Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perineuronal Nets in the CNS: Architects of Memory and Potential Therapeutic Target in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

The extracellular matrix (ECM) within the brain possesses a distinctive composition and functionality, influencing a spectrum of physiological and pathological states. Among its constituents, perineuronal nets (PNNs) are unique ECM structures that wrap around the cell body of many neurons and extend along their dendrites within the central nervous system (CNS). PNNs are pivotal regulators of plasticity in CNS, both during development and adulthood stages. Characterized by their condensed glycosaminoglycan-rich structures and heterogeneous molecular composition, PNNs not only offer neuroprotection but also participate in signal transduction, orchestrating neuronal activity and plasticity. Interfering with the PNNs in adult animals induces the reactivation of critical period plasticity, permitting modifications in neuronal connections and promoting the recovery of neuroplasticity following spinal cord damage. Interestingly, in the adult brain, PNN expression is dynamic, potentially modulating plasticity-associated states. Given their multifaceted roles, PNNs have emerged as regulators in the domains of learning, memory, addiction behaviors, and other neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we aimed to address how PNNs contribute to the memory processes in physiological and pathological conditions.
An accessible interface for programming an assistive robot

In this paper, we present an accessible interface in the context of our work on bringing advanced robotics closer to everyday domestic users. This interface allows inexperienced users to be capable of programming an assistive robotic arm to perform a specific desired task in a household environment. The programming process is performed through the developed Web Browsable interface, within which a Task Creator Wizard plays an essential role. The robot's open architecture enables flexible multi-modal interaction. In addition to the touch buttons provided by the Web Browsable interface when presented on a touch screen, voice commands and the use of the Wii RemoteTM controller for intuitive robotic movement have also been enabled. The Web Browsable interface has been designed to provide high accessibility while taking aesthetic details into account, in order to prevent distraction caused by boredom of the user.
An FPGA-based, multi-model simulation method for biochemical systems

Modeling and simulation of a cellular system on computers are now becoming an essential process in biological researches. However, modern PCs can't provide enough performance to simulate large-scale biochemical networks. ReCSiP is the alternative FPGA-based solution for biochemical simulations. In this paper, the novel method of biochemical simulation with multiple reaction models on an FPGA is proposed. The method generates optimal circuit and its optimal schedule for each simulation models written in SBML, the standard markup language in systems biology. ReCSiP has a Xilinx's XC2VP70 and achieved over 20-fold speedup compared to Intel's Pentiumlll 1.13GHz.
A sink- or a source-driven carbon cycle at the geological timescale? Relative importance of palaeogeography versus solid Earth degassing rate in the Phanerozoic climatic evolution

Abstract The Phanerozoic evolution of the atmospheric CO2 level is controlled by the fluxes entering or leaving the exospheric system. In this contribution, we focus on the role played by the palaeogeographic configuration on the efficiency of the CO2 sink by continental silicate weathering, and on the impact of the magmatic degassing of CO2. We use the spatially resolved numerical model GEOCLIM to compute the response of the silicate weathering and atmospheric CO2 to continental drift for 22 time slices of the Phanerozoic. Regarding the CO2 released by the magmatic activity, we reconstruct several Phanerozoic histories of this flux, based on published indices. Again using the GEOCLIM model, we calculate the CO2 evolution for each degassing scenario. We show that the palaeogeographic setting is a main driver of the climate from 540 Ma to about the beginning of the Jurassic, with the noticeable exception of the Late Palaeozoic ice age. Regarding the role of the magmatic degassing, the various reconstructions do not converge towards a single signal, and thus introduce large uncertainties in the calculated CO2 level over time. Nevertheless, the continental dispersion, which prevails since the Jurassic, promotes CO2 consumption by weathering and forces atmospheric CO2 to stay low. Warm climates of the ‘middle’ Cretaceous and early Cenozoic require enhanced CO2 degassing by magmatic activity.
Defects in Carbon Nanostructures

Previous high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) observations of the carbon nanotubes have led to a "Russian doll" structural model that is based on hollow concentric cylinders capped at both ends. The structures of the carbon nanotubes and particles were characterized here by bulk physical and chemical property measurements. The individual nanostructure is as compressible as graphite in the c axis, and such nanostructures can be intercalated with potassium and rubidium, leading to a saturation composition of "MC8. " These results are counter to expectations that are based on a Russian doll structure. HREM after intercalation with potassium and deintercalation indicates that individual nanoparticles are a "paper-mache" of smaller graphite layers. Direct current magnetization and electron spin resonance measurements indicate that the electronic properties of the nanostructures are distinctly different from those of graphite. Although the nanostructures have distinct morphologies and electronic properties, they are highly defective and have a local structure similar to turbostratic graphite.
Texture Classification by Adaptive Extraction of Second and Third-Order Statistical Features

A neural network architecture that unifies a 2D Gabor filter array for feature extraction and a classifier in a layered network structure, will be introduced. The filter parameters and the weights of the classifer stage will both be trained by a method based on the backpropagation rule. This strategy enables to discriminate the target texture class with less number of filters by tuning them to a spatial frequency band which increases the interclass distance. Furthermore, the proposed model is extended for extracting higher-order spectral information for additional flexibility. Both models will be evaluated through classification problems of synthetic and natural textures.
IMPACT OF E-COMMERCE ON BUSINESS STRATEGY

Businesses have been traditionally advised to adopt information and communication technologies (ICT) so as to support the achievement of their objectives. However, entry into business-to-business e-commerce may require the concurrent adoption of new business strategies. This paper argues, therefore, that ICT analysis needs to be considered at the same time, and at the same strategic level, as internal, competitor and market analysis. This is because the source of the competitive advantage brought by ICT has changed, to be largely obtained through increase in customers’ perceived value. The literature presents a confused picture of the likely consequences to a firm of its adoption of e-commerce. This paper concludes that any such adoption must be evaluated in the environment of the individual firm.
Invasive Spartina strengthens soil resilience in wetlands of the east‐central China coast

Introducing nonnative species as a restoration strategy has been widely implemented to rehabilitate coastal ecosystems. Nonnative species becomes an important factor influencing soil physicochemical patterns. Although these effects have been explored individually, the comprehensive examination of soil physicochemical attributes that indicate possible processes of coastal soil resilience or degradation induced by nonnative species has been less emphasized. To expand such understanding, we used a space‐for‐time substitution methodology to capture characteristics of soil physicochemical attributes and plant productivity in space and time, and further, we used a structural equation model (SEM) to evaluate a set of hypotheses about positive effects of plant invasion (Spartina alterniflora) on soil resilience in terms of soil degradation processes (fertility, salinization, acidification, alkalization, structure, and erosion) in the east‐central China coast. SEM analyses revealed 3 aspects of soil degradation that appear to be improved by the exotic S. alterniflora: (a) fertility, (b) desalinization, and (c) erosion resistance. SEM also presented that soil alkalization had occurred with the invasion, indicating the possible decreased capacity of soil against degradation. Although soil became more alkaline, these findings highlight that in the absence of native species, the nonnative species has an overall positive effect on soil resilience against degradation. The connections between nonnative species and soil degradation observed in SEM verified the hypothesized causal relationship, suggesting the significant role nonnative species plays in maintaining soil resilience in regions without native species.
Regulated on Activation, Normal T Cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES) Antagonist (Met-RANTES) Controls the Early Phase of Trypanosoma cruzi–Elicited Myocarditis

Background—Comprehension of the pathogenesis of Trypanosoma cruzi–elicited myocarditis is crucial to delineate strategies aimed at ameliorating the inflammation associated with heart dysfunction. The augmented expression of CC chemokines, especially CCL5/RANTES and CCL3/MIP-1&agr;, in the hearts of infected mice suggests a role for CC chemokines and their receptors in the pathogenesis of T cruzi–elicited myocarditis. Methods and Results—We report that during the early phase of infection in C3H/HeJ mice infected with 100 blood trypomastigotes of T cruzi, most of the inflammatory cells invading the heart tissue were CD8+ cells and expressed CCR5, a CCL5/RANTES, and CCL3/MIP1-&agr; receptor. Furthermore, peripheral blood CD8+ T lymphocytes displayed increased expression of CCR5. These findings led us to use Met-RANTES, a selective CCR1 and CCR5 antagonist, to modulate the acute T cruzi–elicited myocarditis. Met-RANTES treatment did not interfere with parasitism but significantly decreased the numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, CCR5+, and interleukin-4+ cells invading the heart, paralleling the diminished deposition of fibronectin. Moreover, Met-RANTES treatment resulted in increased survival of infected animals, compared with saline treatment. Conclusions—These results indicate that the massive influx of CCR5+ cells into cardiac tissue is not crucial for cell-mediated anti–T cruzi immunity but appears to be critical for pathogenesis of T cruzi–elicited myocarditis. Thus, CC chemokine receptors might become an attractive therapeutic target for further evaluation during T cruzi infection.
Trend Mining with Semantic-Based Learning

Mining trends by analyzing text streams could enhance the standard trend analysis based on numeric data. The use of qualitative information in the process of trend recognition, in addition to that of quantitative data, requires new analysis techniques. Since Semantic Web enables the appropriate and advantageous formalization of knowledge, we propose to include formalized expert knowledge in the process of trend recognition. In this preliminary work, we introduce our approach based on Semantic Web technologies combined with Data Mining methods for mining trends in a given domain.
Forces applied during manual therapy to patients with low back pain.

BACKGROUND To date, there is little information available regarding the forces used during mobilization treatment of patients with low back pain (LBP). OBJECTIVE This study measured such forces and investigated whether the force characteristics could be predicted on the basis of physical therapist and patient characteristics. SUBJECTS Ten physical therapists applied a central posteroanterior (PA) mobilization treatment to 80 patients with LBP, providing data on treatment of 123 lumbar levels. METHODS Physical therapists were required to treat their patients while the patients lay on an instrumented couch. This couch has been shown to be highly accurate in its measurement of force in 3 directions (error <2%) and has demonstrated high test-retest reliability (ICC [2, 1], 99% CI = 0.99-1.00). The forces applied by the physical therapists were recorded over a 10-second period. Data on the characteristics of the physical therapists and patients were collected by means of questionnaires. RESULTS The force used by physical therapists related not only to patient characteristics but also to physical therapist characteristics. Interestingly, current pain intensity and nature of symptoms did not affect the forces used. The overall patterns of the force characteristics were generally consistent with previous studies performed in asymptomatic subjects. However, the magnitude of the force applied and the frequency of each grade used in the present study are relatively higher than in earlier studies. CONCLUSION These preliminary data provide some useful quantitative information about the forces used during mobilization treatment of patients with LBP. Also, the force characteristics described here may provide useful data for both teaching and research in manual therapy.
Anticancer Activity of the Whole Plant of Ethanol Extract of Polygala Chinensis L. (Polygalaceae)

Tuhar pulse is a very important crop of Indian farmers. It is one of the most proteinous foods of Public. It is common food for Indian people. It is cultivated mostly in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharastra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Recently, in these states industrialization and infrastructure development works are going very fast causing huge amounts of pollutants and particulate entering into the atmosphere. Pollutants are oxide of carbon, oxide of nitrogen, oxide of sulphur, oxide of chlorine, chloride ions, ammonia, organic acids and aldehydes, where as particulates are dust, smoke, mist and fog. Particulates are deposited on the surface of Tuhar pulse flower. Some of these particulates are hygroscopic in nature. They absorb pollutants and form acids. These acids in turn develop micro-electrochemical cell with flower of Tuhar pulse, which destroy flowering of Tuhar pulse. Other factors are acid rain, global warming and depletion of ozone layer affecting the production of Tuhar pulse.
Phosphorylation of c-Jun Is Necessary for Apoptosis Induced by Survival Signal Withdrawal in Cerebellar Granule Neurons

Cerebellar granule neurons die by apoptosis when deprived of survival signals. This death can be blocked by inhibitors of transcription or protein synthesis, suggesting that new gene expression is required. Here we show that c-jun mRNA and protein levels increase rapidly after survival signal withdrawal and that transfection of the neurons with an expression vector for a c-Jun dominant negative mutant protects them against apoptosis. Phosphorylation of serines 63 and 73 in the c-Jun transactivation domain is known to increase c-Jun activity. By using an antibody specific for c-Jun phosphorylated on serine 63, we show that this site is phosphorylated soon after survival signal withdrawal. To determine whether c-Jun phosphorylation is necessary for apoptosis, we have expressed c-Jun phosphorylation site mutants in granule neurons. c-Junasp, a constitutively active c-Jun mutant in which the known and potential serine and threonine phosphoacceptor sites in the transactivation domain have been mutated to aspartic acid, induces apoptosis under all conditions tested. In contrast, c-Junala, which cannot be phosphorylated because the same sites have been mutated to alanine, blocks apoptosis caused by survival signal withdrawal. Finally, we show that cerebellar granule neurons contain high levels of Jun kinase activity and low levels of p38 kinase activity, neither of which increases after survival signal withdrawal. Mitogen-activated protein kinase activity decreases under the same conditions. These results suggest that c-Jun levels and c-Jun phosphorylation may be regulated by novel mechanisms in cerebellar granule neurons.
Characterization of Lysophospholipase D Activity in Mammalian Cell Membranes

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a lipid mediator that binds to G-protein-coupled receptors, eliciting a wide variety of responses in mammalian cells. Lyso-phospholipids generated via phospholipase A2 (PLA2) can be converted to LPA by a lysophospholipase D (lyso-PLD). Secreted lyso-PLDs have been studied in more detail than membrane-localized lyso-PLDs. This study utilized in vitro enzyme assays with fluorescent substrates to examine LPA generation in membranes from multiple mammalian cell lines (PC12, rat pheochromocytoma; A7r5, rat vascular smooth muscle; Rat-1, rat fibroblast; PC-3, human prostate carcinoma; and SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3, human ovarian carcinoma). The results show that membranes contain a lyso-PLD activity that generates LPA from a fluorescent alkyl-lyso-phosphatidylcholine, as well as from naturally occurring acyl-linked lysophospholipids. Membrane lyso-PLD and PLD activities were distinguished by multiple criteria, including lack of effect of PLD2 over-expression on lyso-PLD activity and differential sensitivities to vanadate (PLD inhibitor) and iodate (lyso-PLD inhibitor). Based on several lines of evidence, including siRNA knockdown, membrane lyso-PLD is distinct from autotaxin, a secreted lyso-PLD. PC-3 cells express GDE4 and GDE7, recently described lyso-PLDs that localize to membranes. These findings demonstrate that membrane-associated lyso-D activity, expressed by multiple mammalian cell lines, can contribute to LPA production.
Simulation and Design of Hybrid Human-Natural-Technological Systems

Marina Alberti University of Washington Interactions among complex and rapidly evolving human, natural, and technological systems in urbanizing regions pose unprecedented challenges for planners and designers who aim to create resilient built environments—ones that can cope with environmental change in the long term. Some of our failures in designing and managing such complexity in cities can be traced to our biases or myths regarding nature and change. The ways we view nature ultimately affect the ways we study and understand natural ecosystems and design built environments. Myths about how nature works lead to unverified assumptions regarding its dynamics that, in turn, lead to inappropriate management and protection strategies. Urban designers and planners, for example, tend to assume that ecosystems are stable and that their processes and dynamics are relatively well understood. In the real world, however, ecosystems vary in time and space, and ecological change is subtle, rapid, and highly unpredictable. Cities are hybrid ecosystems characterized by complex interactions (heterogeneous, nonlinear, multi-scale), emergent properties (patterns, processes, feedbacks), and dissipative thermodynamics (disequilibrium). How do we design complex hybrid systems in which the components are highly heterogeneous and interdependent? How can we build resilient urban infrastructures that are equipped to thrive in conditions of uncertainty and capable to adapt to any of the possible but unknown future climate change scenarios? How can we effectively coordinate the actions of multiple stakeholders operating at many scales under a diversity of constraints? To address the inherent complexity and uncertainty of coupled human-natural-technological systems, we must design, build, and implement simulations.
Deepwater Fisheries and Aspects of Their Impact on Seamount Habitat in New Zealand

Deepwater fisheries for orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) and oreos (Pseudocyttus maculatus) in New Zealand waters have been established for 2030 years. Over time the fisheries have become more focused on seamounts, where aggregations of the fish can occur for spawning or feeding. The catch of orange roughy in particular from these features has increased from about 30% of the total catch in 1985 to 80% by 1995, and has since stabilized at 6070%. There has been active searching for seamount habitat, and by 2000 about 80% of known seamounts in the appropriate depth range had been fished. In New Zealand there are widespread concerns that seamount habitat needs to be managed carefully. In May 2001, 19 seamounts were given some protection through a ban on bottom trawling. Heavy bottom trawl gear is known to have a direct physical effect on the seabed. Seamounts are often small in size, and trawling can rapidly become concentrated in a very localized area. Seamount habitat is thought to be productive, but may also be fragile, and there is growing concern about the effects of fishing on biodiversity and ecosystem productivity. In this paper we report on ongoing research to examine the extent of impact on seamount habitat. Detailed fisheries data were analysed to determine the numbers and distribution of individual trawls on seamounts to measure how intensive trawling has been. Photographic surveys of the seafloor and mapping the distribution of benthic fauna have also been carried out to quantify the area of seamounts impacted by trawl gear. Comparisons have been made between heavily-fished and unfished seamounts.
Cardiovascular dynamics and adrenergic responses of the rainbow trout in vivo.

Cardiac output and dorsal aorta, ventral aorta, caudal artery, caudal vein, and subintestinal vein pressures have been directly measured in intact unanaesthetized trout. Cardiac output (Q) averaged 36.7 ml/kg.min. The pressure drop across the systemic vascular resistance (Rs) was approximately twice that across the gill resistance (Rg), and a significant positive pressure persisted in the venous system. alpha-Adrenergic blockade revealed a considerable endogenous vasomotor tone resulting from latent adrenergic constriction of Rs. Intravenous adrenaline caused a pressor response throughout the circulatory system which has been analysed in detail with the aid of previous studies on isolated parts of the trout circulation. The complex and variable form of the pressor response reflected differential contributions from changes in Q, Rg, and Rs. Increases in Rs (alpha-receptor activation) were the principal cause of all pressor responses. Rg usually declined slightly due to passive dilation and/or beta-receptor stimulation, but occasionally increased due to alpha-receptor activation. The cardiac response reflected a varying balance between a direct beta-stimulatory effect of adrenaline on Q and an indirect passive inhibition of Q by the increase in peripheral resistance. Both effects were mediated through changes in stroke volume. Occasional tachycardia or more frequent reflex bradycardia were minor components of the cardiac response. The in vivo actions of other adrenergic agents have been similarly analysed.