Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cultural difference in recognition of facial emotional expression: Contrast between Japanese and American raters

Using the Japanese and Caucasian Facial Expressions of Emotion (JACFEE) photo set, the relationship between recognition and intensity ratings of universal facial expressions of emotions in 123 Japanese undergraduate students was examined and compared with data reported by American raters. In Japanese raters, although the intensity was rated as high for some of the poses, their correctness scores were poor, suggesting a serious misjudgment of the intended emotions as defined in the JACFEE photo set. Only in Japanese raters were significant relationships between the intensity scores and the percentage correctness scores for sadness detected (r = 0.97, P < 0.0001), but no significant relationship was observed for other emotions. The robust correlation suggests the possibility that Japanese raters might be more responsive to certain emotional expressions when they are fully or intensely expressed. It is proposed that the facial emotional expression paradigm cannot be applied to the psychiatric setting without first refining for cultural differences.
NOB 1 silencing inhibits the growth and metastasis of laryngeal cancer cells through the regulation of JNK signaling pathway

Nin one binding protein (NOB1) plays important roles in the synthesis and degradation of proteins, thus having effects on the cellular process. In the present study, the expression level of NOB1 in laryngeal cancer patients was detected by quantitative PCR and western blotting, and the effect of NOB1 on growth and metastasis of laryngeal cancer cells was explored. Silence of NOB1 was found to inhibit the proliferation of laryngeal cancer cells, arrest cell cycle and induce cell apoptosis. NOB1 silence was also found to inhibit the migration and invasion of laryngeal cancer cells and to downregulate the protein levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and MMP-9. Further mechanism study revealed that the JNK signaling pathway was involved in the function of NOB1. Our present results suggest that NOB1 plays an oncogenic role in laryngeal cancer cells through the regulation of JNK signaling pathway, and lays a theoretical foundation for further exploration of NOB1.
Equivalent Activities of Repulsive Axon Guidance Receptors

Receptors on the growth cone at the leading edge of elongating axons play critical guidance roles by recognizing cues via their extracellular domains and transducing signals via their intracellular domains, resulting in changes in direction of growth. An important concept to have emerged in the axon guidance field is the importance of repulsion as a major guidance mechanism. Given the number and variety of different repulsive receptors, it is generally thought that there are likely to be qualitative differences in the signals they transduce. However, the nature of these possible differences is unknown. By creating chimeras using the extracellular and intracellular domains of three different Drosophila repulsive receptors, Unc5, Roundabout (Robo), and Derailed (Drl) and expressing them in defined cells within the embryonic nervous system, we examined the responses elicited by their intracellular domains systematically. Surprisingly, we found no qualitative differences in growth cone response or axon growth, suggesting that, despite their highly diverged sequences, each intracellular domain elicits repulsion via a common pathway. In terms of the signaling pathway(s) used by the repulsive receptors, mutations in the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Trio strongly enhance the repulsive activity of all three intracellular domains, suggesting that repulsion by Unc5, Robo, and Drl, and perhaps repulsion in general, involves Trio activity. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT A prevailing concept that has emerged in the axon guidance field is the importance of repulsion as a guidance mechanism for steering axons to their appropriate targets. Given the number and variety of different repulsive receptors, it is generally thought that there are differences in the signals that they transduce. However, this has never been tested directly. We have used the advanced genetics of Drosophila to compare directly the outputs of different repulsive receptors. Surprisingly, we found no qualitative differences in receptor-mediated repulsion, suggesting that, despite their highly diverged domain structure, each receptor couples to a common repulsive pathway. We went on to show that this common pathway involves Trio, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor known to promote cytoskeletal remodeling.
[Changes of angiotensin II and its receptor during the development of chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced hypertension in rats].

OBJECTIVE To observe the changes of angiotensin II (ATII) and ATII type-1 receptor (AT1R) during the development of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIHO)-induced hypertension in rats, and the effect in the mechanism of CIHO-induced hypertension. METHODS Seventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into three groups:intermittent hypoxia group (IH), sham control group (SC) and control group (UC). By using supply of nitrogen (30 s each cycle) followed by compressed air (30 s each cycle) into the exposure chambers (4% - 6% nadir ambient oxygen with return to 21%), IH rats were subjected to intermittent hypoxia every 60 s for 8 h/d during the diurnal sleep period. SC rats were similarly treated but received compressed air instead of nitrogen. UC rats were not treated. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), the levels of ATII and renin activity (RA) in plasma as well as the expression of AT1R mRNA in tissue were measured on day 7, 21 and 42 after experiment. RESULTS MAP was significantly elevated in IH rats [(102.2 +/- 6.2) mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa] compared with initial MAP [(94.1 +/- 4.3) mm Hg, P < 0.01] and compared with that in SC [(95.7 +/- 3.6) mm Hg], UC [(97.2 +/- 3.6) mm Hg, all P < 0.05] on day 42. The levels of ATII and RA in plasma in IH rats increased gradually over time, and RA started to increase significantly on day 7 [(3.86 +/- 1.25) ng.ml(-1). h(-1)] compared with that in SC [(2.73 +/- 0.98) ng.ml(-1). h(-1)], UC [(2.55 +/- 0.87) ng.ml(-1). h(-1), all P < 0.05], and ATII started to increase significantly on day 21 [(214 +/- 41) ng/L] compared with that in SC [(124 +/- 21) ng/L], UC [(121 +/- 18) ng/L, all P < 0.01]. The RA and ATII levels in plasma showed positive correlation with MAP (r = 0.529, P = 0.008; r = 0.475, P = 0.019 respectively). The expression of AT1R mRNA in heart, kidney and aorta in IH rats showed no differences compared with that in SC and UC group (all P > 0.05). All indices were not different between SC and UC rats at any time point (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION CIHO can cause the levels of circulating RA and ATII to increase, but has no effects on AT1R mRNA expression in tissue, which suggests that activated renin-angiotensin system may contribute to the pathogenesis of CIHO-induced hypertension.
Emission of Particulate Matter While Applying the Envirox TM Additive

The values of emissions of particulate matter (PM) were monitored in the older type of Diesel engine operating on a testing bench and then compared with the data acquired under similar conditions when the Envirox TM additive was applied. It was found out that the additive based on cerium dioxide nanoparticles reduces emission of PM. The dependence of PM emission on reduced torque TM R, engine power P and revolutions r was observed as well. Key-Words: Additive, air, cerium dioxide, Diesel fuel, emission factor, nanoparticle, particulate matter, pollutant.
Staphylococcus aureus β-Toxin Mutants Are Defective in Biofilm Ligase and Sphingomyelinase Activity, and Causation of Infective Endocarditis and Sepsis.

β-Toxin is an important virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus, contributing to colonization and development of disease [Salgado-Pabon, W. , et al. (2014) J. Infect. Dis. 210, 784-792; Huseby, M. J., et al. (2010) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 107, 14407-14412; Katayama, Y. , et al. (2013) J. Bacteriol. 195, 1194-1203]. This cytotoxin has two distinct mechanisms of action: sphingomyelinase activity and DNA biofilm ligase activity. However, the distinct mechanism that is most important for its role in infective endocarditis is unknown. We characterized the active site of β-toxin DNA biofilm ligase activity by examining deficiencies in site-directed mutants through in vitro DNA precipitation and biofilm formation assays. Possible conformational changes in mutant structure compared to that of wild-type toxin were assessed preliminarily by trypsin digestion analysis, retention of sphingomyelinase activity, and predicted structures based on the native toxin structure. We addressed the contribution of each mechanism of action to producing infective endocarditis and sepsis in vivo in a rabbit model. The H289N β-toxin mutant, lacking sphingomyelinase activity, exhibited lower sepsis lethality and infective endocarditis vegetation formation compared to those of the wild-type toxin. β-Toxin mutants with disrupted biofilm ligase activity did not exhibit decreased sepsis lethality but were deficient in infective endocarditis vegetation formation compared to the wild-type protein. Our study begins to characterize the DNA biofilm ligase active site of β-toxin and suggests β-toxin functions importantly in infective endocarditis through both of its mechanisms of action.
The Effects of Xenon Anesthesia on the Relationship Between Cerebral Glucose Metabolism and Blood Flow in Healthy Subjects: A Positron Emission Tomography Study

BACKGROUND: General anesthetics can alter the relationship between regional cerebral glucose metabolism (rCMRglc) and blood flow (rCBF). In this positron emission tomography study, our aim was to assess both rCMRglc and rCBF in the same individuals during xenon anesthesia. METHODS: 18F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose and 15O-labeled water were used to determine rCMRglc and rCBF, respectively, in five healthy male subjects at baseline (awake) and during 1 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration of xenon. Anesthesia was based solely on xenon. Changes in rCMRglc and rCBF were quantified using region-of-interest and voxel-based analyses. RESULTS: The mean (sd) xenon concentration during anesthesia was 67.2 (0.8)%. Xenon anesthesia induced a uniform reduction in rCMRglc, whereas rCBF decreased in 7 of 13 brain regions. The mean decreases in the gray matter were 32.4 (4.0)% (P < 0.001) and 14.8 (5.9)% (P = 0.007) for rCMRglc and rCBF, respectively. rCMRglc decreased by 10.9 (6.4)% in the white matter (P = 0.030), whereas rCBF increased by 9.2 (7.3)% (P = 0.049). The rCBF/rCMRglc ratio was especially increased in the insula, anterior and posterior cingulate, and in the somatosensory cortex. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the magnitude of the decreases in rCMRglc during 1 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration xenon anesthesia exceeded the reductions in rCBF. As a result, the ratio between rCMRglc and rCBF was shifted to a higher level. Interestingly, xenon-induced changes in cerebral metabolism and blood flow resemble those induced by volatile anesthetics.
chemical and biological Weapons: current concepts for Future Defenses

In the post-9/11 era, the asymmetric threats posed by terrorists or rogue states have created new challenges for the enhanced and efficient defense of the nation. For defense against chemical and biological weapons (CBW), integrated, multitiered, and "net-centric" systems are envisioned that will enable the rapid and cost-effective detection, confirmation, and response to a CBW attack. Realization of this vision requires advances in the science and technology of chemical and biological sensor systems and multisource information fusion. Our evolving counter-CBW capability has broader benefits to society, where, for example, new tools will become available to manage outbreaks of emerging natural infectious diseases or industrial accidents. Here we highlight several key technologies and the challenges pursued in support of this vision.
The luminal membrane of rat thick limb expresses AT1 receptor and aminopeptidase activities.

BACKGROUND Endogenous intratubular angiotensin II (Ang II) supports an autocrine tonic stimulation of NaCl absorption in the proximal tubule, and its production may be regulated independently of circulating Ang II. In addition, endogenous Ang II activity may be regulated at the brush border membrane (BBM), by the rate of aminopeptidase A and N (APA and APN) activities and the rate of Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (PLA2-dependent endocytosis and recycling of the complex Ang II subtype 1 (AT1) receptor (AT1-R). The aim of the present study was to look for subcellular localization of AT1-R, and APA and APN activities in the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle (mTAL), as well as search for an asymmetric coupling of AT1-R to signal transduction pathways. METHODS Preparations of isolated basolateral membrane (BLMV) and luminal (LMV) membrane vesicles from rat mTAL were used to localize first, AT1-R by 125I-[Sar1, Ile8] Ang II binding studies and immunoblot experiments with a specific AT1-R antibody, and second, APA and APN activities. Microfluorometric monitoring of cytosolic Ca2+ with a Fura-2 probe was performed in mTAL microperfused in vitro, after apical or basolateral application of Ang II. RESULTS AT1-R were present in both LMV and BLMV, with a similar Kd (nmol/L range) and Bmax. Accordingly, BLMV and LMV preparations similarly stained specific AT1-R antibody. APA and APN activities were selectively localized in LMV, although to a lesser extent than those measured in BBM. In the in vitro microperfused mTAL, basolateral but not apical Ang II induced a transient increase in cytosolic [Ca2+]. CONCLUSIONS Besides the presence of basolateral AT1-R in mTAL coupled to the classical Ca2+-dependent transduction pathways, AT1-R are present in LMV, not coupled with Ca2+ signaling, and co-localized with APA and APN activities. Thus, apical APA and APN may play an important role in modulating endogenous Ang II activity on NaCl reabsorption in mTAL.
Optimal decoding of coded PSK and QAM signals in correlated fast fading channels and AWGN: a combined envelope, multiple differential and coherent detection approach

The maximum likelihood sequence estimator for the reception of coded digital phase modulated signals with single or multiamplitude constellations, transmitted over a multiplicative, frequency-nonselective (i.e., flat) correlated fast fading Rayleigh or Rician channel and corrupted by additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), is derived. Due to this correlation, the errors caused by fading tend to occur in bursts. In the analysis, no assumption simplifying the problem is made. For fast fading the authors consider the most general case where both phase and amplitude distortion resulting from the fading process could change significantly and thus cannot be assumed to be constant over a number of transmitted symbols. It is shown that the estimator's hardware structure consists of a combination of envelope, multiple differential and coherent detectors. With multiple differential detectors they define a receiver structure consisting of a combination of more than one distinct differential detectors each of them employing a progressively increasing (by the symbol duration) time-delay element. The outputs of these detectors are jointly processed by means of an algorithm which is presented in a recursive form. The derivation of this new receiver is general enough to accommodate trellis coded phase shift keying (PSK) and quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) systems. Differentially encoded signals, such as the /spl pi//4-shift differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK) scheme can also be incorporated. In order to reduce the overall receiver implementation complexity, several reduced complexity, near-optimal versions of the algorithm are presented. These reduced complexity receivers are based on the use of only a few multiple differential detectors. Performance evaluation results for reduced complexity trellis coded /spl pi//4-shift DQPSK, /spl pi//4-shift 8-DQAM (differential quadrature amplitude modulation) and 8-DPSK (differential phase shift keying) systems have demonstrated that the proposed receivers significantly reduce the error floors caused by fading. >
Multiple feature selection and fusion based on generalized N-dimensional independent component analysis

This paper proposes a framework of tensor-based ICA method for N-dimensional data analysis, which is called generalized N-dimensional ICA (GND-ICA). The proposed GND-ICA is based on multilinear algebra that treats N-dimensional data as a tensor without any unfolding preprocess. As an application, the GND-ICA can be used for multiple feature fusion and representation for color image classification. Multiple features extracted from a given image are constructed as a tensor. The effective components for each feature can be selected simultaneously and combined by the GND-ICA. This can obtain the improved classification results in comparison with various conventional linear and multilinear subspace learning methods.
YIDB: the Yeast Intron DataBase

The Yeast Intron DataBase (YIDB) contains currently available information about all introns encoded in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Introns are divided according to their mechanism of excision: group I and group II introns, pre-mRNA introns, tRNA introns and the HAC1 intron. Information about the host genome, the type of RNA in which they are inserted and their primary structure are provided together with references. For nuclear pre-mRNA introns, transcription frequencies, as determined by microarray experiments, have also been included. This updated database is accessible at: http://www.embl-heidelberg. de/ExternalInfo/seraphin/yidb.html
Experiences with radiosulfate in the estimation of physiologic extracellular water in healthy and abnormal man.

We have been interested in studying the changes in extracellular fluid volume in patients undergoing acute heat stress. Attempts to apply the inulin method to our needs were fruitless because of the prolonged time period required for equilibrium. Walser's radiosulfate method (1, 2) had appeal since it appeared suitable for repeated determinations within a short period of time. Walser has suggested that within 15 to 20 minutes following ai single intravenous injection, radiosulfate reached an apparent equilibrium between the vascular and interstitial spaces (1,2). He showed that the calculated volume of distribution of radiosulfate increased with time (1, 2) and that this increase could not be accounted for by urinary excretion (1, 2), fecal loss (3), or penetration of the muscle chloride space (4). He proposed that the 18-minute volume of distribution of radiosulfate could be used as an index of functioning extracellular fluid volume (1, 2). The present report, dealing with the radiosulfate method, confirms and extends many of Walser's observations. In addition, it points out the desirability of calculating a "zero time" rather than an 18-minute volume of distribution, and proposes a modification of existing ways of calculating the "zero time" space.
Excitation of edge modes in the interaction of electron beams with dielectric wedges.

Recent experimental data on electron-energy-loss spectrometry of the interaction between small crystallites and beams traveling at a fixed beam-solid surface distance are analyzed in terms of the surface and bulk excitation modes of parabolically shaped wedges. The probability of excitation of the surface modes is calculated, in the nonretarded limit, for an electron traveling parallel to the wedge surface, either outside or inside the dielectric wedge. The main features of available experimental data for MgO crystallites can be explained by the theory.
Tests for homogeneity of the risk ratio in a series of 2x2 tables.

We often apply the risk ratio to measure the strength of a causal relationship between a suspected risk factor and a disease of interest. In this paper we consider testing the homogeneity of risk ratio over a series of 2x2 tables. In addition to the classical weighted least squares (CWLS) test procedure, we consider two test procedures using simple transformations of the CWLS statistic and develop three other asymptotically weighted test procedures. On the basis of Monte Carlo simulation, we conclude that the commonly-used CWLS test procedure is generally conservative, especially when the number of 2x2 tables is large and the mean group size per table is moderate or small. We further find that two of the test procedures discussed here can not only generally outperform the CWLS test procedure, but also perform well in a variety of situations considered in this paper. Finally, we illustrate the use of these testing procedures with an example of six randomized trials that assess the effects of aspirin on the prevention of death in post-myocardial infarction patients.
Effects of cigarette smoking and family history of alcoholism on sweet taste perception and food cravings in women.

BACKGROUND Despite popular beliefs that smoking affects the sensitivity and liking of sweet-tasting foods and beverages, few psychophysical studies have examined this phenomenon and none have taken into account the individual's family history of alcoholism (FH+), a predictor of heightened sweet preferences. METHODS A within- and between-subjects study was conducted to determine the effect of both cigarette smoking and an acute exposure to nicotine on sweet taste sensitivity and preferences in women. Two groups were studied on 2 days separated by 1 week: women who were current smokers (n = 27, 18 were FH+) and those who never smoked in their lifetime (n = 22, 9 were FH+). Current smokers smoked nicotine-containing cigarettes during 1 test session and nicotine-free cigarettes during the other. The procedures were identical during both test sessions for the group of never smokers, with the exception that they did not smoke. Two-alternative staircase methods and forced-choice tracking procedures were used to assess sucrose thresholds and preferences, respectively, during both test session. Standardized questionnaires were administered to assess food cravings as well as smoking and alcohol usage and dependence. The Family Interview for Genetic Studies was used to detect alcoholism according to the DSM III criteria for family members up to second-degree relatives. RESULTS Acute exposure to nicotine did not affect sucrose detection thresholds or preferences, but smokers had significantly higher sucrose detection thresholds than never smokers. The greater the smoking dose in pack-years, the lower the sucrose sensitivity. Regardless of smoking status, women who were FH+ preferred significantly higher sucrose concentrations and craved sweets more often than women who were not. CONCLUSIONS Both smoking and having a family history of alcoholism had differential effects on sweet taste. Smoking was associated with decreased sweet taste sensitivity whereas having a family history of alcoholism was associated with heightened sweet preferences. These findings suggests that future research on the effects of smoking on food habits and cravings should take into account family history of alcoholism given its association with sweet liking and the increased likelihood to develop a tobacco disorder.