Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of antinociceptive, antinflammatory activities and phytochemical analysis of aerial parts of Urtica urens L.

The antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities of the ethanol extract of the aerial part of Urtica urens were determined by experimental animal models. U. urens extract was found to possess significant antinociceptive activity in chemically induced mouse pain models (ED50 39.3 mg/kg: 17.2–74.5 mg/kg) in the writhing test and 62.8% inhibition of the licking time in the late phase of the formalin test at a dose of 500 mg/kg p.o. and antiinflammatory activity on carrageenan‐induced rat hind paw edema (41.5% inhibition at a dose of 300 mg/kg i.p.). The extract displayed activity neither in the thermal model of pain nor in the topical inflammation model. The major component of the extract was determined as chlorogenic acid (670 mg/1000 g dry weight) and could be partly responsible for this activity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimized software mapping for advanced driver assistance systems

In this paper, we present a novel approach for automated latency-optimized mapping of processes onto cores of NoC-based MPSoCs. During the mapping determination, the routing algorithm for packet-based communication is taken into account. The basic idea of the presented approach is the reduction of communication conflicts on the communication network links for reducing the overall communication latency and hence for increasing the total system performance. The presented approach is based on the idea of force-directed scheduling (FDS) from high-level synthesis. It maps the problem of conflict avoidance to forces for deriving an optimized process mapping. We present results obtained from two advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), a traffic sign recognition and a depth map computation for a stereo camera system used for object recognition. As hardware platform we used a Tilera TILEPro64 processor system.
Acyl-Substituted Dermaseptin S4 Derivatives with Improved Bactericidal Properties, Including on Oral Microflora

ABSTRACT The 15-mer dermaseptin S4 derivative S4(1-15) was recently shown to exhibit potent activity against oral pathogens associated with caries and periodontitis. Here, we investigated possible modes for improving the peptide's properties through systematic replacement of an N-terminal amino acid(s) with various fatty acids that modulate the peptide's hydrophobicity and/or charge. Deletion of 1 to 3 residues led to progressive loss of potency as assessed by MIC experiments performed on four test bacteria. Replacing the deleted amino acids with fatty acids most often resulted in potency recovery or improvement, as evidenced by lower MICs and faster bactericidal kinetics in culture media. Best results were obtained after replacement of the N-terminal dipeptide alanine-leucine with heptanoic (C7) or aminododecanoic (NC12) acid. Circular dichroism analysis correlated antibacterial properties to the peptide's secondary structure. MIC experiments and confocal laser scanning microscopy results indicated that C7-S4(3-15) and NC12-S4(3-15) were bactericidal to various oral pathogens, including those which are immobilized in a biofilm. C7-S4(3-15) performed similarly to or better than (depending on growth medium) IB-367, a peptide assessed in clinical trials for treatment of oral mucositis, reducing CFU counts by >3 log units within 2 min of incubation. Collectively, the data indicate that substitution of fatty acids for amino acids may be a useful strategy in revealing improved derivatives of known antimicrobial peptides and suggest the suitability of such compounds for controlling pathogens associated with oral diseases.
User?s Visual Intention Driven Retrieval Model For Semantic Video Search And Retrieval

There are various models of retrieval mechanisms for effective video retrieval, however, ‘semantic gap’ still persists. This study aims to reduce the gap by providing a graphical user interface that allows user to express the visuals in their mind into a query using semantic association of spatial and temporal visual concepts. To accomplish this, we have developed a video content depiction schema that serves as the foundation to our semantic search mechanisms, namely a generic visual concept search, Spatial Concept Association Based Search (SCABS) and Spatial Concept Transition Based Search (SCTBS). In our approach, a clear understanding between the user and the system has been established through the depiction schema and the visual retrieval mechanisms in contrast to common tag based retrieval systems. This retrieval model employs visual experiences and context knowledge of the users to generate search results. Our experiment result shows that our approach produces positive result against other approaches.
Temperature determines the occurrence of CAM or C3 photosynthesis in pineapple plantlets grown in vitro

SummaryAnanas comosus (L.) Merr. var. Smooth Cayenne plants when grown in vitro under different temperature regimes developed as CAM or as C3 plants. The plants used in this study were developed from the lateral buds of the nodal etiolated stem explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium for 3 mo. The cultures were maintained under a 16-h photoperiod for different thermoperiods. With 28°C light/15°C dark thermoperiod, as compared with constant 28°C light and dark, pineapple plants had a succulence index two times greater, and also a greater nocturnal titratable acidity and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) activity, indicating CAM-type photosynthesis. The highest abscisic acid (ABA) level occurred during the light period, 8 h prior to maximum PEPCase activity, while the indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) peak was found during the dark period, coinciding with the time of highest PEPCase activity. These plants were also smaller with thicker leaves and fewer roots, but had greater dry weight. Their leaves showed histological characteristics of CAM plants, such as the presence of greater quantities of chlorenchyma and hypoderm. In addition, their vascular system was more conspicuous. In contrast, under constant temperature (28°C light/dark) plants showed little succulence in the leaves. There was no significant acid oscillation and diurnal variation in PEPCase activity in these plants, suggesting the occurrence of C3 photosynthesis. Also, no diurnal variation in ABA and IAA contents was observed. The results of this study clearly indicate a role for temperature in determining the type of carbon fixation pathway in in vitro grown pineapple. Evidence that ABA and IAA participate in CAM signaling is provided.
Tolerability of NXY-059 at Higher Target Concentrations in Patients With Acute Stroke

Background and Purpose— NXY-059 is a nitrone-based free radical–trapping agent in development for acute stroke. In patients with acute stroke, NXY-059 is well tolerated at concentrations known to be associated with neuroprotection in animal models of transient cerebral ischemia; however, higher target concentrations appear necessary on the basis of animal models of permanent ischemia. Methods— This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-escalation, multicenter study that evaluated safety, tolerability, and plasma concentrations of 2 NXY-059 dosing regimens within 24 hours of acute stroke. NXY-059 was administered as either 915 mg over 1 hour followed by 420 mg/h for 71 hours or 1820 mg for 1 hour followed by 844 mg/h for 71 hours; plasma concentrations were monitored. Neurological and functional outcomes were recorded for up to 30 days. Results— One hundred thirty-five patients were recruited, of whom 134 received study treatment and completed assessments (844 mg/h, n=39; 420 mg/h, n=48; placebo, n=47). Mean age was 69 years (range, 34 to 92 years), and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 8.5 (SD, 6.6). Serious adverse events occurred in 3, 17, and 13 patients, respectively, with deaths in 0, 4, and 3 patients and treatment discontinuations because of adverse events in 0, 1, and 3 patients. Good outcome, defined by modified Rankin Scale score of 0 or 1, was seen in 53%, 29% and 40%, respectively. No safety concern was identified in analysis of body temperature, blood pressure, or other laboratory parameters. The unbound plasma concentration at steady state was 260±79 &mgr;mol/L, exceeding the target of 200 &mgr;mol/L in the high-dose group. Conclusions— NXY-059 was well tolerated in patients with an acute stroke at and above concentrations shown to be neuroprotective in an animal model when initiated 4 hours after onset of permanent focal ischemia.
The hemagglutinin gene A (hagA) of Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 contains four large, contiguous, direct repeats

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a gram-negative anaerobic bacterial species strongly associated with adult periodontitis. One of its distinguishing characteristics and putative virulence properties is the ability to agglutinate erythrocytes. We have previously reported the cloning of multiple hemagglutinin genes from P. gingivalis 381. Subsequent sequencing of clone ST 2 revealed that the cloned fragment contained only an internal portion of the gene which lacked both start and stop codons. We here report the cloning and sequencing of the entire gene, designated hagA, as well as its relationship to other genes of this species. By use of inverse PCR technology and the construction of several additional genomic libraries, the complete open reading frame of hagA was found to be 7,887 bp in length, encoding a protein of 2,628 amino acids with a molecular mass of 283.3 kDa, which is among the largest genes ever cloned from a prokaryote to date. Within its open reading frame, four large, contiguous, direct repeats (varying from 1,318 to 1,368 bp) were identified. The repeat unit (HArep), which is assumed to contain the hemagglutinin domain, is also present in other recently reported protease and hemagglutinin genes in P. gingivalis. Thus, we propose that hagA and the other genes which share the HArep sequence form a multigene family with hagA as a central member.
Left Behind: Children of Soldiers.

Recent international conflicts have increased the dangers of American military personnel. These soldiers are part of the growing contingent of military families with children. Because these children are more aware of the dangers, the stress and worry affects them in a variety of ways, especially in school-age children. This article investigates current research and action in three areas: (1) symptoms exhibited by children of deployed parents, (2) how teachers, schools, and communities recognize and respond to it, and (3) what programs have been developed or are under development to assist parents and schools in helping students learn to cope with the stresses at work. The article concludes with information and recommendations for parents, relatives, educators, and those who support them.
A safety risk assessment method considering epistemic uncertainty

In the areas of safety risk assessment, how to consider uncertainty properly becomes a challenge. To resolve this problem, a new system state description method was presented firstly in the DET, that is system state sequence which can record the evolvement process of accident, and then the arithmetic of state sequence probability was designed. The probability of accident can be calculated easily in the DET based on those probabilities. Because the uncertainty of input parameters is ubiquitous in the safety risk assessment model, the QMU (Quantification of Margins and Uncertainty) method was introduced. Using LHS (Latin Hypercube Sample) to research the uncertainty of risk index was adopted, at the same time, the margins and uncertainty of risk index can be obtained which is also the information of safety risk assessment. To demonstrate the performance gains of our model, a cooling liquid tank system was analyzed as an example. The result shows that these methodologies can be used to assess risk more conveniently and credibly. Furthermore, the conclusions can be used to guide the risk control and improve system safety.
Comparison of DNA Methylation and Expression Pattern of S100 and Other Epidermal Differentiation Complex Genes in Differentiating Keratinocytes

Epidermal Differentiation Complex (EDC) is a gene cluster on human chromosome 1 q21, which comprises genes encoding four protein families: S100, S100 fused (SFTP), small proline‐rich region (SPRR) and late cornified envelope (LCE) proteins. Contrary to the latter three families, which group proteins important for skin barrier formation, the role of S100 proteins has not been well defined and there are no systematic comparative data concerning their expression in the epidermis. Furthermore, little is known about epigenetic mechanisms controlling changes in S100 and other EDC genes expression in differentiating epidermis. In our study, using real‐time PCR, we followed the expression of nine S100 genes at subsequent stages of differentiation of primary human keratinocytes and found that they exhibited different expression patterns. Then, we confronted the expression level in undifferentiated and differentiated keratinocytes with the extent of DNA methylation within their promoter or intragenic regions assessed by bisulfite sequencing. Methylation analysis was also performed for three other EDC genes of known expression pattern (involucrin, loricrin, and NICE‐1) and a recently identified evolutionary conserved region with defined enhancer properties. The results indicate that altered EDC genes expression is not accompanied by major changes in DNA methylation. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1092–1098, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of a unique constant-estrogen, pulsed-progestin hormone replacement therapy containing 17beta-estradiol and norgestimate on endometrial histology.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a 17beta-estradiol(E2)/norgestimate (NGM) HRT regimen, which provides constant estrogen in combination with pulsed progestin administration, on endometrial histology in healthy postmenopausal women 40 to 65 years of age who had experienced natural menopause at least 12 months before the start of the study. METHODS A total of 1,253 postmenopausal women were randomized to receive either continuous 1 mg E2, or constant estrogen, pulsed progestin regimens of 1 mg E2/30 microg NGM, 1 mg E2/90 microg NGM, or 1 mg E2/180 microg NGM (3 days on, 3 days off) in a 12-month, multicenter, double-blind study. Endometrial biopsies were obtained pre- and post-treatment, and were evaluated by at least 2 (if required, by 3) pathologists who were blinded with respect to treatment and to each other's diagnosis. RESULTS At the end of the study, no cases of endometrial hyperplasia were diagnosed in subjects who received E2 1 mg/NGM 90 microg or E21 mg/NGM 180 microg, whereas 74 (28%) and 16 (6%) cases of endometrial hyperplasia were diagnosed in subjects who received continuous E2 1 mg and E2 1 mg/NGM 30 microg, respectively. A dose-related endometrial response to NGM was apparent (P < .001). The percentage of patients with inactive/atrophic endometrium increased with NGM dose. CONCLUSION The results of this study support the safety and efficacy of this unique HRT regimen and suggest that the minimal NGM dose required to protect the endometrium from hyperplasia in a pulsed progestin regimen consisting of continuous E2 1 mg is 90 microg.
A soft body as a reservoir: case studies in a dynamic model of octopus-inspired soft robotic arm

The behaviors of the animals or embodied agents are characterized by the dynamic coupling between the brain, the body, and the environment. This implies that control, which is conventionally thought to be handled by the brain or a controller, can partially be outsourced to the physical body and the interaction with the environment. This idea has been demonstrated in a number of recently constructed robots, in particular from the field of “soft robotics”. Soft robots are made of a soft material introducing high-dimensionality, non-linearity, and elasticity, which often makes the robots difficult to control. Biological systems such as the octopus are mastering their complex bodies in highly sophisticated manners by capitalizing on their body dynamics. We will demonstrate that the structure of the octopus arm cannot only be exploited for generating behavior but also, in a sense, as a computational resource. By using a soft robotic arm inspired by the octopus we show in a number of experiments how control is partially incorporated into the physical arm's dynamics and how the arm's dynamics can be exploited to approximate non-linear dynamical systems and embed non-linear limit cycles. Future application scenarios as well as the implications of the results for the octopus biology are also discussed.
Correlated terrestrial and marine evidence for global climate changes before mass extinction at the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary

Terrestrial climates near the time of the end-Cretaceous mass extinction are poorly known, limiting understanding of environmentally driven changes in biodiversity that occurred before bolide impact. We estimate paleotemperatures for the last ≈1.1 million years of the Cretaceous (≈66.6–65.5 million years ago, Ma) by using fossil plants from North Dakota and employ paleomagnetic stratigraphy to correlate the results to foraminiferal paleoclimatic data from four middle- and high-latitude sites. Both plants and foraminifera indicate warming near 66.0 Ma, a warming peak from ≈65.8 to 65.6 Ma, and cooling near 65.6 Ma, suggesting that these were global climate shifts. The warming peak coincides with the immigration of a thermophilic flora, maximum plant diversity, and the poleward range expansion of thermophilic foraminifera. Plant data indicate the continuation of relatively cool temperatures across the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary; there is no indication of a major warming immediately after the boundary as previously reported. Our temperature proxies correspond well with recent pCO2 data from paleosol carbonate, suggesting a coupling of pCO2 and temperature. To the extent that biodiversity is correlated with temperature, estimates of the severity of end-Cretaceous extinctions that are based on occurrence data from the warming peak are probably inflated, as we illustrate for North Dakota plants. However, our analysis of climate and facies considerations shows that the effects of bolide impact should be regarded as the most significant contributor to these plant extinctions.
An improved wavelet-based speech enhancement system

The problem of speech enhancement using wavelet thresholding algorithm is considered. Major problems in applying the basic algorithm are discussed and modifications are proposed to improve the method. First, we propose the use of different thresholds for different wavelet bands. Next, by employing a pause detection algorithm, noise profile is estimated and the thresholds are adapted. This enables the modified enhancement system to handle colored and nonstationary noises. Finally, a wavelet-based voiced/unvoiced classification is proposed and implemented that can further improve the performance of the enhancement system. To evaluate the system performance, we have used real-life noise types such as multi-talker babble and low-pass noises. Subjective and objective evaluations show that the proposed system improves the performance the wavelet thresholding algorithm.
A Query Specific Graph Based Approach to Multi-document Text Summarization: Simultaneous Cluster and Sentence Ranking

Recently the focus of query independent summary is shifted to query specific document summarization. This paper presents a graph based method to find query specific multi-document summarization. Our system is divided into two stages, off-line and on-line. We construct document as graph by considering paragraph as nodes in off-line stage. Edge scores are represented node similarities. In online stage, query specific weight are calculated and assigned to node. We then perform keyword search on the document graph and search a minimum top spanning tree for finding relevant nodes that satisfy the keyword search. Resultant summary looks coherent due to simultaneous cluster and sentence ranking. Experimental results for multi-document scenarios are encouraging.
Cross-talk between Akkermansia muciniphila and intestinal epithelium controls diet-induced obesity

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are characterized by altered gut microbiota, inflammation, and gut barrier disruption. Microbial composition and the mechanisms of interaction with the host that affect gut barrier function during obesity and type 2 diabetes have not been elucidated. We recently isolated Akkermansia muciniphila, which is a mucin-degrading bacterium that resides in the mucus layer. The presence of this bacterium inversely correlates with body weight in rodents and humans. However, the precise physiological roles played by this bacterium during obesity and metabolic disorders are unknown. This study demonstrated that the abundance of A. muciniphila decreased in obese and type 2 diabetic mice. We also observed that prebiotic feeding normalized A. muciniphila abundance, which correlated with an improved metabolic profile. In addition, we demonstrated that A. muciniphila treatment reversed high-fat diet-induced metabolic disorders, including fat-mass gain, metabolic endotoxemia, adipose tissue inflammation, and insulin resistance. A. muciniphila administration increased the intestinal levels of endocannabinoids that control inflammation, the gut barrier, and gut peptide secretion. Finally, we demonstrated that all these effects required viable A. muciniphila because treatment with heat-killed cells did not improve the metabolic profile or the mucus layer thickness. In summary, this study provides substantial insight into the intricate mechanisms of bacterial (i.e., A. muciniphila) regulation of the cross-talk between the host and gut microbiota. These results also provide a rationale for the development of a treatment that uses this human mucus colonizer for the prevention or treatment of obesity and its associated metabolic disorders.
PDE4D plays a critical role in the control of airway smooth muscle contraction

The airways of mice deficient in the cAMP phosphodiesterase PDE4D gene are refractory to muscarinic cholinergic stimulation. This study was undertaken to determine whether altered smooth muscle contractility causes the PDE4D−/− phenotype. A major disruption in contractility was observed in isolated PDE4D−/− tracheas, with a 60% reduction in maximal tension and a fivefold decrease in sensitivity to muscarinic cholinergic agonists. Conversely, responses to KCl or arginine vasopressin were unaffected. PDE4D is the predominant PDE4 form in tracheal extracts and PDE4D mRNA is expressed in smooth muscle where muscarinic binding sites are most abundant. Cyclic AMP accumulation in response to acute Gsα‐coupled receptor stimulation was increased up to fourfold in the airway of PDE4D−/− mice when compared with wild‐type. This increase in cAMP was associated with an increased sensitivity to PGE2‐induced relaxation of the PDE4D−/− tracheas. Furthermore, a blockade of prostanoid accumulation in PDE4D−/− tracheas restored the response to muscarinic cholinergic stimulation in vitro and in vivo. These results demonstrate that PDE4D plays a key role in balancing relaxant and contracting cues in airway smooth muscle, suggesting that natural mutations in the PDE4D gene have profound effects on airway tone. —Me´hats, C. , Jin, S. ‐L. C. , Wahlstrom, J., Law, E. , Umetsu, D. , Conti, M. PDE4D plays a critical role in the control of airway smooth muscle contraction. FASEB J. 17, 1831–1841 (2003)