Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ex Vivo Cardiotoxicity of Antineoplastic Casiopeinas Is Mediated through Energetic Dysfunction and Triggered Mitochondrial-Dependent Apoptosis

Casiopeinas are a group of copper-based antineoplastic molecules designed as a less toxic and more therapeutic alternative to cisplatin or Doxorubicin; however, there is scarce evidence about their toxic effects on the whole heart and cardiomyocytes. Given this, rat hearts were perfused with Casiopeinas or Doxorubicin and the effects on mechanical performance, energetics, and mitochondrial function were measured. As well, the effects of Casiopeinas-triggered cell death were explored in isolated cardiomyocytes. Casiopeinas III-Ea, II-gly, and III-ia induced a progressive and sustained inhibition of heart contractile function that was dose- and time-dependent with an IC50 of 1.3 ± 0.2, 5.5 ± 0.5, and 10 ± 0.7 μM, correspondingly. Myocardial oxygen consumption was not modified at their respective IC50, although ATP levels were significantly reduced, indicating energy impairment. Isolated mitochondria from Casiopeinas-treated hearts showed a significant loss of membrane potential and reduction of mitochondrial Ca2+ retention capacity. Interestingly, Cyclosporine A inhibited Casiopeinas-induced mitochondrial Ca2+ release, which suggests the involvement of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening. In addition, Casiopeinas reduced the viability of cardiomyocytes and stimulated the activation of caspases 3, 7, and 9, demonstrating a cell death mitochondrial-dependent mechanism. Finally, the early perfusion of Cyclosporine A in isolated hearts decreased Casiopeinas-induced dysfunction with reduction of their toxic effect. Our results suggest that heart cardiotoxicity of Casiopeinas is similar to that of Doxorubicin, involving heart mitochondrial dysfunction, loss of membrane potential, changes in energetic metabolites, and apoptosis triggered by mitochondrial permeability.
A Review on EEG-Based Automatic Sleepiness Detection Systems for Driver

Electroencephalography-based sleepiness detection system (ESDS) is a brain-computer interface that evaluates a driver’s sleepiness level directly from cerebral activity. The goals of ESDS research are to estimate and produce a timely warning to prevent declines in performance efficiency and to inhibit sleepiness-related accidents. We first, review different types of measures used in sleepiness detection systems (SDSs) and presents their advantages and drawbacks. Second, the review includes several techniques proposed in ESDSs to optimize the number of EEG electrodes, increasing the sleepiness level resolution and incorporation of circadian information. Finally, the review discusses future direction that can be considered in the development of ESDS.
Immediate effects of temporary bite-raising with light-cured orthodontic band cement on the electromyographic response of masticatory muscles

Abstract Objective: To assess the immediate effects of temporary bite-raising using light-cured orthodontic band cement on the superficial masseter and anterior temporalis electromyography (EMG) activity in healthy adults. Materials and Methods: Surface EMG signals were recorded bilaterally from the superficial masseter and anterior temporalis muscles of 30 volunteers with a normal occlusion, before and after having temporary bite-raising. The bite-raising was done by adding light-cured orthodontic band cement (3x5x2 mm WxLxH) on the lingual cusps of both upper first molars. The measurements were recorded (i) at rest, (ii) while clenching in centric occluding position and (iii) while chewing on an artificial test food. The EMG activity at rest and during clenching, the maximum voltage, and the duration of the identified EMG signal burst while chewing the artificial test food before and after temporary bite-raising were statistically compared using the paired t-test or the Wilcoxon signed-rank test based on the normality of the variables. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: After temporary bite-raising, we found no significant change in integral EMG activity at rest position for the superficial masseter (mean difference (MD)=7.5 μVs) and for the anterior temporalis muscle (MD=36.8 μVs); however, the integral EMG activity during clenching was significantly reduced for the superficial masseter (MD=201.2 μVs) and for the anterior temporalis muscle (MD=151.8 μVs). During mastication, the maximum voltage of the identified burst was significantly reduced on the preferred chewing side of the superficial masseter and anterior temporalis muscles (MD=127.9 and 47.7 μV, respectively), while no significant change was found for the duration of the identified burst (MD=-34.1 and 3.4 ms, respectively) after temporary bite-raising. Conclusion: The results point to an altered neuromuscular behavior during clenching and chewing immediately after temporary bite-raising with light-cured orthodontic band cement. This information is relevant for orthodontists to inform their patients what will happen to their masticatory muscle activity when this bite-raising method is used.
Lightweight Pyramid Networks for Image Deraining

Existing deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have found major success in image deraining, but at the expense of an enormous number of parameters. This limits their potential applications, e.g., in mobile devices. In this paper, we propose a lightweight pyramid networt (LPNet) for single-image deraining. Instead of designing a complex network structure, we use domain-specific knowledge to simplify the learning process. In particular, we find that by introducing the mature Gaussian–Laplacian image pyramid decomposition technology to the neural network, the learning problem at each pyramid level is greatly simplified and can be handled by a relatively shallow network with few parameters. We adopt recursive and residual network structures to build the proposed LPNet, which has less than 8K parameters while still achieving the state-of-the-art performance on rain removal. We also discuss the potential value of LPNet for other low- and high-level vision tasks.
Physiological and oncogenic roles of the PRL phosphatases

The human Phosphatase of Regenerative Liver (PRL) family comprises three members (PRL‐1, ‐2, ‐3; gene name PTP4A1, PTP4A2, PTP4A3) that are highly expressed in a majority of cancers. This review summarizes our current understanding of PRL biology, including an overview of their evolutionary relationships and the regulatory mechanisms controlling their expression. We provide an updated view on our current knowledge on the PRL functions in solid tumors, hematological cancer, and normal physiology, particularly emphasizing on the use of in vivo mouse models. We also highlight a novel relationship positioning PRL as a central node controlling magnesium homeostasis through an association with the CNNM proteins, which are involved in magnesium transport.
A new technique for the selective measurement of atmospheric peroxy radical concentrations of HO 2 and RO 2 using a denuding method

Abstract. A technique for the selective measurement of atmospheric HO2 and RO2 using peroxy radical chemical amplification coupled to laser-induced fluorescence NO2 detection (PERCA-LIF) is demonstrated. By pulling the air through a filled pre-inlet advantage can be taken of the higher heterogeneous loss rate of HO2 relative to CH3O2. Pre-inlet conditions have been found where ca. 90% of HO2 was removed whereas the comparable CH3O2 loss was 15%. The dependence of loss rate on humidity and peroxy radical concentration has been investigated. When using glass beads as the surface for peroxy radical removal, the influence of the relative humidity on the removal efficiency becomes negligible. It may therefore be possible to apply this technique to the measurement of absolute concentrations of solely RO2 as well as the sum of HO2 and RO2. The practical utility of the PERCA-LIF coupled to a denuder has been demonstrated with atmospheric measurements.
Macro determinants of U.S. stock market risk premia in bull and bear markets

This research uses macro factors to explain four standard U.S. stock market risk premia, i.e. the market excess return (RM-RF), size (SMB), value (HML), and momentum (WML). We find in-sample predictive power of macro factors, in particular at a one-year horizon. Differentiating between bull and bear market states roughly doubles forecast performance compared to neglecting market states. All four stock market risk premia can be explained with R-squares of 10% to 25%. However, macro factors have limited predictive power in a true out-of-sample setting.
Tumor-associated calreticulin variants functionally compromise the peptide loading complex and impair its recruitment of MHC-I

Major histocompatibility complex-I–β2m dimers (MHC-I) bind peptides derived from intracellular proteins, enabling the immune system to distinguish between normal cells and those expressing pathogen-derived or mutant proteins. The peptides bind to MHC-I in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and this binding is facilitated by the peptide loading complex (PLC), which contains calreticulin (CRT). CRT associates with MHC-I via a conserved glycan present on MHC-I and recruits it to the PLC for peptide binding. Somatic frameshift mutations in CRT (CRT-FS) drive the proliferation of a subset of myeloproliferative neoplasms, which are chronic blood tumors. All CRT-FS proteins have a C-terminal sequence lacking the normal ER-retention signal and possessing a net negative charge rather than the normal positive charge. We characterized the effect of CRT-FS on antigen presentation by MHC-I in human cells. Our results indicate that CRT-FS cannot mediate CRT's peptide loading function in the PLC. Cells lacking CRT exhibited reduced surface MHC-I levels, consistent with reduced binding of high-affinity peptides, and this was not reversed by CRT-FS expression. CRT-FS was secreted and not detectably associated with the PLC, leading to poor MHC-I recruitment, although CRT-FS could still associate with MHC-I in a glycan-dependent manner. The addition of an ER-retention sequence to CRT-FS restored its association with the PLC but did not rescue MHC-I recruitment or its surface expression, indicating that the CRT-FS mutants functionally compromise the PLC. MHC-I down-regulation permits tumor cells to evade immune surveillance, and these findings may therefore be relevant for designing effective immunotherapies for managing myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Lipase activity in Swedish raw milk

Bovine milk contains several enzymes which can affect the quality of milk. One of these enzymes are lipases which hydrolyse the triacylglycerides in milk. In this process off-flavours, odour and product defects are generated. By controlling the enzymes activity, milk quality can be increased and therefore milk and dairy products can be stored for a longer time. This is desirable since the world demand for long shelf-life milk and milk products is increasing. To monitor the quality of raw milk and control the enzyme activity, a well-functioning method to detect lipase activity is desired. Thus, the aim of this thesis was to investigate and improve an existing method to determine lipolytic activity which is based on a fluorescent approach. With this method, a sensitive fluorescent measurement of the lipase activity directly in the natural milk environment is possible. Once the method was evolved, raw milk samples from different regions in Sweden and from different origins, i.e. farm and dairy, were investigated and evaluated for possible differences in lipase activity. No significant difference was found between samples from farm and dairy origins. Between the different regions a significant difference was discovered. The lowest lipase activity in milk was found in milk from the south (Skanemejerier) followed by milk from the mid region of Sweden (Arla) and the highest lipase activity was seen in milk from the north (Norrmejerier). The lipase activity was also correlated to other previously measured properties of the milk. A significant negative correlation to some long chain fatty acids could be seen. This indicates that long chain fatty acids inhibit lipase activity in the milk which has previously been observed in the adipose tissue of rats and in goats milk. The long chain fatty acid content in milk can be influenced by the feed. Thus, the results of this thesis indicate that the raw milk quality could be improved by increasing the amount of long chain fatty acids in the milk through the feed and thereby reduce lipase activity. (Less)
Integrating Facebook in the Classroom: Pedagogical Dilemmas.

Social networking sites (SNS) such as Facebook remain prolific on college campuses across the country and touches on various aspects of collegiate life, including the classroom. This case study examines student usage of Facebook, its potential impact on faculty interaction, and institutional policy. After providing a literature review and context for the case study, the case study delineates a situation where the integration of an SNS can complicate the pedagogical environment when used as a communication median for not only administrators and faculty, but various stakeholders in higher education. How would an institution handle such complications, such as student appeals in cases where a faculty member integrated a nonuniversity supported SNS as a pedagogical tool in the classroom? Although a large number of college students are using Facebook, it remains a social, not academic, median, enabling them to communicate with friends, relatives and other students. SNSs like Facebook show no indication of lower popularity. Given the dynamics, faculty may be tempted to meet students on their turf to facilitate engagement, but at what costs and liability?
Search for Gamma-ray Emission from Dark Matter Annihilation in the Small Magellanic Cloud with the Fermi Large Area Telescope

The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is the second-largest satellite galaxy of the Milky Way and is only 60 kpc away. As a nearby, massive, and dense object with relatively low astrophysical backgrounds, it is a natural target for dark matter indirect detection searches. In this work, we use six years of Pass 8 data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope to search for gamma-ray signals of dark matter annihilation in the SMC. Using data-driven fits to the gamma-ray backgrounds, and a combination of N-body simulations and direct measurements of rotation curves to estimate the SMC DM density profile, we found that the SMC was well described by standard astrophysical sources, and no signal from dark matter annihilation was detected. We set conservative upper limits on the dark matter annihilation cross section. These constraints are in agreement with stronger constraints set by searches in the Large Magellanic Cloud and approach the canonical thermal relic cross section at dark matter masses lower than 10 GeV in the $b\bar{b}$ and $\tau^+\tau^-$ channels.
PbsB Regulates Morphogenesis, Aflatoxin B1 Biosynthesis, and Pathogenicity of Aspergillus flavus

As an opportunistic pathogen, Aspergillus flavus is one of the major causes of food contamination around the world. In this study, pbsB gene knockout mutant (ΔpbsB) and pbsB overexpression strain (OE) of A. flavus were constructed by homologous recombination. The results showed that the mycelia growth, conidiation, and the formation of sclerotia in ΔpbsB mutant were significantly suppressed, and up-regulated in OE strian compared to wild-type strain (WT). Q-PCR analysis showed that PbsB regulated the sclerotia formation through sclerotia related gene nsdC. With TLC and qRT-PCR analysis, it was found that PbsB up-regulated the bio-synthesis of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) through regulatory gene aflR and structural gene aflC, aflD, aflK, and aflQ in the aflatoxin gene cluster. In osmotic stress response analysis, ΔpbsB mutant was significantly more sensitive to osmotic pressure with 1.2 mol/L sorbitol, compared to WT and OE strains. In virulence analysis, the infection capacity of ΔpbsB strain to peanut and maize kernels decreased dramatically, and significantly fewer spores and lesser mycelia were produced in ΔpbsB strain on the surface of peanut and maize kernels, and the infection capacity of OE strain to kernels increased significantly compared with WT strain. The AFB1 bio-synthesis ability of A. flavus in crop invasion models was also found to be coincide with the expression level of pbsB. All the results of the study shows that, as a MAPKK, PbsB is critical for growth and virulence in A. flavus, and lay a theoretical foundation for the prevention and control of A. flavus contamination.
Explaining cross-state earnings inequality differentials in India: An RIF decomposition approach

Despite the relevance of geographical disparities in India, earnings inequality occurs mostly within states, but with a broad range of variability in its levels. We investigate the sources of such variability using RIF decompositions of the inequality gaps between most populous states and India. Our results point to substantial compositional effects associated with cross-state variability in the extent of high-skilled formal employment outside the farm and construction sectors, and along the degree of urbanization and some demographic factors. Cross-state differences in conditional earnings structures, however, turn out to be crucial, especially regarding the different degree of earnings stratification by caste in each state.
Integrated Bounds for Disintegrated Storage

We point out a somewhat surprising similarity between non-authenticated Byzantine storage, non-systematic coded storage, and emulations of shared registers from smaller ones. A common characteristic in all of these is the inability of reads to safely return a value obtained in a single atomic access to shared storage. We collectively refer to such systems as disintegrated storage, and show integrated space lower bounds for asynchronous regular wait-free emulations in all of them. In a nutshell, if readers are invisible, then the storage cost of such systems is inherently exponential in the size of written values; otherwise, it is at least linear in the number of readers. Our bounds are asymptotically tight to known algorithms, and thus justify their high costs.
TLR-adjuvanted nanoparticle vaccines differentially influence the quality and longevity of responses to malaria antigen Pfs25

Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) are considered an integral element of malaria eradication efforts. Despite promising evaluations of Plasmodium falciparum Pfs25-based TBVs in mice, clinical trials have failed to induce robust and long-lived Ab titers, in part due to the poorly immunogenic nature of Pfs25. Using nonhuman primates, we demonstrate that multiple aspects of Pfs25 immunity were enhanced by antigen encapsulation in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)–based [(PLGA)-based] synthetic vaccine particles (SVP[Pfs25]) and potent TLR-based adjuvants. SVP[Pfs25] increased Ab titers, Pfs25-specific plasmablasts, circulating memory B cells, and plasma cells in the bone marrow when benchmarked against the clinically tested multimeric form Pfs25-EPA given with GLA-LSQ. SVP[Pfs25] also induced the first reported Pfs25-specific circulating Th1 and Tfh cells to our knowledge. Multivariate correlative analysis indicated several mechanisms for the improved Ab responses. While Pfs25-specific B cells were responsible for increasing Ab titers, T cell responses stimulated increased Ab avidity. The innate immune activation differentially stimulated by the adjuvants revealed a strong correlation between type I IFN polarization, induced by R848 and CpG, and increased Ab half-life and longevity. Collectively, the data identify ways to improve vaccine-induced immunity to poorly immunogenic proteins, both by the choice of antigen and adjuvant formulation, and highlight underlying immunological mechanisms.
Competitive Dynamics between Multinational Enterprises and Local Internet Platform Companies in the Virtual Market in China

We adopt the dynamic capability perspective and the institutional view as the guiding theoretical lenses to explain the relative performance of foreign internet platform companies (IPCs) operating in China. Based on data obtained from 51 interviews a multiple-case-study approach is adopted, with representative matched cases between foreign IPCs, including Google, eBay, Amazon and Groupon, and local IPCs. The findings highlight the unique characteristics of the IPCs and the Chinese context that challenge assumptions prevailing in the literature of the applicability of firm-specific advantages in determining a sustainable competitive advantage. We highlight the dynamic capabilities of the firm, such as flexibility and experimentation, in contributing to sustainable competitive advantage. Further, rather than focusing on firm-specific resources, we find that the active agency of the firm can approach institutions as resources through external links with diversified institutional players, which is crucial for multinational enterprise IPCs to develop sustainable competitive advantage. Drawing on the findings we present a number of propositions and implications for theory and practice.
The bulk conversion depth of the NV-center in diamond: computing a charged defect in a neutral slab

The negatively charged nitrogen vacancy (NV−) center in diamond has properties that make it a promising candidate for applications such as a qubit in room temperature quantum computing, single-molecule photoluminescence and NMR sensor, and as a single photon source for quantum cryptography. For many of its uses it is desirable to have the NV-center close to the diamond surface. In this work, we use density functional theory simulations to investigate how the distance of the NV− center to a surface, and its orientation, affect its properties, including the zero-phonon-line. We study the three technologically important surfaces terminated with fluorine, oxygen/hydroxyl and nitrogen. Since the NV-center is charged it requires special measures to simulate within a slab-model. We use the recently proposed charging with a substitutional donor in the diamond lattice resulting in a neutral super-cell, which provides very satisfactory results. We have found that the NV-centers properties converge to bulk values already at 5 Å depth.