Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolving Strategies for Cancer and Autoimmunity: Back to the Future

Although current thinking has focused on genetic variation between individuals and environmental influences as underpinning susceptibility to both autoimmunity and cancer, an alternative view is that human susceptibility to these diseases is a consequence of the way the immune system evolved. It is important to remember that the immunological genes that we inherit and the systems that they control were shaped by the drive for reproductive success rather than for individual survival. It is our view that human susceptibility to autoimmunity and cancer is the evolutionarily acceptable side effect of the immune adaptations that evolved in early placental mammals to accommodate a fundamental change in reproductive strategy. Studies of immune function in mammals show that high affinity antibodies and CD4 memory, along with its regulation, co-evolved with placentation. By dissection of the immunologically active genes and proteins that evolved to regulate this step change in the mammalian immune system, clues have emerged that may reveal ways of de-tuning both effector and regulatory arms of the immune system to abrogate autoimmune responses whilst preserving protection against infection. Paradoxically, it appears that such a detuned and deregulated immune system is much better equipped to mount anti-tumor immune responses against cancers.
The Role of Rac1 in Glycoprotein Ib-IX–Mediated Signal Transduction and Integrin Activation

Objective—The platelet receptor for von Willebrand factor, the glycoprotein Ib-IX (GPIb-IX) complex, mediates platelet adhesion at sites of vascular injury and transmits signals leading to platelet activation. von Willebrand factor/GPIb-IX interaction sequentially activates the Src family kinase Lyn (SFK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and Akt, leading to activation of integrin &agr;IIb&bgr;3 and integrin-dependent stable platelet adhesion and aggregation. It remains unclear how Lyn activates the PI3K/Akt pathway after ligand binding to GPIb-IX. Methods and Results—Using platelet-specific Rac1−/− mice and the Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766, we examined the role of Rac1 in GPIb-IX–dependent platelet activation. Rac1−/− mouse platelets and NSC23766-treated human platelets were defective in GPIb-dependent stable adhesion to von Willebrand factor under shear stress, integrin activation, thromboxane A2 synthesis, and platelet aggregation. Interestingly, GPIb-induced activation of Rac1 and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rac1, Vav, was abolished in both Lyn−/− and SFK inhibitor-treated platelets but was unaffected by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, indicating that Lyn mediates activation of Vav and Rac1 independently of PI3K. Furthermore, GPIb-induced activation of Akt was abolished in Rac1-deficient platelets, suggesting that Rac1 is upstream of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Conclusion—A Lyn-Vav-Rac1-PI3K-Akt pathway mediates von Willebrand factor–induced activation of integrin &agr;IIb&bgr;3 to promote GPIb-IX–dependent platelet activation.
Sidelobe Control in Collaborative Beamforming via Node Selection

Collaborative beamforming (CB) is a power efficient method for data communications in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) which aims at increasing the transmission range in the network by radiating the power from a cluster of sensor nodes in the directions of the intended base stations or access points (BSs/APs). The CB average beampattern shows a deterministic behavior and the mainlobe of the CB sample beampattern is independent of the particular node locations. However, the CB for a cluster of a finite number of collaborative nodes results in a sample beampattern with sidelobes that severely depend on the particular node locations. High level sidelobes can cause unacceptable interference when they occur at directions of unintended BSs/APs. Therefore, sidelobe control in CB has a potential to decrease the interference at unintended BSs/APs and increase the network transmission rate by enabling simultaneous multilink CB. Traditional sidelobe control techniques are proposed for centralized antenna arrays and are not suitable for WSNs. In this paper, we show that scalable and low-complexity sidelobe control techniques suitable for CB in WSNs can be developed based on a node selection technique which makes use of the randomness of the node locations. A node selection algorithm with low-rate feedback is developed to search over different node combinations. The performance of the proposed algorithm is analyzed in terms of the average number of search trials required for selecting the collaborative nodes, the resulting interference, and the corresponding transmission rate improvements. Our simulation results show that the interference can be significantly reduced and the transmission rate can be significantly increased when node selection is implemented with CB. The simulation results also show close agreement with our theoretical results.
Voltage holding prediction in multi electrode-multi voltage systems insulated in vacuum

The voltage holding in the 1 MV ITER Neutral Beam Accelerator is recognized to be one of the most critical issues for long lasting beam operation, due to the complex electrostatic structure formed by differently shaped electrodes biased at different potentials. At present, no model is available to predict the breakdown probability of electrostatic system with a comparable complexity degree. This paper is aimed at proposing an innovative modelling for the voltage breakdown prediction of such complex systems, based on the implementation of the micro particle (clump) induced breakdown Cranberg-Slivkov theory into a statistical approach. After a detailed description, the model is applied to simple geometries and the results are compared to the experiments found in literature; finally, the model is applied to an electrostatic mock-up of the real ITER Neutral Beam accelerator, showing a good agreement with the experiment.
New unbiased H infinity functional filters designs for discrete-time linear systems: Time and frequency domains approaches

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose solutions for both discrete‐time and frequency‐domain designs of unbiased H∞ functional filters for discrete‐time linear systems affected by bounded norm energy disturbances.Design/methodology/approach – The discrete‐time procedure design is based on the unbiasedness of the functional filter using a Sylvester equation; then the problem is expressed in a singular system one and is solved in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The frequency procedure design is derived from discrete‐time domain results by defining some useful matrix fraction descriptions and mainly, establishing the useful and equivalent form of the connecting relationship that parameterizes the dynamics behavior between discrete‐time and z‐domain.Findings – The performance of the proposed approach is illustrated with the aid of a practical example. The proposed methods are easily implementable and concern a more general class of systems, as the transformation of the system in a singu.
Bone mineral density is close to normal for age in long-term lymphoma survivors treated with high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation

Abstract Background: Few studies have assessed bone health in lymphoma survivors treated with high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (HDT-ASCT). Therefore, we aimed to assess bone mineral density (BMD) at six different skeletal sites and to investigate associations between clinical factors and BMD in these survivors. Material and methods: Eligible lymphoma survivors were aged ≥18 years at diagnosis and at HDT-ASCT given between 1987 and 2008. Participants responded to questionnaires, blood samples were drawn, and a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed. Mean Z-score was applied for assessment of BMD in relation to age. Prevalence of Z-scores ≥−1, between −1 and −2, and ≤−2 is reported for each measurement site and for the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and hip in combination. Likewise, T-scores were applied to assess the prevalence of normal BMD (≥−1), osteopenia (between −1 and −2.5), and osteoporosis (≤−2.5). Results: We included 228 lymphoma survivors, of whom 62% were males. The median age at survey was 56 years, and median observation time from HDT-ASCT was eight years. Among males, Z-scores were lower at the left femoral neck and higher at the ultra-distal (UD) radius and whole body compared to the Lunar reference database. In females, Z-scores were lower at UD radius and one-third (33%) radius and higher at the whole body. Using a classification based on Z-scores at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and hip in combination, 25% of males and 16% of females had Z-scores <−1 and >−2, while 8% and 6% had Z-scores ≤−2. According to T-scores, 35% of males and 41% of females had osteopenia, while 8% and 13% had osteoporosis, respectively. Conclusion: BMD was close to normal for age in this population of long-term lymphoma survivors treated with HDT-ASCT.
GesText: accelerometer-based gestural text-entry systems

Accelerometers are common on many devices, including those required for text-entry. We investigate how to enter text with devices that are solely enabled with accelerometers. The challenge of text-entry with such devices can be overcome by the careful investigation of the human limitations in gestural movements with accelerometers. Preliminary studies provide insight into two potential text-entry designs that purely use accelerometers for gesture recognition. In two experiments, we evaluate the effectiveness of each of the text-entry designs. The first experiment involves novice users over a 45 minute period while the second investigates the possible performance increases over a four day period. Our results reveal that a matrix-based text-entry system with a small set of simple gestures is the most efficient (5.4wpm) and subjectively preferred by participants.
A Novel Technology for Hydraulic Fracture Diagnostics in the Vicinity and Beyond the Wellbore

Despite modern technological advancements in well drilling and completion, our understanding of hydraulic fracture geometry remains virtually the same as it was at least a decade ago. A critical approach to fracture treatment diagnostics involves an accurate evaluation of near-wellbore perforations efficiency and detection of hydraulic fractures away from the wellbore. The main limitation of currently available fracture diagnostic techniques is that they provide no information about the propped and conductive fractures beyond the wellbore. A cross-dipole acoustic tool and deep shear wave imaging (DSWI) processing are able to detect hydraulic fracture-induced changes within the vicinity and beyond the wellbore. In the near-wellbore region, the acoustic wave transit time increases substantially through the frac sand. The increase in transit time is a function of frac sand porosity. In the mid-field region beyond the wellbore (at approximately one hundred feet), changes in acoustic wave's reflection amplitude between pre- and post-frac measurements illustrate the induced (conductive) fractures and are a strong indicator of the presence of the fracture network away from the borehole. In addition, a three-dimensional fracture radius network model generated from DSWI data can provide greater insight, compared to seismic imaging methods for example, about the presence, location, and characteristics of natural and hydraulically induced fractures. The three-dimensional fracture network model created via DSWI can be more readily used in workflows or tools associated with reservoir modeling and fracture modeling. A novel hydraulic fracture diagnostic technology based on acoustic measurements enables efficient evaluation of the completion and quick, cost-effective hydraulic fracture mapping in the mid-field region. The ability to run a single tool before and after the hydraulic fracture treatment makes this tool a unique solution that helps customers make smart decisions to improve well economics.
Remote sensing of heart rate and rumen temperature in feedlot beef cattle : associations with feeding and activity patterns

Heart rate (HR; beats/min) rumen temperature (RTMP; oC), activity level (ACT; %) and feeding patterns (feeding event duration; sec/30 min, feed intake; kg/30 min, visits to the feeder; visits/30 min) have been suggested as feed efficiency (residual feed intake; RFI; kg/d), distress and health status indicators in cattle holding potential for development into practical on-farm decision making tools. Our study assessed the associations between these parameters when feedlot cattle (n=22) were eating or not eating (FI dataset), at differing activity levels (ACT dataset) and between feed efficient and feed inefficient cattle (RFI dataset). Heart rate was not different between FI, ACT and RFI groups. RTMP was lower in high ACT then low ACT observations (39.64±0.15 vs 40.08±0.15; P=0.001) and was associated with ACT in positive RFI cattle (r=-0.55; P <0.001). Activity levels in the ACT dataset were lower when cattle were located in the yard then when located in the pen or abattoir. Associations between RTMP and ACT across ACT and RFI datasets promote these as potential indicators of feed efficiency and health status in cattle. Changes in ACT across locations suggest it to be a potential indicator of distress. Future studies assessing RTMP and ACT abilities to determine performance are warranted.
First Order Mean Field Games with Density Constraints: Pressure Equals Price

In this paper we study mean field game systems under density constraints as optimality conditions of two optimization problems in duality. A weak solution of the system contains an extra term, an additional price imposed on the saturated zones. We show that this price corresponds to the pressure field from the models of incompressible Euler equations a la Brenier. By this observation we manage to obtain a minimal regularity, which allows us to write optimality conditions at the level of single-agent trajectories and to define a weak notion of Nash equilibrium for our model.
OZONE VARIABILITY AND OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES (ODS) IN INDONESIA BASED ON MLS-AURA DATA

Research and characterizing the ozone profiles and Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in Indonesia is a satellite data-based research activities. The aim of the study was to obtain the characteristics of ozone in Indonesia as well as the contribution of ODS to the variability of ozone. By performing a data inventory based on satellite data, analyze the pattern of annual, seasonal and perform linkage analysis of the contribution of ODS changes to the conditions of ozone. Daily data of vertical profiles of ozone and in the form of volume mixing ratio (vmr) with format HDF (Hierarchical Data Format) is extracted to the territory of Indonesia to take parameters as latitude, longitude, and concentration. Then converted to Excel format with the help of data processing software of MATLAB. Results obtained in the form of ozone characteristics in Indonesia, the percentage of contribution to the variability of ozone also contribution to the variability of ozone in Indonesia in several levels of height. By using Microwave Limb Sounders (MLS) AURA satellite data in the period of 2005 to 2013 characteristics of monthly vertical profiles of ozone in Indonesia has been obtained. The ODS studied were ClO and BrO. Peak of vertical profiles of ozone occurs at a pressure of 10 hPa or altitude of 25.9 km. ClO peak occurs at a pressure of 2.1 hPa or altitude of 30.6 km and BrO reached the peak at 14 hPa or altitude of 24.5 km. When ClO and BrO reach a maximum concentration at stratosphere then ozone molecules is potentially damaging or decrease in the stratosphere. Temporal variations of ozone showed decrease when ODS concentrations increased (particularly ClO and BrO). Linear regression of ozone with ozone showed a negative correlation coefficient which indicates there is a strong relationship between ozone concentrations decline in pressure of 14 hPa when BrO reach the maximum. Likewise for ClO which also showed a negative correlation with the decrease in ozone concentration. ClO contribution to the decreasing of ozone in Indonesia was marked by every addition of 0.01 ppb ClO will reduce ozone of 0.00583 ppm (5.83 ppb). While any increase of 0.01 ppb of BrO will decrease 0.03 ppb of ozone.
On Automated Evaluation of Readability of Summaries: Capturing Grammaticality, Focus, Structure and Coherence

Readability of a summary is usually graded manually on five aspects of readability: grammaticality, coherence and structure, focus, referential clarity and non-redundancy. In the context of automated metrics for evaluation of summary quality, content evaluations have been presented through the last decade and continue to evolve, however a careful examination of readability aspects of summary quality has not been as exhaustive. In this paper we explore alternative evaluation metrics for 'grammaticality' and 'coherence and structure' that are able to strongly correlate with manual ratings. Our results establish that our methods are able to perform pair-wise ranking of summaries based on grammaticality, as strongly as ROUGE is able to distinguish for content evaluations. We observed that none of the five aspects of readability are independent of each other, and hence by addressing the individual criterion of evaluation we aim to achieve automated appreciation of readability of summaries.
Examining Gender Effects in Technology Acceptance by Arabian Workers: A Survey Study

While information technology is increasingly ubiquitous globally, the pace at which the technology has disseminated varies in different regions. We study technology acceptance by working individuals in the Arabian region, which has recorded substantial growths in technology infrastructure and deployments. We focus on gender because the Arabian region has a long-standing cultural tradition and entrenched social norms that distinctly define the gender roles. We develop a factor model, premised on the theory of planned behavior and the technology acceptance model, which explains the focal technology acceptance phenomenon. We test the model and the hypotheses with the responses from 1,088 Arabian workers from 56 firms that participate in our survey voluntarily. The model accounts for a significant portion of the variances in the workers’ intentions to use computer technology. We find that gender moderates the effect of subjective norms on intention (significantly stronger for males than for female workers) and the influence of perceived usefulness on attitude (significantly stronger for male than for female workers). However, the moderating role of gender appears insignificant on other relationships we hypothesized. Our findings have several important implications for both research and practice, which we will discuss in this paper.
Yeast carboxypeptidase Y vacuolar targeting signal is defined by four propeptide amino acids

The amino-terminal propeptide of carboxypeptidase Y (CPY) is necessary and sufficient for targeting this glycoprotein to the vacuole of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A 16 amino acid stretch of the propeptide was subjected to region-directed mutagenesis using randomized oligonucleotides. Mutations altering any of four contiguous amino acids, Gln-Arg-Pro-Leu, resulted in secretion of the encoded CPY precursor (proCPY), demonstrating that these residues form the core of the vacuolar targeting signal. Cells that simultaneously synthesize both wild-type and sorting-defective forms of proCPY efficiently sort and deliver only the wild-type molecule to the vacuole. These results indicate that the PRC1 missorting mutations are cis-dominant, implying that the mutant forms of proCPY are secreted as a consequence of failing to interact with the sorting apparatus, rather than a general poisoning of the vacuolar protein targeting system.
Development of Functional Impairment and Disability in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Followed for 20 Years: Relation to Disease Activity, Joint Damage, and Comorbidity

To study the course of impairment measured by Signals of Functional Impairment (SOFI) and disability measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) over 20 years in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients followed from the time of diagnosis, and to explore the contribution of disease activity, joint damage, and comorbidity to variation of SOFI and HAQ over time.
Using Motor Imagery to Study the Neural Substrates of Dynamic Balance

This study examines the cerebral structures involved in dynamic balance using a motor imagery (MI) protocol. We recorded cerebral activity with functional magnetic resonance imaging while subjects imagined swaying on a balance board along the sagittal plane to point a laser at target pairs of different sizes (small, large). We used a matched visual imagery (VI) control task and recorded imagery durations during scanning. MI and VI durations were differentially influenced by the sway accuracy requirement, indicating that MI of balance is sensitive to the increased motor control necessary to point at a smaller target. Compared to VI, MI of dynamic balance recruited additional cortical and subcortical portions of the motor system, including frontal cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum and mesencephalic locomotor region, the latter showing increased effective connectivity with the supplementary motor area. The regions involved in MI of dynamic balance were spatially distinct but contiguous to those involved in MI of gait (Bakker et al., 2008; Snijders et al., 2011; Crémers et al., 2012), in a pattern consistent with existing somatotopic maps of the trunk (for balance) and legs (for gait). These findings validate a novel, quantitative approach for studying the neural control of balance in humans. This approach extends previous reports on MI of static stance (Jahn et al., 2004, 2008), and opens the way for studying gait and balance impairments in patients with neurodegenerative disorders.
Countercurrent tangential chromatography for large‐scale protein purification

Recent advances in cell culture technology have created significant pressure on the downstream purification process, leading to a “downstream bottleneck” in the production of recombinant therapeutic proteins for the treatment of cancer, genetic disorders, and cardiovascular disease. Countercurrent tangential chromatography overcomes many of the limitations of conventional column chromatography by having the resin (in the form of a slurry) flow through a series of static mixers and hollow fiber membrane modules. The buffers used in the binding, washing, and elution steps flow countercurrent to the resin, enabling high‐resolution separations while reducing the amount of buffer needed for protein purification. The results obtained in this study provide the first experimental demonstration of the feasibility of using countercurrent tangential chromatography for the separation of a model protein mixture containing bovine serum albumin and myoglobin using a commercially available anion exchange resin. Batch uptake/desorption experiments were used in combination with critical flux data for the hollow fiber filters to design the countercurrent tangential chromatography system. A two‐stage batch separation yielded the purified target protein at >99% purity with 94% recovery. The results clearly demonstrate the potential of using countercurrent tangential chromatography for the large‐scale purification of therapeutic proteins. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011; 108:582–591. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.