Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AKAP150‐anchored PKA activity is important for LTD during its induction phase

Protein kinase A (PKA) is thought to tonically maintain an enhanced level of postsynaptic AMPA receptor responses. Injection of PKA inhibitory peptides leads to a run‐down of AMPA receptor responses and prevents long‐term depression (LTD). This run‐down of AMPA receptor activity was proposed to occlude a further reduction that would otherwise constitute LTD. PKA is recruited to postsynaptic sites by the A kinase anchor protein AKAP150. We found that LTD was strongly impaired in acute hippocampal slices from 2‐week‐old mice in which the PKA binding site on AKAP150 had been genetically deleted (D36 mice). However, basal postsynaptic AMPA and NMDA receptor activity was indistinguishable between D36 and WT mice. During extracellular recordings of field EPSPs and during intracellular recording of EPSCs from hippocampal slices from WT mice, H‐89 and KT5720, two structurally different PKA inhibitors, inhibited LTD by more than 70% without affecting basal synaptic transmission or basal phosphorylation of serine 845 on GluR1. Collectively our data indicate that AKAP150‐anchored PKA activity is required to induce LTD and not merely to maintain a tonically heightened activity level of AMPA receptors as proposed earlier.
Evidence that DIF-1 and hyper-osmotic stress activate a Dictyostelium STAT by inhibiting a specific protein tyrosine phosphatase

STATc becomes tyrosine phosphorylated and accumulates in the nucleus when Dictyostelium cells are exposed to the prestalk cell inducer Differentiation inducing factor 1 (DIF-1), or are subjected to hyper-osmotic stress. We show that the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP3 interacts directly with STATc and that STATc is refractory to activation in PTP3 overexpressing cells. Conversely, overexpression of a dominant inhibitor of PTP3 leads to constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation and ectopic nuclear localisation of STATc. Treatment of cells with DIF-1 or exposure to hyper-osmotic stress induces a decrease in biochemically assayable PTP3 activity and both agents also induce serine-threonine phosphorylation of PTP3. These observations suggest a novel mode of STAT activation, whereby serine-threonine phosphorylation of a cognate protein tyrosine phosphatase results in the inhibition of its activity, shifting the phosphorylation-dephosphorylation equilibrium in favour of phosphorylation.
Wavelet-based watermarking for tamper proofing of still images

We propose a novel robust and fragile watermarking technique for the tamper proofing of still images. In this method, robust watermarks are embedded in the lowest frequency components of an image by using a controlled quantization process, while fragile watermarks, which are used to determine whether the image has been altered, are embedded by thresholding and quantizing wavelet coefficients at the coarser scales. This technique enables us to distinguish malicious changes such as modifying or forging a part of an image from non-malicious changes resulting from common image processing operations like lossy compression. Furthermore, we can detect any change in the image as well as localizing the areas that have been changed.
RECUPERAÇÃO DE SALMONELLA SPP. EM MANGA (MANGIFERA INDICA) CV. TOMMY ATKINS

A Salmonella spp. e um patogeno que vem se destacando como agente responsavel por doencas veiculadas por alimentos. Alguns estudos demonstram que o consumo de manga contaminada foi responsavel por alguns destes surtos. Este trabalho objetivou investigar a eficiencia de diferentes metodologias para a recuperacao de Salmonella em manga cv. Tommy Atkins. Para o estudo, as frutas foram contaminadas com um "pool" de Salmonella contendo culturas de S . Typhimurium, S . Enteritidis e S. Brasil. Foram comparados dois metodos de recuperacao: por Esfregaco de Superficie por “swab” e por Fragmento do Fruto, sendo que a contagem tambem foi realizada de duas maneiras, por Semeadura em Superficie em meio MLCB e pela metodologia de Duas Camadas de Agar (agar nao seletivo + sobrecamada de agar seletivo) utilizando-se neste caso os meios de cultura TSA +MLCB ou TSA + XLD. Concluiu-se que os melhores resultados foram obtidos quando se utilizou a combinacao do metodo do Fragmento do Fruto, com a recuperacao nos meios TSA + MLCB.
DETECTION AND FORECAST VIA MULTITASK DEEP RECURRENT NEURAL NETWORKS

Online human action detection and forecast on untrimmed 3D skeleton sequences is a novel task based on traditional action recognition and has not been fully studied. Its aim is to localize and recognize one action in a long sequence while doing forecasting task at the same time. In this paper, we propose an online detection algorithm featuring Multi-Task Recurrent Neural Network to solve this problem. First, a deep Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) network is designed for feature extraction and temporal dynamic modeling. Then we utilize a classification subnetwork to classify one action, and predict the status of it at the same time. To forecast the occurrence of actions and estimate the accurate time of occurrence, we incorporate a regression subnetwork to our model. Then we split the action classes to three stages and train the model by optimizing a joint classification regression objective function. Experimental results show that the proposed model achieves satisfactory results on online action detection and forecast.
Amputation rehabilitation and prosthetic restoration. From surgery to community reintegration

Purpose: The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature related to the advances that have taken place in the management and rehabilitation care of limb amputation. Results: Prostheses for the lower and upper limb amputee have changed greatly over the past several years, with advances in components, socket fabrication and fitting techniques, suspension systems and sources of power and electronic controls. Higher levels of limb amputation can now be fitted with functional prostheses, which allow more patients to achieve independent life styles. This is of particular importance for the multi-limb amputee. The rehabilitation of more traditional lower limb levels of amputation have also greatly benefited from the technological advances including energy storing feet, electronic control hydraulic knees, ankle rotators and shock absorbers to mention a few. For the upper limb amputee, myoelectric and proportional controlled terminal devices and elbow joints are now used routinely in some rehabilitation facilities. Experimental prosthetic fitting techniques and devices such as the use of osseo-implantation for suspension of the prosthesis, tension control hands or electromagnetic fluids for knee movement control will also be briefly discussed in this paper. Conclusion: It is possible to conclude from this review that many advances have occurred that have greatly impacted the functional outcomes of patients with limb amputation.
Continuity of care for patients with schizophrenia and related disorders: a comparative South-Verona and Groningen case-register study

Background. It is widely believed that for the severely mentally ill continuity of care is essential to ensure a better outcome and prevent long-term hospitalization. However, not much progress has been made in the operationalization and measurement of this concept. We used two indicators to compare continuity of care of schizophrenic patients in two kinds of mental health systems. One is a community mental health system without the back-up of a mental hospital (South-Verona, Italy). The other is an institution-based system in which mental hospitals are still predominant (Groningen, The Netherlands). Methods. The first indicator of continuity of care, readiness of aftercare, is the time from discharge from hospital to the first day- or out-patient contact. Survival analysis was applied to correct for censored observations. The second indicator, flexibility of care, is the use of combinations of in-, day- and out-patient care during 2-year follow-up. Results. More patients in South-Verona received community care within 2 weeks after discharge (71·5%), than in the Groningen register area (54·6%). The survival functions differed significantly. Cox regression analysis revealed that in both systems a contact before admission, the time between this contact and admission and the duration of the admission are predictors for aftercare. A higher percentage of patients made multiple service use (combinations of in-, day- and out-patient care) in South-Verona than in Groningen (62 v. 45%). Conclusions. Both indicators showed a higher continuity of care in the South-Verona system.
Mast cells protect against airway Mycoplasma pneumoniae under allergic conditions

Background Infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) in asthma can occur both acutely and chronically with an associated Th2 inflammatory response and/or increased numbers of bronchial mast cells. Mast cells have previously been shown to promote mycoplasma clearance in mice; however, it is unknown whether mast cells would aid Mp clearance under allergic conditions.
Stepwise enforcement of the notochord and its intersection with the myoseptum: an evolutionary path leading to development of the vertebra?

The notochord constitutes the main axial support during the embryonic and larval stages, and the arrangement of collagen fibrils within the notochord sheath is assumed to play a decisive role in determining its functional properties as a fibre‐wound hydrostatic skeleton. We have found that during early ontogeny in Atlantic salmon stepwise changes occur in the configuration of the collagen fibre‐winding of the notochord sheath. The sheath consists of a basal lamina, a layer of type II collagen, and an elastica externa that delimits the notochord; and these constituents are secreted in a specific order. Initially, the collagen fibrils are circumferentially arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and this specific spatial fibril configuration is maintained until hatching when the collagen becomes reorganized into distinct layers or lamellae. Within each lamella, fibrils are parallel to each other, forming helices around the longitudinal axis of the notochord, with a tangent angle of 75–80° to the cranio‐caudal axis. The helical geometry shifts between adjacent lamellae, forming enantiomorphous left‐ and right‐handed coils, respectively, thus enforcing the sheath. The observed changes in the fibre‐winding configuration may reflect adaptation of the notochord to functional demands related to stage in ontogeny. When the vertebral bodies initially form as chordacentra, the collagen lamellae of the sheath in the vertebral region are fixed by the deposition of minerals; in the intervertebral region, however, they represent a pre‐adaptation providing torsional stability to the intervertebral joint. Hence, these modifications of the sheath transform the notochord per se into a functional vertebral column. The elastica externa, encasing the notochord, has serrated surfaces, connected inward to the type II collagen of the sheath, and outward to type I collagen of the mesenchymal connective tissue surrounding the notochord. In a similar manner, the collagen matrix of the neural and haemal arch cartilages is tightly anchored to the outward surface of the elastic membrane. Hence, the elastic membrane may serve as an interface between the notochord and the adjacent structures, with an essential function related to transmission of tensile forces from the musculature. The interconnection between the notochord and the myosepta is discussed in relation to function and to evolution of the arches and the vertebra. Contrary to current understanding, this study also shows that notochord vacuolization does not result in an increased elongation of the embryo, which agrees with the circular arrangement of type II collagen that probably only enables a restricted increase in girth upon vacuolization, not aiding elongation. As the vacuolization occurs during the egg stage, this type of collagen disposition, in combination with an elastica externa, also probably facilitates flexibility and curling of the embryo.
Grand Theft Auto(mation): Travel Mode Habits and Video Games

A growing area of video game research considers factors external to games that might predict both observed in-game and physical world decisions. One factor may be an individual's habitual behaviors, such as their physical activity routines. Because the authors tend to automate behaviors that they repeat in stable circumstances or contexts, virtual re-creations of those stimuli should prompt the same behavior in the game environment. Moreover, as virtual worlds become more similar to the physical world, behaviors the authors learn in physical reality might influence virtual behaviors. The authors ask two research questions: RQ1 Is there an association between real-world habits and in-game decisions? RQ2 Does the nature of the in-game task influence any relationship between real-world habits and in-game decisions? A quasi-experiment of 110 students at a large, mid-Atlantic university demonstrated that physical activity routines bias in-game transportation decisions, particularly when prompted to pursue a specific goal over a free exploration task.
Recapitulating the Spectrum of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in a Large Animal Model

Images for quantitative T1δ and T2 mapping were obtained, as well as T2 weighted images for Pfirrmann grading. Correlations between quantitative MRI parameters and Pfirrmann grade were established by linear regression. Individual motion segments were then imaged using high resolution microcomputed tomography (μCT) to visualize and quantify morphologic changes to the vertebral bony endplate. Alcian blue (glycosaminoglycans) and picrosirius red (collagen) stained, mid-sagittal, histological sections were used to visualize degenerative changes. Sections were graded on a visual analog scale by three blinded observers in five categories: organization of the annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus matrix, annulus fibrosus/nucleus pulposus border, nucleus pulposus cellularity, and cartilage endplate structure. Five samples from each of the intact control, nucleotomy and 1U ChABC groups were utilized for biomechanical testing. Following overnight equilibration in PBS, samples were subjected to a testing protocol consisting of 20 cycles tension compression (2230N to 1115N), followed by 1 hour of creep at 2230N (0.48 MPa). Tension/compression data was fit to a sigmoid function and creep data was fit to a five parameter viscoelastic constitutive model for analysis. For quantitative outcome measures, statistically significant differences (p , 0.05) were established via one or two-way ANOVAs with Tukey’s post-hoc tests.
Cueing digital memory: how and why do digital notes help us remember?

People are aware of the fact that their memories are fallible. As a result, they spend significant amounts of time preparing for subsequent memory challenges, e.g. by leaving themselves reminders. Recent findings suggest, however, that people's ability to prepare for subsequent retrieval may not always be effective. This paper looks at the efficacy of memory strategies in the context of digital and paper-based note-taking. Prior research has claimed that (a) notes may not always be useful in promoting later retrieval; (b) taking notes may distract people from effectively processing important information. We examined pen and paper note-taking as well as a new generation digital note-taking device ChittyChatty, finding that notes help memory in two ways. First they provide cues that help people retrieve information that they might otherwise forget. Second the act of taking notes helps people to better focus on incoming information even if they never later consult these notes. Finally we found differences between different note-taking strategies. People who take high quality notes remember better than those who focus on exhaustive documentation; taking large volumes of notes decreases the efficiency of retrieval -- possibly because it is more time consuming to scan extensive notes to find relevant retrieval cues.
Mechanism of Arachidonic Acid Accumulation during Aging in Mortierella alpina: A Large-Scale Label-Free Comparative Proteomics Study.

Arachidonic acid (ARA) is an important polyunsaturated fatty acid having various beneficial physiological effects on the human body. The aging of Mortierella alpina has long been known to significantly improve ARA yield, but the exact mechanism is still elusive. Herein, multiple approaches including large-scale label-free comparative proteomics were employed to systematically investigate the mechanism mentioned above. Upon ultrastructural observation, abnormal mitochondria were found to aggregate around shrunken lipid droplets. Proteomics analysis revealed a total of 171 proteins with significant alterations of expression during aging. Pathway analysis suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) were accumulated and stimulated the activation of the malate/pyruvate cycle and isocitrate dehydrogenase, which might provide additional NADPH for ARA synthesis. EC 4.2. 1.17-hydratase might be a key player in ARA accumulation during aging. These findings provide a valuable resource for efforts to further improve the ARA content in the oil produced by aging M. alpina.
#6: No Separation of Mother and Baby with Unlimited Opportunity for Breastfeeding

In this position paper—one of six care practice papers published by Lamaze International and reprinted here with permission—the value of keeping mothers and their babies together from the moment of birth is discussed and presented as an evidenced-based practice that helps promote, protect, and support normal birth. The paper is written for childbearing women and their families. Babies held skin-to-skin with their mothers cry less often, breathe easier, and stay warmer than babies who are separated from their mothers. They also instinctively attach to the breast and begin breastfeeding, usually within one hour of birth. The advantages of rooming-in for mother and baby are also discussed. The accompanying commentary—written by two leading professionals in the field of maternity care and pediatrics—provides further evidence to support the practice of keeping mothers and their babies together after birth. Lamaze International encourages women to give birth in settings that do not separate mothers and babies after birth.
Phasic modulation of somatosensory potentials during passive movement

TIBIAL nerve somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) amplitude modulates to passive stretch of leg extensors with movement, paralleling spinal reflex modulation. We therefore hypothesized that SEP amplitude is phasically attenuated during flexion in passive pedalling. SEPs and soleus H reflexes were evoked at four phase positions when the leg was static and passively moved. Initial SEPs were attenuated at full flexion compared with extension for both conditions (p < 0.05). SEPs during movement were significantly lower than those in the static condition (p < 0.05). There were no significant movement or phase effects on subsequent SEP components. H reflex modulation resembled that for initial SEPs. We conclude that movement-induced amplitude modulation of initial SEPs arises, partly, from phasic discharge of extensor muscle spindles.
CYCLIC ESTROGEN–PROGESTIN HORMONE THERAPY AS A NEW THERAPEUTIC APPROACH IN THE TREATMENT OF FUNCTIONAL ALTERATIONS OF THE HYPOTHALAMUS-PITUITARY-OVARY AXIS: CASE REPORTS

Amenorrhea is a clinical condition characterized by failure of menarche or by the absence of menstruation for six months in a woman with previous periodic menses. We report a first case of a 30 year-old woman affected by polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) whose amenorrhea ceased after a 6-month combination treatment with cyclic estradiol–norethisterone acetate. After the withdrawal of the hormone therapy, a stable recovery of periodic menses was observed. We describe a second case of a 23 year-old woman whose amenorrhea was caused by a hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to a non-functioning pituitary adenoma. After the administration of the previously described therapy both a disappearance of the adenoma and a recover of periodic menses were observed. We hypothesized that the outcomes in our cases could be the consequence of a balancing action induced by the exogenous hormone administration. The exogenous hormones may have reset the feedback between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland through mimicking the physiological hormones pattern of the 28-day cycle.
Connectedness and the integration of parts with relations in shape perception.

Seven experiments investigated whether part connectedness would facilitate the perception of spatial relations among object parts. Experiments 1-4 showed that objects composed of connected parts are easier to distinguish from distractors in rapid serial visual presentation sequences than objects composed of separated parts and that this effect cannot be attributed to the presence of local features in the connected images. Experiments 5 and 6 revealed that image-based connectedness is neither necessary nor sufficient for the connectedness effect, and Experiment 7 showed that the connectedness effect is not a simple feature conjunction effect (i.e., it does not hold in a shape-color conjunction search task). These findings are consistent with the claim, central to the structural description theories, that the visual system not only decomposes objects into parts but also explicitly integrates those parts with their spatial relations.
Tauroursodeoxycholate ameliorates reperfusion injury after pig liver transplantation

Abstract Reperfusion injury is a serious problem after clinical liver transplantation, often leading to dys- or even non-function of grafts. The present study was designed to determine whether the hydrophilic bile salt tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDC), known to be hepatoprotective in cholestatic liver disease, mitigates reperfusion injury in an in vivo pig liver transplantation model. Liver transplantation was performed in 12 pigs after a preservation time of 8 h. TUDC was administered to donor and recipient animals, and saline to controls. Blood was drawn at different time points for determination of liver enzymes. Bile samples were collected, and bile flow (BF), and bile salt secretion rate (BSSR) determined. Samples of liver tissue and bile ducts were taken for assessment by light and electron microscopy. Liver enzymes were significantly lower in the TUDC group. BF and BSSR were significantly higher. Microscopy revealed better preservation of bile duct architecture of the TUDC-infused animals. We can conclude that infusions of TUDC in pig livers ameliorate reperfusion injury in vivo. The molecular basis for this finding may be the membrane stabilizing effect of TUDC. Further studies are warranted to clarify its effect.