Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Semantic Space Segmentation for Content-Based Image Retrieval using SVM Decision Boundary and Principal Axis Analysis

—This paper presents a semantic space segmentation method for content-based image retrieval using the SVM decision boundary and principal axis analysis. Each object in an image has its activity scope, which conforms to semantic concept invariance. To find the maximum and fair activity scope for every object in an image in the best way is to discriminate the hidden semantic differences. A special property of SVM is known as maximum margin classifier, which simultaneously minimizes the empirical classification error and maximize the geometric margin. In this paper, the hidden semantic concepts based on the low-level features of region (object) will be found by using the Expectation-Maximization (EM) technique. The activity scope of each object and support vector will be decided by the SVM decision boundary and principal axis analysis which is used to construct a hyper-plane projection line with minimum inertia. Furthermore, a similarity measure, by integrating the high-level semantic distance and low-level features, is used to retrieve images. The proposed semantic learning scheme provides a way to bridge the gap between the high-level semantic concept and low-level features for content-based image retrieval. Experimental results show that the performance of the proposed method is excellent when compared with that of other methods.
Suppressive effect of paroxetine, a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor, on tetrahydrobiopterin levels and dopamine as well as serotonin turnover in the mesoprefrontal system of mice

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is a coenzyme of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), which are rate‐limiting enzymes of monoamine biosynthesis. According to the monoamine hypothesis of depression, antidepressants will restore the function of the brain monoaminergic system and the BH4 concentration. In the present study, we investigated the effect of paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), on the BH4 levels and dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5‐HT) turnover in the mesoprefrontal system, incorporating two risk factors of depression, social isolation and acute environmental change. Male ddY mice (8W) were divided into two housing groups, i.e., group‐housing (eight animals per cage; 28 days), and isolation‐housing (one per cage; 28 days), being p.o. ‐administered paroxetine (5 or 10 mg/kg; days 15–28), and exposed to a 20‐min novelty stress (day 28). The levels of BH4, DA, homovanilic acid (HVA), 5‐HT, and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) were measured in the prefrontal cortex and midbrain. In both the regions, novelty stress significantly increased BH4 levels under the isolation‐housing condition, whereas these levels were decreased under the group‐housing condition. Thus, social isolation altered the neurochemical response to novelty stress. Paroxetine significantly decreased BH4 levels under the isolation‐housing condition, whereas decreased HVA/DA and 5‐HIAA/5‐HT ratios were observed under the group‐housing condition. Thus, social isolation may have influenced the suppressive effects of paroxetine on BH4 levels as well as exerted an influence on DA and 5‐HT turnover. We replicated our recent findings that SSRI, fluvoxamine, suppressed BH4 levels, as well as DA and 5‐HT turnover in the mouse mesoprefrontal system. Synapse 61:698–706, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PRO40 Is a Scaffold Protein of the Cell Wall Integrity Pathway, Linking the MAP Kinase Module to the Upstream Activator Protein Kinase C

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are crucial signaling instruments in eukaryotes. Most ascomycetes possess three MAPK modules that are involved in key developmental processes like sexual propagation or pathogenesis. However, the regulation of these modules by adapters or scaffolds is largely unknown. Here, we studied the function of the cell wall integrity (CWI) MAPK module in the model fungus Sordaria macrospora. Using a forward genetic approach, we found that sterile mutant pro30 has a mutated mik1 gene that encodes the MAPK kinase kinase (MAPKKK) of the proposed CWI pathway. We generated single deletion mutants lacking MAPKKK MIK1, MAPK kinase (MAPKK) MEK1, or MAPK MAK1 and found them all to be sterile, cell fusion-deficient and highly impaired in vegetative growth and cell wall stress response. By searching for MEK1 interaction partners via tandem affinity purification and mass spectrometry, we identified previously characterized developmental protein PRO40 as a MEK1 interaction partner. Although fungal PRO40 homologs have been implicated in diverse developmental processes, their molecular function is currently unknown. Extensive affinity purification, mass spectrometry, and yeast two-hybrid experiments showed that PRO40 is able to bind MIK1, MEK1, and the upstream activator protein kinase C (PKC1). We further found that the PRO40 N-terminal disordered region and the central region encompassing a WW interaction domain are sufficient to govern interaction with MEK1. Most importantly, time- and stress-dependent phosphorylation studies showed that PRO40 is required for MAK1 activity. The sum of our results implies that PRO40 is a scaffold protein for the CWI pathway, linking the MAPK module to the upstream activator PKC1. Our data provide important insights into the mechanistic role of a protein that has been implicated in sexual and asexual development, cell fusion, symbiosis, and pathogenicity in different fungal systems.
Replication Study and Meta-Analysis of Human Nonobstructive Azoospermia in Japanese Populations1

ABSTRACT Recently, a Chinese genomewide association study (GWAS) identified four autosomal single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci as being significantly associated with risk factors for nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA; P < 5 × 10−8). In the present study, we performed a replication study on two Japanese cohorts from different institutions in order to evaluate whether SNP loci are associated with NOA. The four SNPs (rs12097821, rs2477686, rs10842262, and rs6080550) reported in the Chinese GWAS were genotyped in 490 NOA patients and 1167 controls. To assess the significance of the associations between each of the four SNPs and NOA in the Japanese population, the association results for the two cohorts were combined by meta-analysis. In the meta-analysis, the combined per-allele odds ratios (ORs) for the four SNPs and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were as follows: rs12097821, OR = 1.10 (CI = 0.89–1.37); rs2477686, OR = 1.11 (CI = 0.87–1.43); rs10842262, OR = 1.11 (CI = 0.94–1.32); and rs6080550, OR = 0.96 (CI = 0.76–1.21). None of the SNPs was significantly associated with NOA (P > 0.05). However, three of four SNPs (rs12097821, rs2477686, and rs10842262) showed associations in the same direction in Japanese men as those reported in the Chinese GWAS. To determine whether the four SNPs are genetic risk factors for NOA, the effect sizes of NOA risk factors require further investigation using larger independent sets of case-control samples of populations, including Japanese and Chinese populations.
HIV/AIDS prevention through peer education and support in secondary schools in South Africa

The implementation and evaluation of a peer education and support programme in secondary schools to prevent and reduce high-risk sexual behaviour amongst adolescents is discussed. The aims of the programme were to provide accurate information about HIV/AIDS, discuss and reconsider peer group norms, and establish support for learners. In the programme that was implemented in 13 secondary schools in Tshwane, South Africa, peer educators were identified, trained and supported to implement the programme in their schools with the assistance of a teacher and postgraduate students as facilitators. Peer educators organised HIV awareness activities, facilitated class discussions on risk behaviour and gender relationships, and supported learners in solving personal problems. Process evaluation included weekly reports and focus group discussions with peer educators and teachers. A quasiexperimental design involving an experimental and control group, as well as pre- and post-assessments, was used to evaluate the impact of the programme on psychological well-being, personal control, school climate and reported high-risk behaviour of learners aged between 13 and 20 years. The results showed that the percentage of learners in the experimental group who were sexually experienced remained unchanged over the time period of 18 months. In contrast, a significantly increased percentage of learners in the control group were sexually experienced after the same time period. The control group also perceived more of their friends to be sexually experienced. No differences were reported in condom use in either of the groups. The findings of this study suggest that peer education can contribute to a delayed onset of sexual activity, and can therefore contribute to the prevention of HIV/AIDS amongst adolescents.
Fluticasone Propionate Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Proinflammatory Response in Human Cystic Fibrosis Airway Grafts

Airway inflammation, one of the major factors leading to lung damage in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, is associated with an abnormal increase in proinflammatory cytokines. In this work, we demonstrate the increased release of the proinflammatory cytokines after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation: human interleukin (hIL)-8 in CF and non-CF airway xenografts, and hIL-6 and human growth-related oncogene-α (hGRO-α), which could be only analyzed in non-CF xenografts. Under basal conditions, we observed that hIL-8 was higher in CF xenografts compared with non-CF. We also report the anti-inflammatory effect of a glucocorticoid, fluticasone propionate (FP), on CF airway epithelium using a humanized model of airway inflammation developed in nude mice. In CF and non-CF tracheal xenografts, airway inflammation was induced by inoculatingPseudomonas aeruginosa LPS (4 h; 1 μg/ml) in the lumen of the xenografts. FP pretreatment (2 h; 10−8 M) followed by P. aeruginosa LPS stimulation induced a significant reduction of LPS-induced hIL-8 release in airway liquid collected from CF and non-CF tracheal xenografts (85 and 80%, respectively). In non-CF tracheal xenografts, FP treatment before LPS stimulation induced a significant decrease in hIL-6 and hGRO-α. From these data, we suggest that FP exerts anti-inflammatory properties that may be appropriate to CF therapy, at an early stage of the disease. In addition, these results demonstrate that the humanized airway model of inflammation provides a relevant tool for analyzing the effects of anti-inflammatory drugs in different diseases in which airway inflammation is implicated.
Properties of GGBS-Bitumen Emulsion Systems with Recycled Aggregates

ABSTRACT A range of storage grade macadams composed of recycled aggregates from various sources and bound by bitumen emulsion and Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS) was investigated. Previous work suggests that certain properties of bitumen emulsion mixtures may be enhanced by the addition of a cementitious binder. This paper focuses on the contribution of the bituminous and GGBS components to the mechanical properties of cold mixtures in different environments. The results show that the inclusion of GGBS may enhance stiffness and strength development in high humidity conditions whilst the bitumen emulsion renders the mixtures more ductile and maintains shelf life.
Behavior of symmetrically haunched non-prismatic members subjected to temperature changes

When the temperature of a structure varies, there is a tendency to produce changes in the shape of the structure. The resulting actions may be of considerable importance in the analysis of the structures having non-prismatic members. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the modeling, analysis and behavior of the non-prismatic members subjected to temperature changes with the aid of finite element modeling. The fixed-end moments and fixed-end forces of such members due to temperature changes were computed through a comprehensive parametric study. It was demonstrated that the conventional methods using frame elements can lead to significant errors, and the deviations can reach to unacceptable levels for these types of structures. The design formulas and the dimensionless design coefficients were proposed based on a comprehensive parametric study using two-dimensional plane-stress finite element models. The fixed-end actions of the non-prismatic members having parabolic and straight haunches due to temperature changes can be determined using the proposed approach without necessitating a detailed finite element model solution. Additionally, the robust results of the finite element analyses allowed examining the sources and magnitudes of the errors in the conventional analysis.
Induced defense responses in tomato against bacterial spot by proteins synthesized by endophytic bacteria

Some endophytes can synthesize molecules that elicit the induction of plant resistance to infection by pathogens. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that protein fractions 42 and 75 from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus pumilus were capable of acting as elicitors of induced resistance in tomato plants against Xanthomonas vesicatoria, following partial resolution by gel-filtration chromatography. Tomato plants sprayed with protein fractions 42 and 75 reduced, respectively, 63.5 and 56.6% of bacterial spot, compared with control plants. Additionally, these fractions promoted the increase of peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activities in treated plants. In SDS-PAGE stained with silver nitrate, protein fractions 42 and 75 appeared as simple bands with estimated molecular mass of 28 and 43 kDa, respectively. We report the partial characterization of two macromolecules synthesized by endophytic bacteria that act as elicitors of systemic resistance in tomato against X. vesicatoria.
Social and physical environments early in development predict DNA methylation of inflammatory genes in young adulthood

Significance Environments in infancy and childhood influence levels of inflammation in adulthood—an important risk factor for multiple diseases of aging—but the underlying biological mechanisms remain uncertain. Using data from a unique cohort study in the Philippines with a lifetime of information on each participant, we provide evidence that nutritional, microbial, and psychosocial exposures in infancy and childhood predict adult levels of DNA methylation—biochemical marks on the genome that affect gene expression—in genes that regulate inflammation. We also show that DNA methylation in these genes relates to levels of inflammatory biomarkers implicated in cardiovascular and other diseases. These results suggest that epigenetic mechanisms may partially explain how early environments have enduring effects on inflammation and inflammation-related diseases. Chronic inflammation contributes to a wide range of human diseases, and environments in infancy and childhood are important determinants of inflammatory phenotypes. The underlying biological mechanisms connecting early environments with the regulation of inflammation in adulthood are not known, but epigenetic processes are plausible candidates. We tested the hypothesis that patterns of DNA methylation (DNAm) in inflammatory genes in young adulthood would be predicted by early life nutritional, microbial, and psychosocial exposures previously associated with levels of inflammation. Data come from a population-based longitudinal birth cohort study in metropolitan Cebu, the Philippines, and DNAm was characterized in whole blood samples from 494 participants (age 20–22 y). Analyses focused on probes in 114 target genes involved in the regulation of inflammation, and we identified 10 sites across nine genes where the level of DNAm was significantly predicted by the following variables: household socioeconomic status in childhood, extended absence of a parent in childhood, exposure to animal feces in infancy, birth in the dry season, or duration of exclusive breastfeeding. To evaluate the biological significance of these sites, we tested for associations with a panel of inflammatory biomarkers measured in plasma obtained at the same age as DNAm assessment. Three sites predicted elevated inflammation, and one site predicted lower inflammation, consistent with the interpretation that levels of DNAm at these sites are functionally relevant. This pattern of results points toward DNAm as a potentially important biological mechanism through which developmental environments shape inflammatory phenotypes across the life course.
Pretreatments of Natural Fibers and their Application as Reinforcing Material in Polymer Composites—A Review

In recent years, natural fibers reinforced composites have received much attention because of their lightweight, nonabrasive, combustible, nontoxic, low cost and biodegradable properties. Among the various natural fibers; flax, bamboo, sisal, hemp, ramie, jute, and wood fibers are of particular interest. A lot of research work has been performed all over the world on the use of natural fibers as a reinforcing material for the preparation of various types of composites. However, lack of good interfacial adhesion, low melting point, and poor resistance towards moisture make the use of natural fiber reinforced composites less attractive. Pretreatments of the natural fiber can clean the fiber surface, chemically modify the surface, stop the moisture absorption process, and increase the surface roughness. Among the various pretreatment techniques, graft copolymerization and plasma treatment are the best methods for surface modification of natural fibers. Graft copolymers of natural fibers with vinyl monomers provide better adhesion between matrix and fiber. In the present article, the use of pretreated natural fibers in polymer matrix-based composites has been reviewed. Effect of surface modification of natural fibers on the properties of fibers and fiber reinforced polymer composites has also been discussed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Particle Characteristics and Biodistribution of Camptothecin-Loaded PLA/(PEG-PPG-PEG) Nanoparticles

Poly(DL-lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly (propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer (PEG-PPG-PEG) nanoparticles loaded with camptothecin (CPT), called CPT-NP, were prepared and examined for particle size change and drug release in phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4, (PBS), and drug biodistribution profiles in mice bearing sarcoma 180 solid tumor. CPT-NP kept an almost constant mean size and exhibited an initial rapid release of approximately 20%, following by very slow release. As compared with CPT solution, CPT-NP showed higher tissue accumulation and better tumor localization, which were considered essentially associated with the better efficacy of CPT-NP reported in the previous study.
In vitro reconstitution of Bluetongue virus infectious cores

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a vector-borne, nonenveloped icosahedral particle that is organized in two capsids, an outer capsid of two proteins, VP2 and VP5, and an inner capsid (or core) composed of two major proteins, VP7 and VP3, in two layers. The VP3 layer (subcore) encloses viral transcription complex (VP1 polymerase, VP4 capping enzyme, VP6 helicase) and a 10-segmented double-stranded (dsRNA) genome. Although much is known about the BTV capsids, the order of the core assembly and the mechanism of genome packaging remain unclear. Here, we established a cell-free system to reconstitute subcore and core structures with the proteins and ssRNAs, demonstrating that reconstituted cores are infectious in insect cells. Furthermore, we showed that the BTV ssRNAs are essential to drive the assembly reaction and that there is a distinct order of internal protein recruitment during the assembly process. The in vitro engineering of infectious BTV cores is unique for any member of the Reoviridae and will facilitate future studies of RNA-protein interactions during BTV core assembly.
Struvite Precipitation for Ammonia Nitrogen Removal in 7-Aminocephalosporanic Acid Wastewater

7-Aminocephalosporanic acid wastewater usually contains high concentrations of ammonium (NH4+-N), which is known to inhibit nitrification during biological treatment processes. Chemical precipitation is a useful technology to remove ammonium from wastewater. In this paper, the removal of ammonium from 7-aminocephalosporanic acid wastewater was studied. The optimum pH, molar ratio, and various chemical compositions of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) precipitation were investigated. The results indicated that ammonium in 7-aminocephalosporanic acid wastewater could be removed at an optimum pH of 9. The Mg2+:NH4+-N:PO43−-P molar ratio was readily controlled at a ratio of 1:1:1.1 to both effectively remove ammonium and avoid creating a higher concentration of PO43−-P in the effluent. MgCl2·6H2O + 85% H3PO4 was the most efficient combination for NH4+-N removal. Furthermore, the lowest concentration of the residual PO43−-P was obtained with the same combination. Struvite precipitation could be considered an effective technology for the NH4+-N removal from the 7-aminocephalosporanic acid wastewater.
Na Self Inhibition of Human Epithelial Na Channel

The regulation of the open probability of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) by the extracellular concentration of Na+, a phenomenon called “Na+ self inhibition,” has been well described in several natural tight epithelia, but its molecular mechanism is not known. We have studied the kinetics of Na+ self inhibition on human ENaC expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Rapid removal of amiloride or rapid increase in the extracellular Na+ concentration from 1 to 100 mM resulted in a peak inward current followed by a decline to a lower quasi-steady-state current. The rate of current decline and the steady-state level were temperature dependent and the current transient could be well explained by a two-state (active-inactive) model with a weakly temperature-dependent (Q10act = 1.5) activation rate and a strongly temperature-dependant (Q10inact = 8.0) inactivation rate. The steep temperature dependence of the inactivation rate resulted in the paradoxical decrease in the steady-state amiloride-sensitive current at high temperature. Na+ self inhibition depended only on the extracellular Na+ concentration but not on the amplitude of the inward current, and it was observed as a decrease of the conductance at the reversal potential for Na+ as well as a reduction of Na+ outward current. Self inhibition could be prevented by exposure to extracellular protease, a treatment known to activate ENaC or by treatment with p-CMB. After protease treatment, the amiloride-sensitive current displayed the expected increase with rising temperature. These results indicate that Na+ self inhibition is an intrinsic property of sodium channels resulting from the expression of the α, β, and γ subunits of human ENaC in Xenopus oocyte. The extracellular Na+-dependent inactivation has a large energy of activation and can be abolished by treatment with extracellular proteases.