Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tagging of Genomic STAT3 and STAT1 with Fluorescent Proteins and Insertion of a Luciferase Reporter in the Cyclin D1 Gene Provides a Modified A549 Cell Line to Screen for Selective STAT3 Inhibitors

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an oncogenic protein that is constitutively activated in numerous cancer cell lines and human cancers. Another STAT family member, STAT1, possesses cancer-inhibitory properties and can promote apoptosis in tumor cells upon activation. To better characterize these important cancer related genes, we tagged STAT3 and STAT1 loci with fluorescent protein (FP) sequences (RFP and GFP respectively) by targeted integration via zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) - mediated homologous recombination in A549 cells that express aberrantly activated STAT3. We inserted the FP transgenes at the N-terminus of the STAT3 locus and at the C-terminus of the STAT1 locus. The integration resulted in endogenous expression of fluorescent STAT3 and STAT1 chimeric fusion proteins. When stimulated with IL-6 or IFN-γ, the cells showed robust nuclear translocation of RFP-STAT3 or STAT1-GFP, respectively. Pre-incubation of cells with a known specific STAT3 inhibitor showed that IFN-γ-induced translocation of STAT1-GFP was not impaired. STAT3 activates multiple downstream targets such as genes involved in cell cycle progression - e.g. cyclin D1. To detect changes in expression of endogenous cyclin D1, we used ZFN technology to insert a secreted luciferase reporter behind the cyclin D1 promoter and separated the luciferase and cyclin D1 coding regions by a 2A sequence to induce a translational skip. The luciferase insertion was made in the RFP-STAT3/STAT1-GFP cell line to have all three reporters in a single cell line. Addition of a STAT3 inhibitor led to suppression of cyclin D1 promoter activity and cell growth arrest. The triple-modified cell line provides a simple and convenient method for high-content screening and pre-clinical testing of potential STAT3 inhibitors in live cells while ensuring that the STAT1 pathway is not affected. This approach of reporting endogenous gene activities using ZFN technology could be applied to other cancer targets.
IPA-3 Inhibits the Growth of Liver Cancer Cells By Suppressing PAK1 and NF-κB Activation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major malignancies worldwide and is associated with poor prognosis due to the high incidences of metastasis and tumor recurrence. Our previous study showed that overexpression of p21-activated protein kinase 1 (PAK1) is frequently observed in HCC and is associated with a more aggressive tumor behavior, suggesting that PAK1 is a potential therapeutic target in HCC. In the current study, an allosteric small molecule PAK1 inhibitor, IPA-3, was evaluated for the potential in suppressing hepatocarcinogenesis. Consistent with other reports, inhibition of PAK1 activity was observed in several human HCC cell lines treated with various dosages of IPA-3. Using cell proliferation, colony formation and BrdU incorporation assays, we demonstrated that IPA-3 treatment significantly inhibited the growth of HCC cells. The mechanisms through which IPA-3 treatment suppresses HCC cell growth are enhancement of apoptosis and blockage of activation of NF-κB. Furthermore, our data suggested that IPA-3 not only inhibits the HCC cell growth, but also suppresses the metastatic potential of HCC cells. Nude mouse xenograft assay demonstrated that IPA-3 treatment significantly reduced the tumor growth rate and decreased tumor volume, indicating that IPA-3 can suppress the in vivo tumor growth of HCC cells. Taken together, our demonstration of the potential preclinical efficacy of IPA-3 in HCC provides the rationale for cancer therapy.
An Analytic Gabor Feedforward Network for Single-Sample and Pose-Invariant Face Recognition

Gabor magnitude is known to be among the most discriminative representations for face images due to its space- frequency co-localization property. However, such property causes adverse effects even when the images are acquired under moderate head pose variations. To address this pose sensitivity issue and other moderate imaging variations, we propose an analytic Gabor feedforward network which can absorb such moderate changes. Essentially, the network works directly on the raw face images and produces directionally projected Gabor magnitude features at the hidden layer. Subsequently, several sets of magnitude features obtained from various orientations and scales are fused at the output layer for final classification decision. The network model is analytically trained using a single sample per identity. The obtained solution is globally optimal with respect to the classification total error rate. Our empirical experiments conducted on five face data sets (six subsets) from the public domain show encouraging results in terms of identification accuracy and computational efficiency.
Non-sequential structure from motion

Prior work on multi-view structure from motion is dominated by sequential approaches starting from a single two-view reconstruction, then adding new images one by one. In contrast, we propose a non-sequential methodology based on rotational consistency and robust estimation using convex optimization. The resulting system is more robust with respect to (i) unreliable two-view estimations caused by short baselines, (ii) repetitive scenes with locally consistent structures that are not consistent with the global geometry and (iii) loop closing as errors are not propagated in a sequential manner. Both theoretical justifications and experimental comparisons are given to support these claims.1
Reversible Infrared Actuation of Carbon Nanotube–Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Nanocomposites

Nematic liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) have fascinated scientists and engineers continually since 1981 when they were first synthesized by Finkelmann et al., as their combination of physical properties places them in a separate category apart from any other materials. LCEs bring together three important features: orientational order exhibited by the mesogenic units in amorphous soft materials, topological constraints via the crosslinks, and a responsive molecular shape due to the coupling between the orientational order and mechanical strain. Acting together, these three features create many new physical phenomena, which can lead to a promising new generation of actuators and shape-memory materials. Nematic LCEs can dramatically and reversibly elongate or contract in response to temperature changes; however, this type of LCE actuator tends to have a slow response-time due to the low thermal-conductivity of LCEs and cannot be actuated remotely, thereby limiting its potential applications. It has been reported that a carbon coating on a LCE thin-film can be used to enhance the response to an external stimulus; however, this technique is primarily limited to very thin films ( 50mm) because thick, pure LCE films display an intrinsically low thermal-conductivity. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have excellent electricaland thermal-conductivities, strong mechanical properties, and highly anisotropic dielectric-constants. Recent studies have shown that both the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) exhibit a photomechanical response. However, unlike MWNTs, which have featureless visible/near-IR absorption, SWNTs show strong and specific absorptions in the visible/near-IR region owing to bandgap transitions. Recent advances in
Negative Event Recall as a Vulnerability for Depression: Relationship Between Momentary Stress-Reactive Rumination and Memory for Daily Life Stress

The current research utilized ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology to test the hypotheses that (a) engaging in greater rumination following stress (stress-reactive rumination, SRR) would lead to improved stressor recall and (b) this improved memory for stress would predict increases in depressive symptoms. One hundred and twenty-one participants received smartphone alerts in which they reported on their experience of negative life events (NLEs) as well as SRR and depressed mood after event occurrence. NLEs followed by increased SRR were more likely to be recalled 2 weeks later. Furthermore, individuals who endorsed and recalled more stressors displayed increased depressive symptoms. Contrary to hypotheses, no evidence was found for a mediational effect in which SRR predicted depressive symptoms and was mediated by memory for NLEs. Current findings demonstrate a relationship between rumination following stress and the subsequent recall of those stressors and support the role of negative event recall as a vulnerability factor for depression.
Effect of the number of electrodes on the reconstructed lung shape in electrical impedance tomography

Abstract Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is used to monitor the regional distribution of ventilation in a transversal plane of the thorax. In this manuscript we evaluate the impact of different quantities of electrodes used for current injection and voltage measurement on the reconstructed shape of the lungs. Results indicate that the shape of reconstructed impedance changes in the body depends on the number of electrodes. In this manuscript, we demonstrate that a higher number of electrodes do not necessarily increase the image quality. For the used stimulation pattern, utilizing neighboring electrodes for current injection and voltage measurement, we conclude that the shape of the lungs is best reconstructed if 16 electrodes are used.
A Two-Step Method for the Preparation of Highly Conductive Graphene Film and Its Gas-Sensing Property

In this research, a highly conductive graphene film was synthesized through the chemical reduction of graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets followed by thermal treatment at 1100℃ (RGO-1100℃) under H2 ambient. The as-prepared graphene films were characterized by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractions, raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and by electrical conductivity measurements. The results showed that the thermal treatment efficiently removed residual oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of the RGO sheets and simultaneously restored the sp2 carbon networks in the graphene sheets. As a result, the electrical conductivity of RGO-1100℃ (~210 S/cm) film was greatly improved compared with that of RGO (~24 S/cm) and graphene oxide (4.2 × 10–4 S/m) films. In addition, the NO2 gas sensing characteristics of the as-prepared RGO films were studied. The results indicated that RGO films were highly responsive to NO2 at temperature of 200℃.
X-RAY DIFFRACTION ANALYSIS AND MICROSTRUCTURAL EXAMINATION OF AL-SIC COMPOSITE FABRICATED BY STIR CASTING TECHNIQUE

The composites as engineering materials arevery importantbecause more than 200 are compositesout of about 1600 engineering materials available today. In the present study, the effect of silicon carbide on stir cast aluminium metal matrix composite is developed by varying SiC 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% by weight at stirring speed of 300 rpm. In the present scenario, crystallite size, lattice strain, lattice constant and interplaner distance, by x-ray diffraction(XRD) patternof aluminium metal matrix composites reinforced with silicon carbide particles produced by stir casting method at 680 0 C and 900 0 C pouring temperatures, are found and discussed.Compositions of aluminium alloy and aluminium-silicon carbide composites are found by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is found that as the crystallite size increases, lattice strain decreases and vice-versa.The crystallite size was varying to be about 12nm to42nm corresponding to this, lattice strain as 0.0055 to 0.0025 respectively.Micrographs results show the presence of silicon carbide in aluminium alloy.
Examining User Complaints of Wearable Apps: A Case Study on Android Wear

Wearable apps are becoming increasingly popular in recent years. However, to date, very few studies examined the issues that wearable apps face. Prior studies showed that user reviews contain a plethora of insights that can be used to understand quality issues and help developers build better quality mobile apps. Therefore, in this paper, we mine user reviews in order to understand the user complaints of wearable apps. We manually sample and categorize 589 reviews from 6 Android wearable apps. Our findings indicate that the most frequent complaints are related to functional errors, lack of functionality, and cost. Our results are useful to the wearable developer community since they highlight the issues that users face and care most about.
Antibiofilm Effect of DNase against Single and Mixed Species Biofilm

Biofilms are aggregates of microorganisms that coexist in socially coordinated micro-niche in a self-produced polymeric matrix on pre-conditioned surfaces. The biofilm matrix reduces the efficacy of antibiofilm strategies. DNase degrades the extracellular DNA (e-DNA) present in the matrix, rendering the matrix weak and susceptible to antimicrobials. In the current study, the effect of DNase I was evaluated during biofilm formation (pre-treatment), on preformed biofilms (post-treatment) and both (dual treatment). The DNase I pre-treatment was optimized for P. aeruginosa PAO1 (model biofilm organism) at 10 µg/mL and post-treatment at 10 µg/mL with 15 min of contact duration. Inclusion of Mg2+ alongside DNase I post-treatment resulted in 90% reduction in biofilm within only 5 min of contact time (irrespective of age of biofilm). On extension of these findings, DNase I was found to be less effective against mixed species biofilm than individual biofilms. DNase I can be used as potent antibiofilm agent and with further optimization can be effectively used for biofilm prevention and reduction in situ.
Testicular MTHFR deficiency may explain sperm DNA hypomethylation associated with high dose folic acid supplementation

Supplementation with high doses of folic acid, an important mediator of one-carbon transfers for DNA methylation, is used clinically to improve sperm parameters in infertile men. We recently detected an unexpected loss of DNA methylation in the sperm of idiopathic infertile men after 6 months of daily supplementation with 5 mg folic acid (>10× the daily recommended intake-DRI), exacerbated in men homozygous for a common variant in the gene encoding an important enzyme in folate metabolism, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677C>T). To investigate the epigenomic impact and mechanism underlying effects of folic acid on male germ cells, wild-type and heterozygote mice for a targeted inactivation of the Mthfr gene were fed high-dose folic acid (10× the DRI) or control diets (CDs) for 6 months. No changes were detected in general health, sperm counts or methylation of imprinted genes. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing revealed sperm DNA hypomethylation in Mthfr+/- mice on the 10× diets. Wild-type mice demonstrated sperm hypomethylation only with a very high dose (20×) of folic acid for 12 months. Testicular MTHFR protein levels decreased significantly in wild-type mice on the 20× diet but not in those on the 10× diet, suggesting a possible role for MTHFR deficiency in sperm DNA hypomethylation. In-depth analysis of the folic acid-exposed sperm DNA methylome suggested mouse/human susceptibility of sequences with potential importance to germ cell and embryo development. Our data provide evidence for a similar cross-species response to high dose folic acid supplementation, of sperm DNA hypomethylation, and implicate MTHFR downregulation as a possible mechanism.
Deposition of hard magnetic SmCo5 thin films by magnetron sputtering

We report the study of the microstructural and magnetic properties of SmCo5 thin films. Textured SmCo5 films having one or more of the following magnetic properties - high coercivity (1.5 kOe), remanence ratio (0.85), and maximum energy product (15 MGOe) - were prepared by magnetron sputtering on heated Si substrates.
Application of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy to nano-characterisation of polymer-modified mortars

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) has been applied to study the microstructural features of immature cement mortars. Two types of cement mortars containing superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were studied, in addition to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The ortho-positronium lifetimes for all samples were in the range of 1.70-1.73 ns, values that are close to that of free water (1.7 ns) and hence suggest the presence of water-filled pores. Periodic lifetime measurements showed that the intensity of this component decreased slightly over a period of four weeks, indicating water loss associated with the curing process, evaporation or a combination of the two.
Resonant Multi-input/Multi-output/Bidirectional ZCS Step-Down DC--DC Converter With Systematic Synthesis for Point-to-Point Power Routing

A new resonant zero-current switching (ZCS) multi-input/multi-output (MIMO) converter is presented. The proposed converter routes power from every desired input port to every desired output port independently. Capability of bidirectional operation is also provided. All semiconductor devices operate under the soft-switching conditions independent from operating voltage and output power. Power budgeting for the inputs, individually voltage regulation for the outputs, and internal voltage balancing for the bidirectional ports are attained with few power-element count. The system is synthesized systematically based on a topology belonging to the family of switched-resonator converters (SwRCs). No transformer is utilized, and common ground exists between all ports. The concept of route matrix is developed to determine the power multiplexing paths. This method greatly simplifies the analysis, design, and control of the proposed system. Mathematical formulation based on route matrix is given in detail. Circuit analysis, design procedure, and five different designs along with simulation and experimental results are presented.
Real-Time Assessment of Health-Care Requirements During the Zika Virus Epidemic in Martinique

Abstract The spread of Zika virus in the Americas has been associated with a surge in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases. Given the severity of GBS, territories affected by Zika virus need to plan health-care resources to manage GBS patients. To inform such planning in Martinique, we analyzed Zika virus surveillance and GBS data from Martinique in real time with a modeling framework that captured dynamics of the Zika virus epidemic, the risk of GBS in Zika virus–infected persons, and the clinical management of GBS cases. We compared our estimates with those from the 2013–2014 Zika virus epidemic in French Polynesia. We were able to predict just a few weeks into the epidemic that, due to lower transmission potential and lower probability of developing GBS following infection in Martinique, the total number of GBS cases in Martinique would be substantially lower than suggested by simple extrapolations from French Polynesia. We correctly predicted that 8 intensive-care beds and 7 ventilators would be sufficient to treat GBS cases. This study showcased the contribution of modeling to inform local health-care planning during an outbreak. Timely studies that estimate the proportion of infected persons that seek care are needed to improve the predictive power of such approaches.
y The hypothermic response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide critically depends on brain CB 1 , but not CB 2 or TRPV 1 , receptors Alexandre

Hypothermia occurs in the most severe cases of systemic inflammation, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. This study evaluated whether the hypothermic response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is modulated by the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) and its receptors: cannabinoid-1 (CB1), cannabinoid-2 (CB2) and transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1). In rats exposed to an ambient temperature of 22◦C, a moderate dose of LPS (25–100 μg kg−1 I.V.) induced a fall in body temperature with a nadir at ∼100 min postinjection. This response was not affected by desensitization of intra-abdominal TRPV1 receptors with resiniferatoxin (20 μg kg−1 I.P.), by systemic TRPV1 antagonism with capsazepine (40 mg kg−1 I.P.), or by systemic CB2 receptor antagonism with SR144528 (1.4 mg kg−1 I.P.). However, CB1 receptor antagonism by rimonabant (4.6 mg kg−1 I.P.) or SLV319 (15 mg kg−1 I.P.) blocked LPS hypothermia. The effect of rimonabant was further studied. Rimonabant blocked LPS hypothermia when administered I.C. V. at a dose (4.6 μg) that was too low to produce systemic effects. The blockade of LPS hypothermia by I.C. V. rimonabant was associated with suppression of the circulating level of tumour necrosis factor-α. In contrast to rimonabant, the I.C. V. administration of AEA (50 μg) enhanced LPS hypothermia. Importantly, I.C. V. AEA did not evoke hypothermia in rats not treated with LPS, thus indicating that AEA modulates LPS-activated pathways in the brain rather than thermoeffector pathways. In conclusion, the A. A. Steiner and A. Y. Molchanova contributed equally to this work. C © 2011 The Authors. Journal compilation C © 2011 The Physiological Society DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2010. 202465 2416 A. A. Steiner and others J Physiol 589.9 present study reveals a novel, critical role of brain CB1 receptors in LPS hypothermia. Brain CB1 receptors may constitute a new therapeutic target in systemic inflammation and sepsis. (Received 10 November 2010; accepted after revision 10 March 2011; first published online 14 March 2011) Corresponding author A. A. Romanovsky: Systemic Inflammation Laboratory, Trauma Research, St Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, 350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA. Email: aromano@chw.edu; URL: http://www.feverlab. net. Abbreviations ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone; AEA, arachidonoyl N-ethanolamide (anandamide); CB1 and CB2, cannabinoid-1 and -2 receptors, respectively; CCK, cholecystokinin; HPA, hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal; IL, interleukin; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; PG, prostaglandin; T b, body temperature; TNF, tumour necrosis factor; TRPV1, transient receptor potential vanilloid-1.
A Review on PEG-ylationinAnti-Cancer Drug Delivery Systems

PEGylation is a well knownmethod used to improve the pharmaceutical properties of bioactive compounds.The main objective of this review is to provide a clear idea about pegylation and its use in drug delivery systems of cancer therapy. The conjugation of polyethylene glycol (PEGylation) is an effective method for overcoming the problem of rapid elimination of the drug from the body. Hence pegylation has paved the way for drug delivery by using proteins and peptides, liposomes, enzymes and nanoparticles.This review explores the work directed towards cancertherapy,through more specific methods of drug delivery. This review also discusses about the various conjugation of protein compounds occurring in pegylation. The ability to treat cancer using pegylated liposomes and enzymes are discussed. Delivery methods through pegylated proteins and peptides and nanoparticles are also highlighted. This article explores the importance of pegylation in the field of cancer therapy and how this improves the properties of the drugs thereby providing safe treatment in patients.