Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cellular inflammatory response after spinal cord injury in sprague‐dawley and lewis rats

The distribution of microglia, macrophages, T‐lymphocytes, and astrocytes was characterized throughout a spinal contusion lesion in Sprague‐Dawley and Lewis rats by using immunohistochemistry. The morphology, spatial localization, and activation state of these inflammatory cells were described both qualitatively and quantitatively at 12 hours, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after injury. By use of OX42 and ED1 antibodies, peak microglial activation was observed within the lesion epicenter of both rat strains between three and seven days post‐injury preceding the bulk of monocyte influx and macrophage activation (seven days). Rostral and caudal to the injury site, microglial activation plateaued between two and four weeks post‐injury in the dorsal and lateral funiculi as indicated by morphological transformation and the de‐novo expression of major histocompatibility class II (MHC II) molecules. Similar to the timing of microglial reactions, T‐lymphocytes maximally infiltrated the lesion epicenter between three and seven days post‐injury. Reactive astrocytes, while present in the acute lesion, were more prominent at later survival times (7–28 days). These cells were interspersed with activated microglia but appeared to surround and enclose tissue sites occupied by reactive microglia and phagocytic macrophages. Thus, trauma‐induced central nervous system (CNS) inflammation, regardless of strain, occurs rapidly at the site of injury and involves the activation of resident and recruited immune cells. In regions rostral or caudal to the epicenter, prolonged activation of inflammatory cells occurs preferentially in white matter and primarily consists of activated microglia and astrocytes.
On the Game Chromatic Number of Sparse Random Graphs

Given a graph $G$ and an integer $k$, two players take turns coloring the vertices of $G$ one by one using $k$ colors so that neighboring vertices get different colors. The first player wins iff at the end of the game all the vertices of $G$ are colored. The game chromatic number $\chi_g(G)$ is the minimum $k$ for which the first player has a winning strategy. The paper [T. Bohman, A. M. Frieze, and B. Sudakov, Random Structures Algorithms, 32 (2008), pp. 223--235] began the analysis of the asymptotic behavior of this parameter for a random graph $G_{n,p}$. This paper provides some further analysis for graphs with constant average degree, i.e., $np=O(1)$, and for random regular graphs. We show that with high probability (w.h.p.) $c_1\chi(G_{n,p})\leq \chi_g(G_{n,p})\leq c_2\chi(G_{n,p})$ for some absolute constants $1<c_1< c_2$. We also prove that if $G_{n,3}$ denotes a random $n$-vertex cubic graph, then w.h. p. $\chi_g(G_{n,3})=4$.
Psychosocial and Ergonomic Factors, and Their Relation to Musculoskeletal Complaints in the Swedish Workforce

A random sample of 1 000 subjects (20–65 years old) from the national population of Sweden received a questionnaire; 70% (n = 695) replied, of whom 532 were occupationally active. Female gender, working with neck and/or body bent forward, arms above shoulders, and precision work tasks were predictors of musculoskeletal symptoms. Neck, shoulder, and upper back symptoms were more common in a strained situation at work (high demands, low control) (adjusted odds ratios [adjOR] 2.76, 2.80, and 2.26, respectively). Among females, neck and shoulder symptoms were more common in an iso-strain situation (high demands, low control and low social support) (adjOR 4.43 and 3.69, respectively), and low back symptoms were more common at low social support combined with a passive work situation (adjOR 3.35). No associations were found between iso-strain model and symptoms among males. In conclusion, iso-strain work situation was associated with neck symptoms among females, even when controlling for ergonomic factors.
Engineering virus resistance using a modified potato gene.

Natural mutations in translation initiation factor eIF4E confer resistance to potyviruses in many plant species. Potato is a staple food crop plagued by several potyviruses, yet to date no known eIF4E-mediated resistance genes have been identified. In this study, we demonstrate that transgenic expression of the pvr1(2) gene from pepper confers resistance to Potato virus Y (PVY) in potato. We then use this information to convert the susceptible potato ortholog of this allele into a de novo allele for resistance to PVY using site-directed mutagenesis. Potato plants overexpressing the mutated potato allele are resistant to virus infection. Resistant lines expressed high levels of eIF4E mRNA and protein. The resistant plants showed growth similar to untransformed controls and produced phenotypically similar tubers. This technique disrupts a key step in the viral infection process and may potentially be used to engineer virus resistance in a number of economically important plant-viral pathosystems. Furthermore, the general public may be more amenable to the 'intragenic' nature of this approach because the transferred coding region is modified from a gene in the target crop rather than from a distant species.
Experimental Setup and Efficiency Evaluation of Zero-Field-Cooled (ZFC) YBCO Magnetic Bearings

This paper presents the conception, simulation, and experimental evaluation of magnetic bearings based on NdFeB magnets and zero-field-cooled (ZFC) YBCO bulk superconductors to replace the bearings of a standard electric machine. Advanced research on high-temperature superconductor magnetic levitation has been carried out for the construction of large-scale flywheels or for industry applications. However, those approaches used field-cooled superconductors, whereas the approach shown in this paper uses ZFC superconductors. Actually, as previously shown by the authors, ZFC implementation presents much less ac losses. The approach in our horizontal flywheel research follows the ZFC-maglev structure, where the linear track was closed into a circular one with the same diameter of the superconductor magnetic bearing. The conception and geometric placement of magnets and superconductors was designed to keep symmetry along the rotating axis and minimizing air gaps. A three-dimensional finite-element model was built for simulation and validation of the effectiveness of the solution. Experimental validation was then achieved measuring the balanced and unbalanced rotor lifting and guiding forces.
Exponential Stabilization of Memristor-based Chaotic Neural Networks with Time-Varying Delays via Intermittent Control

This paper is concerned with the global exponential stabilization of memristor-based chaotic neural networks with both time-varying delays and general activation functions. Here, we adopt nonsmooth analysis and control theory to handle memristor-based chaotic neural networks with discontinuous right-hand side. In particular, several new sufficient conditions ensuring exponential stabilization of memristor-based chaotic neural networks are obtained via periodically intermittent control. In addition, the proposed results here are easy to verify and they also extend the earlier publications. Finally, numerical simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.
Isolation and purification of a cell adhesion factor from crayfish blood cells

Isolated granular haemocytes (blood cells) from the crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus attached and spread in vitro on coverslips coated with a lysate of crayfish haemocytes. No cell adhesion activity was detected in crayfish plasma. The cell adhesion activity was only present in haemocyte lysates in which the prophenoloxidase (proPO) activating system (Soderhall and Smith, 1986a, b) had been activated; either by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the beta-1,3-glucan laminarin, or by preparing the lysate in 5 mM Ca2+. Both lysates of granular or of semigranular haemocytes could mediate adhesion. After A23187-induced exocytosis of the granular cells, cell adhesion activity could be generated in the secreted material if it was incubated with laminarin. The factor responsible for cell adhesion was isolated from an active haemocyte lysate and purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, cation exchange chromatography and Con A-Sepharose; it had a molecular mass of approximately 76 kD on an SDS-polyacrylamide gel. An antibody to this 76-kD band inhibited cell adhesion. Ca2+ was necessary in the medium for the cells to adhere to the adhesion factor. With cyanide or azide, the cells attached but failed to spread. It is suggested that in vivo the cell adhesion factor is stored in the secretory granules of the semigranular and the granular cells in a putative inactive pro-form, which can be released during exocytosis and, in the presence of beta- 1,3-glucans or LPS, be activated outside the cells to mediate cell attachment and spreading, processes of essential importance in arthropod host defense.
Nephrotoxic nephritis is mediated by Fcgamma receptors on circulating leukocytes and not intrinsic renal cells.

BACKGROUND There is evidence that mesangial cells express Fcgamma receptors in vitro, but the in vivo relevance of this is not known. FcRgamma-/- mice lack the gamma chain signaling subunit and therefore do not express the activator Fcgamma receptors (FcgammaRI and FcgammaRIII) or the high affinity IgE receptor, FcepsilonRI. FcRgamma-/- mice were protected from renal inflammation following the induction of accelerated nephrotoxic nephritis using sheep anti-mouse glomerular basement membrane anti-serum in mice sensitized to sheep IgG. METHODS In order to test whether Fcgamma receptors had a role on intrinsic renal cells during nephritis, bone marrow cells were transplanted between wild-type (WT) mice and mice with a gene-targeted deletion of FcRgamma. Donor marrow reconstitution was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood for FcgammaRIII, and the susceptibility of the transplanted mice to accelerated nephrotoxic nephritis was tested. RESULTS Following the induction of nephrotoxic nephritis, FcRgamma-/- mice transplanted with WT bone marrow developed as much renal disease as WT mice transplanted with WT bone marrow. In contrast, WT mice transplanted with FcRgamma-/- marrow were completely protected from glomerular crescents, thrombosis, albuminuria and renal impairment, as were FcRgamma-/- mice transplanted with FcRgamma-/- marrow. Mice with FcRgamma-/- marrow had prolonged survival, but by day 28 after nephrotoxic serum injection they had developed mesangial hypercellularity and a macrophage influx caused by non-FcRgamma dependent mechanisms. CONCLUSION Despite previous evidence that mesangial cells express Fcgamma receptors in vitro, they have no role in an FcRgamma-dependent model of glomerulonephritis in vivo.
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Upregulates Peroxisomal Fatty Acid Oxidation and Inhibits Apoptotic Cell Death in Abcd1-Deficient Glial Cells

In X-ALD, mutation/deletion of ALD gene (ABCD1) and the resultant very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) derangement has dramatically opposing effects in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. While loss of Abcd1 in astrocytes produces a robust inflammatory response, the oligodendrocytes undergo cell death leading to demyelination in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). The mechanisms of these distinct pathways in the two cell types are not well understood. Here, we investigated the effects of Abcd1-knockdown and the subsequent alteration in VLCFA metabolism in human U87 astrocytes and rat B12 oligodendrocytes. Loss of Abcd1 inhibited peroxisomal β-oxidation activity and increased expression of VLCFA synthesizing enzymes, elongase of very long chain fatty acids (ELOVLs) (1 and 3) in both cell types. However, higher induction of ELOVL's in Abcd1-deficient B12 oligodendrocytes than astrocytes suggests that ELOVL pathway may play a prominent role in oligodendrocytes in X-ALD. While astrocytes are able to maintain the cellular homeostasis of anti-apoptotic proteins, Abcd1-deletion in B12 oligodendrocytes downregulated the anti-apototic (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL) and cell survival (phospho-Erk1/2) proteins, and upregulated the pro-apoptotic proteins (Bad, Bim, Bax and Bid) leading to cell loss. These observations provide insights into different cellular signaling mechanisms in response to Abcd1-deletion in two different cell types of CNS. The apoptotic responses were accompanied by activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 suggesting the involvement of mitochondrial-caspase-9-dependent mechanism in Abcd1-deficient oligodendrocytes. Treatment with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) corrected the VLCFA derangement both in vitro and in vivo, and inhibited the oligodendrocytes loss. These observations provide a proof-of principle that HDAC inhibitor SAHA may have a therapeutic potential for X-ALD.
Robustness of flood-model calibration using single and multiple events

ABSTRACT Lack of discharge data for model calibration is challenging for flood prediction in ungauged basins. Since establishment and maintenance of a permanent discharge station is resource demanding, a possible remedy could be to measure discharge only for a few events. We tested the hypothesis that a few flood-event hydrographs in a tropical basin would be sufficient to calibrate a bucket-type rainfall–runoff model, namely the HBV model, and proposed a new event-based calibration method to adequately predict floods. Parameter sets were chosen based on calibration of different scenarios of data availability, and their ability to predict floods was assessed. Compared to not having any discharge data, flood predictions improved already when one event was used for calibration. The results further suggest that two to four events for calibration may considerably improve flood predictions with regard to accuracy and uncertainty reduction, whereas adding more events beyond this resulted in small performance gains.
Salicylate Inhibits Phosphorylation of the Nonreceptor Tyrosine Kinases, Proline-Rich Tyrosine Kinase 2 and c-Src

The anti-inflammatory effects of salicylate are well known, but the intracellular mechanisms underlying those effects remain to be clarified and are not explained solely by an influence on cyclooxygenase activity. In the present study, we have used cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by either angiotensin II (Ang II) or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to demonstrate an inhibitory effect of salicylate on the phosphorylation of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) and c-Src, by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting methods. This inhibition was dose dependent, with a clear effect observed at concentrations between 5 and 20 mmol/L salicylate. Intracellular Ca2+ chelation and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition reduced Ang II and PDGF-induced PYK2 and c-Src phosphorylation. Salicylate significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of both of the tyrosine kinases activated by either ionophore A23187 or thapsigargin treatment, which led to an elevation of cytosolic Ca2+. Activation of PKC by phorbol ester phosphorylated both PYK2 and Src, and this effect also was attenuated by salicylate. In contrast, salicylate had no effect on either the transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by Ang II or the phosphorylation of phospholipase C-&ggr; by PDGF. These studies indicate a novel site of action for salicylate on PYK2 and c-Src phosphorylation and suggest that this inhibitory effect on these important signaling intermediates may be through a Ca2+- and PKC-dependent mechanism.
Privacy preserving delegated word search in the cloud

In this paper, we address the problem of privacy preserving delegated word search in the cloud. We consider a scenario where a data owner outsources its data to a cloud server and delegates the search capabilities to a set of third party users. In the face of semi-honest cloud servers, the data owner does not want to disclose any information about the outsourced data; yet it still wants to benefit from the highly parallel cloud environment. In addition, the data owner wants to ensure that delegating the search functionality to third parties does not allow these third parties to jeopardize the confidentiality of the outsourced data, neither does it prevent the data owner from efficiently revoking the access of these authorized parties. To these ends, we propose a word search protocol that builds upon techniques of keyed hash functions, oblivious pseudo-random functions and Cuckoo hashing to construct a searchable index for the outsourced data, and uses private information retrieval of short information to guarantee that word search queries do not reveal any information about the data to the cloud server. Moreover, we combine attribute-based encryption and oblivious pseudo-random functions to achieve an efficient revocation of authorized third parties. The proposed scheme is suitable for the cloud as it can be easily parallelized.
IL-18 with IL-2 protects against Strongyloides venezuelensis infection by activating mucosal mast cell–dependent type 2 innate immunity

C57BL/6 (B6) and B6 background STAT6−/− mice pretreated with IL-18 plus IL-2 showed prominent intestinal mastocytosis and rapidly expelled implanted adult worms of the gastrointestinal nematode Strongyloides venezuelensis. In contrast, identically pretreated mast cell–deficient W/Wv mice failed to do so. Thus, activated mucosal mast cells (MMC) are crucial for parasite expulsion. B6 mice infected with S. venezuelensis third-stage larvae (L3) completed parasite expulsion by day 12 after infection, whereas IL-18−/− or IL-18Rα −/− B6 mice exhibited marked impairment in parasite expulsion, suggesting a substantial contribution of IL-18–dependent MMC activation to parasite expulsion. Compared with IL-18−/− or IL-18Rα −/− mice, S. venezuelensis L3–infected STAT6−/− mice have poorly activated MMC and sustained infection; although their IL-18 production is normal. Neutralization of IL-18 and IL-2 further reduces expulsion in infected STAT6−/− mice. These results suggest that collaboration between IL-18–dependent and Th2 cell–dependent mastocytosis is important for prompt parasite expulsion.
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are ecological disrupting compounds (EcoDC)

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are ubiquitous in freshwater ecosystems worldwide and are recognized as contaminants of concern. Currently, contaminants of concern are classified for their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT criteria). PPCPs are not classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), although some PPCPs share characteristics similar to POPs. For example, PPCPs are known to be pseudopersistent due to constant discharge into the environment, often at low concentrations. At commonly reported environmental concentrations, PPCPs are rarely toxic, but the ability of these compounds to disrupt ecological processes and functions in freshwater ecosystems is often overlooked. Herein we briefly summarize recent studies highlighting the potential ecological effects of PPCPs, including effects on key ecological processes (e.g. primary productivity and community respiration), and we propose that appropriate screening for harmful effects of PPCPs in surface waters should be expanded to include Ecologically Disrupting Compounds (EcoDC) in addition to the established PBT criteria.
The balancing effect in brain-machine interaction

The meta analysis of Intangible Brain Machine Interaction (IMMI) data with random number generators is re-evaluated through the application of rigorous and recognized mathematical tools. The current analysis shows that the statistical average of the true RNG-IMMI data is not shifted from chance by direct mental intervention, thus refuting the IMMI hypothesis. A facet of this general statistical behavior of true RNG-IMMI data is the statistical balancing of scores observed in IMMI tests where binary testing conditions are adopted. The actual dynamics that had been supporting the elusive IMMI effect are shown to be related to the psychology of experimenters. The implications of the refutation of the IMMI hypothesis especially on associated phenomena are also discussed.
Differential properties of cells in the feline primary visual cortex providing the corticofugal feedback to the lateral geniculate nucleus and visual claustrum

We have examined the responses of 141 layer VI cells in the feline visual cortex. Within this group we compared the responses of a subpopulation of cells checked for connectivity by electrical stimulation in the dLGN and the visual claustrum. The antidromically identified corticogeniculate projecting cells had relatively short receptive fields, as judged from length response curves, measured quantitatively, and were located at the “short” end of the receptive field length spectrum seen in the general population. Of the 17 corticogeniculate projecting cells, 71% were S type cells, which were typically monocular and directionally selective, with relatively long latencies following electrical stimulation. The remaining 29% were C type cells, also directionally selective, but with a wider spread of ocular dominance preferences and shorter latencies following electrical stimulation. S and C type subpopulations did not differ in their receptive field lengths. The mean receptive field length for this subpopulation was 2.2 degrees +/- 0.27, the shortest field being 1 degrees and the longest 5 degrees. The five layer VI cells activated by electrical stimulation from electrodes within the dorsocaudal (visual) claustrum all had much longer receptive field lengths than the corticogeniculate population, often 10 degrees or longer and were monocular and directionally selective S type cells. These data indicate that the information carried in the corticogeniculate stream (and that from layer VI directly to layer IV carried by axon collaterals) is relatively tightly focused in spatial terms whilst the less spatially focused, long receptive field output from layer VI projects to the claustrum.
Does Chemotherapy Really Affect the Quality of Life of Women with Breast Cancer?

Purpose The aims of this cross-sectional study were to explore and evaluate the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on quality of life in breast cancer patients according to the survival time from surgery. Methods Completed questionnaires were collected from 534 women with breast cancer. Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics were reviewed and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast cancer instrument, global quality of life, Beck Depression Inventory, and unmet sexuality needs were administered. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, chi-square tests and multiple analysis of covariance were performed while controlling for confounding variables. Results Statistically significant differences were found between chemotherapy and no chemotherapy group on depression (p=0.026), unmet sexuality needs (p=0.010), breast cancer specific concerns (p=0.010), physical well-being (p=0.001), and emotional well-being (p=0.028). Chemotherapy effects also varied according to survival time since surgery such as for group 1 (<1 year since surgery), significant differences were found on Beck Depression Inventory (p=0.042), unmet sexuality needs (p=0.016), breast cancer subscale (p=0.004), and physical well-being (p=0.016) and for group 3 (>3 years since surgery) on depression (p=0.019) and physical well-being (p=0.028) respectively; however, there were no significant differences between chemotherapy and no chemotherapy group for group 2 (1-3 years since surgery). Conclusion As expected, breast cancer patients who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy experienced significantly worse quality of life than those who did not receive chemotherapy. Furthermore, the adverse chemotherapy effects on the quality of life appear to vary according to the time since surgery. These results suggest that health care professionals may need to address long-term as well as short-term chemotherapy side-effects and intervene accordingly to enhance quality of life of breast cancer patients.