Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Mixed-Logical-Dynamical model for Automated Driving on highways

We propose a hybrid decision-making framework for safe and efficient autonomous driving of selfish vehicles on highways. Specifically, we model the dynamics of each vehicle as a Mixed-Logical-Dynamical system and propose driving rules to prevent potential sources of conflict among neighboring vehicles. We formalize the coordination problem as a generalized mixed-integer potential game, where an equilibrium solution generates a sequence of mixed-integer decisions for the vehicles that trade off individual optimality and overall safety.
Anoxia-reoxygenation versus ischemia in isolated rat lungs.

Oxidant generation in anoxia-reoxygenation and ischemia-reperfusion was compared in isolated rat lungs. Anoxia-reoxygenation was produced by N2 ventilation followed by O2 ventilation. After anoxia, lung ATP content was decreased by 59%. Oxygenated ischemia was produced by discontinuing perfusion while ventilation with O2 was maintained. With anoxia-reoxygenation, oxidant generation, evaluated by oxidation of dichlorodihydrofluorescein (H2DCF) to fluorescent dichlorofluorescein, increased 3.6-fold, lung thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) increased 342%, conjugated dienes increased 285%, and protein carbonyl content increased 46%. Pretreatment of lungs with 100 μM allopurinol inhibited the reoxygenation-mediated increase in lung fluorescence by 75% and TBARS by 69%. Oxygenated ischemia resulted in an approximately eightfold increase in lung H2DCF oxidation and a fourfold increase in TBARS, but allopurinol had no effect. On the other hand, 100 μM diphenyliodonium (DPI) inhibited the ischemia-mediated increase in lung fluorescence by 69% and lung TBARS by 70%, but it had no effect on the increase with anoxia-reoxygenation. Therefore, both ischemia-reperfusion and anoxia-reoxygenation result in oxidant generation by the lung, but a comparison of results with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor (allopurinol) and a flavoprotein inhibitor (DPI) indicate that the pathways for oxidant generation are distinctly different.
Development of gelatin/zein fibrous membranes for hemostatic application

Microporous structures are usually designed for hemostatic agents to dehydrate blood and thus accelerate the natural clotting process. We have developed gelatin-based fibrous membranes by co-electrospinning with a hydrophobic protein, zein, for hemostatic dressings. The hybrid gelatin/zein fibers showed structural integrity upon introduction into an aqueous medium without the subsequent crosslinking of the protein components. Fibrous membranes with different gelatin/zein ratios were characterized by blood absorption, whole blood clotting, and coagulation activity in vitro and hemostatic efficiency in vivo. The results indicated that both blood and simulated body fluid uptake were increased as zein content of hybrid fibers decreased, in correspondence to the increase of hydrophilicity of the membranes. Coagulation activity tests showed that both components did not activate coagulation at all, indicating that the gelatin/zein fibrous membrane provided a physical matrix for clotting to be initiated. Adequate hemostatic efficacy was observed after applying gelatin/zein fibrous membranes to bleeding sites on the auricular vein, middle auricular artery, and liver of rabbits. In different hemorrhage models, fibrous membranes with a gelatin/zein ratio of 3/1 showed the least bleeding time and blood loss among the other membranes as well as control (gelatin sponge). Moreover, the total blood loss in the liver injury using the membrane (50.7 mg ± 3.8 mg) was significantly less than that of the control (182.5 mg ± 40.3 mg). Overall results demonstrated that gelatin/zein fibrous membranes with fibrous structure and moderate fluid absorption ability showed rapid hemostasis and limited blood loss, which could be of great benefit for hemostatic applications.
Nucleic acid clamp-mediated recognition and stabilization of the physiologically relevant MYC promoter G-quadruplex

The MYC proto-oncogene is upregulated, often at the transcriptional level, in ∼80% of all cancers. MYC's promoter is governed by a higher order G-quadruplex (G4) structure in the NHE III1 region. Under a variety of conditions, multiple isoforms have been described to form from the first four continuous guanine runs (G41–4) predominating under the physiologically relevant supercoiled conditions. In the current study, short oligonucleotides complementing the 5′- and 3′-regions flanking the G4 have been connected by an abasic linker to form G4 clamps, varying both linker length and G4 isoform being targeted. Clamp A with an 18 Å linker was found to have marked affinity for its target isomer (G41–4) over the other major structures (G42–5 and G41–5, recognized by clamps B and C, respectively), and to be able to shift equilibrating DNA to foster greater G4 formation. In addition, clamp A, but not B or C, is able to modulate MYC promoter activity with a significant and dose-dependent effect on transcription driven by the Del4 plasmid. This linked clamp-mediated approach to G4 recognition represents a novel therapeutic mechanism with specificity for an individual promoter structure, amenable to a large array of promoters.
Iterative Low-Rank Approximation for CNN Compression

Deep convolutional neural networks contain tens of millions of parameters, making them impossible to work efficiently on embedded devices. We propose iterative approach of applying low-rank approximation to compress deep convolutional neural networks. Since classification and object detection are the most favored tasks for embedded devices, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach by compressing AlexNet, VGG-16, YOLOv2 and Tiny YOLO networks. Our results show the superiority of the proposed method compared to non-repetitive ones. We demonstrate higher compression ratio providing less accuracy loss.
Asymmetric distribution of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

We have characterized the muscarinic ACh receptors (mAChRs) expressed in Madin- Darby canine kidney (MDCK) strain II epithelial cells. Binding studies with the membrane-impermeable antagonist N-[3H]methylscopolamine demonstrated that mAChRs are ∼2.5 times more abundant on the basolateral than on the apical surface. Apical, but not basolateral, mAChRs inhibited forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in response to the agonist carbachol. Neither apical nor basolateral mAChRs exhibited detectable carbachol-stimulated phospholipase C activity. Carbachol application to the apical or the basolateral membrane resulted in a threefold increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, which was completely inhibited by pertussis toxin on the apical side and partially inhibited on the basolateral side. RT-PCR analysis showed that MDCK cells express the M4 and M5 receptor mRNAs. These data suggest that M4 receptors reside on the apical and basolateral membranes of polarized MDCK strain II cells and that the M5 receptor may reside in the basolateral membrane of a subset of cells.
Pronominal anaphora in Basque: annotation of a real corpus

This paper describes the process followed in the annotation of pronominal anaphora in the Eus3LB corpus of Basque. Our aim is to use this annotation as the basis for later computational treatment of our language. We present the linguistic analysis carried out, the criteria defined for the tagging and some relevant linguistic conclusions about the features of the antecedents needed to link them correctly to their anaphoric elements.
High glucose and high insulin conditions promote MCF-7 cell proliferation and invasion by upregulating IRS1 and activating the Ras/Raf/ERK pathway

Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, but the molecular mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of high glucose and high insulin conditions on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. High glucose and high insulin conditions resulted in increased viability, proliferation, and invasion in MCF-7 cells compared with normal glucose and low insulin conditions. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses revealed that insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) was significantly upregulated following high glucose and high insulin treatment compared with normal glucose and low insulin conditions. Furthermore, high glucose and high insulin treatment increased the Ras family of proto-oncogenes (Ras) and RAF1 proto-oncogene (Raf-1) protein expression, and activated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. These findings suggest that high glucose and high insulin conditions promoted the proliferation and invasion of MCF-7 cells by upregulating IRS1 and activating the Ras/Raf/ERK pathway.
Dependence of p53-deficient cells on the DHX9 DExH-box helicase

DHX9 is a DExH-box helicase family member with key regulatory roles in a broad range of cellular processes. It participates at multiple levels of gene regulation, including DNA replication, transcription, translation, RNA transport, and microRNA processing. It has been implicated in tumorigenesis and recent evidence suggests that it may be a promising chemotherapeutic target. Previous studies have determined that DHX9 suppression elicits an apoptotic or senescence response by activating p53 signaling. Here, we show that DHX9 inhibition can also have deleterious effects in cells lacking functional p53. Loss of DHX9 led to increased cell death in p53-deficient mouse lymphomas and HCT116 human colon cancer cells, and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in p53-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Analysis of mRNA levels for p53 transcriptional targets showed that a subset of p53 targets in the p53-null lymphomas and HCT116 cells were activated despite the absence of functional p53. This implies an alternative pathway of DHX9-mediated activation of cell death and cell cycle arrest in p53-deficient cells and supports the feasibility of targeting DHX9 in p53-deficient tumors.
Table Interpretation and Extraction of Semantic Relationships to Synthesize Digital Documents

The large number of scientific publications produced today prevents researchers from analyzing them rapidly. Automated analysis methods are needed to locate relevant facts in a large volume of information. Though publishers establish standards for scientific documents, the variety of topics, layouts, and writing styles impedes the prompt analysis of publications. A single standard across scientific fields is infeasible, but common elements tables and text exist by which to analyze publications from any domain. Tables offer an additional dimension describing direct or quantitative relationships among concepts. However, extracting tables information, and unambiguously linking it to its corresponding text to form accurate semantic relationships are non-trivial tasks. We present a comprehensive framework to conceptually represent a document by extracting its semantic relationships and context. Given a document, our framework uses its text, and tables content and structure to identify relevant concepts and relationships. Additionally, we use the Web and ontologies to perform disambiguation, establish a context, annotate relationships, and preserve provenance. Finally, our framework provides an augmented synthesis for each document in a domain-independent format. Our results show that by using information from tables we are able to increase the number of highly ranked semantic relationships by a whole order of magnitude.
Baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability in conscious rats with myocardial infarction.

The baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and the heart rate variability (HRV) were studied in conscious rats after myocardial infarction (MI; induced by coronary artery ligation) and after sham operation (SH). BRS was determined by linear regression of R-R interval vs. arterial pressure changes induced by nitroprusside or methoxamine (intravenous bolus). HRV was calculated from 3-min electrocardiogram recordings. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide were increased after MI; plasma norepinephrine and basal heart rate (HR) remained unchanged. At 3 and 28 days after MI, BRS was reduced as indicated by decreased reflex bradycardia (RB) (MI, 0.66 ± 0.13 and 0.78 ± 0.07 ms/mmHg; SH, 1.27 ± 0.16 and 1.48 ± 0.14 ms/mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05 MI vs. SH). At 56 days after MI, BRS was normalized. RB was unaffected by atropine 3 and 28 days after MI but reduced in all other groups. The increase of basal HR by atropine 3 and 28 days after MI was less than in all other groups. HRV (SD of mean N-N interval, coefficient of variance, low- and high-frequency power; studied at 28 and 56 days) was similar in all groups. It is concluded that BRS is transiently depressed in rats with left ventricular dysfunction after MI probably due to a reduced reflex vagal activity. Even though basal HR and HRV are unchanged after MI, a temporary attenuation of tonic vagal activity is unmasked after autonomic blockade.
Ethical considerations in functional magnetic resonance imaging research in acutely comatose patients

Determining the prognosis of comatose patients is difficult, and yet this information is vital for informing treatment decisions. While fMRI offers promise as a prognostic tool, further research is needed into its use. Weijer et al. provide the first analysis of the ethical issues surrounding such research in comatose patients.
Influence of sympathetic blockade on the acute hypertensive response to aortic constriction.

The objective of the present study was to determine the contribution of the sympathetic nervous system to the hypertensive response to acute (45-min) aortic coarctation in conscious intact or sinoaortic-denervated (SAD) rats. Rats were treated chronically (5 wk) with guanethidine (50 mg ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ day-1ip) to induce sympathetic nerve degeneration or acutely with the α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin (1 mg/kg iv). Aortic constriction elicited a prompt and sustained rise in mean carotid pressure that was significantly greater in SAD than in intact rats. The increase in pressure was associated with reflex bradycardia only in the intact rats, whereas the heart rate of SAD rats did not change. Guanethidine treatment did not affect the arterial pressure or heart rate responses to aortic coarctation of intact rats but blunted the hypertensive response of SAD rats to the same values exhibited by intact rats. Prazosin administered 10 min after the beginning of aortic coarctation reduced the hypertensive response of SAD rats to the same level as that of intact rats. In conclusion, the data obtained by means of the association of sinoaortic deafferentation with chronic sympathectomy with guanethidine or acute α1-adrenergic receptor blockade with prazosin indicate that the greater hypertensive response of SAD rats involves a lack of suppression of the sympathetic activity in the maintenance of the rise in pressure elicited by aortic coarctation.
Single Degranulations in NK Cells Can Mediate Target Cell Killing

NK cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes important in defense against viral infection and cancer. NK cells mediate cytotoxicity predominantly through directed secretion of lytic granules, which are specialized lysosome-related organelles, containing effector molecules such as perforin and granzymes. Although many requirements for lytic granule transport to, and secretion at, the NK cell lytic synapse are known, the minimum number of degranulation events required by an NK cell to kill its target is unknown. We performed high-resolution four-dimensional confocal microscopy of human NK–target cell conjugates to quantify NK cell degranulation (using a degranulation indicator, LAMP-1–pHluorin) as well as target cell death. Despite containing almost 200 granules, we found that an individual NK cell needed only two to four degranulation events, on average, to mediate target cell death. Although NK cells released approximately one-tenth of their total lytic granule reserve upon a single target, they required just over one-hundredth of their total lytic granules to kill a target cell. Importantly, the kinetics of NK cell killing correlated to the size of and the amount of effector molecules contained within lytic granules, as well as the temporal, but not spatial, organization of degranulation events. Thus, our study answers a fundamental question as to how many degranulation events it takes for a human NK cell to kill its target.
A hybrid approach to estuary modelling

A hybrid model incorporating process and system modelling characteristics has been developed and applied to the evolution of a theoretical estuary with a small lake basin, partially enclosed by a barrier with an entrance open to the sea. The one-dimensional model is capable of modelling changes in sedimentation both spatially and temporally and hence, tracks changes in cross- section dimensions along the estuary. The model structure is a series of linked modules to solve the hydrodynamics, the sediment transport equation and a distribution of the sediment to bed and bank. An evolution simulation was conducted for a generic coastal lagoon over an approximate time span of 2000 years with the simplifying assumption of regular sediment supply from the catchment. A further assumption is present for the depositional module in that the distribution is affected by the operation of an attractor state governed by river regime relationships. Over the 2000 year period the estuary evolved from the lagoonal state to an infilled river dominated form as predicted by the literature. While the timescale and detail of depositional pattern are heavily dependant on the assumptions relating to sediment supply and initial lagoon dimensions, the evolutionary modelling of the estuary has been undertaken essentially via a process model where the hydrodynamics have been extended over a time period not usual in conventional process models. The hybrid structure incorporated in the model has allowed the process component to be extended to a timescale usually only available to system models. A 100-year event recovery simulation was also undertaken to allow assessment of the event-driven assumption made for the larger simulation. The results proved that there is no requirement to model the low-flow (nominal) periods of time between floods, since the only sedimentation of note was at the entrance. The effects of the entrance morphology on the rest of the system were negligible as the system modelled was fluvially dominated, with a larger tidal prism this may have not been the case. While the structure of the model allows the investigation of both simulations, the choice of processes and relationships could be modified to suit other applications. Processes not included in these simulations such as wind waves may be incorporated into the process modules while an estuarine rather than river attractor regime may be more appropriate as the system module.
The effects of nursing activities on the intra-abdominal pressure of patients at risk for intra-abdominal hypertension.

BACKGROUND Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) occurs frequently in critically ill patients, and adds to their morbidity and mortality. There is no published evidence on the effects of nursing activities on the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) for patients at risk of IAH. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of hygiene care on the IAP of patients at risk for IAH. METHODS Hygiene care was provided to 34 at-risk patients. IAP was measured prior to initiating the hygiene care, immediately after and 10 minutes later. This was a quasi-experimental, pre-test/ post-test design. RESULTS The 10 minute post-hygiene care measurement of the IAP was significantly lower than the pre or immediate post-measurement of the IAP. There were no significant changes in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) or the abdominal perfusion pressure (APP). CONCLUSIONS It is safe and possibly therapeutic to provide hygiene care to patients at risk for IAH.
Research into the Physiology of Cerebrospinal Fluid Reaches a New Horizon: Intimate Exchange between Cerebrospinal Fluid and Interstitial Fluid May Contribute to Maintenance of Homeostasis in the Central Nervous System

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays an essential role in maintaining the homeostasis of the central nervous system. The functions of CSF include: (1) buoyancy of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; (2) volume adjustment in the cranial cavity; (3) nutrient transport; (4) protein or peptide transport; (5) brain volume regulation through osmoregulation; (6) buffering effect against external forces; (7) signal transduction; (8) drug transport; (9) immune system control; (10) elimination of metabolites and unnecessary substances; and finally (11) cooling of heat generated by neural activity. For CSF to fully mediate these functions, fluid-like movement in the ventricles and subarachnoid space is necessary. Furthermore, the relationship between the behaviors of CSF and interstitial fluid in the brain and spinal cord is important. In this review, we will present classical studies on CSF circulation from its discovery over 2,000 years ago, and will subsequently introduce functions that were recently discovered such as CSF production and absorption, water molecule movement in the interstitial space, exchange between interstitial fluid and CSF, and drainage of CSF and interstitial fluid into both the venous and the lymphatic systems. Finally, we will summarize future challenges in research. This review includes articles published up to February 2016.
Evaluation of Parkinson’s disease by neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging and 123I-FP-CIT SPECT

Background Both neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (NmMRI) and 123I-FP-CIT single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) (DaTSCAN) assist the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, there have been few studies investigating a correlation between them. Purpose To correlate the utility of NmMRI and DaTSCAN and to evaluate the relationship between both imaging findings and the Unified PD rating scale part III (UPDRS III) score for the diagnosis and management of PD. Material and Methods Seventeen patients with PD who underwent both NmMRI and DaTSCAN were included. We measured the volume of the neuromelanin-positive substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc volume) on NmMRI and measured the specific binding ratio (SBR) on DaTSCAN. The asymmetry index (AI) of the SNc volume and SBR were also calculated. We evaluated the relationship between the UPDRS III score and the SNc volume and SBR, respectively. Results The SNc volume showed a significant correlation with the SBR. The AIs of them also showed a significant correlation. Both the mean of the bilateral SBR and the mean of the bilateral SNc volume showed significant negative correlations with the UPDRS III score. However, the correlation between the SBR and the UPDRS III score was stronger than that between the SNc volume and the UPDRS III score. Conclusion Both NmMRI and DaTSCAN are helpful for PD diagnosis. However, we conclude that DaTSCAN is more suitable for the evaluation of the clinical motor severity and would be more useful for the management of PD patients than NmMRI.