognition receptors such as TLR2 while also affecting epithelial barrier function. This is the first study to use an interactomic approach for the study of vaginal probiotic administration in post-menopausal women. It shows that in some cases multifaceted approaches are required to detect the subtle molecular changes induced by the host to instillation of probiotic strains. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02139839
Intracellular pathogens and the actin cytoskeleton.

Many pathogens actively exploit the actin cytoskeleton during infection. This exploitation may take place during entry into mammalian cells after engagement of a receptor and/or as series of signaling events culminating in the engulfment of the microorganism. Although actin rearrangements are a common feature of most internalization events (e.g. entry of Listeria, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, Neisseria, and Bartonella), bacterial and other cellular factors involved in entry are specific to each bacterium. Another step during which pathogens harness the actin cytoskeleton takes place in the cytosol, within which some bacteria (Listeria, Shigella, Rickettsia) or viruses (vaccinia virus) are able to move. Movement is coupled to a polarized actin polymerization process, with the formation of characteristic actin tails. Increasing attention has focused on this phenomenon due to its striking similarity to cellular events occurring at the leading edge of locomoting cells. Thus pathogens are convenient systems in which to study actin cytoskeleton rearrangements in response to stimuli at the plasma membrane or inside cells.
Constitutive/Hypoxic Degradation of HIF-α Proteins by the Proteasome Is Independent of von Hippel Lindau Protein Ubiquitylation and the Transactivation Activity of the Protein*

The transcriptional activator complex HIF-1 plays a key role in the long term adaptation of cells and tissues to their hypoxic microenvironment by stimulating the expression of genes involved in angiogenesis and glycolysis. The expression of the HIF-1 complex is regulated by the levels of its HIF-α subunits that are degraded under normoxic conditions by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Whereas this pathway of HIF-α protein degradation has been well characterized, little is known of their turnover during prolonged hypoxic conditions. Herein, we describe a pathway by which HIF-1α and HIF-2α proteins are constitutively degraded during hypoxia by the proteasome system, although without requirement of prior ubiquitylation. The constitutive/hypoxic degradation of HIF-α proteins is independent of the presence of VHL, binding to DNA, or the formation of a transcriptionally active HIF-1 complex. These results are further strengthened by the demonstration that HIF-α proteins are directly degraded in a reconstituted in vitro assay by the proteasome. Finally, we demonstrate that the persistent down-regulation of HIF-1α during prolonged hypoxia is mainly caused by a decreased production of the protein without change in its degradation rate. This constitutive, ubiquitin-independent proteasomal degradation pathway of HIF-α proteins has to be taken into account in understanding the biology as well as in the development of therapeutic interventions of highly hypoxic tumors.
Vesicular stomatitis virus-infected cells fuse when the intracellular pool of functional M protein is reduced in the presence of G protein

Five highly cytolytic strains of both Indiana and New Jersey serotypes of vesicular stomatitis virus were shown to induce cell fusion in BHK-21 and R(B77) cells. Inhibition of protein synthesis after the eclipse period of viral replication is a prerequisite for vesicular stomatitis virus-induced cell fusion. Pulse-chase experiments showed that inhibition of protein synthesis would lead to a drastic reduction in the intracellular pool of M protein as compared with other proteins. A temperature-sensitive mutant defective in M protein function (G31) was the only mutant of the five complementation groups to spontaneously induce polykaryocytes at the nonpermissive temperature. Previously, G protein has been shown to play a role in vesicular stomatitis virus-induced cell fusion. These results suggest that the combination of the presence of G protein on the virus-infected cell surface and the absence of functional M protein or a reduced level of intracellular M protein promotes cell fusion. On the basis of this study, we propose that vesicular stomatitis virus infection can induce cell fusion when the functional M protein pool declines to a critical level while G protein remains on the cell surface.
Psychometric and biohormonal indices of dental anxiety in children. A prospective cohort study

Abstract The stress of dental treatment often elicits negative emotions in children, expressed as dental fear or anxiety. Highly anxious children obstruct treatment and avoid therapy, further amplifying oral health problems. The aim of this study was to examine the neuroendocrine and autonomic nervous system responses to dental treatment and their possible interactions and associations with psychometric indices of anxiety, caries, previous dental experience, anesthesia, age and gender in school children. Upon informed consent, saliva was obtained from 97 children (59% males, mean age ± SD: 89.73 ± 15 months) in the Clinic of pediatric dentistry before treatment, immediately post-treatment and at the recall visit to determine cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) levels. Dental and general anxiety was assessed through specific questionnaires completed by the children. Compared to pre-treatment, cortisol levels were increased following treatment, while sAA levels were higher at the recall. Pre- and post-treatment cortisol and sAA responses were positively correlated. Dental and general anxiety questionnaire scores were also significantly correlated with each other. The integrated autonomic and neuroendocrine responses prior to treatment were correlated with state anxiety and those following treatment with dental anxiety. However, univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis associated post-treatment cortisol, but not sAA, levels with dental anxiety. No associations of cortisol or sAA responses with caries, age, gender, previous dental experience or anesthesia were detected. These data provide some evidence that both sAA and cortisol levels are altered in children in anticipation or during dental treatment, but only cortisol levels are associated to dental anxiety.
The Centre for International Mental Health Approach to Mental Health System Development

&NA; Although mental disorders are a major public health problem, the development of mental health services has been a low priority everywhere, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Recent years have seen a growing understanding of the importance of population mental health and increased attention to the need to develop mental health systems for responding to population mental health service needs. In countries and regions where mental health services are all but nonexistent, and in postconflict and postdisaster settings, there are many impediments to establishing or scaling up mental health services. It is frequently necessary to act simultaneously on multiple fronts: generating local evidence that will inform decision makers; developing a policy framework; securing investment; determining the most appropriate service model for the context; training and supporting mental health workers; establishing or expanding existing services; putting in place systems for monitoring and evaluation; and strengthening leadership and governance capabilities. This article presents the approach of the Centre for International Mental Health in the Melbourne School of Population Health to mental health system development, and illustrates the way in which the elements of the program are integrated by giving a brief case example from Sri Lanka.