Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Component-dependent urine responses in the rat accessory olfactory bulb

To investigate how pheromonal information is processed in the rat accessory olfactory bulb, we optically imaged intrinsic signals to obtain high-resolution maps of activation induced by urinary stimulation. Application of volatile components in male urine mainly induced activation in the anterior accessory olfactory bulb, irrespective of the sex, whereas volatile female urine elicited activation not only in the anterior but also to some extent in the caudal part of the posterior accessory olfactory bulb of male, but not female, rats. Nonvolatile components of both male and female urine induced activation mainly in the rostral part of the posterior and to a lesser extent in the anterior accessory olfactory bulb, irrespective of the sex. These results indicate that volatile and nonvolatile urinary components activate the anterior and posterior subdivisions of the accessory olfactory bulb, respectively.
DOMEX 2004: An Experimental Campaign at Dome-C Antarctica for the Calibration of Spaceborne Low-Frequency Microwave Radiometers

Satellite data are the most suitable tools for monitoring time and spatial variations of snow covered areas and for studying snow characteristics on a global scale. Current knowledge of the microwave emission from the deep ice sheet in Antarctica is limited by the lack of low-frequency satellite sensors and by their inadequate knowledge of the physical effects governing microwave emission at wavelengths exceeding 5 cm. On the other hand, in addition to the interest related to climatic changes and to glaciological and hydrological applications, there is growing interest, on the part of the remote sensing community, in using the Antarctic and, in particular, the Dome-C plateau where the Concordia station is located, for calibrating and validating data of satellite-borne microwave and optical radiometers. This is because of the size, structure, spatial homogeneity, and thermal stability of this area. With a view to the future launches of two new low-frequency spaceborne sensors Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity mission and Aquarius, an experiment was carried out at Dome-C, thanks to financial support from European Space Agency, aimed at evaluating the stability and the absolute value of the L- and C-band brightness temperature Tb. This paper presents a report on the experimental campaign, the characteristics of the radiometric measurements, and on the main results. The C-band Tb data indicated a diurnal cycle amplitude of a few kelvin. It was confirmed that this takes place as a consequence of observed variability in the physical temperature of the top 4 m of the snowpack around the mean surface value of -24degC. In contrast, the L-band data indicated extremely stable Tb values of 192.32 K (1sigma=0.18 K) and 190.77 K (1sigma=0.57 K) at thetas=45deg and thetas=56deg, respectively
The Linear Complexity of Whiteman's Generalized Cyclotomic Sequences of Period $p^{m+1}q^{n+1}$

In this paper, we mainly get three results. First, let p, q be distinct primes with ((p-1)p,(q-1)q)=(p-1,q-1)=e ; we give a method to compute the linear complexity of Whiteman's generalized cyclotomic sequences of period p<sup>m+1</sup>q<sup>n+1</sup>. Second, if e=4, we compute the exact linear complexity of Whiteman's generalized cyclotomic sequences. Third, if p≡q 5 (mod 8), gcd(p-1, q-1)=4, and we fix a common primitive root g of both p and q, then 2∈H<sub>0</sub>=(g), which is a subgroup of the multiplicative group Z*<sub>pq</sub>, if and only if Whiteman's generalized cyclotomic numbers of order 4 depend on the decomposition pq=a<sup>2</sup>+4b<sup>2</sup> with 4|b.
Diagnostic value of WT 1 in neuroepithelial tumours

Aims: Currently, clinical trials using WT1 (Wilms tumour gene) peptide vaccines are conducted in haematopoietic malignancies and solid cancers. Single reports showed that the Wilms tumour gene product WT1 is also expressed in astrocytic neoplasms. Our aim was to investigate WT1 expression in a large cohort of various neuroepithelial tumours of different World Health Organization (WHO) grades and in normal central nervous system (CNS) tissue specimens to test its potential value as a diagnostic marker. Methods: Specimens were assessed by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The samples investigated in our study consisted of 334 human neuroepithelial tumours, among those 33 oligodendrogliomas, 219 astrocytomas (including 105 glioblastomas) and 47 ependymomas. Results: Our results showed a de novo WT1 expression in neuroepithelial tumours. In diffuse astrocytomas and ependymomas, WT1 expression increased significantly with the grade of malignancy. In contrast, no significant difference was seen between WHO grade-II and -III oligodendrogliomas. Controlling for WHO grade, the comparison of oligodendrogliomas with ependymal and astrocytic tumours showed higher expression values for the latter. Conclusions: Our study shows that WT1 is expressed de novo in numerous neuroepithelial tumours and increases with the grade of malignancy. These results suggest an important role of WT1 in tumourigenesis and progression in human brain tumours.
Distinct spatial scale sensitivities for early categorization of faces and places: neuromagnetic and behavioral findings

Research exploring the role of spatial frequencies in rapid stimulus detection and categorization report flexible reliance on specific spatial frequency (SF) bands. Here, through a set of behavioral and magnetoencephalography (MEG) experiments, we investigated the role of low spatial frequency (LSF) (<8 cycles/face) and high spatial frequency (HSF) (>25 cycles/face) information during the categorization of faces and places. Reaction time measures revealed significantly faster categorization of faces driven by LSF information, while rapid categorization of places was facilitated by HSF information. The MEG study showed significantly earlier latency of the M170 component for LSF faces compared to HSF faces. Moreover, the M170 amplitude was larger for LSF faces than for LSF places, whereas the reverse pattern was evident for HSF faces and places. These results suggest that SF modulates the processing of category specific information for faces and places.
Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) Root Extract Combinations Increase Hepatocarcinoma Cell (Hep-G2) Viability

The combined cytoactive effects of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) root extracts were investigated in a hepatocarcinoma cell line (Hep-G2). An isobolographic analysis was utilized to express the possibility of synergistic, additive or antagonistic interaction between the two extracts. Both ginseng and licorice roots are widely utilized in traditional Chinese medicine preparations to treat a variety of ailments. However, the effect of the herbs in combination is currently unknown in cultured Hep-G2 cells. Ginseng (GE) and licorice (LE) extracts were both able to reduce cell viability. The LC50 values, after 72 h, were found to be 0.64 ± 0.02 mg/mL (GE) and 0.53 ± 0.02 mg/mL (LE). An isobologram was plotted, which included five theoretical LC50s calculated, based on the fixed fraction method of combination ginseng to licorice extracts to establish a line of additivity. All combinations of GE to LE (1/5, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 4/5) produced an effect on Hep-G2 cell viability but they were all found to be antagonistic. The LC50 of fractions 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 were 23%, 21% and 18% above the theoretical LC50. Lactate dehydrogenase release indicated that as the proportion of GE to LE increased beyond 50%, the influence on membrane permeability increased. Cell-cycle analysis showed a slight but significant arrest at the G1 phase of cell cycle for LE. Both GE and LE reduced Hep-G2 viability independently; however, the combinations of both extracts were found to have an antagonistic effect on cell viability and increased cultured Hep-G2 survival.
Endogenous superantigen expression is controlled by mouse mammary tumor proviral loci

Superantigens are defined by their ability to stimulate T cells based predominantly on their V beta expression and ability to delete T cells in the thymus when expressed endogenously. We show here that the expression of one endogenous superantigen, Etc-1, is controlled by the expression of the open reading frame region of the 3' long terminal repeat of the mouse mammary tumor proviral gene, Mtv-9. We show that Mtv-8 controls a superantigen with similar specificity, and that both Mtv-8 and Mtv-9 stimulate some V beta 17+ T cells. A third provirus, Mtv-6, controls a superantigen with specificity for V beta 3. Data presented raise the possibility that endogenous superantigens may compete for class II molecules in a single B cell.
Winter warming delays dormancy release, advances budburst, alters carbohydrate metabolism and reduces yield in a temperate shrub

Global climate models predict an increase in the mean surface air temperature, with a disproportionate increase during winter. This study documents that even a very modest temperature increase during the colder periods of a plant's annual cycle may delay dormancy release and advance bud burst and flowering in blackcurrant, but the magnitude of the responses varies between genotypes differing in chilling requirement. Winter warming additionally has a large carryover effect into the growing season by reducing fruit yield the following summer.
Stochastic Divergence Minimization for Online Collapsed Variational Bayes Zero Inference of Latent Dirichlet Allocation

The collapsed variational Bayes zero (CVB0) inference is a variational inference improved by marginalizing out parameters, the same as with the collapsed Gibbs sampler. A drawback of the CVB0 inference is the memory requirements. A probability vector must be maintained for latent topics for every token in a corpus. When the total number of tokens is N and the number of topics is K, the CVB0 inference requires Ο(NK) memory. A stochastic approximation of the CVB0 (SCVB0) inference can reduce Ο(NK) to Ο(VK), where V denotes the vocabulary size. We reformulate the existing SCVB0 inference by using the stochastic divergence minimization algorithm, with which convergence can be analyzed in terms of Martingale convergence theory. We also reveal the property of the CVB0 inference in terms of the leave-one-out perplexity, which leads to the estimation algorithm of the Dirichlet distribution parameters. The predictive performance of the propose SCVB0 inference is better than that of the original SCVB0 inference in four datasets.
Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase 3-mediated α-Synuclein Cleavage in Dopaminergic Cell Death*

Evidence suggests that the C-terminal truncation of α-synuclein is equally important as aggregation of α-synuclein in Parkinson disease (PD). Our previous results showed that an endopeptidase, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3), was induced and activated in dopaminergic (DA) cells upon stress conditions. Here, we report that MMP3 cleaved α-synuclein in vitro and in vivo and that α-synuclein and MMP3 were co-localized in Lewy bodies (LB) in the postmortem brains of PD patients. Incubation of α-synuclein with the catalytic domain of MMP3 (cMMP3) resulted in generation of several peptides, and the peptide profiles of WT α-synuclein (WTsyn) and A53T mutant (A53Tsyn) were different. Combined analysis using mass spectrometry and N-terminal determination revealed that MMP3 generated C-terminally truncated peptides of amino acids 1–78, 1–91, and 1–93 and that A53Tsyn produced significantly higher quantities of these peptides. Similar sizes of peptides were detected in N27 DA cells under oxidative stress and RNA interference to knock down MMP3-attenuated peptide generation. Co-overexpression of cMMP3 with either WTsyn or A53Tsyn led to a reduction in Triton X-100-insoluble aggregates and an increase in protofibril-like small aggregates. In addition, overexpression of the 1–93-amino acid peptide in the substantia nigra led to DA neuronal loss without LB-like aggregate formation. The results strongly indicate that MMP3 digestion of α-synuclein in DA neurons plays a pivotal role in the progression of PD through modulation of α-synuclein in aggregation, LB formation, and neurotoxicity.
Analysis of Resource Selection Using Utilization Distributions

Abstract Often resource selection functions (RSFs) are developed by comparing resource attributes of used sites to unused or available ones. We present alternative approaches to the analysis of resource selection based on the utilization distribution (UD). Our objectives are to describe the rationale for estimation of RSFs based on UDs, offer advice about computing UDs and RSFs, and illustrate their use in resource selection studies. We discuss the 3 main factors that should be considered when using kernel UD-based estimates of space use: selection of bandwidth values, sample size versus precision of estimates, and UD shape and complexity. We present 3 case studies that demonstrate use of UDs in resource selection modeling. The first example demonstrates the general case of RSF estimation that uses multiple regression adjusted for spatial autocorrelation to relate UD estimates (i.e., the probability density function) to resource attributes. A second example, involving Poisson regression with an offset term, is presented as an alternative for modeling the relative frequency, or probability of use, within defined habitat units. This procedure uses the relative frequency of locations within a habitat unit as a surrogate of the UD and requires relatively fewer user-defined options in the modeling of resource selection. Last, we illustrate how the UD can also be used to enhance univariate resource selection analyses, such as compositional analysis, in cases where animals use their range nonrandomly. The UD helps overcome several common shortcomings of some other analytical techniques by treating the animal as the primary sampling unit, summarizing use in a continuous and probabilistic manner, and relying on the pattern of animal space use rather than using individual sampling points. However, several drawbacks are apparent when using the UD in resource selection analyses. Choice of UD estimator is important and sensitive to sample size and user-defined options, such as bandwidth and software selection. Extensions to these procedures could consider behavioral-based approaches and alternative techniques to estimate the UD directly.
Selenium Compounds Activate ATM-dependent DNA Damage Response via the Mismatch Repair Protein hMLH1 in Colorectal Cancer Cells*

Epidemiological and animal studies indicate that selenium supplementation suppresses risk of colorectal and other cancers. The majority of colorectal cancers are characterized by a defective DNA mismatch repair (MMR). Here, we have employed the MMR-deficient HCT 116 colorectal cancer cells and the MMR-proficient HCT 116 cells with hMLH1 complementation to investigate the role of hMLH1 in selenium-induced DNA damage response, a tumorigenesis barrier. The ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) protein responds to clastogens and initiates DNA damage response. We show that hMLH1 complementation sensitizes HCT 116 cells to methylseleninic acid, methylselenocysteine, and sodium selenite via reactive oxygen species and facilitates the selenium-induced oxidative 8-oxoguanine damage, DNA breaks, G2/M checkpoint response, and ATM pathway activation. Pretreatment of the hMLH1-complemented HCT 116 cells with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine or 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl or the ATM kinase inhibitor KU55933 suppresses hMLH1-dependent DNA damage response to selenium exposure. Selenium treatment stimulates the association between hMLH1 and hPMS2 proteins, a heterodimer critical for functional MMR, in a manner dependent on ATM and reactive oxygen species. Taken together, the results suggest a new role of selenium in mitigating tumorigenesis by targeting the MMR pathway, whereby the lack of hMLH1 renders the HCT 116 colorectal cancer cells resistant to selenium-induced DNA damage response.
Synergistic inhibitory effects of gastrin and histamine receptor antagonists on Helicobacter-induced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Apart from its importance as an acid secretogogue, the role of histamine as a downstream target of gastrin has not been fully explored. Previous studies have shown that the combination of hypergastrinemia and Helicobacter infection resulted in accelerated gastric cancer in mice. We used this model to examine the role of cholecystokinin 2 (CCK2)/gastrin receptor and histamine H2-receptor signaling in the development of gastric atrophy and cancer. METHODS Male hypergastrinemic mice (INS-GAS mice) were infected with Helicobacter felis and given the CCK2/gastrin receptor antagonist YF476 and/or the histamine H2-receptor antagonist loxtidine for 3 or 6 months. In addition, mice were treated with omeprazole alone or in combination with either YF476 or loxtidine for 3 months. RESULTS Mice treated with YF476 or loxtidine alone showed partial suppression of both gastric acid secretion and progression to neoplasia. The combination of YF476 plus loxtidine treatment resulted in nearly complete inhibition of both parameters. YF476 and/or loxtidine treatment did not alter the overall level of H. felis colonization but did result in significant down-regulation of the growth factors regenerating gene I and amphiregulin. Loxtidine treatment, with or without YF476, induced a mild shift in T-helper cell polarization. In contrast, omeprazole treatment resulted in mild progression of gastric hyperplasia/dysplasia, which was ameliorated by the addition of YF476 or loxtidine. CONCLUSIONS The combination of CCK2/gastrin- and histamine H2-receptor antagonists has synergistic inhibitory effects on development of gastric atrophy and cancer in H. felis/INS-GAS mice, while the proton pump inhibitor showed no such effects. These results support an important role for the gastrin-histamine axis in Helicobacter-induced gastric carcinogenesis.
Influence of fabric structure and finishing pattern on the thermal and moisture management properties of unidirectional water transport knitted polyester fabrics

The thermal-wet-comfort characteristic of fabrics is primary to clothing for human bodies. The comfort aptitudes in the fabrics increase the significance of attire and are gaining more interest in the global market. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of finishing patterns and fabric structure parameters on the comfort performance, air permeability, wicking effect, one-way water transport properties and thermal-physiological properties of unidirectional water transport knitted polyester fabrics. Eight samples are developed by hydrophobic finishing, which possessed good moisture management properties. The result implies that with the intensity of pores, there is an increase in the capillary effect of moisture absorption and transportation in the fabrics. Further, the escalation of the hydrophilic area to a hydrophobic area and regularity in the finishing pattern make the fabrics better in performance for unidirectional water transmission and thermal-wet comfortability. The statistical analysis indicates that the fabric structure and finishing patterns have a significant effect (p = 0.01) on moisture management properties. The fabric with a rib air structure and finishing pattern with ratio (69%) of the hydrophilic area to the hydrophobic area has the best regularity and moisture management property.
Socially Guided Machine Learning : Designing an Algorithm to Learn from Real-Time Human Interaction

Socially Guided Machine Learning explores the ways in which machine learning can be designed to more fully take advantage of natural human interaction and tutelage. In this article we present a framework for studying the role real-time human interaction plays in training robots to perform new tasks. We have results from an initial user study using our experimental platform, Sophie’s World, to understand how people administer reward and punishment to teach a simulated robot a new task through Reinforcement Learning (RL). Based on this study, we identified three modifications to a standard RL algorithm to make it more amenable to learning from real-time human interaction: an embellished communication channel with both guidance and feedback, transparency behaviors, and responsiveness to errors. We are evaluating these modifications in a follow-up study.
High Frequency Roughness Scattering from Various Rough Surfaces: Theory and Laboratory Experiments

The scattering strength of isotropic and anisotropic rough surfaces was experimentally and theoretically investigated for high frequencies about 500 kHz. Emphasis was placed on studying the response from three two-dimensional rough surfaces which roughness was either isotropic (characterized by a Gaussian distribution) or anisotropic (characterized by a modified-sine surface). Theoretical predictions rely on the first-order small slope approximation either including a Gaussian structure function or a quasi-periodic structure function. The combination of true data and theoretical results indicates the importance of taking into account the anisotropy of a surface in a scattering prediction process. It is shown that the scattering strength varies a lot depending on the propagation plane. In the longitudinal direction of ripples, scattering strength is mostly in the specular direction, whereas in the transversal direction of the ripples, the scattering strength is spread in a very different way related to the particular features of the ripples, with several maxima and minima independent of the specular direction. Contrary to the isotropic surface, the scattering strength from an anisotropic rough surface is modified from one propagation plane to another, which explains why the entire rough surface should be taken into account without any simplification as it is often seen when dealing with scattering models. Compared to such a surface, positions of the emitter and of the receiver are naturally significant when measuring scattering strength.
Institutional report - Cardiac general Cardiac output by arterial pulse contour: reliability under hemodynamic derangements

Pulse contour methods (PCM) for the measurements of cardiac output (CO) are gaining popularity in intensive care settings but their reliability during hemodynamic instability has been questioned. Pressure-recording-analytical-method (PRAM) is a newly developed uncalibrated hemodynamic monitor and its capability in measuring CO during hemodynamic instability is still under investigation. Dobutamine (2.5 and 5 mgykgymin), vasoconstriction (arginine-vasopressin 4, 8 and 16 IUyh), hemorrhage (–10%, –20%, –35%, and –50% of the theoretical volemia), and volume resuscitation were induced in eight swine. CO by means of thermodilution (CO ), transesophageal ThD echocardiography (CO ) and PRAM (CO ) were contemporarily registered. R , bias, and percentage error were used to compare the 2 TEE PRAM methods. Comparison between CO and CO resulted in: r s0.87; biass–0.006 lymin; precisions"0.87 lymin; percentage errors22.8%. 2 PRAM ThD Comparison between CO and CO resulted in: r s0.85; biass–0.007 lymin; precisions"0.86 lymin; percentage errors22%. Sub-group 2 PRAM TEE analysis revealed disagreement between methods only during the last two steps of hemorrhage: CO vs. CO : r s0.67, biass–0.37 2 PRAM ThD lymin, precisions"1.04 lymin, limits of agreements–1.39q0. 66 lymin, and percentage errors45%; CO vs. CO : r s0.38, biass0.4 2 PRAM TEE lymin, precisions"1.42 lymin, limits of agreements–0.99q1. 79 lymin, and percentage errors62%. PRAM resulted to be accurate in measuring CO during hemodynamic stability, tachycardia, and vasoconstriction. When volemia was reduced by )35%, disagreement between methods was observed. 2009 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.