Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transport of influenza HA from the trans-Golgi network to the apical surface of MDCK cells permeabilized in their basolateral plasma membranes: energy dependence and involvement of GTP-binding proteins

A procedure employing streptolysin O to effect the selective permeabilization of either the apical or basolateral plasma membrane domains of MDCK cell monolayers grown on a filter support was developed which permeabilizes the entire monolayer, leaves the opposite cell surface domain intact, and does not abolish the integrity of the tight junctions. This procedure renders the cell interior accessible to exogenous macromolecules and impermeant reagents, permitting the examination of their effects on membrane protein transport to the intact surface. The last stages of the transport of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) to the apical surface were studied in pulse-labeled, virus-infected MDCK cells that were incubated at 19.5 degrees C for 90 min to accumulate newly synthesized HA in the trans-Golgi network (TGN), before raising the temperature to 35 degrees C to allow synchronized transport to the plasma membrane. In cells permeabilized immediately after the cold block, 50% of the intracellular HA molecules were subsequently delivered to the apical surface. This transport was dependent on the presence of an exogenous ATP supply and was markedly inhibited by the addition of GTP-gamma-S at the time of permeabilization. On the other hand, the GTP analogue had no effect when it was added to cells that, after the cold block, were incubated for 15 min at 35 degrees C before permeabilization, even though at this time most HA molecules were still intracellular and their appearance at the cell surface was largely dependent on exogenous ATP. These findings indicate that GTP-binding proteins are involved in the constitutive process that effects vesicular transport from the TGN to the plasma membrane and that they are charged early in this process. Transport of HA to the cell surface could be made dependent on the addition of exogenous cytosol when, after permeabilization, cells were washed to remove endogenous cytosolic components. This opens the way towards the identification of cell components that mediate the sorting of apical and basolateral membrane components in the TGN and their polarized delivery to the cell surface.
An AutoAssociative Neural Network for image segmentation

In this paper, it is proposed a neural network based on by AutoAssociative Pyramidal Neural Network and their architecture, which uses concepts of receptive fields and autoassociative memory. These concepts are widely used in models of artificial neural networks and were incorporated into model proposed in this work. Furthermore, the proposed neural network also uses the concept of sharing weights aiming the applications on problems invariant translations. The neural network is able of perform implicit feature extraction and learns how to reconstruct a pattern of such features. The evaluation of the neural network is performed by two experiments. The first experiment is conducted with image processing problems. The Neural Network Autoassociative learns about the transformation applied to the images, mapping a domain of images to another. In the second experiment the AutoAssociative Neural Network gets satisfactory results in image segmentation. The second task uses the dataset of skin lesion images for segmentation. This work indicates that proposed model of neural network is valid due to the obtained results achieved in the performed experiments.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation over the Human Primary Motor Cortex for Modulating Motor Control and Motor Learning

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive technique that is capable of producing after-effects outlasting the stimulation for minutes to more than an hour. Varied paradigms and targets of the stimulation may produce different brain modulations corresponding to the changes of specific cortical plasticity. Conventional low-frequency rTMS depresses the cortical excitability, while high-frequency rTMS enhances the cortical excitability. More recently developed patterned rTMS paradigms do not follow the rule of frequency and produce inhibition and facilitation by adjusting the stimulus patterns. The ability of brain modulation makes rTMS an ideal tool to study the brain function in conscious humans. Here we focused our review on the effect of applying rTMS over the primary motor cortex (M1) on motor control and motor learning. We confirmed that rTMS modulated motor control and learning in line with its ability of changing cortical excitability. However, inconsistency and variability were among studies. Such inconsistency could be due to (1) different protocols and motor tasks in different studies, (2) poor efficiency of rTMS and (3) complicated neural network and indirect or remote effects induced by rTMS. The recent evolution of patterned rTMS, such as theta burst stimulation (TBS), might provide opportunities for in-depth understanding the effect of rTMS on motor performance and take a step closer to the potential use of rTMS in disease therapy.
Comparison of Newborn Hearing Screening in Well-Baby Nursery and NICU: A Study Applied to Reduce Referral Rate in NICU

Objectives To determine whether newborn hearing screening in a well-baby nursery (WBN) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nursery: 1) meet three targeted, screening, referral, and diagnostic follow-up rates; 2) compare the average age of diagnosis for infants admitted to the WIN and NICU; and 3) determine prevalence of hearing loss in neonatal population; and 4) try to find a practical newborn hearing screening time algorithm to reduce refer rate in NICU Materials and Methods It examined 15,624 newborns in the WBN (13,676) and NICU (1948) screened for congenital HL using AABR. The variables analyzed in it were the screening rate, referral rate, follow-up rate, diagnostic rate and diagnostic age, prevalence rate, degrees of congenital bilateral HL. The study was approved by the hospital’s institutional review board (13MMHISO23). Results The screening rates were 99.8% and 99.6% in the WBN and NICU groups, respectively, without significant difference. The referral rates were 0.7% and 2.8% in the WBN and NICU groups, with significant difference. Furthermore, the diagnostic follow-up rates were 76.7% and 89.1% in the WBN and NICU groups, without significant difference. The average initial diagnostic ages were 1.9 months and 3.8 months in the WBN and NICU groups, with significant difference. The prevalence of congenital bilateral hearing loss were 0.27% and 1.6% in the WBN and NICU groups, with significant difference. Conclusion The screening, referral and follow-up rate in the WBN and NICU groups were equivalent to the quality indicators. For NICU group, screening and diagnostic follow up were performed later than those in WBN group; however the lower referral rate in our NICU group was successfully achieved in this study and can be applied clinically. The prevalence of congenital bilateral hearing loss was higher in the NICU group than in the WBN group.
The one‐time learning hierarchical CMAC and the memory limited CA‐CMAC for image data compression

Abstract Two methods to compress transmitted image data are proposed in this paper. The first method is the one‐time learning hierarchical CMAC method and the second is the memory limited CA‐CMAC method for image data compression and reconstruction. The one‐time learning hierarchical CMAC method is used when a coarse image needs to be sent to the receiver initially and then the image quality is gradually improved at the request of the receiver. But, when the transmitting channel data is limited, the memory limited CA‐CMAC method can be used to decrease the bit rate per pixel. Both proposed methods, unlike conventional compression methods, use no filtering technique in either compression or reconstruction. CMAC networks use a few hypercubes to learn the characteristics of the original image, so image data can be compressed without suffering from blocking effect or boundary effect. Onetime learning is good enough for compressing image data, and it has a high SNR after reconstruction.
High efficiency transformation of E. coli by high voltage electroporation

E. coli can be transformed to extremely high efficiencies by subjecting a mixture of cells and DNA to brief but intense electrical fields of exponential decay waveform (electroporation). We have obtained 10(9) to 10(10) transformants/micrograms with strains LE392 and DH5 alpha, and plasmids pUC18 and pBR329. The process is highly dependent on two characteristics of the electrical pulse: the electric field strength and the pulse length (RC time constant). The frequency of transformation is a linear function of the DNA concentration over at least six orders of magnitude; and the efficiency of transformation is a function of the cell concentration. Most of the surviving cells are competent with up to 80% transformed at high DNA concentration. The mechanism does not appear to include binding of the DNA to the cells prior to entry. Possible mechanisms are discussed and a simple procedure for the practical use of this technique is presented.
Correlation between the Gleason scores of needle biopsies and radical prostatectomy specimens.

BACKGROUND The Gleason score has been shown to offer important information with regard to prognosis and therapy for patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland. In this study, Gleason scores, as determined by 18-gauge core needle biopsies, were compared with both Gleason scores and the pathological staging of corresponding radical prostatectomy specimens. METHODS Records of 78 consecutive patients undergoing a radical retropubic prostatectomy between 1998 and 2002 were reviewed. In total, 78 patients were enrolled, all of whom had been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma by transrectal needle biopsies using an 18-gauge automated spring-loaded biopsy gun. RESULTS Grading errors were greatest with well-differentiated tumors. The accuracy was 6 (23%) for Gleason scores of 2-4 on needle biopsy. Of the 36 evaluable patients with Gleason scores of 5-7 on needle biopsy, 28 (78%) were graded correctly. All of the Gleason scores of 8-10 on needle biopsy were graded correctly. Eighteen (33%) of 54 patients with a biopsy Gleason score of < 7 had their cancer upgraded to above 7. Tumors in 6 patients (60%) with both a Gleason score < 7 on the needle biopsy and a Gleason score of 7 for the prostatectomy specimen were confined to the prostate. CONCLUSION The potential for grading errors is greatest with well-differentiated tumors and in patients with a Gleason score of < 7 on the needle biopsy. Predictions using Gleason scores are sufficiently accurate to warrant its use with all needle biopsies, recognizing that the potential for grading errors is greatest with well-differentiated tumors.
Disruption of the siderophore‐binding desE receptor gene in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) results in impaired growth in spite of multiple iron–siderophore transport systems

Ferrioxamines‐mediated iron acquisition by Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) has recently received increased attention. In addition to the biological role of desferrioxamines (dFOs) as hydroxamate siderophores, and the pharmaceutical application of dFO‐B as an iron‐chelator, the ferrioxamines have been shown to mediate microbial interactions. In S. coelicolor the siderophore‐binding receptors DesE (Sco2780) and CdtB (Sco7399) have been postulated to specifically recognize and uptake FO‐E (cyclic) and FO‐B (linear) respectively. Here, disruption of the desE gene in S. coelicolor, and subsequent phenotypic analysis, is used to demonstrate a link between iron metabolism and physiological and morphological development. Streptomyces coelicolor desE mutants, isolated in both wild‐type (M145) and a coelichelin biosynthesis and transport minus background (mutant W3), a second hydroxamate siderophore system only found in S. coelicolor and related species, resulted in impaired growth and lack of sporulation. This phenotype could only be partially rescued by expression in trans of either desE and cdtB genes, which contrasted with the ability of FO‐E, and to a lesser extent of FO‐B, to fully restore growth at µM concentrations, with a concomitant induction of a marked phenotypic response involving precocious synthesis of actinorhodin and sporulation. Moreover, growth restoration of the desE mutant by complementation with desE and cdtB showed that DesE, which is universally conserved in Streptomyces, and CdtB, only present in certain streptomycetes, have partial equivalent functional roles under laboratory conditions, implying overlapping ferrioxamine specificities. The biotechnological and ecological implications of these observations are discussed.
Protein Kinase C beta Mediates CD40 Ligand-Induced Adhesion of Monocytes to Endothelial Cells

Accumulating evidence supports the early involvement of monocyte/macrophage recruitment to activated endothelial cells by leukocyte adhesion molecules during atherogenesis. CD40 and its ligand CD40L are highly expressed in vascular endothelial cells, but its impact on monocyte adhesion and the related molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. The present study was designed to evaluate the direct effect of CD40L on monocytic cell adhesion and gain mechanistic insight into the signaling coupling CD40L function to the proinflammatory response. Exposure of cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) to clinically relevant concentrations of CD40L (20 to 80 ng/mL) dose-dependently increased human monocytic THP-1 cells to adhere to them under static condition. CD40L treatment induced the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) mRNA and protein expression in HAECs. Furthermore, exposure of HAECs to CD40L robustly increased the activation of protein kinase C beta (PKCβ) in ECs. A selective inhibitor of PKCβ prevented the rise in VCAM-1 and THP-1 cell adhesion to ECs. Moreover, stimulation of ECs to CD40L induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. PKCβ inhibition abolished CD40L-induced NF-κB activation, and NF-κB inhibition reduced expression of VCAM-1, each resulting in reduced THP-1 cell adhesion. Our findings provide the evidence that CD40L increases VCAM-1 expression in ECs by activating PKCβ and NF-κB, suggesting a novel mechanism for EC activation. Finally, administration of CD40L resulted in PKCβ activation, increased VCAM-1 expression and activated monocytes adhesiveness to HAECs, processes attenuated by PKCβ inhibitor. Therefore, CD40L may contribute directly to atherogenesis by activating ECs and recruiting monocytes to them.
Exploration of technology parameter values of integrated circuit technologies

The definition of parameters of integrated circuit technologies is driven by technological constraints as well as by intended applications. In case of the latter, opposing criteria, like design delay, power consumptions and area, have to be considered. Common approaches focus usually on the analysis based on selected and isolated cells. However, this might not represent the exact impact of a technology parameter on actual designs. Hence, this work proposes a flow for the exploration of technology parameter values that considers the application in real designs. Additionally, the proposed approach allows the comparison of different technology generation with a reasonable effort. Results indicate an improvement of the predictions of up to 46 % in comparison to single cell analysis. Further, the applicability of the approach is successfully evaluated using a predictive technology based on Carbon nanotubes.
Antagonistic Effect of a Salivary Proline-Rich Peptide on the Cytosolic Ca2+ Mobilization Induced by Progesterone in Oral Squamous Cancer Cells

A salivary proline-rich peptide of 1932 Da showed a dose-dependent antagonistic effect on the cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization induced by progesterone in a tongue squamous carcinoma cell line. Structure-activity studies showed that the activity of the peptide resides in the C-terminal region characterized by a proline stretch flanked by basic residues. Furthermore, lack of activity of the retro-inverso peptide analogue suggested the involvement of stereospecific recognition. Mass spectrometry-based shotgun analysis, combined with Western blotting tests and biochemical data obtained with the Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 (PGRMC1) inhibitor AG205, showed strong evidence that p1932 performs its modulatory action through an interaction with the progesterone receptor PGRMC1, which is predominantly expressed in this cell line and, clearly, plays a role in progesterone induced Ca2+ response. Thus, our results point to p1932 as a modulator of the transduction signal pathway mediated by this protein and, given a well-established involvement of PGRMC1 in tumorigenesis, highlight a possible therapeutic potential of p1932 for the treatment of oral cancer.
Performance Analysis and Feedback Control of ATRIAS , A 3 D Bipedal Robot

This paper develops feedback controllers for walking in 3D, on level ground, with energy efficiency as the performance objective. ATRIAS 2.1 is a new robot that has been designed for the study of 3D bipedal locomotion, with the aim of combining energy efficiency, speed, and robustness with respect to natural terrain variations in a single platform. The robot is highly underactuated, having 6 actuators and, in single support, 13 degrees of freedom. Its sagittal plane dynamics are designed to embody the Spring Loaded Inverted Pendulum (SLIP), which has been shown to provide a dynamic model of the body center of mass during steady running gaits of a wide diversity of terrestrial animals. A detailed dynamic model is used to optimize walking gaits with respect to the Cost of Mechanical Transport (CMT), a dimensionless measure of energetic efficiency, for walking speeds ranging from 0.5 [s ] to 1.4[ m s ]. A feedback controller is designed that stabilizes the 3D walking gaits, despite the high degree of underactuation of the robot. The 3D results are illustrated in simulation. In experiments on a planarized (2D) version of the robot, the controller yielded stable walking.
Blind Attacks on Machine Learners

The importance of studying the robustness of learners to malicious data is well established. While much work has been done establishing both robust estimators and effective data injection attacks when the attacker is omniscient, the ability of an attacker to provably harm learning while having access to little information is largely unstudied. We study the potential of a “blind attacker” to provably limit a learner’s performance by data injection attack without observing the learner’s training set or any parameter of the distribution from which it is drawn. We provide examples of simple yet effective attacks in two settings: firstly, where an “informed learner” knows the strategy chosen by the attacker, and secondly, where a “blind learner” knows only the proportion of malicious data and some family to which the malicious distribution chosen by the attacker belongs. For each attack, we analyze minimax rates of convergence and establish lower bounds on the learner’s minimax risk, exhibiting limits on a learner’s ability to learn under data injection attack even when the attacker is “blind”.
A composite right/left-handed leaky-wave antenna with gap capacitors for backward to forward beam scanning

This paper presents a simple composite right/left-handed (CRLH) leaky-wave antenna (LWA) for continuous beam scanning from backward to forward direction through the boresight. The proposed CRLH LWA has the ability to scan the main beam from -40° to 40° by sweeping the operating frequency from 7.5 GHz to 10 GHz, with a boresight beam at 8.58 GHz. The peak gain of the antenna is 12.45 dBi and its 3dB gain bandwidth is 2 GHz (8 - 10 GHz).
Virtual Campus in the Context of an Educational Virtual City: a Case Study

In this paper we focus on virtual campuses, i.e. virtual worlds representing real educational institutions that are based on the metaphor of a university and provide users with different learning tools. More specifically, we focus on the idea of integrating a virtual campus into the context of a virtual city where the students live and work to extend its possibilities for supporting learning and socializing. In this paper we describe an empirical case study that was performed to test and develop our initial ideas. We present a set of guidelines for designing a virtual campus in the city context, based on the results of the study.
Distributed Commerce Transactions with Timing Deadlines and Direct Trust

In a multi-party transaction such as fulfilling an information request from multiple sources (also called a distributed commerce agents face risks from dealing with untrusted agents. These risks are compounded in the face of deadlines, e.g., an agent may fail to deliver purchased goods by the time the goods are needed. We present a distributed algorithm that mitigates these risks, showing that it is sound (produces only safe multi-agent action sequences) and complete (finds a safe sequence whenever one We also show how the algorithm may be extended so that agents may interact directly with other participants rather than through a trusted intermediary. Introduction The explosion of networked information sources leads to the sense that the answer to any question is out there, if only one has access to the right combination of sources. Search engines and information brokers help navigate the space, yet adding information services and sources which require payment exposes a number of hazards. A transaction with a customer, brokand source(s) involves the following risks: 1. A customer spends money without receiving the promised document in time. 2. A broker or source sends a document to a customer without receiving payment. 3. A customer with a conjunctive request pays for one document without being able to obtain all of the others in time. (This risk is known as "buying half a conjunction.") 4. A broker buys a document but has its customer back out, leaving no one to re-purchase the document. In (Authors 1996a; 1996b; we define a distributed commerce transaction where agents playing the roles of customer, broker, or source interact with each other through trusted intermediaries. The goal is to move documents from the sources to the customer. This problem is complicated by two factors. First, agents have a limited set of actions (sending a document or money, requesting a document or money, or Figure 1: A simple example returning a document or money, notifying pending st
Revolutions in Neuroscience: Tool Development

Thomas Kuhn’s famous model of the components and dynamics of scientific revolutions is still dominant to this day across science, philosophy, and history. The guiding philosophical theme of this article is that, concerning actual revolutions in neuroscience over the past 60 years, Kuhn’s account is wrong. There have been revolutions, and new ones are brewing, but they do not turn on competing paradigms, anomalies, or the like. Instead, they turn exclusively on the development of new experimental tools. I adopt a metascientific approach and examine in detail the development of two recent neuroscience revolutions: the impact of engineered genetically mutated mammals in the search for causal mechanisms of “higher” cognitive functions; and the more recent impact of optogenetics and designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs). The two key metascientific concepts, I derive from these case studies are a revolutionary new tool’s motivating problem, and its initial and second-phase hook experiments. These concepts hardly exhaust a detailed metascience of tool development experiments in neuroscience, but they get that project off to a useful start and distinguish the subsequent account of neuroscience revolutions clearly from Kuhn’s famous model. I close with a brief remark about the general importance of molecular biology for a current philosophical understanding of science, as comparable to the place physics occupied when Kuhn formulated his famous theory of scientific revolutions.