Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards a temporal reasoning approach dealing with instance-of, part-of and periodicity

In many application areas, including planning, workflow, guidelines and protocol management, the description of the domain requires the use of part-of relations between events, the modeling of periodic repetitions and the treatment of "standard" temporal constraints between such events. Events in plans, workflows etc. represent "classes", in the sense that they can be instantiated to specific executions of the plan guideline, etc. Of course, such executions must respect (i.e., be consistent with) the temporal constraints explicitly or implicitly (e.g., by the part-of relation) conveyed by the class descriptions. In this paper, we propose a tractable domain-independent temporal server dealing with the above phenomena. We first sketch a representation formalism coping with part-of and instance-of relations, periodicity and temporal constraints, and then we describe two algorithms to deal with inheritance and to perform temporal consistency checking.
Arginyltransferase, Its Specificity, Putative Substrates, Bidirectional Promoter, and Splicing-derived Isoforms*

Substrates of the N-end rule pathway include proteins with destabilizing N-terminal residues. Three of them, Asp, Glu, and (oxidized) Cys, function through their conjugation to Arg, one of destabilizing N-terminal residues that are recognized directly by the pathway's ubiquitin ligases. The conjugation of Arg is mediated by arginyltransferase, encoded by ATE1. Through its regulated degradation of specific proteins, the arginylation branch of the N-end rule pathway mediates, in particular, the cardiovascular development, the fidelity of chromosome segregation, and the control of signaling by nitric oxide. We show that mouse ATE1 specifies at least six mRNA isoforms, which are produced through alternative splicing, encode enzymatically active arginyltransferases, and are expressed at varying levels in mouse tissues. We also show that the ATE1 promoter is bidirectional, mediating the expression of both ATE1 and an oppositely oriented, previously uncharacterized gene. In addition, we identified GRP78 (glucose-regulated protein 78) and protein-disulfide isomerase as putative physiological substrates of arginyltransferase. Purified isoforms of arginyltransferase that contain the alternative first exons differentially arginylate these proteins in extract from ATE1-/- embryos, suggesting that specific isoforms may have distinct functions. Although the N-end rule pathway is apparently confined to the cytosol and the nucleus, and although GRP78 and protein-disulfide isomerase are located largely in the endoplasmic reticulum, recent evidence suggests that these proteins are also present in the cytosol and other compartments in vivo, where they may become N-end rule substrates.
Effect of Tricuspid Regurgitation and the Right Heart on Survival After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Insights From the Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves II Inoperable Cohort

Background—Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction adversely affect outcomes in patients with heart failure or mitral valve disease, but their impact on outcomes in patients with aortic stenosis treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement has not been well characterized. Methods and Results—Among 542 patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis treated in the Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) II trial (inoperable cohort) with a Sapien or Sapien XT valve via a transfemoral approach, baseline TR severity, right atrial and RV size and RV function were evaluated by echocardiography according to established guidelines. One-year mortality was 16.9%, 17.2%, 32.6%, and 61.1% for patients with no/trace (n=167), mild (n=205), moderate (n=117), and severe (n=18) TR, respectively (P<0.001). Increasing severity of RV dysfunction as well as right atrial and RV enlargement were also associated with increased mortality (P<0.001). After multivariable adjustment, severe TR (hazard ratio, 3.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.50–6.82; P=0.003) and moderate TR (hazard ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–2.52; P=0.042) remained associated with increased mortality as did right atrial and RV enlargement, but not RV dysfunction. There was an interaction between TR and mitral regurgitation severity (P=0.04); the increased hazard of death associated with moderate/severe TR only occurred in those with no/trace/mild mitral regurgitation. Conclusions—In inoperable patients treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement, moderate or severe TR and right heart enlargement are independently associated with increased 1-year mortality; however, the association between moderate or severe TR and an increased hazard of death was only found in those with minimal mitral regurgitation at baseline. These findings may improve our assessment of anticipated benefit from transcatheter aortic valve replacement and support the need for future studies on TR and the right heart, including whether concomitant treatment of TR in operable but high-risk patients with aortic stenosis is warranted. Clinical Trial Registration—URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT01314313.
Sexual intercourse euphemisms in the Gĩkũyũ language: a cognitive linguistics approach

The research on which this paper is based set out to identify the sexual intercourse euphemisms used in Gĩkũyũ, a Bantu language spoken in Kenya, then discuss the semantic and lexical processes used in those euphemisms, and, finally, point out the specific metaphors that underlie these latter. To achieve these objectives, the research used data collected (using an interview schedule) from 20 native Gĩkũyũ speakers. The euphemisms were assigned to their corresponding semantic and lexical processes, and then discussed in terms of their correspondences between the source domain and target domain, two key concepts of the Conceptual Metaphor Theory. The specific metaphors behind those euphemisms were discussed. It transpired from this discussion that men generally looked at sexual intercourse more as WORK, A GAME, WAR, FOOD and UTILITY, while women looked at it mainly as a form of COMPANIONSHIP.
The use of a novel operant test to determine the strength of preference for flooring in laboratory rats

A previous study showed that laboratory rats preferred to dwell on a solid floor rather than a grid one, particularly when resting (Manser et al. 1995). The strength of this preference was investigated in an operant trial using a novel test apparatus, which consisted of a grid-floored cage and a solid-floored cage, joined via a central box containing a barrier whose weight was adjustable. Trials in which rats had to lift the barrier in order to explore the whole apparatus were alternated with those in which the rats were confined on the grid floor and then had to lift the barrier in order to reach the solid floor. The latter trials were carried out at the beginning of the light period when the rats were seeking a resting place. In both trials, the weight of the barrier was progressively increased for each rat, until a maximum weight was found which it would lift either to explore its environment (weight A) or to reach the solid floor (weight B). No significant differences were found between weights A and B, showing that rats would work as hard to reach a solid floor to rest on as they would to explore a novel environment. The apparatus used could, with some modifications, be appropriate for use in other operant studies in laboratory rats.
Behavioral and Brain Functions

Background: While association studies on schizophrenia show conflicting results regarding the importance of the regulator of the G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4) gene, recent work suggests that RGS4 may impact on the structural and functional integrity of the prefrontal cortex. We aimed to study associations of common RGS4 variants with prefrontal dependent cognitive performance and schizotypy endophenotypes at the population level. Methods: Four RGS4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP1 [rs10917670], SNP4 [rs951436], SNP7 [rs951439], and SNP18 [rs2661319]) and their haplotypes were selected. Their associations with self-rated schizotypy (SPQ), vigilance, verbal, spatial working memory and antisaccade eye performance were tested with regressions in a representative population of 2,243 young male military conscripts. Results: SNP4 was associated with negative schizotypy (higher SPQ negative factor for common T allele, p = 0.009; p = 0.031 for differences across genotypes) and a similar trend was seen also for common A allele of SNP18 (p = 0.039 for allele-load model; but p = 0.12 for genotype differences). Haplotype analyses showed a similar pattern with a dose-response for the most common haplotype (GGGG) on the negative schizotypy score with or without adjustment for age, IQ and their interaction (p = 0.011 and p = 0.024, respectively). There was no clear evidence for any association of the RGS4 variants with cognitive endophenotypes, except for an isolated effect of SNP18 on antisaccade error rate (p = 0.028 for allele-load model). Conclusion: Common RGS4 variants were associated with negative schizotypal personality traits amongst a large cohort of young healthy individuals. In accordance with recent findings, this may suggest that RGS4 variants impact on the functional integrity of the prefrontal cortex, thus increasing susceptibility for psychotic spectrum disorders. Published: 3 October 2008 Behavioral and Brain Functions 2008, 4:46 doi:10.1186/1744-9081-4-46 Received: 8 April 2008 Accepted: 3 October 2008 This article is available from: http://www.behavioralandbrainfunctions. com/content/4/1/46 © 2008 Stefanis et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
3-T proton MRS investigation of glutamate and glutamine in adolescents at high genetic risk for schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE Glutamate and glutamine were examined in vivo in nonpsychotic adolescents at high genetic risk for schizophrenia by using 3-T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS). METHOD Spectra from the right medial frontal lobe of 20 adolescents who had a parent with schizophrenia (high-risk group; mean age=16.4 years) were compared with spectra obtained from adolescent offspring of parents with no history of schizophrenia (low-risk group; mean age=16.7 years). RESULTS Glutamate/glutamine was significantly higher in the adolescents at high genetic risk for schizophrenia than in the low-risk offspring. Age, premorbid adjustment scale scores, and other (1)H-MRS metabolites did not differ between groups. Global Assessment of Functioning Scale scores and socioeconomic status were lower in the high-risk group. DISCUSSION The finding of glutamate/glutamine abnormalities in a group of subjects at high genetic risk for schizophrenia lends support for both the glutamate dysfunction and neurodevelopmental hypotheses for schizophrenia.
Mice Deficient in Ribosomal Protein S6 Phosphorylation Suffer from Muscle Weakness that Reflects a Growth Defect and Energy Deficit

Background Mice, whose ribosomal protein S6 cannot be phosphorylated due to replacement of all five phosphorylatable serine residues by alanines (rpS6P−/−), are viable and fertile. However, phenotypic characterization of these mice and embryo fibroblasts derived from them, has established the role of these modifications in the regulation of the size of several cell types, as well as pancreatic β-cell function and glucose homeostasis. A relatively passive behavior of these mice has raised the possibility that they suffer from muscle weakness, which has, indeed, been confirmed by a variety of physical performance tests. Methodology/Principal Findings A large variety of experimental methodologies, including morphometric measurements of histological preparations, high throughput proteomic analysis, positron emission tomography (PET) and numerous biochemical assays, were used in an attempt to establish the mechanism underlying the relative weakness of rpS6P−/− muscles. Collectively, these experiments have demonstrated that the physical inferiority appears to result from two defects: a) a decrease in total muscle mass that reflects impaired growth, rather than aberrant differentiation of myofibers, as well as a diminished abundance of contractile proteins; and b) a reduced content of ATP and phosphocreatine, two readily available energy sources. The abundance of three mitochondrial proteins has been shown to diminish in the knockin mouse. However, the apparent energy deficiency in this genotype does not result from a lower mitochondrial mass or compromised activity of enzymes of the oxidative phosphorylation, nor does it reflect a decline in insulin-dependent glucose uptake, or diminution in storage of glycogen or triacylglycerol (TG) in the muscle. Conclusions/Significance This study establishes rpS6 phosphorylation as a determinant of muscle strength through its role in regulation of myofiber growth and energy content. Interestingly, a similar role has been assigned for ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1, even though it regulates myoblast growth in an rpS6 phosphorylation-independent fashion.
The demography of slow aging in male and female Drosophila mutant for the insulin‐receptor substrate homologue chico

Hypomorphic mutants affecting the Drosophila insulin/IGF signal pathway are reported to increase longevity in females but not in males. To understand this sex‐difference, we conducted a large‐scale demographic study with three new isogenic strains of alleles at chico, the insulin‐receptor substrate homologue. We verify that female dwarf homozygotes (ch1/ch1) and normal‐sized heterozygotes (ch1/+) are long‐lived, as originally reported. We find for the first time that male heterozygotes are long‐lived relative to wildtype, by about 50%. The life span of male ch1/ch1 is similar to that of wildtype but these dwarf males age at a slow demographic rate. The levels of demographic frailty and of age‐independent mortality are elevated in ch1/ch1 males, counteracting the effect of slow aging upon life expectancy. Mortality deceleration occurs amongst the oldest‐old wildtype adults, as seen in many organisms. Remarkably, in similarly sized cohorts of male and female ch1/ch1 and of male ch1/+ mortality deceleration is absent. Mortality deceleration is a phenotype of chico.
Leptin stimulates the proliferation of human colon cancer cells in vitro but does not promote the growth of colon cancer xenografts in nude mice or intestinal tumorigenesis in ApcMin/+ mice

Background and aims: Leptin, the product of the ob gene, has been suggested to increase the risk of colon cancer. However, we have shown that although leptin stimulates epithelial cell proliferation it reduces the development of carcinogen induced preneoplastic lesions in the rat colon. Here, we explored the effect of leptin in vitro on proliferation of human colon cancer cells, and in vivo on the growth of HT-29 xenografts in nude mice and the development of intestinal tumours in ApcMin/+ mice. Methods: Proliferation of HT-29, LoVo, Caco2, and SW 480 cells was assessed in the absence or presence of leptin (20–500 ng/ml) by 3H-thymidine incorporation and cell count. Leptin (800 µg/kg/day) or its vehicle was delivered for four weeks to nude mice, inoculated with HT-29 cells on day 0, and for six weeks to ApcMin/+ mice. Results: Leptin dose dependently stimulated cell DNA synthesis and growth in all cell lines. In nude mice, leptin caused a 4.3-fold increase in plasma leptin levels compared with pair fed controls. This hyperleptinaemia, despite leptin receptor expression in tumours, did not induce significant variation in tumour volume or weight. Tumour Ki-67 index was even inhibited. In leptin treated ApcMin/+ mice, a 2.4-fold increase in plasma leptin levels did not modify the number, size, or distribution of intestinal adenomas compared with pair fed controls. Conclusions: Leptin acts as a growth factor on colon cancer cells in vitro but does not promote tumour growth in vivo in the two models tested. These findings do not support a pivotal role for hyperleptinaemia in intestinal carcinogenesis.
Centromere protein B assembles human centromeric alpha-satellite DNA at the 17-bp sequence, CENP-B box

We purified 15,000-fold from HeLa cell nuclear extract the centromere antigen that reacts specifically with the 17-bp sequence, designated previously as CENP-B box, in human centromeric alpha-satellite (alphoid) DNA by a two-step procedure including an oligonucleotide affinity column. The purified protein was identified as the centromere protein B (CENP-B) by its mobility on SDS-PAGE (80 kD), and reactivities to a monoclonal antibody raised to CENP-B (bacterial fusion protein) and to anticentromere sera from patients with autoimmune diseases. Direct binding by CENP-B of the CENP-B box sequence in the alphoid DNA has been proved using the purified CENP-B by DNA mobility-shift assay, Southwestern blotting, and DNase I protection analysis. The binding constant of the antigen to the CENP-B box sequence is 6 x 10(8) M-1. DNA mobility-shift assays indicated that the major complex formed between the CENP-B and the DNA contains two DNA molecules, suggesting the importance of the CENP-B/CENP-B box interaction in organization of higher ordered chromatin structures in the centromere and/or kinetochore. Location of DNA binding and dimerization domains in CENP-B was discussed based on the DNA mobility- shift assays performed with a protein fraction containing intact and partial cleavage products of CENP-B.
CB1 receptor activity modulates responses in the forced swim test and open field test paradigms

Tyechia L. Culmer, MS CB1 RECEPTOR ACTIVITY MODULATES RESPONSES IN THE FORCED SWIM TEST AND OPEN FIELD TEST PARADIGMS. (Under the direction of Linda Dykstra, PhD) Cannabinoid type I (CB1) receptor activation in the forced swim test (FST) and on locomotor activity (LMA) was examined by manipulating the endogenous agonist anandamide (AEA). AEA modifier URB597 prevents AEA metabolism and AM404 inhibits the reuptake of AEA in post synaptic neurons. Antidepressant-like behavior was measured using time spent immobile (sec) in the FST, and distance traveled (cm), average velocity (cm/sec), entries into the center zone (#), and time spent in the center zone (min) in the open field test. LMA before (Pre-FST1), immediately after (Post-FST1), and a week after the FST (LMA-FST1) were measured. Time spent immobile decreased with desipramine (DMI; 10 mg/kg), URB597 (1.0 and 3.2 mg/kg), and AM404 (1.0 mg/kg). Although 1.0 mg/kg of URB597 and AM404 reduced time spent immobile, distance traveled was not impaired. Overall, the decreases in time spent immobile were not because of LMA solely, and URB597 and AM404 have antidepressant properties.
First Real-Time Data Recovery for Synchronous QPSK Transmission With Standard DFB Lasers

For the first time, synchronous quadrature phase-shift keying data is recovered in real-time after transmission with standard distributed feedback lasers using a digital inphase and quadrature receiver. Forward-error-correction-compatible performance is reached at 800 Mb/s after 63 km of fiber. Self-homodyne operation with an external cavity laser is error-free
Relativistic eikonal description of A(p,pN) reactions

The authors present a relativistic and cross-section factorized framework for computing quasielastic A(p,pN) observables at intermediate and high energies. The model is based on the eikonal approximation and can accommodate both optical potentials and the Glauber method for dealing with the initial- and final-state interactions (IFSI). At lower nucleon energies, the optical-potential philosophy is preferred; whereas at higher energies, the Glauber method is more natural. This versatility in dealing with the IFSI allows one to describe A(p,pN) reactions in a wide energy range. Most results presented here use optical potentials, as this approach is argued to be the optimum choice for the kinematics of the experiments considered in the present paper. The properties of the IFSI factor, a function containing the entire effect of the IFSI, are studied in detail. The predictions of the presented framework are compared with two kinematically different experiments. First, differential cross sections for quasielastic proton scattering at 1 GeV off {sup 12}C, {sup 16}O, and {sup 40}Ca target nuclei are computed and compared to data from Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute (PNPI). Second, the formalism is applied to the analysis of a {sup 4}He(p,2p) experiment at 250 MeV. The optical-potential calculations are found to be inmore » good agreement with the data from both experiments, showing the reliability of the adopted model in a wide energy range. « less
Space-Efficient Identity-Based Encryption : Spelling out the Approach by Boneh-Gentry-Hamburg

Identity-based encryption (also known as IBE) is a type of public key cryptography in which the public key of a user is some unique information about his identity. The initial motivation to the creation of IBE was to simplify key management in email systems. An open problem was the creation of a space-efficient IBE scheme that was not based in pairings on elliptic curves. Boneh, Gentry and Hamburg proposed such a system in 2007. The objective of this work is to do a critical analysis of how Boneh, Gentry and Hamburg scheme works, filling in some missing details whenever necessary. Resumo. Encriptação Baseada em Identidade (mais conhecida como Identitybased encryption ou IBE) é um tipo de criptografia de chave pública tal que a chave pública de um usuário é alguma informação única sobre a sua identidade. A motivação inicial para a criação de IBE foi simplificar o gerenciamento de certificados em sistemas de email. Um problema em aberto era a criação de um esquema de IBE espaço-eficiente e sem recorrer a emparelhamentos em curvas elípticas. Boneh, Gentry e Hamburg propuseram tal sistema em 2007. O objetivo desse trabalho é fazer uma análise crítica do funcionamento do esquema de Boneh, Gentry e Hamburg, preenchendo detalhes quando necessário.
Hindsight Optimization for Probabilistic Planning with Factored Actions

Inspired by the success of the satisfiability approach for deterministic planning, we propose a novel framework for on-line stochastic planning, by embedding the idea of hindsight optimization into a reduction to integer linear programming. In contrast to the previous work using reductions or hindsight optimization, our formulation is general purpose by working with domain specifications over factored state and action spaces, and by doing so is also scalable in principle to exponentially large action spaces. Our approach is competitive with state-of-the-art stochastic planners on challenging benchmark problems, and sometimes exceeds their performance especially in large action spaces.
Induction of Human Alveolar Epithelial Cell Growth Factor Receptors by Dendrimeric Nanostructures

Although nonviral dendrimeric nanostructures have been widely used as gene delivery systems, key questions about target cells responses to these nanostructures are yet to be answered. Here, we report the responsiveness of A431 and A549 cells upon treatment with polypropylenimine diaminobutane (DAB) dendrimers nanosystems. Complexation of DAB dendrimers with DNA reduced the zeta potential of nanostructures, but increased their size. Fluorescence microscopy revealed high transfection efficiency in both cell lines treated with DAB dendrimers with induced cytotoxicity evidenced by MTT assay. The A549 cells showed upregulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its downstream signalling biomolecule Akt kinase upon treatment with DAB dendrimers, while no changes were observed in A431 cells. Based on our findings, the biological impacts of these nanosystems appeared to be cell dependent. Thus, the biological responses of target cells should be taken into account when these nanostructures are used as gene delivery system.