Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CCR 7-mediated LFA-1 functions in T cells are regulated by 2 independent ADAP / SKAP 55 modules

1Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; 2Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; 3Department of Vascular Biology, Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; 4Protein Engineering Group, Leibniz Institute of Molecular Pharmacology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 5Molecular Medicine, Max-Planck-Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany; and 6Department of Immune Control, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
Expression of thyroid hormone regulator genes in the yolk sac membrane of the developing chicken embryo

Thyroid hormones (THs) are essential for the correct development of nearly every structure in the body from the very early stages of development, yet the embryonic thyroid gland is not functional at these stages. To clarify the roles of the egg yolk as a source of THs, the TH content in the yolk and the expression of TH regulator genes in the yolk sac membrane were evaluated throughout the 21-day incubation period of chicken embryos. The yolk TH content (22.3 ng triiodothyronine and 654.7 ng thyroxine per total yolk on day 4 of incubation) decreased almost linearly along with development. Real-time PCR revealed gene expression of transthyretin, a principal TH distributor in the chicken, and of a TH-inactivating iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO3), until the second week of incubation when the embryonic pituitary-thyroid axis is generally thought to start functioning. The TH-activating deiodinase (DIO2) and transmembrane transporter of thyroxine (SLCO1C1) genes were expressed in the last week of incubation, which coincided with a marked increase of circulating thyroxine and a reduction in the yolk sac weight. DIO1, which can remove iodine from inactive THs, was expressed throughout the incubation period. It is assumed that the chicken yolk sac inactivates THs contained abundantly in the yolk and supplies the hormones to the developing embryo in appropriate concentrations until the second week of incubation, while THs may be activated in the yolk sac membrane in the last week of incubation. Additionally, the yolk sac could serve as a source of iodine for the embryo.
Study of Body Image in Fertile and Infertile Men

Background Body Image as a multidimensional entity is related to both physical and psychological aspects of the image one has of his or her own body. Lack/absence of an acceptable body image is one of the reasons of mental distress in infertile individuals. Methods In this study, an equal number (No=120) of fertile and infertile men attending Avicenna Infertility Clinic (AIC) were enrolled. The participants were compared in regard to body image variables based on the "Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ)" consisting of 10 subscales. Data was analyzed by SPSS, version 11.5, using Chi square and independent t-tests. Results Fertile men had a more positive body image as compared to infertile individuals. Significant statistical differences were observed when body image subscales were compared in both groups; in other words appearance evaluation, appearance orientation, Novy, health evaluation, health orientation, illness orientation, body satisfaction, overweight preoccupation and self-classified weight showed differences, while no significant difference was observed in regard to fitness orientation. Conclusion It seems that the ability and efficiency of body image is affected by infertility leading to dissatisfaction of one's body image.
Regulation of Cigarette Smoke (CS)-Induced Autophagy by Nrf2

Cigarette smoke (CS) has been reported to induce autophagy in airway epithelial cells. The subsequent autophagic cell death has been proposed to play an important pathogenic role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, the underlying molecular mechanism is not entirely clear. Using CS extract (CSE) as a surrogate for CS, we found that it markedly increased the expressions of both LC3B-I and LC3B-II as well as autophagosomes in airway epithelial cells. This is in contrast to the common autophagy inducer (i.e., starvation) that increases LC3B-II but reduces LC3B-I. Further studies indicate that CSE regulated LC3B at transcriptional and post-translational levels. In addition, CSE, but not starvation, activated Nrf2-mediated adaptive response. Increase of cellular Nrf2 by either Nrf2 overexpression or the knockdown of Keap1 (an Nrf2 inhibitor) significantly repressed CSE-induced LC3B-I and II as well as autophagosomes. Supplement of NAC (a GSH precursor) or GSH recapitulated the effect of Nrf2, suggesting the increase of cellular GSH level is responsible for Nrf2 effect on LC3B and autophagosome. Interestingly, neither Nrf2 activation nor GSH supplement could restore the repressed activities of mTOR or its downstream effctor-S6K. Thus, the Nrf2-dependent autophagy-suppression was not due to the re-activation of mTOR-the master repressor of autophagy. To search for the downstream effector of Nrf2 on LC3B and autophagosome, we tested Nrf2-dependent genes (i.e., NQO1 and P62) that are also increased by CSE treatment. We found that P62, but not NQO1, could mimic the effect of Nrf2 activation by repressing LC3B expression. Thus, Nrf2->P62 appears to play an important role in the regulation of CSE-induced LC3B and autophagosome.
Searching for the Optimal Sampling Solution: Variation in Invertebrate Communities, Sample Condition and DNA Quality

There is a great demand for standardising biodiversity assessments in order to allow optimal comparison across research groups. For invertebrates, pitfall or flight-interception traps are commonly used, but sampling solution differs widely between studies, which could influence the communities collected and affect sample processing (morphological or genetic). We assessed arthropod communities with flight-interception traps using three commonly used sampling solutions across two forest types and two vertical strata. We first considered the effect of sampling solution and its interaction with forest type, vertical stratum, and position of sampling jar at the trap on sample condition and community composition. We found that samples collected in copper sulphate were more mouldy and fragmented relative to other solutions which might impair morphological identification, but condition depended on forest type, trap type and the position of the jar. Community composition, based on order-level identification, did not differ across sampling solutions and only varied with forest type and vertical stratum. Species richness and species-level community composition, however, differed greatly among sampling solutions. Renner solution was highly attractant for beetles and repellent for true bugs. Secondly, we tested whether sampling solution affects subsequent molecular analyses and found that DNA barcoding success was species-specific. Samples from copper sulphate produced the fewest successful DNA sequences for genetic identification, and since DNA yield or quality was not particularly reduced in these samples additional interactions between the solution and DNA must also be occurring. Our results show that the choice of sampling solution should be an important consideration in biodiversity studies. Due to the potential bias towards or against certain species by Ethanol-containing sampling solution we suggest ethylene glycol as a suitable sampling solution when genetic analysis tools are to be used and copper sulphate when focusing on morphological species identification and facing financial restrictions in biodiversity studies.
Using the Triangle Inequality to Accelerate k-Means

The k-means algorithm is by far the most widely used method for discovering clusters in data. We show how to accelerate it dramatically, while still always computing exactly the same result as the standard algorithm. The accelerated algorithm avoids unnecessary distance calculations by applying the triangle inequality in two different ways, and by keeping track of lower and upper bounds for distances between points and centers. Experiments show that the new algorithm is effective for datasets with up to 1000 dimensions, and becomes more and more effective as the number k of clusters increases. For k ≥ 20 it is many times faster than the best previously known accelerated k-means method.
Joint User-Association and Resource-Allocation in Virtualized Wireless Networks

In this paper, we consider the down-link dynamic resource allocation in multi-cell virtualized wireless networks (VWNs) to support the users of different service providers (slices) within a specific region by a set of base stations (BSs) through orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA). In particular, we develop a joint BS assignment, sub-carrier, and power allocation algorithm to maximize the network sum rate, while satisfying the minimum required rate of each slice. Under the assumption that each user at each transmission instance can connect to no more than one BS, we introduce the user-association factor to represent the joint sub-carrier and BS assignment as the optimization variable vector in the problem formulation. Sub-carrier reuse is allowed in different cells, but not within one cell. As the proposed optimization problem is inherently non-convex and NP-hard, by applying the successive convex approximation (SCA) and complementary geometric programming (CGP), we develop an efficient two-step iterative approach with low computational complexity to solve the proposed problem. For a given problem, Step 1 derives the optimum user-association and subsequently, and for an obtained user-association, Step 2 finds the optimum power allocation. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed iterative algorithm outperforms the traditional approach in which each user is assigned to the BS with the largest average value of signal strength, and then, joint sub-carrier and power allocation is obtained for the assigned users of each cell. Simulation results reveal a coverage improvement, offered by the proposed approach, of 57% and 71% for uniform and non-uniform users distribution, respectively, leading to higher spectrum efficiency for VWN.
Archeoguide: first results of an augmented reality, mobile computing system in cultural heritage sites

This paper presents the ARCHEOGUIDE project (Augmented Reality-based Cultural Heritage On-site GUIDE). ARCHEOGUIDE is an IST project, funded by the EU, aiming at providing a personalized electronic guide and tour assistant to cultural site visitors. The system provides on-site help and Augmented Reality reconstructions of ancient ruins, based on user's position and orientation in the cultural site, and realtime image rendering. It incorporates a multimedia database of cultural material for on-line access to cultural data, virtual visits, and restoration information. It uses multi-modal user interfaces and personalizes the flow of information to its user's profile in order to cater for both professional and recreational users, and for applications ranging from archaeological research, to education, multimedia publishing, and cultural tourism. This paper presents the ARCHEOGUIDE system and the experiences gained from the evaluation of an initial prototype by representative user groups at the archeological site of Olympia, Greece.
Universität Des Saarlandes Fachrichtung 6.1 – Mathematik Optic Flow in Harmony Optic Flow in Harmony Optic Flow in Harmony

Most variational optic flow approaches just consist of three constituents: a data term, a smoothness term and a smoothness weight. In this paper, we present an approach that harmonises these three components. We start by developing an advanced data term that is robust under outliers and varying illumination conditions. This is achieved by using constraint normalisation, and an HSV colour representation with higher order constancy assumptions and a separate robust penalisation. Our novel anisotropic smoothness is designed to work complementary to the data term. To this end, it incorporates directional information from the data constraints to enable a filling-in of information solely in the direction where the data term gives no information , yielding an optimal complementary smoothing behaviour. This strategy is applied in the spatial as well as in the spatio-temporal domain. Finally, we propose a simple method for automatically determining the optimal smoothness weight. This method bases on a novel concept that we call " optimal prediction principle " (OPP). It states that the flow field obtained with the optimal smoothness weight allows for the best prediction of the next frames in the image sequence. The benefits of our " optic flow in harmony " (OFH) approach are demonstrated by an extensive experimental validation and by a competitive performance at the widely used Middlebury optic flow benchmark.
Global climate changes as forecast by Goddard Institute for Space Studies three‐dimensional model

We use a three-dimensional climate model, the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) model II with 8° by 10° horizontal resolution, to simulate the global climate effects of time-dependent variations of atmospheric trace gases and aerosols. Horizontal heat transport by the ocean is fixed at values estimated for today's climate, and the uptake of heat perturbations by the ocean beneath the mixed layer is approximated as vertical diffusion. We make a 100-year control run and perform experiments for three scenarios of atmospheric composition. These experiments begin in 1958 and include measured or estimated changes in atmospheric CO2, CH4, N2O, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and stratospheric aerosols for the period from 1958 to the present. Scenario A assumes continued exponential trace gas growth, scenario B assumes a reduced linear growth of trace gases, and scenario C assumes a rapid curtailment of trace gas emissions such that the net climate forcing ceases to increase after the year 2000. Principal results from the experiments are as follows: (1) Global warming to the level attained at the peak of the current interglacial and the previous interglacial occurs in all three scenarios; however, there are dramatic differences in the levels of future warming, depending on trace gas growth. (2) The greenhouse warming should be clearly identifiable in the 1990s; the global warming within the next several years is predicted to reach and maintain a level at least three standard deviations above the climatology of the 1950s. (3) Regions where an unambiguous warming appears earliest are low-latitude oceans, China and interior areas in Asia, and ocean areas near Antarctica and the north pole; aspects of the spatial and temporal distribution of predicted warming are clearly model-dependent, implying the possibility of model discrimination by the 1990s and thus improved predictions, if appropriate observations are acquired. (4) The temperature changes are sufficiently large to have major impacts on people and other parts of the biosphere, as shown by computed changes in the frequency of extreme events and by comparison with previous climate trends. (5) The model results suggest some near-term regional climate variations, despite the fixed ocean heat transport which suppresses many possible regional climate fluctuations; for example, during Hie late 1980s and in the 1990s there is a tendency for greater than average warming in the southeastern and central United States and relatively cooler conditions or less than average warming in the western United States and much of Europe. Principal uncertainties in the predictions involve the equilibrium sensitivity of the model to climate forcing, the assumptions regarding heat uptake and transport by the ocean, and the omission of other less-certain climate forcings.
Clinical correlation between N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide and angiographic coronary atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the clinical correlation between angiographic coronary atherosclerosis and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide along with other known correlated factors. METHODS: In total, 153 patients with a diagnostic hypothesis of stable angina, unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction were classified as group A (patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries) or group B (patients with angiographic coronary atherosclerosis). The two groups were analyzed with respect to the following factors: gender, age, body mass index, abdominal circumference, smoking, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, early family history of atherosclerosis, statin use, the presence of metabolic syndrome, clinical presentation and biochemical factors, including cholesterol, creatinine and fibrinogen plasma concentrations, monocyte counts and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. RESULTS: Univariate analyses comparing the two groups revealed that group B patients more frequently had diabetes, used statins and had systolic dysfunction, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels ≥250 pg/mL, fibrinogen levels >500 mg/dL and ≥501 monocytes/mm3 compared with group A patients (p<0.05). Nevertheless, multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the independent predictors of angiographic coronary atherosclerosis were an N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level ≥250 pg/mL, diabetes mellitus and increased monocyte numbers and fibrinogen plasma concentration, regardless of the creatinine level or the presence of systolic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: An N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide plasma concentration of ≥250 pg/mL is an independent predictor of angiographic coronary atherosclerosis.
Protective CD8 Memory T Cell Responses to Mouse Melanoma Are Generated in the Absence of CD4 T Cell Help

Background We have previously demonstrated that temporary depletion of CD4 T cells in mice with progressive B16 melanoma, followed by surgical tumor excision, induces protective memory CD8 T cell responses to melanoma/melanocyte antigens. We also showed that persistence of these CD8 T cells is supported, in an antigen-dependent fashion, by concurrent autoimmune melanocyte destruction. Herein we explore the requirement of CD4 T cell help in priming and maintaining this protective CD8 T cell response to melanoma. Methodology and Principal Findings To induce melanoma/melanocyte antigen-specific CD8 T cells, B16 tumor bearing mice were depleted of regulatory T cells (Treg) by either temporary, or long-term continuous treatment with anti-CD4 (mAb clone GK1.5). Total depletion of CD4 T cells led to significant priming of IFN-γ-producing CD8 T cell responses to TRP-2 and gp100. Surprisingly, treatment with anti-CD25 (mAb clone PC61), to specifically deplete Treg cells while leaving help intact, was ineffective at priming CD8 T cells. Thirty to sixty days after primary tumors were surgically excised, mice completely lacking CD4 T cell help developed autoimmune vitiligo, and maintained antigen-specific memory CD8 T cell responses that were highly effective at producing cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2). Mice lacking total CD4 T cell help also mounted protection against re-challenge with B16 melanoma sixty days after primary tumor excision. Conclusions and Significance This work establishes that CD4 T cell help is dispensable for the generation of protective memory T cell responses to melanoma. Our findings support further use of CD4 T cell depletion therapy for inducing long-lived immunity to cancer.
Characterization of sulfur resistance of Pd / Au hydrogen separation membrane prepared by galvanic displacement

Sulfur containing impurities are known to cause severe and irreversible poisoning of Pd membranes during the hydrogen separation application (Especially in the coal gasification) resulting in the reduction of hydrogen permeability, selectivity and structure deterioration of Pd membranes. Pd/Au alloys are found to show high sulfur resistance in comparison to pure Pd and other Pd based alloys (i.e., Pd/Ag, Pd/Cu, etc.) in addition to its high hydrogen permeability. As a result, Pd/Au alloys have recently regained great interests for membrane separation process. The preparation of Pd/Au alloys can be carried out by the galvanic displacement method, which does not require external sources of current, reducing agent and complexing agent (such as cyanide) and provides simplified plating equipment and environmentally preferable procedure. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of temperature on sulfur poisoning of pure Pd and Pd/Au alloy morphologically. In addition, the hydrogen permeation characteristics of the Pd/Au membrane in the presence of H2S and the permeance recovery after the sulfur poisoning at different temperatures were investigated.
245 GHz SiGe transmitter with integrated antenna and external PLL

A 245 GHz transmitter (TX) with an integrated antenna for sensing applications has been realized, which consists of a push-push VCO with a 1/64 frequency divider, a transformer-coupled one-stage power amplifier, a frequency doubler, and an on-chip antenna with localized backside etching. The frequency of the TX is tunable by an external PLL in the range from 239.5 GHz to 250.8 GHz. The TX is fabricated in 0.13 μm SiGe:C BiCMOS technology with fT/fmax of 300GHz/500GHz. The output power of the TX is 1 dBm at 245 GHz. The TX including the frequency divider dissipates 0.38 W. The EIRP of the transmitter with antenna was measured using an external receive horn antenna. The EIRP reaches about 7 dBm at 245 GHz. This value represents the highest EIRP reported for a 245 GHz transmitter with integrated single antenna so far.
Use of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog for protection against premature ovarian failure during cyclophosphamide therapy in women with severe lupus.

OBJECTIVE Cyclophosphamide (CYC) therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease predominantly affecting women of childbearing age, causes an unacceptably high incidence of irreversible premature ovarian failure (POF). This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of depot leuprolide acetate, a synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRH-a), for protection against POF during CYC therapy. METHODS Young women with severe SLE treated in a standardized protocol of monthly intravenous bolus CYC were offered treatment with GnRH-a (depot leuprolide acetate; a 3.75-mg monthly injection during the standard CYC regimen). Patients treated with GnRH-a were compared with controls individually matched by age (+/-5 years) and by cumulative CYC dose (+/-5 gm). Reproductive status was determined after a minimum followup of 3 years after CYC therapy. The primary outcome was time to POF. Paired summary statistical analyses, Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, and Cox regression analyses were performed to assess differences in outcome between groups. RESULTS POF developed in 1 of 20 women treated with GnRH-a (5%) compared with 6 of 20 controls (30%) matched by age and cumulative CYC dose (matched odds ratio 0.09, P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier estimates demonstrated improved cumulative ovarian protection over time in the GnRH-a-treated group (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION Treatment with GnRH-a during CYC therapy was associated with a significant reduction of POF in young women with severe SLE.
Multi-functional optically sensitive metal-insulator-semiconductor devices based on Pt nanoparticles fabricated in-situ with a dielectric stack using atomic layer deposition

We report optically sensitive multi-functional metal-insulator-semiconductor devices based on Pt nanoparticles, which were fabricated in-situ with the dielectric stack using atomic layer deposition on a silicon-on-insulator substrate. The devices exhibit non-volatile memory behavior, with a memory window that can be enhanced by optical illumination. Voltage stressed devices serve as highly sensitive broadband photodetectors, as well as optically tunable varactors.