Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Central Role for Monocyte–Platelet Interactions in Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is an increasingly prevalent and costly multifactorial syndrome with high morbidity and mortality rates. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms leading to the development of HF are not completely understood. Several emerging paradigms implicate cardiometabolic risk factors, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, myocardial fibrosis, and myocyte dysfunction as key factors in the gradual progression from a healthy state to HF. Inflammation is now a recognized factor in disease progression in HF and a therapeutic target. Furthermore, the monocyte–platelet interaction has been highlighted as an important pathophysiological link between inflammation, thrombosis, endothelial activation, and myocardial malfunction. The contribution of monocytes and platelets to acute cardiovascular injury and acute HF is well established. However, their role and interaction in the pathogenesis of chronic HF are not well understood. In particular, the cross talk between monocytes and platelets in the peripheral circulation and in the vicinity of the vascular wall in the form of monocyte–platelet complexes (MPCs) may be a crucial element, which influences the pathophysiology and progression of chronic heart disease and HF. In this review, we discuss the role of monocytes and platelets as key mediators of cardiovascular inflammation in HF, the mechanisms of cell activation, and the importance of monocyte–platelet interaction and complexes in HF pathogenesis. Finally, we summarize recent information on pharmacological inhibition of inflammation and studies of antithrombotic strategies in the setting of HF that can inform opportunities for future work. We discuss recent data on monocyte–platelet interactions and the potential benefits of therapy directed at MPCs, particularly in the setting of HF with preserved ejection fraction.
Herschel/HIFI observations of the circumstellar ammonia lines in IRC+10216.

CONTEXT A discrepancy exists between the abundance of ammonia (NH3) derived previously for the circumstellar envelope (CSE) of IRC+10216 from far-IR submillimeter rotational lines and that inferred from radio inversion or mid-infrared (MIR) absorption transitions. AIMS To address the discrepancy described above, new high-resolution far-infrared (FIR) observations of both ortho- and para-NH3 transitions toward IRC+10216 were obtained with Herschel, with the goal of determining the ammonia abundance and constraining the distribution of NH3 in the envelope of IRC+10216. METHODS We used the Heterodyne Instrument for the Far Infrared (HIFI) on board Herschel to observe all rotational transitions up to the J = 3 level (three ortho- and six para-NH3 lines). We conducted non-LTE multilevel radiative transfer modelling, including the effects of near-infrared (NIR) radiative pumping through vibrational transitions. The computed emission line profiles are compared with the new HIFI data, the radio inversion transitions, and the MIR absorption lines in the ν2 band taken from the literature. RESULTS We found that NIR pumping is of key importance for understanding the excitation of rotational levels of NH3. The derived NH3 abundances relative to molecular hydrogen were (2.8 ± 0.5) × 10-8 for ortho-NH3 and [Formula: see text] for para-NH3, consistent with an ortho/para ratio of 1. These values are in a rough agreement with abundances derived from the inversion transitions, as well as with the total abundance of NH3 inferred from the MIR absorption lines. To explain the observed rotational transitions, ammonia must be formed near to the central star at a radius close to the end of the wind acceleration region, but no larger than about 20 stellar radii (1σ confidence level).
Fracture strength of composite resins for endodontically treated molars

Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different fabrication techniques on the fracture strength of the composite resin-based inlay restorations of endodontically treated molars. Methods: Sixty mandibular molars were divided into six groups (n = 10) designated according to the treatment as: Group-1: Control group, intact teeth; Group-2: Filtek Ultimate Universal restorative with incremental technique; Group-3: Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior restorative; Group-4: Biodentine with Filtek Ultimate Universal restorative; Group 5: everX Posterior with Filtek Ultimate Universal restorative; and Group-6: Lava Ultimate CAD/CAM restorative. The standard mesio-occluso-distal cavities were prepared and the roots filled for all the teeth, except those of the control group. Following the placement of the restorations, the fracture resistance of the specimens was measured. The data were analyzed by the one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: While Group-1 (2815.80 N) exhibited significantly higher fracture strength than the other groups (p < 0.05), Groups-2 (2062.20 N), 3 (2166.00 N), 5 (2355.60 N), and 6 (2340.70 N) exhibited statistically similar results (p > 0.05). The Biodentine group (1480.50 N) exhibited significantly lower fracture strength than the rest of the groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The CAD/CAM and manual build-up techniques exhibited statistically similar results with the exception of Biodentine, which exhibited a significantly lower in vitro performance compared to the other composites used in the study. The fiber-supported composite everX Posterior increased the fracture strength of the endodontically treated teeth.
Mogamulizumab for the treatment of T-cell lymphoma

ABSTRACT Introduction: T-cell lymphoma is a relatively rare hematologic malignancy that accounts for 10–20% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Treatment strategies for T-cell lymphomas are different from that for B-cell lymphomas and have poor prognoses. Among various subtypes of T-cell lymphomas, adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL) has the worst prognosis. To achieve further improvement in the treatment outcome of T-cell lymphomas, several novel agents such as brentuximab vedotin, lenalidomide, romidepsin, and pralatrexate are actively being studied. Mogamulizumab, an anti-CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) monoclonal antibody, is one of the promising agents for CCR4-positive T-cell lymphomas, especially for ATL. Areas covered: First, basic information about the current treatment strategy of T-cell lymphomas including ATL is described. Then, the authors discuss the current clinical development of mogamulizumab and its clinical implications for T-cell lymphomas. Expert opinion: Mogamulizumab has potent clinical efficacy against CCR4-positive T-cell lymphomas, especially against ATL. Among various toxicities associated with mogamulizumab, skin eruptions are the most significant. Although there are several effective competitors, mogamulizumab has a unique mechanism and is expected to be a key agent for treating CCR4-positive T-cell lymphomas, especially ATL.
Heterologous Reconstitution of the Intact Geodin Gene Cluster in Aspergillus nidulans through a Simple and Versatile PCR Based Approach

Fungal natural products are a rich resource for bioactive molecules. To fully exploit this potential it is necessary to link genes to metabolites. Genetic information for numerous putative biosynthetic pathways has become available in recent years through genome sequencing. However, the lack of solid methodology for genetic manipulation of most species severely hampers pathway characterization. Here we present a simple PCR based approach for heterologous reconstitution of intact gene clusters. Specifically, the putative gene cluster responsible for geodin production from Aspergillus terreus was transferred in a two step procedure to an expression platform in A. nidulans. The individual cluster fragments were generated by PCR and assembled via efficient USER fusion prior to transformation and integration via re-iterative gene targeting. A total of 13 open reading frames contained in 25 kb of DNA were successfully transferred between the two species enabling geodin synthesis in A. nidulans. Subsequently, functions of three genes in the cluster were validated by genetic and chemical analyses. Specifically, ATEG_08451 (gedC) encodes a polyketide synthase, ATEG_08453 (gedR) encodes a transcription factor responsible for activation of the geodin gene cluster and ATEG_08460 (gedL) encodes a halogenase that catalyzes conversion of sulochrin to dihydrogeodin. We expect that our approach for transferring intact biosynthetic pathways to a fungus with a well developed genetic toolbox will be instrumental in characterizing the many exciting pathways for secondary metabolite production that are currently being uncovered by the fungal genome sequencing projects.
Observations and Parameterizations of Particle Size Distributions in Deep Tropical Cirrus and Stratiform Precipitating Clouds: Results from In Situ Observations in TRMM Field Campaigns

Abstract This study reports on the evolution of particle size distributions (PSDs) and habits as measured during slow, Lagrangian-type spiral descents through deep subtropical and tropical cloud layers in Florida, Brazil, and Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, most of which were precipitating. The objective of the flight patterns was to learn more about how the PSDs evolved in the vertical and to obtain information of the vertical structure of microphysical properties. New instrumentation yielding better information on the concentrations of particles in the size (D) range between 0.2 and 2 cm, as well as improved particle imagery, produced more comprehensive observations for tropical stratiform precipitation regions and anvils than have been available previously. Collocated radar observations provided additional information on the vertical structure of the cloud layers sampled. Most of the spirals began at cloud top, with temperatures (T) as low as −50°C, and ended at cloud base or below the melting layer (ML).
PROCEDURE FOR ESTIMATING PARAMETERS OF FAULT MODELS OF INLAND EARTHQUAKES CAUSED BY LONG REVERSE FAULTS

( ) ( ) Ohsaki Research Institute, Inc., D. Eng. ( ) ( ) Ohsaki Research Institute, Inc., D. Env. We proposed a new procedure for evaluating the parameters of the asperity models for predicting strong ground motions from inland earthquakes caused by long reverse faults. The evaluation formula of averaged dynamic stress drops obtained by Irie et al. (2013)1) for surface ruptured faults 15 to 300 km long was adopted in our procedure, because the evaluation formula of the averaged static stress drops for circular cracks, commonly adopted in existing procedures, could not be applied to surface ruptured faults or long faults. The averaged dynamic stress drop was estimated to be 24 bars from the data of the ruptured areas and the seismic moments of actual earthquakes, and the dynamic stress drop on the asperities was estimated to be 187 bars from the data of the short-period levels and the seismic moments of actual earthquakes. These results led that the asperity areas were 11 % of the entire ruptured areas.
Single-Contrast CT for Detecting Bowel Injuries in Penetrating Abdominopelvic Trauma.

OBJECTIVE Many centers advocate use of triple-contrast (IV, oral, and rectal) CT for assessing hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating abdominopelvic trauma. Enteric contrast material has several disadvantages, leading our practice to pursue use of single-contrast (IV) CT. We conducted a retrospective review of electronic medical records at our institution to assess the accuracy of single-contrast CT for diagnosing bowel injuries in cases of penetrating abdominopelvic trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patients who presented to our emergency department between January 1, 2004, and March 1, 2014, with penetrating abdominopelvic trauma, underwent an abdominopelvic CT, and had surgery performed thereafter. We reviewed pertinent emergency department records for details regarding the site of injury, the number of injuries per patient, and the type of weapon used. We correlated CT reports with operative notes for presence and sites of bowel injury. RESULTS A total of 274 patients (median age, 27 years old) met our inclusion criteria; 77% had sustained gunshot wounds (GSWs). CT showed bowel injury in 173 cases; surgery revealed bowel injury in 162 cases. CT had 142 true-positive, 31 false-positive, 81 true-negative, and 20 false-negative cases, resulting in sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 72%, positive predictive value of 82%, and negative predictive value of 80% for detecting bowel injuries. CT had the highest sensitivity and specificity in patients with multiple GSWs (94% and 79%, respectively) and those with injuries to the stomach and rectum. CONCLUSION Single-contrast CT can show bowel injuries in patients with penetrating abdominopelvic trauma with accuracy comparable with that reported for triple-contrast CT.
Coevolution of coloration and colour vision?

The evolutionary relationship between signals and animal senses has broad significance, with potential consequences for speciation, and for the efficacy and honesty of biological communication. Here we outline current understanding of the diversity of colour vision in two contrasting groups: the phylogenetically conservative birds, and the more variable butterflies. Evidence for coevolution of colour signals and vision exists in both groups, but is limited to observations of phenotypic differences between visual systems, which might be correlated with coloration. Here, to illustrate how one might interpret the evolutionary significance of such differences, we used colour vision modelling based on an avian eye to evaluate the effects of variation in three key characters: photoreceptor spectral sensitivity, oil droplet pigmentation and the proportions of different photoreceptor types. The models predict that physiologically realistic changes in any one character will have little effect, but complementary shifts in all three can substantially affect discriminability of three types of natural spectra. These observations about the adaptive landscape of colour vision may help to explain the general conservatism of photoreceptor spectral sensitivities in birds. This approach can be extended to other types of eye and spectra to inform future work on coevolution of coloration and colour vision. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Animal coloration: production, perception, function and application’.
The Production of Clay Nano-Composite Epoxy and Comparison of Its Properties with Epoxy Resins

In this research, the layers separation and the intercalated nano-composites is studied with a new method using compressed air nozzles and the shear force in order to do lamination of layers within the epoxy matrix in a best way. Full separation of clay layers will cause the interaction with the surface area of the clay layers and the epoxy reaches its maximum. Then the mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elastic modulus, toughness and stiffness of the experimental conditions are discussed. Our results show that using method if combining nozzle with less diameter results the best in most cases and in general, use of 1 mm diameter nozzle and the amount of 5 wt% clay are the optimum conditions for maximum mechanical properties.
Lithium–Sulfur Battery State-of-Charge Observability Analysis and Estimation

Lithium–Sulfur (Li–S) battery technology is considered for an application in an electric-vehicle energy storage system in this study. A new type of Li-S cell is tested by applying load current and measuring cell's terminal voltage in order to parameterize an equivalent circuit network model. Having the cell's model, the possibility of state-of-charge (SOC) estimation is assessed by performing an observability analysis. The results demonstrate that the Li–S cell model is not fully observable because of the particular shape of cell's open-circuit voltage curve. This feature distinguishes Li-S batteries from many other types of battery, e.g., Li-ion and NiMH. As a consequence, a Li-S cell's SOC cannot be estimated using existing methods in the literature and special considerations are needed. To solve this problem, a new framework is proposed consisting of online battery parameter identification in conjunction with an estimator that is trained to use the identified parameters to predict SOC. The identification part is based on the well-known prediction-error minimization algorithm; and the SOC estimator part is an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system in combination with coulomb counting. Using the proposed method, a Li-S cell's SOC is estimated with a mean error of 4% and maximum error of 7% in a realistic driving scenario.
De novo SETD5 loss‐of‐function variant as a cause for intellectual disability in a 10‐year old boy with an aberrant blind ending bronchus

Although rare, 3p microdeletion cases have been well described in the clinical literature. The clinical phenotype includes; intellectual disability (ID), growth retardation, facial dysmorphism, and cardiac malformations. Advances in chromosome microarray (CMA) testing narrowed the 3p25 critical region to a 124 kb region, and recent Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) studies have suggested that the SETD5 gene contributes significantly to the 3p25 phenotype. Loss‐of‐Function (LoF) variants in SETD5 are now considered a likely cause of ID. We report here a patient with a frameshift LoF variant in exon 12 of SETD5. This patient has features overlapping with other patients described with LoF SETD5 variants to include; similar facial morphology, feeding difficulties, ID, behavioral abnormalities and leg length discrepancy. In addition, he presents with an aberrant blind ending bronchus. This report adds to publications describing intragenic mutations in SETD5 and supports the assertion that de novo LoF mutations in SETD5 present with an overlapping but distinct phenotype in comparison with 3p25 microdeletion syndromes.
Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Piperine from Piper nigrum

A novel microwave-assisted technique (MAE) for the extraction of piperine from coarsely powdered black pepper (Piper nigrum) was studied. The parameters such as nature of the solvent, microwave energy input, and solid loading were optimized. The mechanism of the enhancement of extraction rates was investigated by microscopic studies of the irradiated material. Studies have revealed that dielectric heating of the polar cellular matrix resulted in remarkable swelling and coalescence of the oil cells and other constituents. The resulting pressure, built-up within the cell, breaks open the cell, releasing the constituents and providing easy access for solvent penetration and subsequent solubilization of piperine and other substances. Because the cell wall is mainly composed of slightly ionic cellulose, there is a marked increase in the dielectric heating rates. Rapid degradation of the cellulosic cell wall occurs, thereby further increasing the permeability of the wall toward solvent penetration. Selective extraction of piperine in nonpolar solvents to the extent of 94% with a purity of 85% has been achieved. The MAE procedure is simple, rapid, and reliable.
BYZANTINE GLASS MOSAICS EXCAVATED FROM THE "CROSS CHURCH", JERASH, JORDAN: AN ARCHAEOMETRICAL INVESTIGATION

The finding of considerable remains of glass mosaic floors, together with great stone mosaic floors dated back to Byzantine period ( 6 th to 7 th century A.D) from the Cross Church at the Jerash/Jerasa archaeological site in northern Jordan represented a strange phenomenon (glass mosaic). The chemical analysis of ancient glass mosaic tesserae can provide important information regarding the manufacturing technology of the glass mosaic made during a specific period. The aim of this study is to characterize the chemical and technological aspects of Byzantine glasses excavated from this main archaeological site. For this purpose, a considerable group of glass tesserae of different colours were collected and analyzed by XRF spectroscopy. XRD spectroscopy was used to identify the crystalline phases of glass tesserae and mineralogically to characterize the underlying lime mortar. All samples were investigated by optical microscopy. The results of chemical analyses indicated that the glass tesserae show a clear difference in chemical composition. The majority of the glass tesserae are compositionally homogeneous and belongs to the so-called natron-based silica–soda–lime glass type, whereas some samples are of relatively high level content of lead and aluminium. The tesserae colorants and opacifiers also are varied. Microscopic examination show obvious formal differences among glass tesserae samples.
Robust Blind Deconvolution via Mirror Descent

We revisit the Blind Deconvolution problem with a focus on understanding its robustness and convergence properties. Provable robustness to noise and other perturbations is receiving recent interest in vision, from obtaining immunity to adversarial attacks to assessing and describing failure modes of algorithms in mission critical applications. Further, many blind deconvolution methods based on deep architectures internally make use of or optimize the basic formulation, so a clearer understanding of how this sub-module behaves, when it can be solved, and what noise injection it can tolerate is a first order requirement. We derive new insights into the theoretical underpinnings of blind deconvolution. The algorithm that emerges has nice convergence guarantees and is provably robust in a sense we formalize in the paper. Interestingly, these technical results play out very well in practice, where on standard datasets our algorithm yields results competitive with or superior to the state of the art. Keywords: blind deconvolution, robust continuous optimization
Targeting Unique Metabolic Properties of Breast Tumor Initiating Cells

Normal stem cells from a variety of tissues display unique metabolic properties compared to their more differentiated progeny. However, relatively little is known about metabolic properties of cancer stem cells, also called tumor initiating cells (TICs). In this study we show that, analogous to some normal stem cells, breast TICs have distinct metabolic properties compared to nontumorigenic cancer cells (NTCs). Transcriptome profiling using RNA‐Seq revealed TICs underexpress genes involved in mitochondrial biology and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, and metabolic analyses revealed TICs preferentially perform glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation compared to NTCs. Mechanistic analyses demonstrated that decreased expression and activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase (Pdh), a key regulator of oxidative phosphorylation, plays a critical role in promoting the proglycolytic phenotype of TICs. Metabolic reprogramming via forced activation of Pdh preferentially eliminated TICs both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings reveal unique metabolic properties of TICs and demonstrate that metabolic reprogramming represents a potential therapeutic strategy for targeting these cells. Stem Cells 2014;32:1734–1745
A U-model based controller design for non-minimum phase systems: Application to Boeing 747 altitude-hold autopilot

This paper presents a novel approach to design non-minimum phase (NMP) dynamic control systems, which consists of two stages of design. Specify a desired minimum phase (MP) plant model, with desired zeros and the same orders as original plants and then determine a hauling polynomial (by resolving the difference between the specified MP zeros and underlying NMP zeros) to convert a NMP control system design into MP formality. The second stage is to design an invariant closed loop system, then find the controller output by resolving an inverse dynamic in form of U-model root solving. To demonstrate the design procedure and potential for applications, take Boeing 747 altitude-hold autopilot for bench test. For comparison, Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) design is selected which is a very classical approach. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed control scheme.