Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis through expression of integrins alphaVbeta3 and alphaVbeta5 on pulmonary T lymphocytes.

OBJECTIVE Pulmonary diseases associated with fibrosis, including scleroderma lung disease, are characterized by the accumulation of T cells in the lungs. These cells are thought to facilitate lung fibrosis, but the exact mechanisms of their profibrotic action are not clear. Several alphaV-containing integrins, including alphaVbeta3 and alphaVbeta5, have been shown to directly activate transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) and promote collagen accumulation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pulmonary T cells express profibrotic integrins and regulate collagen accumulation. METHODS Expression of integrins was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis of lung tissue, by flow cytometry using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and in a CCL18 overexpression animal model of pulmonary T cell infiltration. Experiments in cell cultures were performed to determine whether integrin-expressing T cells are profibrotic in cocultures with pulmonary fibroblasts and, if so, through what possible mechanism. RESULTS Lymphocytes and integrin-positive cells were present in the lungs, and pulmonary T cells expressed integrins alphaVbeta3 and alphaVbeta5 in patients with SSc and in the animal model. Systemic administration of neutralizing anti-integrin alphaV antibody or a genetic deficiency of integrin beta3 in the CCL18 overexpression model significantly attenuated CCL18-driven pulmonary lymphocytic infiltration and collagen accumulation. Jurkat T cells overexpressing integrin alphaVbeta3 or integrin alphaVbeta5 in cocultures with primary pulmonary fibroblasts stimulated collagen accumulation and Smad2 nuclear translocation. Neutralizing anti-TGFbeta antibody attenuated the profibrotic effect of integrin-expressing T cells. CONCLUSION Pulmonary infiltrating T lymphocytes may express integrins alphaVbeta3 and alphaVbeta5 that are necessary for lymphocytic infiltration and T cell-associated TGFbeta activation and collagen accumulation.
The ps/hr gene (B5R open reading frame homolog) of rabbitpox virus controls pock color, is a component of extracellular enveloped virus, and is secreted into the medium

Wild-type rabbitpox virus (RPV) produces red hemorrhagic pocks on the chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs) of embryonated chicken eggs. Like the crmA (SPI-2) gene of cowpox virus, disruption of the RPV ps/hr gene results in a mutant which produces white pocks on the CAMs. An examination of the properties of the RPV(ps/hr) mutant in cell culture also reveals a significantly reduced host range, defined as the inability to form plaques, compared with wild-type virus. One of several cell types on which RPV(ps/hr) mutants fail to produce plaques is chicken embryo fibroblasts, cells which have been traditionally used to propagate spontaneously arising white pock mutants isolated from CAMs. The inability of the RPV(ps/hr) mutant to form plaques in chicken embryo fibroblasts correlates with a failure of a low multiplicity of infection to spread to neighboring cells and to form extracellular enveloped virus (EEV), although the formation and yields of infectious intracellular naked virus appear relatively normal. The gene product of the ps/hr gene, initially synthesized as a 45-kDa glycoprotein, is found as a component of EEV, but not intracellular naked virus, and as a smaller, secreted soluble protein of 35 kDa. Production of the secreted 35-kDa protein was found to be independent of any viral morphogenesis, suggesting two distinct pathways for release of the ps/hr gene product from the cell, i.e., as a component of the EEV particle and as a separately secreted glycoprotein.
Adverse Social Experiences in Adolescent Rats Result in Enduring Effects on Social Competence, Pain Sensitivity and Endocannabinoid Signaling

Social affiliation is essential for many species and gains significant importance during adolescence. Disturbances in social affiliation, in particular social rejection experiences during adolescence, affect an individual’s well-being and are involved in the emergence of psychiatric disorders. The underlying mechanisms are still unknown, partly because of a lack of valid animal models. By using a novel animal model for social peer-rejection, which compromises adolescent rats in their ability to appropriately engage in playful activities, here we report on persistent impairments in social behavior and dysregulations in the endocannabinoid (eCB) system. From postnatal day (pd) 21 to pd 50 adolescent female Wistar rats were either reared with same-strain partners (control) or within a group of Fischer 344 rats (inadequate social rearing, ISR), previously shown to serve as inadequate play partners for the Wistar strain. Adult ISR animals showed pronounced deficits in social interaction, social memory, processing of socially transmitted information, and decreased pain sensitivity. Molecular analysis revealed increased CB1 receptor (CB1R) protein levels and CP55, 940 stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding activity specifically in the amygdala and thalamus in previously peer-rejected rats. Along with these changes, increased levels of the eCB anandamide (AEA) and a corresponding decrease of its degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) were seen in the amygdala. Our data indicate lasting consequences in social behavior and pain sensitivity following peer-rejection in adolescent female rats. These behavioral impairments are accompanied by persistent alterations in CB1R signaling. Finally, we provide a novel translational approach to characterize neurobiological processes underlying social peer-rejection in adolescence.
Modulatory Effects of Resveratrol Supplementation on Inflammatory Markers in Ageing and Lame Horses

The study was carried out to evaluate the effects of equine resveratrol supplement (equithrive joint TM ) on inflammatory indices in ageing and lame horses. 16 horses of both sexes aged 18±0.65 years, showing lameness grade 3 were used for the study. The horses weighed 350-450 kg and were randomly assigned to treated and untreated groups comprising 8 horses each. Treated group were administered with resveratrol supplement for 4 weeks while the untreated group were given only Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain used as carrier in the supplement. Blood samples were collected from each animal before supplementation on week 0 and then weekly for four weeks of supplementation. Markers of inflammation consisting of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF&alpha), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), haematocrit level and serum protein concentration were determined by standard methods. Equithrive joint TM supplementation reduced significantly (p˂0.05) the values of TNF-&alpha concentration, ESR and serum protein in the treated horses compare with the controls. The haematocrit level was significantly (p˂0.05) higher in treated horses compared with the controls. It was concluded that equithrive joint TM is a potent anti-inflammatory agent capable of reducing inflammatory mediators and thereby enabling horses move with ease particularly during ageing.
Improved Cognitive Outcomes With Endovascular Coiling of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: Neuropsychological Outcomes From the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT)

Background and Purpose— The International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT) reported lower rates of death and disability with endovascular versus neurosurgical treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. However, assessment of functional outcome was limited to the modified Rankin Scale, which is known to be insensitive to cognitive function. A neuropsychological substudy (N-ISAT) was therefore done in all recruits from 8 ISAT centers in the United Kingdom. Methods— Detailed neuropsychological assessment was performed at a 12-month follow-up visit. Impairment was defined as performance below the 5th percentile of the study population on at least 2 tests in ≥2 major cognitive domains. Analysis was restricted to patients who were not known to be otherwise disabled according to the modified Rankin Scale (ie, modified Rankin Scale 0 to 2). Results— Of 836 patients randomized in ISAT in the 8 UK centers (411 allocated endovascular treatment versus 425 neurosurgery), 224 were dead or disabled before 12-month follow-up (78 allocated endovascular treatment versus 135 neurosurgery). Of the remaining 612 patients eligible for neuropsychological assessment, 137 (65 allocated endovascular treatment versus 72 neurosurgery) did not attend. Of the 474 nondisabled patients who were assessed, 152 (32.1%) had cognitive impairment. Patients with cognitive impairment had reduced self-reported health-related quality of life (P<0.001) in both treatment groups, but cognitive impairment was less common in those allocated endovascular treatment (70 of 262 versus 82 of 212 allocated neurosurgery, OR=0.58, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.87, P=0.0055). The incidence of epilepsy was also lower in the N-ISAT endovascular group (7 versus 18, OR=0.30, 0.11 to 0.77, P=0.005) but was independent of the effect on cognitive function. Conclusions— Cognitive impairment occurred in approximately one third of patients who were not otherwise disabled according to the modified Rankin Scale in N-ISAT and was more frequent in the neurosurgery group. These results have implications for management of ruptured intracranial aneurysms and more generally for interpretation of the outcomes of clinical trials that use the modified Rankin Scale.
A comparison of HTK, ISIP and julius in slovenian large vocabulary continuous speech recognition

In this paper recognition results from different speech decoders are presented for Slovenian large vocabulary speech recognition task. For speech recognition two different types of lexica and language models were used. Word based models were used for baseline system and sub-word (stems and endings) based models for comparison. For all decoders a two-pass decoding strategy was used. With all three decoders better recognition results were achieved using stem-ending models (3% absolute on average). Experiments also showed slightly better recognition results with Julius decoder, as opposed to two other decoders, and improvement of real-time factor for 65%.
Depth-Based Detection of Standing-Pigs in Moving Noise Environments

In a surveillance camera environment, the detection of standing-pigs in real-time is an important issue towards the final goal of 24-h tracking of individual pigs. In this study, we focus on depth-based detection of standing-pigs with “moving noises”, which appear every night in a commercial pig farm, but have not been reported yet. We first apply a spatiotemporal interpolation technique to remove the moving noises occurring in the depth images. Then, we detect the standing-pigs by utilizing the undefined depth values around them. Our experimental results show that this method is effective for detecting standing-pigs at night, in terms of both cost-effectiveness (using a low-cost Kinect depth sensor) and accuracy (i.e., 94.47%), even with severe moving noises occluding up to half of an input depth image. Furthermore, without any time-consuming technique, the proposed method can be executed in real-time.
Stability Analysis for Continuous-Time Positive Systems With Time-Varying Delays

This note addresses the stability problem of continuous-time positive systems with time-varying delays. It is shown that such a system is asymptotically stable for any continuous and bounded delay if and only if the sum of all the system matrices is a Hurwitz matrix. The result is a time-varying version of the widely-known asymptotic stability criterion for constant-delay positive systems. A numerical example illustrates the correctness of our result.
The Optional Prisoner's Dilemma in a Spatial Environment: Coevolving Game Strategy and Link Weights

In this paper, the Optional Prisoner's Dilemma game in a spatial environment, with coevolutionary rules for both the strategy and network links between agents, is studied. Using a Monte Carlo simulation approach, a number of experiments are performed to identify favourable configurations of the environment for the emergence of cooperation in adverse scenarios. Results show that abstainers play a key role in the protection of cooperators against exploitation from defectors. Scenarios of cyclic competition and of full dominance of cooperation are also observed. This work provides insights towards gaining an in-depth understanding of the emergence of cooperative behaviour in real-world systems.
Statistical Study on Precipitable Water Content Variations Observed with Ground-Based Microwave Radiometers

GPS analysis requires statistical information on temporal variations of precipitable water vapor content (PWC), since temporal variability of PWC is assumed in the analyses. Spatial scales of PWC variations also are necessary for incorporation of the analyzed GPS data into numerical weather prediction systems. The objective of the present study is to investigate temporal and spatial characteristics of the PWC variations in Japan. For this purpose, slant-path PWC was observed with ground-based microwave radiometers (MWRs) for the directions of GPS satellites in the eastern part of the Kanto Plain during several observation periods in 2000 and 2001. Three components, vertical PWC, horizontal gradient and higher-order inhomogeneity, were retrieved from the slant-path observation data. Deviations of vertical PWC from ten-day averages (hereafter referred to as vertical deviations) were then calculated in order to remove seasonal changes of this component. Simultaneous observation data at three MWR sites also were used for the rough estimation of horizontal scales of the three PWC components. The results show: 1) The vertical deviations marked were about 20 times as large amplitudes as the other two components, while the variations due to the gradient had even smaller amplitudes than the inhomogeneity; 2) The vertical deviations had large spectral power against periods around 5-6 days and 8-9 days, while the gradient was dominated by diurnal variations; and, 3) It was roughly estimated that the vertical deviations (gradient) had the horizontal scales of several hundred (several ten) kilometers. The horizontal scale of the PWC inhomogeneity was considered to be less than 10 km. The vertical deviations (the gradient) were considered to be closely related with large-scale meteorological disturbances (local-scale circulations) on the basis of the above temporal and spatial characteristics.
Heat strain at high levels does not degrade target detection and rifle marksmanship.

BACKGROUND A recent investigation found no degradation in rifle marksmanship due to mild heat strain (up to a 1 degrees C increase in core temperature) even though the subjective sensation of discomfort was significant. The present study was conducted to determine if, and at what level of heat strain would degradation in both target detection and marksmanship (TD&M) occur. HYPOTHESIS Degradation in TD&M performance is expected in individuals who reach a level of high heat strain. METHODS There were 11 subjects (mean +/- SD of 28.9 +/- 6.0 yr, 177 +/- 10 cm, and 81.2 +/- 18.8 kg) who participated in 3 counterbalanced trials: control (CN); heat with hydration (HH); and heat without hydration (HD). Core temperature was increased through a combination of exercise and passive heating over 4 h. Measures of shooting performance every half hour included target detection and engagement times, friend-foe discrimination, and shooting accuracy using a small arms trainer. RESULTS All physiological measures and indices indicated that a significantly elevated heat strain was attained during HH and HD compared with CN. Mean heart rates and core temperatures approached 150 bpm and 39 degrees C, respectively, at the end of the heated trials. Aside from minor differences in target detection and identification owing to target type, no detrimental impact on TD&M due to heat strain, whether hydrated or dehydrated, was observed. CONCLUSIONS High levels of heat strain do not adversely affect target detection and rifle marksmanship performance, at least for a period of time not exceeding 4 h in a non-threatening environment.
(Meta-) Evaluation of Machine Translation

This paper evaluates the translation quality of machine translation systems for 8 language pairs: translating French, German, Spanish, and Czech to English and back. We carried out an extensive human evaluation which allowed us not only to rank the different MT systems, but also to perform higher-level analysis of the evaluation process. We measured timing and intra- and inter-annotator agreement for three types of subjective evaluation. We measured the correlation of automatic evaluation metrics with human judgments. This meta-evaluation reveals surprising facts about the most commonly used methodologies.
Morphological Priming in Spanish Verb Forms: An ERP Repetition Priming Study

The ERP repetition priming paradigm has been shown to be sensitive to the processing differences between regular and irregular verb forms in English and German. The purpose of the present study is to extend this research to a language with a different inflectional system, Spanish. The design (delayed visual repetition priming) was adopted from our previous study on English, and the specific linguistic phenomena we examined are priming relations between different kinds of stem (or root) forms. There were two experimental conditions: In the first condition, the prime and the target shared the same stem form, e.g., andoandar [I walkto walk], whereas in the second condition, the prime contained a marked (alternated) stem, e.g., duermo dormir [I sleepto sleep]. A reduced N400 was found for unmarked (nonalternated) stems in the primed condition, whereas marked stems showed no such effect. Moreover, control conditions demonstrated that the surface form properties (i.e., the different degree of phonetic and ortho-graphic overlap between primes and targets) do not explain the observed priming difference. The ERP priming effect for verb forms with unmarked stems in Spanish is parallel to that found for regularly inflected verb forms in English and German. We argue that effective priming is possible because prime target pairs such as andoandar access the same lexical entry for their stems. By contrast, verb forms with alternated stems (e.g., duermo) constitute separate lexical entries, and are therefore less powerful primes for their corresponding base forms.
Multi-objective optimization using evolutionary algorithms

From the Publisher: Evolutionary algorithms are relatively new, but very powerful techniques used to find solutions to many real-world search and optimization problems. Many of these problems have multiple objectives, which leads to the need to obtain a set of optimal solutions, known as effective solutions. It has been found that using evolutionary algorithms is a highly effective way of finding multiple effective solutions in a single simulation run. · Comprehensive coverage of this growing area of research · Carefully introduces each algorithm with examples and in-depth discussion · Includes many applications to real-world problems, including engineering design and scheduling · Includes discussion of advanced topics and future research · Features exercises and solutions, enabling use as a course text or for self-study · Accessible to those with limited knowledge of classical multi-objective optimization and evolutionary algorithms The integrated presentation of theory, algorithms and examples will benefit those working and researching in the areas of optimization, optimal design and evolutionary computing. This text provides an excellent introduction to the use of evolutionary algorithms in multi-objective optimization, allowing use as a graduate course text or for self-study.
Gravitational torques in spiral galaxies: Gas accretion as a driving mechanism of galactic evolution

The distribution of gravitational torques and bar strengths in the local Universe is derived from a detailed study of 163 galaxies observed in the near-infrared. The results are compared with numerical models for spiral galaxy evolution. It is found that the observed distribution of torques can be accounted for only with external accretion of gas onto spiral disks. Accretion is responsible for bar renewal - after the dissolution of primordial bars - as well as the maintenance of spiral structures. Models of isolated, non-accreting galaxies are ruled out. Moderate accretion rates do not explain the observational results: it is shown that galactic disks should double their mass in less than the Hubble time. The best fit is obtained if spiral galaxies are open systems, still forming today by continuous gas accretion, doubling their mass every 10 billion years.
Why Do Lie-catchers Fail? a Lens Model Meta-analysis of Human Lie Judgments…...…… a Multiple Cue Threshold Learning Model of Selection and Detection: Balancing Judgmental Accuracy with Threshold Learning…………………………………………………. 39 the Vagueness of Creativity, Reflections on Some Brunswik Concepts ______

Like last year some contributions are based on recent PhD work, a good sign for future development and application of Brunswik’s psychology. The many contributions represent a wide range of real life situations and subject fields, e.g., rehabilitation consultants’ prediction of clients’ quality of life, communication breakdown between pilots and controllers, prioritizing in health care, engineers’ contaminated land risk assessment. Although different in subject content the presentations illustrate humans’ intentional goal-directed behaviour to adapt to an uncertain, probabilistic environment. Some contributions deal mainly with methodological questions, for example increasing our understanding of causality, relating Peircean semiotics to Brunswik’s psychology and applying Brunswik’s environment-organism approach to some medical, descriptive concepts. We live in an unruly world, where environmental literacy, decision making skill and transcultural values have become necessary prerequisites for our existence. Hopefully psychological research will contribute, in these respects, to increased understanding of humans’ adaption to an uncertain, not fully predictable environment.
Mycophenolate Mofetil and Sirolimus in Hepatocyte Transplantation in an Experimental Model of Toxic Acute Liver Failure

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hepatocyte transplantation is proposed as a solution for liver failure. The allotransplantation of hepatocytes has been studied extensively, however, graft rejection remains a major problem. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunosuppressive activity of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), sirolimus, and their combination in an experimental model of hepatocyte allotransplantation in rats with acute liver failure. Materials and methods: Five male Wistar rats were used as hepatocyte donors and 60 male Lewis rats as recipients. The recipients were divided into five groups of 12 animals each. Group 1: no treatment. Group 2: cyclosporine. Group 3: sirolimus. Group 4: MMF. Group 5: MMF and sirolimus. All surviving animals were preserved for 15 days. For the induction of acute liver failure the recipients were injected with N-dimethyl-nitrosamine 24 hr before transplantation. The isolated hepatocytes were transplanted intrasplenically. Results: Analysis of the results showed a statistically significant prolongation of animal survival for groups 3, 4, and 5. More animals in group 5 survived than those in groups 3 and 4, although the difference was not statistically significant. Transplant hepatocyte survival was significantly better in groups 3, 4, and 5. Hepatocytes transplanted in the spleen of animals of group 5 showed better survival compared with those of groups 3 and 4. Conclusion: Use of MMF and sirolimus, as monotherapy or in combination, is both effective and safe as immunosuppressive treatment in hepatocyte transplantation, as was proven in this experimental protocol.