Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do host‐associated gut microbiota mediate the effect of an herbicide on disease risk in frogs?

Environmental stressors, such as pollutants, can increase disease risk in wildlife. For example, the herbicide atrazine affects host defences (e.g. resistance and tolerance) of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), but the mechanisms for these associations are not entirely clear. Given that pollutants can alter the gut microbiota of hosts, which in turn can affect their health and immune systems, one potential mechanism by which pollutants could increase infection risk is by influencing host-associated microbiota. Here, we test whether early-life exposure to the estimated environmental concentration (EEC; 200 μg/L) of atrazine affects the gut bacterial composition of Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) tadpoles and adults and whether any atrazine-induced change in community composition might affect host defences against Bd. We also determine whether early-life changes in the stress hormone corticosterone affect gut microbiota by experimentally inhibiting corticosterone synthesis with metyrapone. With the exception of changing the relative abundances of two bacterial genera in adulthood, atrazine did not affect gut bacterial diversity or community composition of tadpoles (in vivo or in vitro) or adults. Metyrapone did not significantly affect bacterial diversity of tadpoles, but significantly increased bacterial diversity of adults. Gut bacterial diversity during Bd exposure did not predict host tolerance or resistance to Bd intensity in tadpoles or adults. However, early-life bacterial diversity negatively predicted Bd intensity as adult frogs. Specifically, Bd intensity as adults was associated negatively with the relative abundance of phylum Fusobacteria in the guts of tadpoles. Our results suggest that the effect of atrazine on Bd infection risk is not mediated by host-associated microbiota because atrazine does not affect microbiota of tadpoles or adults. However, host-associated microbes seem important in host resistance to Bd because the early-life microbiota, during immune system development, predicted later-life infection risk with Bd. Overall, our study suggests that increasing gut bacterial diversity and relative abundances of Fusobacteria might have lasting positive effects on amphibian health.
Alternating demineralization and remineralization of artificial enamel lesions.

Mineral loss and uptake in artificial enamel lesions was investigated by pH cycling: samples were subjected to a sequence of de- and remineralizing solutions. The ratio between de- and remineralization per day and the presence of fluoride in the remineralizing solution were varied among different experimental groups. Calcium, phosphate and fluoride uptake and loss were measured. The lesions were also studied with a hardness tester and micro radiography. The results show a difference in remineralization mechanism between continuously remineralized and pH-cycled samples (with respect to Ca/P ratios). With fluoride present, after some time, ‘arrested’ carious lesions are formed, which can hardly be further demineralized or remineralized. This is in agreement with clinical findings of remineralization in areas with fluoridation of the drinking water.
EFFECT OF N, K, CI ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND WATER RELATIONS OF OPEN POLLINATED TALL (typica) COCONUT SEEDLINGS

CO2 assimilation and plant water status were measured in sand-culture-grown amputated coconut seedlings treated with three levels ofN, K, and CI and subjected to different soil water deficit conditions. Application of increased levels of N and K enhanced the assimilation of C02 while individual and combined effects of N,K, and CI improved the water economy of coconut seedlings. Under the soil water deficit conditions, adequate supply o fN helped to maintain high leaf water potential by the accumulation of solutes like proline and sugars. Whereas, adequate supply of K and Cl themselves acted as osmotica by increased accumulation of these nutrients in leaf tissues, although other solute concentrations such as those of sugars and proline were reduced. Our data show that maintenance of sufficient levels of N and K contribute to the growth of the coconut seedling through improved gaseous exchange, CO2 assimilation and better partitioning of assimilated carbon into shoot and roots, potassium and C1 are further important for maintenance of water status of coconut seedlings by improved stomatal regulation, water uptake and osmotic adjustment of tissues under water deficit conditions.
&dgr;-Tocopherol inhibits the development of prostate adenocarcinoma in prostate specific Pten−/− mice

The PTEN/PI3K/AKT axis plays a critical role in regulating cell growth, differentiation and survival. Activation of this signaling pathway is frequently found in human cancers. Our previous studies demonstrated that δ-tocopherol (δ-T) attenuates the activation of AKT by growth factor in prostate cancer cell lines, leading to inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. Herein, we investigated whether δ-T inhibits the development of prostate adenocarcinoma in prostate-specific Pten-/- (Ptenp-/-) mice in which the activation of AKT is the major driving force for tumorigenesis. By feeding Ptenp-/- mice with AIN93M or 0.2% δ-T supplemented diet starting at the age of 6 or 12 weeks, we found that δ-T treatment reduced prostate adenocarcinoma multiplicity at the age of 40 weeks by 53.3 and 42.7%, respectively. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis demonstrated that the phosphorylation of AKT (T308) was reduced in the prostate of the mice administered the δ-T diet. Consistently, proliferation was reduced and apoptosis was increased in prostate lesions of mice on the δ-T diet. Oxidative stress, as determined by IHC staining of 8-OH-dG, was not altered during prostate tumorigenesis, nor was it affected by administration of δ-T. In contrast, α-tocopherol (α-T) at 0.2% in the diet did not affect prostate adenocarcinoma multiplicity in the Ptenp-/- mice. This finding is consistent with data from our previous study that δ-T, but not α-T, inhibits the activation of AKT and the growth of prostate cancer cells. Together, these results demonstrate that δ-T inhibits the development of prostate adenocarcinoma in Ptenp-/- mice, mainly through inhibition of AKT activation.
Human Metastatic Prostate PC3 Cell Lines Degrade Bone Using Matrix Metalloproteinases

Bone metastases are often associated with osteolysis and subsequent pathological fractures. To determine if metastatic human cancer cells can directly degrade non-mineralized and mineralized bone, we used prostate PC3 adenocarcinoma cell lines, which were originally established from skeletal metastases. We show that PC3 cells and their conditioned medium degraded non-mineralized, osteoid-like radiolabelled extracellular matrices from human Saos2 and U2OS osteoblast-like cells. These cells also directly degraded mineralized bone by inducing 45Ca release from rat fetal calvariae and forming resorption pits on bone slices, an effect increased by transforming growth factor-β1. A role for matrix metalloproteinases in degradation was shown by: (1) stimulation by the phorbol ester TPA of PC3-induced matrix degradation and release of matrix metalloproteinase activity; (2) abrogation of matrix degradation by 1,10-phenanthroline, a metalloproteinase inhibitor, and (3) degradation of purified type I collagen by PC3 cells and their conditioned medium. We demonstrate that human prostate cancer cells can directly degrade bone-related matrices and that matrix metalloproteinases have a role in this process.
Empirical study of the relationship between flow experience, perceived transaction value and impulse buying behavior

As a pleasant experience of being immersed in the current activity, flow experience is an important factor that facilitates impulse buying behavior. In addition, consumers' perceived value in the virtual environment has a significant impact on the purchase decision making. This research employ questionnaires to investigate the consumers' psychological experience of online shopping, thereby study the relationship between flow experience, perceived transaction value, positive affect, shopping motivation, and impulse buying behavior. The results indicate that (1) flow experience and perceived transaction value, which mediated by positive affect, have positive impact on impulse buying behavior; (2) the positive relationship between positive affect and impulse buying behavior is moderated by hedonic shopping motivation.
Immunological and Structural Analysis of IgE-Mediated Cross-Reactivity between Manganese Superoxide Dismutases

Background: Allergy results from inappropriate immune responses to normally innocuous proteins. More than 300 IgE-binding proteins have been cloned and shown to cover structurally and functionally heterogeneous protein families including enzymes, backbone and storage proteins as well as proteins with unknown function. Structurally related cross-reactive allergens are involved in the pathogenesis of important clinical syndromes. We found that phylogenetically highly conserved proteins, including human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), are involved in IgE-mediated autoreactivity. Methods: MnSOD cloned from different phylogenetically distant species were produced as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli and used to study IgE-mediated cross-reactivity and proliferative responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of individuals sensitised to Aspergillus fumigatus MnSOD. Homology models of the three-dimensional structures of MnSOD from A. fumigatus, Drosophila melanogaster and Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the human MnSOD structure refined at 2.2 Å as template were constructed to identify conserved amino acid residues exposed to the solvent. Results: Cross-reactivity between the MnSOD at B and T cell level was demonstrated by inhibition experiments showing shared B cell epitopes and by the capability of the different MnSODs to induce proliferative responses in PBMCs of sensitised individuals. Structural modelling allowed to identify conserved residues exposed to the solvent. The identified residues are scattered over the sequence of the enzyme indicating putative conformational IgE-binding epitopes. Conclusions: The results obtained corroborate molecular mimicry as a plausible mechanism to explain autoreactivity to human MnSOD. Moreover, homology modelling provides a rational tool to identify conserved residues involved in defining cross-reactive B cell epitopes.
Transformed GARMA model: Properties and simulations

ABSTRACT Real time series can present anomalies, like non-additivity, non-normality, and heteroscedasticity, which makes using GARMA models impossible. Our article introduces a new class of models called Transformed Generalized Autoregressive Moving Average (TGARMA) models that allow using transformations to guarantee the GARMA assumptions. We present an extensive simulation study of the influence of the transformation on GARMA estimation. We also propose using bootstrap methods to get more information about the distribution of the transformation parameter. We apply the methodology to data related to annual Swedish fertility rates.
Nonparametric hypothesis testing in clustered survival model

ABSTRACT A nonparametric test for the presence of clustering in survival data is proposed. Assuming a model that incorporates the clustering effect into the Cox Proportional Hazards model, simulation studies indicate that the procedure is correctly sized and powerful in a reasonably wide range of scenarios. The test for the presence of clustering over time is also robust to model misspecification. With large number of clusters, the test is powerful even if the data is highly heterogeneous.
On the Restricted Mean Event Time in Survival Analysis

For designing, monitoring and analyzing a longitudinal study with an event time as the outcome variable, the restricted mean event time (RMET) is an easily interpretable, clinically meaningful summary of the survival function in the presence of censoring. The RMET is the average of all potential event times measured up to a time point τ, which can be estimated consistently by the area under the Kaplan-Meier curve over [0, τ ]. In this paper, we present inference procedures for model-free parameters based on RMETs under the oneand two-sample settings. We then propose a new regression model, which relates the RMET to its covariates directly for predicting the subjectspecific RMETs. Since the standard Cox and the accelerated failure time models can also be used for estimating such RMETs, we utilize a cross validation procedure to select the “best” working model. Lastly we draw inferences for the subject-specific RMETs based on the final candidate model using an independent data set or a “holdout” sample from the original data set. All the proposals are illustrated with the data from the a HIV clinical trial conducted by the AIDS Clinical Trials Group and the PBC study conducted by the Mayo Clinic.
A Brief Survey of Public Knowledge and Stigma Towards Depression

Background The burden from depression is affected by the public’s beliefs, stigma, and resulting behavior. Lack of knowledge, misunderstanding, and stigma about depressed people and their surroundings are barriers to improving their mental health. This study aimed to examine public beliefs regarding depression, especially how to recognize depression, treatment, and stigma. Methods A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to participants receiving an annual health checkup. We asked whether they agreed with four short sentences: “it is not necessary to worry about depression in a person behaving brightly” (misunderstanding about the behavior of depressed people), “rest is important for treating depression” (belief about the necessity of rest), “medicine is effective for treating depression” (belief about the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy) and “a weak personality causes depression” (stigma about the cause of depression). We also analyzed the association between these beliefs and factors such as health literacy, regularly visiting an outpatient clinic, history of depression, and demographic variables. Results Among 1,085 respondents (75.0% response rate), 54.5%, 75.6%, 58.9%, and 70.8% responded appropriately to the “misunderstanding about the behavior of depressed people”, “necessity of rest”, “effectiveness of pharmacotherapy”, and “stigma about the cause of depression” items, respectively. Regarding stigma about the cause of depression, 30.7% of respondents agreed that a weak personality caused depression. Female sex and younger age group were associated with appropriate answers. Health literacy was only associated with appropriate beliefs about the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy. Conclusions Thirty percent of participants had the stigmatizing belief that a weak personality causes depression and only 58.9% believed in the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy for depression. Over 70% understood the necessity of rest and knew that depression is possible in those who act brighter. General health literacy alone might not improve knowledge and beliefs about depression. An educational intervention or campaign to reduce stigma toward depression and improve knowledge about the treatment of depression is needed.
The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

Abstract In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) was sequenced and reported for the first time using muscle tissue. Sequence analysis showed its genome structure was in accordance with other Accipitridae species, which contains 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 1 control region and 1 extra pseudo-control region, and its total length is 18,647 bp. An extra nucleotide (C) was determined at position 174 relative to the ND3 sequence, and an insertion of three adenines was found directly preceding the stop codon of Cytb.
Atomistic Simulations to Predict Favored Glass-Formation Composition and Ion-Beam-Mixing of Nano-Multiple-Metal-Layers to Produce Ternary Amorphous Films

Based on the framework of long-range empirical formulas, the interatomic potentials were constructed for the Ni-Nb-Mo (fcc-bcc-bcc) and Ni-Zr-Mo (fcc-hcp-bcc) ternary metal systems. Applying the constructed potentials, atomistic simulations were performed to predict the energetically favored glass formation regions (GFRs) in the respective composition triangles of the systems. In addition, the amorphization driving forces (ADFs), i.e., the energy differences between the solid solutions and disordered phases, were computed and appeared to correlate with the so-called glass forming abilities. To verify the atomistic prediction, ion beam mixing with nano-multiple-metal-layers was carried out to produce ternary amorphous films. The results showed that the composition of ternary amorphous films obtained by ion beam mixing all locate inside the GFRs, supporting the predictions of atomistic simulations. Interestingly, the minimum ion dosage required for amorphization showed a negative correlation with the calculated ADF, implying that the predicted amorphization driving force could be an indicator of the glass formation ability.
Similar Subgroups Based on Cognitive Performance Parse Heterogeneity in Adults With ADHD and Healthy Controls

Objective: To characterize heterogeneity in adults with ADHD we aimed to identify subgroups within the adult ADHD spectrum, which differ in their cognitive profile. Method: Neuropsychological data from adults with ADHD (n = 133) and healthy control participants (n = 132) were used in a confirmatory factor analysis. The resulting six cognitive factors were correlated across participants to form networks. We used a community detection algorithm to cluster these networks into subgroups. Results: Both the ADHD and control group separated into three profiles that differed in cognitive performance. Profile 1 was characterized by aberrant attention and inhibition, profile 2 by increased delay discounting, and profile 3 by atypical working memory and verbal fluency. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that qualitative differences in neuropsychological performance exist in both control and ADHD adult individuals. This extends prior findings in children with and without ADHD and provides a framework to parse participants into well-defined subgroups.
Involvement of D1 dopamine receptors in the nicotine-induced neuro-endocrine effects and depletion of diencephalic catecholamine stores in the male rat.

Male rats were treated acutely with nicotine (4 x 2 mg/kg, 30-min time intervals, total treatment time 2 h) or exposed to cigarette smoke from 4 x 1 cigarette (30-min time intervals, total treatment time 2 h). Some rats were pretreated with the D1 dopamine (DA) receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (0.1-3.0 mg/kg, i.p.), or with the D2 DA receptor antagonists remoxipride and raclopride (1 mg/kg, i.p.), or with the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2 (5-HT2) receptor antagonist ketanserin (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) 5 min before nicotine treatment or the acute intermittent exposure to cigarette smoke. Some rats were treated with the D1 DA receptor agonist SK&F 38393 (1-10 mg/kg, i.p.) 15 min, 30 min or 2 h before decapitation. Hypothalamic and pre-optic catecholamine (CA) levels were measured by quantitative histofluorimetry in discrete DA and noradrenaline (NA) nerve terminal systems. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), vasopressin, corticosterone and testosterone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay procedures. Nicotine treatment and to a minor degree also acute intermittent exposure to cigarette smoke produced a reduction in serum prolactin, LH and TSH but not in serum FSH, vasopressin and testosterone levels. Nicotine treatment also increased serum corticosterone levels. Pretreatment with the D1 DA receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (1-3 mg/kg) counteracted the lowering of serum LH, but not of prolactin and TSH levels induced by nicotine or exposure to cigarette smoke. SCH 23390 alone (1-3 mg/kg) increased serum TSH levels. Remoxipride, raclopride or ketanserin did not counteract any of the neuro-endocrine actions induced by nicotine treatment. However, ketanserin alone lowered serum prolactin levels. SK&F 38393 increased serum TSH, prolactin and LH levels. It was found that nicotine treatment and exposure to cigarette smoke with few exceptions produced a depletion of CA stores in NA and DA nerve terminals of the hypothalamus, pre-optic area and median eminence which was counteracted by SCH 23390 (1 mg/kg) but not by remoxipride, raclopride (1 mg/kg) or ketanserin (0.3 mg/kg). The results indicate that D1 but not D2 DA or 5-HT2 receptors may modulate the NA and DA release in the median eminence, the hypothalamus and the pre-optic area induced by nicotinic cholinoceptor activation. Furthermore, D1 DA receptors in the median eminence may at least in part mediate the inhibitory effects of nicotine on LH but not on TSH and prolactin secretion, although there appears to exist a D1 DA receptor in the median eminence which inhibits TSH secretion. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Query expansion for effective retrieval from microblog

Twitter is most popular microblogging site. It provides us with real time data information. In this research paper we explain techniques for retrieving related information from twitter data according to user/people query. Aim of this method is finding real world and relevant information according to the query or interest profile of user. For extracting most relevant data used query expansion techniques. For expanding query we used word2vec model. Twitter has a large amount of information of any event. In the work presented here, the retrieval model finds most important data and gives the final ranking score to that information according user expanded interest profile
Online motion adjustment using compliance control for a multi-axis robot manipulator

The demand for more human-robot interactions is increasing rapidly. Safety of these interactions is a crucial concern and is closely related to the design of the control system. When the robot is affected by an external force, in order to have a safe interaction, it is necessary to regulate the speed and position changes that may occur due to this expected or unexpected force. This work focuses on robot compliance control that can online adjust the motion of the robot manipulator according to the external force applied to the end effector. The proposed control law calculates the Jacobian matrix and modifies the task-space velocities of the end-effector with respect to the prescribed force/velocity relationship, i.e. the admittance law; then the desired position is achieved by the computed-torque control in the joint space. Simulations of the proposed algorithm show that the trajectory of the end effector can be modified online based on the magnitude and direction of the external force. These results can be further applied to lead-through teaching applications where we want the robot to comply with the force to achieve the specified task.