Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The FXG: A Presynaptic Fragile X Granule Expressed in a Subset of Developing Brain Circuits

The loss of Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) causes Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited mental retardation and single gene cause of autism. Although postsynaptic functions for FMRP are well established, potential roles at the presynaptic apparatus remain largely unexplored. Here, we characterize the expression of FMRP and its homologs, FXR1P and FXR2P, in the developing, mature and regenerating rodent nervous system, with a focus on presynaptic expression. As expected, FMRP is expressed in the somatodendritic domain in virtually all neurons. However, FMRP is also localized in discrete granules (Fragile X granules; FXGs) in a subset of brain regions including frontal cortex, hippocampal area CA3 and olfactory bulb glomeruli. Immunoelectron microscopy shows that FMRP is localized at presynaptic terminals and in axons within these FXG-rich regions. With the exception of the olfactory bulb, FXGs are prominent only in the developing brain. Experiments in regenerating olfactory circuits indicate that peak FXG expression occurs 2–4 weeks after neurogenesis, a period that correlates with synapse formation and refinement. Virtually all FXGs contain FXR2P, while region-selective subsets harbor FMRP and/or FXR1P. Genetic studies show that FXR2P is essential for FXG expression, while FMRP regulates FXG number and developmental profile. These findings suggest that Fragile X proteins play a distinct, presynaptic role during discrete developmental epochs in defined circuits of the mammalian CNS. We propose that the neurological defects in Fragile X syndrome, including the autistic features, could be due in part to the loss of FMRP function in presynaptic compartments.
Lipoprotein PsaA in Virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae: Surface Accessibility and Role in Protection from Superoxide

ABSTRACT PsaA of Streptococcus pneumoniae, originally believed to be an adhesin, is the lipoprotein component of an Mn2+ transporter. Mutations in psaA cause deficiencies in growth, virulence, adherence, and the oxidative stress response. Immunofluorescence microscopy shows that PsaA is hidden beneath the cell wall and the polysaccharide capsule and only exposed to antibodies upon cell wall removal. A psaBC deletion mutant, expressing PsaA normally, was as deficient in adherence to Detroit 562 cells as were strains lacking PsaA. Thus, PsaA does not appear to act directly as an adhesin, but rather, psaA mutations indirectly affect this process through the disruption of Mn2+ transport. The deficiency in Mn2+ transport also causes hypersensitivity to oxidative stress from H2O2 and superoxide. In a chemically defined medium, growth of the wild-type strain was possible in the absence of Fe2+ and Mn2+ cations after a lag of about 15 h. Addition of Mn2+ alone or together with Fe2+ allowed prompt and rapid growth. In the absence of Mn2+, the addition of Fe2+ alone extended the 15-h lag phase to 25 h. Thus, while Fe2+ adversely affects the transition from lag phase to log phase, perhaps through increasing oxidative stress, this effect is relieved by the presence of Mn2+. A scavenger specific for superoxides but not those specific for hydroxyl radicals or H2O2 was able to eliminate the inhibition of growth caused by iron supplementation in the absence of Mn2+. This implies that superoxides are a key player in oxidative stress generated in the presence of iron.
A Theoretical Approach to the Deposition of Cancer-Inducing Asbestos Fibers in the Human Respiratory Tract

In the study presented here a stochastic model predicting the deposition of variably shaped asbestos fibers in the human respiratory tract is introduced. Deposition calculations are commonly based on the concept of the aerodynamic diameter. Besides Brownian diffusion, inertial impaction, and sedimentation, also interception representing the capture of particles at the carinal ridges of single airway bifurcations is considered as main deposition mechanism for the computa- tion of regional and local deposition fractions. Concerning total deposition in the human respiratory tract, fibers with a cy- lindrical diameter, termed dp, smaller than 0.1 � m exhibit lower deposition fractions than comparable spheres, whilst fi- bers with dp greater than 0.1 � m show higher deposition fractions than spheres. The fiber aspect ratiohas only an insig- nificant influence on total deposition, i.e. total deposition fractions of fibers with � = 10 and � = 100 differ by 2 to 10 %. Regarding regional deposition, the fiber diameter represents a controlling factor insofar, as fibrous particles with dp = 0.1 � m are preferably deposited in the bronchioles and alveoli, whereas fibers with dp = 10 � m are exclusively accumulated in the extrathoracic region. Only deposition behavior of fibers with dp = 1 � m is more complex, since valuable particle frac- tions deposit in all compartments of the lungs. Local (i.e. generation-by-generation) deposition of fibrous particles is char- acterized by a deposition peak at airway generation 19 in the case of fibers with dp = 0.1 � m. The deposition maximum is subject to a continuous dislocation towards more proximal airway generations with increasing dp. Therefore, particles with dp = 10 � m are chiefly deposited in the first three bronchial airway generations. Differences of fiber deposition between sitting and light-work breathing conditions may be evaluated is insignificant in most cases. Only fibrous particles with dp = 1 � m significantly change their deposition behavior with increasing inhalative flow rate in the way that proximal depo- sition is remarkably enhanced at the cost of bronchiolar and alveolar deposition. In general, any increase of the inhalative flow rate Q causes a successive dislocation of fiber deposition from distal to proximal compartments of the human respi- ratory tract. The results obtained from the theoretical approach lead to the conclusion that thin fibers with variable length tend to deposit in the pulmonary region of the lung, where they represent a remarkable hazard for mesothelioma. Thick fi- bers are preferentially accumulated in the proximal bronchi and therefore may induce bronchial lung cancer (adenocarci- noma).
and insertional genotoxicity Cell culture assays reveal the importance of retroviral vector design for

Retroviral vectors with long terminal repeats (LTRs), which contain strong enhancer-promoter sequences at both ends of their genome, are widely used for stable gene transfer into hematopoietic cells. However, recent clinical data and mouse models are pointing to insertional activation of cellular proto-oncogenes as a dose-limiting side effect of retroviral gene delivery, potentially inducing leukemia. Self-inactivating (SIN) retroviral vectors do not contain the terminal repetition of the enhancer-promoter, theoretically attenuating the interaction with neighboring cellular genes. Using a new assay based on in vitro expansion of primary murine hematopoietic cells and selection in limiting dilution, we show that SIN vectors utilizing a strong internal retroviral enhancer-promoter may also transform cells by insertional mutagenesis. Most transformed clones, including those obtained following dose escalation of SIN vectors, showed insertions upstream of the third exon of Evi1 and in reverse orientation to its transcriptional orientation. Normalizing for the vector copy number, we found the transforming capacity of SIN vectors to be significantly reduced when compared with corresponding LTR vectors. Additional modifications of SIN vectors may further increase safety. Improved cell culture assays will likely play an important role in the evaluation of insertional mutagenesis. only. For personal use at PENN STATE UNIVERSITY on February 23, 2013. bloodjournal.hematologylibrary. org From
Release of Superoxide Anion by Alveolar Macrophages in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Biological mechanisms involving nonprotease factors mediate the alterations of the alveolar structures which lead to the interstitial fibrosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Thus, we have investigated the production of oxidant species by BAL cells from 50 sarcoidosis patients and 18 healthy controls using a lucigenin-dependent CL method. Spontaneous and PMA-induced CL's were significantly higher in untreated patients and treated patients than in spontaneously cured patients or healthy controls (p less than .05). SOD inhibits 60 to 75% of spontaneous CL and 91 to 93% of PMA-induced CL. There was no apparent correlation between the CL of AM's and the radiological types, SACE levels, and gallium scans. In marked contrast, CL was significantly higher in patients with increased alveolar lymphocytosis (greater than or equal to 18%) than in patients with normal BAL. Since there were neither neutrophils nor eosinophils in BAL and since lymphocytes do not produce lucigenin-dependent CL, we believe that CL is produced by AM's. CL inhibition by SOD suggests that superoxide anion is involved in the production of CL. The release of both superoxide anion and related radicals may be of importance in the pathogenesis of pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Natural Antioxidant from Yerba Maté ( Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) Prevents Hamburger Peroxidation

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether yerba mate alcoholic extracts at very low concentrations (0.01 and 0.1%), prevent/retard lipid peroxidation in beef hamburgers without impairing sensory acceptability. For this TBARs and hexanal levels, fatty acid profile and cholesterol oxides were evaluated as oxidation parameters in beef hamburgers during 90 days' storage. The addition of 0.01% yerba mate ethanolic extracts proved inefficient in restraining the lipid peroxidation while the addition of 0.1% resulted in efficient antioxidant activity. Sensory evaluation of hamburger containing 0.1% yerba mate ethanolic extracts showed good acceptability. Yerba mate ethanolic extracts could entirely or partially replace the phenolic synthetic antioxidants in beef hamburgers only when used at above legally allowed concentrations for antioxidant additives (0.01%).
Automatic Forest Wood Logging Identification based on Acoustic Monitoring

In this paper we describe a scheme for automatic identification of wood logging activity in forest based on acoustic surveillance. Specifically, we evaluate five machine learning classification algorithms using several audio descriptors for the identification of chainsaw wood logging sounds in the noisy environment of a forest. Different environmental noise interference levels, in terms of sound-to-noise ratio, were considered and the best performance was achieved using support vector machines.
ESL power and performance estimation for heterogeneous MPSOCS using SystemC

In this paper, we propose a top-down power and performance estimation methodology for heterogeneous multiprocessor systems-on-chip. The proposed approach is applicable at the Electronic System Level (ESL). Thus, power and performance estimation can be applied in very early design phases. By strictly separating the system functionality from its architecture, different design options can be assessed with minimal effort. Moreover, the simulation-based approach permits to evaluate the effects of dynamic power management, even at this level of abstraction. A case study from the multimedia domain is used to show the efficiency of the proposed methodology.
On Some Aspects of Lexical Standardization

In developing and using many large mult~-hngual multt-purpose lexicons at CRL, we ~denttfied three dlstmct problem areas (1) an appropriate meta-language (formahsm) tot representing and processing lex~cal knowledge (2) a standard generic lex~cal framework defimng a common lex~cal entry structure (names ot features and types ot content), and (3) shared umversal hngu~st~c types In th~s paper, we present the solutions developed at CRL addressing d~mens~ons 1 and 2, and we mention the on-going research addressing dlmens~on 3
Neural Tensor Network Training Using Meta-Heuristic Algorithms for RDF Knowledge Bases Completion

ABSTRACT Neural tensor network (NTN) has been recently introduced to complete Resource Description Framework (RDF) knowledge bases, which has been the state-of-the-art in the field so far. An RDF knowledge base includes some facts from the real world shown as RDF “triples. ” In the previous methods, an objective function has been used for training this type of network, and the network parameters should have been set in a way to minimize the function. For this purpose, a classic nonlinear optimization method has been used. Since many replications are needed in this method to get the minimum amount of the function, in this paper, we suggest to combine meta-heuristic optimization methods to minimize the replications and increase the speed of training consequently. So, this problem will be improved using some meta-heuristic algorithms in this new approach to specify which algorithm will get the best results on NTN and its results will be compared with the results of the former methods finally.
NEW CALIBRATION SCHEME FOR PANORAMIC LINE SCANNERS

In the DLR department of optical information technology exists long experience and practical knowledge in geometrical calibration of opto-elctronical systems especially CCD-line scanners. An approved method is the single pixel illumination by collimated light. The accuracy of this method depends of the precision of the used goniometer and is in the order of 2 arcsec. The disadvantage of this method is the large amount of time. A new method of geometrical calibration is the use of static Diffractive Optical Elements (DOE) in connection with a laser beam equipment. This method can be especially used for 2D-sensor array systems but is not suitable for line scanners. An advanced method using Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) of the Holoeye AG gives the possibility of geometrical calibration of line scanners.
Relationship between GABAergic interneurons migration and early neocortical network activity

Available evidence converges to suggest that during the early development of the cerebral cortex, the emergence of the spontaneous network activity chronologically overlap with the end of the cell migration period in the developing cortex. We approached the functional regulation of neuronal migration in a culture model of neocortical networks, using time lapses to detect migratory movements, calcium‐imaging to assess the activity of migratory neurons, and immunocytochemical methods to identify the migratory cells retrospectively. In cell cultures, early physiological development and cell migration are reproduced at a local network level, thus allowing the study of the interrelationships between cell migration and network development independent of the topographical complexity. Neurons migrate at least until 12 days in vitro and GABAergic neurons migrate faster compared with non‐GABAergic neurons. A decline of migratory activity was coincident with the development of spontaneous synchronous network activity. Migrating interneurons did not participate in synchronous network activity, but interneurons that ended cell migration during observation time frequently engaged in synchronous activity within less than an hour. Application of GABAA and ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists significantly increased the number of migrating GABAergic neurons without changing the dynamics of the migratory movements. Thus, neurotransmitters released by early network activity might favor the termination of neuronal migration. These results reinforce the idea that network activity plays an important role in the development of late‐born GABAergic cells. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2009
Who is “You”? Combining Linguistic and Gaze Features to Resolve Second-Person References in Dialogue

We explore the problem of resolving the second person English pronoun you in multi-party dialogue, using a combination of linguistic and visual features. First, we distinguish generic and referential uses, then we classify the referential uses as either plural or singular, and ﬁnally, for the latter cases, we identify the addressee. In our ﬁrst set of experiments, the linguistic and visual features are derived from manual transcriptions and annotations, but in the second set, they are generated through entirely automatic means. Results show that a multimodal system is often preferable to a unimodal one.
Changes in Capsular Serotype Alter the Surface Exposure of Pneumococcal Adhesins and Impact Virulence

We examined the contribution of serotype on Streptococcus pneumoniae adhesion and virulence during respiratory tract infection using a panel of isogenic TIGR4 (serotype 4) mutants expressing the capsule types 6A (+6A), 7F (+7F) and 23F (+23F) as well as a deleted and restored serotype 4 (+4) control strain. Immunoblots, bacterial capture assays with immobilized antibody, and measurement of mean fluorescent intensity by flow cytometry following incubation of bacteria with antibody, all determined that the surface accessibility, but not total protein levels, of the virulence determinants Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), Choline binding protein A (CbpA), and Pneumococcal serine-rich repeat protein (PsrP) changed with serotype. In vitro, bacterial adhesion to Detroit 562 pharyngeal or A549 lung epithelial cells was modestly but significantly altered for +6A, +7F and +23F. In a mouse model of nasopharyngeal colonization, the number of +6A, +7F, and +23F pneumococci in the nasopharynx was reduced 10 to 100-fold versus +4; notably, only mice challenged with +4 developed bacteremia. Intratracheal challenge of mice confirmed that capsule switch strains were highly attenuated for virulence. Compared to +4, the +6A, +7F, and +23F strains were rapidly cleared from the lungs and were not detected in the blood. In mice challenged intraperitoneally, a marked reduction in bacterial blood titers was observed for those challenged with +6A and +7F versus +4 and +23F was undetectable. These findings show that serotype impacts the accessibility of surface adhesins and, in particular, affects virulence within the respiratory tract. They highlight the complex interplay between capsule and protein virulence determinants.
Dual Polarized Array Antenna for S/X Band Active Phased Array Radar Application

A dual-band dual-polarized microstrip antenna array for an advanced multi-function radio function concept (AMRFC) radar application operating at S and X-bands is proposed. Two stacked planar arrays with three different thin substrates (RT/Duroid 5880 substrates with e r =2.2 and three different thicknesses of 0.253 ㎜, 0.508 ㎜ and 0.762 ㎜) are integrated to provide simultaneous operation at S band (3～3.3 ㎓) and X band (9～11 ㎓). To allow similar scan ranges for both bands, the S-band elements are selected as perforated patches to enable the placement of the X-band elements within them. Square patches are used as the radiating elements for the X-band. Good agreement exists between the simulated and the measured results. The measured impedance bandwidth (VSWR≤2) of the prototype array reaches 9.5 % and 25 % for the S- and X-bands, respectively. The measured isolation between the two orthogonal polarizations for both bands is better than 15 ㏈. The measured cross-polarization level is ≤? 21 ㏈ for the S-band and ≤? 20 ㏈ for the X-band.
A hierarchical system for word discovery exploiting DTW-based initialization

Discovering the linguistic structure of a language solely from spoken input asks for two steps: phonetic and lexical discovery. The first is concerned with identifying the categorical subword unit inventory and relating it to the underlying acoustics, while the second aims at discovering words as repeated patterns of subword units. The hierarchical approach presented here accounts for classification errors in the first stage by modelling the pronunciation of a word in terms of subword units probabilistically: a hidden Markov model with discrete emission probabilities, emitting the observed subword unit sequences. We describe how the system can be learned in a completely unsupervised fashion from spoken input. To improve the initialization of the training of the word pronunciations, the output of a dynamic time warping based acoustic pattern discovery system is used, as it is able to discover similar temporal sequences in the input data. This improved initialization, using only weak supervision, has led to a 40% reduction in word error rate on a digit recognition task.
Wearable and Implantable Sensors: The Patient’s Perspective

There has been a rising interest in wearable and implantable biomedical sensors over the last decade. However, many technologies have not been integrated into clinical care, due to a limited understanding of user-centered design issues. Little information is available about these issues and there is a need to adopt more rigorous evidence standards for design features to allow important medical sensors to progress quicker into clinical care. Current trends in patient preferences need to be incorporated at an early stage into the design process of prospective clinical sensors. The first comprehensive patient data set, discussing mobile biomedical sensor technology, is presented in this paper. The study population mainly consisted of individuals suffering from arthritis. It was found that sensor systems needed to be small, discreet, unobtrusive and preferably incorporated into everyday objects. The upper extremity was seen as the favored position on the body for placement, while invasive placement yielded high levels of acceptance. Under these conditions most users were willing to wear the body-worn sensor for more than 20 h a day. This study is a first step to generate research based user-orientated design criteria’s for biomedical sensors.
Purinergic P2X7 receptors as therapeutic targets in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome; key role of ATP signaling in inflammation

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic lower urinary tract condition. Patients with IC/BPS suffer from debilitating pain and urinary urgency. The underlying etiology of IC/BPS is unknown and as such current treatments are mostly symptomatic with no real cure. Many theories have been proposed to describe the etiology of IC/BPS, but this review focuses on the role of inflammation. In IC/BPS patients, the permeability of the urothelium barrier is compromised and inflammatory cells infiltrate the bladder wall. There are increased levels of many inflammatory mediators in patients with IC/BPS and symptoms such as pain and urgency that have been associated with the degree of inflammation. Recent evidence has highlighted the role of purinergic receptors, specifically the P2X7 receptor, in the process of inflammation. The results from studies in animals including cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis strongly support the role of P2X7 receptors in inflammation. Furthermore, the deletion of the P2X7 receptor or antagonism of this receptor significantly reduces inflammatory mediator release from the bladder and improves symptoms. Research results from IC/BPS patients and animal models of IC/BPS strongly support the crucial role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of this painful disease. Purinergic signaling and purinergic receptors, especially the P2X7 receptor, play an undisputed role in inflammation. Purinergic receptor antagonists show positive results in treating different symptoms of IC/BPS.