Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cloning and characterization of heavy and light chain genes encoding the FimA‐specific monoclonal antibodies that inhibit Porphyromonas gingivalis adhesion

FimA of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major pathogen in periodontitis, is known to be closely related to the virulence of these bacteria and has been suggested as a candidate for development of a vaccine against periodontal disease. In order to develop a passive immunization method for inhibiting the establishment of periodontal disease, B hybridoma clones 123‐123‐10 and 256‐265‐9, which produce monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) specific to purified fimbriae, were established. Both mAbs reacted with the conformational epitopes displayed by partially dissociated oligomers of FimA, but not with the 43 kDa FimA monomer. Gene sequence analyses of full‐length cDNAs encoding heavy and light chain immunoglobulins enabled classification of the genes of mAb 123‐123‐10 as members of the mVh II (A) and mVκ I subgroups, and those of mAb 256‐265‐9 as members of the mVh III (D) and mVκ I subgroups. More importantly, 50 ng/mL of antibodies purified from the culture supernatant of antibody gene‐transfected CHO cells inhibited, by approximately 50%, binding of P. gingivalis to saliva‐coated hydroxyapatite bead surfaces. It is expected that these mAbs could be used as a basis for passive immunization against P. gingivalis‐mediated periodontitis.
Effect of External Irrelevant Distracters on a Visual Search Test in School-Age Children

Objective: This study aimed to test the effect of an irrelevant external distracter included in a computer-administered visual search test. Two hypotheses were tested: (a) If the distracter affects performance, attention efficiency will be lowered; (b) if children do not habituate to the distracter, performance will be lower for every item of the test. Method: Distraction was induced changing the screen color unexpectedly several times in each trial—450 children (225 girls and 225 boys) from second to sixth course were tested. This group was compared with a group of 423 children from the same age range who were tested with the same test without distraction. Results: Induced distraction reduced attention efficiency for all ages and for every trial in the treatment group (test with distraction). Speed was lower, but number of errors did not increase. Conclusion: School-age children cope with an irrelevant external distracter by reducing speed, not accuracy.
Grammar Specialization Through Entropy Thresholds

Explanation-based generalization is used to extract a specialized grammar from the original one using a training corpus of parse trees. This allows very much faster parsing and gives a lower error rate, at the price of a small loss in coverage. Previously, it has been necessary to specify the tree-cutting criteria (or operationality criteria) manually; here they are derived automatically from the training set and the desired coverage of the specialized grammar. This is done by assigning an entropy value to each node in the parse trees and cutting in the nodes with sufficiently high entropy values.
A comparison of router architectures for virtual cut-through and wormhole switching in a NOW environment

Most commercial routers designed for networks of workstations (NOWs) implement wormhole switching. However wormhole switching is not well suited for NOWs. The long wires required in this environment lead to large buffers to prevent buffer overflow during flow control signaling. Moreover, wire length is limited by buffer size. Virtual cut-through (VCT) achieves a higher throughput than wormhole switching. Moreover, the traditional disadvantages of VCT switching, as buffer requirements and packetizing overhead, disappear in NOWs. In this paper, we show that VCT routers can be simpler than wormhole ones, while still achieving the advantages of using virtual channels and adaptive routing. We also propose a fully adaptive routing algorithm for VCT switching in NOWs. Moreover, we show that VCT routers outperform wormhole routers in a NOW environment at a lower cost.
Seasonal and socio-economic variations in clinical and self-reported malaria in Accra, Ghana: evidence from facility data and a community survey.

OBJECTIVES This study characterizes the variations in malaria morbidity for Accra. METHODS Both routine reporting of presumptive, clinically diagnosed malaria in out-patient clinics and results from a longitudinal household survey are used in the analysis. In the household survey, cases of suspected malaria were self-reported by patients, based on diagnoses from health centers, hospitals, pharmacies, chemical sellers or traditional healers. RESULTS Although the malaria ascertainment is not based on parasitology, we see systematic and plausible patterns by season and by district associated with variations in rainfall by month and year. There are significant differences in malaria incidence by socioeconomic group, possibly linked with place, work or residence. CONCLUSIONS Understanding these seasonal and geographic patterns have implications for both prevention and treatment of malaria-like morbidity in both children and adults in urban settings.
Relational artifacts with children and elders: the complexities of cybercompanionship

In several studies over 5 years, our interdisciplinary research team introduced My Real Babies, Aibos and Paros into two nursing homes and into the school and home life of children. † By referring to these sociable robots as relational artifacts, we draw on the psychoanalytic tradition, which emphasizes the human meaning of the person–artifact connection. We report on the relationships children and seniors formed with the robots, focusing on: (1) how they talk about the robots in relation to themselves and others; and (2) how their ideas about the robots and interactions with them reflect other feelings. In doing so, we distinguish ‘robot as Rorschach’, which refers to how relationships with robots express other things about a person's life, and ‘robot as evocative object’, which refers to how robots provoke reflection on such issues as what is aliveness, what is special about being a person, and what is the role of thought and feeling in defining human uniqueness. In case studies we report on individual differences among robot users and sociological factors that affect their engagement. The results may inform the design of future relational artifacts, especially as robots find medical and therapeutic vocations. †This article includes words that are, or are asserted to be, proprietary terms or trade marks. Their inclusion does not imply that they have acquired for legal purposes a non-proprietary or general significance, nor is any other judgment implied concerning their legal status.
A DC-to-40 GHz four-bit RF MEMS true-time delay network

A monolithic true-time delay (TTD) network containing sixteen metal-to-metal contact RF microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches has been successfully fabricated and characterized. The TTD network was designed to produce flat delay time over a dc-to-40 GHz bandwidth with full 360-degree phase control at 22.5-degree intervals at 10.8 GHz. Measurements show a close match to the designed delay times for all sixteen switch states with 2.2 to 2.6 dB of insertion loss at 10 GHz. The worst group delay ripple in the dc-to-30 GHz range was 3 ps, well within the single bit delay time of 5.8 ps.
Agaribacterium haliotis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from abalone faeces.

A marine bacterium, named strain feces2T, was isolated from the excreted faeces of an abalone, Haliotis discus hannai. The bacterium was Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and had a polar flagellum. It formed a white, small and crater-like colony on an agar plate, and had the capability of degrading agar. Activity of oxidase was positive and that of catalase was negative. Strain feces2T grew at 16 to 40 °C with an optimum of 28-30 °C. The nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene of strain feces2T had the greatest sequence similarity of 92.9 % with Marinibactrumhalimedae Q-192T, followed by of 92.8 % with Teredinibacterturnerae T7902T. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain feces2T belonged to the family Cellvibrionaceae, representing an independent clade with an uncultured bacterium clone NEP3-15 (98 % sequence similarity of 16S rRNA gene) derived from the phycosphere of Enteromorphaprolifera. The respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. The predominant fatty acids consisted of summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c), C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c). The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified amino phospholipid and four unknown lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 50.5 mol%. On the basis of polyphasic characterizations, strain feces2T represented a novel species and a novel genus in the family Cellvibrionaceae of the order Cellvibrionales within the Gammaproteobacteria, for which the name Agaribacteriumhaliotis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain being feces2T (=MCCC 1A11450T=KCTC 52708T).
Synaptic proteins promote calcium-triggered fast transition from point contact to full fusion

The molecular underpinnings of synaptic vesicle fusion for fast neurotransmitter release are still unclear. Here, we used a single vesicle–vesicle system with reconstituted SNARE and synaptotagmin-1 proteoliposomes to decipher the temporal sequence of membrane states upon Ca2+-injection at 250–500 μM on a 100-ms timescale. Furthermore, detailed membrane morphologies were imaged with cryo-electron microscopy before and after Ca2+-injection. We discovered a heterogeneous network of immediate and delayed fusion pathways. Remarkably, all instances of Ca2+-triggered immediate fusion started from a membrane–membrane point-contact and proceeded to complete fusion without discernible hemifusion intermediates. In contrast, pathways that involved a stable hemifusion diaphragm only resulted in fusion after many seconds, if at all. When complexin was included, the Ca2+-triggered fusion network shifted towards the immediate pathway, effectively synchronizing fusion, especially at lower Ca2+-concentration. Synaptic proteins may have evolved to select this immediate pathway out of a heterogeneous network of possible membrane fusion pathways. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.00109. 001
Nuclear localization of β‐catenin in normal and carcinogenic endometrium

We have previously shown that the connexin (Cx) 26 and 32 genes are expressed during the secretory phase of the human endometrium and that their expression is downregulated during the proliferative phase, suggesting a role for intercellular transduction in cell growth control in human endometrium. To further study the possible role of cell‐to‐cell interaction in growth regulation, we immunohistochemically analyzed 80 endometrial samples (30 of normal endometrium, 20 of endometrial hyperplasia, and 30 of endometrial cancer) for the expression of E‐cadherin; α‐,β‐, and γ‐catenin; adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein, and sex‐steroid hormone receptors at three points in the cells: the cell‐to‐cell border, the cytoplasm, and the nucleus. In this study, moderate or strong staining of β‐catenin in the nuclei was observed in 60.0% of endometrial hyperplasia samples and 30.0% of endometrial cancer samples, although the β‐catenin gene was mutated in only two of the nine samples that showed the intensive nuclear staining. Western blotting analysis showed that the samples that had intense nuclear staining of β‐catenin had much higher expression of β‐catenin than the samples that did not have nuclear staining. Furthermore, normal endometrium showed nuclear localization, especially in the mid‐ and late‐proliferative and early‐secreting phases of the menstrual cycle. The results suggest that the nuclear localization of β‐catenin observed in endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer, as in other tumors, implies that β‐catenin/Wnt‐1 signal transduction is highly activated in carcinogenesis of the endometrium as well as in normal physiological conditions. Mol. Carcinog. 25:207–218, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Testing for Slope Heterogeneity Bias in Panel Data Models

ABSTRACT Standard econometric methods can overlook individual heterogeneity in empirical work, generating inconsistent parameter estimates in panel data models. We propose the use of methods that allow researchers to easily identify, quantify, and address estimation issues arising from individual slope heterogeneity. We first characterize the bias in the standard fixed effects estimator when the true econometric model allows for heterogeneous slope coefficients. We then introduce a new test to check whether the fixed effects estimation is subject to heterogeneity bias. The procedure tests the population moment conditions required for fixed effects to consistently estimate the relevant parameters in the model. We establish the limiting distribution of the test and show that it is very simple to implement in practice. Examining firm investment models to showcase our approach, we show that heterogeneity bias-robust methods identify cash flow as a more important driver of investment than previously reported. Our study demonstrates analytically, via simulations, and empirically the importance of carefully accounting for individual specific slope heterogeneity in drawing conclusions about economic behavior.
Closure of a Coronary Artery Fistula with an Amplatzer Vascular Plug in a Pediatric Patient

Congenital coronary fistula is an infrequent condition generally asymptomatic, which is mostly diagnosed by an incidental finding. Depending on the presence of hemodynamic compromise, coronary fistulas may be treated with a conservative approach, with surgery or, recently, with transcatheter closure. We present a case report of a patient with a large coronary-cameral fistula treated with percutaneous embolization with Amplatzer vascular plug. No complications developed during the procedure and follow-up.
Accelerated LMI Solvers For The Maximal Solution To A Set Of Discrete-Tme Algebraic Riccati Equations

We consider a set of discrete-time coupled algebraic Riccati equations that arise in quadratic optimal control of Markovian jump linear systems. The LMI approach for computing the maximal symmetric solution of this system is studied. The special case of the Riccati equations with applications to nancial modeling is commented. We construct two new modi cations of the standard LMI approach and we show how to apply these new modi cations to the investigated problem. Computer realizations of all modi cations are compared. Numerical experiments are given where the new LMI modi cations are numerically compared. Based on the experiments the main conclusion is the new LMI modi cations are faster than the standard LMI approach.
Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure Enhances Extracellular Trap Formation by Human Neutrophils through the NADPH Pathway

Low-frequency (LF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are abundantly present in modern society, and the potential biological consequences of exposure to these fields are under intense debate. Immune cells are suggested as possible target cells, though a clear mechanism is lacking. Considering their crucial role in innate immune activation, we selected an ex vivo exposure set-up with human neutrophils to investigate a possible correlation between neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and LF EMF exposure. Our study shows that formation of NETs is enhanced by LF EMF exposure. Enhanced NET formation leads to increased antimicrobial properties as well as damage to surrounding cells. We found that LF-EMF-induced NET formation is dependent on the NADPH oxidase pathway and production of reactive oxygen species. Additionally, LF EMF exposure does not influence autophagy and PAD4 activity. Our study provides a mechanism by which exposure to LF EMFs could influence the innate immune system.
New Results on Testing Modularity of Local Supervisors using Abstractions

This paper presents a variation of the methodology, established in a previous paper, to test a modular system for nonconflict using abstractions of its supervisors. In this work, information about the model and control structure of the system are used to derive a solution where some of the conditions established before are not required. The local modular approach is used to design the supervisors and supervisor reduction techniques are also used to help defining the set of events that are kept in the abstractions.
Sino nasal undifferentiated carcinoma: A rare entity

Malignant neoplasms of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity are rare, comprising only 3% of all head and neck malignancies. This includes both primary sinonasal neoplasms and metastatic disease. We present the case of a patient with a maxillary soft tissue swelling, which proved to be a rare malignant tumor of maxillary sinus origin, a sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma
Rhodococcus Bacteremia in Cancer Patients Is Mostly Catheter Related and Associated with Biofilm Formation

Rhodococcus is an emerging cause of opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients, most commonly causing cavitary pneumonia. It has rarely been reported as a cause of isolated bacteremia. However, the relationship between bacteremia and central venous catheter is unknown. Between 2002 and 2010, the characteristics and outcomes of seventeen cancer patients with Rhodococcus bacteremia and indwelling central venous catheters were evaluated. Rhodococcus bacteremias were for the most part (94%) central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). Most of the bacteremia isolates were Rhodococcus equi (82%). Rhodococcus isolates formed heavy microbial biofilm on the surface of polyurethane catheters, which was reduced completely or partially by antimicrobial lock solution. All CLABSI patients had successful response to catheter removal and antimicrobial therapy. Rhodococcus species should be added to the list of biofilm forming organisms in immunocompromised hosts and most of the Rhodococcus bacteremias in cancer patients are central line associated.
A Resistive Mesh Phantom for Assessing the Performance of EIT Systems

Assessing the performance of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) systems usually requires a phantom for validation, calibration, or comparison purposes. This paper describes a resistive mesh phantom to assess the performance of EIT systems while taking into account cabling stray effects similar to in vivo conditions. This phantom is built with 340 precision resistors on a printed circuit board representing a 2-D circular homogeneous medium. It also integrates equivalent electrical models of the Ag/AgCl electrode impedances. The parameters of the electrode models were fitted from impedance curves measured with an impedance analyzer. The technique used to build the phantom is general and applicable to phantoms of arbitrary shape and conductivity distribution. We describe three performance indicators that can be measured with our phantom for every measurement of an EIT data frame: SNR, accuracy, and modeling accuracy. These performance indicators were evaluated on our EIT system under different frame rates and applied current intensities. The performance indicators are dependent on frame rate, operating frequency, applied current intensity, measurement strategy, and intermodulation distortion when performing simultaneous measurements at several frequencies. These parameter values should, therefore, always be specified when reporting performance indicators to better appreciate their significance.
Evidence of Weak Contaminant-Related Oxidative Stress in Glaucous Gulls (Larus hyperboreus) from the Canadian Arctic

Environmental contaminants are transported over great distances to Arctic ecosystems, where they can accumulate in wildlife. Whether contaminant concentrations in wildlife are sufficient to produce adverse effects remains poorly understood. Exposure to contaminants elevates oxidative stress with possible fitness consequences. The glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus), an Arctic top predator, was used as a bioindicator for investigating relationships between contaminant levels (organochlorines and polychlorinated biphenyls [OC/PCB], mercury [Hg], and selenium [Se]) and measures of oxidative stress (glutathione [GSH] metabolism and lipid peroxidation) in Canadian Arctic ecosystems. Contaminant levels were low and associations between contaminant exposure and oxidative stress were weak. Nevertheless, glutathione peroxidase activity rose with increasing hepatic Se concentrations, levels of thiols declined as Hg and OC/PCB levels rose, and at one of the two study sites levels of lipid peroxidation were elevated with increasing levels of hepatic Hg. These results suggest the possibility of a deleterious effect of exposure to contaminants on gull physiology even at low contaminant exposures.
Real-time Expression Recognition from Dynamic Sequences of 3D Facial Scans

In this paper, we address the problem of person-independent facial expression recognition in dynamic sequences of 3D face scans. To this end, an original approach is proposed that relies on automatically extracting a set of 3D facial points, and modeling their mutual distances along time. Training an Hidden Markov Model for every prototypical facial expression to be recognized, and combining them to form a multi-class classifier, an average recognition rate of 76.3% on the angry, happy and surprise expressions of the BU-4DFE database has been obtained. Comparison with competitor approaches on the same database shows that our solution is able to obtain effective results with the clear advantage of an implementation that fits to real-time constraints.
Transient gas phase interaction effects during droplet-stream combustion

Gas-phase transient effects during the combustion of an infinite linear array of droplets are studied in the limit of infinite Damkoler number and in the absence of surrounding convective effects. The present study stems from the quantification of truncation-distance effects on the droplet mass vaporization rate, flame position and flame shape in quasi-steady numerical simulations. The solution domain is initially split into near and far-field subdomains. Within each subdomain, analytical grid generation techniques are applied allowing the development of appropriate finite-difference expressions, the control of grid point distribution and the treatment of outflow boundary conditions. The interdroplet distance effect is studied and results for the droplet mass vaporization rate and flame behavior are presented. The results show the existence of different flame regimes ranging from isolated to merged flame conditions and similar vaporization rate evolution for different interdroplet distances.
Non-Destructive Evaluation of Deep-Lying Defects in Multilayer Conductors Using HTS SQUID Gradiometer

We examined the ability to detect deep-lying defects in multilayer stacks of aluminum plates using an eddy-current testing technique with HTS planar-type SQUID gradiometers. In addition to a previous gradiometer with a baseline of 1 mm, a new gradiometer with a baseline of 8.5 mm and a larger effective area fabricated by HTS multilayer and ramp-edge junction technologies was used. The frequency and depth dependences of the SQUID signal were compared between the two gradiometers. By employing the longer-baseline gradiometer and an excitation frequency of 35 Hz, a slit-like defect located at about 38 mm in depth could be clearly observed with a signal-to-noise ratio larger than 10.