Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preload-adjusted right ventricular maximal power: concept and validation.

Right ventricular (RV) maximal power (PWR(mx)) is dependent on preload. The objective of this study was to test our hypothesis that the PWR(mx) versus end-diastolic volume (EDV) relationship, analogous to the load-independent stroke work (SW) versus EDV relationship (preload-recruitable SW, PRSW), is linear, with the PWR x-axis intercept (V(0PWR)) corresponding to the PRSW intercept (V(0SW)). If our hypothesis is correct, the preload sensitivity of PWR(mx) could be eliminated by adjusting for EDV and V(0PWR). Ten dogs were instrumented with a pulmonary flow probe, micromanometers, and RV conductance catheter. Data were obtained during bicaval occlusions under various conditions and fitted to PWR(mx) = a. (EDV - V(0PWR))(beta), where a is the slope of the relationship. The PWR(mx) versus EDV relationship did not deviate from linearity (beta = 1.09, P = not significant vs. 1), and V(0PWR) correlated with V(0SW) (r = 0.93, P <0.0001). V(0PRW) was related to steady-state EDV and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, allowing for estimation of V(0PWR) (V(0Est)) and single-beat PWR(mx) preload adjustment. Dividing PWR(mx) by the difference of EDV and V(0PWR) (PAMP(V0PWR)) eliminated preload dependency down to 50% of the baseline EDV. PWR(mx) adjustment using V(0Est) (PAMP(V0Est)) showed similar preload independency. Enhancing contractility increased PAMP(V0PWR) and PAMP(V0Est) from 176 +/- 52 to 394 +/- 205 W/ml x 10(4) and 145 +/- 51 to 404 +/- 261 W/ml x 10(4), respectively, accompanied by an increase of PRSW from 13.0 +/- 4.5 to 29.7 +/- 16.4 mmHg (all P <0.01). PAMP(V0PWR) and PAMP(V0Est) correlated with PRSW (r = 0.85; r = 0.77; both P <0.001). Numerical modeling confirmed the accuracy of our experimental data. Thus preload adjustment of PWR(mx) should consider a linear PWR(mx) versus EDV relationship with distinct V(0PWR). PAMP(V0PWR) is a preload-independent estimate of RV contractility that may eventually be determined noninvasively.
Single-particle multi-element fingerprinting (spMEF) using inductively-coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ICP-TOFMS) to identify engineered nanoparticles against the elevated natural background in soils

The discrimination of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) from the natural geogenic background is one of the preeminent challenges for assessing their potential implications. At low ENP concentrations, most conventional analytical techniques are not able to take advantage of inherent differences (e.g. in terms of composition, isotopic signatures, element ratios, structure, shape or surface characteristics) between ENPs and naturally occurring nanoscale particles (NNPs) of similar composition. Here, we present a groundbreaking approach to overcome these limitations and enable the discrimination of man-made ENPs from NNPs through simultaneous detection of multiple elements on an individual particle level. This new analytical approach is accessible by an inductively-coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ICP-TOFMS) operated in single-particle mode. Machine learning is employed to classify ENPs and NNPs based on their unique elemental fingerprints and quantify their concentrations. We demonstrate the applicability of this single-particle multi-element fingerprinting (spMEF) method by distinguishing engineered cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 ENPs) from natural Ce-containing nanoparticles (Ce-NNPs) in soils at environmentally relevant ENP concentrations, orders of magnitude below the natural background.
Nutrient Limitation in Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM): Phytoplankton Communities and Photosynthesis Respond to Nutrient Pulse

Although the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River system exports large amounts of nutrients to the Northern Gulf of Mexico annually, nutrient limitation of primary productivity still occurs offshore, acting as one of the major factors controlling local phytoplankton biomass and community structure. Bioassays were conducted for 48 hrs at two stations adjacent to the river plumes in April and August 2012. High Performance of Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) combined with ChemTax and a Fluorescence Induction and Relaxation (FIRe) system were combined to observe changes in the phytoplankton community structure and photosynthetic activity. Major fluorescence parameters (Fo, Fv/Fm) performed well to reveal the stimulating effect of the treatments with nitrogen (N-nitrate) and with nitrogen plus phosphate (+NPi). HPLC/ChemTax results showed that phytoplankton community structure shifted with nitrate addition: we observed an increase in the proportion of diatoms and prasinophytes and a decrease in cyanobacteria and prymnesiophytes. These findings are consistent with predictions from trait-based analysis which predict that phytoplankton groups with high maximum growth rates (μmax) and high nutrient uptake rates (Vmax) readily take advantage of the addition of limiting nutrients. Changes in phytoplankton community structure, if persistent, could trigger changes of particular organic matter fluxes and alter the micro-food web cycles and bottom oxygen consumption.
Regulation of an amiloride‐sensitive Na+‐permeable channel by a β2‐adrenergic agonist, cytosolic Ca2+ and Cl− in fetal rat alveolar epithelium

1 In cell‐attached patches formed on the apical membrane of fetal alveolar epithelium, terbutaline (a specific β2‐adrenergic agonist) increased the open probability (Po) of an amiloride‐sensitive Na+‐permeable non‐selective cation (NSC) channel (control, 0.03 ± 0.04; terbutaline, 0.62 ± 0.18; n= 8, P < 0.00001) by increasing the mean open time 100‐fold without any significant change in the mean closed time and without any change in the single channel conductance (control, 27.8 ± 2.3 pS; terbutaline, 28.2 ± 2.1 pS; n= 8). 2 The Po of the unstimulated channel increased when the apical membrane was depolarized due to a decrease in the closing rate and an increase in the opening rate, while the Po of the terbutaline‐stimulated channel did not depend on the membrane potential. 3 Increased cytosolic [Ca2+] also increased the Po of the channel in a manner consistent with one Ca2+‐binding site on the cytosolic surface of the channel. Terbutaline increased the sensitivity of the channel to cytosolic Ca2+ by shifting the concentration of cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c) required for half‐maximal activation to a lower [Ca2+]c value, leading to an increase in Po. 4 An increase in the cytosolic Cl− concentration ([Cl−]c) decreased the Po of the channel consistent with two Cl−‐binding sites by increasing the closing rate without any significant change in the opening rate. Terbutaline increased Po by reducing the effect of cytosolic Cl− to promote channel closing. 5 Taken together, these observations indicate that terbutaline activates a Ca2+‐activated, Cl−‐inhibitable, amiloride‐sensitive, Na+‐permeable NSC channel in fetal rat alveolar epithelium in two ways: first, through an increase in Ca2+ sensitivity, and second, through a reduction in the effect of cytosolic Cl− to promote channel closing.
trans-Bis(N′-isopropylidenebenzohydrazidato-κ2 N′,O)bis(pyridine-κN)nickel(II)

The complex molecule of the title compound, [Ni(C10H11N2O)2(C5H5N)2], has a crystallographically imposed centre of symmetry. The NiII atom is coordinated in a distorted octahedral geometry by the O and N atoms of two trans arranged anionic bidentate hydrazone ligands forming the equatorial plane and by the N atoms of two pyridine molecules at the axial positions. In the crystal, intermolecular C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the molecules into columns parallel to the b axis.
Protective effects of quercetin and vitamin C against nicotine-induced toxicity in the blood of Wistar rats

Abstract Nicotine is a potential inducer of oxidative stress, through which it can damage numerous biological molecules. The aim of our study was to investigate the prooxidative effects of nicotine and protective (additive or synergistic) effects of quercetin and vitamin C in the blood of experimental animals, to determine whether the combination of these antioxidants might be beneficial for clinical purposes. Wistar albino rats were receiving intraperitoneal nicotine injection (0.75 mg kg-1 per day) or saline (control group) or nicotine plus quercetin (40 mg kg-1 per day) and vitamin C (100 mg kg-1 per day) for three consecutive days. On day 4, we determined their blood lipid profile, liver enzymes, oxidative stress parameters, and antioxidative system parameters. Compared to untreated control, nicotine significantly increased total cholesterol, LDLcholesterol, triglycerides, liver enzymes (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase) and oxidative stress parameters (superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and lipid peroxide) and decreased HDL-cholesterol, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase/catalase activity. Quercetin + vitamin C reversed these values significantly compared to the nicotine alone group. Our results confirm that nicotine has significant prooxidative effects that may disrupt the redox balance and show that the quercetin + vitamin C combination supports antioxidant defence mechanisms with strong haematoprotective activity against nicotine-induced toxicity. In practical terms, this means that a diet rich in vitamin C and quercetin could prevent nicotine-induced toxicity and could also be useful in the supportive care of people exposed to nicotine.
Measuring Generalization of Visuomotor Perturbations in Wrist Movements Using Mobile Phones

Recent studies in motor control have shown that visuomotor rotations for reaching have narrow generalization functions: what we learn during movements in one direction only affects subsequent movements into close directions. Here we wanted to measure the generalization functions for wrist movement. To do so we had 7 subjects performing an experiment holding a mobile phone in their dominant hand. The mobile phone's built in acceleration sensor provided a convenient way to measure wrist movements and to run the behavioral protocol. Subjects moved a cursor on the screen by tilting the phone. Movements on the screen toward the training target were rotated and we then measured how learning of the rotation in the training direction affected subsequent movements in other directions. We find that generalization is local and similar to generalization patterns of visuomotor rotation for reaching.
MediaEval 2013 Visual Privacy Task: Using Adaptive Edge Detection for Privacy in Surveillance Videos

In this paper we present a system for preserving the privacy of individuals in a video surveillance scenario. While a person’s privacy should not be revealed to a viewer of the video without special needs, it is still important that the action in a scene as the semantic content of a video remain perceivable by a human observer. The proposed system uses edge detection and adaptive thresholding in order to estimate the persons’ silhouettes in a video scene and thus rendering most of their actions visible, while hiding sensitive personal information. In order to obtain a more complete contour around a person, an adaptive thresholding scheme using edge histograms is used as well as background subtraction which limits the edge extraction to foreground masks and thus avoids distraction of the viewer’s eyes to background structures.
Arabidopsis SHORT HYPOCOTYL UNDER BLUE1 Contains SPX and EXS Domains and Acts in Cryptochrome Signaling[W]

Photomorphogenesis is regulated by red/far-red light–absorbing phytochromes and blue/UV-A light–absorbing cryptochromes. We isolated an Arabidopsis thaliana blue light mutant, short hypocotyl under blue1 (shb1), a knockout allele. However, shb1-D, a dominant allele, exhibited a long-hypocotyl phenotype under red, far-red, and blue light. The phenotype conferred by shb1-D was caused by overaccumulation of SHB1 transcript and recapitulated by overexpression of SHB1 in Arabidopsis. Therefore, SHB1 acts in cryptochrome signaling but overexpression may expand its signaling activity to red and far-red light. Consistent with this, overexpression of SHB1 enhanced the expression of PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR4 (PIF4) under red light. PIF4 appears to specifically mediate SHB1 regulation of hypocotyl elongation and CHLOROPHYLL a/b BINDING PROTEIN3 or CHALCONE SYNTHASE expression under red light. Overexpression of SHB1 also promoted proteasome-mediated degradation of phytochrome A and hypocotyl elongation under far-red light. Under blue light, shb1 suppressed LONG HYPOCOTYL IN FAR-RED LIGHT1 (HFR1) expression and showed several deetiolation phenotypes similar to hfr1-201. However, the hypocotyl and cotyledon-opening phenotypes of shb1 were opposite to those of hfr1-201, and HFR1 acts downstream of SHB1. SHB1 encodes a nuclear and cytosolic protein that has motifs homologous with SYG1 protein family members. Therefore, our studies reveal a signaling step in regulating cryptochrome- and possibly phytochrome-mediated light responses.
New Developments on Recurrent Neural Networks Training

A new algorithm is proposed for improving the convergence of recurrent neural networks. This algorithm is obtained by combining the methods of weight update of Atiya-Parlos algorithm (the algorithm find the direction of weight change by approximation), and Y-N algorithm technique (the algorithm estimate fictitious target signals of hidden nodes to update hidden weight separately from output weights), and then by adding the error self-recurrent (ESR) network to improve the error functions (to speed up the convergence and not sensitive to initial weight by calculating the errors from output unit and then these errors are fed back for determining weight updates of output unit nodes). The results showed that both fully RNN and partially RNNs on some selected and the proposed algorithm could forecast the daily flow data quite satisfactorily.
Joint through-wall 3-D radar imaging and motion detection using a stop-and-go SAR trajectory

Through-wall radar research has been very active in recent years, offering possibilities for both motion detection and stationary scene imaging. In this paper, we propose to address both objectives of through-wall radar in a single pass of a vehicle-mounted radar in front of a building of interest, using a stop-and-go synthetic aperture radar (SAR) trajectory. To do so, the vehicle is driven on a straight path approaching the building, it stops for approximately 30 seconds in front of the building, and then accelerates to reach a constant speed for the remainder of the pass. During this time, the radar continuously collects data at a constant pulse repetition frequency. In this paper, we demonstrate that the image quality is not affected by the stop- and-go trajectory provided that we use an estimate of the angle between two consecutive pulses as the weighting function in the imaging algorithms. We show that a walker and a mover, where the former cannot be detected directly in the SAR image, can be detected using simple motion detection schemes.
ULTRACOOL FIELD BROWN DWARF CANDIDATES SELECTED AT 4.5 μm

We have identified a sample of cool field brown dwarf candidates using IRAC data from the Spitzer Deep, Wide-Field Survey (SDWFS). The candidates were selected from 400,000 SDWFS sources with [4.5] ≤ 18.5 mag and were required to have [3.6] − [4.5] ≥ 1.5 and [4.5] − [8.0] ≤ 2.0 on the Vega system. The first color requirement selects objects redder than all but a handful of presently known brown dwarfs with spectral classes later than T7, while the second eliminates 14 probable reddened active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Optical detection of four of the remaining 18 sources implies they are likely also AGNs, leaving 14 brown dwarf candidates. For two of the brightest candidates (SDWFS J143524.44+335334.6 and SDWFS J143222.82+323746.5), the spectral energy distributions including near-infrared detections suggest a spectral class of ∼T8. The proper motion is <0. ″25 yr−1, consistent with expectations for a luminosity-inferred distance of >70 pc. The reddest brown dwarf candidate (SDWFS J143356.62+351849.2) has [3.6] − [4.5] = 2.24 and H − [4.5] > 5.7, redder than any published brown dwarf in these colors, and may be the first example of the elusive Y-dwarf spectral class. Models from Burrows et al. predict that larger numbers of cool brown dwarfs should be found for a Chabrier mass function. Suppressing the model [4.5] flux by a factor of 2, as indicated by previous work, brings the Burrows models and observations into reasonable agreement. The recently launched Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer will probe a volume ∼40× larger and should find hundreds of brown dwarfs cooler than T7.
Prenatal determinants of cord blood total immunoglobulin E levels in Mexican newborns

Asthma and allergic diseases have increased worldwide; however, etilogic factors for this increase are still poor. Prenatal consumptions of fatty acids are hypothesized, although few clinical trials in developing countries have been performed. This study was designed to identify predictors of immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in cord blood of Mexican newborns. Total IgE was measured in umbilical cord blood from 613 infants whose mothers participated in a double-blind randomized controlled trial of 400 mg of docosahexaenoic acid or placebo from 18 to 22 weeks gestation through delivery. During pregnancy, information on sociodemographic characteristics, environmental exposures, and perceived maternal stress were obtained; a maternal blood sample was also collected to determine atopy via specific IgE levels. Logistic regression models were used to identify the main prenatal predictors of detectable total IgE levels in cord blood. IgE was detectable in cord blood from 344 (53.7%) infants; the main predictors in multivariate analyses were maternal atopy (odds ratio [OR] = 1.69; 95% CI, 1.19-2.42; p < 0.05) and pesticide use in the home (OR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.04-2.14; p < 0.05). When stratified by maternal atopy, season of birth was a significant predictor in the atopic group only (OR = 2.48; 95% CI, 1.00-6.16; p < 0.05), and pesticide use was a significant predictor for infants born to nonatopic mothers (OR = 1.64; 95% CI, 1.07-2.51; p < 0.05). No differences were seen in the proportion of infants with detectable IgE by treatment group. Prenatal supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid did not alter the detectable cord blood IgE levels. Maternal atopy and pesticide use during pregnancy are strong predictors of cord blood IgE levels in newborns. Clinical trial NCT00646360, www.clinicaltrials. gov.
Ionic selectivity, saturation, and block in sodium channels. A four- barrier model

Ionic fluxes in Na channels of myelinated axons show ionic competition, block, and deviations from simple flux independence. These phenomena are particularly evident when external Na+ ions are replaced by other permeant or impermeant ions. The observed currents require new flux equations not based on the concepts of free diffusion. A specific permeability model for the Na channel is developed from Eyring rate theory applied to a chain of saturable binding sites. There are four energy barriers in the pore and only one ion is allowed inside at a time. Deviations from independence arise from saturation. The model shows that ionic permeability ratios measured from zero-current potentials can differ from those measured from relative current amplitudes or conductances. The model can be fitted to experiments with various external sodium substitutes by varying only two parameters: For each ion the height of the major energy barrier (the selectivity filter) determines the biionic zero-current potential and the depth of the energy well (binding site) just external to that barrier then determines the current amplitudes. Voltage clamp measurements with myelinated nerve fibers are given showing numerous examples of deviations from independence in ionic fluxes. Strong blocks of ionic currents by guanidinium compounds and Tl+ ions are fitted by binding within the channel with apparent dissociation constants in the range 50- 122 mM. A small block with high Na+ concentrations can be fitted by Na+ ion binding with a dissociation constant of 368 mM. The barrier model is given a molecular interpretation that includes stepwise dehydration of the permeating ion as it interacts with an ionized carboxylic acid.
Wavelet decomposition approaches to statistical inverse problems

SUMMARY A wide variety of scientific settings involve indirect noisy measurements where one faces a linear inverse problem in the presence of noise. Primary interest is in some function f(t) but data are accessible only about some linear transform corrupted by noise. The usual linear methods for such inverse problems do not perform satisfactorily when f(t) is spatially inhomogeneous. One existing nonlinear alternative is the wavelet-vaguelette decomposition method, based on the expansion of the unknown f(t) in wavelet series. In the vaguelette-wavelet decomposition method proposed here, the observed data are expanded directly in wavelet series. The performances of various methods are compared through exact risk calculations, in the context of the estimation of the derivative of a function observed subject to noise. A result is proved demonstrating that, with a suitable universal threshold somewhat larger than that used for standard denoising problems, both the wavelet-based approaches have an ideal spatial adaptivity property.
RNA chaperones buffer deleterious mutations in E. coli

Both proteins and RNAs can misfold into non-functional conformations. Protein chaperones promote native folding of nascent polypeptides and refolding of misfolded species, thereby buffering mutations that compromise protein structure and function. Here, we show that RNA chaperones can also act as mutation buffers that enhance organismal fitness. Using competition assays, we demonstrate that overexpression of select RNA chaperones, including three DEAD box RNA helicases (DBRHs) (CsdA, SrmB, RhlB) and the cold shock protein CspA, improves fitness of two independently evolved Escherichia coli mutator strains that have accumulated deleterious mutations during short- and long-term laboratory evolution. We identify strain-specific mutations that are deleterious and subject to buffering when introduced individually into the ancestral genotype. For DBRHs, we show that buffering requires helicase activity, implicating RNA structural remodelling in the buffering process. Our results suggest that RNA chaperones might play a fundamental role in RNA evolution and evolvability. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.04745. 001