Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multi-task learning from single-cell multimodal omics with Matilda

Single-cell multimodal omics technologies enable multiple molecular programs to be simultaneously profiled at a global scale in individual cells, creating opportunities to study biological systems at a resolution that was previously inaccessible. However, the analysis of single-cell multimodal omics data is challenging due to the lack of methods that can integrate across multiple data modalities generated from such technologies. Here, we present Matilda, a multi-task learning method for integrative analysis of single-cell multimodal omics data. By leveraging the interrelationship among tasks, Matilda learns to perform data simulation, dimension reduction, cell type classification, and feature selection in a single unified framework. We compare Matilda with other state-of-the-art methods on datasets generated from some of the most popular single-cell multimodal omics technologies. Our results demonstrate the utility of Matilda for addressing multiple key tasks on integrative single-cell multimodal omics data analysis.
Stability of personality self-ratings over 30 years: evidence for an age/cohort interaction.

An investigation was made of the hypothesis of Bloom (1964) and others that the stability of personality is greater among older than younger adults. The subjects were 459 men in two cohorts, followed from 1947 to 1977 as part of a longitudinal medical study. Self-ratings were obtained over the 30-year period on 15 item-factor scales from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and on two higher order factors. There was no selective attrition in the sample with respect to baseline personality scores. Thirty-year uncorrected stability coefficients ranged from . 08 to . 88 across the two cohorts. There was substantial evidence of greater stability on many traits in the older than in the younger age/cohort group. Furthermore, in late adulthood, traits related to the higher order factor Constraint were more stable than were traits related to Positive vs. Negative Affectivity. The study is not a definitive test of Bloom's hypothesis because cohort and age effects are confounded. However, the results are supportive of the hypothesis and the study improves on existing research in a number of ways.
ATP in the locus coeruleus as a modulator of cardiorespiratory control in unanaesthetized male rats

• What is the central question of this study? Does the ATP‐mediated purinergic signalling within locus coeruleus neurons modulate the cardiorespiratory responses to hypercapnia in unanaesthetized rats? • What is the main finding and its importance? This study demonstrates that P2X receptor agonist (α,β‐methylene ATP) increases hypercapnia‐induced hyperventilation, and this response is blocked by a non‐selective P2 receptor antagonist (pyridoxalphosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,4′‐disulfonic acid). Until the present study, there was no evidence in the literature of ATP‐mediated respiratory mechanisms in the locus coeruleus region. We added to this scenario the participation of purinergic signalling in the locus coeruleus in the modulation of respiration in unanaesthetized animals.
Enteral Vancomycin Controls Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Endemicity in an Intensive Care Burn Unit: A 9-Year Prospective Study

Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of enteral vancomycin in controlling MRSA endemicity in an intensive care burn unit. Summary Background Data:MRSA is a serious clinical and epidemiologic problem. It is not uncommon that the traditional maneuvers, detection and isolation of carriers, fail to control endemicity due to MRSA. Methods:All patients admitted to an Intensive Care Burn unit from January 1995 to February 2004 have been included in this prospective cohort study comprised 2 different periods. During period 1 (January 1995 to January 2000), barrier and isolation measures were enforced. During period 2 (February 2000 to February 2004), patients received enteral vancomycin 4 times daily in addition to selective digestive decontamination. Results:A total of 777 patients were enrolled into the study: 402 in period 1, and 375 in period 2. There were no significant differences in the characteristics of patients between the 2 periods, except for the total body surface burned area, 30.3% in period 1 and 25.61% in period 2 (P = 0.009). There was a significant reduction in the incidence of patients who acquired MRSA from 115 in period 1 to 25 in period 2 (RR, 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15–0.34). Similar reductions were observed in the number of patients with wound (RR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.12–0.32), blood (RR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.04–0.35), and tracheal aspirate (RR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.03–0.19), samples positive for MRSA. There was no emergence of either vancomycin-resistant enterococci or Staphylococcus aureus with intermediate sensitivity to glycopeptides in period 2. Conclusions:Enteral vancomycin is an effective and safe method to control MRSA in intensive care burn units without VRE.
Overexpression of Heme Oxygenase‐1 Is Neuroprotective in a Model of Permanent Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Transgenic Mice

Abstract : Heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1, HSP32) is an early gene that is responsive to an array of pathological conditions including, but not limited to, hypoxia and cerebral ischemia. HO‐1 cleaves the heme molecule and produces carbon monoxide (CO) and biliverdin (an antioxidant) and is essential for iron homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to investigate, using transgenic (Tg) mice, whether overexpression of HO‐1 in the brain augments or attenuates cellular injury caused by ischemic stroke. Homozygous HO‐1 Tg mice that overexpress HO‐1 under the control of the neuron‐specific enolase promoter (characterized previously) were used. Under halothane anesthesia and normothermic conditions, wildtype nontransgenic (nTg ; n = 22) and HO‐1 Tg (n = 24) mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Six hours after induction of ischemia, Tg and nTg mice developed infarcts that were 39 ± 6 and 63 ± 9 mm3, respectively (p < 0.01). No significant difference between the two strains was observed in the values of brain edema (11.3 ± 4% in Tg vs. 14.6 ± 5% in nTg ; p < 0.1). At 24 h after MCAo, Tg mice exhibited significant neuroprotection as determined by the stroke volumes (41 ± 2 mm3 in Tg vs. 74 ± 5 mm3 in nTg ; p < 0.01) and values of ischemic cerebral edema (21 ± 6% in Tg vs. 35 ± 11% in nTg ; p < 0.01). Data suggest that neuroprotection in Tg mice was, at least in part, related to the following findings : (a) constitutively up‐regulated cyclic GMP and bcl‐2 levels in neurons ; (b) inhibition of nuclear localization of p53 protein ; and (c) antioxidant action of HO‐1, as detected by postischemic neuronal expression of ferritin, and decreases in iron staining and tissue lipid peroxidation. We suggest that pharmacological stimulation of HO‐1 activity may constitute a novel therapeutic approach in the amelioration of ischemic injury during the acute period of stroke.
Comprehensive geomagnetic signal processing for sucessful earthquake prediction

Previous studies suggested that seismo-electromagnetic signals were generated during earthquake preparation phase. While the anomalous signals in Japan, Russia, and Greece are rather clear; observational results in some regions including America and Indonesian have not conclusive yet, whether the signals are really exist or normal magnetic storm phenomena only. Some problems in measuring instrumentations might also result in anomalous signals. This paper reviews further possibilities by processing a nearly continuous geomagnetic data of INTERMAGNET observatories in three regions (Japan, America, and Indonesia) during the last twelve years (2000-2011). MATLAB ® with digital signal processing and statistical toolboxes is used for night-time data filtering thereafter processing methods of differentiation and moving average are applied. To get relationship between these anomalous signals and natural processes, tectonic settings of the regions and global geomagnetic conditions are also considered in the analysis. Fast decreasing of geomagnetic intensities signals are showed prior to earthquakes in Japanese regions, while some little increases of differentiation signals between two adjacent observatories were seen from their moving average values. The anomaly was 10.08 nT, during 8 days started from 32 days prior to the earthquake. Decreasing of geomagnetic intensities prior to earthquakes in American regions occurred rather longer and formerly (during 40 days started from 137 days prior to the earthquake), but the magnitudes are not so high. In Indonesian regions, fast decreasing of geomagnetic signals and increasing of differentiation signals are very clear, especially prior to the giant M9.1 Sumatra earthquake. The anomaly reached extreme magnitude of more than 200 nT during several days prior to the earthquakes. All observational results are back to the normal (base line) values after earthquake occurrences. The distances from the observatories to the epicenters and the magnitudes of earthquakes very affect the results. Elevations of observatories and the tectonic settings of regions may also affect the magnitude of anomalous signals. Some missing data during earthquake days are in fact very valuable to complete the analysis. After all, the geomagnetic signal processing is very valuable in searching appropriate precursors for successful earthquake predictions.
Glycochips from Polyanionic Glycopolymers as Tools for Detecting Shiga Toxins

An alternating layer‐by‐layer adsorption methodology was applied to the assembly of glycochips by using synthetic polyanionic glycopolymers. Three glycochips carrying globobioside (Gb2), β‐lactoside (β‐Lac), or α‐D‐mannoside (α‐Man) residues were prepared, and used for the detection of Shiga toxins, Stx‐1 and Stx‐2, by using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Using this method, we could confirm that both Stx‐1 and Stx‐2 show binding specificity for the Gb2 glycochip as well as a weak affinity for the β‐Lac glycochip. The affinity constants of these toxins depended strongly on the sugar content of the Gb2 polymer used to prepare the glycochip. Greater affinity was observed for chips with a higher sugar content (up to 43 %) in the Gb2 glycopolymer. The maximal affinity constants of Stx‐1 and Stx‐2 (Ka=108–109 M−1) enabled highly sensitive and facile analysis (10 ng mL−1, 30 min). When Gb2 glycopolymers were used as competitors, Stx‐1 and Stx‐2 behaved differently from one another in terms of their SPR response; this allowed us to perform discriminative analysis between the two toxins.
Impaired Left Ventricular Diastolic Function and Vascular Postischemic Vasodilation Associated with Microalbuminuria in IDDM Patients

OBJECTIVE Microalbuminuria is considered an important predictor of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients. In this study, a possible association of microalbuminuria with significant changes in left ventricular (LV) morphology and function and generalized vascular dysfunction was analyzed in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients without hypertension, coronary artery disease, or autonomie dysfunction. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Thirty-four young long-term IDDM patients, 16 with and 18 without microalbuminuria, and 20 control subjects were studied. LV systolic function and wall thickness were evaluated by M-mode echocardiography. LV diastolic function was studied using a combined echo-Doppler and phonocardiographic technique. The hyperemic response to forearm ischemia was measured by strain-gauge plethysmography. All patients underwent 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. RESULTS LV mass index and wall thickness:radius ratio were significantly higher in microalbuminuric patients. LV relaxation was significantly impaired in both diabetic groups compared with control subjects; moreover, this impairment was significantly greater in microalbuminuric than in normoalbuminuric patients. In microalbuminuric patients, forearm postischemic vasodilation was also significantly lower and mean awake diastolic blood pressure (dBP) was significantly higher than in the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that microalbuminuria is associated with significant changes in LV morphology, a more severe impairment of cardiac diastolic function, altered vascular dilatory capacity, and higher daytime dBP. Therefore, microalbuminuric patients should be considered to have a higher risk of cardiovascular complications and be kept under closer surveillance.
Four-channel 25Gbps optical receiver for 100Gbps Ethernet with built-in demultiplexer optics

A compact four-channel 25Gbps receiver with built-in demultiplexer realizes high sensitivity less than −12.1dBm and low cross-talk penalty of less than 0.1dB per channel in 12mm × 17mm × 7mm for the next-generation 100Gbps Ethernet applications.
Sequence-Based Classification Scheme for the GenusLegionella Targeting the mip Gene

ABSTRACT The identification and speciation of strains ofLegionella is often difficult, and even the more successful chromatographic classification techniques have struggled to discriminate newly described species. A sequence-based genotypic classification scheme is reported, targeting approximately 700 nucleotide bases of the mip gene and utilizing gene amplification and direct amplicon sequencing. With the exception ofLegionella geestiana, for which an amplicon was not produced, the scheme clearly and unambiguously discriminated among the remaining 39 Legionella species and correctly grouped 26 additional serogroup and reference strains within those species. Additionally, the genotypic classification of approximately 150 wild strains from several continents was consistent with their phenotypic classification, with the exception of a few strains where serological cross-reactivity was complex, potentially confusing the latter classification. Strains thought to represent currently uncharacterized species were also found to be genotypically unique. The scheme is technically simple for a laboratory with even basic molecular capabilities and equipment, if access to a sequencing laboratory is available.
Mexican American Intergenerational Caregiving Model

This study employed grounded theory to formulate a conceptual model of intergenerational caregiving among Mexican American families. The sample consisted of 10 Mexican American caregivers of various generations older than 21 who provided at least one intermittent service (without pay at least once a month) to an elder, related through consanguinal or acquired kinship ties. The inductively generated theory of role acceptance is composed of four phases: (a) introduction—early caregiving experiences, (b) role reconciliation, (c) role imprint, and (d) providing or projecting care. This model can be used to study varied generations of Mexican American caregivers. It also provides a framework for comparison with other groups of caregivers. The results can help in designing nursing interventions to support caregivers based on understanding the issues, to create and design systems that address the varying and ever-changing needs of informal caregivers, and to assist in the formulation of policy that supports Mexican American caregivers.
Incorporating Default Inferences Into Plan Recognition

This paper presents a process model of plan inference for use in natural language consultation systems. It includes a strategy that can both defer unwarranted decisions about the relationship of a new action to the user's overall plan and sanction rational default inferences. The paper describes an implementation of this strategy using the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidential reasoning. Our process model overcomes a limitation of previous plan recognition systems and produces a richer model of the user's plans and goals, yet one that can be explained and justified to the user when discrepancies arise between it and what the user is actually trying to accomplish.
Spiritual well-being after trauma: Correlates with appraisals, coping, and psychological adjustment

ABSTRACT Spiritual issues are often implicated in trauma, yet little research has examined the specific pathways through which trauma may affect spiritual well-being or relations between spiritual well-being and other aspects of adjustment following trauma. Such information would be helpful in developing psychological interventions for trauma recovery. In a sample of 436 college students who had survived a traumatic experience, a transactional stress and coping perspective were used to examine both predictors of three components of spiritual well-being (faith, meaning, and peace) and relations between spiritual well-being and other aspects of psychological adjustment. Results suggest that different patterns of appraisals and coping predict each component of spiritual well-being and that all three components—particularly those of meaning and peace—are related to psychological adjustment. These results suggest that spiritual well-being is an important posttraumatic outcome warranting future research and clinical attention.
A study of leaf-nosed bats (Hipposideros caffer and Rhinolophus landeri) in a cave in northern Nigeria.

Two species of leaf-nosed bats were netted as they emerged from their roosting cave at dusk. Collecting was repeated four times in 1966 and twice in 1967. Color of pelage, age, and reproductive condition of the bats were noted. From these data I conclude that the bats copulate late in the year, undergo a brief period of delayed implantation, give birth about April, and molt between May and July. The natural hair color of the adult is gray but quickly changes to reddish gold. Association between the breeding cycle and climate of the region is suggested.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor ameliorates lipid metabolism in diabetic mice

Aim: It has been reported previously that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates blood glucose metabolism in rodent obese diabetic models such as C57BL/KsJ‐leprdb/leprdb (db/db) mice. BDNF further regulates energy expenditure, possibly through the central and autonomous nervous systems. In this study, we evaluated the effect of BDNF on both lipid and glucose metabolisms to clarify its action mechanism.
Emerging Developments in RNA Therapeutics

Exciting developments have recently emerged in the field of RNA therapeutics, with potential applications in the treatment of human diseases. The second International Conference on RNA in drug development was held to highlight several novel RNA-based technologies, including different approaches to silence gene expression, the broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications for aptamers, and the targeting of RNA with small molecules. Highlights of the meeting included the utilisation of RNA interference to silence genes, with applications for the treatment of both cancer and viral infections, and for systemic silencing of gene expression. Novel approaches to safer drug design using aptamers were presented, which would enable control of their therapeutic activity to be achieved with antidote oligonucleotides. Updates were also presented on the clinical and preclinical development of ribozymes and aptamers, including good progress in increasing the half-life of these molecules in serum.
Induction of tolerance to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-D-galactosamine lethality by pretreatment with LPS is mediated by macrophages

In mice treated with D-galactosamine, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exhibits enhanced toxicity (C. Galanos, M. A. Freudenberg, and W. Reutter, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76:5939-5943, 1979). Pretreatment of mice with LPS before D-galactosamine rendered them tolerant to the enhanced lethal effect of LPS. Tolerance was established at 1 h after LPS injection and, depending on the dose of LPS used for pretreatment, lasted for up to 48 h. With C3H/HeJ mice with acquired sensitivity to LPS (M. A. Freudenberg, D. Keppler, and C. Galanos, Infect. Immun. 51:891-895, 1986), i.e., mice that had been administered C3H/HeN macrophages, pretreatment with LPS induced tolerance only if the C3H/HeN macrophages were already present at the time of pretreatment. This indicates that, like lethality, induction of tolerance by LPS is a macrophage-mediated phenomenon. Direct interaction of LPS with macrophages is the first step in the initiation of tolerance or toxicity. C3H/HeN macrophages (2 X 10(7], incubated with minute amounts of LPS (0.5 to 0.02 microgram) in vitro and transferred subsequently to C3H/HeJ mice, induced lethality when administered together with or after D-galactosamine and tolerance when injected before D-galactosamine. Macrophages activated in vitro lost their tolerance- and lethality-inducing properties upon further incubation in LPS-free culture medium for 18 h. Such macrophages could be successfully restimulated by a new addition of LPS.
Rigidity percolation in a field.

Rigidity percolation with g degrees of freedom per site is analyzed on randomly diluted Erdös-Renyi graphs, with average connectivity gamma, in the presence of a field h. In the (gamma,h) plane, the rigid and flexible phases are separated by a line of first-order transitions whose location is determined exactly. This line ends at a critical point with classical critical exponents. Analytic expressions are given for the densities n(F) of uncanceled degrees of freedom and gamma(r) of redundant bonds. Upon crossing the coexistence line, gamma(r) and n(F) are continuous, although their first derivatives are discontinuous. We extend, for the case of nonzero field, a recently proposed hypothesis, namely, that the density of uncanceled degrees of freedom is a "free energy" for rigidity percolation. Analytic expressions are obtained for the energy, entropy, and specific heat. Some analogies with a liquid-vapor transition are discussed. Particularizing to zero field, we find that the existence of a (g+1) core is a necessary condition for rigidity percolation with g degrees of freedom. At the transition point gamma(c), Maxwell counting of degrees of freedom is exact on the rigid cluster and on the (g+1) rigid core, i.e., the average coordination of these subgraphs is exactly 2g, although gamma(c), the average coordination of the whole system, is smaller than 2g. gamma(c) is found to converge to 2g for large g, i.e., in this limit Maxwell counting is exact globally as well.
Crystal structure of bovine duodenase, a serine protease, with dual trypsin and chymotrypsin‐like specificities

The three‐dimensional structure of duodenase, a serine protease from bovine duodenum mucosa, has been determined at 2. 4Å resolution. The enzyme, which has both trypsin‐like and chymotrypsin‐like activities, most closely resembles human cathepsin G with which it shares 57% sequence identity and similar specificity. The catalytic Ser195 in duodenase adopts the energetically favored conformation typical of serine proteinases and unlike the strained state typical of lipase/esterases. Of several waters in the active site of duodenase, the one associated with Ser214 is found in all serine proteinases and most lipase/esterases. The conservation of the Ser214 residue in serine proteinase, its presence in the active site, and participation in a hydrogen water network involving the catalytic triad (His57, Asp107, and Ser195) argues for its having an important role in the mechanism of action. It may be referred to as a fourth member of the catalytic triad. Duodenase is one of a growing family of enzymes that possesses trypsin‐like and chymotrypsin‐like activity. Not long ago, these activities were considered to be mutually exclusive. Computer modeling reveals that the S1 subsite of duodenase has structural features compatible with effective accommodation of P1 residues typical of trypsin (Arg/Lys) and chymotrypsin (Tyr/Phe) substrates. The determination of structural features associated with functional variation in the enzyme family may permit design of enzymes with a specific ratio of trypsin and chymotrypsin activities. Proteins 2000;41:8–16. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.