Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular mimicry of MAGE-A6 and Mycoplasma penetrans HF-2 epitopes in the induction of antitumor CD8+ T-cell responses

A promising vaccine strategy for the treatment of cancer involves the use of vaccines incorporating tumor antigen-derived synthetic peptides that can be coordinately recognized by specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. Previously, we reported that a MAGE-A6-derived peptide (MAGE-A6172–187) and its highly-immunogenic and cross-reactive homolog derived from Mycoplasma penetrans HF-2 permease (HF-2216–229) are promiscuously presented by multiple HLA-DR alleles to responder CD4+ T-cells obtained from healthy donors and melanoma patients. Here, we investigated whether these same peptides could concomitantly stimulate cross-reactive MAGE-A6-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in vitro using cells isolated from HLA-A*0201 (HLA-A2)+ healthy individuals and patients with melanoma. We now show that MAGE-A6172–187 and, even more so, HF-2216–229, induce memory CD8+ T cells that recognize HLA-A2+ MAGE-A6+ tumor target cells. The immunogenicity of these peptides was at least partially attributed to their embedded MAGE-A6176–185 and HF-2220–229 “homologous” sequences. The functional avidity of HF-2216–229 peptide-primed CD8+ T cells for the MAGE-A6172–187 peptide was more than 100-fold greater than that of CD8+ T cells primed with the corresponding MAGE-A6 peptide. Additionally, these 2 peptides were recognized in interferon γ (IFNγ) and granzyme B ELISPOT assays by CD8+ T-cell clones displaying variable T-cell receptor (TCR) Vβ usage. These data suggest that the immune cross-reactivity of the MAGE-A6172–187 and HF-2216–229 peptides extends to CD8+ T cells, at least in HLA-A2+ donors, and supports the potential translational utility of these epitopes in clinical vaccine formulations and for immunomonitoring of cancer patients.
Individual Differences in Amygdala-Medial Prefrontal Anatomy Link Negative Affect, Impaired Social Functioning, and Polygenic Depression Risk

Individual differences in affective and social processes may arise from variability in amygdala-medial prefrontal (mPFC) circuitry and related genetic heterogeneity. To explore this possibility in humans, we examined the structural correlates of trait negative affect in a sample of 1050 healthy young adults with no history of psychiatric illness. Analyses revealed that heightened negative affect was associated with increased amygdala volume and reduced thickness in a left mPFC region encompassing the subgenual and rostral anterior cingulate cortex. The most extreme individuals displayed an inverse correlation between amygdala volume and mPFC thickness, suggesting that imbalance between these structures is linked to negative affect in the general population. Subgroups of participants were further evaluated on social (n = 206) and emotional (n = 533) functions. Individuals with decreased mPFC thickness exhibited the poorest social cognition and were least able to correctly identify facial emotion. Given prior links between disrupted amygdala–mPFC circuitry and the presence of major depressive disorder (MDD), we explored whether the individual differences in anatomy observed here in healthy young adults were associated with polygenic risk for MDD (n = 438) using risk scores derived from a large genome-wide association analysis (n = 18,759). Analyses revealed associations between increasing polygenic burden for MDD and reduced cortical thickness in the left mPFC. These collective findings suggest that, within the healthy population, there is significant variability in amygdala–mPFC circuitry that is associated with poor functioning across affective and social domains. Individual differences in this circuitry may arise, in part, from common genetic variability that contributes to risk for MDD.
Serial dependence in the perception of attractiveness

The perception of attractiveness is essential for choices of food, object, and mate preference. Like perception of other visual features, perception of attractiveness is stable despite constant changes of image properties due to factors like occlusion, visual noise, and eye movements. Recent results demonstrate that perception of low-level stimulus features and even more complex attributes like human identity are biased towards recent percepts. This effect is often called serial dependence. Some recent studies have suggested that serial dependence also exists for perceived facial attractiveness, though there is also concern that the reported effects are due to response bias. Here we used an attractiveness-rating task to test the existence of serial dependence in perceived facial attractiveness. Our results demonstrate that perceived face attractiveness was pulled by the attractiveness level of facial images encountered up to 6 s prior. This effect was not due to response bias and did not rely on the previous motor response. This perceptual pull increased as the difference in attractiveness between previous and current stimuli increased. Our results reconcile previously conflicting findings and extend previous work, demonstrating that sequential dependence in perception operates across different levels of visual analysis, even at the highest levels of perceptual interpretation.
Copula sentences and entailment relations

Abstract In her proposal Claudia Maienborn attempts to provide evidence above all for the following basic claims: First, stative verbal expressions, regardless of whether they represent stage-level or individual-level predicates, pattern with eventive expressions in introducing a hidden referential argument which can be located in time and may serve as an antecedent for anaphoric reference. What separates statives from eventives is that their arguments are not dynamic but static entities, that is, states.
Modeling perceived stress via HRV and accelerometer sensor streams

Discovering and modeling of stress patterns of human beings is a key step towards achieving automatic stress monitoring, stress management and healthy lifestyle. As various wearable sensors become popular, it becomes possible for individuals to acquire their own relevant sensory data and to automatically assess their stress level on the go. Previous studies for stress analysis were conducted in the controlled laboratory and clinic settings. These studies are not suitable for stress monitoring in one's daily life as various physical activities may affect the physiological signals. In this paper, we address such issue by integrating two modalities of sensors, i.e., HRV sensors and accelerometers, to monitor the perceived stress levels in daily life. We gathered both the heart and the motion data from 8 participants continuously for about 2 weeks. We then extracted features from both sensory data and compared the existing machine learning methods for learning personalized models to interpret the perceived stress levels. Experimental results showed that Bagging classifier with feature selection is able to achieve a prediction accuracy 85.7%, indicating our stress monitoring on daily basis is fairly practical.
How well can we determine cluster mass profiles from weak lensing

Weak gravitational lensing provides a direct way to study the mass distribution of clusters of galaxies at large radii. Unfortunately, large-scale structure along the line of sight also contributes to the lensing signal,and consequently affects the measurements. We quantify the effect of distant uncorrelated large-scale structure on the inferred mass profile of clusters as measured from weak lensing. We consider Navarro, Frenk & White profiles, and find that large-scale structure is a major source of uncertainty for most practical situations, when a model, with mass M 2 0 0 and concentration parameter c as free parameters, is fitted to the observations. We find that the best constraints are found for clusters at intermediate redshifts (z 0.3). For a cluster at z = 0.3, optimal results are obtained when the lensing signal is measured out to 10-15 arcmin. Measurements at larger radii do not improve the accuracy with which the profile can be determined, contrary to what is expected when the contribution from large-scale structure is ignored. The true uncertainties in M 2 0 0 and the concentration parameter c are ∼2 times larger than when distant large-scale structure is not included in the error budget.
A Logic for True Concurrency

We propose a logic for true concurrency whose formulae predicate about events in computations and their causal dependencies. The induced logical equivalence is hereditary history-preserving bisimilarity, and fragments of the logic can be identified which correspond to other true concurrent behavioural equivalences in the literature: step, pomset and history-preserving bisimilarity. Standard Hennessy-Milner logic, and thus (interleaving) bisimilarity, is also recovered as a fragment. We also propose an extension of the logic with fixpoint operators, thus allowing to describe causal and concurrency properties of infinite computations. This work contributes to a rational presentation of the true concurrent spectrum and to a deeper understanding of the relations between the involved behavioural equivalences.
Epidermal growth factor receptor in relation to tumor development: EGFR gene and cancer

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its three related proteins (the ERBB family) are receptor tyrosine kinases that play essential roles in both normal physiological conditions and cancerous conditions. Upon binding its ligands, dynamic conformational changes occur in both extracellular and intracellular domains of the receptor tyrosine kinases, resulting in the transphosphorylation of tyrosine residues in the C‐terminal regulatory domain. These provide docking sites for downstream molecules and lead to the evasion of apoptosis, to proliferation, to invasion and to metastases, all of which are important for the cancer phenotype. Mutation in the tyrosine kinase domain of the EGFR gene was found in a subset of lung cancers in 2002. Lung cancers with an EGFR mutation are highly sensitive to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as gefitinib and erlotinib. Here, we review the discovery of EGFR, the EGFR signal transduction pathway and mutations of the EGFR gene in lung cancers and glioblastomas. The biological significance of such mutations and their relationship with other activated genes in lung cancers are also discussed.
Brain structural correlates of irritability: Findings in a large healthy cohort

Irritability and nonviolent aggression are common behavioral features across the population, yet there is limited neurobiological research into subclinical phenotypes representing the lower edge of a symptom continuum ranging from slight irritability to criminal violence. We studied brain structural correlates of irritability in a large healthy cohort to test the hypothesis of associations with fronto‐limbic brain structures implicated in mood regulation. In a large multicenter effort, we recruited 409 mentally healthy adults from the community, who received T1‐weighted high‐resolution 3 T MRI scans. These structural scans were automatically preprocessed for voxel‐ and surface‐based morphometry measurements with the CAT 12 toolbox implemented in SPM 12. Subclinical aggressive symptoms were assessed using the SCL‐90‐R aggression/hostility subscale and then correlated with cortical volume (VBM), and cortical thickness and gyrification. VBM analysis showed significant (P < 0.05, FDR‐corrected at peak‐level) positive correlations of cortical volume with SCL‐90‐R aggression subscale values in large clusters spanning bilateral anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal cortices and left lingual and postcentral gyri. Surface‐based morphometry yielded mostly uncorrected positive correlations with cortical thickness in bilateral precentral gyri and with gyrification in left insula and superior temporal gyrus. Our findings imply an association of subclinical aggressive symptoms with cortical volume in areas important for emotion awareness and regulation, which might also be related to cortical adaptation to mental stress. These results overlap with several findings on impulsive aggression in patients suffering from affective and disruptive behavior disorders. They also suggest a biological symptom continuum manifesting in these brain areas. Hum Brain Mapp 38:6230–6238, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Geometric invariants for real quadratic fields

To an ideal class of a real quadratic ﬁeld we associate a certain surface. This surface, which is a new geometric invariant, has the usual modular closed geodesic as its boundary. Furthermore, its area is determined by the length of an associated backward continued fraction. We study the distribution properties of this surface on average over a genus. In the process we give an extension and reﬁnement of the Katok-Sarnak formula.
Rituximab for lymphoproliferative disease prior to haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for X‐linked severe combined immunodeficiency

Lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) is a complication of congenital and acquired immunodeficiency states. There are a number of treatment options for LPD arising after haematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplantation including reduction of immunosuppression, targeted therapies, such as the anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, and EBV specific cytotoxic lymphocytes. Treatment of LPD in children with congenital immunodeficiency syndromes remains unsatisfactory and is associated with a high mortality rate. We recently managed an infant found to have polymorphic LPD concurrent with X‐linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) had to be deferred because of progressive LPD. Treatment with rituximab resulted in regression of the LPD following which the patient received a 5/6 HLA matched umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplant. The patient remains well 20 months following transplantation. Rituximab treatment may have a useful role in the control of LPD associated with congenital immunodeficiency prior to HSCT. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:366–369. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A 22–24 GHz 4-Element CMOS Phased Array With On-Chip Coupling Characterization

This paper presents a 22-24 GHz CMOS 4-element phased array based on the all-RF architecture with very low power consumption and chip area. The measured array performance, done at the system level at 22-24 GHz, shows an input and output match of <-13 dB, 9-12 dB gain, 7.5-8.0 dB NF, an IIP3 of -9.5 to -12.5 dBm, and a 4-bit phase control with an rms gain and phase error of <1.2 dB and <6deg, respectively (<0.5 dB and <3deg at 23.5-24.5 GHz). The chip consumes 76.5 mA from a 1.5 V supply and is 3 mm2 in area. Extensive coupling measurements show that the dominant on-chip coupling components result in system-level gain and phase errors which are proportional to the LNA gain. To our knowledge, this is the first analysis of on-chip coupling effects on phased array performance, and the first demonstration of an all-RF mm-wave CMOS phased array with full amplitude and phase control on each element. The application areas are in high data-rate communications and automotive radars.
On a Group Signature Scheme Supporting Batch Verification for Vehicular Networks

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) have recently attract extensive attentions as a promising technology for improving traffic safety and efficiency. To make VANETs practical, security, privacy and efficiency are important issues. Anonymity preserving of group signature and lower overhead in verification of batch signature make these two kinds of signatures right tools to design VANET communication protocols. In IEEE ICC 2010, a privacy-preserving scheme for VANETs has been proposed, which is proposed by adding batch verification into a short group signature proposed in CRYPTO 2004, in order to offer a privacy-preserving and fast verification message authentication protocol in VANETs. However, we first point out that this scheme is wrong due to the confused computations. Then we propose a new efficient privacy-preserving vehicular communication scheme from the same group signature supporting batch verification.
Alpha Rhythms in Audition: Cognitive and Clinical Perspectives

Like the visual and the sensorimotor systems, the auditory system exhibits pronounced alpha-like resting oscillatory activity. Due to the relatively small spatial extent of auditory cortical areas, this rhythmic activity is less obvious and frequently masked by non-auditory alpha-generators when recording non-invasively using magnetoencephalography (MEG) or electroencephalography (EEG). Following stimulation with sounds, marked desynchronizations can be observed between 6 and 12 Hz, which can be localized to the auditory cortex. However knowledge about the functional relevance of the auditory alpha rhythm has remained scarce so far. Results from the visual and sensorimotor system have fuelled the hypothesis of alpha activity reflecting a state of functional inhibition. The current article pursues several intentions: (1) Firstly we review and present own evidence (MEG, EEG, sEEG) for the existence of an auditory alpha-like rhythm independent of visual or motor generators, something that is occasionally met with skepticism. (2) In a second part we will discuss tinnitus and how this audiological symptom may relate to reduced background alpha. The clinical part will give an introduction into a method which aims to modulate neurophysiological activity hypothesized to underlie this distressing disorder. Using neurofeedback, one is able to directly target relevant oscillatory activity. Preliminary data point to a high potential of this approach for treating tinnitus. (3) Finally, in a cognitive neuroscientific part we will show that auditory alpha is modulated by anticipation/expectations with and without auditory stimulation. We will also introduce ideas and initial evidence that alpha oscillations are involved in the most complex capability of the auditory system, namely speech perception. The evidence presented in this article corroborates findings from other modalities, indicating that alpha-like activity functionally has an universal inhibitory role across sensory modalities.
Evaluation of partial carbon dioxide rebreathing cardiac output measurement during thoracic surgery.

OBJECTIVE Noninvasive partial CO2 rebreathing (NICO; Novametrix Medical Systems, Inc, Wallingford, CT) is a relatively new alternative to thermodilution (TDCO) for measurement of cardiac output. This study compares the 2 methods during thoracic surgery and one-lung ventilation. DESIGN A prospective, observational study. SETTING A tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS Twelve adult patients undergoing elective thoracotomy and one-lung ventilation in the lateral decubitus position. INTERVENTIONS Paired measurements of cardiac output were performed during (1) 2-lung ventilation in the supine position (postinduction of anesthesia), (2) 10 minutes after initiation of one-lung ventilation in the lateral decubitus position with the nondependent chest open, and (3) after 30 minutes on one-lung ventilation. An average of 3 consecutive (10 mL 20 degrees C saline) TDCO measurements made during end-expiration was compared with corresponding NICO measurements. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The NICO showed a tendency to underestimate cardiac output compared with TDCO at all measurement times. Overall, bias was -0.29 L/min and limits of agreement -1.69 to 1.43 L/min. CONCLUSIONS There was a moderate agreement between cardiac output measurements obtained with the NICO and TDCO. The present data suggest that the NICO technique may be useful during thoracic surgery.
Visual Object Tracking Performance Measures Revisited

The problem of visual tracking evaluation is sporting a large variety of performance measures, and largely suffers from lack of consensus about which measures should be used in experiments. This makes the cross-paper tracker comparison difficult. Furthermore, as some measures may be less effective than others, the tracking results may be skewed or biased toward particular tracking aspects. In this paper, we revisit the popular performance measures and tracker performance visualizations and analyze them theoretically and experimentally. We show that several measures are equivalent from the point of information they provide for tracker comparison and, crucially, that some are more brittle than the others. Based on our analysis, we narrow down the set of potential measures to only two complementary ones, describing accuracy and robustness, thus pushing toward homogenization of the tracker evaluation methodology. These two measures can be intuitively interpreted and visualized and have been employed by the recent visual object tracking challenges as the foundation for the evaluation methodology.
Strategies in Naturalistic Decision-Making : A cognitive Task Analysis of Naval Weather Forecasting 1

The work reported here was undertaken to gain an understanding of the weather forecasting process in a naturalistic setting that involves task switching and moderate time pressure. In the first study, Navy weather forecasters verbalized their thoughts while they completed a standard forecasting task. In the second study, Navy weather forecasters completed a questionnaire after finishing each of 22 forecasts. The studies showed that military forecasting is streamlined; forecasters relied largely on numerical weather prediction models, and problem solving was predominantly rule-based rather than based upon a four-dimensional mental representation of the atmosphere. Strategies suggested an effort to minimize workload in order to adapt to task demands. Despite the need for efficiency, military forecasters appeared to maintain system awareness. All forecasters expressed some understanding of numerical model uncertainty.
Effects of Isoflurane on the Baroreceptor Reflex

The baroreceptor reflex has been found to be attenuated during anesthesisa, but the effects of the relatively new anesthetic, isoflurance, on baroreflex function have not been examined throughly. This study was performed to determine the effects of isoflurane on each component of the baroreceptor reflex arc, including the receptors, afferent and efferent nerve pathways, central integratory centers, peripheral ganglia, and the heart. Baroreflex effects on heart rate initiated by systemic pressure changes were examined in conscious and anesthetized dogs (1.3% and 2.6% isoflurane). The effects on individual components of the reflex are were determined by examining carotid sinus baroreceptor afferent activity, sympathetic efferent nerve activity, and heart rate response to direct sympathetic and parasympathetic efferent nerve stimulation in anesthetized dogs. Preganglionic and postganglionic nerve activities were recorded simultaneously during baroreflex activation to determine ganglionic effects of isoflurane. Baroreflex-induced changes in heart rate were not depressed significantly until 2.6% isoflurane if blood pressure changes due to anesthetic administration were prevented. Significant decreases in baseline sympathetic efferent nerve activity were found at 1.3% and 2.6% isoflurane, with depression of postganglionic activity significantly greater than preganglionic activity at 2.6% isoflurane, indicating a ganglionic effect of isoflurance. Cardiac chronotropic responses to direct stimulation of sympathetic and vagal fibers were attenuated significantly by isoflurane, with sympathetic stimulation showing the greater sensitivity to the anesthetic. Carotid baroreceptor afferent activity was increased by isoflurane, and this sensitization of the baroreceptors appeared to contribute to the decreased levels of sympathetic tone. Therefore, although isoflurane was found to alter the baroreceptor reflex through its effects at multiple sites of the baroreflex arc, significant depression of the cardiac chronotropic component of the reflex was seen only at 2.6% isoflurane.