Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional screening of α7 nicotinic receptor ligands

Background: The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, a ligand-gated ion channel, is an attractive drug discovery target in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Objective: We have evaluated the various approaches to discovering ligands targeting the α7 nicotinic receptor to define the current paradigm driving drug discovery efforts in this area. Methods: Assays using functional read-outs as a consequence of α7 nicotinic receptor activation have been reviewed. Conclusion: Functional assays using fluorescence-based optical methods in combination with direct electrophysiological recordings of channel function currently provide an integrated approach to the discovery of α7 nicotinic receptor targeted ligands.
Speech Parameter Stress Rhythm Intonation Articulation Acoustic Feature Energy Speaking Rate Pitch Formants Speaking Rate Duration SDC SDC Modulation Index SDC Duration SDC Table

This paper investigates the efficiency of several acoustic features in classifying pervasive developmental disorders, pervasive developmental disorders not-otherwise specified, dysphasia, and a group of control patients. One of the main characteristics of these disorders is the misuse and misrecognition of prosody in daily conversations. To capture this behaviour pitch, energy, and formants are modelled in long-term intervals, and the interval duration, shifted-delta cepstral coefficients, AM modulation index, and speaking rate complete our acoustic information. The concept of total variability space, or iVector space, is introduced as feature extractor for autism classification. This work is framed in the Interspeech 2013 Computational Paralinguistics Challenge as part of the Autism Subchallenge. Results are given on the Child Pathological Speech Database (CPSD), and an 87.6% and 45.1% unweighted average recall are obtained for the typicality (typical vs. atypical developing children) and diagnosis (classification into the 4 groups) tasks, respectively, on the development dataset. In addition, the combination of the new and the baseline features offers promising improvements.
Abnormal brain activation and connectivity to standardized disorder‐related visual scenes in social anxiety disorder

Our understanding of altered emotional processing in social anxiety disorder (SAD) is hampered by a heterogeneity of findings, which is probably due to the vastly different methods and materials used so far. This is why the present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study investigated immediate disorder‐related threat processing in 30 SAD patients and 30 healthy controls (HC) with a novel, standardized set of highly ecologically valid, disorder‐related complex visual scenes. SAD patients rated disorder‐related as compared with neutral scenes as more unpleasant, arousing and anxiety‐inducing than HC. On the neural level, disorder‐related as compared with neutral scenes evoked differential responses in SAD patients in a widespread emotion processing network including (para‐)limbic structures (e.g. amygdala, insula, thalamus, globus pallidus) and cortical regions (e.g. dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and precuneus). Functional connectivity analysis yielded an altered interplay between PCC/precuneus and paralimbic (insula) as well as cortical regions (dmPFC, precuneus) in SAD patients, which emphasizes a central role for PCC/precuneus in disorder‐related scene processing. Hyperconnectivity of globus pallidus with amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) additionally underlines the relevance of this region in socially anxious threat processing. Our findings stress the importance of specific disorder‐related stimuli for the investigation of altered emotion processing in SAD. Disorder‐related threat processing in SAD reveals anomalies at multiple stages of emotion processing which may be linked to increased anxiety and to dysfunctionally elevated levels of self‐referential processing reported in previous studies. Hum Brain Mapp 37:1559‐1572, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The induction of manganese superoxide dismutase in response to stress in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are metalloproteins that catalyse the dismutation of superoxide radicals to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The enzyme has been found in all aerobic organisms examined, where it plays a major role in the defence against toxic reduced oxygen species which are generated in many biological oxidations. Here we report the complete primary structure of a plant manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), deduced from a cDNA clone of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. The plant protein is highly homologous to MnSODs from other organisms and also contains an N‐terminal leader sequence resembling a transit peptide for mitochondrial targeting. The location of the mature protein within the mitochondria has been demonstrated by subcellular fractionation experiments. We have analysed the expression profile of this MnSOD and found that it is dramatically induced during stress conditions, most notably in tissue culture as a result of sugar metabolism and also as part of the pathogenesis response of the plant, being induced by ethylene, salicylic acid, and Pseudomonas syringae infection. This induction is always accompanied by an increase in cytochrome oxidase activity, which suggests a specific protective role for MnSOD during conditions of increased mitochondrial respiration.
SAC-CI Study on the Excited and Ionized States of Free-Base Porphin: Rydberg Excited States and Effect of Polarization and Rydberg Functions

The ground, excited, and ionized states of free-base porphin (FBP) are reinvestigated by the SAC (symmetry-adapted cluster)/SAC-CI (configuration interaction) method. In particular, the Rydberg excited states, the valence−Rydberg mixing, and the effect of polarization d-functions are studied. The lowest Rydberg excited state would exist at around 5.5 eV with a weak intensity, but the valence−Rydberg mixing is small. The effects of both the Rydberg and polarization d-functions are relatively small for the excitation energies of the main peaks, whereas the polarization d-functions affect considerably the ionization spectrum.
Establishment and characterization of a human acute monocytic leukemia cell line (THP‐1)

A human leukemic cell line (THP‐1) cultured from the blood of a boy with acute monocytic leukemia is described. This cell line had Fc and C3b receptors, but no surface or cytoplasmic immunoglobulins. HLA haplotypes of THP‐1 were HLA‐A2, ‐A9, ‐B5, ‐DRW1 and ‐DRW2. The monocytic nature of the cell line was characterized by: (1) the presence of α‐naphthyl butyrate esterase activities which could be inhibited by NaF; (2) lysozyme production; (3) the phagocytosis of latex particles and sensitized sheep erythrocytes; and (4) the ability to restore T‐lymphocyte response to Con A. The cells did not possess Epstein‐Barr virus‐associated nuclear antigen. These results indicate that THP‐1 is a leukemic cell line with distinct monocytic markers. During culture, THP‐1 maintained these monocytic characteristics for over 14 months.
Community perspectives on care options for HIV prevention trial participants

Abstract There is on-going global debate and policy-setting concerning researchers’ obligations to meet the health needs of people participating in HIV prevention trials in resource-poor settings. The perspectives of local community stakeholders on this issue are poorly understood as most of what is presented on behalf of communities where research takes place is anecdotal commentary. Using qualitative methods (130 in-depth interviews and 20 focus groups) we assessed perceived fairness of different strategies to meet the health needs of women who become HIV-infected during a hypothetical vaginal microbicide trial. Respondents included HIV prevention research participants, community stakeholders and health-care service providers in ten sites in seven countries (South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, India, US). Many respondents perceived referrals to be a potentially fair way to address care and treatment needs but concerns were also voiced about the adequacy of local health-care options and the ability of trial participants to access options. Most respondents viewed the provision of antiretroviral treatment by researchers to HIV-infected trial participants as unfair if treatment was not sustained beyond the end of the trial. The results underscore the importance of effectively linking trial participants to sustainable, community-based treatment and care.
Learning bilingual phrase representations with recurrent neural networks

We introduce a novel method for bilingual phrase representation with Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), which transforms a sequence of word feature vectors into a ﬁxed-length phrase vector across two languages. Our method measures the difference between the vectors of source-and target-side phrases, and can be used to predict the semantic equivalence of source and target word sequences in the phrasal translation units used in phrase-based statistical machine translation. Our experiments show that the proposed method is effective in a bilingual phrasal semantic equivalence determination task and a machine translation task.
Novel PV fed three phase single power stage system for stand-alone applications

Renewable energy sources like solar PV are desirable to meet the increasing power demand. This paper proposes a novel single power stage, PV system designed for 3-φ stand-alone applications. The single stage topology has the advantage of being simple and more efficient. The developed topology is basically a current source inverter with a single power conversion stage that directly feeds the stand-alone AC load. The inductor diode network allows the inverter to operate in buck-boost manner. This converter is especially suitable for sources such as PV and fuel cells with low voltage. A modified 120° conduction mode operation of the inverter is implemented. Maximum power point tracking algorithm based on P&O method is also implemented. Circuit analysis and simulations of the proposed system are included.
Visual Observation Confidence based GMM Face Recognition robust to Illumination Impact in a Real-world Database

The GMM is a conventional approach which has been recently applied in many face recognition studies. However, the question about how to deal with illumination changes while ensuring high performance is still a challenge, especially with real-world databases. In this paper, we propose a Visual Observation Confidence (VOC) measure for robust face recognition for illumination changes. Our VOC value is a combined confidence value of three measurements: Flatness Measure (FM), Centrality Measure (CM), and Illumination Normality Measure (IM). While FM measures the discrimination ability of one face, IM represents the degree of illumination impact on that face. In addition, we introduce CM as a centrality measure to help FM to reduce some of the errors from unnecessary areas such as the hair, neck or background. The VOC then accompanies the feature vectors in the EM process to estimate the optimal models by modified-GMM training. In the experiments, we introduce a real-world database, called KoFace, besides applying some public databases such as the Yale and the ORL database. The KoFace database is composed of 106 face subjects under diverse illumination effects including shadows and highlights. The results show that our proposed approach gives a higher Face Recognition Rate (FRR) than the GMM baseline for indoor and outdoor datasets in the real-world KoFace database (94% and 85%, respectively) and in ORL, Yale databases (97% and 100% respectively).
An in vivo analysis of Schwann cell programmed cell death in embryonic mice: the role of axons, glial growth factor, and the pro‐apoptotic gene Bax

Building upon previous in vitro studies, the present investigation involves an in vivo examination of Schwann cell programmed cell death (PCD) and development in the brachial spinal ventral roots of embryonic mice. The period of Schwann cell PCD was found to occur between embryonic days (E) 11.5 and 18.5, which is in close coincidence with the PCD period of associated brachial motoneurons (E13.5–E18.5). Additionally, Schwann cells exhibited a peak in proliferation at E11.5, and differentiation from the precursor to the immature Schwann cell stage between E12.5 and E14.5. Axon‐mediated Schwann cell survival was demonstrated in vivo by excitotoxic elimination of motoneurons and their axons, via NMDA treatment in utero. This treatment increased apoptotic Schwann cell death within degenerating ventral roots. Conversely, in utero co‐treatment of glial growth factor (GGF) with NMDA resulted in decreased Schwann cell death, a finding which supports previous reports of the promotion of Schwann cell survival by GGF. Analysis of mice lacking Bax, a pro‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 protein, revealed that Schwann cell PCD occurred independently of Bax. However, owing to the lack of motoneuron PCD in Bax‐knockout mice, and the corresponding increase in the number of ventral root axons, a decrease in Schwann cell PCD was observed during the normal period of motoneuron PCD. In conclusion, our findings regarding the regulation of Schwann cell development in vivo are consistent with the conclusions from in vitro studies, including a dependency on axons for survival and proliferation signals, timing of differentiation, and a dependency on GGF.
Penicillin amidase production by bacillus megaterium

Penicillin amidase, an enzyme which hydrolyzes benzylpenicillin to 6‐aminopenicillanic acid and phenylacetic acid, is produced by Bacillus megaterium ATCC 14945 as an extracellular enzyme. We used this system as a model to examine the effects of nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous limitation on enzyme production in continuous culture. For these studies, we developed a minimal medium for B. megaterium which contained histidine as the sole nitrogen source. Batch experiments showed that this enzyme is produced as a growth‐associated metabolite. Enzyme production was shown to be a function of the growth‐limiting conditions and the concentration of the inducer, phenylacetic acid. Sulfur limitation in continuous culture yielded enzyme activities approximately three to five times those observed in nitrogen‐ and phosphorous‐limited chemostats. These results are discussed in terms of the environment's influence on enzyme production in continuous culture.
The Optimal Control of Partially Observable Markov Processes over a Finite Horizon

This paper formulates the optimal control problem for a class of mathematical models in which the system to be controlled is characterized by a finite-state discrete-time Markov process. The states of this internal process are not directly observable by the controller; rather, he has available a set of observable outputs that are only probabilistically related to the internal state of the system. The formulation is illustrated by a simple machine-maintenance example, and other specific application areas are also discussed. The paper demonstrates that, if there are only a finite number of control intervals remaining, then the optimal payoff function is a piecewise-linear, convex function of the current state probabilities of the internal Markov process. In addition, an algorithm for utilizing this property to calculate the optimal control policy and payoff function for any finite horizon is outlined. These results are illustrated by a numerical example for the machine-maintenance problem.
Synchrony of audio–visual speech stimuli modulates left superior temporal sulcus

The superior temporal sulcus has been suggested to play a significant role in the integration of auditory and visual sensory information. Here, we presented vowels and short video clips of the corresponding articulatory gestures to healthy adult humans with two auditory–visual stimulus intervals during sparse sampling 3-T functional magnetic resonance imaging to detect which brain areas are sensitive to synchrony of speech sounds and associated articulatory gestures. The upper bank of the left middle superior temporal sulcus showed stronger activation during naturally asynchronous stimulation than during simultaneous stimulus presentation. It is possible that this reflects sensitivity of the left middle superior temporal sulcus to temporal synchrony of audio–visual speech stimuli.
The Silent Information Regulator 3 Protein, SIR3p, Binds to Chromatin Fibers and Assembles a Hypercondensed Chromatin Architecture in the Presence of Salt

ABSTRACT The telomeres and mating-type loci of budding yeast adopt a condensed, heterochromatin-like state through recruitment of the silent information regulator (SIR) proteins SIR2p, SIR3p, and SIR4p. In this study we characterize the chromatin binding determinants of recombinant SIR3p and identify how SIR3p mediates chromatin fiber condensation in vitro. Purified full-length SIR3p was incubated with naked DNA, nucleosome core particles, or defined nucleosomal arrays, and the resulting complexes were analyzed by electrophoretic shift assays, sedimentation velocity, and electron microscopy. SIR3p bound avidly to all three types of templates. SIR3p loading onto its nucleosomal sites in chromatin produced thickened condensed fibers that retained a beaded morphology. At higher SIR3p concentrations, individual nucleosomal arrays formed oligomeric suprastructures bridged by SIR3p oligomers. When condensed SIR3p-bound chromatin fibers were incubated in Mg2+, they folded and oligomerized even further to produce hypercondensed higher-order chromatin structures. Collectively, these results define how SIR3p may function as a chromatin architectural protein and provide new insight into the interplay between endogenous and protein-mediated chromatin fiber condensation pathways.
Movement of ions and electrogenesis in higher plant cells.

During the past 10 years considerable information has accumulated on the electrochemical relationships of higher plant cells during transport of mineral ions. Using the Nernst equation as a criterion, none of eight ions (K+, Na+, Ca++, Mg++, NO3−, Cl−, H2PO4−, and SO4−) is in a passive equilibrium. Na+, Ca++, and Mg++ are subject to an exclusion mechanism, and all of the anions appear to be pumped inwardly. K+ apparently approaches an electrochemical balance under certain conditions but probably is actively accumulated. Compartmental analyses giving estimates of amounts in the cytoplasm and vacuole and of unidirectional fluxes permit application of the Ussing flux-ratio equation. The criterion in oat coleoptile cells suggests that at the plasmalemma Na+ is pumped out while K+ and Cl− are pumped in. K+ and Cl− appear to be coupled in active transport across the tonoplast into the vacuole. Good evidence has been found that the cell's electropotential arises from an electrogenic pump: CN− (cyanide) and DNP (dinitrophenol) reversibly block the potential and ionic transport; cell potentials are higher than can be accounted for by diffusion; the responses of respiration and potential to the concentration of CN− are nearly parallel; and CN− inhibited tissue approaches a fit to the Goldman constant field equation. Future objectives should be identification of the ion, or ions, subject to the electrogenic pump and discovery of the immediate energy source.
Influence of Compression and Stiffness Apparel on Vertical Jump Performance

Abstract Wannop, JW, Worobets, JT, Madden, R, and Stefanyshyn, DJ. Influence of compression and stiffness apparel on vertical jump performance. J Strength Cond Res 30(4): 1093–1101, 2016—Compression apparel alters both compression of the soft tissues and the hip joint stiffness of athletes. It is not known whether it is the compression elements, the stiffness elements, or some combination that increases performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine how systematically increasing upper leg compression and hip joint stiffness independently from one another affects vertical jumping performance. Ten male athletes performed countermovement vertical jumps in 8 concept apparel conditions and 1 control condition (loose fitting shorts). The 8 apparel conditions, 4 that specifically altered the amount of compression exerted on the thigh and 4 that altered the hip joint stiffness by means of elastic thermoplastic polyurethane bands, were tested on 2 separate testing sessions (one testing the compression apparel and the other testing the stiffness apparel). Maximum jump height was measured, while kinematic data of the hip, knee, and ankle joint were recorded with a high-speed camera (480 Hz). Both compression and stiffness apparel can have a positive influence on vertical jumping performance. The increase in jump height for the optimal compression was due to increased hip joint range of motion and a trend of increasing the jump time. Optimal stiffness also increased jump height and had the trend of decreasing the hip joint range of motion and hip joint angular velocity. The exact mechanisms by which apparel interventions alter performance is not clear, but it may be due to alterations to the force-length and force-velocity relationships of muscle.
Role of the 3' long open reading frame region of bovine leukemia virus in the maintenance of cell transformation

Viral RNA expression was studied by dot blot hybridization with polyadenylated RNAs extracted from a bovine (YR-1) and an ovine (YR-2) tumor cell clone. Both clones were derived from in vivo bovine leukemia virus-induced tumors. The probes used were either the bovine leukemia virus information or only the long open reading frame sequences. No viral RNA corresponding to the bovine leukemia virus long open reading frame region was detected in YR-2, and a very limited amount of bovine leukemia virus messages was unraveled in YR-1. These results strongly suggest that viral expression, even in the long open reading frame region, is not required to maintain transformation of at least some tumor cells.
Phenylethanol promotes adhesion and biofilm formation of the antagonistic yeast Kloeckera apiculata for the control of blue mold on citrus.

The yeast Kloeckera apiculata strain 34-9 is an antagonist with biological control activity against postharvest diseases of citrus fruit. In a previous study it was demonstrated that K. apiculata produced the aromatic alcohol phenylethanol. In the present study, we found that K. apiculata was able to form biofilm on citrus fruit and embed in an extracellular matrix, which created a mechanical barrier interposed between the wound surface and pathogen. As a quorum-sensing molecule, phenylethanol can promote the formation of filaments by K. apiculata in potato dextrose agar medium, whereas on the citrus fruit, the antagonist remains as yeast after being treated with the same concentration of phenylethanol. It only induced K. apiculata to adhere and form biofilm. Following genome-wide computational and experimental identification of the possible genes associated with K. apiculata adhesion, we identified nine genes possibly involved in triggering yeast adhesion. Six of these genes were significantly induced after phenylethanol stress treatment. This study provides a new model system of the biology of the antagonist-pathogen interactions that occur in the antagonistic yeast K. apiculata for the control of blue mold on citrus caused by Penicillium italicum.