Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ephrin A1 promotes proliferation of bovine endometrial cells with abundant expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin D1 changing the cell population at each stage of the cell cycle

Ephrin A1 has a role in a variety of biological events, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and angiogenesis. Ephrin A1 expression is abundant in trophoblasts and endometrial cells during the implantation period; however, its intracellular activities have not yet been reported in bovine endometrial (BEND) epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to identify the functional role of ephrin A1 in BEND cells, which have served as a good model system for investigating the regulation of signal transduction following treatment with interferon‐τ (IFNT) in vitro. Supplementation of ephrin A1 to BEND cells increased cell proliferation and increased levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin D1 protein in BEND cell nuclei. To investigate intracellular mechanisms regulated by ephrin A1, we performed Western blot analysis focused on mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) signaling, which are significantly involved in the successful maintenance of pregnancy. Ephrin A1 dose‐dependently increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK)1/2, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNK), P38, protein kinase B (AKT), P70S6K, S6, and cyclin D1, and the activated proteins were suppressed by pharmacological inhibitors including wortmannin (a PI3K inhibitor), U0126 (an ERK1/2 inhibitor), and SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor). Among ephrin A1 receptors, abundant expression of EPHA2 and EPHA4 messenger RNA was detected in BEND cells by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Furthermore, tunicamycin‐induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was inactivated by ephrin A1 treatment of BEND cells. Our findings suggest that ephrin A1 promotes the development of BEND cells and likely enhances uterine capacity and maintenance of pregnancy by activating MAPK and PI3K signaling cascades and by restoring ER stress.
Comparing Mouse and Rat Hippocampal Place Cell Activities and Firing Sequences in the Same Environments

Hippocampal place cells are key to spatial representation and spatial memory processing. They fire at specific locations in a space (place fields) and fire in precise patterns during theta sequences and during ripple-associated replay events. These phenomena have been extensively studied in rats, but to a less extent in mice. The availability of versatile genetic manipulations gives mice an advantage for place cell studies. However, it is unknown how place fields and place cell sequences in the same environment differ between mice and rats. Here, we provide a quantitative comparison in place field properties, as well as theta sequences and replays, between rats and mice as they ran on the same novel track and as they rested afterwards. We found that place cells in mice display less spatial specificity with more but smaller place fields. Theta oscillations, theta phase precession and aspects of theta sequences in mice are similar as those in rats. The ripple-associated replay, however, is relatively rare during stopping on the novel track in mice. The replay is present during resting after the track running, but is weaker in mice than the replay in rats. Our results suggest that place cells in mice and rats are qualitatively similar, but with substantial quantitative differences.
Transcriptional Control of Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Major Royal Jelly Proteins by 20-Hydroxyecdysone

One of the first tasks of worker honey bees (Apis mellifera) during their lifetime is to feed the larval offspring. In brief, young workers (nurse bees) secrete a special food jelly that contains a large amount of unique major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs). The regulation of mrjp gene expression is not well understood, but the large upregulation in well-fed nurse bees suggests a tight repression until, or a massive induction upon, hatching of the adult worker bees. The lipoprotein vitellogenin, the synthesis of which is regulated by the two systemic hormones 20-hydroxyecdysone and juvenile hormone, is thought to be a precursor for the production of MRJPs. Thus, the regulation of mrjp expression by the said systemic hormones is likely. This study focusses on the role of 20-hydroxyecdysone by elucidating its effect on mrjp gene expression dynamics. Specifically, we tested whether 20-hydroxyecdysone displayed differential effects on various mrjps. We found that the expression of the mrjps (mrjp1–3) that were finally secreted in large amounts into the food jelly, in particular, were down regulated by 20-hydroxyecdysone treatment, with mrjp3 showing the highest repression value.
Smartphone-Based Traveled Distance Estimation Using Individual Walking Patterns for Indoor Localization

We introduce a novel method for indoor localization with the user’s own smartphone by learning personalized walking patterns outdoors. Most smartphone and pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR)-based indoor localization studies have used an operation between step count and stride length to estimate the distance traveled via generalized formulas based on the manually designed features of the measured sensory signal. In contrast, we have applied a different approach to learn the velocity of the pedestrian by using a segmented signal frame with our proposed hybrid multiscale convolutional and recurrent neural network model, and we estimate the distance traveled by computing the velocity and the moved time. We measured the inertial sensor and global position service (GPS) position at a synchronized time while walking outdoors with a reliable GPS fix, and we assigned the velocity as a label obtained from the displacement between the current position and a prior position to the corresponding signal frame. Our proposed real-time and automatic dataset construction method dramatically reduces the cost and significantly increases the efficiency of constructing a dataset. Moreover, our proposed deep learning model can be naturally applied to all kinds of time-series sensory signal processing. The performance was evaluated on an Android application (app) that exported the trained model and parameters. Our proposed method achieved a distance error of <2.4% and >1.5% on indoor experiments.
Melatonin and cancer: From the promotion of genomic stability to use in cancer treatment

Cancer remains among the most challenging human diseases. Several lines of evidence suggest that carcinogenesis is a complex process that is initiated by DNA damage. Exposure to clastogenic agents such as heavy metals, ionizing radiation (IR), and chemotherapy drugs may cause chronic mutations in the genomic material, leading to a phenomenon named genomic instability. Evidence suggests that genomic instability is responsible for cancer incidence after exposure to carcinogenic agents, and increases the risk of secondary cancers following treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Melatonin as the main product of the pineal gland is a promising hormone for preventing cancer and improving cancer treatment. Melatonin can directly neutralize toxic free radicals more efficiently compared with other classical antioxidants. In addition, melatonin is able to regulate the reduction/oxidation (redox) system in stress conditions. Through regulation of mitochondrial nction and inhibition of pro‐oxidant enzymes, melatonin suppresses chronic oxidative stress. Moreover, melatonin potently stimulates DNA damage responses that increase the tolerance of normal tissues to toxic effect of IR and may reduce the risk of genomic instability in patients who undergo radiotherapy. Through these mechanisms, melatonin attenuates several side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Interestingly, melatonin has shown some synergistic properties with IR and chemotherapy, which is distinct from classical antioxidants that are mainly used for the alleviation of adverse events of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In this review, we describe the anticarcinogenic effects of melatonin and also its possible application in clinical oncology.
RGBD2lux: Dense Light Intensity Estimation With an RGBD Sensor

Lighting design and modelling or industrial applications like luminaire planning and commissioning rely heavily on time-consuming manual measurements or on physically coherent computational simulations. Regarding the latter, standard approaches are based on CAD modeling simulations and offline rendering, with long processing times and therefore inflexible workflows. Thus, in this paper we propose a computer vision based system to measure lighting with just a single RGBD camera. The proposed method uses both depth data and images from the sensor to provide a dense measure of light intensity in the field of view of the camera. We evaluate our system on novel ground truth data and compare it to state-of-the-art commercial light planning software. Our system provides improved performance, while being completely automated, given that the CAD model is extracted from the depth and the albedo estimated with the support of RGB images. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first automatic framework for the estimation of lighting in general indoor scenarios from RGBD input.
A dedicated target capture approach reveals variable genetic markers across micro‐ and macro‐evolutionary time scales in palms

Understanding the genetics of biological diversification across micro‐ and macro‐evolutionary time scales is a vibrant field of research for molecular ecologists as rapid advances in sequencing technologies promise to overcome former limitations. In palms, an emblematic, economically and ecologically important plant family with high diversity in the tropics, studies of diversification at the population and species levels are still hampered by a lack of genomic markers suitable for the genotyping of large numbers of recently diverged taxa. To fill this gap, we used a whole genome sequencing approach to develop target sequencing for molecular markers in 4,184 genome regions, including 4,051 genes and 133 non‐genic putatively neutral regions. These markers were chosen to cover a wide range of evolutionary rates allowing future studies at the family, genus, species and population levels. Special emphasis was given to the avoidance of copy number variation during marker selection. In addition, a set of 149 well‐known sequence regions previously used as phylogenetic markers by the palm biological research community were included in the target regions, to open the possibility to combine and jointly analyse already available data sets with genomic data to be produced with this new toolkit. The bait set was effective for species belonging to all three palm sub‐families tested (Arecoideae, Ceroxyloideae and Coryphoideae), with high mapping rates, specificity and efficiency. The number of high‐quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected at both the sub‐family and population levels facilitates efficient analyses of genomic diversity across micro‐ and macro‐evolutionary time scales.
Using noninvasive metagenomics to characterize viral communities from wildlife

Microbial communities play an important role in organismal and ecosystem health. While high‐throughput metabarcoding has revolutionized the study of bacterial communities, generating comparable viral communities has proven elusive, particularly in wildlife samples where the diversity of viruses and limited quantities of viral nucleic acid present distinctive challenges. Metagenomic sequencing is a promising solution for studying viral communities, but the lack of standardized methods currently precludes comparisons across host taxa or localities. Here, we developed an untargeted shotgun metagenomic sequencing protocol to generate comparable viral communities from noninvasively collected faecal and oropharyngeal swabs. Using samples from common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus), a key species for virus transmission to humans and domestic animals, we tested how different storage media, nucleic acid extraction procedures and enrichment steps affect viral community detection. Based on finding viral contamination in foetal bovine serum, we recommend storing swabs in RNAlater or another nonbiological medium. We recommend extracting nucleic acid directly from swabs rather than from supernatant or pelleted material, which had undetectable levels of viral RNA. Results from a low‐input RNA library preparation protocol suggest that ribosomal RNA depletion and light DNase treatment reduce host and bacterial nucleic acid, and improve virus detection. Finally, applying our approach to twelve pooled samples from seven localities in Peru, we showed that detected viral communities saturated at the attained sequencing depth, allowing unbiased comparisons of viral community composition. Future studies using the methods outlined here will elucidate the determinants of viral communities across host species, environments and time.
Effect of Floor Cooling on Behavior and Heart Rate of Late Lactation Sows Under Acute Heat Stress

Much U.S. swine production is in Köppen climate types classified as “hot-summer humid continental” and “humid subtropical. ” As a result, farrowing sows are often exposed to temperatures above their upper critical temperature. This heat stress (HS) can affect sow welfare and productivity and have a negative economic impact. The study objective was to evaluate the impact of a cooling pad on sows' behavioral and heart rate responses to acute HS. Treatments were randomly allotted to ten multiparous sows to receive a constant cool water flow of 0.00 (CONTROL, n = 4), 0.25 (LOW, n = 2), 0.55 (MEDIUM, n = 2), or 0.85 (HIGH, n = 2) L/min for 100 min and replicated eight times, switching treatments so that each sow was exposed to each treatment. The cooling was initiated 1 h after the room reached 35°C for 100 min. Eating, drinking and nursing behaviors, postures, and heart rate were recorded before heating (Period 1), prior to cooling (Period 2), and during cooling (Period 3). There were no differences between LOW, MEDIUM, and HIGH flow rates for any periods on all behavioral and heart rate traits, so data were pooled (COOLED). There were no differences in any of the measures during Periods 1 and 2, except for the ratio of short term to long term heart rate variability (SD1:SD2) with higher values for CONTROL than COOLED sows in Period 2. During Period 3, CONTROL sows changed postures more frequently (11.5 ±1.6 vs. 5.1 ±1.6 changes per hour), spent more time drinker-pressing/drinking (4.4 ± 0.5 vs. 1.4 ± 0.4% of time), standing (6.6 ± 1.7 vs. 3.8 ± 1.6% of time), sitting (10.0 ± 1.2 vs. 4.0 ± 1.1), less time lying (83.0 ±1.8 vs. 92.0 ±1.7% of time), especially lying laterally (62.0 ± 5.6 vs. 75.0 ± 5.3% of time), than sows in all three cooling treatments (all P < 0.001). Heart rate during Period 3 was lower for COOLED sows compared to the CONTROL sows (100.2 ± 3.4 vs. 119.0 ± 4.0 beat per min, P < 0.001). Sows response to increased thermal load can be effectively reduced using water-cooled cooling pads, thereby improving sow comfort and welfare. The beneficial effects on behavior are noticeable from the lowest flow rate.
Paclitaxel With Inhibitor of Apoptosis Antagonist, LCL161, for Localized Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Prospectively Stratified by Gene Signature in a Biomarker-Driven Neoadjuvant Trial.

PURPOSE There are currently no targeted therapies approved for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). A tumor necrosis factor α ( TNFα)-based gene expression signature (GS) predictive of sensitivity to LCL161, inhibitor of apoptosis antagonist, was translated into a clinical assay and evaluated in a neoadjuvant trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS Women with localized TNBC (T2/N0-2/M0) were prospectively stratified by GS status and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive oral LCL161 (1,800 mg once per week) and intravenous paclitaxel (80 mg/m2 once per week; combination arm) or paclitaxel alone (control arm) for 12 weeks, followed by surgery. The primary objective was to determine whether neoadjuvant LCL161 enhances efficacy of paclitaxel, defined by > 7.5% increase in the pathologic complete response (pCR, breast) rate, stratified by GS. RESULTS Of 209 patients enrolled (207 with valid GS scores), 30.4% had GS-positive TNBC. In the GS-positive group, pCR was higher in the combination versus the control arm (38.2% v 17.2%), with 88.8% posterior probability of > 7.5% increase in pCR. However, in the GS-negative group, the pCR was lower in the combination group (5.6% v 16.4%), with 0% posterior probability of > 7.5% increase in pCR. A higher incidence of grade 3 or 4 adverse events in the combination arm included neutropenia (24.5%) and diarrhea (5.7%). Overall, 19 patients (18.1%) in the combination arm discontinued treatment because of adverse events, including pyrexia (n = 5), pneumonia (n = 4), and pneumonitis (n = 4), versus five patients (4.9%) in the control arm. CONCLUSION This neoadjuvant trial provides evidence supporting a biomarker-driven targeted therapy approach for selected patients with GS-positive TNBC and demonstrates the utility of a neoadjuvant trial for biomarker validation and drug development, but also highlights toxicity risk. Future neoadjuvant clinical trials should carefully weigh these considerations for targeted therapy development in biomarker-defined TNBC.
Fetal sex modifies the effect of maternal macronutrient intake on the incidence of small-for-gestational-age births: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background Maternal macronutrient intake is likely to play a pivotal role in fetoplacental growth. Male fetuses grow faster and their growth is more responsive to maternal size. Objective We assessed the role of fetal sex in modifying the effect of maternal macronutrient intake on the risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth. Design This was a prospective, observational cohort study of 2035 births from an urban South Asian Indian population. Maternal intakes of total energy and macronutrients were recorded by validated food-frequency questionnaires. The interaction of trimester 1 macronutrient intake with fetal sex was tested on the outcome of SGA births. Results The prevalence of SGA was 28%. Trimester 1 macronutrient composition was high in carbohydrate and low in fat (means ± SDs-carbohydrate: 64.6% ± 5.1%; protein: 11.5% ± 1.1%; and fat: 23.9% ± 4.4% of energy). Higher carbohydrate and lower fat consumption were each associated with an increased risk of SGA [adjusted OR (AOR) per 5% of energy (95% CI): carbohydrate: 1.15 (1.01, 1.32); fat: 0.83 (0.71, 0.97)] specifically among male births (males: n = 1047; females: n = 988). Dietary intake of >70% of energy from carbohydrate was also associated with increased risk (AOR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.00, 2.78), whereas >25% of energy from fat intake was associated with decreased risk (AOR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.90) of SGA in male births. Conclusions Higher carbohydrate and lower fat intakes early in pregnancy were associated with increased risk of male SGA births. Therefore, we speculate that fetal sex acts as a modifier of the role of maternal periconceptional nutrition in optimal fetoplacental growth.
Relationship Dissatisfaction, Emotion Regulation, and Physical Intimate Partner Aggression in Heavy-Drinking, Conflict-Prone Couples: A Dyadic Analysis

Relationship dissatisfaction is a known risk factor for intimate partner aggression (IPA). However, the possible effect of weak emotion regulation skills on this association is unclear, particularly in couples at risk for violence who drink alcohol heavily. This study examined the moderating effect of emotion regulation on the association between relationship dissatisfaction and physical IPA perpetration within a dyadic framework. Participants were 583 heavy drinking couples (N = 1,166) with a recent history of psychological and/or physical IPA recruited from two metropolitan cities in the United States. Multilevel models were used to examine effects within an actor–partner interdependence framework. Gender, Actor dissatisfaction, and Actor and Partner emotion regulation were associated with greater physical IPA perpetration. Actor relationship dissatisfaction predicted significantly greater physical IPA perpetration in Actors characterized by weak versus strong emotion regulation. Furthermore, partner relationship dissatisfaction predicted significantly increased physical IPA perpetration in Actors reporting weak, versus strong, emotion regulation. Gender did not significantly interact with model variables. Utilizing the I3 metatheoretical model of IPA within a dyadic framework, results provide insight into the interactive effects of relationship dissatisfaction and emotion regulation deficits on physical IPA perpetration, particularly in those individuals already at risk for perpetration.
Hybrid Precoding-Based Millimeter-Wave Massive MIMO-NOMA With Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has been recently considered in millimeter-wave (mmWave) massive MIMO systems to further enhance the spectrum efficiency. In addition, simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) is a promising solution to maximize the energy efficiency. In this paper, for the first time, we investigate the integration of SWIPT in mmWave massive MIMO-NOMA systems. As mmWave massive MIMO will likely use hybrid precoding (HP) to significantly reduce the number of required radio-frequency (RF) chains without an obvious performance loss, where the fully digital precoder is decomposed into a high-dimensional analog precoder and a low-dimensional digital precoder, we propose to apply SWIPT in HP-based MIMO-NOMA systems, where each user can extract both information and energy from the received RF signals by using a power splitting receiver. Specifically, the cluster-head selection algorithm is proposed to select one user for each beam at first, and then the analog precoding is designed according to the selected cluster heads for all beams. After that, user grouping is performed based on the correlation of users’ equivalent channels. Then, the digital precoding is designed by selecting users with the strongest equivalent channel gain in each beam. Finally, the achievable sum rate is maximized by jointly optimizing power allocation for mmWave massive MIMO-NOMA and power splitting factors for SWIPT, and an iterative optimization algorithm is developed to solve the non-convex problem. Simulation results show that the proposed HP-based MIMO-NOMA with SWIPT can achieve higher spectrum and energy efficiency compared with HP-based MIMO-OMA with SWIPT.