Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heat Shock Response in CHO Mammalian Cells Is Controlled by a Nonlinear Stochastic Process

In many biological systems, the interactions that describe the coupling between different units in a genetic network are nonlinear and stochastic. We study the interplay between stochasticity and nonlinearity using the responses of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) mammalian cells to different temperature shocks. The experimental data show that the mean value response of a cell population can be described by a mathematical expression (empirical law) which is valid for a large range of heat shock conditions. A nonlinear stochastic theoretical model was developed that explains the empirical law for the mean response. Moreover, the theoretical model predicts a specific biological probability distribution of responses for a cell population. The prediction was experimentally confirmed by measurements at the single-cell level. The computational approach can be used to study other nonlinear stochastic biological phenomena.
Physical and Antimicrobial Characterization of Self Assembled Silver Nanoparticle/Chitosan onto Low Density Polyethylene Film as Active Packaging Polymer

Colloidal Silver nanoparticles with a size of 5 nm produced by chemical reduction using poly ethylene glycol (PEG 200). Layers of silver nanoparticles and chitosan were deposited onto low density polyethylene (LDPE) substrate by layer by layer (LBL) self-assembly technique. Silver nanocomposite films were built by sequential dipping of LDPE film in either anionic silver nanoparticles or cationic chitosan. Silver nanoparticles and chitosan led to the formation of nanocomposite films possessing antimicrobial properties with the thickness of 2, 4, 8, 12 and 20 layers. Silver nanocomposite films were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of LBL deposited nanocomposite films were investigated. Results showed that the LBL deposition of silver nanoparticles and chitosan increased the crystallinity of the composites and also improved mechanical and barrier properties of LDPE film significantly (p<0.05). Antimicrobial activity of silver nanocomposites against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated. Growth kinetic parameters of E.coli and S.aureus affected by silver nanocomposites were calculated by modeling of absorbance data according to Gomperz equation. LDPE-silver nanocomposite affected bacterial growth parameters significantly (p<0.05). The specific growth rate reduced from 0.30 to 0.11 h-1 for E. coli and decreased 0.27 to 0.06 h-1 for S. aureus.
Association of the Ribosomal Subunits as Studied by Time-resolved Cryo-EM

We have previously demonstrated fabrication of a microfluidic device that mixes two reactants and sprays the mixture onto an EM grid, which is then plunged into the cryogen (Lu et al. , 2009). The minimum reaction time from the initial point of complete mixing to fixation in cryogen is estimated to be 9.4 ms. The reaction that we are studying is the association of the E. coli 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits in the presence of 10-12 mM Mg 2+ . We show that passage through the mixer and sprayer does not impair translation activity (Fig. 1). The 3D reconstruction from a dataset of the 70S-like images (Fig. 2) shows missing or weak densities for the inter-subunit bridges B2c, B4, and B6 (according to Yusupov et al. , 2001 nomenclature). However, central bridges B2a, B2b, B3, and B7a were present in this reconstruction. Since all these bridges are intact in the map of control, pre-associated 70S ribosomes that were also passed through the same microfluidic device, our results show that we are able to capture possible intermediates of association. Furthermore, subclasses derived after the application of the three-dimensional maximum likelihood classification method (ML3D) show variability in peripheral bridges B1a, B7b, and “X” (the latter according to Gabashvili et al. , 2000 nomenclature), such that the presence of two of these three bridges was anti-correlated with the presence of the third. These results suggest that during association, the central bridges form first, while the small subunit teeters atop the large subunit, and then finally both ribosomal subunits adopt
Word Centre is Misperceived

Normal readers were asked to mark the middle of visually presented words. They made systematic errors toward the left, indicating an overestimation of the length of the beginning of a word. The number of characters determines the size of this error. The bias extended to pseudowords, letter strings, and symbols, but not to blocks, dashes, and lines. Finally, the bias was sensitive to typographical errors but not to colour cuing. These findings suggest that special cognitive operations determine the perceived spatial extent of words. Implications for our understanding of perceptual and cognitive processes in reading are discussed.
Procedural Content Generation: Goals, Challenges and Actionable Steps

This chapter discusses the challenges and opportunities of procedural content generation (PCG) in games. It starts with defining three grand goals of PCG, namely multi-level multicontent PCG, PCG-based game design and generating complete games. The way these goals are defined, they are not feasible with current technology. Therefore we identify nine challenges for PCG research. Work towards meeting these challenges is likely to take us closer to realising the three grand goals. In order to help researchers get started, we also identify five actionable steps, which PCG researchers could get started working on immediately.
Dyslexics’ faster decay of implicit memory for sounds and words is manifested in their shorter neural adaptation

Dyslexia is a prevalent reading disability whose underlying mechanisms are still disputed. We studied the neural mechanisms underlying dyslexia using a simple frequency-discrimination task. Though participants were asked to compare the two tones in each trial, implicit memory of previous trials affected their responses. We hypothesized that implicit memory decays faster among dyslexics. We tested this by increasing the temporal intervals between consecutive trials, and by measuring the behavioral impact and ERP responses from the auditory cortex. Dyslexics showed a faster decay of implicit memory effects on both measures, with similar time constants. Finally, faster decay of implicit memory also characterized the impact of sound regularities in benefitting dyslexics' oral reading rate. Their benefit decreased faster as a function of the time interval from the previous reading of the same non-word. We propose that dyslexics’ shorter neural adaptation paradoxically accounts for their longer reading times, since it reduces their temporal window of integration of past stimuli, resulting in noisier and less reliable predictions for both simple and complex stimuli. Less reliable predictions limit their acquisition of reading expertise. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.20557. 001
Teleoperation of Multiple Social Robots

Teleoperation of multiple robots by a single operator has been studied extensively for applications such as search and navigation; however, this concept has never been applied to the field of social, conversational robots. In this paper, we explore the unique challenges posed by the remote operation of multiple social robots, where an operator must perform auditory multitasking to assist multiple interactions at once. It describes the general system requirements in four areas: social human-robot interaction (HRI) design, autonomy design, multirobot coordination, and teleoperation interface design. Based on this design framework, we have developed a system in which a single operator can simultaneously control four robots in conversational interactions with users. Key elements of our implementation include a control architecture enabling the scripting of conditional behavior flows for social interaction, a graphical interface enabling an operator to control one robot at a time while monitoring several others in the background, and a technique called “proactive timing control,” which is an automated method for smoothly interleaving the demands of multiple robots for the operator's attention. We also present metrics for describing and predicting robot performance, and we show experimental results demonstrating the effectiveness of our system through simulations and a laboratory experiment based on real-world interactions.
Bioavailability of carotenoids in human subjects

There is growing need for accurate information regarding the bioavailability of carotenoids, both with respect to carotenoids per se and to the vitamin A value of provitamin A carotenoids in foods or supplement preparations. Little quantitative information is currently available, owing primarily to the lack of adequate methods to assess carotenoid bioavailability. Methods applied to xenobiotic drugs are in most cases not useful for carotenoids, many of which circulate in appreciable quantities in human plasma. Reported ranges of carotenoid bioavailability (% dose absorbed) range from 1–99, and variability is generally high both within and between treatments. With the current methods, relative bioavailability is more readily assessed than absolute bioavailability. The most commonly applied methods include measuring the increase in plasma carotenoid concentration following chronic intervention, and use of postprandial chylomicron (PPC) carotenoid or retinyl ester response following a single dose of carotenoid. The advantages and limitations of these approaches, together with examples of each, are discussed. A new PPC approach utilizing extrinsic-stable-isotope-labelled vitamin A (2H4-labelled retinyl acetate) is under development in our laboratory, and examples of its application are presented. The currently available data suggest that oil solutions of carotenoids are more bioavailable than those from food matrices, and heating can improve the bioavailability of carotenoids from some food products. Increased availability of labelled carotenoids and retinoids should aid the development of reliable methods of carotenoid bioavailability assessment. Such data are needed for dietary recommendations, supplement formulation, and design of intervention strategies involving carotenoids.
Secondary structure motif determination in ncRNA via graph kernel based computational models

ncRNA which is a functional molecule but yet not translated into protein has significantly taken importance in the field of bioinformatics, therapeutics chemoinformatics and for the advancement of science. The nucleotide composition and its structure (identity of paired and unpaired nucleotides) determine the function of ncRNA. Key analytical tools such as folding, alignment and clustering algorithms rely on energetic considerations to generate the accurate response to specific queries as they are designed. In reality, these algorithms become inaccurate while considering the non-linear effects with underlying assumptions (energy additivity), when violated. To overcome these eventualities, one can formulate key parameters in terms of nonlinear functional dependencies that can be learned from known examples (or parts of examples) or from suboptimal RNA structure prediction. Given the importance of the structural element in ncRNA these methods should ideally be able to work in structured domains i.e. they should be able to accept input graph data structures. The methods will belong to the family of kernel machines, since this class of algorithms allows to use heterogeneous features and to accept complex instances such as sequences of graphs as input. The aim of the thesis is to develop computation model capable of identifying subgraphs within the ncRNA folding graph that are characteristic of biological functions. Further subject them to kernel models to improve the RNA secondary structure and its prediction in terms of accuracy.
Acne induced by inhaled corticosteroids

Four cases of acne apparently induced by inhalation of potent corticosteroids prescribed for the treatment of asthma are described. In one case there appeared to he a dose‐dependent relationship. While acne induced by topical or systemic administration of corticosteroids is well recognized, acne following inhaled corticosteroids has not previously been reported.
Factors Inducing Retrograde Degeneration of the Cochlear Nerve

The process of retrograde secondary degeneration is described and its mechanism discussed. The extent of degeneration following transection of the central or peripheral axon and following various types of damage to the organ of Corti, including the time course of degeneration, is presented in animal experimentation and human temporal bones. Of greatest practical importance is secondary neuronal degeneration induced by alteration in the organ of Corti. The effect of damage to the outer hair cells, inner hair cells, supporting structures in the Corti, and nerve endings or peripheral dendrites is analyzed and related to different types of inner ear disease.
Bayesian approaches to multiple sources of evidence and uncertainty in complex cost‐effectiveness modelling

Increasingly complex models are being used to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of medical interventions. We describe the multiple sources of uncertainty that are relevant to such models, and their relation to either probabilistic or deterministic sensitivity analysis. A Bayesian approach appears natural in this context. We explore how sensitivity analysis to patient heterogeneity and parameter uncertainty can be simultaneously investigated, and illustrate the necessary computation when expected costs and benefits can be calculated in closed form, such as in discrete‐time discrete‐state Markov models. Information about parameters can either be expressed as a prior distribution, or derived as a posterior distribution given a generalized synthesis of available data in which multiple sources of evidence can be differentially weighted according to their assumed quality. The resulting joint posterior distributions on costs and benefits can then provide inferences on incremental cost‐effectiveness, best presented as posterior distributions over net‐benefit and cost‐effectiveness acceptability curves. These ideas are illustrated with a detailed running example concerning the cost‐effectiveness of hip prostheses in different age–sex subgroups. All computations are carried out using freely available software for conducting Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dihydropyridine Ligand Binding Decreases Earlier in Adolescent Than in Infant Swine After Global Cerebral Ischemia

Voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) are thought to play a major role in the alteration of calcium homeostasis during ischemia. Tissue functional state as well as responsiveness to therapy with calcium channel blockers may be a function of regional changes in the density of VDCCs. This study determined whether VDCCs are altered by global ischemia in infant and adolescent swine. Methods We employed the radioligand 3HPN2OO-11O to quantify the binding characteristics of VDCCs in cerebral cortex, caudate, and hippocampus by equilibrium binding analysis. Adolescent and infant pigs underwent 3, 5,10, and 20 minutes of global cerebral ischemia without reperfusion by ligation of the brachiocephalic and left subclavian arteries combined with hypotension to a mean arterial blood pressure of 50 mm Hg. Brain cortex, hippocampus, and caudate samples were taken during ischemia and frozen immediately in liquid nitrogen, and crude synaptosomal membranes were isolated by differential centrifugation/filtration. 3HPN200-110 equilibrium binding assays were performed in the presence or absence of 1.0 μmol/L unlabeled nitrendipine to determine total and nonspecific binding. Results Infant cortex maximal binding (Bmax) increased to 176% of control after 5 minutes of global cerebral ischemia and remained significantly elevated (172% of control) after 10 minutes before falling to near control levels by 20 minutes. Adolescent cortex Bmax increased to 157% of control levels after 5 minutes but did not remain elevated, falling to 131% of control by 10 minutes and near control by 20 minutes. Infant caudate and hippocampus binding were significantly elevated after 10 (124% and 149% of control, respectively) and 20 (115% and 120% of control, respectively) minutes of ischemia. Adolescent caudate and hippocampus binding was either not significantly different from control levels (hippocampus at 10 minutes) or less than control after 10 and 20 minutes of global cerebral ischemia. The decrease in binding following the initial upregulation, which appeared earlier in the adolescent than the infant pigs, may indicate decreased tolerance to ischemia in the adolescent. Conclusions The binding of 3HPN200-110 in brain is altered during 20 minutes of global cerebral ischemia, and these changes are region- and age-dependent.
Epstein-Barr virus strain characterisation in South African patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas.

UNLABELLED Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in various diseases, among others, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study we investigated the frequency and subtype distribution of EBV in 39 NPCs. The presence of EBV was detected by using a nested PCR to amplify the Bam Hl W-fragment of the genome. Two regions were targeted for subtype analysis, namely the EBNA-2A and EBER regions. PCR was used to amplify these regions, and the EBER region was sequenced to detect subtype specificity. The results showed that EBV could be detected in 82% (31/38) of the tumours. In 15 of these, EBNA subtypes could be identified of which 14 were subtype A and one tumour had both subtypes A and B present. The EBER region was amplified in 21 samples. The majority of cases (18/21) demonstrated a mutation profile which consisted of 5 type B and one type A mutations. The consensus type is therefore type B. IN CONCLUSION a strong association was found between EBV and NPCs in our group of patients and their "consensus" genotype was A/B based on the two genome areas investigated.
Drawing and Analyzing Project Governance Social Networks

Dyadic interaction between a single project and an individual stakeholder has largely been the focus of research. But an increasing number of projects, in essence, are a multi-organization social network system. Study on the project governance social networks will be helpful to visualize and understand the project governance structure and governance strategy selection in specific condition. Therefore, we try to study methods to draw the social networks in project governance, discuss the configuration of the networks, and analyze the relationship between social network structures and stakeholders’ strategies.
Effect of Hybrid Length Scales (Micro + Nano) of SiC Reinforcement on the Properties of Magnesium

In this study, pure magnesium reinforced with micron, nano and micron + nano-size SiC particulates was synthesized using powder metallurgy technique coupled with a novel microwave assisted rapid sintering. The sintered billets were subsequently extruded and characterization studies were performed on the extruded specimens to assess the microstructural, physical and mechanical properties of the composites. Microstructural characterization revealed good interfacial integrity between the matrix and reinforcements. Results of thermal mechanical analysis indicate most significant decrease in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the magnesium matrix with the use of hybrid reinforcements. Mechanical characterization revealed that composite samples exhibited an increase in microhardness of the matrix and strength over that of pure magnesium while ductility was adversely affected. An attempt is made to correlate the effect of single length scale and mixed length scales of SiC reinforcement on the properties exhibited by pure magnesium.
Aspirin versus Placebo in Pregnancies at High Risk for Preterm Preeclampsia

Background Preterm preeclampsia is an important cause of maternal and perinatal death and complications. It is uncertain whether the intake of low‐dose aspirin during pregnancy reduces the risk of preterm preeclampsia. Methods In this multicenter, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, we randomly assigned 1776 women with singleton pregnancies who were at high risk for preterm preeclampsia to receive aspirin, at a dose of 150 mg per day, or placebo from 11 to 14 weeks of gestation until 36 weeks of gestation. The primary outcome was delivery with preeclampsia before 37 weeks of gestation. The analysis was performed according to the intention‐to‐treat principle. Results A total of 152 women withdrew consent during the trial, and 4 were lost to follow up, which left 798 participants in the aspirin group and 822 in the placebo group. Preterm preeclampsia occurred in 13 participants (1.6%) in the aspirin group, as compared with 35 (4.3%) in the placebo group (odds ratio in the aspirin group, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.74; P=0.004). Results were materially unchanged in a sensitivity analysis that took into account participants who had withdrawn or were lost to follow‐up. Adherence was good, with a reported intake of 85% or more of the required number of tablets in 79.9% of the participants. There were no significant between‐group differences in the incidence of neonatal adverse outcomes or other adverse events. Conclusions Treatment with low‐dose aspirin in women at high risk for preterm preeclampsia resulted in a lower incidence of this diagnosis than placebo. (Funded by the European Union Seventh Framework Program and the Fetal Medicine Foundation; EudraCT number, 2013‐003778‐29; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN13633058.)
Donor-Derived Ip-10 Initiates Development of Acute Allograft Rejection

An allograft is often considered an immunologically inert playing field on which host leukocytes assemble and wreak havoc. However, we demonstrate that graft-specific physiologic responses to early injury initiate and promulgate destruction of vascularized grafts. Serial analysis of allografts showed that intragraft expression of the three chemokine ligands for the CXC chemo-kine receptor CXCR3 was induced in the order of interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducible protein of 10 kD (IP-10, or CXCL10), IFN-inducible T cell alpha-chemoattractant (I-TAC; CXCL11), and then monokine induced by IFN-gamma (Mig, CXCL9). Initial IP-10 production was localized to endothelial cells, and only IP-10 was induced by isografting. Anti-IP-10 monoclonal antibodies prolonged allograft survival, but surprisingly, IP-10-deficient (IP-10(-/-)) mice acutely rejected allografts. However, though allografts from IP-10(+/+) mice were rejected by day 7, hearts from IP-10(-/-) mice survived long term. Compared with IP-10(+/+) donors, use of IP-10(-/-) donors reduced intragraft expression of cytokines, chemokines and their receptors, and associated leukocyte infiltration and graft injury. Hence, tissue-specific generation of a single chemokine in response to initial ischemia/reperfusion can initiate progressive graft infiltration and amplification of multiple effector pathways, and targeting of this proximal chemokine can prevent acute rejection. These data emphasize the pivotal role of donor-derived IP-10 in initiating alloresponses, with implications for tissue engineering to decrease immunogenicity, and demonstrate that chemokine redundancy may not be operative in vivo.