Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemoprotective effects of a recombinant protein from Pyropia yezoensis and synthetic peptide against acetaminophen-induced Chang liver cell death

In the present study, the chemoprotective effects of recombinant Pyropia yezoensis (P. yezoensis) protein 1 (PYP1) were examined in acetaminophen (APAP)-treated Chang liver cells. The analysis of P. yezoensis revealed the presence of both mature and immature variants of PYP1. PYP1s, designated as PYP1 (15 kDa), PYP1-AC (12 kDa) and PYP1-B (5 kDa), were successfully expressed in Escherichia coli, and their chemoprotective effects were then examined. In addition, a peptide of 11 residues (ALEGGKSSGGG), which is a common sequence at the N-terminus all of the PYP1s, was synthesized and examined. The effects of treatment with PYP1s and the synthetic peptide (SP) on cell proliferation were determined by MTS assay. Our results clearly demonstrated that treatment with all the PYP1s and SP significantly promoted the proliferation of Chang liver cells, protecting them against APAP. Thus, we concluded that recombinant PYP1s exert protective effects against injury to Chang liver cells.
Molecular mimicry: frequency of reactivity of monoclonal antiviral antibodies with normal tissues

More than 600 monoclonal antiviral antibodies made against 11 different viruses were screened against 14 different organs from normal uninfected mice. Of these antiviral antibodies, 21, or approximately 3.5%, reacted with specific cells in these organs. Several of these antibodies were of the multiple-organ-reactive type and recognized antigens in more than one organ. It was concluded that the reactivity of monoclonal antiviral antibodies with normal tissues is a common phenomenon.
Hybrid of Shape Grammar and Morphing for Procedural Modeling of 3D Caves

Procedural modeling of three‐dimensional shapes plays a significant role in many areas nowadays. Methods based on the automation of the modeling process offer a variety of three‐dimensional structures, saving time and money. Geometry synthesis is currently used in many fields including digital cinema, electronic entertainment and simulation. There is a need to replace designers' work with intelligent automated algorithms, especially in the case of terrain modeling. This article addresses the problem of modeling virtual caves and tunnels and presents alternative solutions in the form of a hybrid system. The innovative approach combines two independent methods well known in computer graphics: shape grammars and shape morphing for modeling three‐dimensional geometry. In the modeling process, it is possible to obtain the characteristics of 3D structures with non‐spherical mesh topology. The objects and their transformations are described by functions, while production grammars define the geometry modeling process. The scene graph can be expanded by classic productions and optimized by morphing productions. Obtained shapes can be freely deformed in subsequent productions. The system offers control over the process of modeling and the resulting structure can be rendered up to a high level of realism. We also propose some measures that can be used to verify the modeling results: coefficients indicating the degree of convexity of three‐dimensional model topology based on the structure of inequality, the volume of the model, surface model and the number of model elements.
First Is Best: First Exposure Effects in Aesthetic Judgments

EXTENDED ABSTRACT People differ from each other in their likes and dislikes. For example, a mother may disagree with her son’s assessment that Madonna’s version of American Pie is better than Don McLean’s. Individual differences in number of exposures to the two versions of American Pie (e.g., the mother has been exposed more often to Don McLean and the son has heard Madonna more frequently) may explain the mother-son disagreement. Indeed, the more frequently people are exposed to a stimulus, the more they tend to like that stimulus (i.e., mere exposure, Zajonc 1968). Nevertheless, even when the mother and her son are equally familiar with the two versions of American Pie , we conjecture that the mother-son disagreement would persist if differences in order of exposure exist. More specifically, we hypothesize that a first encountered aesthetic stimulus tends to be preferred over related stimuli that are encountered later. The hypothesized first exposure effect differs from the mere exposure effect, because it refers to attitudinal effects of first , rather than repeated , exposure. different items analytically. people may be less inclined to process analytically, stimuli may in everyday consumption first stimulus later encountered ones.Our order
A 2 D-QSPR approach to predict blood-brain barrier penetration of drugs acting on the central nervous system

Drugs acting on the central nervous system (CNS) have to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in order to perform their pharmacological actions. Passive BBB diffusion can be partially expressed by the blood/ brain partition coefficient (logBB). As the experimental evaluation of logBB is time and cost consuming, theoretical methods such as quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPR) can be useful to predict logBB values. In this study, a 2D-QSPR approach was applied to a set of 28 drugs acting on the CNS, using the logBB property as biological data. The best QSPR model [n = 21, r = 0.94 (r2 = 0.88), s = 0.28, and Q2 = 0.82] presented three molecular descriptors: calculated n-octanol/water partition coefficient (ClogP), polar surface area (PSA), and polarizability (α). Six out of the seven compounds from the test set were well predicted, which corresponds to good external predictability (85.7%). These findings can be helpful to guide future approaches regarding those molecular descriptors which must be considered for estimating the logBB property, and also for predicting the BBB crossing ability for molecules structurally related to the investigated set.
Severe carotid stenosis and impaired cerebral hemodynamics can influence cognitive deterioration

Objective: To evaluate whether severe carotid stenosis and related hemodynamics impairment may increase the risk of cognitive deterioration in asymptomatic subjects. Methods: A total of 210 subjects with unilateral asymptomatic severe carotid stenosis and 109 healthy controls were included and prospectively evaluated for a 36-month period. At entry, demographics, vascular risk profile, and pharmacologic treatments were defined. Cerebral hemodynamics was assessed by transcranial Doppler–based breath-holding index (BHI) test. Cognitive status was evaluated with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at entry and at the end of the follow-up period. Cognitive deterioration was defined as a decrease in the MMSE score of 3 points or more during the overall follow-up period. Results: Subjects with carotid stenosis showed an increased probability of developing cognitive deterioration compared with the group without stenosis (odds ratio [OR] 4.16 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.89–9.11]; p < 0.001). The presence of an impaired BHI ipsilateral to the stenosis was associated with an increased incidence of reduction in cognitive performance (OR 14.66 [95% CI 7.51–28.59]; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings show that the presence of a severe carotid stenosis influences cognitive deterioration over a 36-month period in asymptomatic subjects. An associated hemodynamic impairment significantly increases the risk. Evaluation of functional consequences of carotid stenosis may offer the opportunity to select a group with an increased risk of developing cognitive impairment from subjects with asymptomatic severe carotid stenosis.
Is occupational organic solvent exposure a risk factor for scleroderma?

OBJECTIVE The primary objective was to determine whether occupational exposure to organic solvents is related to an increased risk of systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma). METHODS Occupational histories were obtained from 178 SSc patients and 200 controls. Exposure scores were computed for each individual using job exposure matrices, which were validated by an industrial expert. RESULTS Among men, those with SSc were more likely than controls to have a high cumulative intensity score (odds ratio [OR] 2.9, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.1-7.6) and a high maximum intensity score (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2-7.1) for any solvent exposure. They were also more likely than controls to have a high maximum intensity score for trichloroethylene exposure (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.0-10.3). Among men and women, significant solvent-disease associations were observed among SSc patients who tested positive for the anti-Scl-70 autoantibody; these trends were not observed among the men and women who tested negative for anti-Scl-70. CONCLUSION These results provide evidence that occupational solvent exposure may be associated with an increased risk of SSc.
The effect of magnetic package leads on the measurement of thermal resistance of semiconductor devices

Magnetic package leads can cause errors in the measurement of the thermal resistance of semiconductor devices. The errors are the result of distortions of the voltage waveforms apparently caused by an increase in the impedance of the leads at short times after switching. This is related to the skin effect, which is the tendency of currents to concentrate on the surface of and decay exponentially into the leads. The concentration increases as the magnetic permeability increases. The influence of the skin effect in the magnetic leads on the measured waveforms and on the measured thermal resistance is shown. A technique for correcting the measured thermal resistance is demonstrated.
Read-Twice DNF Formulas are Properly Learnable

We show that read-twice DNF formulas-Boolean formulas in disjunctive normal form in which each variable appears at most twice-are exactly and properly learnable in polynomial time. Our algorithm uses membership queries and proper equivalence queries and is based on a simple, new characterization of minimal read-twice DNF formulas. The algorithm improves on earlier results of Hancock and Aizenstein and Pitt which showed that read-twice DNF formulas are learnable using more powerful equivalence queries, i.e., where the hypotheses could be arbitrary DNF formulas. We also improve on the time-complexity of these earlier algorithms. Other results which may be of independent interest outside of learning follow directly from this paper. Specifically, we show that read-twice DNF formulas can be tested for equivalence in polynomial time and that the smallest read-twice formula equivalent to a given one can be found in polynomial time.
Generating effective referring expressions using charts

We present a novel approach for generating effective referring expressions (REs). We define a synchronous grammar formalism that relates surface strings with the sets of objects they describe through an abstract syntactic structure. The grammars may choose to require or not that REs are distinguishing. We then show how to compute a chart that represents, in finite space, the complete (possibly infinite) set of valid REs for a target object. Finally, we propose a probability model that predicts how the listener will understand the RE, and show how to compute the most effective RE according to this model from the chart.
Denervation-Induced Activation of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System Reduces Skeletal Muscle Quantity Not Quality

It is well known that the ubiquitin-proteasome system is activated in response to skeletal muscle wasting and functions to degrade contractile proteins. The loss of these proteins inevitably reduces skeletal muscle size (i.e., quantity). However, it is currently unknown whether activation of this pathway also affects function by impairing the muscle’s intrinsic ability to produce force (i.e., quality). Therefore, the purpose of this study was twofold, (1) document how the ubiquitin-proteasome system responds to denervation and (2) identify the physiological consequences of these changes. To induce soleus muscle atrophy, C57BL6 mice underwent tibial nerve transection of the left hindlimb for 7 or 14 days (n = 6–8 per group). At these time points, content of several proteins within the ubiquitin-proteasome system were determined via Western blot, while ex vivo whole muscle contractility was specifically analyzed at day 14. Denervation temporarily increased several key proteins within the ubiquitin-proteasome system, including the E3 ligase MuRF1 and the proteasome subunits 19S, α7 and β5. These changes were accompanied by reductions in absolute peak force and power, which were offset when expressed relative to physiological cross-sectional area. Contrary to peak force, absolute and relative forces at submaximal stimulation frequencies were significantly greater following 14 days of denervation. Taken together, these data represent two keys findings. First, activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system is associated with reductions in skeletal muscle quantity rather than quality. Second, shortly after denervation, it appears the muscle remodels to compensate for the loss of neural activity via changes in Ca2+ handling.
Camera-aided region-based magnetic field indoor positioning

It has been shown that local magnetic field (MF) anomalies can be used in accurate global self-localisation with fingerprinting. However, MF anomalies can only affect limited areas, and the low discernibility of received local MF signals may result in many positions having the same MF-Location information in areas far away from disturbances. This is mainly due to the sensitivity limitations of sensors embedded in mobile phones. This makes it challenging to distinguish between different positions with the same MF value. To address this problem, this paper proposes a new camera-assisted region-based MF fingerprinting technique, which takes maximum advantage of MF-based indoor positioning. Unlike using MF positioning alone for the whole training space, the basic idea of this multipronged system is to use camera-based positioning in areas with fewer disturbances to assist MF positioning targeting attaining a more location estimates. We have calculated the accuracy rate of the proposed system and compared it with MF-only and camera-only localisation systems. The results suggest that the proposed system performs significantly better than these two systems.
The experience of a flipped classroom in a mechanical engineering course on Machine Design: A pilot study

A main issue in higher education is actively engaging students in the formation of their ideas transforming teaching in a way of mediating learning. In this context, flipping the classroom is a challenging proposal suggesting the replacement of teacher led instruction with in-class activities for students that focus on higher-level knowledge processes. Aiming to take advantage of the flipped classroom in engaging students in Machine Design, we decided to flip part of the correspondent undergraduate course following specific design principles. In class students worked individually and in groups on several types of problems, participating also in a peer review activity. The pre-course content was consisted of existing material, videos, texts and appropriate URLs. This was delivered through a wiki on the wikispaces platform. Preliminary results of this pilot study provide evidence about the potential of the flipped classroom method for higher engineering education.
Distinct Domains of the CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor Mediate Desensitization and Internalization

Desensitization of cannabinoid receptor signaling by a G-protein coupled receptor kinase (GRK) was examined using theXenopus oocyte expression system. Application of a CB1 agonist, WIN 55,212-2, evoked a concentration-dependent increase in K+ conductance (Kir3) in oocytes coexpressing rat CB1 with the G-protein-gated, inwardly rectifying K+ channels Kir3.1 and Kir3.4. Desensitization was slight during continuous agonist application in the absence of GRK and arrestin. However, coexpression of GRK3 and β-arrestin 2 (β-arr2) caused profound homologous CB1 receptor desensitization, supporting the hypothesis that GRK3 and β-arr2 effectively produce CB1 receptor desensitization. To identify the regions of the CB1 receptor responsible for GRK3- and β-arr2-mediated desensitization, we constructed several CB1 receptor mutants. Truncation of the C-terminal tail of CB1 receptor at residue 418 (Δ418) almost completely abolished desensitization but did not affect agonist activation of Kir3. In contrast, truncation at residues 439 and 460 did not significantly affect GRK3- and β-arr2-dependent desensitization. A deletion mutant (Δ418–439) did not desensitize, indicating that residues within this region are important for GRK3- and β-arr2-mediated desensitization. Phosphorylation in this region was likely involved in desensitization, because mutation of either of two putative phosphorylation sites (S426A or S430A) significantly attenuated desensitization. CB1 receptors rapidly internalize after activation by agonist. Phosphorylation of S426 or S430 was not necessary for internalization, because the S426A/S430A CB1 mutant internalized when stably expressed in AtT20 cells. These studies establish that CB1 desensitization can be regulated by a GRK and that different receptor domains are involved in GRK- and β-arrestin-dependent desensitization and CB1 internalization.
Interactive comment on “ Predictors and mechanisms of the drought-influenced mortality of tree species along the isohydric to anisohydic continuum in a decade-long study of a central US temperate forest ” by L

General comments In this study, the authors use an extensive dataset of predawn water potentials of 6 species over 10 years, which included a severe drought and several moderate ones, to examine potential predictors in cross-species patterns of mortality. I found this study to be very interesting and insightful. Such datasets of plant water potential, especially those that span many years, many species, and mortality-causing droughts, are exceptionally rare. Thus, this is a very important study.
Outbreak of Necrotizing Enterocolitis Associated with Enterobacter sakazakii in Powdered Milk Formula

ABSTRACT We describe an outbreak of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) that occurred in the neonatal intensive care unit of our hospital. A total of 12 neonates developed NEC in June-July 1998. For two of them, twin brothers, the NEC turned out to be fatal.Enterobacter sakazakii, a known contaminant of powdered milk formula, was isolated from a stomach aspirate, anal swab, and/or blood sample for 6 of the 12 neonates. A review of feeding procedures revealed that 10 of the 12 patients were fed orally with the same brand of powdered milk formula. E. sakazakii was isolated from the implicated prepared formula milk as well as from several unopened cans of a single batch. Molecular typing by arbitrarily primed PCR (AP-PCR) confirmed, although partially, strain similarity between milk and patient isolates. No further cases of NEC were observed after the use of the contaminated milk formula was stopped. With this outbreak we show that intrinsic microbiological contamination of powdered milk formula can be a possible contributive factor in the development of NEC, a condition encountered almost exclusively in formula-fed premature infants. The use of sterilized liquid milk formula in neonatal care could prevent problems with intrinsic and extrinsic contamination of powdered milk formula.
Light-Induced Rescue of Breathing after Spinal Cord Injury

Paralysis is a major consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). After cervical SCI, respiratory deficits can result through interruption of descending presynaptic inputs to respiratory motor neurons in the spinal cord. Expression of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and photostimulation in neurons affects neuronal excitability and produces action potentials without any kind of presynaptic inputs. We hypothesized that after transducing spinal neurons in and around the phrenic motor pool to express ChR2, photostimulation would restore respiratory motor function in cervical SCI adult animals. Here we show that light activation of ChR2-expressing animals was sufficient to bring about recovery of respiratory diaphragmatic motor activity. Furthermore, robust rhythmic activity persisted long after photostimulation had ceased. This recovery was accomplished through a form of respiratory plasticity and spinal adaptation which is NMDA receptor dependent. These data suggest a novel, minimally invasive therapeutic avenue to exercise denervated circuitry and/or restore motor function after SCI.
Electrical properties and transport mechanisms in Ge-Sb-Te thin films for nanoelectronics

Electrical, thermal properties, and transport mechanisms in Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST225) thin films were investigated. Crystallization temperature for thin films was estimated. It was established that investigated thin films have p-type conductivity. Temperature dependencies of the resistivity for investigated thin films were studied. Two-channel model of charge carrier transport was used for the modeling of the temperature dependencies of conductivities. Activation energies of conductivity, position of the trap level controlling transport mechanism, and the density of states for this level were estimated.
How could fully scaled carps appear in natural waters in Madagascar?

The capacity of organisms to rapidly evolve in response to environmental changes is a key feature of evolution, and studying mutation compensation is a way to evaluate whether alternative routes of evolution are possible or not. Common carps (Cyprinus carpio) carrying a homozygous loss-of-function mutation for the scale cover gene fgfr1a1, causing the ‘mirror’ reduced scale cover, were introduced in Madagascar a century ago. Here we show that carps in Malagasy natural waters are now predominantly covered with scales, though they still all carry the homozygous mutation. We also reveal that the number of scales in mutated carps is under strong polygenic genetic control, with a heritability of 0.49. As a whole, our results suggest that carps submitted to natural selection could evolve a wild-type-like scale cover in less than 40 generations from standing polygenic genetic variation, confirming similar findings mainly retrieved from model organisms.