Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distributed Formation Control While Preserving Connectedness

This paper addresses the connectedness issue in multi-agent coordination, i.e. the problem of ensuring that the group stays connected while achieving some performance objective. In particular, we continue our previous work on rendezvous control and extend it to the formation control problem over dynamic interaction graphs. By adding appropriate weights to the edges in the graphs, we guarantee that the graphs stay connected, while achieving the desired formations
Intracellular Signal Transduction and Modification of the Tumor Microenvironment Induced by RET/PTCs in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

RET gene rearrangements (RET/PTCs) represent together with BRAF point mutations the two major groups of mutations involved in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) initiation and progression. In this review, we will examine the mechanisms involved in RET/PTC-induced thyroid cell transformation. In detail, we will summarize the data on the molecular mechanisms involved in RET/PTC formation and in its function as a dominant oncogene, on the activated signal transduction pathways and on the induced gene expression modifications. Moreover, we will report on the effects of RET/PTCs on the tumor microenvironment. Finally, a short review of the literature on RET/PTC prognostic significance will be presented.
Impedance Cardiography to Guide Antihypertensive Treatment in a Patient with Difficult-to-Treat Hypertension

In this case report, we describe the use of impedance cardiography (ICG) to guide antihypertensive therapy in a patient with difficult-to-treat hypertension illustrating the potential benefit of use in clinical practice. Through the identification of our patient’s hemodynamic phenotype, low cardiac index and elevated systemic vascular resistance index, and medication changes directed toward these patient-specific parameters therapy was streamlined to achieve target blood pressure with a net reduction in medications. Despite decades of research and guideline publications aiming to improve hypertensive control approximately half of hypertensive patients fail to reach BP targets using a stepped-care approach. Recent evidence advocates for more intensive BP goals in select patient populations, which would require therapy intensification for millions of hypertensive adults. Utilizing novel strategies, such as ICG, to personalize antihypertensive regimens has the potential to improve overall BP control without an increase in medications, or in certain cases, a reduction in medication. This case report illustrates the utilization of ICG as a method of providing more effective BP control while potentially decreasing burden on patients, and the healthcare system, through avoiding use of likely ineffective and potentially harmful therapies.
Candida albicans Hgt1p, a multifunctional evasion molecule: complement inhibitor, CR3 analogue, and human immunodeficiency virus-binding molecule.

BACKGROUND The complement system is tightly controlled by several regulators. Two of these, factor H (FH) and C4b-binding protein (C4BP), can be acquired by pathogens conveying resistance to complement attack. The aim of the study was to characterize the FH binding molecule of Candida albicans, a potentially life-threatening yeast. METHODS The gene coding for this molecule was identified by probing an expression library and homozygous deletion mutants of the respective gene were constructed. Binding and functional assays were undertaken to compare wild-type and knockout strains. RESULTS The high-affinity glucose transporter 1 (CaHgt1p) was identified as an FH-binding molecule. Homozygous hgt1Δ/Δ deletion mutants, but not the restored strain in which HGT1 was reintegrated, showed a decreased binding of FH and even of C4BP, demonstrating its function as an FH- and C4BP-binding protein. This led to an enhanced terminal complement complex deposition after incubation with human serum; CaHgt1p thus functions as complement inhibitor. hgt1Δ/Δ mutants failed to form rosettes with complement-coated sheep erythrocytes, and show reduced binding to HIV-gp160, implying that a complement receptor 3 (CR3) moiety, known as fungal HIV binding molecule is lacking. CONCLUSIONS CaHgt1p is a multifunctional evasion molecule, as complement inhibitor, CR3 analogue and HIV receptor.
CIDE domains form functionally important higher-order assemblies for DNA fragmentation

Significance Cell death-inducing DFF45-like effector (CIDE) domains, initially identified in apoptotic nucleases, form a highly conserved family with diverse functions ranging from cell death to lipid homeostasis and synaptic regulation. Through structural determination of two CIDE family proteins, Drep2 and Drep4, we found that CIDE domains can form helical oligomers. Our results reveal that such higher-order structures not only are conserved in the CIDE family, but also are critically important for both DNA fragmentation and lipid droplet fusion. Therefore, our findings identify the CIDE domain as a scaffolding component for higher-order structure assembly. Our results expand the importance of higher-order structures from the established field of immune signaling to broader biological functions. Cell death-inducing DFF45-like effector (CIDE) domains, initially identified in apoptotic nucleases, form a family with diverse functions ranging from cell death to lipid homeostasis. Here we show that the CIDE domains of Drosophila and human apoptotic nucleases Drep2, Drep4, and DFF40 all form head-to-tail helical filaments. Opposing positively and negatively charged interfaces mediate the helical structures, and mutations on these surfaces abolish nuclease activation for apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Conserved filamentous structures are observed in CIDE family members involved in lipid homeostasis, and mutations on the charged interfaces compromise lipid droplet fusion, suggesting that CIDE domains represent a scaffold for higher-order assembly in DNA fragmentation and other biological processes such as lipid homeostasis.
VEGF Blockade Inhibits Lymphocyte Recruitment and Ameliorates Immune-Mediated Vascular Remodeling

Rationale There are conflicting data on the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vascular remodeling. Furthermore, there are species-specific differences in leukocyte and vascular cell biology and little is known about the role of VEGF in remodeling of human arteries. Objective We sought to address the role of VEGF blockade on remodeling of human arteries in vivo. Methods and Results We used an anti-VEGF antibody, bevacizumab, to study the effect of VEGF blockade on remodeling of human coronary artery transplants in severe combined immunodeficient mice. Bevacizumab ameliorated peripheral blood mononuclear cell–induced but not interferon-&ggr;–induced neointimal formation. This inhibitory effect was associated with a reduction in graft T-cell accumulation without affecting T-cell activation. VEGF enhanced T-cell capture by activated endothelium under flow conditions. The VEGF effect could be recapitulated when a combination of recombinant intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 rather than endothelial cells was used to capture T cells. A subpopulation of CD3+ T cells expressed VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-1 by immunostaining and FACS analysis. VEGFR-1 mRNA was also detectable in purified CD4+ T cells and Jurkat and HSB-2 T-cell lines. Stimulation of HSB-2 and T cells with VEGF triggered downstream ERK phosphorylation, demonstrating the functionality of VEGFR-1 in human T cells. Conclusions VEGF contributes to vascular remodeling in human arteries through a direct effect on human T cells that enhances their recruitment to the vessel. These findings raise the possibility of novel therapeutic approaches to vascular remodeling based on inhibition of VEGF signaling.
Oxidative DNA damage and cellular sensitivity to oxidative stress in human autoimmune diseases.

OBJECTIVES--To estimate the extent of genomic DNA damage and killing of lymphocytes by reactive oxygen intermediates in autoimmune diseases. METHODS--8-Oxo-7-hydrodeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), a promutagenic DNA lesion induced by reactive oxygen intermediates, was measured by high performance liquid chromatography, coupled with electrochemical detection, in hydrolysates of DNA which had been extracted from lymphocyte and polymorphonuclear leucocyte fractions of human blood. In addition, human primary blood lymphocytes stimulated by concanavalin A were assayed for cytotoxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide on day 0, by assessing cell proliferation during seven days of culture. RESULTS--Constitutive 8-oxodG was detectable (mean (2 SEM) moles 8-oxodG/10(6) moles deoxyguanosine) in DNA isolated from normal human blood lymphocytes (68 (8), n = 26) and polymorphonuclear leucocytes (118 (24), n = 24). Lymphocyte DNA from donors with the following inflammatory autoimmune diseases contained significantly higher levels of 8-oxodG than that from healthy donors: rheumatoid arthritis (98 (16)), systemic lupus erythematosus (137 (28)), vasculitis (100 (32)), and Behçet's disease (92 (19)). Lymphocyte 8-oxodG levels in non-autoimmune controls and patients with scleroderma were not significantly different from those of healthy controls. The levels of 8-oxodG were significantly higher in the DNA from normal polymorphonuclear leucocytes than in paired DNA samples from normal lymphocytes, but there were no differences between levels of 8-oxodG in polymorphonuclear leucocytes from normal subjects and the patients studied. Levels of 8-oxodG did not correlate with disease duration, disease severity, or age. Lymphocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, but not those with scleroderma, also showed cellular hypersensitivity to the toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide. CONCLUSION--There was increased genomic DNA damage, and increased susceptibility to cytotoxic killing by hydrogen peroxide, in lymphocytes from patients with certain autoimmune diseases. These results might be explained by defective repair of DNA damage or by increased production of reactive oxygen intermediates in inflammation. Although more direct studies are needed, the evidence available favours the former explanation.
Influence of hydroentangling variables on the properties of bi-layer polyethylene terephthalate–glass fabrics

Two webs, the first containing 100% polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the second 80% glass/20% PET, were integrated by hydroentangling to produce a coherent bi-layer fabric. A full-factorial experimental study at two levels was conducted to determine the influence of four hydroentangling variables (water pressure, conveyor speed, nozzle diameter and number of injectors) on the dimensional and mechanical properties of the fabrics. Each variable was known to contribute to the specific energy. Statistical analysis was conducted using analysis of variance and analysis of covariance to determine the main effects and interactions. In terms of fabric tensile strength, a significant interaction was found between the conveyor speed and nozzle diameter and also between the water jet pressure and the number of injectors. Statistical analysis enabled the levels of each variable to be selected to minimize the specific energy consumption, as it was found that fabrics produced using the same specific energy can exhibit significantly different properties. Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray microtomography confirmed the migration of fiber segments between the two web layers and revealed the nature of fiber interactions in the interface.
A Simple Model of Sheet Metal Assembly

This paper is meant to serve as a case study of mathematical modeling in industry. The problem, which arises in the automotive industry, is to predict the variation in the final assembly given the variation in the parts and tooling. In this paper, we present a simple model of welding and clamping of beams which demonstrates that the order in which the clamps and welds are applied influences the final shape of the assembly. The modeling of the process is done by simple mechanics. To solve the mathematical problem, we use standard ideas from constrained optimization and scientific computation. Additionally, using a statistical simulation we show that clamping and welding from the inside out leads to a smaller standard deviation in the result (as measured by the displacement of the right end of the beams) in response to normal distributions of variations in parts and welding. The findings help explain why certain welding sequence may be preferred.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Beijing, 2003

The largest outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) struck Beijing in spring 2003. Multiple importations of SARS to Beijing initiated transmission in several healthcare facilities. Beijing’s outbreak began March 5; by late April, daily hospital admissions for SARS exceeded 100 for several days; 2,521 cases of probable SARS occurred. Attack rates were highest in those 20–39 years of age; 1% of cases occurred in children <10 years. The case-fatality rate was highest among patients >65 years (27.7% vs. 4.8% for those 20–64 years, p < 0.001). Healthcare workers accounted for 16% of probable cases. The proportion of case-patients without known contact to a SARS patient increased significantly in May. Implementation of early detection, isolation, contact tracing, quarantine, triage of case-patients to designated SARS hospitals, and community mobilization ended the outbreak.
Remarks on invariants of hamiltonian loops

In this note the interrelations between several natural morphisms on the $\pi_1$ of groups of Hamiltonian diffeomorphisms are investigated. As an application, the equality of the (non-linear) Maslov index of loops of quantomorphisms of prequantizations of $\C P^n$ and the Calabi-Weinstein invariant is shown, settling affirmatively a conjecture by A. Givental. We also prove the proportionality of the mixed action-Maslov morphism and the Futaki invariant on loops of Hamiltonian biholomorphisms of Fano Kahler manifolds, as suggested by C. Woodward. Finally, a family of generalized action-Maslov invariants is computed for toric manifolds via barycenters of their moment polytopes, with an application to mass-linear functions recently introduced by D. McDuff and S. Tolman.
A Comparison of Domestic Violence Screening Methods in a Pediatric Office

In 1998, the American Academy of Pediatrics, recognizing the extreme impact of domestic violence (DV) on children, recommended that all pediatric providers screen for this problem.1 While one third of women will disclose DV when screened in the pediatric setting, practitioners have described several barriers to screening such as lack of time and discomfort addressing the problem.2,3 Screening in states that have Mandated Reporting Laws (MR) is further complicated with concerns of violating the practitioner-patient relationship and whether women are less likely to disclose in such a situation.4 Written, self-administered screens may be time-saving and have been shown to be effective in non-pediatric settings.4,5 MR, however, may present another barrier to screening and there is no information how MR or written questionnaires affect screening in the pediatric office setting. In our study, we compare the prevalence of DV reported by women using oral screening with and without disclosure of MR and a written self-administered screen in a pediatric office.
A simple term frequency transformation model for effective pseudo relevance feedback

Pseudo Relevance Feedback is an effective technique to improve the performance of ad-hoc information retrieval. Traditionally, the expansion terms are extracted either according to the term distributions in the feedback documents; or according to both the term distributions in the feedback documents and in the whole document collection. However, most of the existing models employ a single term frequency normalization mechanism or criteria that cannot take into account various aspects of a term's saliency in the feedback documents. In this paper, we propose a simple and heuristic, but effective model, in which three term frequency transformation techniques are integrated to capture the saliency of a candidate term associated with the original query terms in the feedback documents. Through evaluations and comparisons on six TREC collections, we show that our proposed model is effective and generally superior to the recent progress of relevance feedback models.
Nutraceutical composition of Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk (Indian ber): effect of enzyme-assisted processing

Zizyphus (Indian ber) is an excellent source of several phenolic compounds. The effect of two cell wall degrading enzymes, namely pectinase and viscozyme, on the nutraceutical composition of Zizyphus juice was investigated in the present study. Enzyme assisted processing significantly (P < 0.05) improved the juice yield, total soluble solids, total phenolics and total antioxidant activity (AOX). There was significant increase in recovery of antioxidants, to the tune of 70.51%, 66%, and 45% respectively in ascorbic acid, total phenolics and total flavonoids through viscozyme. The in-vitro total AOX of juice extracted via enzyme-assisted processing was 20.9 and 15.59 μmol Trolox/ml in ferric-reducing antioxidant power and cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity assays, respectively. There was 41% increase in AOX of juice extracted with enzyme over straight pressed juice. Results indicate that enzyme-assisted processing can significantly improve the functional properties of the Zizyphus juice.
A clinical survey of the output intensity of 200 light curing units in dental offices across Maharashtra

Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine the intensity of light curing units and factors affecting it in dental offices. Materials and Methods: The output intensity of 200 light curing units in dental offices across Maharashtra were examined. The collection of related information (thenumber of months of use of curing unit, the approximate number of times used in a day, and presence or absence of composite build-ups) and measurement of the intensity was performed by two operators. L.E. D Radiometer (Kerr) was used for measuring the output intensity. The average output intensity was divided into three categories (<200 mW/cm2, 200-400 mW/ cm2and >400 mW/cm2). Results: Among the 200 curing units examined, 81 were LED units and 119 were QTH units. Only 10% LED machines and 2% QTH curing units had good intensities (>400 mW/cm 2). Conclusion: Most of the examined curing lights had low output intensity ranging from 200 to 400 mW/cm2, and most of the curing units had composite build-ups on them.
Longitudinal and transverse permeability of balsam fir wetwood and normal heartwood.

The occurrence of wetwood in balsam fir is a problem in the drying of sawn lumber: drying time increases and moisture content of dried lumber is heterogeneous. Permeability may be used as an indicator of drying rates. Longitudinal, radial, and tangential intrinsic permeability of balsam fir wet-wood and normal heartwood was measured in this study. The longitudinal intrinsic permeability was about 2,000 times and 9,000 times higher than the tangential and the radial intrinsic permeability, respectively. Wetwood had a higher longitudinal permeability than normal heartwood, but no significant difference was found between the radial and tangential directions. Sampling height in the tree, basic density, and growth ring width had no effect on the intrinsic permeability. An increase of latewood percentage in the growth rings resulted in an increase in longitudinal intrinsic permeability and a decrease in tangential intrinsic permeability. Radial flow seemed to be controlled by ray blockage in wetwood and normal heartwood, which may result in radial impermeability of wood. A poorly drained stand seemed to favor wetwood formation.
Control characteristics of two humans in cooperative task

Control systems for cooperative robots should be designed to work imitating human characteristics. So it is important to know the human characteristics in a cooperative task, i.e. carrying an object by two humans. In this study, we have tried to achieve these goals by means of controlling a simple one degree-of-freedom cooperative robot. Firstly, the control characteristics of two humans in the cooperative task are investigated. Then, the cooperative task is modelled and the parameters of the model are evaluated. Finally, the proposed model is implemented to control a robot in order to perform a cooperative task with humans. It is observed that the proposed control methodology has given human like movements to the robot for cooperating with a human.
Differential iron-bioavailability with relation to nutrient compositions in polished rice among selected Chinese genotypes using Caco-2 cell culture model

Abstract Genotypic variation of iron bioavailability and the relationship between iron bioavailability and nutrient composition in polished rice among 11 rice genotypes were assessed using an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model. The results indicated that significant differences in iron bioavailability were detected among tested rice genotypes, with a 3-fold range, suggesting a possibility of selecting high bioavailable iron by plant breeding. Although iron bioavailability was not significantly correlated with Fe concentration in polished rice among tested rice genotypes, the results also indicated that most of the iron dense genotypes showed relatively high ferritin formation in Caco-2 cell and transported iron. Additionally, iron bioavailability in polished rice was enhanced by addition of ascorbic acid, with a much wider range of Fe bioavailability variation in polished rice with addition of ascorbic acid than that without addition of ascorbic acid. The positive relationship between iron bioavailability in polished rice and cysteine concentration (R = 0.669) or sulfur (S) concentration (R = 0.744) among tested rice genotypes, suggests that cysteine and sulfur concentration in polished rice could be used as an indicator for high iron bioavailability.
Inhibition of Klebsiella β-Lactamases (SHV-1 and KPC-2) by Avibactam: A Structural Study

β-Lactamase inhibition is an important clinical strategy in overcoming β-lactamase-mediated resistance to β-lactam antibiotics in Gram negative bacteria. A new β-lactamase inhibitor, avibactam, is entering the clinical arena and promising to be a major step forward in our antibiotic armamentarium. Avibactam has remarkable broad-spectrum activity in being able to inhibit classes A, C, and some class D β-lactamases. We present here structural investigations into class A β-lactamase inhibition by avibactam as we report the crystal structures of SHV-1, the chromosomal penicillinase of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and KPC-2, an acquired carbapenemase found in the same pathogen, complexed with avibactam. The 1.80 Å KPC-2 and 1.42 Å resolution SHV-1 β-lactamase avibactam complex structures reveal avibactam covalently bonded to the catalytic S70 residue. Analysis of the interactions and chair-shaped conformation of avibactam bound to the active sites of KPC-2 and SHV-1 provides structural insights into recently laboratory-generated amino acid substitutions that result in resistance to avibactam in KPC-2 and SHV-1. Furthermore, we observed several important differences in the interactions with amino acid residues, in particular that avibactam forms hydrogen bonds to S130 in KPC-2 but not in SHV-1, that can possibly explain some of the different kinetic constants of inhibition. Our observations provide a possible reason for the ability of KPC-2 β-lactamase to slowly desulfate avibactam with a potential role for the stereochemistry around the N1 atom of avibactam and/or the presence of an active site water molecule that could aid in avibactam desulfation, an unexpected consequence of novel inhibition chemistry.