Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Caspase Inhibition in Select Olfactory Neurons Restores Innate Attraction Behavior in Aged Drosophila

Sensory and cognitive performance decline with age. Neural dysfunction caused by nerve death in senile dementia and neurodegenerative disease has been intensively studied; however, functional changes in neural circuits during the normal aging process are not well understood. Caspases are key regulators of cell death, a hallmark of age-related neurodegeneration. Using a genetic probe for caspase-3-like activity (DEVDase activity), we have mapped age-dependent neuronal changes in the adult brain throughout the lifespan of Drosophila. Spatio-temporally restricted caspase activation was observed in the antennal lobe and ellipsoid body, brain structures required for olfaction and visual place memory, respectively. We also found that caspase was activated in an age-dependent manner in specific subsets of Drosophila olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), Or42b and Or92a neurons. These neurons are essential for mediating innate attraction to food-related odors. Furthermore, age-induced impairments of neural transmission and attraction behavior could be reversed by specific inhibition of caspase in these ORNs, indicating that caspase activation in Or42b and Or92a neurons is responsible for altering animal behavior during normal aging.
RUNNING ECONOMY AND MECHANICS IN TRIATHLETES vs. RUNNERS

The purpose of this study was to compare running economy (RE) and distance running mechanics between triathletes and runners to examine an energy-economical running form. Physiological measures were obtained, including maximal and submaximal 02 consumptions and blood lactate concentration. Biomechanical measures for running at several speeds (210-290 mlmin) were obtained for the triathletes and runners. The RE in the triathletes was higher than that in the runners at most speeds (210-270 mlmin). The maximal angle of shoulder extension was associated with RE and greater in the triathletes at lower speeds (21 0-250 mlmin). The training and running form of triathletes are potentially useful for improving the RE in runners.
Determination of Season at Death Using Dental Cementum Increment Analysis *†

Abstract: Dental cementum anchors teeth into their sockets via the periodontal ligament. In mammals, dental cementum is laid down in alternating opaque and translucent bands representing winter (dormant) and summer (growth) seasons. Each pair of bands represents 1 year of life. Estimates of age at death based on counting pairs of bands are highly accurate. If the timing of the transition between winter and summer bands could be identified in humans, dental cementum increment analysis could be used to specify the season at death. This pilot project attempts to determine when these transitions occur and thus provide forensic anthropologists with a technique that would refine our estimates of postmortem interval. Extracted teeth were obtained from a local oral surgeon, embedded, sectioned, ground, polished, and examined under transmitted polarized light. The outermost increment was identified and measured along with other randomly chosen like bands. A transition from translucent to opaque bands was observed in teeth extracted in early October, while teeth extracted in early April exhibited nascent translucent bands. Further, significant correlations were observed between band thickness and number of days into either season, suggesting that band width increases as either season progresses. In this blind study, extracted teeth were effectively sorted into the spring/summer or fall/winter season 99% of the time.
digPLL-Lite: A Low-Complexity, Low-Jitter Fractional-N Digital PLL Architecture

This paper introduces a novel architecture of digital PLL. The goal of this architecture is to reach low jitter, fractional operation, and FSK modulation capability with low architecture complexity for small area, low power, and minimal design effort. The architecture is based on the bang-bang phase detector, so that usage of time-to-digital-converter circuits is avoided, with no need for any background calibration. The key enabling blocks are a phase interpolator-based exact fractional frequency divider, and a multi-output bang-bang phase detector. The prototype implemented in 130 nm reaches 1-psrms absolute jitter while operating in integer mode and 1.9 psrms absolute jitter while operating in full fractional mode, with an output frequency of 1 GHz and reference frequency of 25 MHz, consuming 7.4 mW from a supply of 1.3 V. FSK modulation of the 1 GHz carrier up to 300 kbps with a frequency deviation of ±150 kHz is also implemented and measured .
HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitors: A Review of Their Chemical Development

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) significantly decreases plasma viral load, increases CD4+ T-cell counts in HIV-1-infected patients and has reduced progression to AIDS in developed countries. However, adverse side effects, and emergence of drug resistance, mean there is still a demand for new anti-HIV agents. The HIV integrase (IN) is a target that has been the focus of rational drug design over the past decade. In 2007, raltegravir was the first IN inhibitor approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for antiretroviral combination therapy, while another IN inhibitor, elvitegravir, is currently in Phase III clinical trials. This article reviews the development and resistance profiling of small molecule HIV-1 IN inhibitors.
Rationality of Announcements, Business Cycle Asymmetry, and Predictability of Revisions. The Case of French GDP

We analyze French GDP revisions and we investigate the rationality of preliminary announcements of GDP. We consider nonlinearities, taking the form of business cycle asymmetry and time changes, and their effect on both unconditional moments of revisions and the rationality of announcements. We find that nonlinearity represents an interesting feature of French GDP announcements and revisions. Our results suggest that revisions are unbiased, but announcements are overall inefficient, conditionally on a set of macro-financial indicators. Finally, we investigate the forecastability of GDP revisions in real-time and we find out that total revisions are predictable.
Drought responsive gene expression regulatory divergence between upland and lowland ecotypes of a perennial C4 grass

Climatic adaptation is an example of a genotype-by-environment interaction (G×E) of fitness. Selection upon gene expression regulatory variation can contribute to adaptive phenotypic diversity; however, surprisingly few studies have examined how genome-wide patterns of gene expression G×E are manifested in response to environmental stress and other selective agents that cause climatic adaptation. Here, we characterize drought-responsive expression divergence between upland (drought-adapted) and lowland (mesic) ecotypes of the perennial C4 grass, Panicum hallii, in natural field conditions. Overall, we find that cis-regulatory elements contributed to gene expression divergence across 47% of genes, 7.2% of which exhibit drought-responsive G×E. While less well-represented, we observe 1294 genes (7.8%) with trans effects. Trans-by-environment interactions are weaker and much less common than cis G×E, occurring in only 0.7% of trans-regulated genes. Finally, gene expression heterosis is highly enriched in expression phenotypes with significant G×E. As such, modes of inheritance that drive heterosis, such as dominance or overdominance, may be common among G×E genes. Interestingly, motifs specific to drought-responsive transcription factors are highly enriched in the promoters of genes exhibiting G×E and trans regulation, indicating that expression G×E and heterosis may result from the evolution of transcription factors or their binding sites. P. hallii serves as the genomic model for its close relative and emerging biofuel crop, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). Accordingly, the results here not only aid in the discovery of the genetic mechanisms that underlie local adaptation but also provide a foundation to improve switchgrass yield under water-limited conditions.
An Association Rule-Based Method to Support Medical Image Diagnosis With Efficiency

In this paper, we propose a method based on association rule-mining to enhance the diagnosis of medical images (mammograms). It combines low-level features automatically extracted from images and high-level knowledge from specialists to search for patterns. Our method analyzes medical images and automatically generates suggestions of diagnoses employing mining of association rules. The suggestions of diagnosis are used to accelerate the image analysis performed by specialists as well as to provide them an alternative to work on. The proposed method uses two new algorithms, PreSAGe and HiCARe. The PreSAGe algorithm combines, in a single step, feature selection and discretization, and reduces the mining complexity. Experiments performed on PreSAGe show that this algorithm is highly suitable to perform feature selection and discretization in medical images. HiCARe is a new associative classifier. The HiCARe algorithm has an important property that makes it unique: it assigns multiple keywords per image to suggest a diagnosis with high values of accuracy. Our method was applied to real datasets, and the results show high sensitivity (up to 95%) and accuracy (up to 92%), allowing us to claim that the use of association rules is a powerful means to assist in the diagnosing task.
Place of registration and place of residence: the detrimental impact of transport cost on electoral participation

Few studies have tried to assess the empirical impact of transport cost on electoral turnout. Unfortunately, these researches suffer from different limits, especially limites related to the endogeneity of the voting station localization. Our study, based on French data, overcomes the main usual empirical difficulties. In particular, the French case provides a very valuable opportunity for testing the impact of transport cost on individual decision of turnout, because voters can be registered in another municipality than their residential municipality. As such, some of them have to travel important distance in order to cast their ballot. And this distance is totally exogenous to the electoral manipulation of places of voting location potentially made by local administration. So, we show that distance, and in fine cost of voting, have a highly significant impact on electoral turnout: at average distance (122 km) a 1% increase of distance induces a 0.05% decrease at the first round of 2012 presidential election and 0.04% at the second round. This result is robust to many tests: if we change the empirical method carried out or the election studied or if we control for the weight of the largest distance, the results remain the same.
Angiopoietin-2 displays VEGF-dependent modulation of capillary structure and endothelial cell survival in vivo

Modulation of Tie2 receptor activity by its angiopoietin ligands is crucial for angiogenesis, blood vessel maturation, and vascular endothelium integrity. It has been proposed that angiopoietins 1 (Ang1) and 2 (Ang2) are pro- and anti-angiogenic owing to their respective agonist and antagonist signaling action through the Tie2 receptor. The function of Ang2 has remained controversial, however, with recent reports suggesting that in some circumstances, it may be pro-angiogenic. We have examined this issue using the transient ocular microvessel network called the pupillary membrane as a unique in vivo model for studying the effects of vascular regulators. We show that in vivo, in the presence of endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, Ang2 promotes a rapid increase in capillary diameter, remodeling of the basal lamina, proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, and stimulates sprouting of new blood vessels. By contrast, Ang2 promotes endothelial cell death and vessel regression if the activity of endogenous VEGF is inhibited. These observations support a model for regulation of vascularity where VEGF can convert the consequence of Ang2 stimulation from anti- to pro-angiogenic.
Spore Ornamentation of Haplosporidium pickfordi Barrow, 1961 (Haplosporidia), a Parasite of Freshwater Snails in Michigan, USA

Abstract Spore ornamentation is increasingly recognized as a key character for species differentiation and genus assignment in the phylum Haplosporidia. Unfortunately, spore ornamentation is known for only a small number of described species so it is difficult to assign most species to genera with any confidence. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to determine the presence and morphology of spore ornamentation of Haplosporidium pickfordi collected from the digestive gland of the snail Physella parkeri in Douglas Lake, Michigan. Spores possess filaments that are derived from the spore wall and originate from two separate areas at the posterior end of the spore. When spores are first isolated from host tissue, filaments are fused into a sheet that wraps around the spore, passing under the opercular lid. These filaments gradually unravel when spores are held in water and after about 14 d most filaments project freely from the posterior end of the spore. The number of filaments could not be determined with certainty, but appears to be approximately nine. Filaments are 100 nm in diam. and up to 50 μm in length. The presence of spore wall-derived filaments confirms the placement of the parasite in the genus Haplosporidium.
The Impact Of Monetary Policy On Output And Inflation In India: A Frequency Domain Analysis

In the recent past, several attempts by the RBI to control inflation through tight monetary policy have ended up slowing the growth process, thereby provoking prolonged discussion among academics and policymakers about the efficacy of monetary policy in India. Against this backdrop, the present study attempts to estimate the causal relationship between monetary policy and its final objectives; i.e., growth, and controlling inflation in India. The methodological tool used is testing for Granger Causality in the frequency domain as developed by Lemmens et al. (2008), and monetary policy has been proxied by the weighted average call money rate. In view of the fact that output gap is one of the determinants of future inflation, an attempt has also been made to study the causal relationship between output gap and inflation. The results of empirical estimation show a bi-directional causality between policy rate and inflation and between policy rate and output, which implies that the monetary authorities in India were equally concerned about inflation and output growth when determining policy. Furthermore, any attempt to control inflation affects output with the same or even greater magnitude than inflation, thereby damaging the growth process. The relationship between output gap and inflation was found to be positive, as reported in earlier studies for India. Furthermore, the output gap causes inflation only in the short-tomedium-run.
Apicomplexans pulling the strings: manipulation of the host cell cytoskeleton dynamics

SUMMARY Invasive stages of apicomplexan parasites require a host cell to survive, proliferate and advance to the next life cycle stage. Once invasion is achieved, apicomplexans interact closely with the host cell cytoskeleton, but in many cases the different species have evolved distinct mechanisms and pathways to modulate the structural organization of cytoskeletal filaments. The host cell cytoskeleton is a complex network, largely, but not exclusively, composed of microtubules, actin microfilaments and intermediate filaments, all of which are modulated by associated proteins, and it is involved in diverse functions including maintenance of cell morphology and mechanical support, migration, signal transduction, nutrient uptake, membrane and organelle trafficking and cell division. The ability of apicomplexans to modulate the cytoskeleton to their own advantage is clearly beneficial. We here review different aspects of the interactions of apicomplexans with the three main cytoskeletal filament types, provide information on the currently known parasite effector proteins and respective host cell targets involved, and how these interactions modulate the host cell physiology. Some of these findings could provide novel targets that could be exploited for the development of preventive and/or therapeutic strategies.
Dominant expression of interleukin-8 vs interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor alpha in lungs of lambs experimentally infected with Mannheimia haemolytica

Abstract AIMS: To quantify the number of cells infected with Mannheimia haemolytica and expressing interleukin (IL)-1β, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and IL-8 using immunohistochemistry, and to measure the immunoreactivity of cytokines in pulmonary tissue extracts using ELISA, in the lung of lambs experimentally infected with M. haemolytica, and to compare the patterns of expression of cytokines in airways at different times post-infection (p.i.). METHODS: Twenty 3-month-old lambs of both sexes were randomly assigned to two groups, viz infected (n=15), and uninfected controls (n=5). Each lamb in the infected group was inoculated with 1.5 x 109 cfu M. haemolytica in 5 mL sterile nutrient broth, control lambs were inoculated with 5 mL sterile nutrient broth and clinical signs were monitored. Infected and control animals were killed at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 15 days p.i. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were conducted to determine the number of immunolabelled cells in pneumonic lungs, and study the pattern of expression of IL-1β, TNFα and IL-8 in lung extracts using ELISA. RESULTS: Lesions in bronchi and bronchioles ranged from epithelial desquamation to bronchiolitis obliterans and necrosis. The alveoli had areas of seroproteinaceous fluid, fibrin and bacterial aggregates that evolved to foci of pyogranulomatous inflammation with clustered inflammatory cells, referred to as ‘oat cells’. M. haemolytica antigen was observed in the cytoplasm of inflammatory cells. Labelling of IL-1β, TNFα and IL-8 was observed in bronchial and bronchiolar epithelial cells, alveolar exudate, and in interstitial inflammatory infiltrate, with increased expression on 1 and 3 days p.i. for IL-1β and TNFα, and 1, 3, and 5 days p.i. for IL-8. In lung tissue extracts, peak concentrations of IL-1β (55 (SD 5) ng/mL), TNFα (92 (SD 6) pg/mL) and IL-8 (8 [SD 2] μg/mL) occurred at 3 days p.i. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggested that the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNFα and IL-8 may play an important role in enhancing the biological response to M. haemolytica, and contribute to the development of lesions in the lung in pulmonary pasteurellosis in sheep. Given that the expression of IL-8 in lung was much greater than that of IL-1β and TNFα, anti-cytokine agents directed at this mediator could be useful in the prevention and treatment of this disease.
Cancer Prevention: A New Era beyond Cyclooxygenase-2

The seminal epidemiological observation that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prevent colon and possibly other cancers has spurred novel approaches to cancer prevention. The known inhibitory effect of NSAIDs on the eicosanoid pathway prompted studies focusing on cyclooxygenase (COX) and its products. The increased prostaglandin E2 levels and the overexpression of COX-2 in colon and many other cancers provided the rationale for clinical trials with COX-2 inhibitors for cancer prevention or treatment. Their efficacy in the prevention of sporadic colon and other cancers remains unknown; one COX-2 inhibitor has been withdrawn because of side effects, and there are concerns about whether these effects are class-specific. There is evidence to suggest that COX-2 may not be the only or ideal eicosanoid pathway target for cancer prevention. Six sets of observations support this notion: the relatively late induction of COX-2 during carcinogenesis; the finding that NSAIDs may not require inhibition of COX-2 for their effect; the modest effect of coxibs in cancer prevention; that currently available coxibs have multiple non-COX-2 effects that may account for at least some of their efficacy; the possibility that concurrent inhibition of COX-2 in non-neoplastic cells may be harmful; and the possibility that COX-2 inhibition may modulate alternative eicosanoid pathways in a way that promotes carcinogenesis. Given the limitations of COX-2-specific inhibitors and the biological evidence mentioned above, we suggest that targets other than COX-2 should be pursued as alternative or complementary approaches to cancer prevention.
Information use and working methods as drivers of innovation in tourism companies

ABSTRACT This paper demonstrates how the strategic use of external information and an internal working method – that is, cross-functional work teams – increases the probability that tourism companies will innovate. This is demonstrated by logistic regression analyses using Community Innovation Survey (CIS) data. Simultaneously and contrary to expectations in much of the literature, the two practices are not complementary, as their interaction effect is negative. Nevertheless, the companies still win by using both external information and cross-functional work teams. Even though the effect of each variable is reduced, companies can manage the strategies to maximize the total effect. The study contributes knowledge about the drivers of innovation in tourism industries and responds to a call for more quantitative research and the use of CIS data. In addition, it contributes to the literature on complementarities between internal and external innovation practices. The paper rounds off by discussing the theoretical and practical implications of the findings and the need for further research in the area.
The intravascular contribution to fmri signal change: monte carlo modeling and diffusion‐weighted studies in vivo

Understanding the relationship between fMRI signal changes and activated cortex is paramount to successful mapping of neuronal activity. To this end, the relative extravascular and intravascular contribution to fMRI signal change from capillaries (localized), venules (less localized) and macrovessels (remote, draining veins) must be determined. In this work, the authors assessed both the extravascular and intravascular contribution to blood oxygenation level‐dependent gradient echo signal change at 1.5 T by using a Monte Carlo model for susceptibility‐based contrast in conjunction with a physiological model for neuronal activation‐induced changes in oxygenation and vascular volume fraction. The authors compared our Model results with experimental fMRI signal changes with and without velocity sensitization via bipolar gradients to null the intravascular signal. The model and experimental results are in agreement and suggest that the intravascular spins account for the majority of fMRI signal change on T2*‐weighted images at 1.5 T.