Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Active Comb-Shaped Dry Electrode for EEG Measurement in Hairy Site

Electroencephalography (EEG) is an important biopotential, and has been widely applied in clinical applications. The conventional EEG electrode with conductive gels is usually used for measuring EEG. However, the use of conductive gel also encounters with the issue of drying and hardening. Recently, many dry EEG electrodes based on different conductive materials and techniques were proposed to solve the previous issue. However, measuring EEG in the hairy site is still a difficult challenge. In this study, a novel active comb-shaped dry electrode was proposed to measure EEG in hairy site. Different form other comb-shaped or spike-shaped dry electrodes, it can provide more excellent performance of avoiding the signal attenuation, phase distortion, and the reduction of common mode rejection ratio. Even under walking motion, it can effectively acquire EEG in hairy site. Finally, the experiments for alpha rhythm and steady-state visually evoked potential were also tested to validate the proposed electrode.
Chloroplast DNA variation of Quercus rubra L. in North America and comparison with other Fagaceae

Quercus rubra is one of the most important timber and ornamental tree species from eastern North America. It is a widespread species growing under variable ecological conditions. Chloroplast DNA variation was studied by PCR‐RFLP (polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism) in 290 individuals from 66 populations sampled throughout the natural range. A total of 12 haplotypes were detected, with one found in 75% of the trees. Population differentiation is relatively low (GST = 0.46), even when similarities between haplotypes are taken into account (NST = 0.50), pointing to a weak phylogeographical structure. Furthermore, no spatial structure of genetic diversity could be detected. The genetic differentiation increased northwards, reflecting the postglacial history of Q. rubra. The unusual aspect of this study was the low level of chloroplast DNA genetic differentiation in Q. rubra compared to that typically observed in other oak species. Palynological evidence indicates that during the last glacial maximum, Q. rubra had one major distribution range with populations located relatively far to the north, resulting in only modest movement northwards when climate improved, whereas European white oaks were largely restricted to the southern European peninsulas and experienced extensive movements during the postglacial period. The contrasted geographical features and levels of tree species richness of both continents might further explain why congeneric species sharing similar life history traits have genetic structures that are so different.
Prospects for antibody-based universal influenza vaccines in the context of widespread pre-existing immunity

Influenza inflicts significant global mortality and morbidity that can be combated by effective immunization. However, the protective efficacy of current vaccines is limited by both the significant antigenic diversity of the viral hemagglutinin protein and the capacity for rapid antigenic change. This necessitates global influenza surveillance efforts, frequent vaccine reformulation and annual readministration. There is, therefore, tremendous interest in the development of novel strategies to elicit broad and durable protection against both seasonal and pandemic infection. This review presents an overview of candidate universal influenza vaccines designed to elicit cross-protective antibody responses to hemagglutinin. In particular, we focus on the potential impact that widespread pre-existing influenza immunity may play upon the design, testing and deployment of universal influenza vaccines.
Presenilins are required for the formation of comma- and S-shaped bodies during nephrogenesis

Mammalian presenilins consist of two highly homologous proteins, PSEN1 and PSEN2, which share redundant activities in Notch processing and signaling. To bypass the early lethality of the Psen1- and Psen2-double (PSEN) null embryos, we used a human PSEN1 transgene to rescue the somite patterning defects in PSEN-null animals and to allow a determination of the function of presenilins in late embryogenesis. We report here that expression of the human PSEN1 transgene supported the survival of PSEN-null embryos to the perinatal stage. However, presenilin deficiency in the kidney led to severe nephrogenesis defects and virtually no comma- or S-shaped bodies, or mature glomeruli were formed. We document that the mesenchyme was induced which could further progress to renal vesicles in the PSEN-null kidney, indicating that the presenilins are not essential for the inductive interactions and mesenchyme to epithelium transition. However, renal vesicles failed to pattern to form proximal tubules and glomerular epithelium. A presenilin-dependent, signaling-competent form of Notch1 was detected in mesenchymal derivatives but not in the ureteric buds of wild-type mice. Consistent with an obligatory role of presenilins in Notch processing and activation, the active form of Notch1 and its downstream target Hesr1 were absent in the PSEN-null kidney. Importantly, sustained Notch1 signaling was required for the maintenance of Notch ligand Jag1 expression. These results identify presenilins as one determinant of renal vesicle patterning in the developing mouse kidney, and we hypothesize that they act through the Notch signaling pathway.
Option Pricing Under a Mixed-Exponential Jump Diffusion Model

T paper aims to extend the analytical tractability of the Black–Scholes model to alternative models with arbitrary jump size distributions. More precisely, we propose a jump diffusion model for asset prices whose jump sizes have a mixed-exponential distribution, which is a weighted average of exponential distributions but with possibly negative weights. The new model extends existing models, such as hyperexponential and double-exponential jump diffusion models, because the mixed-exponential distribution can approximate any distribution as closely as possible, including the normal distribution and various heavy-tailed distributions. The mixed-exponential jump diffusion model can lead to analytical solutions for Laplace transforms of prices and sensitivity parameters for path-dependent options such as lookback and barrier options. The Laplace transforms can be inverted via the Euler inversion algorithm. Numerical experiments indicate that the formulae are easy to implement and accurate. The analytical solutions are made possible mainly because we solve a high-order integro-differential equation explicitly. A calibration example for SPY options shows that the model can provide a reasonable fit even for options with very short maturity, such as one day.
Metformin prevents the increase of nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation induced by dehydroepiandrosterone in early pregnant mice

The aim of this work was to study the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and metformin (M) on nitric oxide (NO) system and oxidative stress in embryo implantation sites of early pregnant mice. The biguanide M is used for treating polycystic ovary syndrome but its complete mechanism of action remains unknown. Nitric oxide (NO) has impor- tant protective roles during pregnancy, keeping uterine relaxation and vascular function. However, its overproduction leads to nitrative stress by producing reactive nitrogen species. Here we measured NO content by Griess method and the localization of inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (iNOS and eNOS) by immunohistochemistry in implanta- tion sites. Also we measured lipid peroxidation by TBA-RS, glutathion by Ellman's reaction and antioxidant enzymes by enzymatic kinetics in uterine homogenates. We found that the expression of both iNOS and eNOS and the NO content were increased with DHEA (p<0.001 for all) and restored to control levels with DHEA+M. Oxidative stress: DHEA in- creased lipid peroxidation (p<0.01) and glutathione (GSH, p<0.01). With DHEA+M lipid peroxidation was restored to control levels. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase were not modified. We con- clude that hyperandrogenization with DHEA enhances the NO system and lipid peroxidation in implantation sites of early pregnant mice and that M treatment prevents these effects.
An energy-efficient network-on-chip for a heterogeneous tiled reconfigurable systems-on-chip

This paper proposes a network-on-chip architecture that offers high flexibility and performance. It is used in a system-on-chip platform for future multimedia mobile devices. The network is packet switching wormhole network with virtual-channel flow control and source routing. The initial implementation results for a network router show its feasibility and size comparable with other available solutions.
Home energy management system for the residential load control based on the price prediction

This paper describes a home energy management system (HEMS) for the residential load control based on the price prediction. Smart metering and two-way communication based on the home area network can provide detail information of energy consumption patterns and controlling to appliances at home. The HEMS consists of the prices prediction, load scheduler and energy consumption monitor. The electricity pricing models are discussed to provide the price prediction capability. Then, the load scheduler is used to control the residential load with an aim at reducing the total energy cost. In addition, the smart meter and smart switchers are utilized to collect and monitor the energy consumption in the house. At last, a test-bed is constructed and the experiment results show that the HEMS based on the price prediction reduces the daily electricity expenditures by 22.2% as well as the peak-to-average-radio (PAR) by 35.5% in the load demand.
Euler buckling and nonlinear kinking of double-stranded DNA

The bending stiffness of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) at high curvatures is fundamental to its biological activity, yet this regime has been difficult to probe experimentally, and literature results have not been consistent. We created a ‘molecular vise’ in which base-pairing interactions generated a compressive force on sub-persistence length segments of dsDNA. Short dsDNA strands (<41 base pairs) resisted this force and remained straight; longer strands became bent, a phenomenon called ‘Euler buckling’. We monitored the buckling transition via Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between appended fluorophores. For low-to-moderate concentrations of monovalent salt (up to ∼150 mM), our results are in quantitative agreement with the worm-like chain (WLC) model of DNA elasticity, without the need to invoke any ‘kinked’ states. Greater concentrations of monovalent salts or 1 mM Mg2+ induced an apparent softening of the dsDNA, which was best accounted for by a kink in the region of highest curvature. We tested the effects of all single-nucleotide mismatches on the DNA bending. Remarkably, the propensity to kink correlated with the thermodynamic destabilization of the mismatched DNA relative the perfectly complementary strand, suggesting that the kinked state is locally melted. The molecular vise is exquisitely sensitive to the sequence-dependent linear and nonlinear elastic properties of dsDNA.
AML1/ETO Oncoprotein Is Directed to AML1 Binding Regions and Co-Localizes with AML1 and HEB on Its Targets

A reciprocal translocation involving chromosomes 8 and 21 generates the AML1/ETO oncogenic transcription factor that initiates acute myeloid leukemia by recruiting co-repressor complexes to DNA. AML1/ETO interferes with the function of its wild-type counterpart, AML1, by directly targeting AML1 binding sites. However, transcriptional regulation determined by AML1/ETO probably relies on a more complex network, since the fusion protein has been shown to interact with a number of other transcription factors, in particular E-proteins, and may therefore target other sites on DNA. Genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation and expression profiling were exploited to identify AML1/ETO-dependent transcriptional regulation. AML1/ETO was found to co-localize with AML1, demonstrating that the fusion protein follows the binding pattern of the wild-type protein but does not function primarily by displacing it. The DNA binding profile of the E-protein HEB was grossly rearranged upon expression of AML1/ETO, and the fusion protein was found to co-localize with both AML1 and HEB on many of its regulated targets. Furthermore, the level of HEB protein was increased in both primary cells and cell lines expressing AML1/ETO. Our results suggest a major role for the functional interaction of AML1/ETO with AML1 and HEB in transcriptional regulation determined by the fusion protein.
Modelling 'evo-devo' with RNA.

The folding of RNA sequences into secondary structures is a simple yet biophysically grounded model of a genotype-phenotype map. Its computational and mathematical analysis has uncovered a surprisingly rich statistical structure characterized by shape space covering, neutral networks and plastogenetic congruence. I review these concepts and discuss their evolutionary implications.
Mapping of nearest neighbor for classification

Dimension reduction of data is an important theme in the data processing and on the web to represent and manipulate higher dimensional data. Reduct in the rough set is a minimal subset of features, which has almost the same discernible power as the entire features in the higher dimensional scheme. But, there are problems in the application of reducts for classification. Here, we develop a method which connects reducts and the nearest neighbor method to classify data with higher classification accuracy. To improve the classification ability of reducts, we develop a new graph mapping method of the nearest neighbor based on reducts and weighted modified reducts for the classification with higher accuracy. Then, the mapping method is useful and the weighted modified reduct classifies with higher accuracy.
A Directed Acyclic Graphical Approach and Ensemble Feature Selection for a Better Drug Development Strategy Using Partial Knowledge from KEGG Signalling Pathways

In this paper we consider the application of machine learning of graphical models and feature selection for developing better drug-design strategies. The work discussed in this paper is based on utilizing partial prior knowledge available through KEGG signalling pathway database in tan dim with our recent developed ensemble feature selection methods for a better regularisation of the lasso estimate. This work adds an extra layer of previously unseen knowledge in KEGG signalling pathways that embodies infering the underlying connectivity between gene-families implicated in breast cancer in MAPK-signalling pathway in response to application of anti-cancer drugs "neoadjuvant docetaxel".
Strongyloides stercoralis: Global Distribution and Risk Factors

Background The soil-transmitted threadworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, is one of the most neglected among the so-called neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). We reviewed studies of the last 20 years on S. stercoralis's global prevalence in general populations and risk groups. Methods/Principal Findings A literature search was performed in PubMed for articles published between January 1989 and October 2011. Articles presenting information on infection prevalence were included. A Bayesian meta-analysis was carried out to obtain country-specific prevalence estimates and to compare disease odds ratios in different risk groups taking into account the sensitivities of the diagnostic methods applied. A total of 354 studies from 78 countries were included for the prevalence calculations, 194 (62.4%) were community-based studies, 121 (34.2%) were hospital-based studies and 39 (11.0%) were studies on refugees and immigrants. World maps with country data are provided. In numerous African, Asian and South-American resource-poor countries, information on S. stercoralis is lacking. The meta-analysis showed an association between HIV-infection/alcoholism and S. stercoralis infection (OR: 2.17 BCI: 1.18–4.01; OR: 6.69; BCI: 1.47–33.8), respectively. Conclusions Our findings show high infection prevalence rates in the general population in selected countries and geographical regions. S. stercoralis infection is prominent in several risk groups. Adequate information on the prevalence is still lacking from many countries. However, current information underscore that S. stercoralis must not be neglected. Further assessments in socio-economic and ecological settings are needed and integration into global helminth control is warranted.
Prokaryotic membrane vesicles: new insights on biogenesis and biological roles

Abstract Biogenesis and trafficking of membrane vesicles are essential and well-studied processes in eukaryotes. In contrast, vesiculation in bacteria is not well understood. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are produced in Gram-negative bacteria by blebbing of the outer membrane. In addition to the roles in pathogenesis, cell-to-cell communication and stress response, recent work has suggested that OMVs play important roles in immunomodulation and the establishment and balance of the gut microbiota. In this review we discuss the known and novel roles of OMVs and the different biogenesis models proposed, and address the evidence for cargo selection into OMVs. We also discuss the growing evidence for the existence of membrane vesicles in Gram-positive bacteria and Archaea. Due to their biological importance and promising applications in vaccinology, the biogenesis of OMVs is an important topic in microbiology.
The association between maternal weight gain and spontaneous preterm birth in twin pregnancies

Abstract Objective: To estimate the association between maternal weight gain and SPTB in twin pregnancies. Methods: A case-control study of patients with twin pregnancies and a normal prepregnancy BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2) in one maternal-fetal medicine practice from 2005 to 2013. We reviewed maternal weight in six time periods: prepregnancy, 12–15 6/7 weeks, 16–19 6/7 weeks, 20–23 6/7 weeks, 24–27 6/7 weeks and 28–31 6/7 weeks. We compared maternal weight gain patterns across pregnancy between patients who did and did not have SPTB <32 weeks. Student’s t-test and chi-square were used for analysis. Results: In total, 382 patients were included, 29 (7.6%) of whom had SPTB <32 weeks. The baseline height, weight and BMI did not differ between the groups, nor did maternal age, IVF status, race or chorionicity. Patients with SPTB <32 weeks had significantly less weight gain as early as 15 6/7 weeks (2.9 ± 4.6 versus 7.3 ± 6.6 lb, p < 0.001), and this continued until 31 6/7 weeks (25.3 ± 8.7 versus 30.8 ± 10.9 lb, p = 0.037). Conclusions: In twin pregnancies with a normal prepregnancy BMI, there is a significant association between SPTB <32 weeks and lower maternal weight gain, particularly prior to 16 weeks. Future studies are needed to test if prepregnancy or early nutritional interventions in twin pregnancies can reduce the risk of preterm birth and improve neonatal outcomes in this high-risk population.
Inhibition of microRNA-126 promotes the expression of Spred1 to inhibit angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization: in vivo study

MicroRNA-126 (miR-126) has been found to promote angiogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. So, we conducted this study to explore the effect of miR-126 expression on angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The expression levels of miR-126 and sprouty-related, EVH1 domain containing protein (Spred)1 in surgically resected HCC tissue, HCC tissue with TACE + operation, and tumor-adjacent tissues were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression levels of miR-126, Spred1, and vascular endothelial growth factor were found by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The microvessel density (MVD) of tumor tissues was determined by immunohistochemical staining. The miR-126 and Spred1 expressions in HCC tissue with TACE + operation were elevated and decreased, respectively, as compared to those in surgically resected HCC tissues and tumor-adjacent tissues (all P<0.001), which indicated that the expression of Spred1 was negatively correlated with miR-126 (P<0.001, r=−0.6224). Based on the bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter gene activity detection, Spred1 was found to target miR-126 (P<0.001). Inhibition of miR-126 expression reduces the degree of weight loss and tumor size in TACE model rats. The MVD in TACE + operation group was increased compared to that in the control group; inhibition of miR-126 expression had a reversal effect, to a certain extent, on MVD increase after TACE (all P<0.05). Inhibition of miR-126 expression increased Spred1 expression and decreased vascular endothelial growth factor expression (P<0.01). In summary, this study unveiled the potential mechanism by which miR-126 regulates angiogenesis in HCC tissues through embolization treatment by targeting Spred1, and also showed that the feasibility of TACE with the miR-126 inhibitor has a certain value in the medical treatment of HCC.
On the Computation of Clebsch–Gordan Coefficients and the Dilation Effect

We investigate the problem of computing tensor product multiplicities for complex semisimple Lie algebras. Even though computing these numbers is #P-hard in general, we show that when the rank of the Lie algebra is assumed fixed, then there is a polynomial-time algorithm, based on counting lattice points in polytopes. In fact, for Lie algebras of type A, there is an algorithm, based on the ellipsoid algorithm, to decide when the coefficients are nonzero in polynomial time for arbitrary rank. Our experiments show that the lattice point algorithm is superior in practice to the standard techniques for computing multiplicities when the weights have large entries but small rank. Using an implementation of this algorithm, we provide experimental evidence for two conjectured generalizations of the saturation property of Littlewood–Richardson coefficients. One of these conjectures seems to be valid for types B, C, and D.
Acetabular Development After Closed Reduction of Developmental Dislocation of the Hip

The purpose of this study was to identify predictive factors that would best indicate possible future acetabular dysplasia after closed reduction of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). We studied 32 hips for a mean of 13.5 years, during which time radiographs were analyzed annually. Overall results were evaluated using the modified Severin classification. Using the combined predictive factors of center-head distance discrepancy (CHDD) and sourcil orientation in patients between 4 and 5 years of age, we found that (a) remodeling of the acetabulum was possible when the CHDD was <6% and the orientation of the sourcil was horizontal; (b) careful follow-up was needed when the CHDD was <6% and the sourcil was upward or when the CHDD was ≥6% and the sourcil was horizontal, (c) surgery was recommended to prevent residual acetabular dysplasia when the CHDD was ≥6% and the sourcil was upward.