Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular mechanisms of neuroprotective offerings by rosmarinic acid against neurodegenerative and other CNS pathologies

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural phenolic compound present in culinary herbs of the Boraginaceae, Lamiaceae/Labiatae, and Nepetoideae families. While the medicinal applications of these plants have been known for ages, RA has only been relatively recently established as an effective ameliorative agent against various disorders including cardiac diseases, cancer, and neuropathologies. In particular, several studies have confirmed the neuroprotective potential of RA in multiple cellular and animal models, as well as in clinical studies. The neuroprotective effects mediated by RA stem from its multimodal actions on a plethora of cellular and molecular pathways; including oxidative, bioenergetic, neuroinflammatory, and synaptic signaling. In recent years, RA has garnered tremendous interest as an ideal therapeutic candidate for treating neurodegenerative diseases. This review first briefly discusses the pharmacokinetics of RA and then proceeds to detail the neuroprotective mechanisms of RA at the molecular levels. Finally, the authors focus on the ameliorative potential of RA against several central nervous system (CNS) disorders, ranging from neuropsychological stress and epilepsy to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Dynamics and global stability analysis of three-dimensional flows

Understanding, predicting and eventually delaying transition to turbulence in fluid flows have been challenging issues for scientists ever since the pioneering work of Osborne Reynolds in 1883. These problems have mostly been addressed using the hydrodynamic linear stability theory. Yet, due to limited computational resources, linear stability analyses have essentially relied until recently on strong simplification hypotheses such as the “parallel flow” assumption. In this framework, known as “local stability theory”, only the stability of flows with strong academic interest but limited practical applications can be investigated. However, over the course of the past decade, simplification hypotheses have been relaxed from the “parallel flow” assumption to a two-dimensionality assumption of the flow resulting in what is now known as the “global stability theory”. This new framework allows one to investigate the instability and transition mechanisms taking place in more realistic flows. More particularly, the stability of strongly non-parallel flows exhibiting separation, a common feature of numerous flows of practical interest, can now be studied. Moreover, with the continuous increase of computational power available and the development of new iterative eigenvalue algorithms, investigating the global stability of fully three-dimensional flows, for which no simplification hypothesis is necessary, is now feasible. Following the work presented in 2008 by Bagheri et al., the aim of the present thesis is thus to develop the tools mandatory to investigate the stability of 3D flows. Three flow configurations have been chosen to illustrate the new investigation capabilities brought by global stability theory when it is applied to realistic three-dimensional flows: i) the flow within a cuboid lid-driven cavity, ii) the flow within an asymmetric stenotic pipe and iii) the boundary layer flow developing over a cylindrical roughness element mounted on a flat plate. Each of these flows have different practical applications ranging from purely academic interests to biomedical and aerodynamical applications. They also allow us to put in the limelight different aspects and possible limitations of the various tools developed during this PhD thesis.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus oris BE7N, Isolated from a Healthy Centenarian in Hainan, China

We present the draft genome sequence of Lactobacillus oris strain BE7N, which was isolated from a healthy male centenarian in Hainan, China. The final 2,129,000-bp draft genome has a G+C content of 50.05%. The genome was sequenced using paired-end Illumina sequencing. ABSTRACT We present the draft genome sequence of Lactobacillus oris strain BE7N, which was isolated from a healthy male centenarian in Hainan, China. The final 2,129,000-bp draft genome has a G+C content of 50.05%. The genome was sequenced using paired-end Illumina sequencing.
Does the environment affect menopause? A review of the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on menopause

Abstract Endocrine disrupting chemicals are widely distributed in our environment. Humans are exposed to these compounds not only through their occupations, but also through dietary consumption and exposure to contaminated water, personal care products and textiles. Chemicals that are persistent in the body and in our environment include dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls. Non-persistent chemicals including bisphenol A, phthalates and parabens are equally as important because they are ubiquitous in our environment. Heavy metals, including lead and cadmium, can also have endocrine disrupting properties. Although difficult to study due to their variety of sources of exposures and mechanisms of action, these chemicals have been associated with early menopause, increased frequency of vasomotor symptoms, altered steroid hormone levels and markers of diminished ovarian reserve. Understanding the impacts of these exposures is important given the potential for epigenetic modification, which can alter gene function and result in multi-generational effects. This review summarizes findings in humans and animals or cell-based models from the past decade of research. Continued research is needed to assess the effects of mixtures of chemicals, chronic exposures and new compounds that are continuously being developed as replacements for toxic chemicals that are being phased out.
A place with a view: A first‐person perspective in the hippocampal memory space

How do rodents' and primates' differences in visual perception impact the way the brain constructs egocentric and allocentric reference frames to represent stimuli in space? Strikingly, there are important similarities in the egocentric spatial reference frames through which cortical regions represent objects with respect to an animal's head or body in rodents and primates. These egocentric representations are suitable for navigation across species. However, while the rodent hippocampus represents allocentric place, I draw on several pieces of evidence suggesting that an egocentric reference frame is paramount in the primate hippocampus, and relates to the first‐person perspective characteristic of a primate's field of view. I further discuss the link between an allocentric reference frame and a conceptual frame to suggest that an allocentric reference frame is a semantic construct in primates. Finally, I discuss how views probe memory recall and support prospective coding, and as they are based on a first‐person perspective, are a powerful tool for probing episodic memory across species.
The dual and emerging role of physical exercise‐induced TFEB activation in the protection against Alzheimer's disease

The mechanisms of autophagy have been related to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis by the endosomal‐lysosomal system, having a critical function in forming amyloid‐β (Aβ) plaques. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms mediating disease pathogenesis remain unclear. The transcription factor EB (TFEB), a primary transcriptional autophagy regulator, improves gene expression, mediating lysosome function, autophagic flux, and autophagosome biogenesis. In this review, we present for the first time the hypothesis of how TFEB, autophagy, and mitochondrial function are interconnected in AD, providing a logical foundation for unraveling the critical role of chronic physical exercise in this process. Aerobic exercise training promotes Adiponectin Receptor 1 (AdipoR1)/AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)/TFEB axis activation in the brain of the AD animal model, which contributes to alleviated Aβ deposition and neuronal apoptosis while improving cognitive function. Moreover, TFEB upregulates Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator 1‐alpha (PGC‐1α) and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (NRF‐2), improving mitochondrial biogenesis and redox status. In addition, tissue contraction activates calcineurin in skeletal muscle, which induces TFEB nuclear translocation, raising the hypothesis that the same would occur in the brain. Thus, a deep and comprehensive exploration of the TFEB could provide new directions and strategies for preventing AD. We conclude that chronic exercise can be an effective TFEB activator, inducing autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis, representing a potential nonpharmacological strategy contributing to brain health.
Rime Mushrooms on Mountains: Description, Formation, and Impacts on Mountaineering

Rime mushrooms, commonly called ice mushrooms, are large bulbous or mushroom-shaped accretions of hard rime that build up on the upwind side of mountain summits and ridges and on windward rock faces. This paper reviews the characteristics of rime mushrooms; the topographical, geographical, and meteorological conditions under which they form; and the significant challenge they pose to climbers. Photographs and descriptions from Southern Patagonia, where rime mushrooms are well known, illustrate the phenomenon.
γ Rays and neutrinos from beyond the galaxy

Our knowledge of the high-energy universe is undergoing a period of rapid change as new astronomical detectors of high-energy radiation start to operate at their design sensitivities. Now is a boomtime for high-energy as- trophysics, with new discoveries from Swift and HESS, re- sults from MAGIC and VERITAS starting to be reported, the upcoming launches of the γ -ray space telescopes GLAST and AGILE, and anticipated data releases from IceCube and Auger. A formalism for calculating statistical properties of cos- mological γ -ray sources is presented. Application is made to model calculations of the statistical distributions of γ -ray and neutrino emission from (i) beamed sources, specifi- cally, long-duration GRBs, blazars, and extragalactic mi- croquasars, and (ii) unbeamed sources, including normal galaxies, starburst galaxies and clusters. Expressions for the integrated intensities of faint beamed and unbeamed high- energy radiation sources are also derived. A toy model for the background intensity of radiation from dark-matter an- nihilation taking place in the early universe is constructed. Estimates for the γ -ray fluxes of local group galaxies, star- burst, and infrared luminous galaxies are briefly reviewed. Because the brightest extragalactic γ -ray sources are flaring sources, and these are the best targets for sources of PeV-EeV neutrinos and ultra-high energy cosmic rays, rapidly slewing all-sky telescopes like MAGIC and an all- sky γ -ray observatory beyond Milagro will be crucial for optimal science return in the multi-messenger age.
Theoretical perspective on the route to turbulence in a pipe

The route to turbulence in pipe flow is a complex, nonlinear, spatiotemporal process for which an increasingly clear understanding has emerged in recent years. This paper presents a theoretical perspective on the problem, focusing on what can be understood from relatively few physical features and models that encompass these features. The paper proceeds step-by-step with increasing detail about the transition process, first discussing the relationship to phase transitions and then exploiting an even deeper connection between pipe flow and excitable and bistable media. In the end a picture emerges for all stages of the transition process, from transient turbulence, to the onset of sustained turbulence in a percolation transition, to the modest and then rapid expansion of turbulence, ultimately leading to fully turbulent pipe flow.
Analysis of γ Doradus and δ Scuti stars observed by Kepler

Abstract The Kepler spacecraft observed over 2000 faint stars that were part of our Guest Observer proposals. The stars were selected from the Kepler Input Catalog (KIC) to be in or near the γ Doradus or δ Scuti instability strips (8300 K > Teff > 6200 K and 3.6 < log g < 4.7). The Kepler magnitude was <16 and the contamination factor was < 10−2. The goal was to extend the search for “hybrid” δ Sct-γ Dor pulsators to fainter magnitudes. By inspecting the light curves and Fourier transforms, we find 42 δ Sct candidate stars, 299 γ Dor candidates, and 36 “hybrid” candidate stars showing both types of variations.
Optical micromanipulation inside the cell: a focus in cell division

In eukaryotic cells, proper position of the mitotic spindle and the division plane is necessary for successful cell division and development. In this work the nature of forces governing the positioning and elongation of the mitotic spindle and the spatio-temporal regulation of the division plane positioning in fission yeast was studied. By using a mechanical perturbations induced by laser dissection of the spindle and astral microtubules, we found that astral microtubules push on the spindle poles. Further, laser dissection of the spindle midzone induced spindle collapse inward. This suggests that the spindle is driven by the sliding apart of antiparallel microtubules in the spindle midzone. Exploiting a combination of non-linear microscopy and optical trapping, we performed an optical manipulation procedure designed to displace the cell nucleus away from its normal position in the center of the cell. After the laser-induced displacement, the nucleus typically returned towards the cell center, in a manner correlated with the extension of a microtubule from the nucleus to the closer tip of the cell. This observation suggests that the centering of the nucleus is provided by microtubule pushing force. Moreover the cells in which the nucleus was displaced during interphase displayed asymmetric division, whereas when the nucleus was displaced during late prophase or metaphase, the division plane formed at the cell center as in non-manipulated cells. This result suggests that in fission yeast the division plane is selected before pro-metaphase and that the signal is not provided by the mitotic spindle.
Dislocation Damping in Copper at Kilocycle and Megacycle per Second Frequencies

A recent conclusion that the vibrating string model of dislocation motion cannot account for the magnitude of the observed amplitude‐independent damping at kilocycle per second frequencies is shown to be not generally valid. In fact, it is shown that there are specimens for which the extrapolated values of the decrement from megacycle frequencies to 15 kc are higher than any previously measured values at 15 kc. This result shows that the model can easily account for the magnitudes observed in the kilocycle region, and contributes a substantial fraction, if not all, of the component of the damping at 15 kc, which can be removed by irradiation. Since it has been demonstrated for the megacycle measurements that the source of the damping is the dislocation‐phonon interaction, the evidence is strong that the same mechanism contributes to the damping observed at 15 kc. The argument given does not depend on assumed values for dislocation parameters, but only on experimentally established relations. A critical ex.
Special ergodic theorems and dynamical large deviations

Let f : M → M be a self-map of a compact Riemannian manifold M, admitting a global SRB measure μ. For a continuous test function and a constant α > 0, consider the set Kφ,α of the initial points for which the Birkhoff time averages of the function φ differ from its μ–space average by at least α. As the measure μ is a global SRB one, the set Kφ,α should have zero Lebesgue measure. The special ergodic theorem, whenever it holds, claims that, moreover, this set has a Hausdorff dimension less than the dimension of M. We prove that for Lipschitz maps, the special ergodic theorem follows from the dynamical large deviations principle. We also define and prove analogous result for flows. Applying the theorems of Young and of Araújo and Pacifico, we conclude that the special ergodic theorem holds for transitive hyperbolic attractors of C2-diffeomorphisms, as well as for some other known classes of maps (including the one of partially hyperbolic non-uniformly expanding maps) and flows.
Aspects of temporal and spatio-temporal processes

Our objective is to construct a perfect simulation algorithm for unmarked and marked Hawkes processes. The usual straightforward simulation algorithm suffers from edge effects, whereas our perfect simulation algorithm does not. By viewing Hawkes processes as Poisson cluster processes and using their branching and conditional independence structures, useful approximations of the distribution function for the length of a cluster are derived. This is used to construct upper and lower processes for the perfect simulation algorithm. A tail-lightness condition turns out to be of importance for the applicability of the perfect simulation algorithm. Examples of applications and empirical results are presented.
Enhancement of the phase-modulation range by using cascaded injection-locked semiconductor lasers

The phase modulation of an injection-locked semiconductor laser can be controlled by tuning the injection-locking parameters. However, the phase-modulation range is limited to 180°, which significantly hinders its widespread application. In this study, we investigated the phase-modulation characteristics of a single stage of an injection-locked laser configuration by considering a slave laser’s bias control as a tuning parameter. Herein, we propose cascaded injection-locked laser configurations to enhance the phase-modulation range and theoretically demonstrate that the achievable phase-modulation range can be increased. The output of the slave laser is used as the input of the next slave laser to produce an accumulated phase modulation. The results show that a phase modulation of 360° can be achieved using the cascaded configurations; moreover, the number of cascaded configurations required to achieve this range is determined for specific laser parameters.
Process variability band analysis for quantitative optimization of exposure conditions

One of the critical challenges facing lithographers is how to optimize the numerical aperture (NA) and illumination source intensity and polarization distribution to deliver the maximum process window for a given design in manufacturing. While the maximum NA has topped out at 1.35, the available illuminator options continue to increase, including the eventual possibility of dynamically programmable pixelized illumination to deliver nearly any imaginable source shape profile. New approaches to leverage this capability and simultaneously optimize the source and mask shapes (SMO) on a per-design basis are actively being developed. Even with the available "standard" illumination source primitive shapes, however, there exist a huge range of possible choices available to the lithographer. In addition, there are multiple conceivable cost functions which could be considered when determining which illumination to utilize for a specified technology and mask layer. These are related to the primary lithographic variables of exposure dose, focus, and mask size, and include depth of focus (DOF), exposure latitude (EL), normalized image log slope (NILS), image contrast, and mask error enhancement factor (MEEF). The net result can be a very large quantity of simulation data which can prove difficult to assess, and often manifest different extrema, depending upon which cost function is emphasized. We report here on the use of several analysis methods, including process variability bands, as convenient metrics to optimize full-chip post-OPC CD control in conjunction with illumination optimization tooling. The result is a more thorough and versatile statistical analysis capability than what has traditionally been possible with a CD cutline approach. The method is analogous to conventional process window CD plots used in lithography for many years.
An Adaptive Functional Autoregressive Forecast Model to Predict Electricity Price Curves

We propose an adaptive functional autoregressive (AFAR) forecast model to predict electricity price curves. With time-varying operators, the AFAR model can be safely used in both stationary and nonstationary situations. A closed-form maximum likelihood (ML) estimator is derived under stationarity. The result is further extended for nonstationarity, where the time-dependent operators are adaptively estimated under local homogeneity. We provide theoretical results of the ML estimator and the adaptive estimator. Simulation study illustrates nice finite sample performance of the AFAR modeling. The AFAR model also exhibits a superior accuracy in the forecast exercise of the California electricity daily price curves compared to several alternatives.
An Efficient Frame Embedding Using Haar Wavelet Coefficients And Orthogonal Component Analysis

Digital media, applications, copyright defense, and multimedia security have become a vital aspect of our daily life. Digital watermarking is a technology used for the copyright security of digital applications. In this work we have dealt with a process able to mark digital pictures with a visible and semi invisible hided information, called watermark. This process may be the basis of a complete copyright protection system. Watermarking is implemented here using Haar Wavelet Coefficients and Principal Component analysis. Experimental results show high imperceptibility where there is no noticeable difference between the watermarked video frames and the original frame in case of invisible watermarking, vice-versa for semi visible implementation. The watermark is embedded in lower frequency band of Wavelet Transformed cover image. The combination of the two transform algorithm has been found to improve performance of the watermark algorithm. The robustness of the watermarking scheme is analyzed by means of two distinct performance measures viz. Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Normalized Coefficient (NC).
Instability of oscillatory Stokes-Stewartson layers in a rotating fluid

A cylinder rotating about its vertical axis is filled with homogeneous liquid and subjected to oscillatory mechanical forcing. Depending on the ratio, τ, of the forcing period to the spin-down time, the flow adjacent to the sidewall resembles either a classic Stokes layer (small τ), or a modulated Stewartson layer (large τ). Laboratory experiments show that the flow becomes unstable to columnar disturbances that are aligned with the axis of rotation. This azimuthally wavy instability can lead to the formation of strong vertical vortices which penetrate into the interior. Quasigeostrophic depth-invariant linear instability theory is compared with the experiments. The theory is much too stable and grossly overestimates the experimental critical points. An inertial adjustment model, which in a crude way takes account of observed small-scale (ageostrophic) instability and turbulence in the near-wall region, is in much better agreement with the laboratory measurements of the onset of the columnar vortices. Thus, the origin of the vertically coherent structures appears to be crucially related to alterations of the laminar Stokes-Stewartson profiles by fine structure in the boundary layer.