Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antithymocyte globulin affects the occurrence of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease after a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen by modulating mixed chimerism induction and immune reconstitution

Background. There have been no detailed analyses of the induction of donor cell–type chimerism, the onset and incidence of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and the immune recovery kinetics after reduced-intensity stem cell transplantation (RIST). Methods. To address these, with particular emphasis on the impact of the use of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) in RIST, we compared 39 consecutively registered patients who underwent RIST from an HLA-matched related donor and 33 patients who underwent conventional marrow-ablative transplantation. Results. The incidences of grades II to IV acute and chronic GVHD tended to be less in RIST with ATG than in either RIST without ATG or conventional marrow-ablative transplantation. In a multivariate analysis, the predictive factors for acute and chronic GVHD included, respectively, ATG and grades II to IV acute GVHD. In a chimerism analysis, the achievement of complete donor chimera in T-cell lineage was delayed in RIST without ATG compared with RIST with ATG (P =0.038), which might explain the observed delayed onset of acute GVHD in RIST with ATG compared with the other two regimens. The ratio of type 1 and 2 dendritic cells did not affect the development of GVHD, whereas the number of naive CD4+ T cells did. No difference was observed in the incidence of clinically definitive infection, including cytomegalovirus, among the three cohorts, regardless of the use of ATG. Conclusions. We suggest that the conditioning regimen and immunosuppressive strategy after RIST should be carefully balanced against the risk of GVHD and of relapse of the basic disorder caused by the lack of a graft-versus-leukemia benefit.
Role of Mitochondria in Parvovirus Pathology

Proper functioning of the mitochondria is crucial for the survival of the cell. Viruses are able to interfere with mitochondrial functions as they infect the host cell. Parvoviruses are known to induce apoptosis in infected cells, but the role of the mitochondria in parvovirus induced cytopathy is only partially known. Here we demonstrate with confocal and electron microscopy that canine parvovirus (CPV) associated with the mitochondrial outer membrane from the onset of infection. During viral entry a transient depolarization of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and increase in ROS level was detected. Subsequently, mitochondrial homeostasis was normalized shortly, as detected by repolarization of the mitochondrial membrane and decrease of ROS. Indeed, activation of cell survival signalling through ERK1/2 cascade was observed early in CPV infected cells. At 12 hours post infection, concurrent with the expression of viral non-structural protein 1, damage to the mitochondrial structure and depolarization of its membrane were apparent. Results of this study provide additional insight of parvovirus pathology and also more general information of virus-mitochondria association.
Information transfer about roosts in female Bechstein's bats: an experimental field study

Information transfer among group members is believed to play an important part in the evolution of coloniality in both birds and bats. Although information transfer has received much scientific interest, field studies using experiments to test the underlying hypotheses are rare. We used a field experiment to test if communally breeding female Bechstein's bats (Myotis bechsteinii) exchange information regarding novel roosts. We supplied a wild colony, comprising 17 adult females of known relatedness, with pairs of suitable and unsuitable roosts and monitored the arrival of individuals marked with transponders (PIT-tags) over 2 years. As expected with information transfer, significantly more naive females were recruited towards suitable than towards unsuitable roosts. We conclude that information transfer about roosts has two functions: (i) it generates communal knowledge of a large set of roosts; and (ii) it aids avoidance of colony fission during roost switching. Both functions seem important in Bechstein's bats, in which colonies depend on many day roosts and where colony members live together for many years.
Estimated decadal changes in the North Atlantic meridional overturning circulation and heat flux 1993-2004

Abstract Results from a global 1° model constrained by least squares to a multiplicity of datasets over the interval 1992–2004 are used to describe apparent changes in the North Atlantic Ocean meridional overturning circulation and associated heat fluxes at 26°N. The least squares fit is both stable and adequately close to the data to make the analysis worthwhile. Changes over the 12 yr are spatially and temporally complex. A weak statistically significant trend is found in net North Atlantic volume flux above about 1200 m, which drops slightly (−0.19 ± 0.05 Sv yr−1; 1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) but with a corresponding strengthening of the outflow of North Atlantic Deep Water and inflow of abyssal waters. The slight associated trend in meridional heat flux is very small and not statistically significant. The month-to-month variability implies that single-section determinations of heat and volume flux are subject to serious aliasing errors.
A hardware Gaussian noise generator using the Box-Muller method and its error analysis

We present a hardware Gaussian noise generator based on the Box-Muller method that provides highly accurate noise samples. The noise generator can be used as a key component in a hardware-based simulation system, such as for exploring channel code behavior at very low bit error rates, as low as 10-12 to 10-13. The main novelties of this work are accurate analytical error analysis and bit-width optimization for the elementary functions involved in the Box-Muller method. Two 16-bit noise samples are generated every clock cycle and, due to the accurate error analysis, every sample is analytically guaranteed to be accurate to one unit in the last place. An implementation on a Xilinx Virtex-4 XC4VLX100-12 FPGA occupies 1,452 slices, three block RAMs, and 12 DSP slices, and is capable of generating 750 million samples per second at a clock speed of 375 MHz. The performance can be improved by exploiting concurrent execution: 37 parallel instances of the noise generator at 95 MHz on a Xilinx Virtex-II Pro XC2VP100-7 FPGA generate seven billion samples per second and can run over 200 times faster than the output produced by software running on an Intel Pentium-4 3 GHz PC. The noise generator is currently being used at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA to evaluate the performance of low-density parity-check codes for deep-space communications
Optimal results for Anycast-Protecting p-Cycles problem

p-Cycles present a very interesting approach to building survivable networks. They have been widely studied for unicast and recently for multicast traffic. For anycast traffic almost no research have been done. We will discuss a new p-cycles version, called Anycast-Protecting p-Cycles, introduced in our previous paper. We provide detailed description of some new properties, ILP models, results and extended analysis with comparison to classical p-cycle span protection approach. We will show that usage of Anycast-Protecting p-Cycles can be very beneficial.
Pregnancy-Related Effects on Tenofovir Pharmacokinetics: a Population Study with 186 Women

ABSTRACT According to the European AIDS Clinical Society, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate can be used in HIV-infected pregnant women if started prior to pregnancy, although no data are available on the pharmacokinetics of tenofovir (TFV) during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to describe TFV pharmacokinetics in HIV-infected women and to evaluate the effect of pregnancy on TFV disposition. Samples were collected according to a therapeutic drug monitoring in 186 women, including 46 pregnant women treated with TFV and retrospectively analyzed by a population approach. TFV pharmacokinetics were ascribed to an open two-compartment model with linear absorption and elimination. The mean population parameter estimates (between-subject variability) were as follows: absorption rate constant, 0.56 h−1; elimination clearance, 59.9 liters h−1 (0.436); central volume of distribution, 552 liters (1.96); intercompartmental clearance, 172 liters/h; and peripheral volume of distribution, 1,390 liters. Pregnant women had a 39% higher apparent clearance compared to nonpregnant women. Apparent clearance significantly decreased with age. In order to obtain an exposure similar to the known exposure in adults and guarantee similar trough concentrations (Cmin) as observed in adults, an increase in the TFV dose should be considered for women from the second trimester to delivery.
Binding of In-Labeled HDL to Platelets From Normolipemic Volunteers and Patients With Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

High density lipoproteins (HDLs; d= 1.063-1.21 g/ml) were isolated by ultracentrifugation and radiolabeled with '"In. The in vitro binding onto platelets from healthy volunteers (it=15) and patients (n=36) with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) was investigated. Binding was saturable and indicated high-affinity binding sites, which bound 1,882±361 ng protein of '"In-HDL/lC platelets (dissociation constant [£d]=7±3 fig protein/ml) in healthy volunteers and significantly (p<0.01) lower amounts in the FH patients (1,012±439 ng protein of In-HDL/10' platelets [Ki=12±4 fig protein/ml]; /? <0.01). The capacity to displace one half of the bound ligand (ICM) amounted to 14±3 /ig protein/ml in healthy volunteers and 22 ±9 fig protein/ml in FH patients (p< 0.001). Treatment with lipid-lowering drugs (gemfibrozll, alone or in combination with cholestyramine) in 10 patients resulted in an increased HDL binding capacity: before treatment, 1,280±883; after 2 months of treatment, 2,052±873 (p<0.05); and after 6 months of treatment, 2,127±812 ng protein/10* platelets (p<0.01). There was a significant (p<0.001) correlation between "'In-HDL binding data and plasmatic lipid and lipoprotein values. Furthermore, those FH patients with the additional risk factors of smoking (p<0.05) and hypertension (p<0.01) showed significantly lower "'In-HDL binding onto platelets. The findings indicate specific '"In-HDL binding sites for human platelets, which may be decreased in patients with heterozygous FH. Upregulation of HDL binding sites during lipid-lowering medication therapy supports the hypothesis that high-affinity HDL binding is involved in hyperlipemic disorders and is possibly related to the reactivity of platelets. (Arteriosclerosis and Thrombosis 1992;12:849-861)
Plasmonic Color Filters for Industrial Applications

Light can strongly interact with metallic nanostructures, leading to resonant excitation of the confined electrons. This results in a strong near-field enhancement with subwavelength confinement. The resonance condition can be controlled by the material, shape and surrounding of the metal nanostructures. Thus, this so-called field of plasmonics holds great potential for applications in photonics. Besides biosensing, novel applications are scarce though, not only due to challenges in the up-scaling process, but also because of expense of material, design complexity and sensitivity of the structures in ambient conditions. Furthermore, intrinsic losses impede the implementation compared to competing alternatives. This thesis describes the development and realization of color filters based on plasmonic structures. The structures are tailored for intriguing applications and their large-scale manufacturing. Specifically the variability of plasmonic color filters is exploited and applied. This precisely controllable change of color appearance can be essential for applications such as optical security or imaging systems, for which first realizations are presented here. In particular, color filters are investigated, which strongly change their optical appearance with the angle of incidence. Additionally, a given color is only visible from one tilt direction. This unique feature makes these color filters highly attractive for optical security applications. Further, the high sensitivity to the surrounding material can be utilized; a position dependent modification of the color filters can be achieved by inkjet printing of transparent inks with different refractive indices. Additionally, a different set of plasmonic color filters are studied, which can be precisely controlled with the incident polarization while having almost angle-independent optical properties. This renders them ideal for camera filters, where a large-field-of-view is desired. By controlling the optical properties of the filters, a plasmonic multispectral imaging device is demonstrated. Overall, the used fabrication methods and materials are compatible with large-scale and cost-efficient manufacturing methods. Thus this thesis may help paving the way for everyday products based on plasmonics.
Numerical study of the influence of the torso on the HRTF

Understanding and simplified modeling of how humans generate cues from the scattering of sounds from their bodies holds the key to many applications in spatial audio. Scattering from the torso is thought to provide cues for source localization. A simplified two-sphere model has been proposed to understand the influence of the torso, and experimental studies have been performed. The availability of a validated numerical model can enable further parametric study and improved understanding using this model. Here we provide such a numerical model using the multipole method. Our method is validated by comparison with experimental data and commercial boundary element software. We find that most features of this “snowman” HRTF are reproduced by a simple model that places the “head” in the field of the source and the scattered field from the torso.
Psychological Stress and Self-Reported Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are common, but despite their relevance in public health care, the etiology of FGID remains essentially unknown. Stress has been suggested as a pathophysiological factor in FGID. The aims of the present study were (a) to determine the prevalence of FGID in a sample of apparently healthy students, and (b) to determine the association of stress and FGID. The prevalence rates of 21 different FGID were assessed using an internet-based design. Subjective experience of chronic stress, individual coping strategies, and dispositional stress reactivity were measured. A total of 668 subjects provided complete data sets (66% women). About 64.2% reported at least one FGID. Symptoms of FGID were significantly predicted by increased levels of perceived chronic stress, dispositional stress reactivity, and use of maladaptive coping strategies. FGID are common in apparently healthy young individuals. The importance of stress-related factors in individuals suffering from FGID indicates that stress-reducing interventions may be beneficial in these patients.
Mixed-Signal Architectures for High-Efficiency and Low-Distortion Digital Audio Processing and Power Amplification

The paper addresses the algorithmic and architectural design of digital input power audio amplifiers. A modelling platform, based on a meet-in-the-middle approach between top-down and bottom-up design strategies, allows a fast but still accurate exploration of the mixed-signal design space. Different amplifier architectures are configured and compared to find optimal trade-offs among different cost-functions: low distortion, high efficiency, low circuit complexity and low sensitivity to parameter changes. A novel amplifier architecture is derived; its prototype implements digital processing IP macrocells (oversampler, interpolating filter, PWM cross-point deriver, noise shaper, multilevel PWM modulator, dead time compensator) on a single low-complexity FPGA while off-chip components are used only for the power output stage (LC filter and power MOS bridge); no heatsink is required. The resulting digital input amplifier features a power efficiency higher than 90% and a total harmonic distortion down to 0.13% at power levels of tens of Watts. Discussions towards the full-silicon integration of the mixed-signal amplifier in embedded devices, using BCD technology and targeting power levels of few Watts, are also reported.
A review of inherited platelet disorders with guidelines for their management on behalf of the UKHCDO

The inherited platelet disorders are an uncommon cause of symptomatic bleeding. They may be difficult to diagnose (and are likely to be under‐diagnosed) and pose problems in management. This review discusses the inherited platelet disorders summarising the current state of the art with respect to investigation and diagnosis and suggests how to manage bleeding manifestations with particular attention to surgical interventions and the management of pregnancy.
Ursodeoxycholic and tauro‐ursodeoxycholic acids for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis: a pilot crossover study

Background: Results from animal studies and preliminary data from pilot studies in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis suggest that tauro‐ursodeoxycholic acid has metabolic properties that may favour its long‐term use as an alternative to ursodeoxycholic acid for patients with chronic cholestatic liver diseases. No direct comparison of tauro‐ursodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acids have yet been carried out in primary biliary cirrhosis.
Modal Flexibility Analysis of Cable‐Stayed Ting Kau Bridge for Damage Identification

Abstract: The cable‐stayed Ting Kau Bridge has been permanently instrumented with more than 230 sensors for long‐term structural health monitoring. In this article, the feasibility of using the measured dynamic characteristics of the bridge for damage detection is studied. Making use of a validated three‐dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM), modal flexibility matrices of the bridge are constructed using a few truncated modes and incomplete modal vectors at the sensor locations. The relative flexibility change (RFC) between intact and damage states is then formulated as an index to locate damage. The applicability of this flexibility index for damage location in the cable‐stayed bridge is examined by investigating various damage scenarios including those at stay cables, longitudinal stabilizing cables, bearings and supports, longitudinal girders and cross girders, and taking into account measurement noise in modal data. The influence of two ambient factors, that is, temperature change and traffic loading, on the damage detectability is also analyzed by approximately considering an equivalent alteration in the material and structural behaviors. It is revealed that in the absence of ambient effects the RFC index performs well for locating damage of different severities in single‐damage cases. In multi‐damage cases the RFC index may provide false‐negative identification for damage at the members with low sensitivity. Eliminating ambient effects is requisite for reliable detection of damage at stay cables and cross girders. The capability of the RFC index for locating damage at cross girders is significantly dropped in the presence of measurement noise.
Metabolism in orange fruits is driven by photooxidative stress in the leaves.

In plants, stress signals propagate to trigger distant responses and thus stress acclimation in non-exposed organs. We tested here the hypothesis that leaves submitted to photooxidative stress may influence the metabolism of nearby fruits and thus quality criteria. Leaves of orange trees (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. 'Navelate') were acclimated to shade for 1 week and then submitted to full (FL) and medium light (ML) conditions. As expected, photoinhibition was detected in leaves of both FL and ML treatments as revealed by stress indicators (Fv /Fm , Performance Index) for at least 99 h after treatments. In the fruits near the stressed leaves, we then determined the activities of enzymes related to oxidative stress, superoxide dismutase, catalase and the enzymes of the ascorbate (AA)/glutathione cycle, as well as the contents in sugars, organic acids and carotenoids. Ascorbate peroxidase and monodehydroascorbate reductase activities in the pulp of fruits were dramatically higher in both treatments when compared to the control. AA and total sugars were not affected by the photooxidative stress. However, the FL treatment resulted in a 16% increase in total organic acids, with succinic acid being the major contributor, a shift towards less glucose + fructose and more sucrose, and a 15% increase in total carotenoids, with cis-violaxanthin being the major contributor. Our observations strongly suggest the existence of a signal generated in leaves in consequence of photooxidative stress, transmitted to nearby fruits. Exploiting such a signal by agronomic means promises exciting perspectives in managing quality criteria in fruits accumulating carotenoids.
People searching for people: analysis of a people search engine log

Recent years show an increasing interest in vertical search: searching within a particular type of information. Understanding what people search for in these "verticals" gives direction to research and provides pointers for the search engines themselves. In this paper we analyze the search logs of one particular vertical: people search engines. Based on an extensive analysis of the logs of a search engine geared towards finding people, we propose a classification scheme for people search at three levels: (a) queries, (b) sessions, and (c) users. For queries, we identify three types, (i) event-based high-profile queries (people that become "popular" because of an event happening), (ii) regular high-profile queries (celebrities), and (iii) low-profile queries (other, less-known people). We present experiments on automatic classification of queries. On the session level, we observe five types: (i) family sessions (users looking for relatives), (ii) event sessions (querying the main players of an event), (iii) spotting sessions (trying to "spot" different celebrities online), (iv) polymerous sessions (sessions without a clear relation between queries), and (v) repetitive sessions (query refinement and copying). Finally, for users we identify four types: (i) monitors, (ii) spotters, (iii) followers, and (iv) polymers. Our findings not only offer insight into search behavior in people search engines, but they are also useful to identify future research directions and to provide pointers for search engine improvements.
Changes in the levels of free amino acids and myo-inositol in the galactose-exposed lens.

Studies of the effects of galactose on the lens have revealed that marked depressions in the levels of free amino acids and free myo-inositol occur. These changes can be demonstrated by incubating a rabbit lens in a medium containing 30 mM. galactose. However, the lens incubated in galactose but also exposed to tetramethylene glutaric, an aldose reductase inhibitor, shows little dulcitol accumulation, a reduction in lens swelling, and preservation of the levels of free amino acids and myo-inositol at near normal levels. If the galactose-exposed lens is kept from swelling by media with appropriate tonicities, the levels of amino acids and inositol are also maintained near normal. The results suggest that depressed levels of these soluble components in the galactose-exposed lens may be due to osmotic effects caused by the retention of dulcitol. In the development of galactose cataract it appears that these early changes, along with electrolyte disturbances and equatorial opacities, are secondary to the primary event, which is the enzymatic reduction of galactose to dulcitol.