Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple Representations of Space by the Cockroach, Periplaneta americana

When cockroaches are trained to a visual–olfactory cue pairing using the antennal projection response (APR), they can form different memories for the location of a visual cue. A series of experiments, each examining memory for the spatial location of a visual cue, were performed using restrained cockroaches. The first group of experiments involved training cockroaches to associate a visual cue (CS—green LED) with an odor cue (US) in the presence or absence of a second visual reference cue (white LED). These experiments revealed that cockroaches have at least two forms of spatial memory. First, it was found that during learning, the movements of the antennae in response to the odor influenced the cockroaches’ memory. If they use only one antenna, cockroaches form a memory that results in an APR being elicited to the CS irrespective of its location in space. When using both antennae, the cockroaches resulting memory leads to an APR to the CS that is spatially confined to within 15° of the trained position. This memory represents an egocentric spatial representation. Second, the cockroaches simultaneously formed a memory for the angular spatial relationships between two visual cues when trained in the presence of a second visual reference cue. This training provided the cockroaches an allocentric representation or visual snapshot of the environment. If both egocentric and the visual snapshot were available to the cockroach to localize the learned cue, the visual snapshot determined the behavioral response in this assay. Finally, the split-brain assay was used to characterize the cockroach’s ability to establish a memory for the angular relationship between two visual cues with half a brain. Split-brain cockroaches were trained to unilaterally associate a pair of visual cues (CS—green LED and reference—white LED) with an odor cue (US). Split-brain cockroaches learned the general arrangement of the visual cues (i.e., the green LED is right of the white LED), but not the precise angular relationship. These experiments provide new insight into spatial memory processes in the cockroach.
Communicating Online Diet-Nutrition Information and Influencing Health Behavioral Intention: The Role of Risk Perceptions, Problem Recognition, and Situational Motivation

Despite the concerns raised about the impact of online health information on users, research has not specifically explored different types of information behaviors people exhibit during the communicative process. In this article, we address this research gap by combining the Situational Theory of Problem Solving with considerations of multiple dimensions of risk perception, such as affective and deliberative. This study constructs a hypothetical model to explore how online users’ risk perceptions and information behaviors (information seeking, forefending, and forwarding) influence their health behavioral intention. A survey collected data from 1,463 participants at two healthcare centers in China. Based on the structural equation modeling, multiple dimensions of risk perception play a distinctive role in communicating online health information and forming health behavioral intention. Furthermore, information forwarding, an essential information behavior, influences deliberative risk perception more than information forefending, and it is a much better predictor of individuals’ health intention than information seeking. Implications and suggestions for health communication research are discussed.
DeepLink: A novel link prediction framework based on deep learning

Recently, link prediction has attracted more attention from various disciplines such as computer science, bioinformatics and economics. In link prediction, numerous information such as network topology, profile information and user-generated contents are considered to discover missing links between nodes. Whereas numerous previous researches had focused on the structural features of the networks for link prediction, recent studies have shown more interest in profile and content information, too. So, some of these researches combine structural and content information. However, some issues such as scalability and feature engineering need to be investigated to solve a few remaining problems. Moreover, most of the previous researches are presented only for undirected and unweighted networks. In this article, a novel link prediction framework named ‘DeepLink’ is presented, which is based on deep learning techniques. While deep learning has the advantage of extracting automatically the best features for link prediction, many other link prediction algorithms need manual feature engineering. Moreover, in the proposed framework, both structural and content information are employed. The framework is capable of using different structural feature vectors that are prepared by various link prediction methods. It learns all proximity orders that are presented on a network during the structural feature learning. We have evaluated the effectiveness of DeepLink on two real social network datasets, Telegram and irBlogs. On both datasets, the proposed framework outperforms several other structural and hybrid approaches for link prediction.
Computational approaches for high‐throughput single‐cell data analysis

During the past decade, the number of novel technologies to interrogate biological systems at the single‐cell level has skyrocketed. Numerous approaches for measuring the proteome, genome, transcriptome and epigenome at the single‐cell level have been pioneered, using a variety of technologies. All these methods have one thing in common: they generate large and high‐dimensional datasets that require advanced computational modelling tools to highlight and interpret interesting patterns in these data, potentially leading to novel biological insights and hypotheses. In this work, we provide an overview of the computational approaches used to interpret various types of single‐cell data in an automated and unbiased way.
Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Over the Frontal Polar Area on Motor and Executive Functions in Parkinson’s Disease; A Pilot Study

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with motor and non-motor symptoms due to degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. The current pharmacological treatments induce complications associated with long-term use. However, current stimulation techniques for PD treatment, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), are too invasive. In this context, non-invasive brain stimulation including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may be a safe and effective alternative treatment for PD. We previously reported that anodal tDCS over the frontal polar area (FPA) improved motor functions in heathy subjects. Therefore, in the present study, effects of tDCS over the FPA on motor and cognitive functions of PD patients were analyzed. Nine PD patients (3 men and 6 women) participated in this cross over study with three tDCS protocols; anodal, cathodal or sham tDCS over the FPA. Each tDCS protocol was applied for 1 week (5 times/week). Before and after each protocol, motor and cognitive functions of the patients were assessed using Unified PD Rating Scale [UPDRS (part III: motor examination)], Fugl Meyer Assessment set (FMA), Simple Test for Evaluating hand Function (STEF) and Trail Making Test A (TMT-A). The results indicated that anodal stimulation significantly decreased scores of motor disability in UPDRS-III compared with sham and cathodal stimulation, and significantly increased scores of motor functions in FMA compared with sham stimulation. Furthermore, anodal stimulation significantly decreased time to complete a motor task requiring high dexterity in STEF compared with those requiring low and medium levels of dexterity. In addition, anodal stimulation significantly decreased time to complete the TMT-A task, which requires executive functions, compared with sham stimulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical research reporting that tDCS over the FPA successfully improved the motor and non-motor functions in PD patients. These findings suggest that tDCS over the FPA might be a useful alternative for the treatment of PD patients.
High Wall Stress May Predict the Formation of Stent-Graft–Induced New Entries After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair

Purpose: To explore the potential role of morphological factors and wall stress in the formation of stent-graft–induced new entries (SINE) based on computed tomography (CT) images after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Case Report: Two female patients aged 59 years (patient 1) and 44 years (patient 2) underwent TEVAR for type B dissection in the chronic (patient 1) or subacute (patient 2) phase. CT scans at 3-month follow-up showed varying degrees of false lumen thrombosis in both patients. At 14-month follow-up, a SINE was observed in patient 1 while the dissected aorta in the other patient remained stable. Morphological and finite element analyses were performed based on the first follow-up CT images. The computational results showed that the SINE patient had higher stent-graft tortuosity than the non-SINE patient and much higher wall stress in the region close to the distal SINE. Conclusion: This case study suggests that high stent-graft tortuosity can lead to high wall stress, which is potentially linked to the formation of SINE. Further large population-based studies are needed to confirm this preliminary finding.
Baicalin prevents tumor necrosis factor‐α−induced apoptosis and dysfunction of pancreatic β‐cell line Min6 via upregulation of miR‐205

Baicalin (BAI), one major flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensis, possesses anticancer and anti‐inflammatory properties. However, the effect of BAI on diabetes mellitus has not been investigated. This study explored the antidiabetic effect of BAI on pancreatic β‐cell line Min6. Min6 cells were treated with tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) to mimic β‐cell destruction in type 1 diabetes mellitus. The effects of BAI on viability and apoptosis of Min6 cells were analyzed by the cell counting kit‐8 assay and Annexin V‐fluoresceine isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining method. The insulin secretion of Min6 cells was determined using radioimmunoassay. Expression of apoptosis‐associated proteins and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3ʹ‐kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and nuclear factor ΚB (NF‐κB) pathways were analyzed by Western blot analysis. Relative microRNA‐205 (miR‐205) expression was determined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. TNF‐α treatment inhibited cell growth and insulin secretion, but promoted iNOS expression. All of these effects were reversed by BAI treatment. BAI promoted viability; suppressed apoptosis; regulated caspase‐3, B‐cell lymphoma 2 and Bcl‐2‐associated X protein; decreased iNOS level; and increased insulin production. BAI protected Min6 cells by upregulating miR‐205. Besides, the Min6 cell‐protective effect of BAI was PI3K/AKT pathway and NF‐κB pathway dependent. BAI activated the PI3K/AKT pathway and inhibited the NF‐κB pathway by regulating miR‐205. In conclusion, BAI protected Min6 cells from TNF‐α‐induced injury by upregulating miR‐205, which acts, at least in part, via activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and inactivation of the NF‐κB pathway.
Association of Cytokines with Alanine Aminotransferase, Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen and Hepatitis B Envelope Antigen Levels in Chronic Hepatitis B

Background: Cytokines play an important role in occurrence and recovery of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of cytokines concentration and its correlation to alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (HBV-DNA), hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg), and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) in the development of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods: Thirteen healthy individuals (HI), 30 chronic HBV-infected patients in immune tolerant (IT) phase, and 55 CHB patients were enrolled between August 2015 and May 2017. The peripheral blood samples were collected from all individuals. The levels of interferon (IFN)-&agr;2, interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-&bgr;1, HBV-DNA, HBsAg, and HBeAg and liver function were measured. The quantitative determinations of cytokines levels, including IFN-&agr;2, IL-10, and TGF-&bgr;1 were performed using Luminex multiplex technology. The correlation of cytokines to ALT, HBV-DNA, HBsAg, and HBeAg was analyzed by linear regression analysis. Results: IFN-&agr;2 levels were similar between HI and IT groups (15.35 [5.70, 67.65] pg/ml vs. 15.24 [4.07, 30.73] pg/ml, Z = −0.610, P = 0.542), while it elevated significantly in CHB group (35.29 [15.94, 70.15] pg/ml vs. 15.24 [4.07, 30.73] pg/ml; Z = −2.522, P = 0.012). Compared with HI group (3.73 [2.98, 11.92] pg/ml), IL-10 concentrations in IT group (5.02 [2.98, 10.11] pg/ml), and CHB group (7.48 [3.10, 18.00] pg/ml) slightly increased (&khgr;2= 2.015, P = 0.365), and there was no significant difference between IT and CHB group (Z = −1.419, P = 0.156). The TGF-&bgr;1 levels among HI (3.59 ± 0.20 pg/ml), IT (3.62 ± 0.55 pg/ml), and CHB groups (3.64 ± 0.30 pg/ml) were similar (&khgr;2= 2.739, P = 0.254). In all chronic HBV-infected patients (including patients in IT and CHB groups), the elevation of IFN-&agr;2 level was significantly associated with ALT level (&bgr;= 0.389, t = 2.423, P = 0.018), and was also negatively correlated to HBV-DNA load (&bgr; = −0.358, t = −2.308, P = 0.024), HBsAg (&bgr; = −0.359, t = −2.288, P = 0.025), and HBeAg contents (&bgr; = −0.355, t = −2.258, P = 0.027). However, when both ALT level and cytokines were included as independent variable, HBV-DNA load, HBsAg, and HBeAg contents were only correlated to ALT level (&bgr; = −0.459, t = −4.225, P = 0.000; &bgr; = −0.616, t = −6.334, P = 0.000; and &bgr; = −0.290, t = −2.433, P = 0.018; respectively). Conclusions: IFN-&agr;2 elevation was associated with ALT level in patients with chronic HBV infection. However, in CHB patients, only ALT level was correlated to HBV-DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg contents.
Factors associated with frailty in older adults: a longitudinal study

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To determine the demographic and health factors related to the frailty syndrome in older adults. METHODS This is a longitudinal quantitative study carried out with 262 older adults aged 65 years and older, of both sexes, living at home. Data collection was carried out in Period 1 between October 2007 and February 2008, and in Period 2 between July and December 2013. For data collection, we used the sociodemographic profile instrument, the Edmonton Frail Scale, the Mini-Mental State Examination, the number of falls in the last 12 months, the number of self-reported diseases and used drugs, the Functional Independence Measure, and the Lawton and Brody Scale. We used descriptive statistics for data analysis, in the comparison of the means between periods, the nonparametric Wilcoxon test, and the method of Generalized Estimating Equations, which is considered an extension of the Generalized Linear Models with p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS Of the 515 participants, 262 completed the follow-up, with a predominance of females, older individuals, and those who had no partner; there was an increase in frail older adults. In the Generalized Estimating Equations analysis, frailty score was related to sociodemographic (increase in age, no partner, and low education level) and health variables (more diseases, drugs, falls, and decrease in functional capacity). There was an association between the variables of age (older), marital status (no partner), and loss of functional capacity. CONCLUSIONS Frailty syndrome was associated with increasing age, having no partner, and decreased functional capacity over time, and investments are required to prevent this syndrome and promote quality in aging.
Relationship between the structure and composition of rumen microorganisms and the digestibility of neutral detergent fibre in goats

Objective This experiment was conducted to compare the structure and composition of ruminal microorganisms in goats with high and low neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility. Methods Nineteen crossbred goats were used as experimental animals and fed the same total mixed rations during the 30-day pre-treatment and 6-day digestion trialperiods. All faeces were collected during the digestion period for measuring the NDF digestibility. Then, high and the low NDF digestibility individuals were chosen for the high NDF digestibility group (HFD) and low NDF digestibility group (LFD), respectively. Rumen contents were collected for total microbial DNA extraction. The V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified using universal primers of bacteria and sequenced using high-throughput sequencer. The sequences were mainly analysed by QIIME 1.8. 0. Results A total of 18,694 operational taxonomic units were obtained, within 81.98% belonged to bacteria, 6.64% belonged to archaea and 11.38% was unassigned microorganisms. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were the predominant microbial phyla in both groups. At the genus level, the relative abundance of fifteen microorganisms were significantly higher (p<0.05) and six microorganisms were extremely significantly higher (p<0.01) in LFD than HFD. Overall, 176 core shared genera were identified in the two groups. The relative abundance of 2 phyla, 5 classes, 10 orders, 13 families and 15 genera had a negative correlation with NDF digestibility, but only the relative abundance of Pyramidobacter had a positive correlation with NDF digestibility. Conclusion There were substantial differences in NDF digestibility among the individual goats, and the NDF digestibility had significant correlation with the relative abundance of some ruminal microorganisms.
Diastereoisomer-Specific Biotransformation of Hexabromocyclododecanes by a Mixed Culture Containing Dehalococcoides mccartyi Strain 195

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) stereoisomers may exhibit substantial differences in physicochemical, biological, and toxicological properties. However, there remains a lack of knowledge about stereoisomer-specific toxicity, metabolism, and environmental fate of HBCD. In this study, the biotransformation of (±)α-, (±)β-, and (±)γ-HBCD contained in technical HBCD by a mixed culture containing the organohalide-respiring bacterium Dehalococcoides mccartyi strain 195 was investigated. Results showed that the mixed culture was able to efficiently biotransform the technical HBCD mixture, with 75% of the initial HBCD (∼12 μM) in the growth medium being removed within 42 days. Based on the metabolites analysis, HBCD might be sequentially debrominated via dibromo elimination reaction to form tetrabromocyclododecene, dibromocyclododecadiene, and 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene. The biotransformation of the technical HBCD was likely diastereoisomer-specific. The transformation rates of α-, β-, and γ-HBCD were in the following order: α-HBCD > β-HBCD > γ-HBCD. The enantiomer fractions of (±)α-, (±)β-, and (±)γ-HBCD were maintained at about 0.5 during the 28 days of incubation, indicating a lack of enantioselective biotransformation of these diastereoisomers. Additionally, the amendment of another halogenated substrate tetrachloroethene (PCE), which supports the growth of strain 195, had a negligible impact on the transformation patterns of HBCD diastereoisomers and enantiomers. This study provided new insights into the stereoisomer-specific transformation patterns of HBCD by anaerobic microbes and has important implications for microbial remediation of anoxic environments contaminated by HBCD using the mixed culture containing Dehalococcoides.
Design and Development of Modified mRNA Encoding Core Antigen of Hepatitis C Virus: a Possible Application in Vaccine Production

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne pathogen, resulting in liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Despite of many efforts in development of treatments for HCV, no vaccine has been licensed yet. The purpose of this study was to design and prepare a specific mRNA, without 5’ cap and poly (A) tail transcribed in vitro capable of coding core protein and also to determine its functionality. Methods: Candidate mRNA was prepared by in vitro transcription of the designed construct consisting of 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions of heat shock proteins 70 (hsp70) mRNA, T7 promoter, internal ribosome entry site (IRES) sequences of eIF4G related to human dendritic cells (DCs), and the Core gene of HCV. To design the modified mRNA, the 5’ cap and poly (A) tail structures were not considered. DCs were transfected by in vitro-transcribed messenger RNA (IVT-mRNA) and the expressions of green fluorescent protein (GFP), and Core genes were determined by microscopic examination and Western blotting assay. Results: Cell transfection results showed that despite the absence of 5’ cap and poly (A) tail, the structure of the mRNA was stable. Moreover, the successful expressions of GFP and Core genes were achieved. Conclusion: Our findings indicated the effectiveness of a designed IVT-mRNA harboring the Core gene of HCV in transfecting and expressing the antigens in DCs. Considering the simple and efficient protocol for the preparation of this IVT-mRNA and its effectiveness in expressing the gene that it carries, this IVT-mRNA could be suitable for development of an RNA vaccine against HCV.
Memory bias training by means of the emotional short-term memory task

: According to major cognitive theories of emotional disorders cognitive biases are partly responsible for their onset and maintenance. The direct test of this assumption is possible only if experimental method capable of altering a given form of cognitive bias is available. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a novel implicit memory bias training procedure based on the emotional version of the classical Sternberg’s short-term memory task with negative, neutral and positive words. 108 participants, who completed the PANAS and the CES-D questionnaires, were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 33), the No-Negative group (n = 36), in which the target words in the Sternberg’s task were either positive or neutral but never negative or the Negative-New group (n = 39) in which the negative target words in the modified Sternberg’s task were always new. This training was followed by the recollection stage. Only one of the training protocols resulted in significant effects at the recall stage - individuals in the No-Negative group recalled more positive words and fewer negative words than those in the control group. These results show that it may be possible to experimentally induce memory bias characteristic of non-depressed individuals.
Longitudinal characteristics of resilience among adolescents: A high school student cohort study to assess the psychological impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake

Resilience, the ability to cope with disasters and significant life adversity, is an important factor to consider when studying the mental health of populations affected by a disaster. Although high school students in a community affected by a disaster should have specific characteristics of resilience, little has been reported on the issue. This study was designed to provide initial data regarding characteristics of the resilience of high school students affected by a catastrophe.