Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential Contribution of IL-7 to Allergen-Induced Eosinophilic Airway Inflammation in Asthma1

The primary function of IL-7 is to promote maturation and survival of T cells. Through microarray expression analysis, we previously observed that human blood eosinophils express mRNA for IL-7Rα (CD127) and its common γ chain (CD132). The purpose of this study was to determine whether eosinophils have functional IL-7 receptors and to assess the potential contribution of IL-7 to eosinophilic airway inflammation by evaluating its presence in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of subjects with atopic asthma before and after segmental bronchoprovocation with allergen. Immunoblot analysis revealed that CD127 is present in highly purified human blood eosinophils. Furthermore, eosinophils responded to IL-7 with phosphorylation of STAT5, up-regulation of the activation marker CD69, and prolonged survival. Neutralization of GM-CSF but not IL-5 significantly blunted these functional responses, suggesting that IL-7 mediates its effects by promoting eosinophil release of autologous GM-CSF. Notably, the suppressive effect of anti-GM-CSF on STAT5 phosphorylation occurred within 10 min of eosinophil exposure to IL-7. Thus, IL-7 likely activates eosinophil release of preformed rather than newly synthesized GM-CSF. The biological relevance of IL-7 to eosinophilia in vivo was implicated in a study of airway allergen challenge in patients with allergic asthma. IL-7 concentrations in BAL fluid increased significantly 48 h after segmental allergen challenge and were highly correlated with BAL eosinophils (r = 0.7, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the airway response to allergen is associated with the generation of IL-7, which may contribute to airway inflammation by promoting enhanced eosinophil activation and survival. Activation of eosinophils is a novel function for IL-7.
Peculiarities of approximations application to the identification of mathematical macromodels

The problem of mathematical macromodeling electronic devices. The results of macromodeling using approximations by the method of least squares and chebyshev approximation for the frequency detector, multivibrator and oscillator. The expediency of the method of least squares to reproduce the original signal macromodels of nonlinear electronic devices.
A new class of amphiphiles bearing rigid hydrophobic groups for solubilization and stabilization of membrane proteins.

Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) are crucial cellular components, mediating the transfer of material and signals between the environment and the cytoplasm, or between different cellular compartments. Structural and functional analysis of IMPs is important; more than half of current pharmaceutical agents target proteins in this class. [1] IMP characterization is often challenging, and sometimes impossible, because of difficulties associated with handling these macromolecules. [2] IMPs in the native state display large hydrophobic surfaces, which are not compatible with an aqueous environment; therefore, detergents are required to extract IMPs from the lipid bilayer and to maintain the native state of the protein in solution. [3] Nonionic detergents, such as dodecyl-β-D-maltoside (DDM) and octyl-β-D-glucoside (OG), are generally preferred for these applications. Despite the comparatively mild nature of DDM, OG and related detergents, many membrane proteins denature and/or aggregate upon solubilization with these agents. [4]
Figure rotation of dark haloes in cold dark matter simulations

We investigate the figure rotation of dark matter haloes identified in A cold dark matter (CDM) simulations. We find that when strict criteria are used to select suitable haloes for study, five of the 222 haloes identified in our z = 0 simulation output undergo coherent figure rotation over a 5 h -1 Gyr period. We discuss the effects of varying the selection criteria and find that pattern speeds for a much larger fraction of the haloes can be measured when the criteria are relaxed. Pattern speeds measured over a 1 h -1 Gyr period follow a lognormal distribution, centred at Ωp = 0.2 h rad Gyr -1 with a maximum value of 0.94 h rad Gyr -1 . Over a 5 h -1 Gyr period, the average pattern speed of a halo is about 0.1 h rad Gyr -1 and the largest pattern speed found is 0.24 h rad Gyr -1 . Less than half of the selected haloes showed alignment between their figure rotation axis and minor axis, the exact fraction being somewhat dependent on how one defines a halo. While the pattern speeds observed are lower than those generally thought capable of causing spiral structure, we note that coherent figure rotation is found over very long periods and argue that further simulations would be required before strong conclusions about spiral structure in all galaxies could be drawn. We find no correlation between halo properties such as total mass and the pattern speed.
Magnetic models of saturated interior permanent magnet motors based on finite element analysis

This paper deals with the magnetic model of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor, whose parameters are computed using finite element analysis. As known, in unsaturated conditions the motor inductive parameters and flux linkage call be univocally determined. Conversely, under saturated operation, different choices may be adopted to define them. Various models are examined, with the purpose to individuate the most effective for a prediction of the motor and speed capability. Attention is devoted to the performance at base speed as well as in the flux-weakening region. Comparison with tests confirms the good agreement with the results obtained by finite element analysis.
Serum zinc levels amongst pregnant women in a rural block of Haryana state, India.

INTRODUCTION Zinc deficiency is wide spread in developing countries. Its deficiency during pregnancy has been documented to be associated with growth retardation, congenital abnormalities, and low birth weight. Limited community based data is available on the serum zinc levels during pregnancy from Haryana State, India. Hence the present study was undertaken. METHODS A community based cross sectional study was conducted amongst 283 pregnant women with gestational age of 28 weeks or more. Each pregnant woman was inquired about her age, obstetric profile, socio-economic status, and other demographic parameters by utilizing a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Blood from the antecubital vein was drawn to assess the serum zinc levels utilizing the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Nutrient intake was assessed by the standard 24-hr dietary recall method. Statistical tests were applied to the data collected. RESULTS Mean serum zinc level was 61.1+/-16.6 microg/dL. Almost 64.6% of the women had zinc deficiency. The dietary data revealed that 58.9 % of the women were consuming calories less that 75% of the recommended, indicating an overall poor food intake. Dietary zinc intake revealed that 86.2 % of the women were consuming less than 50% of the recommended (15 mg). A high prevalence of zinc deficiency (64.6%) was found amongst the pregnant women possibly due to the low dietary intake of zinc. There is a need to undertake multi-centric studies in various parts of the country to assess the serum zinc levels, magnitude of zinc deficiency and factors leading to zinc deficiency amongst pregnant women in India.
Covariant generalization of cosmological perturbation theory

We present an approach to cosmological perturbations based on a covariant perturbative expansion between two worldlines in the real inhomogeneous universe. As an application, at an arbitrary order we define an exact scalar quantity which describes the inhomogeneities in the number of e-folds on uniform density hypersurfaces and which is conserved on all scales for a barotropic ideal fluid. We derive a compact form for its conservation equation at all orders and assign it a simple physical interpretation. To make a comparison with the standard perturbation theory, we develop a method to construct gauge-invariant quantities in a coordinate system at arbitrary order, which we apply to derive the form of the nth order perturbation in the number of e-folds on uniform density hypersurfaces and its exact evolution equation. On large scales, this provides the gauge-invariant expression for the curvature perturbation on uniform density hypersurfaces and its evolution equation at any order.
A semi-analytic model for the co-evolution of galaxies, black holes and active galactic nuclei

We present a new semi-analytic model that self-consistently traces the growth of supermassive black holes (BH) and their host galaxies within the context of the Lambda cold dark matter (� CDM) cosmological framework. In our model, the energy emitted by accreting black holes regulates the growth of the black holes themselves, drives galactic scale winds that can remove cold gas from galaxies, and produces powerful jets that heat the hot gas atmospheres surrounding groups and clusters. We present a comprehensive comparison of our model predictions with observational measurements of key physical properties of low-redshift galaxies, such as cold gas fractions, stellar metallicities and ages, and specific star formation rates. We find that our new models successfully reproduce the exponential cut-off in the stellar mass function and the stellar and cold gas mass densities at z ∼ 0, and predict that star formation should be largely, but not entirely, quenched in massive galaxies at the present day. We also find that our model of self-regulated BH growth naturally reproduces the observed relation between BH mass and bulge mass. We explore the global formation history of galaxies and black holes in our models, presenting predictions for the cosmic histories of star formation, stellar mass assembly, cold gas and metals. We find that models assuming the ‘concordance’ � CDM cosmology overproduce star formation and stellar mass at high redshift (z 2). A model with less small-scale power predicts less star formation at high redshift, and excellent agreement with the observed stellar mass assembly history, but may have difficulty accounting for the cold gas in quasar absorption systems at high redshift (z ∼ 3–4).
Movement perception 1 Running head : MOVEMENT PERCEPTION AND PRODUCTION IN ASPERGER ’ S Movement Perception and Movement Production in Asperger ‟ s Syndrome

To determine whether motor difficulties documented in Asperger‟s Syndrome (AS) are related to compromised visual abilities, this study examined perception and movement in response to dynamic visual environments. Fourteen males with AS and 16 controls aged 7 to 23 completed measures of motor skills, postural response to optic flow, and visual sensitivity to static form and coherent motion in random dot kinematograms and point-light walkers. No group differences were found in sensitivity to static form or coherent motion. However, significant group differences were found in visual sensitivity to human movement and postural responsivity to optic flow, which both correlated with motor skills. This may suggest difficulties in perception and production of movement and dysfunctional perceptual-motor linkages in AS.
Investigation of Micro Spiral Waves at Cellular Level Using a Microelectrode Arrays Technology

During cardiac arrhythmia, functional reentries may take the form of spiral waves. The purpose of this study was to induce spiral waves by an electrical stimulation of cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes using a microelectrode arrays technology. In basal conditions, cardiac muscle cells in monolayer culture displayed a planar wavefront propagation. External electrical impulse trains induced severe arrhythmia and spiral waves appeared. This in vitro generation of spiral wave opens a new way to test the anti-arrhythmic drugs and for strategies at microscopically scale.
Two related strains of feline infectious peritonitis virus isolated from immunocompromised cats infected with a feline enteric coronavirus

Two groups of cats were experimentally infected orally with the cat-passaged RM strain of feline enteric coronavirus (FECV-RM). One group of cats (n = 19) had been chronically infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) for over 6 years, while a second control group (n = 20) consisted of FIV-naive siblings. Fecal virus shedding of FECV occurred in both groups starting on day 3 postinfection, nearly ceased by 4 weeks in FIV-uninfected cats, but remained at high levels in FIV-infected animals. FIV-infected cats shed virus for a longer period of time and at levels 10 to 100 times greater than those for FIV-uninfected cats. The coronavirus antibody response of the FIV-infected cats was delayed and of reduced titer compared with that of the FIV-uninfected animals. Cats in both groups remained asymptomatic for the first two months following FECV-RM infection; however, 8 to 10 weeks postinfection two cats in the FIV-infected group developed feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). The FIP viruses (designated FIPV-UCD9 and -UCD10) isolated from these two cats had almost complete genetic homology to each other and to the infecting FECV-RM. However, unlike FECV-RM, they readily induced FIP when inoculated intraperitoneally into specific-pathogen-free cats. This study confirms that FIPVs are frequently and rapidly arising mutants of FECV. Immunosuppression caused by chronic FIV infection may have enhanced the creation and selection of FIPV mutants by increasing the rate of FECV replication in the bowel and inhibiting the host's ability to combat the mutant viruses once they occurred.
A systematic review of adherence with medications for diabetes.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which patients omit doses of medications prescribed for diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A literature search (1966-2003) was performed to identify reports with quantitative data on adherence with oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) and insulin and correlations between adherence rates and glycemic control. Adequate documentation of adherence was found in 15 retrospective studies of OHA prescription refill rates, 5 prospective electronic monitoring OHA studies, and 3 retrospective insulin studies. RESULTS Retrospective analyses showed that adherence to OHA therapy ranged from 36 to 93% in patients remaining on treatment for 6-24 months. Prospective electronic monitoring studies documented that patients took 67-85% of OHA doses as prescribed. Electronic monitoring identified poor compliers for interventions that improved adherence (61-79%; P < 0.05). Young patients filled prescriptions for one-third of prescribed insulin doses. Insulin adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes was 62-64%. CONCLUSIONS This review confirms that many patients for whom diabetes medication was prescribed were poor compliers with treatment, including both OHAs and insulin. However, electronic monitoring systems were useful in improving adherence for individual patients. Similar electronic monitoring systems for insulin administration could help healthcare providers determine patients needing additional support.
Pro-active Management of Beet Armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) Resistance to IGRs, Tebufenozide and Methoxyfenozide

Susceptibility to tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide of beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) from the southern United States and Thailand was determined through exposure of first and third instar larvae to dipped cotton leaves. LC50 estimates of first instar larvae ranged from 0.377 to 32.7 micrograms of tebufenozide per milliliter and 0.034 to 11.5 micrograms of methoxyfenozide per milliliter. LC50 estimates of third instar larvae ranged from 4.37 to 715 micrograms of tebufenozide per milliliter and 0.393 to 47.4 micrograms of methoxyfenozide per milliliter. These estimates translated into 87-fold and 164-fold decreases in susceptibility to tebufenozide and 338-fold and 121-fold decreases in susceptibility to methoxyfenozide of first and third instar larvae from a Thailand strain when compared to the most susceptible of eight United States populations evaluated. Among the United States field populations evaluated, a collection from Belle Glade, Florida was the most susceptible and one taken near Parker, Arizona was the least susceptible. Selection of the Thailand population with tebufenozide or methoxyfenozide resulted in significant reductions in susceptibility to both analogs, indicating a common mechanism of resistance. Isolation and characterization of resistance will provide information that will be helpful for pro-active management of resistance for this valuable group of insecticides in the United States.
Security and Game Theory: Evaluating Deployed Decision-Support Systems for Security: Challenges, Analysis, and Approaches

This chapter discusses the difficult problem of evaluating deployed security-focused decision support systems. In a security setting, one can never expect the adversary to cooperate in evaluation, which disallows many kinds of controlled studies. Furthermore, data is typically sparse — there are thankfully relatively few terrorist attacks on major infrastructure in the U.S. Still, evaluating security measures is critical in ensuring efficient allocation of security resources. We discuss a variety of approaches for evaluating such systems, using the deployed ARMOR and IRIS systems as exemplars. Taken as a whole, the evidence supports the effectiveness of these systems, but there are clearly opportunities to improve our methods for assessing the value proposition of all types of security systems.
Cortisol levels in survivors of the Utøya shootings two to three years after the event

Survivors of the Utøya shootings 2011 are at risk at developing PTSD/PTSS symptoms. Previous research has addressed the biological markers associated with the development of PTSD/PTSS, with special attention to the HPA axis, and the hormones secreted. In the present study, we try to identify some of these biological markers (cortisol) and discuss possible explanations to the observed changes. The survivors of the Utøya shootings were further subdivided into those with PTSD/PTSS symptoms and those who did not compared to a non-exposed control group. Salivary cortisol was collected by home assessments, and before and after a fMRI scanning sequence The sampling occurred over a three day period to assess a normal circadian cortisol rhythm, and particularly the cortisol awakening response was of interest. This phenomenon occurs right after awakening. Approximately 15 to 30 minutes after awakening the cortisol levels increase. The Utøya subjects with PTSD/PTSS showed a lower overall cortisol output than the two other groups, especially with respect to the cortisol increase (AUCi). The results provide evidence of alterations in the HPA axis in the subjects who developed PTSD/PTSS after the Utøya shootings, and provide increased understanding of some of the biological markers of PTSD.
Evaluation of plasma chemerin levels in patients with non-dipper blood pressure patterns

Background Chemerin is a novel adipokine that plays a role in inflammation and atherosclerosis. Although there are several correlations between hypertension and the inflammatory system, there is still insufficient information about the relationship between blood pressure variability and inflammatory markers. In this study, we aimed to determine whether chemerin levels are elevated in non-dipper patients compared with dippers and healthy controls. Material/Methods This study was composed of a group of 90 patients: 60 hypertensive patients and 30 healthy control subjects (12 males, mean age 53.2±15.4 years). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring devices (ABPM) were connected to all patients. Using data from the ABPM, hypertensive patients were divided into 2 groups: 30 dipper patients (12 males, mean age 52.5±15.1 years) and 30 non-dipper patients (11 males, mean age 54.6±13.0 years). Complete blood count and biochemistry were measured by standard methods and plasma chemerin concentrations were quantified by ELISA. Results Non-dipper patients demonstrated higher chemerin levels compared to dippers and normotensives (219.7±16.3 vs. 182.4±21.4 ng/ml; 219.7±16.3 vs. 85.4±38.1 ng/ml, respectively, p<0.001 for both comparisons). A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the optimal cut-off value for chemerin to predict a non-dipping pattern was 201.4, with 90% sensitivity and 90% specificity. There was a positive correlation between chemerin levels and all ambulatory blood pressure values in all hypertensive patients. Conclusions Chemerin, which plays a role in inflammation and atherosclerosis, was higher in non-dippers compared to dippers and normotensives. Additionally, chemerin shows positive correlations with blood pressure.
Do routine activities help predict young adults’ online harassment: A multi-nation study

This study examined the feasibility of routine activity theory in predicting online harassment victimization of people aged 15 to 30 years in the USA, Finland, Germany, and the UK. Logistic regression models controlled for socio-demographic factors, exposure to offender, target suitability, and absence of guardianship. According to the results, between 15 percent and 20 percent of respondents reported having been victims of online harassment. Of routine activity theory variables tested, only exposure to offenders was statistically significant in each of the four countries. Females were more likely to be victims than males in Finland, but not in other countries. Those with an immigrant background had a higher likelihood of being victims in Germany, but not in the other countries, whereas the protective role of guardianship was supported in the USA and Germany. Our findings indicate that while routine activity theory is a useful tool for predicting online victimization, its feasibility varied across countries.
Informing the design of future transport information services with travel behaviour data

In order to increase the attractiveness of public transport systems, information technology has great potential to add value to their usage. In particular, the availability of digital sources of behavioural transport data opens up new directions for the development of transport information services which are focused on the passengers' engagement in public transport. This will enable novel perceptions of transport services, encompassing aspects of personal transport behaviour - information related to the transport routines of individual travellers, social transport behaviour - information which creates an understanding of the collective transport usage of social groups - and dimensions of quality-of-transport information which include novel measures of travel experiences such as overcrowding. In this paper, we introduce and discuss a design space of how behavioural transport data can shape more user-centric transport information services in order to inform future research activities in this area.
Configurational entropy of hard spheres

We numerically calculate the configurational entropy Sconf of a binary mixture of hard spheres, by using a perturbed Hamiltonian method trapping the system inside a given state, which requires fewer assumptions than the previous methods (Speedy 1998 Mol. Phys. 95 169). We find that Sconf is a decreasing function of the packing fraction φ and extrapolates to zero at the Kauzmann packing fraction , suggesting the possibility of an ideal glass transition for the hard-sphere system. Finally, the Adam–Gibbs relation is found to hold.