Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loss of adenoviral receptor expression in human bladder cancer cells: a potential impact on the efficacy of gene therapy.

There is great interest in the development of gene therapeutic strategies for the treatment of benign and malignant diseases. Recombinant adenovirus has a wide spectrum of tissue specificity and is an efficient vector delivery system. Successful gene delivery, however, requires viral entry into the target cells via specific receptor-mediated uptake. Recently, a cDNA clone (the coxsackie and adenovirus receptor [CAR]) encoding a 46-kDa protein was identified as the receptor for group C adenovirus (e.g., adenovirus type 2 and 5). Currently, little is known regarding the expression of adenoviral receptor in normal tissue and cancer. In this paper, we have documented a significant difference in viral receptor levels that may be due to transcriptional regulation of the CAR gene in several human bladder cancer cell lines. The differences in viral receptor levels in these cells correlated with their sensitivity to viral infection. Transfection of receptor-negative cell line with CAR cDNA led to increased virus binding and increased susceptibility to adenovirus-mediated gene delivery. Our results demonstrate that the expression of adenoviral receptor is variable among human bladder cancer cells. This variability may have a significant impact on the outcome of adenovirus-based gene therapy.
Misexpression of the Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor ICK1/KRP1 in Single-Celled Arabidopsis Trichomes Reduces Endoreduplication and Cell Size and Induces Cell Death Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at www.plantcell.org/cgi/doi/10.1105/tpc.008342.

A positive correlation between cell size and DNA content has been recognized in many plant cell types. Conversely, misexpression of a dominant-negative cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) or CDK inhibitor proteins (ICK/KRPs) in Arabidopsis and tobacco leaves has revealed that cell growth can be uncoupled from cell cycle progression and DNA content. However, cell growth also appears to be controlled in a non-cell-autonomous manner by organ size, making it difficult in a ubiquitous expression assay to judge the cell-autonomous function of putative cell growth regulators. Here, we investigated the function of the CDK inhibitor ICK1/KRP1 on cell growth and differentiation independent of any compensatory influence of an organ context using Arabidopsis trichomes as a model system. By analyzing cell size with respect to DNA content, we dissected cell growth in a DNA-dependent and a DNA-independent process. We further found that ICK1/KRP1 misexpression interfered with differentiation and induced cell death, linking cell cycle progression, differentiation, and cell death in plants. The function of ICK1/KRP1 in planta was found to be dependent on a C-terminal domain and regulated negatively by an N-terminal domain. Finally, we identified CDKA;1 and a D-type cyclin as possible targets of ICK1/KRP1 expression in vivo.
Degrees of unsolvability associated with classes of formalized theories

In his well-known paper [11], Post founded a general theory of recursively enumerable sets, which had its metamathematical source in questions about the decision problem for deducibility in formal systems. However, in centering attention on the notion of degree of unsolvability, Post set a course for his theory which has rarely returned to this source. Among exceptions to this tendency we may mention, as being closest to the problems considered here, the work of Kleene in [8] pp. 298–316, of Myhill in [10], and of Uspenskij in [15]. It is the purpose of this paper to make some further contributions towards bridging this gap. From a certain point of view, it may be argued that there is no real separation between metamathematics and the theory of recursively enumerable sets. For, if the notion of formal system is construed in a sufficiently wide sense, by taking as ‘axioms’ certain effectively found members of a set of ‘formal objects’ and as ‘proofs’ certain effectively found sequences of these objects, then the set of ‘provable statements’ of such a system may be identified, via Gödel's numbering technique, with a recursively enumerable set; and conversely, each recursively enumerable set is identified in this manner with some formal system (cf. [8] pp. 299–300 and 306). However, the pertinence of Post's theory is no longer clear when we turn to systems formalized within the more conventional framework of the first-order predicate calculus. It is just this restriction which serves to clarify the difference in spirit of the two disciplines.
Selective randomized load balancing and mesh networks with changing demands

We consider the problem of building cost-effective networks that are robust to dynamic changes in demand patterns. We compare several architectures using demand-oblivious routing strategies. Traditional approaches include single-hop architectures based on a (static or dynamic) circuit-switched core infrastructure and multihop (packet-switched) architectures based on point-to-point circuits in the core. To address demand uncertainty, we seek minimum cost networks that can carry the class of hose demand matrices. Apart from shortest-path routing, Valiant's randomized load balancing (RLB), and virtual private network (VPN) tree routing, we propose a third, highly attractive approach: selective randomized load balancing (SRLB). This is a blend of dual-hop hub routing and randomized load balancing that combines the advantages of both architectures in terms of network cost, delay, and delay jitter. In particular, we give empirical analyses for the cost (in terms of transport and switching equipment) for the discussed architectures, based on three representative carrier networks. Of these three networks, SRLB maintains the resilience properties of RLB while achieving significant cost reduction over all other architectures, including RLB and multihop Internet protocol/multiprotocol label switching (IP/MPLS) networks using VPN-tree routing.
Cross-Talk in Mechanomyographic Signals from the Forearm Muscles during Sub-Maximal to Maximal Isometric Grip Force

Purpose This study aimed: i) to examine the relationship between the magnitude of cross-talk in mechanomyographic (MMG) signals generated by the extensor digitorum (ED), extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), and flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) muscles with the sub-maximal to maximal isometric grip force, and with the anthropometric parameters of the forearm, and ii) to quantify the distribution of the cross-talk in the MMG signal to determine if it appears due to the signal component of intramuscular pressure waves produced by the muscle fibers geometrical changes or due to the limb tremor. Methods Twenty, right-handed healthy men (mean ± SD: age = 26.7±3.83 y; height = 174.47±6.3 cm; mass = 72.79±14.36 kg) performed isometric muscle actions in 20% increment from 20% to 100% of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). During each muscle action, MMG signals generated by each muscle were detected using three separate accelerometers. The peak cross-correlations were used to quantify the cross-talk between two muscles. Results The magnitude of cross-talk in the MMG signals among the muscle groups ranged from, R2x, y = 2.45–62.28%. Linear regression analysis showed that the magnitude of cross-talk increased linearly (r2 = 0.857–0.90) with the levels of grip force for all the muscle groups. The amount of cross-talk showed weak positive and negative correlations (r2 = 0.016–0.216) with the circumference and length of the forearm respectively, between the muscles at 100% MVIC. The cross-talk values significantly differed among the MMG signals due to: limb tremor (MMGTF), slow firing motor unit fibers (MMGSF) and fast firing motor unit fibers (MMGFF) between the muscles at 100% MVIC (p<0.05, η 2 = 0.47–0.80). Significance The results of this study may be used to improve our understanding of the mechanics of the forearm muscles during different levels of the grip force.
Chloroquine Mediated Modulation of Anopheles gambiae Gene Expression

Background Plasmodium development in the mosquito is crucial for malaria transmission and depends on the parasite's interaction with a variety of cell types and specific mosquito factors that have both positive and negative effects on infection. Whereas the defensive response of the mosquito contributes to a decrease in parasite numbers during these stages, some components of the blood meal are known to favor infection, potentiating the risk of increased transmission. The presence of the antimalarial drug chloroquine in the mosquito's blood meal has been associated with an increase in Plasmodium infectivity for the mosquito, which is possibly caused by chloroquine interfering with the capacity of the mosquito to defend against the infection. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we report a detailed survey of the Anopheles gambiae genes that are differentially regulated by the presence of chloroquine in the blood meal, using an A. gambiae cDNA microarray. The effect of chloroquine on transcript abundance was evaluated separately for non-infected and Plasmodium berghei-infected mosquitoes. Chloroquine was found to affect the abundance of transcripts that encode proteins involved in a variety of processes, including immunity, apoptosis, cytoskeleton and the response to oxidative stress. This pattern of differential gene expression may explain the weakened mosquito defense response which accounts for the increased infectivity observed in chloroquine-treated mosquitoes. Conclusions/Significance The results of the present study suggest that chloroquine can interfere with several putative mosquito mechanisms of defense against Plasmodium at the level of gene expression and highlight the need for a better understanding of the impacts of antimalarial agents on parasite transmission.
Emergence of an Influenza B Virus with Antigenic Change

ABSTRACT Influenza B virus Yamagata group strains, isolated in the 2000 to 2001 influenza epidemic season, reacted poorly to the polyclonal ferret sera prepared against strains isolated earlier. The results of genetic analysis clarified that a point mutation of the nucleotide at position 126 in the HA1 region and the corresponding one-amino-acid substitution altered viral antigenicity.
Models of Working Memory: The Soar Cognitive Architecture and Human Working Memory

(3) Soar does not currently include any capacity limits on its dynamic memory (SDM), but is compatible with certain such limitations. In particular, a constraint that SDM can hold at most two items of the same “type” (suitably defined) yields a coherent explanation for many psycholinguistic phenomena in the comprehension of sentences. This constraint is motivated by computational efficiency concerns, and embodies the general principle of similarity-based interference (Baddeley & Logie; Cowan; Schneider; and O’Reilly, Braver & Cohen — all in this volume).
Regulation of Antinucleoprotein IgG by Systemic Vaccination and Its Effect on Influenza Virus Clearance

ABSTRACT Seasonal influenza epidemics recur due to antigenic drift of envelope glycoprotein antigens and immune evasion of circulating viruses. Additionally, antigenic shift can lead to influenza pandemics. Thus, a universal vaccine that protects against multiple influenza virus strains could alleviate the continuing impact of this virus on human health. In mice, accelerated clearance of a new viral strain (cross-protection) can be elicited by prior infection (heterosubtypic immunity) or by immunization with the highly conserved internal nucleoprotein (NP). Both heterosubtypic immunity and NP-immune protection require antibody production. Here, we show that systemic immunization with NP readily accelerated clearance of a 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus isolate in an antibody-dependent manner. However, human immunization with trivalent inactivated influenza virus vaccine (TIV) only rarely and modestly boosted existing levels of anti-NP IgG. Similar results were observed in mice, although the reaction could be enhanced with adjuvants, by adjusting the stoichiometry among NP and other vaccine components, and by increasing the interval between TIV prime and boost. Importantly, mouse heterosubtypic immunity that had waned over several months could be enhanced by injecting purified anti-NP IgG or by boosting with NP protein, correlating with a long-lived increase in anti-NP antibody titers. Thus, current immunization strategies poorly induce NP-immune antibody that is nonetheless capable of contributing to long-lived cross-protection. The high conservation of NP antigen and the known longevity of antibody responses suggest that the antiviral activity of anti-NP IgG may provide a critically needed component of a universal influenza vaccine.
Review of paediatric retinal microvascular changes as a predictor of cardiovascular disease

Recent studies have supported the hypothesis that exposure to established cardiovascular risk factors in early life predisposes to the development of adult cardiovascular disease. Retinal imaging is an emerging technique which facilitates non‐invasive, accurate and reproducible assessment of the retinal microvasculature. The assessment may be in the form of static vascular calibre measurements and assessment of the vascular geometry or dynamic structural and functional assessments. Paediatric retinal microvascular changes are reported in response to elevated blood pressure, type 1 diabetes, increasing adiposity, diet, physical activity, systemic inflammation, metabolic peptides, family history and prenatal factors. The resultant microvascular changes have been linked to sub‐clinical and overt cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and metabolic disease states in the adult population. Still missing however is longitudinal evidence showing the persistence of retinal microvascular alterations into adulthood. Future studies will enable retinal microvascular assessment to further evaluate the pathogenesis of disease states and response to intervention. The data obtained will also aid in expanding the clinical utility of retinal imaging as a cardiovascular risk prediction and monitoring tool and supplement existing recommendations to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Lipids and All-Cause Mortality among Older Adults: A 12-Year Follow-Up Study

This is a 12-year follow-up cohort study with 800 people (60–85 years old). The association between lipid disorders and mortality was analysed by Cox proportional hazard adjusted model. All-cause mortality was considered the dependent variable, and lipid disorders as independent variables: total cholesterol (TC) >200 and <170 mg/dl, HDL-c <35 and 40, LDL-c >100 and 130, and triglycerides (TG) >50. An initial analysis of all subjects was performed and a second was carried out after having excluded individuals with a body mass index (BMI) <20 kg/m2 or mortality in ≤2 years. The mortality showed a positive association with low TC and a negative association with high TC and high LDL-c. After the exclusion of underweight and premature mortality, there was a positive association only with TC <170 mg/dl (HR = 1.36, CI95%: 1.02–1.82). The data did not show a higher risk with high levels of TC, LDL-c, and TG. However, they showed higher mortality among older adults with low TC.
Development of a wireless field tack coat tester to evaluate in-situ tack coat performance

Tack coats are the asphalt cements applied between pavement lifts to provide adequate bond between the two surfaces. The adhesive bond between the two layers helps the pavement system to behave as a monolithic structure and improves the structural integrity. The absence, inadequacy, or failure of this bond result in a significant reduction in the shear strength resistance of the pavement structure and make the system more vulnerable to many distress types, such as cracking, rutting, and potholes. In this study, a wireless field tack coat testing system, the Oregon Field Tack Coat Tester (OFTCT), was developed to predict the long-term performance of tack coat bonds based on the results of tests conducted during construction. The OFTCT device was further used to evaluate the impact of pavement surface cleanliness before tack coat application on bond strength. In order to reduce the tack coat’s curing time and control temperature during testing, an adjustable heat gun, and environmental chamber were developed. Results of the analysis showed that the correlation between OFTCT and laboratory shear test results is statistically significant (R2 = 0.52) and OFTCT can be effectively used to predict the long-term performance of tack coat bonds. It was also determined that the OFTCT can be successfully utilised in the field as a test to quantify the cleanliness of the pavement surfaces before tack coat application.
Is there a functional way of responding to paranoid intrusions? Development of the Reactions to Paranoid Thoughts Scale

Introduction. Although many people experience paranoid thoughts occasionally, most do not develop clinically relevant paranoia, possibly due to a more functional way of responding. The aim of this study was to create a scale to investigate how healthy individuals react to paranoid thoughts. Methods. Paranoid thoughts were assessed with the Paranoia Checklist (Freeman et al., 2005). The 69-item Reactions to Paranoid Thoughts Scale (RePT) was created in a series of steps. Interviews were conducted to create a preliminary set of items. Results. Principal components analysis of the data from a healthy sample (N=408) revealed a stable 10-factor solution explaining 69% of the total variance. These factors included depressive, composed, communicative, rational, believing, devaluating, physical, positive distracting, normalising, and concealing reactions to paranoid thoughts. Cronbach's alphas for these factors ranged from . 77 to . 97. Overall, the strength and pattern of correlations with scales that assess reactions to unwanted thoughts or stressors indicated good convergent and divergent validity of the factors. The most frequently applied reactions to paranoid thoughts were normalising, rational, and composed responses. Persons with more frequent paranoid thoughts were characterised by increased levels of dysfunctional reactions, such as depressive, believing, and concealing reactions in comparison to persons with less frequent paranoid thoughts. Conclusions. It may prove beneficial to teach persons at risk of psychosis or those with attenuated symptoms new ways of responding to paranoid thoughts.
Design and analysis of an MST-based topology control algorithm

In this paper, we present a minimum spanning tree (MST) based topology control algorithm, called local minimum spanning tree (LMST), for wireless multi-hop networks. In this algorithm, each node builds its local minimum spanning tree independently and only keeps on-tree nodes that are one-hop away as its neighbors in the final topology. We analytically prove several important properties of LMST: (1) the topology derived under LMST preserves the network connectivity; (2) the node degree of any node in the resulting topology is bounded by 6; and (3) the topology can be transformed into one with bidirectional links (without impairing the network connectivity) after removal of all uni-directional links. These results are corroborated in the simulation study.
Comparison of Fracture resistance of teeth obturated with different obturation materials and sealers: An in vitro study

Introduction: The objective of the study is to evaluate and compare the vertical root fracture resistance of maxillary central incisors filled with different root filling materials and sealers. Materials and Methods: Sixty freshly extracted maxillary central incisor were decoronated 2 mm above the cementoenamel junction and were instrumented using K-flex files. Teeth were divided into four experimental groups and two control groups of ten each and root filled as Group A - Gutta-percha master cone and AH Plus sealer, Group B - Gutta-percha master cone and RealSeal sealer, Group C - RealSeal master cone and RealSeal sealer, Group D - RealSeal master cone and AH Plus sealer, Group E - roots were instrumented but not filled (negative control group), and Group F - roots were neither instrumented nor filled (positive control group). Restored teeth were subjected to compressive loading in a universal testing machine. Results: Group C showed highest fracture resistance among other groups, followed by Group F, Group D, Group B, and Group A. Group E showed the lowest fracture resistance value. According to an independent sample t-test, significant difference was found between Group A and Group C (P = 0.038), Group A and Group F (P = 0.048), Group B and Group C (P = 0.039), Group C and Group E (P = 0.024), Group D and Group E (P = 0.038), and Group E and Group F (P = 0.034), and the results were nonsignificant among other groups. Conclusion: The higher fracture resistance was seen in roots obturated with RealSeal system compared with Gutta-percha-AH 26 groups on vertical loading.
Adversarial Networks for Spatial Context-Aware Spectral Image Reconstruction from RGB

Hyperspectral signal reconstruction aims at recovering the original spectral input that produced a certain trichromatic (RGB) response from a capturing device or observer. Given the heavily underconstrained, non-linear nature of the problem, traditional techniques leverage different statistical properties of the spectral signal in order to build informative priors from real world object reflectances for constructing such RGB to spectral signal mapping. However, most of them treat each sample independently, and thus do not benefit from the contextual information that the spatial dimensions can provide. We pose hyperspectral natural image reconstruction as an image to image mapping learning problem, and apply a conditional generative adversarial framework to help capture spatial semantics. This is the first time Convolutional Neural Networks -and, particularly, Generative Adversarial Networks- are used to solve this task. Quantitative evaluation shows a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) drop of 44.7% and a Relative RMSE drop of 47.0% on the ICVL natural hyperspectral image dataset.
Silicon-free, low-loss and high contrast polymer multimode waveguides

The fabrication and characterization of SU-8 multimode optical waveguides on fused quartz and silicon oxide substrates were successfully realized and analyzed. Optical losses for the transverse electric (TE) mode polarization of 0.58 dB cm−1 and 1.44 dB cm−1 and transverse magnetic (TM) mode polarization of 0.73 dB cm−1 and 1.16 dB cm−1 were measured for SU-8 waveguides on fused quartz and silicon oxide substrates, respectively. The fabrication process for SU-8 waveguides on quartz developed herein could be applied for SU-8 optical integrated devices on other substrate materials.
Bilateral breast lumps: an unusual feature of extramedullary plasmacytoma.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma is a malignant tumour of plasma cells. By definition, these tumours arise in soft tissues, and although they can occur anywhere, they show a marked preference for the submucosal tissue of the upper air passages. There have been only isolated reports of a plasmacytoma of the breast, and, to our knowledge, no published reports of mammography in this condition. A seventy-year-old female presented with a hard lobulated mass overlying the left wrist. The swelling, which had first been noted six months previously, gradually enlarged but remained painless, and wrist movements were free. Xeroradiographs of the wrist (Figs. 1 and 2) showed a soft tissue swelling with obliteration of the tissue planes suggestive of a malignant lesion. At the same time, a mass 2–3 cm in diameter was found in each breast. X eroradiographs of the breasts (Figs. 3 and 4) suggested fibroadenomata (J.E.W.). Examination of the serum revealed a 20G/L paraproteinaemia with IgG heavy chains and lambda light chains.