Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Netrin-1 in Improving Functional Recovery through Autophagy Stimulation Following Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Our previous findings indicated that treatment with Netrin-1 could improve functional recovery through the stimulation of autophagy, by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (AMPK/mTOR) signaling pathway in rats following spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the underlying mechanisms were not elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which Netrin-1 promotes autophagy and improves functional recovery after SCI. Following controlled SCI in Sprague-Dawley rats, we observed that the autophagic flux in neurons was impaired, as reflected by the accumulation of light chain 3-II (LC3-II)-positive and LC3-positive autophagosomes (APs), accompanied by the accumulation of the autophagic substrate, Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1; also known as p62). Our results showed that treatment with Netrin-1 increases the levels of the lysosomal protease cathepsin D (CTSD) and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1), through the regulation of the nuclear localization of Transcription factor EB (TFEB) via the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, this enhancement of lysosomal biogenesis correlated strongly with the restoration of autophagic flux, inhibition of neural apoptosis and improved functional recovery. Suppression of lysosomal biogenesis via the inhibition of the nuclear translocation of TFEB by Compound C abolished this restoration of autophagic flux and the functional recovery effects of Netrin-1 following SCI. Taken together, these results indicate that Netrin-1 enhances lysosomal biogenesis by regulating the nuclear translocation of TFEB via the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, the enhancement of lysosomal biogenesis by Netrin-1 following SCI promotes autophagic flux and improves functional recovery in rats. Thus, the regulation of lysosomal biogenesis by modulating the nuclear localization of TFEB might be a novel approach for the treatment of SCI.
Strudel: A Corpus-Based Semantic Model Based on Properties and Types

Computational models of meaning trained on naturally occurring text successfully model human performance on tasks involving simple similarity measures, but they characterize meaning in terms of undifferentiated bags of words or topical dimensions. This has led some to question their psychological plausibility (Murphy, 2002;Schunn, 1999). We present here a fully automatic method for extracting a structured and comprehensive set of concept descriptions directly from an English part-of-speech-tagged corpus. Concepts are characterized by weighted properties, enriched with concept-property types that approximate classical relations such as hypernymy and function. Our model outperforms comparable algorithms in cognitive tasks pertaining not only to concept-internal structures (discovering properties of concepts, grouping properties by property type) but also to inter-concept relations (clustering into superordinates), suggesting the empirical validity of the property-based approach.
Adaptive subcarriers grouping algorithm for SC-FDMA systems

A new adaptive subcarrier grouping scheme is proposed to maximize capacity of single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) system. In OFDM system, the SNR of each subcarrier is dependent on the frequency selective channel fading. While in SC-FDMA system, the SNR of each symbol is of the same value. Theoretical analysis shows that the SNR of the received SC-FDMA symbol is dominated by some few deepest fading subcarriers. With the sacrifice of not using these subcarriers, the whole system performance can be significantly improved. This characteristic inspires us to propose a new algorithm to maximize overall system capacity. Different from the conventional adaptive power allocation method, we only need to decide whether to use some of the deepest fading subcarrier by our proposed adaptive grouping algorithm, and indicate grouping decision to the receiver. Simulation results show that the capacity improved by our method compared with the conventional SC-FDMA system. The average grouping information is very small, and the indication overhead is negligible compared with the whole system capacity. The PAPR is increased slightly. Our method provides a flexible tradeoff between the system performance and PAPR.
TemperatureDependenceof the Absorbanceof AlkalineSolutions of 4-NitrophenylPhosphate-A PotentialSourceof Error in the Measurementof AlkalinePhosphataseActivity

The absorbance of an alkaline solution of 4-nitrophenyl phosphate is a function of temperature. Quantitative evaluationofthisphenomenon indicates that it(a)depends on the concentration of the compound and is independent of source,bufferconcentration,and pH above 9.0;(b) is reversible;(c) isnot a resultof alkalinehydrolysisor 4nitrophenolcontamination;and ( correlates with a temperature-induced shift of its absorbance spectrum. The phenomenon may represent a potential analytical problem in methods for alkaline phosphatase in which this compound isthesubstrate. Ifthermal equilibrium is not reached and maintainedduringan alkaline phosphatase assay, the thermochromic response will be included in themeasured rate. The magnitude of this error depends on the thermal response and controlcharacteristics of each particular instrument and the reaction conditions under which such an analysis is performed.
Blood is thicker than water: kinship orientation across adulthood.

The importance of kin relationships was investigated across adulthood with 5 samples (total N = 1,365). Within the personal networks, the genetic relatedness with relationship partners predicted subjective closeness (mean r = .50) and social support (mean r = .13). Effects were robust in 2 samples when controlling for residential proximity and contact frequency. These intraindividual correlations showed considerable variability and were interpreted as individual expressions of nepotism. The heritability of individual nepotism was zero. Variability of nepotism was unrelated to personality traits, but substantially related to sex, and parental and partner status. The authors discuss subjective closeness as 1 proximate cue to kinship, and suggest nepotistic adaptations as powerful mechanisms in social relationships.
Making Sense of Number Sense

Drawing on various approaches to the study of mathematics learning, Gersten, Jordan, and Flojo (in this issue) explore the implications of this research for identifying children at risk for developing mathematical disabilities. One of the key topics Gersten et al. consider in their review is that of “number sense. ” I expand on their preliminary effort by examining in detail the diverse set of components purported to be encompassed by this construct. My analysis reveals some major differences between the ways in which number sense is defined in the mathematical cognition literature and its definition in the literature in mathematics education. I also present recent empirical evidence and theoretical perspectives bearing on the importance of measuring the speed of making magnitude comparisons. Finally, I discuss how differing conceptions of number sense inform the issue of whether and to what extent it may be teachable.
Overdominance Effect of the Bovine Ghrelin Receptor (GHSR1a)-DelR242 Locus on Growth in Japanese Shorthorn Weaner Bulls: Heterozygote Advantage in Bull Selection and Molecular Mechanisms

Ghrelin and the ghrelin receptor (GHSR1a) are involved in growth hormone secretion, food intake, and several other important functions. Ghrelin acts on GHSR1a and induces signal transduction via the Gαq subunit. In our previous study, we identified the DelR242 (3R) allele, a truncated 3-arginine residue (3R) [major type: 4 arginine residues (4R)] of the third intracellular loop of GHSR1a, with a high frequency in Japanese Shorthorn bulls (0.43) but with a low frequency in other cattle breeds (0.00–0.09). To further investigate the reasons for the higher frequency of the 3R allele, we performed several experiments. In this study, we found a significant sex difference in the frequency of the 3R allele. Statistical analysis revealed a significant overdominance effect of the DelR242 locus on growth in Japanese Shorthorn weaner bulls. However, additive/dominance/overdominance effects of the 3R allele on carcass traits in adult steers and dams were not significant. The mode of the overdominance effect was estimated to be solely controlled by the single DelR242 locus without any other linked loci using linkage disequilibrium analysis in GHSR1a. These results indicated that 4R/3R heterozygotes had a selective advantage in weaner bulls because of their higher average daily gain than homozygotes. We discussed possible molecular mechanisms involved in the overdominance effect of the DelR242 locus on these traits in weaner bulls using a structural model of the complex consisting of a GHSR1a dimer and Gαq.
Specimen-test machine coupling and its implications for plastic-deformation models

The equation relating uniaxial strain rates to the crosshead speed of a test machine of arbitrary stiffness is carefully examined. It is demonstrated that an accurate formulation of the specimen/machine coupling relation requires exact additivity of elastic and plastic strain contributions and that this is only possible with a specific set of definitions for these strains. When these definitions are implemented to insure additivity, two strain-dependent terms in the coupling relation are identified that have been treated as constants in previous studies. One term is shown to account for the decreasing true total strain rate with increasing plastic strain at a fixed crosshead speed. The second term accounts for strain dependence of the combined specimen/machine modulus due to change in length and area of the specimen. Several applications of the coupling relation are given that illustrate the importance of treating the specimen and test machine as a well-defined system when inferring infomation about plastic-deformation models from raw data. Topics covered include (1) effect of machine stiffness on workhardening behavior, (2) variation of total and plastic strain rate during tensile deformation, (3) effect of machine stiffness on stress relaxation behavior, (4) relationship between stress rates before and after a change inmore » crosshead speed, and (5) deductions about mobile dislocation density from observed stress-time behavior. « less
Application of Tsai-Wu Criterion to Notched and Unnotched Composite Laminates under Torque Loading

This work deals with the behaviour of composite laminates under static torque loading. The stress distributions in notched and unnotched unidirectional composite laminates based on an analytical study and a finite element calculation are discussed. The Tsai-Wu failure criterion is applied locally in three-dimensions to predict the initiation of damage and sites of local failure are detected by in-situ observations of the fracture surfaces in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) that confirm this prediction. With the help of the schematic model of acoustic emission, each type of damage mechanism and their development process during twisting are described empirically and phenomenologically. These investigations give a better understanding of the damage process and provide useful information in establishing quantitative representation, including the controlling factors and mechanisms for composite laminates subjected to torsion.
Design of a Low Complex Adaptable SOVA Decoder for Convolutional Codes

This paper describes the design of a practical, low complex adaptable soft-output Viterbi algorithm (SOVA) decoder suitable for convolutional encoders. The decoder has 3 look-up tables, which are generated by the encoder. The first table contains the state-transition information while the second table contains information needed by the decoder to back track through the trellis to determine the most likely signal transmitted. The third table contains a list of all possible signals that can be generated by the encoder to facilitate the calculation of the minimum squared Euclidean distance. The adaptability of this design stamps from the advantage of using the three decoding tables i.e. for the same value of the encoder constraint length, the SOVA decoder need not be redesigned for each new scheme to accommodate more/less states and possible waveforms or different symbol alphabet size
Nonlinear optimization technique for the homogenization of metamaterials from scattering parameters

We propose a novel numerical method for extracting the effective medium parameters of metamaterial structures. The reference scattering parameters of a metamaterial structure are provided as the target goal of a nonlinear optimization algorithm. The algorithm internally executes electromagnetic simulations of a homogeneous medium for identical excitations, and varies the relative permittivity and permeability values until the scattering parameters of that medium match the reference scattering values. A specific example for homogenizing a row of silver nanorods in visible wavelengths is presented, which highlights the limitations of relying solely on the scattering parameters.
Rapidly Retargetable Interactive Translingual Retrieval

This paper describes a system for rapidly retargetable interactive translingual retrieval. Basic functionality can be achieved for a new document language in a single day, and further improvements require only a relatively modest additional investment. We applied the techniques first to search Chinese collections using English queries, and have successfully added French, German, and Italian document collections. We achieve this capability through separation of language-dependent and language-independent components and through the application of asymmetric techniques that leverage an extensive English retrieval infrastructure.
Synergistic association of combined glycemic and blood pressure level with risk of complications in US veterans with diabetes

Objectives: Hemoglobin A1c levels less than 7.0% and systolic blood pressure (SBP) less than 140 mmHg are each associated with lower risk of vascular complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. Associations between combined A1c level and SBP categories and risk of mortality and morbidity in diabetic patients are not well characterized. Methods: We examined 891 670 US diabetic veterans with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rates more than 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (mean age 67 ± 11 years, 97% men, 17% African-Americans). The associations of mutually exclusive combined categories of A1c (<6.5, 6.5–6.9, 7.0–7.9, 8.0–8.9, 9.0–9.9, and ≥10%) and SBP (<100, 100–119, 120–139, 140–159, 160–179, and ≥180 mmHg) with the risk of all-cause mortality and incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), coronary heart disease, and stroke were examined in Cox models adjusted for baseline characteristics using patients with concomitant A1c 6.5–6.9% and SBP of 120–139 mmHg as the referent group. Results: A total of 221 529 (25%) patients died, and 178 588 (20%), 43 373 (5%) and 36 935 (4%) developed CKD, coronary heart disease and stroke, respectively, during a median follow-up of 7.4 years. SBP displayed a J-shaped association with each outcome except CKD risk that was linearly associated with SBP across all A1c categories. A1c above 7.0% was associated with monotonically worse outcomes for all end points in all SBP categories. Patients with the combined highest A1c and SBP levels experienced the worst outcomes. Conclusion: SBP greater than 120–139 mmHg and A1c greater than 7.0% are associated with higher mortality and vascular complications in diabetic patients, independent of each other. Combined efforts to improve both glycemic and blood pressure control may synergistically improve outcomes in patients with normal kidney function.
Exercise as a treatment for osteoarthritis

Purpose of reviewThis review highlights recent important research, future directions, and clinical applications for exercise and osteoarthritis. It focuses on knee osteoarthritis because of its prevalence and the dearth of research involving other joint osteoarthritis. The review covers exercise prescription for symptomatic relief, and its potential role in reducing development and slowing progression of osteoarthritis. Recent findingsMeta-analyses support recommendations that exercise is important in osteoarthritis management. Benefits appear to be additive when exercise is delivered with other interventions such as weight loss. Mode of exercise delivery has cost implications and may influence overall outcome. It appears that supervised exercise sessions are superior to home exercises for pain reduction. The challenge remains to increase the proportion of patients exercising. Areas of emerging interest are exercise to prevent disease or slow its progression and recognition of patient subgroups that may respond differently to treatment. Based on studies showing a relation between weaker quadriceps strength and increased risk of developing knee osteoarthritis, particularly in women, strength training may be able to prevent knee osteoarthritis. Novel exercise programs that strengthen hip muscles or alter impairments in knee neuromuscular control may also influence disease progression. SummaryFuture studies must identify cost-effective exercise modes, strategies to maximize exercise compliance and optimal treatment combinations. The role of muscle strength and altered neuromuscular control in the prevention and development of osteoarthritis must be evaluated with the view to devising and testing novel exercise interventions.
VP22 of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Promotes Protein Synthesis at Late Times in Infection and Accumulation of a Subset of Viral mRNAs at Early Times in Infection

ABSTRACT VP22, encoded by the UL49 gene, is one of the most abundant proteins of the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) tegument. In the present study we show VP22 is required for optimal protein synthesis at late times in infection. Specifically, in the absence of VP22, viral proteins accumulated to wild-type levels until ∼6 h postinfection. At that time, ongoing synthesis of most viral proteins dramatically decreased in the absence of VP22, whereas protein stability was not affected. Of the individual proteins we assayed, VP22 was required for optimal synthesis of the late viral proteins gE and gD and the immediate-early protein ICP0 but did not have discernible effects on accumulation of the immediate-early proteins ICP4 or ICP27. In addition, we found VP22 is required for the accumulation of a subset of mRNAs to wild-type levels at early, but not late, times in infection. Specifically, the presence of VP22 enhanced the accumulation of gE and gD mRNAs until ∼9 h postinfection, but it had no discernible effect at later times in infection. Also, VP22 did not significantly affect ICP0 mRNA at any time in infection. Thus, the protein synthesis and mRNA phenotypes observed with the UL49-null virus are separable with regard to both timing during infection and the genes affected and suggest separate roles for VP22 in enhancing the accumulation of viral proteins and mRNAs. Finally, we show that VP22's effects on protein synthesis and mRNA accumulation occur independently of mutations in genes encoding the VP22-interacting partners VP16 and vhs.
The Influence of Whole-Body Vibration on Creatine Kinase Activity and Jumping Performance in Young Basketball Players

Purpose To quantify creatine kinase (CK) activity changes across time following an acute bout of whole-body vibration (WBV) and determine the association between changes in CK activity and jumping performance. Method Twenty-six elite young basketball players were assigned to 3 groups: 36-Hz and 46-Hz vibration groups (G36 and G46, respectively) and a control group. The study quantified CK activity and jumping performance following an acute bout of WBV at 2 vibration frequencies. Both WBV groups performed a protocol that consisted of 10 sets of 60 s of WBV while standing on a vibration plate in a quarter-squat position. CK activity, countermovement jumps (CMJ), and squat jumps (SJ) were measured immediately before and 24 hr and 48 hr after WBV. In addition, CMJ and SJ were also measured 5 min after WBV. Results CK activity was statistically significantly increased 24 hr following WBV in G36 and G46. At 48 hr after WBV, CK activity was similar to baseline levels in G36 but remained statistically significantly above baseline levels in G46. The CMJ and SJ heights were statistically significantly decreased at 5 min following the protocol for both WBV groups. Overall, the changes in CK activity did not present a strong relationship with the changes in jump heights for any of the comparisons. Conclusions These findings suggest that WBV protocols with such characteristics may not cause excessive muscle damage and may partly explain why many WBV training studies have failed to elicit increases in strength performance.
triaxial tactile sensor without crosstalk using pairs of piezoresistive beams ith sidewall doping

This paper reports on a triaxial tactile sensor using piezoresistive beams. The sensor chip is composed of two pairs of sidewall-doped Si beams for shear stress sensing and one pair of surface-doped Si beams for normal stress sensing. The sizes of the shearand pressure-sensing beams are 180 m × 15 m × 20 m and 250 m × 50 m × 20 m (length × width × thickness), respectively. The sensor chip is embedded in a PDMS sheet 10 mm × 10 mm × 2 mm in size. Because the simple beam structure can be fabricated easily, the proposed sensor is compatible with semiconductor device fabrication. The fabricated sensor actile sensor iezoresistive idewall doping was evaluated for normal and shear stress (0–400 kPa and 0–100 kPa, respectively). The responses of the corresponding beam pairs were found to be proportional to the magnitude of the applied stresses without the influence of the other stresses. The relationship between the angle of shear stress and the responses of each beam pair was also evaluated. Each beam pair detects only one axis’s shear stress and showed little reaction to the other axes’ shear stress. As a result, the proposed sensor can measure the three axial components of normal and shear stress independently.
Fast Data Anonymization with Low Information Loss

Recent research studied the problem of publishing microdata without revealing sensitive information, leading to the privacy preserving paradigms of k-anonymity and l-diversity. k-anonymity protects against the identification of an individual's record. l-diversity, in addition, safeguards against the association of an individual with specific sensitive information. However, existing approaches suffer from at least one of the following drawbacks: (i) The information loss metrics are counter-intuitive and fail to capture data inaccuracies inflicted for the sake of privacy. (ii) l-diversity is solved by techniques developed for the simpler k-anonymity problem, which introduces unnecessary inaccuracies. (iii) The anonymization process is inefficient in terms of computation and I/O cost. In this paper we propose a framework for efficient privacy preservation that addresses these deficiencies. First, we focus on one-dimensional (i.e., single attribute) quasi-identifiers, and study the properties of optimal solutions for k-anonymity and l-diversity, based on meaningful information loss metrics. Guided by these properties, we develop efficient heuristics to solve the one-dimensional problems in linear time. Finally, we generalize our solutions to multi-dimensional quasi-identifiers using space-mapping techniques. Extensive experimental evaluation shows that our techniques clearly outperform the state-of-the-art, in terms of execution time and information loss.