Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Crucial Role for Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 in Osteocytic Canalicular Formation and Bone Metabolism*

Extracellular matrix production and degradation by bone cells are critical steps in bone metabolism. Mutations of the gene encoding MMP-2, an extracellular matrix-degrading enzyme, are associated with a human genetic disorder characterized by subcutaneous nodules, arthropathy, and focal osteolysis. It is not known how the loss of MMP-2 function results in the pathology. Here, we show that Mmp2-/- mice exhibited opposing bone phenotypes caused by an impaired osteocytic canalicular network. Mmp2-/- mice showed decreased bone mineral density in the limb and trunk bones but increased bone volume in the calvariae. In the long bones, there was moderate disruption of the osteocytic networks and reduced bone density throughout life, whereas osteoblast and osteoclast function was normal. In contrast, aged but not young Mmp2-/- mice had calvarial sclerosis with osteocyte death. Severe disruption of the osteocytic networks preceded osteocyte loss in Mmp2-/- calvariae. Successful transplantation of wild-type periosteum restored the osteocytic canalicular networks in the Mmp2-/- calvariae, suggesting local roles of MMP-2 in determining bone phenotypes. Our results indicate that MMP-2 plays a crucial role in forming and maintaining the osteocytic canalicular network, and we propose that osteocytic network formation is a determinant of bone remodeling and mineralization.
BandSense: Pressure-sensitive Multi-touch Interaction on a Wristband

In this paper, we propose a new interaction technique, called BandSense, which allows pressure-sensitive multi-touch interaction on a wristband. The proposed method provides users with a broader interaction area and higher input expressiveness, enabling a precision interaction with a less occlusion. To illustrate the potential of our approach, we present a series of example applications with several input vocabularies. We also describe the overall architecture of our system. We believe that our technique would greatly help users control a smartwatch easily and conveniently.
Effects of Psa and F1 on the Adhesive and Invasive Interactions of Yersinia pestis with Human Respiratory Tract Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, expresses the Psa fimbriae (pH 6 antigen) in vitro and in vivo. To evaluate the potential virulence properties of Psa for pneumonic plague, an Escherichia coli strain expressing Psa was engineered and shown to adhere to three types of human respiratory tract epithelial cells. Psa binding specificity was confirmed with Psa-coated polystyrene beads and by inhibition assays. Individual Y. pestis cells were found to be able to express the capsular antigen fraction 1 (F1) concomitantly with Psa on their surface when analyzed by flow cytometry. To better evaluate the separate effects of F1 and Psa on the adhesive and invasive properties of Y. pestis, isogenic Δcaf (F1 genes), Δpsa, and Δcaf Δpsa mutants were constructed and studied with the three respiratory tract epithelial cells. The Δpsa mutant bound significantly less to all three epithelial cells compared to the parental wild-type strain and the Δcaf and Δcaf Δpsa mutants, indicating that Psa acts as an adhesin for respiratory tract epithelial cells. An antiadhesive effect of F1 was clearly detectable only in the absence of Psa, underlining the dominance of the Psa+ phenotype. Both F1 and Psa inhibited the intracellular uptake of Y. pestis. Thus, F1 inhibits bacterial uptake by inhibiting bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells, whereas Psa seems to block bacterial uptake by interacting with a host receptor that doesn't direct internalization. The Δcaf Δpsa double mutant bound and invaded all three epithelial cell types well, revealing the presence of an undefined adhesin(s) and invasin(s).
Java Implementation of a Parameter-less Evolutionary Portfolio

The Java implementation of a portfolio of parameter-less evolutionary algorithms is presented. The Parameter-less Evolutionary Portfolio implements a heuristic that performs adaptive selection of parameter-less evolutionary algorithms in accordance with performance criteria that are measured during running time. At present time, the portfolio includes three parameter-less evolutionary algorithms: Parameter-less Univariate Marginal Distribution Algorithm, Parameter-less Extended Compact Genetic Algorithm, and Parameter-less Hierarchical Bayesian Optimization Algorithm. Initial experiments showed that the parameter-less portfolio can solve various classes of problems without the need for any prior parameter setting technique and with an increase in computational effort that can be considered acceptable.
Cyclopeptide Alkaloids. Phencyclopeptines From the Polymorphic Species Ceanothus integerrimus.

Seven cyclopeptide alkaloids, phencyclopeptines 1-7, have been found distributed among three forms of the shrub Ceanothus integerrimus. Chemical degradation, mass spectroscopy, and /sup 1/H nmr spectroscopy have established structures for these seven compounds, three of which have been previously reported. The use of cyclopeptide alkaloid structure and distribution for chemotaxonomic assignments is discussed.
Hypocretin-1 receptors regulate the reinforcing and reward-enhancing effects of cocaine: pharmacological and behavioral genetics evidence

Considerable evidence suggests that transmission at hypocretin-1 (orexin-1) receptors (Hcrt-R1) plays an important role in the reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-seeking behaviors in rodents. However, far less is known about the role for hypocretin transmission in regulating ongoing cocaine-taking behavior. Here, we investigated the effects of the selective Hcrt-R1 antagonist SB-334867 on cocaine intake, as measured by intravenous (IV) cocaine self-administration in rats. The stimulatory effects of cocaine on brain reward systems contribute to the establishment and maintenance of cocaine-taking behaviors. Therefore, we also assessed the effects of SB-334867 on the reward-enhancing properties of cocaine, as measured by cocaine-induced lowering of intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) thresholds. Finally, to definitively establish a role for Hcrt-R1 in regulating cocaine intake, we assessed IV cocaine self-administration in Hcrt-R1 knockout mice. We found that SB-334867 (1–4 mg/kg) dose-dependently decreased cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion) self-administration in rats but did not alter responding for food rewards under the same schedule of reinforcement. This suggests that SB-334867 decreased cocaine reinforcement without negatively impacting operant performance. SB-334867 (1–4 mg/kg) also dose-dependently attenuated the stimulatory effects of cocaine (10 mg/kg) on brain reward systems, as measured by reversal of cocaine-induced lowering of ICSS thresholds in rats. Finally, we found that Hcrt-R1 knockout mice self-administered far less cocaine than wildtype mice across the entire dose-response function. These data demonstrate that Hcrt-R1 play an important role in regulating the reinforcing and reward-enhancing properties of cocaine and suggest that hypocretin transmission is likely essential for establishing and maintaining the cocaine habit in human addicts.
Use of an Electronic Medical Record to Create the Marshfield Clinic Twin/Multiple Birth Cohort

Population‐based genetic analyses, such as the Genome‐Wide Association Study (GWAS), have proven powerful for describing the genetic complexities of common disease in epidemiologic research. However, the significant challenges faced by population‐based study designs have resulted in revitalization of family‐based approaches, including twin studies. Twin studies are unique in their ability to ascertain both heritable and environmental contributions to human disease. Several regional and national twin registries have been constructed using a variety of methods to identify potential twins. A significant challenge in constructing these large twin registries includes the substantial resources required to recruit participants, collect phenotypic data, and update the registries as time progresses. Here we describe the use of the Marshfield Clinic electronic medical record (EMR) to identify a cohort of 19,226 patients enriched for twins or multiples. This cohort defines the Marshfield Clinic Twin/Multiple Birth Cohort (MCTC). An EMR system provides both a mechanism to identify potential twins and a source of detailed phenotypic data in near real time without the need for patient contact outside standard medical care. To demonstrate that the MCTC can be used for genetic‐based epidemiologic research, concordance rates for muscular dystrophy (MD) and fragile‐X syndrome—two highly heritable diseases—were assessed. Observations indicate that both MD and fragile‐X syndrome are highly correlated among affected twins in the MCTC (P ≅ 3.7 × 10−6 and 1.1 × 10−4, respectively). These findings suggest that EMR systems may not only be an effective resource for predicting families of twins, but can also be rapidly applied to epidemiologic research.
The GABAergic‐like system in the marine demosponge Chondrilla nucula

Gamma‐amino butyric acid (GABA) is believed to be the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, a function that has been extended to a number of invertebrate systems. The presence of GABA in the marine demosponge Chondrilla nucula was verified using immunofluorescence detection and high‐pressure liquid chromatography. A strong GABA‐like immunoreactivity (IR) was found associated with choanocytes, exopinacocytes, endopinacocytes lining inhalant, and exhalant canals, as well as in archaeocytes scattered in the mesohyl. The capacity to synthesize GABA from glutamate and to transport it into the vesicles was confirmed by the presence in C. nucula of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and vesicular GABA transporters (vGATs), respectively. GAD‐like and vGAT‐like IR show the same distribution as GABA‐like IR. Supporting the similarity between sponge and mammalian proteins, bands with an apparent molecular weight of about 65–67 kDa and 57 kDa were detected using antibodies raised against mammalian GAD and vGAT, respectively. A functional metabotropic GABAB‐like receptor is also present in C. nucula. Indeed, both GABAB R1 and R2 isoforms were detected by immunoblot and immunofluorescence. Also in this case, IR was found in choanocytes, exopinacocytes, and endopinacocytes. The content of GABA in C. nucula amounts to 1225.75 ± 79 pmol/mg proteins and GABA is released into the medium when sponge cells are depolarized. In conclusion, this study is the first indication of the existence of the GABA biosynthetic enzyme GAD and of the GABA transporter vGAT in sponges, as well as the first demonstration that the neurotransmitter GABA is released extracellularly. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
[Oxidized LDL and lipids as risk factors for ischemic heart disease in type 2 diabetes].

BACKGROUND [corrected] Abnormal lipid profile is an important risk factor in the development of macrovascular atherosclerotic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Factors that contribute to endothelial cell dysfunction associated with the initiation of atherosclerosis include oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between lipid profile and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetics with and without ischemic heart disease (IHD). METHODS We studied 80 patients with T2D, 40 with IHD (group A1) and 40 without IHD (group A2). We also studied 51 non-diabetics, 31 with IHD (group B1), and 20 without IHD (group B2 control group). Lipid profile was estimated by the total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, the level of triglyceride (Tg), lipoproteina a (Lp a), Apo A I, A II, B 100 and E. To evaluate the oxidative status we measured circulating oxidized LDL (ox LDL), erythrocyte antioxidative enzyme activity: superoxide dismutase (E-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (E-GPX), as well as the total antioxidative serum activity (TAS). Inflammatory reaction was estimated by C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen. RESULTS No significant difference was found in the lipid profile in groups A1, A2 and B1, but the group B2 had the lowest one. Lp a level was significantly higher in group B1 comparing to other groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the level of ox LDL between the groups. In diabetics, ox LDL positively correlated with the total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non HDL cholesterol, Apo B 100 and the relations between LDL/HDL and Tg/HDL (p < 0.001), as well as with Tg and fibrinogen (p < 0.05). In group B1, ox LDL positively correlated with total cholesterol, Tg (p < 0.01), LDL, and non HDL cholesterol (p < 0.05) and significantly with Apo B 100 (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the antioxidant enzyme activities between the groups of diabetics (A1 and A2), but fibrinogen was higher in the group with IHD (group A1, p < 0.05). Group B1 had lower E-SOD activity than the groups A1 and A2 (p < 0.05), but CRP was higher (p < 0.05). There were no significant correlations between oxLDL and CRP in groups A1 and A2, but it was statistically significant in the group B1 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION In this study we demonstrated the increased oxidative stress in diabetics compared to non-diabetics regardless of the presence of IHD. Fibrinogen, but not CRP, was higher in diabetics with IHD, compared to diabetics without IHD. The increased oxidative stress, the reduced antioxidative activity E-SOD, and the higher level of CRP were found in non-diabetics with IHD compared to non-diabetics without IHD.
Educational expansion or credential inflation? The evolution of part‐time study by adults at McGill University, Canada

Part‐time students have accounted for a significant proportion of rising participation in higher education in many countries. The objectives of this paper are to enrich the empirical literature concerning the inclusion of part‐time adult learners in higher education, and to assess the two competing theoretical frameworks that have emerged to explain the international expansion of higher education in recent decades: human capital theory and social exclusion theory. Human capital theorists argue that increasingly complex demands of economies and workplaces have caused the expansion of educational provision. Theorists of social exclusion argue that increasingly intense competition among labour market participants has caused the inflation of educational credentials. This paper uses original, archival research to narrate the history of part‐time, degree‐credit study at McGill University in Canada. It finds that McGill provided a wide range of part‐time study opportunities in the 1920s and early 1930s, resisted the provision of such opportunities from the 1940s through the 1960s, and reinstated extensive part‐time study opportunities for adults in the 1970s. While both educational expansion and credential inflation took place at McGill neither human capital theory nor social exclusion theory can fully account for the rise, fall, and re‐birth of part‐time study for adults. To understand this evolution, more proximate causes, such as institutional politics and government funding models, must be explored. This paper raises important questions for future research, including those relating to gender and equity in the participation of part‐time students in higher education.
Expanded cells in monoclonal TCR-αβ+/CD4+/NKa+/CD8-/+dim T-LGL lymphocytosis recognize hCMV antigens. Commentary

Recent studies suggest the potential involvement of common antigenic stimuli on the ontogeny of monoclonal T-cell receptor (TCR)-αγ + /CD4 + /NKa + /CD8 -/+dim T-large granular lymphocyte (LGL) lymphocytosis. Because healthy persons show (oligo)clonal expansions of human cytomegalovirus (hCMV)-specific TCRVβ +/ CD4 + /cytotoxic/memory T cells, we investigate the potential involvement of hCMV in the origin and/or expansion of monoclonal CD4 + T-LGL. Peripheral blood samples from patients with monoclonal TCR-αβ +/ CD4 + T-LGL lymphocytosis and other T-chronic lymphoproliferative disorders were evaluated for the specific functional response against hCMV and hEBV whole lysates as well as the "MQLIPD-DYSNTHSTRYVTVK" hCMV peptide, which is specifically loaded in HLA-DRB1*0701 molecules. A detailed characterization of those genes that underwent changes in T-LGL cells responding to hCMV was performed by microarray gene expression profile analysis. Patients with TCR-αβ + /CD4 + T-LGL displayed a strong and characteristic hCMV-specific functional response, reproduced by the hCMV peptide in a subset of HLA-DRB1*0701 + patients bearing TCRVβ13. 1 + clonal T cells. Gene expression profile showed that the hCMV-induced response affects genes involved in inflammatory and immune responses, cell cycle progression, resistance to apoptosis, and genetic instability. This is the first study providing evidence for the involvement of hCMV in the ontogeny of CD4 + T-LGL, emerging as a model disorder to determine the potential implications of quite a focused CD4 + / cytotoxic immune response.
Narratives at work: what can stories of older athletes do?

ABSTRACT Previous research has shown that young adults tend to identify and reinforce negative stereotypes of growing older. They can express both fear and trepidation regarding the bodily changes that occur with advancing age. With this in mind, in this paper we draw upon Frank's (2010) theoretical framework of socio-narratology to examine the work that stories can do. We take as a working example the impact that stories of ageing told by masters athletes might have upon young adults, and specifically their perceptions of (self-)ageing. Three focus groups were carried out with the young adults to examine their perceptions of (self-)ageing prior to and following their viewing of a digital story portraying images and narratives of mature, natural (‘drug-free’) bodybuilders. Our analysis pointed to a number specific capacities that stories of masters athletes might have, namely the potential to re-open young adults sense of narrative foreclosure, the stretching and expanding of existing imagined storylines, and increasing the availability of narrative options. We propose that understanding what stories can do, what they can do best, and the narrative environments that help and hinder this process is essential if our programmes and policies are to produce the results that are wanted.
'Classification' and 'Judgement': Social class and the 'cognitive structures' of choice of Higher Education

The issue of social-class-related patterns of access to Higher Education (HE) has become a matter of public debate in the UK recently, but is on the whole portrayed one-sidedly in terms of issues of selection (elitism), and the social dimensions of choice are neglected. Here, drawing on an Economic and Social Research Council research study, choice of HE is examined using Bourdieu's concepts of 'classification' and 'judgement'. HE is viewed in terms of its internal status differentiations. Students' positive and negative choices are addressed using qualitative and quantitative data, and the 'accuracy' of status perceptions are also tested. It is argued that choices are infused with class and ethnic meanings and that choice-making plays a crucial role in the reproduction of divisions and hierarchies in HE, but also that the very idea of choice assumes a kind of formal equality that obscures 'the effects of real inequality'. HE choices are embedded in different kinds of biographies and institutional habituses, and different 'opportunity structures'.
Photocurrent properties of single GaAs/AlGaAs core–shell nanowires with Schottky contacts

Conductivity and photoconductivity properties of individual GaAs/AlGaAs core–shell nanowires (NWs) are reported. The NWs were grown by Au-assisted metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy, and then dispersed on a substrate where electrical contacts were defined on the individual NWs by electron beam induced deposition. Under dark conditions, the carrier transport along the NW is found to be limited by Schottky contacts, and influenced by the presence of an oxide layer. Nonetheless, under illumination, the GaAs/AlGaAs core–shell NW shows a significant photocurrent, much higher than the bare GaAs NW. The spatial dependence of the photocurrent within the single core–shell NW, evaluated by a mapping technique, confirms the blocking behavior of the contacts. Moreover, local spectral measurements were performed which allow one to discriminate the contribution of carriers photogenerated in the core and in the shell.
Sensor Network Localization via Received Signal Strength Measurements with Directional Antennas

In wireless sensor networks position awareness is necessary to exploit the communication beneﬂts of directional antennas and for sensors to provide meaningful information about their surroundings. In this paper we evaluate the feasibility and quality of self-localization that can be obtained using received signal strength (RSS) measurements from arrays of directional antennas on each sensor node. We compare the performance of an optimal estimator utilizing all RSS data with a suboptimal one using angles of arrival as an intermediate statistic. Further, we compare the performance bounds of our approach with others based on distance measurements potentially obtained through time of arrival or RSS observations. We demonstrate that sub-meter location accuracy is possible using 802.11 radio frequency communication signals and no assumed model for propagation loss. Re-sults from an outdoor ﬂeld experiment and our proposed printed circuit board quasi-Yagi directional antenna are also presented.
Asymptotic Critical Transmission Radius for $k$-Connectivity in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

A range assignment to the nodes in a wireless ad hoc network induces a topology in which there is an edge between two nodes if and only if both of them are within each other's transmission range. The critical transmission radius for k-connectivity is the smallest r such that if all nodes have the transmission radius r, the induced topology is k -connected. In this paper, we study the asymptotic critical transmission radius for k -connectivity in a wireless ad hoc network whose nodes are uniformly and independently distributed in a unit-area square or disk. We provide a precise asymptotic distribution of the critical transmission radius for k -connectivity. In addition, the critical neighbor number for k -connectivity is the smallest integer l such that if every node sets its transmission radius equal to the distance between itself and its l-th nearest neighbor, the induced (symmetric) topology is k-connected. Applying the critical transmission radius for k-connectivity, we can obtain an asymptotic almost sure upper bound on the critical neighbor number for k-connectivity.