Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short communication Did certain chemoreceptors for host plant stimuli in the cabbage root fly evolve as pheromone receptors

Summary. The cabbage root fly possesses highly specialised and extremely sensitive receptors for ‘‘CIF’’, a group of compounds present on cabbage leaves in very small amounts, and the strongest oviposition stimulants known. Here we present evidence that the same receptors are sensitive to a methanol extract of cabbage root fly eggs, which may contain the fly’s host marking pheromone. Based on these results, the possible role of CIF in cabbage root fly behaviour and in cabbage plants is discussed.
Neural correlate of relief in the anterior cingulate cortex and ventral tegmental area

Information gained during goal pursuit motivates adaptive behaviour. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) supports adaptive behaviour, but how ACC signals are translated into motivational signals remains unclear. Rats implanted in the ACC and ventral tegmental area (VTA), a dopaminergic brain area implicated in motivation, were trained to run laps around a rectangular track for a fixed reward, where each lap varied in physical effort (a 30cm climbable barrier). Partial directed coherence analysis of local field potentials revealed that ACC theta (4-12 Hz) activity increased as rats entered the barrier-containing region of the maze on trials when the barrier was absent, and predicted similar changes in VTA theta. This did not occur on effortful, barrier-present trials. These data suggest that ACC provides a top-down modulating signal which can influence the motivation with which to pursue a reward, and which may be, in our task, a neural correlate of relief.
Design of A Multi-Channel MAC Protocol for Ad Hoc Wireless Networks

Typically, a device in an ad hoc wireless network has a tunable radio allowing it to listen or transmit on one channel at a time. To ensure maximum connectivity, all devices tune their radio to the same channel. However, as node density increases, the interference worsens, resulting in lower throughput per device. Some of the interference is unnecessary. Modern radios can often switch channels (i.e., tune to different frequencies). Given multiple available channels, devices in a neighborhood can potentially transmit on different channels simultaneously to increase the network throughput. This dissertation explores whether it is possible to exploit the existence of multiple channels and the ability of radios to switch between them quickly to increase network throughput without a central coordinator. The thesis starts by showing that if a radio can modulate the entire available spectrum, splitting it into smaller channels does not increase capacity. However, since there is always an engineering limit as to how wide a channel can be, multi-channel MAC should be viewed as an orthogonal and complementary way to increase throughput when more spectrum is available, without hardware changes. Existing multi-channel MAC protocols were classified into four categories based on their operation principle: Dedicated Control Channel, Split-phase, Common Hopping, and Parallel Rendezvous. These four approaches were compared through both analysis and simulation. All approaches apart from Parallel Rendezvous suffer from control channel congestion when channels are numerous and communication tend to be short. Using the best performing approach, Parallel Rendezvous, as a skeleton, we designed
Implicit but not explicit exposure to threat conditioned stimulus prevents spontaneous recovery of threat potentiated startle responses in humans

It has long been posited that threat learning operates and forms under an affective and a cognitive learning system that are supported by different brain circuits. A primary drawback in exposure-based therapies is the high rate of relapse when higher order inhibitory structures failed to inhibit the emotional responses driven by the defensive circuit. It has been shown that implicit exposure of fearful stimuli leads to a long-lasting reduction of avoidance behavior in patients with phobia through the facilitation of fear processing areas in the absence of subjective fear. Despite the potential benefits of this approach in the treatment of phobias and PTSD, implicit exposure to fearful stimuli is still under-investigated. Here, we used unconscious presentation of threat-conditioned stimuli in healthy humans, using a continuous flash suppression technique. We found that implicit exposure of a conditioned stimulus reduced, on the following day, defensive responses to the conditioned stimulus measured by threat-potentiated startle responses but not by the electrodermal activity. Our results suggest that implicit exposure using CFS might facilitate the modulation of the affective component of fearful memories, representing an important therapeutic target to further advance exposure-based psychotherapies.
A Dual-Supply Buck Converter with Improved Light-Load Efficiency

A Dual-Supply Buck Converter with Improved Light-Load Efficiency. (May 2011) Chao Zhang, B.S., Zhejiang University, China Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Edgar Sanchez-Sinencio Power consumption and device size have been placed at the primary concerns for battery-operated portable applications. Switching converters gain popularity in powering portable devices due to their high efficiency, compact sizes and high current delivery capability. However portable devices usually operate at light loads most of the time and are only required to deliver high current in very short periods, while conventional buck converter suffers from low efficiency at light load due to the switching losses that do not scale with load current. In this research, a novel technique for buck converter is proposed to reduce the switching loss by reducing the effective voltage supply at light load. This buck converter, implemented in TSMC 0. 18μm CMOS technology, operates with a input voltage of 3.3V and generates an output voltage of 0.9V, delivers a load current from 1mA to 400mA, and achieves 54% ~ 91% power efficiency. It is designed to work with a constant switching frequency of 3MHz. Without sacrificing output frequency spectrum or output ripple, an efficiency improvement of up to 20% is obtained at light load.
Modeling site-specific amino-acid preferences deepens phylogenetic estimates of viral divergence

Molecular phylogenetics is often used to estimate the time since the divergence of modern gene sequences. For highly diverged sequences, such phylogenetic techniques sometimes estimate surprisingly recent divergence times. In the case of viruses, independent evidence indicates that the estimates of deep divergence times from molecular phylogenetics are sometimes too recent. This discrepancy is caused in part by inadequate models of purifying selection leading to branch-length underestimation. Here we examine the effect on branch-length estimation of using models that incorporate experimental measurements of purifying selection. We find that models informed by experimentally measured site-specific amino-acid preferences estimate longer deep branches on phylogenies of influenza virus hemagglutinin. This lengthening of branches is due to more realistic stationary states of the models, and is mostly independent of the branch-length-extension from modeling site-to-site variation in amino-acid substitution rate. The branch-length extension from experimentally informed site-specific models is similar to that achieved by other approaches that allow the stationary state to vary across sites. However, the improvements from all of these site-specific but time-homogeneous and site-independent models are limited by the fact that a protein’s amino-acid preferences gradually shift as it evolves. Overall, our work underscores the importance of modeling site-specific amino-acid preferences when estimating deep divergence times—but also shows the inherent limitations of approaches that fail to account for how these preferences shift over time.
RiboTag translatomic profiling of Drosophila oenocytes under aging and oxidative stress

Background Aging is accompanied with loss of tissue homeostasis and accumulation of cellular damages. As one of the important metabolic centers, aged liver shows altered lipid metabolism, impaired detoxification pathway, increased inflammation and oxidative stress response. However, the mechanisms for these age-related changes still remain unclear. In fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, liver-like functions are controlled by two distinct tissues, fat body and oenocytes. Although the role of fat body in aging regulation has been well studied, little is known about how oenocytes age and what are their roles in aging regulation. To address these questions, we used cell-type-specific ribosome profiling (RiboTag) to study the impacts of aging and oxidative stress on oenocyte translatome in Drosophila. Results We show that aging and oxidant paraquat significantly increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in adult oenocytes of Drosophila, and aged oenocytes exhibited reduced sensitivity to paraquat treatment. Through RiboTag sequencing, we identified 3324 and 949 differentially expressed genes in oenocytes under aging and paraquat treatment, respectively. Aging and paraquat exhibit both shared and distinct regulations on oenocyte translatome. Among all age-regulated genes, mitochondrial, proteasome, peroxisome, fatty acid metabolism, and cytochrome P450 pathways were down-regulated, whereas DNA replication and glutathione metabolic pathways were up-regulated. Interestingly, most of the peroxisomal genes were down-regulated in aged oenocytes, including peroxisomal biogenesis factors and beta-oxidation genes. Further analysis of the oenocyte translatome showed that oenocytes highly expressed genes involving in liver-like processes (e.g., ketogenesis). Many age-related transcriptional changes in oenocytes are similar to aging liver, including up-regulation of Ras/MAPK signaling pathway and down-regulation of peroxisome and fatty acid metabolism. Conclusions Our oenocyte-specific translatome analysis identified many genes and pathways that are shared between Drosophila oenocytes and mammalian liver, highlighting the molecular and functional similarities between the two tissues. Many of these genes are altered in both aged oenocytes and aged liver, suggesting a conserved molecular mechanism underlying oenocyte and liver aging. Thus, our translatome analysis will contribute significantly to the understanding of oenocyte biology, and its role in lipid metabolism, stress response and aging regulation.
Edgewood's Kinship Support Network: Program Model and Client Characteristics

Edgewood’s Kinship Support Network: Program Model and Client Characteristics This article describes the development of the Kinship Support Network (KSN), focusing on the Case-managed Unit of the KSN program model. KSN provides community-based, casemanaged, supportive services to kinship caregivers, filling gaps in public social services. The article discusses strengths and weaknesses of privatizing public services and presents demographic data, needs and health information describing kin caregivers and relative children in their homes. Future research directions are suggested.
Bub1 is not required for the checkpoint response to unattached kinetochores in diploid human cells

Error-free chromosome segregation during mitosis depends on a functional spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). The SAC is a multi-component signaling system that is recruited to incorrectly attached kinetochores to catalyze the formation of a soluble inhibitor, known as the mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC), which binds and inhibits the anaphase promoting complex [1]. We have previously proposed that two separable pathways, composed of KNL1-Bub3-Bub1 (KBB) and Rod-Zwilch-Zw10 (RZZ), recruit Mad1-Mad2 complexes to human kinetochores to activate the SAC [2]. We refer to this as the dual pathway model. Although Bub1 is absolutely required for MCC formation in yeast (which lack RZZ), there is conflicting evidence as to whether this is also the case in human cells based on siRNA studies [2–5]. Here we report, using genome editing, that Bub1 is not strictly required for the SAC response to unattached kinetochores in human diploid hTERT-RPE1 cells, consistent with the dual pathway model.
The lipid environment determines the activity of the E. coli ammonium transporter, AmtB

The movement of ammonium across biological membranes is a fundamental process in all living organisms and is mediated by the ubiquitous Amt/Mep/Rh family of transporters. Recent structural analysis and coupled mass spectrometry studies have shown that the Escherichia coli ammonium transporter, AmtB, specifically binds phosphatidylglycerol (PG). Upon PG binding, several residues of AmtB undergo a small conformational change, which stabilizes the protein against unfolding. However, no studies have so far been conducted to explore if PG binding to AmtB has functional consequences. Here, we used an in vitro experimental assay with purified components together with molecular dynamics simulations to characterise the relation between PG binding and AmtB activity. Firstly, our results indicate that the function of Amt in archaebacteria and eubacteria may differ. Secondly, we show that PG is an essential cofactor for AmtB activity and that in the absence of PG AmtB cannot complete the full translocation cycle. Furthermore, our simulations reveal previously undiscovered PG binding sites on the intracellular side of the lipid bilayer between the AmtB subunits. The possible molecular mechanisms explaining the functional role of PG are discussed.
Zika Virus Trafficking and Interactions in the Human Male Reproductive Tract

Sexual transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) is a matter of great concern. Infectious viral particles can be shed in semen for as long as six months after infection and can be transferred to male and female sexual partners during unprotected sexual intercourse. The virus can be found inside spermatozoa and could be directly transferred to the oocyte during fertilization. Sexual transmission of ZIKV can contribute to the rise in number of infected individuals in endemic areas as well as in countries where the mosquito vector does not thrive. There is also the possibility, as has been demonstrated in mouse models, that the vaginal deposition of ZIKV particles present in semen could lead to congenital syndrome. In this paper, we review the current literature to understand ZIKV trafficking from the bloodstream to the human male reproductive tract and viral interactions with host cells in interstitial spaces, tubule walls, annexed glands and semen. We hope to highlight gaps to be filled by future research and potential routes for vaccine and antiviral development.
Converting speech into lip movements: a multimedia telephone for hard of hearing people

Presents the latest results of a research activity oriented to the development of a multimedia telephone for hard of hearing persons, based on the conversion of speech into graphic animation suitable to lipreading. The approach followed aims at the experimentation of a pilot telematic service for interpersonal communication, thus enlarging and improving the possibilities of social integration for hearing-impaired people. A preliminary prototype of the multimedia telephone has been integrated in a software demonstrator implemented on a Silicon Graphics workstation and is currently experimented in cooperation with FIADDA, the Italian Association of the parents of hearing-impaired children, to prove the feasibility of the system and the concrete possibility of providing new relay mediation services oriented to multimedia interpersonal communication for hard of hearing users. The developed algorithms rely on advanced methodologies in the field of nonlinear signal processing through neural network architectures, geometric modeling, computer graphics, and animation. Experimental results, although still preliminary, are encouraging and prove the system's feasibility. >
Unsupervised learning: An information theoretic framework

of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy UNSUPERVISED LEARNING: AN INFORMATION THEORETIC FRAMEWORK By Sudhir Madhav Rao August 2008 Chair: José C. Pŕıncipe Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering The goal of this research is to develop a simple and unified framework for unsupervised learning. As a branch of machine learning, this constitutes the most difficult scenario where a machine (or learner) is presented only with the data without any desired output or reward for the action it takes. All that the machine can do then, is to somehow capture all the underlying patterns and structures in the data at different scales. In doing so, the machine has extracted maximal information from the data in an unbiased manner, which it can then use as a feedback to learn and make decisions. Till now, the different facets of unsupervised learning namely, clustering, principal curves and vector quantization have been studied separately. This is understandable from the complexity of the field and the fact that no unified theory exists. Recent attempts to develop such a theory have been mired with complications. One of the issues is the imposition of models and structures on the data rather than extracting them directly through self organization of the data samples. Another reason is the lack of non-parametric estimators for information theoretic measures. Gaussian approximations generally follow, which fail to capture the higher order features in the data that are really of interest. In this thesis, we present a novel framework for unsupervised learning called The Principle of Relevant Entropy. By using concepts from information theoretic learning, we formulate this problem as a weighted combination of two terms an information
Influence of elevated CO2 on development and food utilization of target armyworm Mythimna separata fed on transgenic Bt maize infected by nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Bt crops will face a new ecological risk of reduced effectiveness against target-insect pests owing to the general decrease in exogenous-toxin content in Bt crops grown under elevated CO2. How to deal with this issue may affect the sustainability of transgenic crops as an effective pest management tool especially under future CO2 raising. In this study, azotobacters, as being one potential biological regulator to enhance crops’ nitrogen utilization efficiency, were selected and the effects of Bt maize and non-Bt maize infected by Azospirillum brasilense and Azotobacter chroococcum on development and food utilization of target Mythimna separate were studied under ambient and elevated CO2. The results indicated that azotobacter infection significantly increased larval life-span, pupal duration, RCR and AD of M. separata, and significantly decreased RGR, ECD and ECI of M. separata fed on Bt maize; There were opposite trends in development and food utilization of M. separata fed on non-Bt maize infected with azotobacters compared with the buffer control regardless of CO2 level. Presumably, the application of azotobacter infection could make Bt maize facing lower field hazards from the target pest of M. separate, and finally improve the resistance of Bt maize against target lepidoptera pests especially under elevated CO2. Summary statement Elevated CO2 effect on development and food utilization of target armyworm Mythimna separata fed on Bt maize infected by azotobacter, Azospirillum brasilense and Azotobacter chroococcum
Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever and West Nile Viruses Co-Circulation in Ogbomoso

Arboviruses are an emerging threat of significant impact on human health and well-being. With increasing proportion of the world living in urban environments, inadvertently, there is the creation of better habitats for vector species. This study is aimed at establishing the occurrence of arboviruses within Ogbomoso, with a view to providing baseline data for further study. Ninety-three plasma samples from consenting individuals in the age range 1-75 years were collected and screened for IgM to dengue fever (DENV), West Nile (WNV) and yellow fever (YFV) viruses using third generation Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (WKEA Med Supplies Corp, China) kits. An overall prevalence of 52.7% (49/93) were recorded from the recruited individuals. IgM antibodies to Dengue, Yellow fever and West Nile viruses were found in 16/49 (17.2%), 16/49 (17.2%) and 17/49 (18.3%), respectively. High prevalence were recorded in the age groups 16-30, 31-45 and 61-75 years. Gender analysis of the positive samples showed higher prevalence among females than males. The result also showed high prevalence in urban settings than rural settings for DENV and WNV, however, for YNF, higher prevalence was found in the rural area. The prevalence of dual and trio arboviral infection showed 17.2% and 11.8% respectively. This study confirms the circulation of Dengue fever, Yellow fever and West Nile viruses in Ogbomoso and therefore suggest the need for public awareness on vector control.
Cross-sectional white matter microstructure differences in aging and trait mindfulness

The process of aging can be characterized by a decline in cognitive performance, which may be accompanied by deterioration in specific structural properties of the brain. In this study we sought to investigate to what extent mindfulness changes over the aging process, and which alterations in brain structure can be associated to aging and concomitant changes in mindfulness. We collected Mindful Attention Awareness Scale questionnaire data to assess trait mindfulness and acquired diffusion-weighted imaging data fitted to the diffusion tensor model in a group of 97 middle-aged to elderly participants. Our results showed that trait mindfulness increased with age. In terms of white matter structure our results suggested that there was a general increase of omnidirectional diffusion, which favored radial over axial diffusivity, leading to a decrease in fractional anisotropy (FA) in older participants. We further showed that trait mindfulness mediated the FA-age effect in a localized area consisting of the internal and external capsule, as well as the corona radiata. The implication of this mediation analysis is that trait mindfulness may deter age-associated neurocognitive decline, perhaps by preventing age-associated microlesions specifically in cortico-subcortical white matter tracts. This study can be considered a pioneer of using DTI studies to investigate the relationship between age and trait mindfulness. Disclosure statement Conflict of Interest: The authors have no actual or potential conflicts of interest.