Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loss of CLPP alleviates mitochondrial cardiomyopathy without affecting the mammalian UPRmt

The mitochondrial matrix protease CLPP plays a central role in the activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) in Caenorhabditis elegans. Far less is known about mammalian UPRmt signaling, although similar roles were assumed for central players, including CLPP. To better understand the mammalian UPRmt signaling, we deleted CLPP in hearts of DARS2‐deficient animals that show robust induction of UPRmt due to strong dysregulation of mitochondrial translation. Remarkably, our results clearly show that mammalian CLPP is neither required for, nor it regulates the UPRmt in mammals. Surprisingly, we demonstrate that a strong mitochondrial cardiomyopathy and diminished respiration due to DARS2 deficiency can be alleviated by the loss of CLPP, leading to an increased de novo synthesis of individual OXPHOS subunits. These results question our current understanding of the UPRmt signaling in mammals, while introducing CLPP as a possible novel target for therapeutic intervention in mitochondrial diseases.
Effect of fewer visits on postnatal depression is important

EDITOR,—Jim Sikorski and colleagues have conducted a large and detailed trial of the benefits and problems associated with different patterns of antenatal care.1 Such studies, examining outcomes such as satisfaction with care, anxieties about the health of the fetus, and the ability of new parents to cope with their baby, are essential to allow proper evaluation of the recommendations in Changing Childbirth, the report of an expert maternity group.2 The authors found that women in …
Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in mammals: how good is the evidence?

Epigenetics plays an important role in orchestrating key biologic processes. Epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation, histones, chromatin structure, and noncoding RNAs, are modified throughout life in response to environmental and behavioral influences. With each new generation, DNA methylation patterns are erased in gametes and reset after fertilization, probably to prevent these epigenetic marks from being transferred from parents to their offspring. However, some recent animal studies suggest an apparent resistance to complete erasure of epigenetic marks during early development, enabling transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Whether there are similar mechanisms in humans remains unclear, with the exception of epigenetic imprinting. Nevertheless, a distinctly different mechanism—namely, intrauterine exposure to environmental stressors that may affect establishment of the newly composing epigenetic patterns after fertilization—is often confused with transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. In this review, we delineate the definition of and requirement for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, differentiate it from the consequences of intrauterine exposure, and discuss the available evidence in both animal models and humans. —Van Otterdijk, S. D. , Michels, K. B. Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in mammals: how good is the evidence? FASEB J. 30, 2457‐2465 (2016). www.fasebj. org
Selective Down-Regulation of Aquaporin-1 in Salivary Glands in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome

Salivary and lacrimal gland secretions are reduced in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Aquaporins (AQPs) are involved in transmembrane water transport, and different isoforms show specific cellular and subcellular distributions in salivary and lacrimal glands. Changes in expression of AQP molecules have therefore been suggested to contribute to the glandular dysfunction in pSS. AQP-5 is present in the apical membrane of acinar cells, where it mediates fluid outflow; however, we have recently shown that its expression is not altered in pSS. We therefore studied whether expression of other isoforms of AQP would be altered in pSS. Using high-resolution confocal microscopy, we determined the distribution of AQP-1 and AQP-3 in labial salivary gland biopsies from 11 patients with pSS and 9 healthy controls. AQP-1 is present in myoepithelial cells surrounding acini, and its expression in these cells was decreased by 38% in pSS glands. By contrast, expression of AQP-1 in endothelial cells of nonfenestrated capillaries was not altered in pSS. AQP-3 was expressed in the basolateral membrane of acinar epithelial cells, and its expression was not altered in disease. We therefore conclude that AQP-1 expression in myoepithelial cells is selectively down-regulated in pSS and that myoepithelial cell dysfunction may play a crucial role in the pathology of this disease.
PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE 14, 10 AND 4-ITEM “PERCEIVED STRESS SCALE” AMONG ASTHMATIC PATIENTS IN IRAN

2014] Objective (s): The “Perceived Stress Scale” (PSS) is one of the most widely used instruments for measuring psychological stress in a range of clinical and nonclinical settings. The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the all three versions of the PSS (PSS-14, PSS-10, and PSS-4) among asthmatic patients in Iran. Methods : A total of 106 asthmatic patients referring to several clinics in Sanandaj were selected by convenience sampling for this study. The PSS-14 and the short-form version of the “Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale” (DASS-21) were administrated to all participants. The psychometric properties of the PSS were examined: construct validity using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), convergent validity by evaluating the relationship with DASS-21 and internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha. Results: The findings of CFA revealed that a two-factor model for all three versions of PSS, containing both negative and positive factors, fit the data significantly better than a one-factor model. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the PSS-14, PSS-10, and PSS-4 were 0.90, 0.90, and 0.77, respectively. All three versions of the PSS were significantly positively correlated with the DASS-21 and its subscales, indicating an acceptable convergent validity. Moreover, women scored higher than men on the PSS. Conclusion: All three versions of the PSS demonstrated adequate psychometric properties for measuring psychological stress among asthmatic
Heuristic Algorithm to Generate Modified Freeman Chain Code from Thinned Binary Image

Chain code is an image representation which can be used to represent a shape of object or structure and also to represent connectivity between lines in the image boundary. It can be used in various applications because of its ability for information preservation and allows considerable storage space reduction for properties data image shape. This representation also can be applied in image processing field such as image compression, feature extraction and pattern recognition. Extracting chain code for boundary image or shape of object is simpler compared to extracting two-dimensional thinned binary image (TBI) that contain junctions. Thus, this paper presents a new chain code scheme and its algorithm to extract the chain code from TBI with multiple junctions. The importance of this chain code is mainly for feature extraction and recognition processes against such images. Before extracting the chain code, TBI with location-marked junctions is required as input data. This input data is a text file contains thinned binary image (0,1) plus junction marker, 'J' character to indicate a corner or junction at corresponding location. Junction positioning and labelling can be performed manually or by using corner/junction detection algorithm. Subsequently, the input file (0,1,J) will be traversed starting from image boundary and is followed by its inner line. In traversing process, all junction markers will be sequentially renamed to character A-Z to distinguish among existing junctions and, MFCC will be generated simultaneously. The peculiar way this MFCC is generated is due to feature extraction and recognition needs.
The Importance of Structural Anisotropy in Computational Models of Traumatic Brain Injury

Understanding the mechanisms of injury might prove useful in assisting the development of methods for the management and mitigation of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Computational head models can provide valuable insight into the multi-length-scale complexity associated with the primary nature of diffuse axonal injury. It involves understanding how the trauma to the head (at the centimeter length scale) translates to the white-matter tissue (at the millimeter length scale), and even further down to the axonal-length scale, where physical injury to axons (e.g., axon separation) may occur. However, to accurately represent the development of TBI, the biofidelity of these computational models is of utmost importance. There has been a focused effort to improve the biofidelity of computational models by including more sophisticated material definitions and implementing physiologically relevant measures of injury. This paper summarizes recent computational studies that have incorporated structural anisotropy in both the material definition of the white matter and the injury criterion as a means to improve the predictive capabilities of computational models for TBI. We discuss the role of structural anisotropy on both the mechanical response of the brain tissue and on the development of injury. We also outline future directions in the computational modeling of TBI.
Army Research Laboratory Aberdeen Proving Ground , MD 21005-5066 ARL-RP-475 March 2014 Analysis of Intrinsic Stability Criteria for Isotropic Third-Order Green Elastic and Compressible Neo-Hookean Solids

Internal stability of isotropic nonlinear elastic materials under homogeneous deformation is studied. Results provide new insight into various intrinsic stability measures, first proposed elsewhere, for generic nonlinear elastic solids. Three intrinsic stability criteria involving three different tangent elastic stiffness matrices are considered, corresponding to respective increments in strain measures conjugate to thermodynamic tension, first Piola–Kirchhoff stress, and Cauchy stress. Primary deformation paths of interest include spherical (i.e., isotropic) deformation, uniaxial strain, and simple shear; unstable modes are not constrained to remain along primary deformation paths. Effects of choices of secondand third-order elastic constants on intrinsic stability are systematically studied for physically realistic ranges of constants. For most cases investigated here, internal stability according to strain increments conjugate to Cauchy stress is found to be the most stringent criterion. When third-order constants vanish, internal stability under large compression tends to decrease as Poisson’s ratio increases. When third-order constants are nonzero, a negative (positive) pressure derivative of the shear modulus often promotes unstable modes in compression (tension). For large shear deformation, larger magnitudes of thirdorder constants tend to result in more unstable behavior, regardless of the sign of the pressure derivative of the shear modulus. A compressible neo-Hookean model is generally much more intrinsically stable than secondand third-order elastic models when Poisson’s ratio is non-negative. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Family Financial Stress, Parenting and Problem Behavior in Adolescents

In this study, we examine how financial stress is associated with problem behavior in adolescents through the lives of their parents. Using an actor–partner interdependence model, we explore pathways within (actor) and between (partner) parents. Our data included 340 families, with both parents rating their financial stress, depressive symptoms, and interparental conflict, and with parents and adolescents rating parenting and problem behavior in adolescents. The results indicate that the association between financial stress and problem behavior in adolescents is mediated by depressive symptoms, interparental conflict, and positive parenting. Another finding is that financial stress has direct and indirect effects on interparental conflict. Furthermore, the impact of financial stress on positive parenting is greater for fathers than it is for mothers. Although actor effects are more prominent, there is also evidence of partner effects. Our results underscore the importance of including multiple family members in studies on family stress processes.
Detecting specific infections in children through host responses: a paradigm shift

Purpose of review There is a need for improved diagnosis and for optimal classification of patients with infectious diseases. An alternative approach to the pathogen-detection strategy is based on a comprehensive analysis of the host response to the infection. This review focuses on the value of transcriptome analyses of blood leukocytes for the diagnosis and management of patients with infectious diseases. Recent findings Initial studies showed that RNA from blood leukocytes of children with acute viral and bacterial infections carried pathogen-specific transcriptional signatures. Subsequently, transcriptional signatures for several other infections have been described and validated in humans with malaria, dengue, salmonella, melioidosis, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, tuberculosis, and HIV. In addition, transcriptome analyses represent an invaluable tool to understand disease pathogenesis and to objectively classify patients according to the clinical severity. Summary Microarray studies have been shown to be highly reproducible using different platforms, and in different patient populations, confirming the value of blood transcriptome analyses to study pathogen-specific host immune responses in the clinical setting. Combining the detection of the pathogen with a comprehensive assessment of the host immune response will provide a new understanding of the correlations between specific causative agents, the host response, and the clinical manifestations of the disease.
Parallel-connected bidirectional current-fed dual active bridge DC-DC converters with decentralized control

A decentralized control strategy with improved droop control is proposed for parallel-connected current-fed bidirectional DC-DC converters to achieve the flexible power architecture and modular design. The step-up or step-down function depends on the power flow direction. An improved droop control strategy is implemented by sensing the high-voltage side (HVS) voltage and low-voltage side (LVS) current. The operation principle and power sharing characteristics are analyzed. The system stability is demonstrated in detail based on small-signal model. Excellent power sharing can be achieved not only under steady state but also in dynamics. Besides, the system has the hot-swapping feature. A 2.5kW prototype composed of two modules is established to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Social capital in Britain

Recent findings show an apparent erosion in the United States over the post-war years of ‘social capital’ understood as the propensity of individuals to associate together on a regular basis, to trust one another, and to engage in community affairs. This article examines the British case for similar trends, finding no equivalent erosion. It proposes explanations for the resilience of social capital in Britain, rooted in educational reform, the transformation of the class structure, and government policy. It concludes by drawing some general lessons from the British case that stress the importance of the distributive dimensions of social capital and the impact that governments can have on it.
Indirect Assessment of Implicit Disgust Sensitivity

We propose a single-block, single-target, Implicit Association Test (SB-ST-IAT) for measuring implicit disgust sensitivity. Based on dual process theories, we tested the construct validity of this new measure using a sample of N = 75 participants. Incremental validity of the newly developed SB-ST-IAT was demonstrated using a disgust sensitivity questionnaire as a direct measure of disgust sensitivity, as well as two behavioral criteria. A controlled approach versus avoidance task with disgusting stimuli (worms) was employed as a measure of controlled behavior. Facial disgust expression and withdrawal of hands and upper body from the disgust stimuli were used as indicators of automatic behavior. Implications of our research for the validation of indirect measures are discussed.
Learning to play Tetris applying reinforcement learning methods

In this paper the application of reinforcement learning to Tetris is investigated, particulary the idea of temporal difference learning is applied to estimate the state value function V. For two predefined reward functions Tetris agents have been trained by using a � -greedy policy. In the numerical experiments it can be observed that the trained agents can outperform fixed policy agents significantly, e.g. by factor 5 for a complex reward function. Playing games, such like Chess, Go, Checkers, Backgammon or Poker, is always a great intellectual challenge to humans, and therefore game playing is a sce- nario to test and evaluate artificial intelligence methods, in particular machine learning aspects have been taken more and more into account during the last years. Many methods derived from the fields of traditional artificial intelligence and mathematical game theory have been utilized in computer games, for in- stance, game trees are one of the most popular tools. A game tree represents all the possible states of a game in its nodes. Starting point is the root node representing the starting configuration of the game. Children nodes within the tree are representing all states that can be reached for the current node follow- ing the rules of the game, and leaf nodes are representing the terminal states of the game. In almost all (interesting) games the complete tree is too large to search all the possible pathes, and therefore the space to be searched must be reduced by applying heuristics which were tailored by human experts. A popular attempt in this direction is to estimate the winning chance of the player by so-called evaluation functions, and learning such evaluation functions utiliz- ing machine learning techniques became an important challenge of research in modern artificial intelligence. Artificial neural networks have been successfully used in many scientific and real world applications, for instance in pattern recognition, data mining, time series prediction. In recent years some attempts have been made to train artifi- cial neural networks for game playing tasks. Tesauro (1) has applied feedforward neural network models to play Backgammon where the artificial neural net was used together with reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms. Here in this paper a RL algorithm which is known as temporal difference learning has been inves- tigated for playing Tetris. The Tetris board is a grid of 10 columns and 20 rows of cells, which totals to 200 cells. Every cell can be in two possible states called
Mobile application for driver's health status remote monitoring

This article describes implementation of the DHSRM mobile application interfaced with a hardware Data Logger fitted on board of a vehicle. The Data Logger gathers data from sensors located in the vehicle and on the driver's body. The application is designed to monitor the quality of acquired signals in real time and dramatically shorten the time to estimate the driver's health status, including his/her fitness for driving vehicles.
Sperm competition in mammals

Although Darwin identified the evolutionary significance of competition between males in the context of reproduction, it is only in the past few decades that we have begun to appreciate the importance of competition at the gametic level. Sperm competition, defined as competition between the sperm of two or more males for fertilization of the same set of ova, is now recognised as a key selective force shaping male reproductive anatomy, physiology and behaviour across diverse animal groups, including mammals. The aim of this article is to provide a brief review of the selective consequences of sperm competition in mammals, with emphasis on recent theoretical advances and empirical controversies. Evidence of female influences on sperm competition outcomes in mammals is also discussed, and it is concluded that understanding the selective pressures driving coevolution between male and female reproductive traits remains a major challenge for researchers in this field.
Life Cycle-Dependent Cytoskeletal Modifications in Plasmodium falciparum Infected Erythrocytes

Plasmodium falciparum infection of human erythrocytes is known to result in the modification of the host cell cytoskeleton by parasite-coded proteins. However, such modifications and corresponding implications in malaria pathogenesis have not been fully explored. Here, we probed the gradual modification of infected erythrocyte cytoskeleton with advancing stages of infection using atomic force microscopy (AFM). We reported a novel strategy to derive accurate and quantitative information on the knob structures and their connections with the spectrin network by performing AFM–based imaging analysis of the cytoplasmic surface of infected erythrocytes. Significant changes on the red cell cytoskeleton were observed from the expansion of spectrin network mesh size, extension of spectrin tetramers and the decrease of spectrin abundance with advancing stages of infection. The spectrin network appeared to aggregate around knobs but also appeared sparser at non-knob areas as the parasite matured. This dramatic modification of the erythrocyte skeleton during the advancing stage of malaria infection could contribute to the loss of deformability of the infected erythrocyte.
Activation of Spinal μ- and δ-Opioid Receptors Potently Inhibits Substance P Release Induced by Peripheral Noxious Stimuli

Over the past few years, δ-opioid receptors (DOPRs) and μ-opioid receptors (MOPRs) have been shown to interact with each other. We have previously seen that expression of MOPR is essential for morphine and inflammation to potentiate the analgesic properties of selective DOPR agonists. In vivo, it is not clear whether MOPRs and DOPRs are expressed in the same neurons. Indeed, it was recently proposed that these receptors are segregated in different populations of nociceptors, with MOPRs and DOPRs expressed by peptidergic and nonpeptidergic fibers, respectively. In the present study, the role and the effects of DOPR- and MOPR-selective agonists in two different pain models were compared. Using preprotachykinin A knock-out mice, we first confirmed that substance P partly mediates intraplantar formalin- and capsaicin-induced pain behaviors. These mice had a significant reduction in pain behavior compared with wild-type mice. We then measured the effects of intrathecal deltorphin II (DOPR agonist) and DAMGO (MOPR agonist) on pain-like behavior, neuronal activation, and substance P release following formalin and capsaicin injection. We found that both agonists were able to decrease formalin- and capsaicin-induced pain, an effect that was correlated with a reduction in the number of c-fos-positive neurons in the superficial laminae of the lumbar spinal cord. Finally, visualization of NK1 (neurokinin 1) receptor internalization revealed that DOPR and MOPR activation strongly reduced formalin- and capsaicin-induced substance P release via direct action on primary afferent fibers. Together, our results indicate that functional MOPRs and DOPRs are both expressed by peptidergic nociceptors.