Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Costs of intraspecific and interspecific host sharing in acanthocephalan cystacanths

Larval helminths often share individual intermediate hosts with other larval worms of the same or different species. In the case of immature acanthocephalans capable of altering the phenotype of their intermediate hosts, the benefits or costs of host sharing can be evaluated in terms of increased or decreased probability of transmission to a suitable definitive host. Competitive interactions among the immature stages of acanthocephalans within the intermediate host could create additional costs of host sharing, however. The effects of intraspecific and interspecific interactions were measured in 3 sympatric species of acanthocephalans exploiting a population of the amphipod Echinogammarus stammeri in the River Brenta, Italy. The strength of interactions was assessed from differences in the size achieved by infective cystacanths in the intermediate host. The size of Pomphorhynchus laevis cystacanths was not correlated with host size, whereas the size of Acanthocephalus clavula and Polymorphus minutus cystacanths increased with host size. Reductions in cystacanth size caused by intraspecific competition were only detected in P. laevis, but may also occur in both A. clavula and P. minutus. When co-occurring in the same amphipod with cystacanths of A. clavula, cystacanths of P. laevis attained a smaller size than when they occurred on their own. This effect was not reciprocal, with the size of A. clavula cystacanths not being affected. This supports earlier suggestions that it is adaptive for A. clavula to associate with P. laevis in amphipod intermediate hosts, with both species going to the same fish definitive hosts. In contrast, cystacanths of P. laevis achieved their largest size when they co-occurred in an amphipod with a cystacanth of P. minutus, which has a different definitive host (i.e. birds). These findings suggest that the net benefits of sharing an intermediate host can only be estimated by taking into account both the effects on transmission success and the consequences for cystacanth development.
A novel ATP-synthase-independent mechanism coupling mitochondrial activation to exocytosis in insulin-secreting cells

ABSTRACT Pancreatic β-cells sense glucose, promoting insulin secretion. Glucose sensing requires the sequential stimulation of glycolysis, mitochondrial metabolism and Ca2+ entry. To elucidate how mitochondrial activation in β-cells contributes to insulin secretion, we compared the effects of glucose and the mitochondrial substrate methylsuccinate in the INS-1E insulin-secreting cell line at the respective concentrations at which they maximally activate mitochondrial respiration. Both substrates induced insulin secretion with distinct respiratory profiles, mitochondrial hyperpolarization, NADH production and ATP-to-ADP ratios. In contrast to glucose, methylsuccinate failed to induce large [Ca2+] rises and exocytosis proceeded largely independently of mitochondrial ATP synthesis. Both glucose- and methylsuccinate-induced secretion was blocked by diazoxide, indicating that Ca2+ is required for exocytosis. Dynamic assessment of the redox state of mitochondrial thiols revealed a less marked reduction in response to methylsuccinate than with glucose. Our results demonstrate that insulin exocytosis can be promoted by two distinct mechanisms one of which is dependent on mitochondrial ATP synthesis and large Ca2+ transients, and one of which is independent of mitochondrial ATP synthesis and relies on small Ca2+ signals. We propose that the combined effects of Ca2+ and redox reactions can trigger insulin secretion by these two mechanisms. Highlighted Article: Secretagogues stimulating mitochondria in pancreatic β-cells act by two different mechanisms to promote insulin secretion. The pathways are distinct in their dependence on ATP-synthase, Ca2+ signals and redox changes.
Evaluation of Local Space-time Descriptors based on Cuboid Detector in Human Action Recognition

Human action recognition remains a challenging problem for researchers. Several action representation approaches have been proposed to improve the action recognition performance. Recently, local space-time features have become a popular representation approach for human actions in video sequences. Many different space-time detectors and descriptors have been proposed. They are evaluated on different datasets using different experimental conditions. In this paper, the performance of Cuboid detector is evaluated with four space-time description methods; namely, Gradient, HOG, HOF and HOG-HOF. All descriptors were tested on two datasets (KTH and Weizmann) using the bag-of-words model and Support Vector Machine.
Mapping Photothermally Induced Gene Expression in Living Cells and Tissues by Nanorod-Locked Nucleic Acid Complexes

The photothermal effect of plasmonic nanostructures has numerous applications, such as cancer therapy, photonic gene circuit, large cargo delivery, and nanostructure-enhanced laser tweezers. The photothermal operation can also induce unwanted physical and biochemical effects, which potentially alter the cell behaviors. However, there is a lack of techniques for characterizing the dynamic cell responses near the site of photothermal operation with high spatiotemporal resolution. In this work, we show that the incorporation of locked nucleic acid probes with gold nanorods allows photothermal manipulation and real-time monitoring of gene expression near the area of irradiation in living cells and animal tissues. The multimodal gold nanorod serves as an endocytic delivery reagent to transport the probes into the cells, a fluorescence quencher and a binding competitor to detect intracellular mRNA, and a plasmonic photothermal transducer to induce cell ablation. We demonstrate the ability of the gold nanorod-locked nucleic acid complex for detecting the spatiotemporal gene expression in viable cells and tissues and inducing photothermal ablation of single cells. Using the gold nanorod-locked nucleic acid complex, we systematically characterize the dynamic cellular heat shock responses near the site of photothermal operation. The gold nanorod-locked nucleic acid complex enables mapping of intracellular gene expressions and analyzes the photothermal effects of nanostructures toward various biomedical applications.
Real-time and Nearly Ideal Hologram for RFID-based Indoor Localization

Through the investigation of the mathematical model of hologram-based indoor localization system using RFID, this paper reveals two potential deficiencies about accuracy and gives the machine learning interpretation of the model. Exploiting the methods from machine learning and the thought of hierarchy, the output accuracy and the efficiency of the model can be further boosted. Simulation and experiment show that the enhanced model can halve mean error and attain 9x execution speed improvement.
Nobiletin Inhibits Hepatic Lipogenesis via Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase

We aimed to investigate the effects of nobiletin on hepatic lipogenesis in high glucose-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Nobiletin, a citrus polymethoxyflavonoid with six methoxy groups, is present abundantly in the peels of citrus fruits. HepG2 cells were incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing high glucose (25 mM) and subsequently treated with nobiletin at different concentrations (5, 25, and 50 μM). Results showed that nobiletin markedly inhibited high glucose-induced hepatic lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. In addition, it reduced the protein expression of lipogenic factors, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and fatty acid synthase (FAS). Nobiletin significantly increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Pretreatment with compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, abolished the inhibitory effects of nobiletin on SREBP-1c and FAS expression. These results suggested that nobiletin might attenuate high glucose-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 hepatocytes via modulation of AMPK signaling pathway. Therefore, nobiletin might be useful for the prevention and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases.
A Metabolic Stress Fracture of the Mandibular Condylar Head

Fractures of the mandibular condyle and neck are very common with well recognized anatomical features. This patient sustained an anatomically unusual right condylar head fracture with subluxation secondary to ictal myocontraction where there was no fall or facial trauma during or after the seizure. Investigation suggested an underlying disturbance in bone metabolism. We found one case report of mandibular stress fracture as a result of reflexive myo contraction of the temporalis and lateral pterygoid muscles in the literature. We conclude stress fractures resultant from ictal myo contractions are exceptionally rare without a covert disturbance in bone density. This report also applies to the recognition and treatment of patients at risk for bone fractures due to seizures: such as patients with osteomalacia, osteoporosis, chronic alcoholics, and elderly stroke victims.
Element-resolved Ultrafast Magnetization Dynamics in Ferromagnetic Alloys and Multilayers

The microscopic origin of ultrafast demagnetization, i.e. the quenching of the magnetization of a ferromagnetic metal on a sub-picosecond timescale after laser excitation, is still only incompletely understood, despite a large body of experimental and theoretical work performed since the discovery of the effect more than 15 years ago. Timeand element-resolved x-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements can provide insight into the microscopic processes behind ultrafast demagnetization as well as its dependence on materials properties. Using the BESSY II Femtoslicing facility, a storage ring based source of 100 fs short soft x-ray pulses, ultrafast magnetization dynamics of ferromagnetic NiFe and GdTb alloys as well as a Au/Ni layered structure were investigated in laser pump x-ray probe experiments. After laser excitation, the constituents of Ni50Fe50 and Ni80Fe20 exhibit distinctly different time constants of demagnetization, leading to decoupled dynamics, despite the strong exchange interaction that couples the Ni and Fe sublattices under equilibrium conditions. Furthermore, the time constants of demagnetization for Ni and Fe are different in Ni50Fe50 and Ni80Fe20, and also different from the values for the respective pure elements. These variations are explained by taking the magnetic moments of the Ni and Fe sublattices, which are changed from the pure element values due to alloying, as well as the strength of the intersublattice exchange interaction into account. GdTb exhibits demagnetization in two steps, typical for rare earths. The time constant of the second, slower magnetization decay was previously linked to the strength of spin-lattice coupling in pure Gd and Tb, with the stronger, direct spin-lattice coupling in Tb leading to a faster demagnetization. In GdTb, the demagnetization of Gd follows Tb on all timescales. This is due to the opening of an additional channel for the dissipation of spin angular momentum to the lattice, since Gd magnetic moments in the alloy are coupled via indirect exchange interaction to neighboring Tb magnetic moments, which are in turn strongly coupled to the lattice. Time-resolved measurements of the ultrafast demagnetization of a Ni layer buried under a Au cap layer, thick enough to absorb nearly all of the incident pump laser light, showed a somewhat slower but still sub-picosecond demagnetization of the buried Ni layer in Au/Ni compared to a Ni reference sample. Supported by simulations, I conclude that demagnetization can thus be induced by transport of hot electrons excited in the Au layer into the Ni layer, without the need for direct interaction between photons and spins.
Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) Personality

Increasing evidence suggests that personality structure differs between species, but the evolutionary reasons for this variation are not fully understood. We built on earlier research on New World monkeys to further elucidate the evolution of personality structure in primates. We therefore examined personality in 100 family-reared adult common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) from 3 colonies on a 60-item questionnaire. Principal components analyses revealed 5 domains that were largely similar to those found in a previous study on captive, ex-pet, or formerly laboratory-housed marmosets that were housed in a sanctuary. The interrater reliabilities of domain scores were consistent with the interrater reliabilities of domain scores found in other species, including humans. Four domainsdmdash;conscientiousness, agreeableness, inquisitiveness, and assertiveness—resembled personality domains identified in other nonhuman primates. The remaining domain, patience, was specific to common marmosets. We used linear models to test for sex and age differences in the personality domains. Males were lower than females in patience, and this difference was smaller in older marmosets. Older marmosets were lower in inquisitiveness. Finally, older males and younger females had higher scores in agreeableness than younger males and older females. These findings suggest that cooperative breeding may have promoted the evolution of social cognition and influenced the structure of marmoset prosocial personality characteristics.
Trouble with the Curve: Identifying Clusters of MLB Pitchers using Improved Pitch Classification Techniques

The PITCHf/x database, which records the location, velocity, and trajectory of every pitch thrown in Major League Baseball (MLB), has allowed the statistical analysis of MLB to flourish since its introduction in late 2006. Using PITCHf/x, pitches have been classified by hand, requiring considerable effort, or using neural network clustering and classification, which is often difficult to interpret. We use model-based clustering with a multivariate Gaussian mixture model and an adjusted Bayesian Information Criterion to determine the number of different clusters. We verify these results via cross validation, validation by prediction strength, and through visual inspection. Furthermore, we use our method to cluster pitchers into groups with similar characteristics via k-means clustering and the Fisher-wise criterion. Our method builds a strong foundation towards addressing many open MLB research questions, including preventing pitcher injury.
Inter-batch and inter-feedstock variability of an acid modified bitumen

Fourteen samples of an acid modified bitumen for asphalt manufacture (known as M1000) were tested according to Australia's national paving-grade bitumen specification and using Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) protocols. Testing was conducted two, three and four years after manufacture. The 14 samples represented a number of batches of bitumen of identical type and grade manufactured over a six-month period. All batches were manufactured in Australia from imported feedstock (blends of refined crude oil). Six samples were manufactured from one feedstock and the remaining eight from a different feedstock. Inter-batch/intra-feedstock variability of compliance properties at the time of release was low (4–16%). For most of the test parameters (including viscosity, penetration and creep compliance), there were significant differences for the samples manufactured from the two different feedstocks (p-values .06–<.01). The difference between samples from different feedstocks was magnified by accelerated ageing and by pretest storage time. For example, the average 17% difference in viscosity after accelerated ageing measured at the time of release had increased to an average 82% difference four years later. It is recommended that the Australian specification be modified to protect consumers from unintended variability in performance resulting from unknown changes in imported feedstocks. The tests showed that the current bitumen specification's focus on viscosity is unable to discriminate between feedstocks, resulting in significant differences in bitumen ageing, stress sensitivity and high temperature (above 64°C) response to shear stress. The MSCR test is recommended as a performance-based assessment for bitumen response to shear stress at high temperature.
Managing fisheries involving predator species and prey

Several management strategies for ecosystems with biological interaction are discussed, including predator removal, predator-prey coexistence, prey exploitation, overexploitation, and introduction of sanctuaries. Some case studies related to ecosystem management are briefly presented; these describe Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika, discarding from shrimp trawl fisheries and the development in the North Sea that led to introduction of multispecies analysis. The concept of 'fishing down the food web' is discussed and the average trophic levels at which the fisheries operate in different ecosystem types are estimated based on quantified trophic flow models. On a global level, while on average fisheries operate around two trophic levels above the primary producers, still one third of the catch of the 70 major fish species caught in the world is of piscivorous fish. Using exploitation-predation rate indices for different ecosystem types, the amount of finfish
MiR-18a upregulation decreases Dicer expression and confers paclitaxel resistance in triple negative breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE MiR-18a is a miRNA that is aberrantly overexpressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, its biophysical function in TNBC is still not clear. In this study, we investigated the association among miR-18a dysregulation, Dicer dysregulation and paclitaxel (PTX) resistance in TNBC cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS 20 TNBC patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery were recruited. MiR-18a expression was quantified using QRT-PCR. The effects of miR-18a overexpression or knockdown on cell viability and apoptosis of PTX sensitive MDA-MB-231 cells and PTX resistant MDA-MB-231 cells after PTX treatment were studied. The influence of miR-18a overexpression on Dicer expression was measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS Tissues from patients with stable disease (SD, n = 5) and progressive disease (PD, n = 2) to paclitaxel (PTX) containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy had significantly higher miR-18a expression than that from patients with partial response (PR, n = 13). MDA-MB-231/PTX cells had higher miR-18a expression than MDA-MB-231 cells. MiR-18a overexpression directly led to Dicer repression at mRNA and protein level. MiR-18a overexpression significantly increased PTX IC50 and reduced PTX induced cell apoptosis, while miR-18a suppression substantially decreased PTX IC50 and increased PTX induced cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS This study found that miR-18a is an important miRNA that suppresses Dicer expression and increases PTX resistance in TNBC cells.
ess Is More : Antipsychotic Drug Effects Are Greater ith Transient Rather Than Continuous Delivery nne

ackground: Most studies on the effects of antipsychotics focus on achieving threshold levels of the drug. The speed and frequency with hich drug concentrations reach threshold levels and rise and fall within the day are generally ignored. Based on prior data, we predicted hat variations in the within-day kinetics of antipsychotic drug delivery would produce different outcomes, even if we held achieved dose, oute, and total duration of treatment constant.
Eukaryotic Protein Disulfide Isomerase Complements Escherichia coli dsbA Mutants and Increases the Yield of a Heterologous Secreted Protein with Disulfide Bonds

Eukaryotic protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is a 55-kDa enzyme with cysteine oxidoreductase, chaperone, and antichaperone activities that catalyze disulfide formation and rearrangement in the eukaryotic endoplasmic reticulum. In Gram-negative bacteria, the formation of disulfide bonds in the periplasm is mediated by DsbA, a strong cysteine oxidase but an inefficient catalyst of disulfide bond isomerization with no known chaperone activity. We show that rat PDI (rPDI) secreted in the periplasmic space of Escherichia coli can catalyze the formation of disulfide bonds and complement several of the phenotypes of dsbA mutants. The function of rPDI was dependent on the dsbB gene, suggesting that the reoxidation of this eukaryotic enzyme involves direct interactions with bacterial redox proteins. Co-expression of rPDI increased the yield of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) severalfold, an effect that was enhanced when reduced glutathione was added to the growth medium. Whereas PDI is thought to function primarily as an isomerase in the eukaryotic endoplasmic reticulum, rPDI failed to decrease the accumulation of two-disulfide folding intermediates of BPTI and thus did not appear to appreciably catalyze the rate-limiting step in the oxidative folding pathway of BPTI. These results demonstrate that expression of eukaryotic foldases in E. coli can be exploited to better understand their function in vivo and also to increase the yield of biotechnologically valuable proteins.
Do Daily and Seasonal Trends in Leaf Solar Induced Fluorescence Reflect Changes in Photosynthesis, Growth or Light Exposure?

Solar induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) emissions of photosynthetically active plants retrieved from space-borne observations have been used to improve models of global primary productivity. However, the relationship between SIF and photosynthesis in diurnal and seasonal cycles is still not fully understood, especially at large spatial scales, where direct measurements of photosynthesis are unfeasible. Motivated by up-scaling potential, this study examined the diurnal and seasonal relationship between SIF and photosynthetic parameters measured at the level of individual leaves. We monitored SIF in two plant species, avocado (Persea Americana) and orange jasmine (Murraya paniculatta), throughout 18 diurnal cycles during the Southern Hemisphere spring, summer and autumn, and compared them with simultaneous measurements of photosynthetic yields, and leaf and global irradiances. Results showed that at seasonal time scales SIF is principally correlated with changes in leaf irradiance, electron transport rates (ETR) and constitutive heat dissipation (YNO; p < 0.001). Multiple regression models of correlations between photosynthetic parameters and SIF at diurnal time scales identified leaf irradiance as the principle predictor of SIF (p < 0.001). Previous studies have identified correlations between photosynthetic yields, ETR and SIF at larger spatial scales, where heterogeneous canopy architecture and landscape spatial patterns influence the spectral and photosynthetic measurements. Although this study found a significant correlation between leaf-measured YNO and SIF, future dedicated up-scaling experiments are required to elucidate if these observations are also found at larger spatial scales.